The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard reports that remodeling activity rose by 5% in 2010 compared with 2009, marking the first increase since 2006. This is encouraging news for professionals and enthusiasts in the home improvement sector.
However, the most important insight from the study is not the modest rise in spending but why homeowners are choosing to remodel. The traditional assumption—that renovations are primarily intended to boost a home’s resale value—no longer drives many decisions. Homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages or who recognize they may not fully recoup renovation costs are increasingly motivated by other priorities.
Today, many people undertake remodeling projects to enhance their everyday quality of life. Smaller, targeted improvements that a capable DIYer can manage often deliver substantial benefits to daily living. These projects improve comfort, functionality, and enjoyment of the home without the expense or disruption of large-scale additions.
Essential Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Season
I enjoy a well-made checklist. It helps me stay organized and focused, and there’s a satisfying feeling when I can mark an item as complete. Kiplinger’s updated fall and winter home maintenance checklist offers a practical set of tasks to help you winterize your home and reduce energy costs. Kiplinger associate editor Pat Mertz Esswein … Read more
