Open Floor Plan Kitchen: How to Plan It Correctly

Homeowners are always focused about the decor of their living room and the comfort of their bedroom, but they never really pay attention to kitchen that also is an integral part of the home. Kitchens today are beyond any ordinary cooking place, as many families prefer to have their meals together in the kitchen area. On the other hand, there are many people that would like to party and would like to invite their guests in the kitchen area. Keeping this is mind, many homeowners focus on open floor plan kitchen that would allow them to get enough space to walk and work around conveniently.

traditional-living-roomIf you are planning to have a perfect kitchen you need to start with a perfect open floor kitchen plan that suits your requirement and budget. There are many factors that you need to consider when you are preparing open floor kitchen plan. While you are doing that it is important that you focus strictly on your cooking requirements and styles. This will help you great deal in preparing your open floor plan kitchen. Everybody home has a different requirement and prepares meal differently and that is a crucial factor that needs to be incorporated while making kitchen based on open floor plan. This also gives the family ample space that they need to be together and optimize the limited floor space.

When you talk to the experts about open floor plan kitchen many might provide you with ideas of having kitchen in certain shapes that can optimize the space. For instance, there are kitchens that are developed in G-shape, L-shape and even U-shape and in all these designs renovators and interior decorators work on combining the three most crucial elements in any kitchen which are; the cooking area, the refrigerator and the sink. You can certainly go through all these shapes and see which one fits your kitchen space in the best possible way. Single wall and gallery kitchen styles also work for many homeowners, so do keep that in mind as well.

While you are making the kitchen efficient, you also have to keep in mind not to make it look monotonous. For this you can create more countertops and place them in the right way to provide a new dimension to your kitchen. With a proper plan for cabinets, drawers and shelves you can ensure that you store a lot more items in a neat way. Most kitchens that do not have proper plan for storage often end up looking cluttered taking up the limited space. It is recommended that you know about your cooking styles, so that you know how many storage options you need to keep your kitchen look spacious.

If you are internet savvy you can certainly make use of various programs that help you to design your open floor plan kitchen and you can experiment with different ideas before you finalize a design that suits your kitchen requirements. It is also recommended that you keep a close watch on the budget while preparing your plan.

 

Ohio Lawmakers Introduce New Laws to Curb Predatory Mortgage Loans

The Ohio real estate market has proven to be relatively strong over the last few months. According to the Northern Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service, the number of single family unit sales increased 4.7% in the beginning of 2015, which was a remarkable turnaround from the sluggish market in the prior year. The stronger housing market has also attracted many predator lenders, which is fueling concerns about another housing crisis. Read more

Know When to Hire a Professional for an Ohio Remodeling Project

A study from the Join Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University suggests that fewer Columbus homeowners remodel their property than people living in other major cities. One of the main reasons may be that many people are more likely to do their own remodeling without seeking a permit first. While it may be tempting to save money handling the project on your own, there are instances where it is clearly necessary to hire a professional.

Columbus Real Estate Journalist Discusses Importance of Hiring Professionals

home-improvement-and-remodeling-contractor-in-great-falls-virginiaJamie Curtis is a well-known writer in Columbus. She does a lot of DIY remodeling projects with her husband and discusses their progress on her blog, Living the Dream House. Curtis points out that many projects can be handled by amateurs, but states that they need to recognize their limitations and know when to hire an expert.

“Start with the easy projects first, like painting trim and doors,” she told Interest.com. This will help you gauge your skills and how much time you can dedicate to a bigger project.

Curtis states that the average homeowner can remove old fixtures, take down wallpaper and do minor woodworking. However, more complex projects are beyond the average homeowner’s skillsets. Electrical and plumbing work should almost always be handled by an expert, because they can lead to very expensive damages if anything goes awry.

Hire a Professional that Pays Close Attention to Detail

Many different factors need to be taken into consideration while remodeling a home. Unfortunately, the average homeowner doesn’t usually understand all of the intricacies involved, so they will need to hire a professional if they want to make sure the job is handled properly.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to know which expert to work with if you need assistance, because the abilities and work ethic of remodelers vary as much as any other profession. However, you will be on a much better path if you choose a contractor that has a solid track record with their previous clients.

We recently received an excellent recommendation for a client on Houzz for our attentiveness and professionalism. “Quality of work, attention to detail and related communications were exceptional. At end of every day the work area and areas of traffic were cleaned as if no one had been there. Exhibited great professionalism along with care and concern about getting things right. Of all the work I have contracted out as a homeowner in over 38 years, this was the best experience I have ever had.”

