Financing • Home • Real Estate • March 4, 2024

Budget Basics: Planning Your Home Renovation

by Ingrid Hedbor

Your social feed is likely filled with plenty of inspiration for your next home improvement project. It’s easy to scroll past images of sparkling kitchens and sleek basements and decide that now is the best time to take on your next renovation project. The next step is figuring out how to pay for everything that you want.

This guide will help you create a realistic budget that you can stick to for your next home improvement project. Outlining and adhering to a budget throughout the process will help your project move forward seamlessly. Here’s what you need to do in order to create a home improvement budget:

Research the Average Costs for Your Chosen Project

There are some home improvement projects that are more costly than others. It is important to have an understanding of the average costs associated with the project of your choice, as this will help you decide if now is the right time to take on that project. For example, these are the average costs associated with common renovation projects:

Kitchens cost between $15,000 and $35,000 to renovate.
Bathrooms cost between $5,000 and $20,000 to renovate.
Basements cost between $10,000 and $20,000 to renovate.
A new roof can cost about $10,000 to install.

Itemize the Individual Costs

Once you have decided on the home improvement project that you want to pursue, you will need to itemize the individual costs. These costs can include the cost of materials, the cost of installation and the cost of labor. You should know how much of your budget is being spent on each item because it will allow you to make adjustments if needed.

Determine Where You Can Save on Costs

If you want to reduce the overall cost of your home improvement project, you can often find creative ways to save money. For instance, you may be able to reduce the cost of labor by taking on some of the work yourself. You may also be able to purchase materials from a wholesale supplier for a lower price.

Get Estimates from Contractors

Once you have determined a price point that you are comfortable with you can start getting estimates from qualified contractors. It is important to be honest with the contractors about your budget so they can determine which options are best for you. You may find that contractors are willing to work within your budget in order to secure the job.

Decide How You Will Pay for the Project

Before work begins on your home improvement project, you should come up with a plan for paying it. You may be able to pay cash up front for the project but you should also know that financing is often available.

It’s important to remember that there is a wide range of budget possibilities for any home improvement project. You can choose a budget-friendly approach that allows you to renovate your home for the lowest possible price, or you can opt for a luxury project that spares no expense. There is no right or wrong way to improve your home. You simply have to find the price point that works for your personal needs.

Home • Real Estate • Technology • February 26, 2024

What Do You Know About Home Automation Hubs?

by Ingrid Hedbor

Home automation can be a combination of different devices, or you can turn it into a central system that controls everything from your security to your lights. The question is, what’s the best way to keep all of your technology organized so it can all work together? Minimizing hiccups in your experience starts with having an idea of your options. We’ll look at what you need to know about home automation hubs and how they can help you keep track of your devices.

‘Hub’ Can Refer to Multiple Products

A hub is essentially the center of your home automation system, connecting devices and ensuring they work together. In some cases, an individual device will come with a hub. For instance, the smartphone application for your sprinkler system allows you to set your parameters and then have the technology learn your preferences from there. If you have multiple automated features in your home, you might opt for a separate hub so you can check all of your data in one place.

Hubs Depend on Your Communication Methods

Wired and wireless devices are working in harmony like never before, but this doesn’t mean that you can assume all of your devices will be compatible. When you select a hub, you have to take into account the existing technology in the house. Luckily, most manufacturers are including more devices than ever before. Different brands and operating systems can talk to each other and work together.

Often, the technology won’t be as efficient as if you’d purchased everything from the same company – just keep in mind this inefficiency is a matter of degrees. The extra second or two it takes to connect the devices and get them communicating with each other might not be worth making bigger purchases for.

Hybrid Hubs Can Do More

Smart home hubs can be combined with other kinds of technology like mesh routers to do more than just control your lighting from one place. This option would be perfect for a larger home with Wi-Fi dead zones throughout the property. Not only can you see what’s happening in a big house this way, but you can also eliminate any disruption to your coverage.

Home Assistants Are Not a Direct Substitution

There are several choices in voice-controlled assistants that can serve as a hub for your smart devices. While they certainly can take place of a home automation hub, they don’t offer the same degree of control. For basic systems, some homeowners might not even notice. However, if you want access to all the features, you might need to purchase a hub made specifically for more advanced technology.

Even if automation hubs aren’t strictly necessary, they can quickly feel that way to homeowners who use them. Whether you’re just exploring home automation or adding your fifth device, keep in mind how a hub can help.

design • DYI • Home • February 19, 2024

Building Beautiful Wall Art with Your Photos

by Ingrid Hedbor

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

With so many pictures stored away on digital devices, we forget how enjoyable images of children, friends and memorable experiences in our living space can be.

Selecting several of your more meaningful photos for a photo showcase adds character to your home and demonstrates that you value family, connection and staying active.

