Grab Bars in Bath that Even a Millennial will Love!

No one wants to think they are old, even when we started to fit the description. Age is just a number after all. Last year I was showing homes to a baby boomer that had just turned 60. We arrived at a one very well appointed and updated townhome with a walk-in bathtub and she literally cringed. “I am not THAT old.” Like it or not, our bodies sometimes need a bit more help here and there regardless of age. 

However, installing safety rails or grab bars in the bathroom can kill a potential sale.  A recently remodeled bathroom to accommodate an aging homeowner does nothing for the millennial generation or Gen-X  or Gen Y. Honestly, if a boomer doesn’t currently need a hand rail, they don’t really want to see it in the bathroom either.  

So what does a homeowner do that requires a little bit of leverage to get out of the tub if they don't want to scare off a future home buyer? Consider a luxury grab bar. I was surprised at how sleek and stylish these really are. I have assembled a few of my favorite bath ideas on Pinterest for you to check out. These definitely are an upgrade to the ugly handles in grandma’s house and most are ADA compliant too. 

READY to Make YOUR Move? If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of BOARDMAN Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2017 terieckholm.com

Remodeling Investments: Bathrooms Continue to be a Good BET!

In this changed market, many homeowners are choosing to stay in their current homes and remodel rather than make a move. But are you concerned that the investment might outweigh the value added to your home? If you are, you would have good reason. There isn’t one remodeling investment that you will fully be able to recoup all of your costs but if you are considering a bathroom remodel for your Twin Cities home, you can expect to recoup a good portion of it.

As a REALTOR®, I have always told homeowners, kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. A recent report from National Association of Realtors (NAR) agrees. While a kitchen or bathroom remodel will not recoup in sales dollars the way it did in years past, both are still important enough to make the list of the eight quick fixes for home value

. In late December, the NAR released the 2009-2010 Cost VS Value Report for home remodels. This study looked at cost data, resale value and percentage recouped for 25 different projects in 80 housing markets across the United States. With a bath remodel, a homeowner can expect to recoup a good portion of their expenses with a 75.4 percent return on investment for a mid-range remodel (about $62,000) as an average across the US but in Minnesota this ROI percentage drops to roughly 65%. On a lower budget remodel (spending about $16,000) the average American homeowner can expect to see a 71.0i% return while the average Minnesota homeowner will see about 65%. The return on investment is down from studies in previous years but as bathrooms are high on a homebuyer’s priority list, I would say bathroom remodeling is a good investment for future resale. (View all the statistics from the Cost vs. Value Report 2009-2010 for the Mpls/St Paul area..)

Before a considering a bathroom remodel, you need to understand “Why” you are undertaking this project. Do you need a new bathroom because the old layout is not functional? Not enough bathrooms in your home? Or is it because you plan to move and the gold ceramic tile and lemon yellow fixtures from the 1960’s are too ugly to get the best price for the home?
To design the perfect bathroom for your home a lifestyle inventory will need to be taken. This is a process where you ask yourself questions to determine the needs and expectations specific to your family for your family. Here some lifestyle questions to consider:

• Who and how the bath will be used?


• One sink or two?


• Shower and tub combination or just a shower?


• Storage, electrical outlets and counter space needs.


• Private areas or completely open?


• Will there be handicap accessibility needs now or in the future?

If you are looking for resale value, trends are important in bathrooms. Here are some of today’s hot bathroom trends:

• Spa atmosphere with muted, neutral colors like beige, olive and sand.


• Multiple mirrorsSoft and natural lighting


• Subdue shiny fixtures…Chrome is out. Choose warm copper and bronze fixtures instead.


• Artistic sinks and granite counters


• Free standing, soaker bath tubs.


• Heated, ceramic flooring.


• Separate tub and shower.


• Furniture-look to cabinetry with wood accents to mirrors, lighting and tubs.


• Bathroom suite with coffee maker and flat screen.


• Environmentally friendly products such as low-flow toilets & energy efficient lighting

Another important consideration is handicap accessibility needs whether now or in the future. Options today go way beyond a raised toilet and grab bars in the shower. Larger doorways, easy access lighting, easy entry tubs, roll in showers, sinks that raise and lower with the touch of a button are just some of the new options available to persons with special needs. If you are planning to stay in your home for a significant length of time, it might pay to review some of the exciting new products available. In Minnesota, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with an accessibility builder/remodeler specializing in totally accessible housing. These model homes feature unique products that make life easier and more enjoyable to persons with special needs.
If remodeling specifically to put your home on the market, take into consideration the quality and condition of the home. A good REALTOR® who knows your neighborhood can assist you here. In most cases, costs for a very expensive remodel will not be recouped in the short run. Working with someone who really understands your particular marketplace will help you get your home staged to sell within your budget and sold more quickly.Spending a little extra time in the planning stage can reduce the headaches and heartaches of a construction project that does not meet expectations. Taking your time will allow you to make the wise decisions that add value to your most important financial investment, your home.

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm 

Remodeling Investments for 2009: Bathrooms Continue to be a Good BET!

In this changed market, many homeowners are choosing to stay in their current homes and remodel rather than make a move. But are you concerned that the investment might outweigh the value added to your home? If you are, you would have good reason. There isn’t one remodeling investment that you will fully be able to recoup all of your costs but if you are considering a bathroom remodel, you can expect to recoup a good portion of it.

