New Strategies Enhance Home Value in Economic Downturns

Gig harbor, WA—(March 12, 2010) – Jeff Hill a Washington State custom home builder today announced a smarter way to take advantage of a down economy while increasing the value of a home.
Traditional paradigms pointed to the kitchen and bathroom as the best rooms to remodel to increase home value. However, Jeff Hill of Hill Custom Homes has discovered that those choices may not be the best choices to increase home value. It is possible that another area of the home may be in more urgent need of a facelift.

“Home only get one chance to make a first impression,” said Hill. “A prospective buyer may decide they want to buy a home from the curb,” Hill said. Hill went on to say that looks count! Out of date siding, an underwhelming entry, and uninspired landscaping are good candidates and will cost less than a new kitchen according to Hill.

Accessories like door hardware, cabinet knobs, and light fixtures are all easily replaced with updated products. Bath and kitchen sinks and faucets can easily date a house and should be considered. Mature wallpaper with birds and flowers should not be used according to the veteran home builder.
A new countertop (laminate, tile, granite or the new quartz products) may be all that it takes. But being honest about the quality and configuration of existing cabinetry for once the new tops are installed, it can be expensive to take them out later if new cabinets are on the horizon.
Jeff Hill stresses that the consideration of adding a new island is important and to not be afraid to pick contrasting cabinet and color. If there is a way to plumb in an island prep sink take advantage of that opportunity. Another great option is to install a tile backsplash all the way to the wall cabinets and under counter task lighting. Take a look at a new kitchen floor. Stone and tile are both durable, low maintenance and with the new epoxy grouts now available, stained grout joints are a thing of the past.
New appliances might be on the list according to Hill. Stainless is still in and Harvest Gold won’t be back—forever in Hill’s opinion. Hill added, Think out of the box when choosing a new refrigerator located in the island”. The best return on remodel dollars will be those spent to update the home where it is most needed. The best money spent will be that which the home owner is happiest with.


About Jeff Hill
Hill Custom Homes is located in Gig Harbor, Washington and services Gig Harbor, Tacoma and all surround communities. Jeff and Kari Hill bring their passion for fine home building to every project. Hill has been in business for over 20 years. Hill Custom Homes is a full service custom home builder but also develops home communities and commercial office buildings. 20 years and counting, Hill Custom Homes continues to build on their stellar record as the South Sound’s most meticulous and trend-setting builder—for which it has received the American Family Home of the Year award and 14 separate Major Achievement in Marketing Excellence (MAME) awards for architectural design, interior design and kitchen design. As a 5-time Street of Dreams builder, Hill Custom Homes has been featured in such magazines as Kitchens and Baths, Custom Home, Unique Homes, Luxury Homes, Estate Homes and Professional Builder.

Contact Information

Jeff Hill

CEO

Hill Custom Homes

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