On top of that, those photos will get a lot more views than they would on Instagram. And they’ll inspire you to create new memories. Check out these useful ways to create beautiful wall art with photos.

Build Your Own Frames

Yes, you can create your own frames. And it’s easier than you might think. Doing it yourself opens up a world of possibilities. Choose any colors, mediums, shapes or designs.

Select your materials. We could create a typical wooden frame here. But why not think outside the box? Use driftwood, pine cones, bark or re-purposed materials from old furniture or industrial machinery. Scavenge for ideas to settle on a theme that works well with your decor.
Measure dimensions for the frame. Don’t forget to leave some room for a mat.
Cut your frame to size with wood saw, hacksaw or scissors, depending on the material. Don’t forget to put on your eye protection.
Paint before assembling. If you plan to paint the materials, do so before putting things together. It will be easier to get into all the crevices and off areas that you want a different color.
Assemble your frame. Place the glass over the photo to protect it or leave it open. For safety, you’ll probably want to head down to a crafts store to find the right size versus trying to make it yourself.

Utilize Canvas Like the Pros

A canvas gives any photo display a fun and unforgettable backdrop. The art becomes your free-form frame on which you can pin pictures, trinkets and other items.

You don’t have to be Monet to decorate a canvas. Instead, try these fun techniques. But before you start, lay out some plastic. This can get messy.

Stencils & Painter’s Tape

Use painter’s tape to create straight lines across your canvas. Or consider creating other shapes by taping construction paper cut-outs, stencils, leaves or other items to board. Then paint over them and remove the items.

Sponges & Color

Get a bunch of sponges and bowls of paint. Soak up the paints with the sponges. Then express yourself. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can use neutral tones that go with your decor. Or create your canvas with pops of color that people notice from across the room.

After your canvas dries, add photos at various angles for a playful look. Or measure and evenly space the images, creating a more traditional appearance.

Financing • Home buying • Investment • Real Estate • February 12, 2024

Your Quick Guide to Home Appraisals

by Ingrid Hedbor

In the middle of buying a home? If so, you’ve probably already realized that there are many steps you’ll need to complete before you will officially take ownership. From scheduling inspections to going through the closing process, there are many items that need to be checked off your list. And one thing you won’t want to overlook in buying a home is completing a real estate appraisal.

Why You Need a Home Appraisal

The purpose of a real estate appraisal is to determine the current value of a property before a sale is finalized. Appraisals are important for several reasons. For starters, having an appraisal done ensures that the property you are looking to buy is worth at least what you have offered to pay. This is especially important if you’ll be taking out a loan to pay for your home, as your lender will not want to let you borrow more than the property is realistically worth.

There’s a good chance that your home insurance company will require an appraisal to determine the amount of coverage you will need for your property.

What to Expect from the Appraisal Process

Typically, you are responsible for the cost of the appraisal as the homebuyer. Costs can vary greatly depending on where you live and other factors. However, you can generally expect a home appraisal to cost somewhere between $450 and $700. This cost is often built into your mortgage, so you may not have to actually pay anything out of your own pocket up-front.

Once your appraisal is scheduled, there isn’t much you need to do. You do not need to be present for the appraisal itself; you will receive a report that tells you the estimated value of the home after the appraiser visits the property.

Potential Outcomes of an Appraisal

Ideally, the appraised value of the home will be at least what you have offered to pay for the property. And most of the time, this is the case. However, if the appraisal comes back low, you may need to head back to the negotiating table to see if the seller will drop the price of the home. Otherwise, you will need to produce the difference between what your lender will let you borrow and the agreed-upon sale price.

DYI • Home • Investment • Real Estate • February 5, 2024

Looking for a Sweat Equity Investment?

by Ingrid Hedbor

If you’re thinking about buying a fixer-upper or are interested in flipping homes, it’s important to understand sweat equity. This concept has to do with the time and effort you put into improving a property. Because it’s not based on dollar amounts, it’s difficult to calculate. However, there are major pros and cons to investing your time as sweat equity in a home.

Pros of Sweat Equity Investment

Lower Upfront Cost – A home that needs repairs and improvements will cost less than a turnkey home. Therefore, you need less capital to get started on the investment. After the initial purchase, every improvement you make will add value.

Personal Satisfaction – For those who love to DIY, there are few better projects than improving a fixer-upper. All the labor you put into renovations and repairs will add value not only in the monetary sense but also in quality of life. If you live in the home while improving it, you’ll be able to enjoy the new upgrades before anybody else.

Cons of Sweat Equity Investment

Living With Renovation – Living in a construction zone is stressful and messy. If you choose to live in the home you’re improving, your sweat equity might not be worth the chaos. If you choose interim housing, this also means paying rent somewhere else—an expense that would not factor in to your total sweat equity. Major renovations take a long time, so make sure you consider how much of that time you’ll be living in the middle of it.

