Homeowners looking for the most return on their investment when it comes to remodeling should consider exterior replacement projects. According to the 2013 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, REALTORS rated exterior projects among the most valuable home improvement projects.

REALTORS know that curb appeal projects offer great bang for your buck, because a homes exterior is the first thing potential buyers see, says National Association of REALTORS President Gary Thomas. Projects such as siding, window and door replacements can recoup more than 70 percent of their cost at resale. REALTORS know what home features are important to buyers in your area and can provide helpful insights when considering remodeling projects.

Results of the report are summarized on NARs consumer website HouseLogic.com, which provides information on dozens of remodeling projects, from kitchens and baths to siding replacements, including the recouped value of the project based on a national average. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, REALTORS judged a steel entry door replacement as the project expected to return the most money, with an estimated 85.6 percent of costs recouped upon resale. The steel entry door replacement is the least expensive project in the report, costing little more than $1,100 on average. A majority of the top 10 most cost-effective projects nationally in terms of value recouped are exterior replacement projects; all of these are estimated to recoup more than 71 percent of costs.

Three different siding replacement projects landed in the top 10, including fiber cement siding, expected to return 79.3 percent of costs, vinyl siding, expected to return 72.9 percent of costs, and foam-backed vinyl, expected to return 71.8 percent of costs. Two additional door replacements were also among the top exterior replacement projects. The midrange and upscale garage door replacement were both expected to return more than 75 percent of costs.

According to the report, two interior remodeling projects in particular can recoup substantial value at resale. A minor kitchen remodel is ranked fifth and is expected to return 75.4 percent of costs. Nationally, the average cost for the project is just under $19,000.

The second interior remodeling project in the top 10 is the attic bedroom, which landed at number eight and tied with the vinyl siding replacement with 72.9 percent of costs recouped. With an average national cost of just under $48,000, the attic project adds a bedroom and bathroom within a homes existing footprint. The improvement project projected to return the least is the home office remodel, estimated to recoup less than 44 percent.

The 2013 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report compares construction costs with resale values for 35 midrange and upscale remodeling projects comprising additions, remodels and replacements in 81 markets across the country. Data are grouped in nine U.S. regions, following the divisions established by the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the 15th consecutive year that the report, which is produced by Remodeling magazine publisher Hanley Wood, LLC, was completed in cooperation with NAR.

REALTORS provided their insights into local markets and buyer home preferences within those markets. The 2013 national average cost-to-value ratio rose to 60.6 percent, ending a six-year decline. The ratio represents nearly a three-point improvement over 2011-2012. Lower construction costs are the principal factor in the upturn, especially when measured against stabilizing house values. In addition, the cost-to-value ratio improved nationally for every project in this years report and is higher than it was two years ago for both remodeling and replacement projects.

A REALTOR is the best resource for helping homeowners decide what improvement projects will provide the most upon resale in their market, says Thomas. Each neighborhood is different, and the desirability and resale value of a particular remodeling project varies depending on where you live. When making a home remodeling decision, resale value is just one factor that homeowners should take into consideration. Consult a REALTOR to make sure you are making the best decision.

Most regions followed the national trends; however, the Pacific regionconsisting of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washingtononce again led the nation with an average cost-value ratio of 71.2 percent, due mainly to strong resale values. The next best performing regions were West South Central, South Atlantic and East South Central. These regions attribute their high ranking to construction costs that were lowest in the country. While still remaining below the national average, most remaining regions showed strong improvement over last year. These are Mountain, New England, East North Central, Middle Atlantic and West North Central.

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Exterior Replacement Projects Provide Biggest Return on Investment for Homeowners, Say REALTORS®

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Mar 4, 2013) - Feldco Windows, Siding and Doors proudly partnered with the Make-a-Wish Foundation to help grant a very special wish filled with the spirit of generosity.Young Melissa has been battling a medical condition called Chondrosarcoma, a cancer composed of cells derived from cells that produce cartilage.

While battling the disease and enduring numerous surgeries, Melissa's mother contacted Make-A-Wish to help build Melissa's spirits."When we asked what her Wish would be if she could have any wish she desired, she asked that the children's play room in her church be repaired and remodelled, a very unselfish wish," said Make-a-Wish volunteer Rick Gutierrez.

"When we were contacted about this wish, and heard Melissa's story and about her selflessness, it was a no-brainer. We absolutely wanted to help," said Ron Gerstung, Feldco's Chief Operating Officer.

Feldco donated ten windows to the church, La Iglesia Evangelica/Lawndale Mennonite Church in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood.

The church planned a special service in conjunction with the reveal of the renovated rooms to Melissa and her family.Melissa had a smile from ear to ear when she saw the room for the first time."Thanks to Feldco, the children of the Lawndale Mennonite church will have a warm room to play in the wintertime," stated Nancy Cortes, another Wish Granting Volunteer.

New windows were only a part of the wish and renovations.Other local companies also donated time and services, and Feldco was proud to be among the organizations that wanted to help fulfil Melissa's wish.

Joining the representatives from Make-a-Wish for the reveal and celebration was Feldco spokesman Dave Cook and family."I feel honored and privileged to have met Melissa and play even a small role in helping grant her wish.It's evident how special she and her family are.We were proud to have partnered with such an amazing organization."

About Feldco Factory Direct, LLC

Feldco is the Midwest's leading window, siding and door replacement specialist. Founded in 1976, the company is focused on delighting customers by making home improvement projects simple. With premium products, factory-direct pricing and certified installers, Feldco provides an excellent overall value and experience for nearly 250,000 customers. The company offers free in-home demonstrations and lifetime product warranties. Feldco serves all of Central and Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana, as well as Southern and Northeast Wisconsin. Feldco has showrooms in Peoria, Chicago, Des Plaines, and Rockford, Illinois; Madison, Menasha, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Feldco was named the 2007 and 2009 Dealer of the Year by Window and Door Magazine, and was also named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicagoland by Crain's Chicago Business, and a Top 100 Workplace in 2010 and 2011 by the Chicago Tribune.

