If you think that this isn’t the right time to remodel your house, experts say think again! Think about it, contractors are not busy so they are discounting jobs. The construction industry rebounded somewhat last year, however business is still slow. Remember when getting a contractor to call you back was a challenge?

Now the best pros in town will be happy to bid on your job — and they’ll probably offer you prices well below the norm. Another plus is that materials are down. Plywood is down 23% since its peak in the mid-2000s. Drywall is off 29%, framing lumber 35%.

Not all raw materials prices have fallen that much. Asphalt roofing, which is made from a petroleum byproduct, is down only 7% over the past two years. Insulation — which has been in high demand because of energy rebates and high fuel prices — is down a mere 2% since 2006. Still, on the whole, construction supplies are bargains right now.

Experts say as a whole, selling a home is still a challenge. And because moving remains far costlier than improving, remodeling is a good choice.

Experts say, if you can remodel your way into staying put long term, you can hold on to that once-in-a-lifetime rate. In a few years interest rates are predicted to be somewhere at six or seven percent. When it comes time to sell your place, chances are you’ll probably wind up having to do the sorely needed renovations you didn’t take care of earlier. Not only does that add a huge amount of stress to the process of putting your house on the market, but you still end up spending the money quite possibly when contractor, materials, and borrowing costs are higher. This is why experts say, this is the prefect time to remodel. Why not get the benefits of a new furnace or an updated bathroom for you and your family instead of buying them for the house’s next owners?

If you’re like most homeowners, the kitchen is truly the heart of your home! It’s where we spend the most time, and of course it’s where we indulge in some really delicious food! Nobody wants a tiny, cramped kitchen! Nobody!

So if you don’t have the bucks or the time to get started on a big, humungous tear down, what should you do to make your kitchen seem bigger?

We all know that remodeling to add square footage to your kitchen is expensive. So you might want to consider a smaller-scale project that removes a wall or portion of wall to an adjacent room. Think of it like you are borrowing space to bring in more light and a sense of openness without changing the layout of your kitchen.

If remodeling of any kind is not an option, a few simple visual techniques can make a big difference. The nice thing about these ideas is that they rely more on creativity than cash. I like the sound of that!

Respected interior designers say if you truly want your space to seem bigger, color is crucial! Painting your kitchen walls white, for example, will make them seem to recede. If you can paint the cabinets white and add a white backsplash, that will help too. Try to avoid patterned wallpaper and busy flooring because they make a small room feel even smaller. Go for a streamlined look instead. If you want patterns, make them big so the eye has longer lines to follow.

And of course, if you’re trying to make your kitchen feel bigger, you have to de-clutter it! Get rid of all the paperwork, mail, soccer applications, etc. Get a filing cabinet and place it in your office. If you don’t have an office, what about a laundry room, or even your garage? Just don’t keep that kind of clutter in your kitchen. I promise you, if you stay streamlined, and follow the color rules, your space will seem bigger and you will enjoy your time in there a lot more!

With the economy still struggling, we all know the housing industry has taken a beating these past few years. Economists say the recession has curtailed many of the extravagances that buyers desired before things went south. Homebuyers want different things from their homes today. Rooms that serve multiple purposes and homes that can accommodate either “boomerang” children or aging parents are in.

Realtors say baby boomers in particular are starting to think about what their homes need to look like if they’re going to stay in them as the years advance. That means single-story homes, homes with grab bars in the bathroom, fewer stairs and perhaps even wheelchair ramps, walk in bathtubs, step in showers, etc. Realtors say, accessibility is a top priority with many of their clients.

Another top feature that never goes out of style is space. Not long ago, homebuilders were adding garage space to accommodate SUVs. Now some homebuilders are making more room in the garage for all the other items families put there, from tricycles to golf carts. A trend for the larger garages is to use part of it as a ‘man cave’ space where you can fit two cars, in addition to a sofa, TV, weights, etc.

Realtors say buyers want homes that are more flexible, more versatile. Rooms dedicated to one purpose are less popular now. With the economy the way it is, homebuyers are realizing that in a smaller home, rooms can serve multiple functions. There is no such thing as wasted space. Nooks that used to serve no purpose now include a desk, printer, room for a laptop and even some cubbyholes for mail and bills.

Homeowners are now adding “planning centers” to their homes, which are basically spaces adjacent to the kitchen that serve as the family command center. Basically, it’s a place where the kids can do their homework and be within earshot of the parents. They are great for family organization, paying bills, or just having a place to getaway!

If you’re dying to add some light into a room, skylights are a great tool. Everyone enjoys walking into a room with good natural lighting. The light of the sun seems to bring the outside in for a nice warm feeling.

It’s also quite beautiful when a morning sunbeam shines down into a living room through a skylight placed high up to emphasize the beauty of a room. It also makes a great impression when guests enter your home.

Just the same, a couple of skylights placed in bathrooms and master bedrooms seems to be all the rage these days both for added effect, and natural lighting. Skylights provide up to 30% more natural light than your existing windows, and they can make a small space seem larger.

A few decades back, adding skylights became extremely popular. Unfortunately, the problems resulting from poorly designed skylights started flooding in. Problems included, leaks, faded carpet and fabrics, heat loss, and condensation. Skylights seemed to open a can of worms maintenance-wise.

The good news is that today’s skylights aren’t what they used to be. They’re a ton better! Today’s modern skylights have addressed many of the faulty design problems that plagued earlier skylights. This has made skylights a popular choice in modern homes once again. With improved designs and factory-manufactured flashings, the improved weather-tight ability has, in most cases, made leaks a thing of the past.

Energy-efficient Low E glass has addressed the faded fabric and heat loss issue. Bottom line is that today’s skylights are loads better than the one’s years ago, and can really add a level of class and beauty to your home!

If you’re selling your home, or just want to improve your curb appeal, there are easy things you can do. The best way to really see what other people see when they look at your house is to take a picture of the outside of your home. If you have a digital camera, view the color versions first, then remove the color and look at it in black and white, because it’s easier to see problems when color isn’t around to affect our senses.

What is your first impression of the house and yard area? What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them? Ok, now let’s be honest. What are the worst exterior features of your house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?

Next, walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit. Is the approach clean and tidy? What could you do to make it more attractive? Sometimes it’s as simple as repairing a loose shutter or sprucing up your potted plants.

Local realtors say whether you plan on selling or not, there are things every homeowner should do to keep their home in tip top shape.

Simple ways to spruce up your home:

• Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.
• Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools.
• Clean windows and gutters.
• Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks.
• Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.
• Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds.
• Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded.
• Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the home’s roof.

Don’t forget about your home when it gets dark outside. One quick way to improve evening curb appeal is with lighting.

Simple ways to add curb appeal at night:

• String low voltage lighting along your driveway, sidewalks, and near important landscaping elements.
• Add a decorative street lamp or an attractive light fixture to a front porch.
• Make sure lighting that’s visible through front doors and windows enhances the home’s appearance.

These are all relatively inexpensive way to increase your curb appeal. Whether you plan on selling or not, follow these tips and you’ll have the best looking house on the block!