Trends and Demands Change – If you don’t work fast enough, you might miss certain trends at their peak. All the labor and time you put into installing that surround-sound speaker system or basement bar might not turn a profit if these trends are no longer at the height of their popularity. From countertop materials to paint colors to layouts, trends are always changing, and you may end up investing too much in something with limited returns.

Sweat equity is difficult to quantify but makes an enormous difference in your home’s value and price. Consider these benefits and drawbacks to determine whether your sweat is worth the equity.

Gardening • Home • Home Staging • January 29, 2024

Indoor Trees and Tall Plants to Introduce to Your Home

by Ingrid Hedbor

If you want to highlight high ceilings or just want to add some extra drama to a room, tall plants are an excellent option. Tall plants can make a bold design statement and provide other benefits like air purification and stress relief. Here are some of the best indoor trees and tall plants to consider adding to your home:

Fiddle leaf fig

Fiddle leaf figs are native to the jungle and therefore will thrive in your home if you give them enough humidity and filtered light. While these trees are somewhat notorious for being tricky plants to care for, they are low-maintenance once you find the right spot for them. Keep temperatures as consistent as possible and expect your tree to grow up to ten feet tall indoors.

Rubber tree

Rubber trees are related to fiddle leaf figs but easier to care for. Their thick, glossy leaves make a beautiful statement in any room and can live in a variety of light conditions. Like other tropical trees, rubber trees like humidity and moderate temperatures. To keep the plant healthy and help it reach the ceiling, regularly clean the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust.

Banana tree

A banana tree is the perfect choice of tall plant for those who want to create an exotic indoor jungle out of any room. These plants can grow quickly when given enough sunlight and regular fertilizer, reaching six to ten feet tall indoors. The giant fan-shaped leaves of the banana tree add a beautiful splash of green to any indoor space.

Parlor palm

The parlor palm has been a popular houseplant for centuries because of its ease of care and lush appearance. While slow-growing, parlor palms can reach up to six feet tall indoors. Keep your palm somewhere with bright, indirect light and allow the top inch of soil to dry between watering periods to keep a steady moisture level.

Home • Kitchen • January 10, 2024

Winter Cooking

by Ingrid Hedbor

As soon as the weather cools down in the fall, I usually start the seasonal occupation of cooking hearty and warming foods. But this season, despite having a newly renovated kitchen to work in, I’ve felt uninspired. Perhaps it was just being busy with work, then the holidays, or maybe just that it hasn’t felt very winter-like. That changed this week. With a fresh layer of snow, my thoughts returned to the kitchen.

There’s barely anything as warming as soup on a cold, snowy day. I wanted something hearty but filled with veggies. So, I turned to the family cookbook and found exactly what I was looking for: Babushka Maria’s Ukrainian Borscht. It takes some prep time, but it makes enough for a couple nights’ meals. This soup is beautiful and as warming as wrapping yourself in a blanket by the fire.

To me, the kitchen is the heart of a home, so I figured I’d share the recipe. I’d love to hear what you’re cooking this season!

Ukrainian Borscht

Soak in separate bowls of water:

½ large head cabbage, shredded

2 pounds waxy potatoes, diced

2 to 3 cups beets cut into large matchsticks

2 Tablespoons oil or pork fat

2 cups shredded carrots

2 large onions diced small

1 small red bell pepper, cut into strips

2 cans cannellini (white kidney) beans

1 can tomato paste

2 or 3 pounds bone-in beef shank, center cut, trimmed of most fat

generous amount of fresh dill

Fill large soup pot ⅔ with water; boil meat whole until tender, about 30 minutes, skimming fat as necessary.

In a separate sauté pan, heat oil or pork fat and heat onions about 10 minutes until translucent and soft, then add carrots and sauté another 10 minutes until soft. Add tomato paste and some beef liquid to make tomato roux.

Add bay leaf to beef water in this order and then add beets and red pepper. After 7 to 9 minutes, add potatoes. Seven to 10 minutes later, add onions and carrots. For the last 10 minutes, add cabbage and beans. Add salt to taste, and add dill at the very end.

Turn off and let juices settle, about 30 minutes.

Serve in warm bowls with a dollop of sour cream.

Uncategorized • December 26, 2023

Holiday Traditions

by Ingrid Hedbor

As 2023 comes to a close, I am grateful for sharing more “normal” time with family and friends. These last few weeks have been so much about the gatherings and celebrations the holidays entail, and for me, it is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

Thanksgiving was a small family dinner, but we resumed our tradition of making entirely too many pies, and so invited friends for our Friday Pie Day to share the variety—it was quite a spread this year.