As a REALTOR®, I have always told homeowners, kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. A recent report from National Association of Realtors (NAR) agrees. While a kitchen or bathroom remodel will not recoup in sales dollars the way it did in years past, both are still important enough to make the list of the eight quick fixes for home value. In late December, the NAR released the 2008-2009 Cost VS Value Report for home remodels. This study looked at cost data, resale value and percentage recouped for 25 different projects in 80 housing markets across the United States. With a bath remodel, a homeowner can expect to recoup a good portion of their expenses with a 70.7% return on investment for a upscale bathroom remodel and 74.6% on a lower budget mid-range remodel. This is down from studies in previous years but as bathrooms are high on homebuyers priorities, I would say it is still a good investment for future resale. In the Twin Cities area, returns are a bit lower but a bath remodel could recoup roughly 65%. (View all the statistics from the Cost vs. Value Report 2008 for the Mpls/St Paul area.)

Before a considering a bathroom remodel, you need to understand “Why” you are undertaking this project. Do you need a new bathroom because the old layout is not functional? Not enough bathrooms in your home? Or is it because you plan to move and the black ceramic tile and shiny chrome fixtures from the 1980’s are too ugly to get the best price for the home?

To design the perfect bathroom for YOUR home take a Lifestyle Inventory. This is a process where you ask yourself questions to determine the needs and expectations specific to your family for your family.

Here some questions to consider:

1. Who and how the bath will be used?


2. One sink or two?


3. Shower and tub combination or just a shower?


4. Storage, electrical outlets and counter space needs.


5. Private areas or completely open?
6. Will there be handicap accessibility needs now or in the future?

If you are looking for resale value, trends are important in bathrooms. Here are some of today’s hot bathroom trends:

• Pedestal sinks


• White Fixtures


• Subdue shiny fixtures…Chrome is out. Choose warm copper and bronze fixtures instead.


• Free standing, soaker bath tubs.


• Heated, ceramic flooring.


• Separate tub and shower.


• Furniture-look to cabinetry


• Bathroom suite with coffee maker and flat screen.

Another important consideration is handicap accessibility needs whether now or in the future. Options today go way beyond a raised toilet and grab bars in the shower. Larger doorways, easy access lighting, easy entry tubs, roll in showers, sinks that raise and lower with the touch of a button are just some of the new options available to persons with special needs. If you are planning to stay in your home for a significant length of time, it might pay to review some of the exciting new products available. In Minnesota, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with an excellent builder/remodeler, Dave Regel who specializes in totally accessible housing. He has model homes that feature unique products that make life easier and more enjoyable to persons will special needs.
If remodeling specifically to put your home on the market, take into consideration the quality and condition of the home. A good REALTOR® who knows your neighborhood can assist you here. In most cases, costs for a seriously spendy remodel are not going to be recouped in the short run. Working with someone who really understands your particular marketplace will help you get your home staged to sell within your budget and sold more quickly.
Spending a little extra time in the planning stage can reduce the headaches and heartaches of a construction project that does not meet expectations. Taking your time will allow you to make the wise decisions that add value to your most important financial investment, your home.
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or Homebuyers Success Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!
Copyright 2009 terieckholm.com

Remodeling Investments: Bathrooms are a Good BET!

Considering a remodel but are concerned that the investment might outweigh the value added to your home? If you are considering a bathroom remodel, it could be a great investment.

I have always told my clients considering putting their homes on the market, that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. A recent report from National Association of Realtors (NAR) agrees. In late December, the NAR released the 2006 Cost VS Value Report for home remodels. This study looked at cost data, resale value and percentage recouped for 25 different projects in 60 housing markets across the United States. With mid-range bath remodel, a homeowner can expect to recoup a good portion of their expenses with a 84.9 percent return on investment. This is up from 87.5 percent in a similar study in 2002. 

Before a considering a bathroom remodel, you need to understand “Why” you are undertaking this project. Do you need a new bathroom because the old layout is not functional? Not enough bathrooms in your home? Or is it because you plan to move and the maroon ceramic tile and pink fixtures from the 1950’s are too ugly to get the best price for the home?

To design the perfect bathroom for your home a lifestyle inventory will need to be taken. This is a process where you ask yourself questions to determine the needs and expectations specific to your family for your family. Here some questions to consider:

Who and how the bath will be used?

One sink or two?

Shower and tub combination or just a shower?

What are the storage, electrical outlets and counter space needs?

Private areas or completely open?

Will there be handicap accessibility needs now or in the future?

If you are looking for resale value, trends are important in bathrooms. Here are some of today’s hot bathroom trends:

• Pedestal sinks



• White Fixtures



• Extra-Large Showers with multiple faucets



• Heated, ceramic flooring



• Glass Block and decorative moldings



• Furniture-look to cabinetry



• Solid surface countertops (Corian)

Another important consideration is handicap accessibility needs whether now or in the future. Options today go way beyond a raised toilet and grab bars in the shower. Larger doorways, easy access lighting, easy entry tubs, roll in showers, sinks that raise and lower with the touch of a button are just some of the new options available to persons with special needs. If you are planning to stay in your home for a significant length of time, it might pay to review some of the exciting new products available. In Minnesota, there is an excellent builder/remodeler, Dave Regel who specializes in totally accessible housing. He has model homes that feature unique products that make life easier and more enjoyable to persons will special needs.

If remodeling specifically to put your home on the market, take into consideration the quality and condition of the home. A good Realtor who knows your market can assist you here. If you are in an upscale neighborhood where homebuyers will expect high-end quality, don’t make discount-store decisions. Likewise, if your home is in an area of modest or lower value homes, skip the heated tile flooring and solid surface countertop. Understanding the market place you are in will help you to recoup the most from your investment.

Spending a little extra time in the planning stage can reduce the headaches and heartaches of a construction project that does not meet expectations. Taking your time will allow you to make the wise decisions that add value to your most important financial investment, your home.

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com