By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Remodeling a home should be a treat, but can, One of the biggest challenges for remodelers today is rising project costs. Over the past three years, material costs have risen 5-9 percent, and trade contractors have also increased prices. When times are tight, small-business sub-contractors will lower prices

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Remodeling a home should be a treat, but can, unfortunately, sour quickly. Renovations can go awry, but one way to ensure your vision becomes a reality is to look at examples of recent remodeling jobs through a home tour. Local professionals who showcase their work are usually on

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development The flooring industry has experienced a revival since the Great Recession. Manufacturers develop materials that mimic standard wood and stone options with without the stain, scratches, heat, and moisture. Wood and vinyl-based products account for the majority of growth, but now alternative options are steadily gaining popularity: Armstrong

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Now is the perfect time to prepare a home for colder winter weather. Instead of cranking up the heat after the first frost, consider energy efficiency. Managing your home’s temperature, so everyone in the family is comfortable while energy consumption stays low can be challenging. Smart habits and

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development The current real estate market can be a little…whacky. Home prices are surging, and inventory is tight. A slowdown in new construction and a short supply of existing homes for sale have pushed housing prices so high; buyers are finding themselves either sitting out the sale process or

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development “The cost” is one of the first things homeowners want to know when planning a home remodel or upgrade. Determining price involves defining what work needs to be done in coordination with materials and labor. Once the cost is determined, a contractor provides a bid or an estimated

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Home improvements are a common and easy target for fraudsters. The Better Business Bureau has already recorded 12,894 scams and counting so far this year. Potential scam artists prey on optimistic homeowners with thousands of dollars at stake. What seems like a great deal, can quickly turn into

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Looking to conquer a quick home improvement project when you have some extra time off? Here are six great ideas for home improvement projects that can be easily completed over a three-day weekend. Curb Appeal Reseed any thin or bare areas in the yard and revive flower beds

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Renovating a house is an exciting project! With a little preparation and a few precautions, creating a dream home can be a fun and enjoyable experience. When planning a remodel, it is natural to want everything done quickly – but rushing through the process without covering all bases

By George DeMare, Vice President Business Development Lack of inventory continues to affect the “for sale” housing market in big ways.  Many homeowners are looking at staying put and improving their homes instead of moving. An analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HDMA) data from 2017 of 7.3 million loans helped rank U.S. cities by