I know I’ve shared in the past my family’s tradition of hosting an annual Swedish smorgasbord around Christmas time. We spend days beforehand making foods—breads, several types of meatballs, a baked ham, pickled cucumber and beets, and cookies among them—and lay out a spread with the addition of cheese, fish, salami, and much more. This year’s was a roaring success with late arrivals missing out on some of the more popular dishes. We’ll have to make more next year!

In the Swedish tradition, we celebrated on Christmas Eve with a family smorgasbord followed by opening gifts. Christmas morning is a breakfast of Swedish rice porridge. There is supposed to be one almond in the pot, and whoever gets it is predicted to get married in the next year. We’re not quite sure where the tradition came from, but in order to get a scoop of porridge, one has to come up with an original rhyme. The morning customarily devolves into me going hungry while everyone else rhymes about how horrible I am at rhyming, especially first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I managed two spoonsful of porridge this year while my niece had about ten.

New Year’s Eve will be a quiet one at home with some fun nibbles, champagne, and a fire going as we welcome 2024. Who knows if I’ll even make it to midnight?

Would you like to share some of your holiday traditions? What brings you joy, especially this time of year when it can feel so dark and cold? Whatever and however you celebrate, I wish you warmth and love during this season and a wonderful 2024!

Home Building • Real Estate • November 13, 2023

Day One in Your New Home

by Ingrid Hedbor

Moving is a strenuous process, and it’s common to feel exhausted after it’s over. For some, the first few days in your new home can feel even more overwhelming than the weeks before the move. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to stay organized and maintain your moving momentum to feel comfortable in your new space. Here are a couple of things to do on the first days in your new home.

Set Up Essentials

If you packed an “essentials box” for your move, now’s the time for it to shine. There are some things you can do right away in your new home to make it comfortable, functional and avoid any frustrating surprises. One major area to focus on is the bathroom. Make sure at least one bathroom has toilet paper and hand soap. You may also want to hang up your shower curtain and liner so you can take a refreshing shower as soon as you want to.

There are also some kitchen essentials you can set up to make things easier in your first few days. If you brought your own microwave, find a spot for it and plug it in. You’ll appreciate the freedom to heat a frozen entrée for a quick and easy meal while still unpacking your kitchen. Have a set of silverware and a few dishes out as well. These things will help you get situated and keep you comfortable while unpacking your belongings.

Secure Your Home

If you have a home security system or smart devices, don’t delay setting them up. It’s important to make your new home as secure as possible as soon as possible, and you may find it easier to do before you set up everything else. Unfortunately, moving households are a common target for opportunistic thieves, so keep track of your belongings and lock your doors when you leave.

Speaking of locks, change them. While it’s unlikely that anyone else has keys for the current locks, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Besides, changing the locks and getting brand new keys gives you the opportunity to get copies for each housemate or family member. Don’t forget to make a spare and keep it in a safe location.

While these are just a few suggestions for first-day tasks in your new home, they can make a significant difference in the rest of your process. The more comfortable and safe you are in your new home, the more efficient you’ll be with the rest of your unpacking.

Market stats • Real Estate • May 17, 2023

April 2023 Market Update for Northwestern Vermont

by Ingrid Hedbor

U.S. existing-home sales declined 2.4 percent month-over-month as of last measure, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR),
reversing February’s sales gain of 14.5%. Fluctuations in mortgage interest rates have caused buyers to pull back, with pending sales dropping 5.2% month-over-month. Meanwhile, the median existing-home sales price declined for the second month in a row, falling 0.9% nationally from the same time last year, the largest year-over-year decline since January 2012, according to NAR.

New Listings decreased 25.3 percent for single-family homes and 36.0 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Pending Sales decreased 22.5 percent for single-family homes and 26.3 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Inventory decreased 3.3 percent for single-family homes and 2.3 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 1.5 percent to $441,050 for single-family homes and 10.0 percent to $385,000 for townhouse-condo properties. Days on Market increased 55.6 percent for single-family homes and 26.1 percent for townhouse-condo properties. Months Supply of Inventory increased 20.0 percent for single family homes and 14.3 percent for townhouse-condo properties.

Housing inventory remains tight nationwide, with only 980,000 units available for sale heading into April, a 5.4% increase from one year earlier, although the number of homes for sale is down compared to the same period in 2019, prior to the pandemic. The lack of existing inventory continues to impact home sales, and with only 2.6 months’ supply of homes at last measure, competition for available properties remains strong, especially in certain price categories, with multiple offers occurring on about a third of properties, according to NAR.

Budget Basics: Planning Your Home Renovation

What Do You Know About Home Automation Hubs?

Building Beautiful Wall Art with Your Photos

Your Quick Guide to Home Appraisals

Looking for a Sweat Equity Investment?

Indoor Trees and Tall Plants to Introduce to Your Home

Winter Cooking

Holiday Traditions

Day One in Your New Home

April 2023 Market Update for Northwestern Vermont

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