We take pride in our work and are always pleased when a client appreciates it. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance as well.

Ohio Scam Shows Homeowners the Importance of Selecting Contractors Carefully

The Better Business Bureau recently warned homeowners about a Columbus contractor that has allegedly taken money from homeowners in exchange for work that was never completed. The story illustrates the problems that can arise if homeowners don’t verify the credentials and integrity of contractors.

Background on the Story

On Thursday, 10TV reported that the Better Business Bureau warned Columbus homeowners that a local contractor was taking payment for home improvement services and never completing them. The contractor allegedly approached Darryl Sheppard after a story caused extensive damage to his property and offered to make the necessary repairs. The homeowner in question paid him $2,000 but was never contacted again.

The contractor reportedly has a longstanding record of swindling local homeowners. In 2013, he took payments under the brand name AC’s Home Restoration and never conducted any work. The Better Business Bureau has given him an “F” rating, but he still continues to dupe unsuspecting homeowners.

The contractor has responded to the accusations against him. He assumed some responsibility for mistakes that he has made in the past, but insists that the accusations aren’t entirely accurate. He pledged to resume work on Sheppard’s property.

Lessons from the Recent Scandal

The recent scandal shows that homeowners need to be cautious while choosing a contractor. Here are some important takeaways from the story.

Always Do a Background Check

You need to thoroughly research any professional before signing a contract or handing them money. The contractor in this case was a repeat offender, so the homeowners that he scammed would have known to avoid him if they did a background search.

Be Cautious of Contractors Knocking on Your Door

Joan Coughlin, a spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, warns against working with contractors that knock on your doors. Credible contractors expect people to seek them out and you won’t have trouble finding one if you do a simple Google search or ask for recommendations.

Seek a Small Down Payment

You should always negotiate down payments before agreeing to hire a contractor. The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t pay more than a third of the cost of the project, but you may be able to receive a lower down payment if you work with a reasonable contractor and the cost of the project isn’t very high.

Get Everything in Writing

This may seem obvious, but many homeowners fail to get agreements in writing beforehand. This is particularly risky if you are planning on making a large down payment first. The contractor should stipulate the exact specifications of the work that you need done and the time it must be completed.

How To Plan a Smoother Kitchen Remodel

Remodeling your kitchen is an important step in making your home more useful. The kitchen can be one of the most used rooms of the house. You can help make sure your kitchen remodel goes more smoothly by following some simple steps while planning.   Read more

How Columbus Apartment Boom Will Impact Homeowner Renovations

The Columbus housing market has changed remarkably over the past year. One of the most recent trends affecting the property market is the sudden surge in apartment rentals. According to WBNS-10TV, the apartment boom could impact homeowners in different ways, which may also affect the market for housing renovations.

History of the Columbus Apartment Boom

Columbus faced a serious shortage of apartment rentals during the recession. Developers only created 5,000 housing units in Central Ohio between 2006 and 2012, despite the fact that the population grew by 100,000. The market corrected shortly after the recession ended.

In 2014, the supply of apartment rentals increased slightly more than the number of single family houses for the first time since the 1980s. Rob Vogt, a partner in Vogt Santer Insights told the Columbus Dispatch that the market proved far more resilient than experts initially predicted.

What Does the Apartment Book Mean for Housing 250 HighRenovations?

Columbus real estate experts are trying to make sense of the precarious, new trend. There are several possible factors that may be playing a role:

  • One factor could be the anemic wage growth experienced during the recession. People will probably have an easier time affording a new apartment, but can’t easily afford a new house.
  • Banks have remained reluctant to lend money to consumers, in spite of the fact that the economy is gaining steam. Speculation that Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen will raise interest rates has also fueled concerns that some homeowners would default on variable interest mortgage rates.
  • The population density of Columbus is growing rapidly. Developers may start to run out of area to develop new properties.

All of these factors indicate that there may be a growing housing shortage on the horizon. As a result, many homeowners may invest in new renovations to increase their property value to sell at a significant premium down the road. However, it is also possible that homeowners may be reluctant to make improvements that may cause the value of their house to increase above prices the market is willing to pay, because they may have to reduce their prices.

Their decision may ultimately be dependent on the direction of the market. However, most homeowners will probably try to make necessary improvements to preserve their homes to ensure they last, since housing will be such a valuable asset in the coming years if the shortage is not adequately addressed.