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Harvard JCHS: Remodeling Recovery Picking Up Steam - January 17, 2013 by Mr HomeBuilder

Thursday, January 17, 2013, 9:44am

A new report from Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies says that a rebound in home remodeling activity, an important component of economic growth, is picking up a steam across the country and the sector is set to expand in 2013.

The center's Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) shows robust spending in the second half of 2012, suggests the remodeling recovery is already underway. Spending on remodeling was up 8.2 percent in Q4 2012, rising to $124.1 billion, compared to $115.1 billion at the same time last year.

Its encouraging to see the residential sector finally contribute to growth in our economy, Eric S. Belsky, managing director of the center, said in a statement. Through the first three quarters of 2012, investment in the residential sector was responsible for one out of every six dollars added to our GDP. Moving forward, home improvement spending is expected to make an even larger contribution to GDP growth.

The LIRA projects annual homeowner improvement spending will see accelerating double-digit growth through the third quarter of 2013. The center estimated that spending will rise more than 19 percent in Q3 2013, to over $145 billion.

There are many external economic and political risks that could derail this remodeling recovery, Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the center, said in a statement. However, the solid momentum behind home building activity, existing home sales, low financing costs, and remodeling contractor sentiment all point to a solid start to the new year for home improvement spending.

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Harvard JCHS: Remodeling Recovery Picking Up Steam

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Remodeling projects net Marrokal two design and contractor awards - January 17, 2013 by Mr HomeBuilder

The Marrokal Design & Remodeling team. (Courtesy Photo)

From Marrokal Reports

The San Diego Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) announced its 2013 Contractor of the Year Awards (CotY) this month. Marrokal Design & Remodeling received two awards one for Entire House Remodel over $1 million, and the other for Entire House Remodel for projects ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.

Remodeling has been gaining favor among homeowners who want to stay put in a soft real estate market. Despite the now-increasing housing prices, many are still finding their home can become their dream home with a remodel.

Homeowners are expected to increase spending on remodeling, boosting figures to double-digit growth in the first half of 2013. According to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), homeowners expected spending would lead to an annual rate increase of $115.1 billion to $134.2 billion.

San Diego is a hotbed for remodelers, but choosing the best contractor has eluded some homeowners. Thats why the NARI has national, regional, and local awards for its members, to highlight the best in the industry.

Its an honor to receive these awards. This is a testament to the quality, value, and trusted work we do each day on every single remodeling project for our clients, said Gary Marrokal, president of Marrokal Design & Remodeling.

These regional awards fall on the heels of Marrokal receiving the Remodeler of The Year Award in 2011 from Professional Remodeler Magazine. This year, the company celebrates 30 years in San Diego, another sign that this design/ build firm is an award-winning company.

The over-$1 million-remodel category found some interesting treasures, including the discovery of a world-class art collection of original Asian masterpieces that were later displayed in gallery exhibitions and auctions. The owners mother was an Asian art collector. This gift money provided funding for a complete redesign of the home and site, creating the retirement home of their dreams.

The $500,000 to $1 million-remodel award was for a custom home circa 1970. It was originally built for national tennis celebrity Bobby Riggs and located at a then-new golf course. The current homeowners had done only cosmetic changes and wanted an entire renovation while maintaining some original architecture and updating everything from systems, layout, structure, finishes, and interiors/exteriors to reflect a contemporary style.

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Remodeling projects net Marrokal two design and contractor awards

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What Record-Low Mortgage Rates Mean for Remodeling Franchises - January 17, 2013 by Mr HomeBuilder

LA CROSSE, WI--(Marketwire - Jan 15, 2013) - Mortgage rates that remain at historically low levels are spurring a rise in home buying and new construction -- two factors that should make 2013 an excellent year for remodeling businesses like Kitchen Solvers.

Remodeling is expected to rebound strongly this year, Abbe Will, a research analyst for Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, said on a recent episode of The Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch radio segment. Will's prediction is based on her center's analysis of past data on housing starts and buyer activity and positive expectations from remodelers Harvard surveyed.

In essence, a tight rental market with few vacancies and high rents, combined with record-low mortgage rates, has pushed people back into the home market -- and a flurry of remodeling activity often accompanies spikes in home buying.

Kitchen Solvers franchise owners have witnessed the uptick firsthand.

"There's a positive feeling at the home shows that I attend," said Fran Rainey, owner of the Kitchen Solvers in Rochester, Minn. "A lot of people are walking around and want to know what we can do for them."

Kitchen Solvers, which has 75 locations in the United States and Canada, offers a full range of kitchen remodeling options, from a complete kitchen remodel to less expensive and time-consuming repair and refacing of existing cabinets.

The 30-year-old company pioneered high-end cabinet refacing, a process that reduces waste and saves time and money by merely updating the doors, hinges and surfaces of the cabinets while leaving the frame, usually the sturdiest part of the structure. Kitchen Solvers jobs can save clients weeks of work and aggravation and thousands of dollars.

Kitchen Solvers isn't just a refacing company, though. Franchisees guide customers through the entire remodeling process, helping with ideas, explaining options and creating renderings to ensure customers get the best value.

Kitchen Solvers franchisees benefit from proven systems, extensive training and business coaching, buying cooperatives and a network of other franchisees -- a support system that has helped franchisees succeed for 30 years. To learn more about Kitchen Solvers, visit http://www.KitchenSolversFranchise.com.

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What Record-Low Mortgage Rates Mean for Remodeling Franchises

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Foster Remodeling Takes Part In Home And Remodeling Show - January 17, 2013 by Mr HomeBuilder

LORTON, Va., Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Foster Remodeling, a Northern Virginia-baseddesign build remodelingcontractor, will participate in the Home and Remodeling Show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The show will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18 and 19, 2013, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20.

"This is a great opportunity for people to see the latest trends in Northern Virginia custom remodeling and get some new ideas for theirhome additionsand renovations," said David Foster, CR, president of Foster Remodeling Solutions. "There are many new materials and technology features now available that can make a home much more comfortable and convenient."

Members of the Foster Remodeling Solutions team will be on hand to discuss the wide range of whole-home remodeling options, including exciting new possibilities forkitchens, baths, home entertainment, decks and outdoor kitchens. They will be at Booths 1218 and 621 throughout the weekend.

The Dulles Expo Center is located at 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center. Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for kids ages 6 to 12. Children 5 years old and younger are free.

About Foster Remodeling Solutions: Foster Remodeling Solutions (http://www.fosterremodeling.com) is a design build contractor based in Lorton, Virginia. The company has been in business for 30 years doing Northern Virginia home renovations and home additions. The home improvement company serves the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, including Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Foster Remodeling is the recipient of several awards, including the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 GuildQuality Guildmaster Award and the Angie's List Super Service Award 2010. It was also named to the Qualified Remodeler 2012 list of Top 500 Remodelers.

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Foster Remodeling Takes Part In Home And Remodeling Show

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Operation Plumber(Video Response) Episode 5 – Video - January 17, 2013 by Mr HomeBuilder

Operation Plumber(Video Response) Episode 5
Edit: WTF do they mean 3rd party content?! Vs. Bowser Round 2! Even though the list is out, I won #39;t be trying to get ahead of their challenge(at least when it comes to the number of episodes). Just so you know.

By: NeoSwordsmanZ

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Operation Plumber(Video Response) Episode 5 - Video