25 Years!

Star-Eagle Independent Newspaper – SEP 2011

This month marks the start of the 25^th year of The HomeFix Show on the radio.  25 years!  Wow.  It was never my intent to do this show this long.  But then, things do not always turn out the way you intended.   Thank you for listening to the show all these years.  If you are new to the program, thanks for joining in!

I am one of those that somewhat goes along for the ride.  I believe that through positive thinking, prayer, subtle influence, faith and desire, you tend to create your own opportunities.  25 years ago I never intended to be a Remodeling Contractor.  In 1987 I could not imagine still being on the radio in 2011.  But that is how it worked out.

Last month I wrote about over doing it when it comes to getting your home ready for sale.  Now I want to talk about under-doing it.

There is a good chance you are not selling your home now or any time soon. The majority of homeowners are not selling or moving.  So why is it that “Resale Value” comes up in so many conversations about remodeling or improvements?  Put quite bluntly, who cares what the next owner of your house will want, you are the one living there now and this project should be for you, not them.

People say “This is our Forever-house”. Or “Our next down-sizing will be an urn”.  “They will take us out of here on a stretcher.”  OK, if that is what you truly believe, why are you worried about having what you want?

Not only that, but by the time it comes to sell your house, which sooner or later will happen, will you really care?  I’ll use the example of counter tops.  A lady I was working with on her kitchen really, really, wanted a bold and bright counter top on her new cabinets with a colorful backsplash of glass tiles.  “Great!  Sounds fun!” I said, but she was worried about it not being “Neutral” enough if she ever had to sell.  I asked if selling was in her plans.  “Oh heavens no, not any time soon.”  So then do what YOU want!  It is YOUR house!  Enjoy it, have fun with it.  And after many years of enjoying it, it is OK to change it out again.  Or let the next person worry about it.  In the mean time, you had fun with it.

You are the one living in your home and given the resources and desire to make changes that allow you to enjoy your home more, I say “Go for it!”  There is a daily pleasure and satisfaction you will get from living in your home, not just passing through it.

So is it possible to overdo this concept?  Sure it is.  There are always extremes but that definition is up to you and what you are comfortable in and with.  And by the way, if I can help make those dreams come true, you know where to find me, hopefully for the next 25 years!