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Feldco Windows, Siding and Doors Helps Grant a Special Wish

Now that DreamHome is offering Crane Siding in Northern VA, more homeowners are experiencing energy efficient siding, saving them money on utility bills every month.

Northern VA (PRWEB) March 06, 2013

With energy costs on the rise that is certainly good news for customers in Northern VA who utilize DreamHome Remodeling for their new siding project. There are different types of Crane Siding in Northern VA that are available immediately including, CraneBoard, Oracle, and Architectural Essentials. They each have their benefits and uniqueness. They also all will beautify any home they are installed on. There is also a wide color palette for each that homeowners can choose from.

To find out more about the options and availability for the revolutionary Crane siding in Northern VA fill out the online form on DreamHome Remodelings website http://www.dreamhomeremodelers.com.

DreamHome Remodeling is a home improvement company on the cutting edge of energy efficient projects. We carry the best to reduce your home's energy consumption and to increase curb appeal.

Contact us for a free estimate on your next home improvement project. We'll show you all your options and help decide which is best for your home. Your home may be screaming for new replacement windows, or maybe it's the attic insulation that needs some TLC.

Whatever your needs are, our qualified professionals are standing by to help turn your house, into your Dream Home.

Lenny Scarola DreamHome Remodeling 703-455-4650 Email Information

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DreamHome Remodeling Now Supplies Crane Siding in Northern VA

Single-Family Home - Agawam, MA 01001 Real Estate 56 Emerson
Single-Family Home - Agawam, MA 01001 Real Estate 56 Emerson Well cared for 3 Bedroom Ranch with 2 car garage in nice neighborhood on almost 1/2 acre. Some features include lots of hardwood flooring, vinly siding, replacement windows, large walk up attic and 3 season room. Gas is available on this street. All showings deferred until open house Sun March 3rd 1-3. Park Square Realty 413-789-9830 parksquarerealty@gmail.com For more information on this property go here: http://www.parksquarerealtyblog.com

By: ParkSquareRealty

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Blog posts provide practical home improvement information for homeowners without the usual heavy-handed sales pitch.

Macedonia, OH (PRWEB) February 25, 2013

Our goal is to make our blog truly informative to our customers and to anyone who visits our website, said Melissa Skinner, Director of Marketing for Great Day Improvements, LLC. Skinner oversees marketing for the companys primary brands Patio Enclosures, Softwall Finishing Systems and Stanek Windows. Of course, we want potential customers to see our products and services, but the point of these posts is to provide useful information in a way that is easy to understand.

The website also includes informational DIY videos. The first is called How to Insulate your Garage Door and features Skinner herself providing a thorough demonstration on how to accomplish this home improvement task.

The first six blog posts that launched with the new website are geared towards lawn maintenance, hardscaping, energy efficiency, DIY considerations and home security:

When to Aerate Your Lawn: This blog post demystifies the confusion about when to aerate your lawn by separating cool from warm weather grasses. The post also includes handy tips for proper aeration.

When to Plant Grass Seed in Your State: This in-depth blog post is chock full of information to help homeowners avoid the most common mistakes and setbacks when planting grass seed. It discusses the differences between grass varieties and what is required to successfully grow grass in each climate zone. Theres also a helpful zonal map and tips on proper watering, weather considerations, how to prepare the soil and germination times.

Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveways: This post should be required reading for anyone installing a paved driveway for the first time. It breaks down the differences as well as the pros and cons between choosing an asphalt or concrete driveway. It raises important considerations such as regional climate, maintenance, and the cost of each option. It reminds homeowners to check local regulations before contracting the job. A user-friendly chart that lets you see the differences between asphalt and concrete in regards to cost, durability, weathering, longevity, maintenance, etc. is also included.

Benefits of Low E & Argon Gas in Windows: This post discusses the environmental and cost benefits of opting for Low E and Argon gas multi-pane windows over single pane. It discusses how these windows reduce the passage of cool or warm air, thereby making your home more energy efficient and less costly with regards to utility bills. It also explains how the concept of solar gain affects a windows performance.

DIY Home Renovation Realities: Why it could Pay to Hire a Professional: A realistic, yet comical look at the potential pitfalls awaiting an unprepared DIY enthusiast, this charming post serves up practical advice on how to determine whether a homeowner should attempt a renovation or call in the pros. It drives home the point that its often cheaper (and safer) to hire a pro from the start, especially since many homeowners underestimate how much time will be needed to complete a job and have no idea how to handle unexpected repairs or upgrades that may be required as the job progresses.

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Great Day Improvements Goes Beyond the Expected With New Home Improvement Blog Series

Mark Clement, contractor and co-host of the national home improvement radio show MyFixitUpLife, identifies a variety of newly-developed tips for homeowners looking at 2013 Springtime home improvement projects. From his recent contracting experiences, Clement offers new insights on knowing when its time to replace key products on the home including the roof, windows, entry doors and trim.

Ambler, PA (PRWEB) February 25, 2013

The first thing any homeowner needs to understand is that every element of your homes exterior, from the top of the roof down to the front entry door, will eventually need to be replaced, says Clement, a professional contractor in Pennsylvania. The key is to know when the time is right to invest in new products for your home. This means an ongoing evaluation of your homes current products, researching new product options and contacting professionals for support.

Clement points out that replacing older products with newer, more energy efficient and longer-lasting products is a sound investment for homeowners. We have a 100-year-old home and just replaced the original decaying wood door with a Therma-Tru fiberglass door and trimmed it out with long-lasting PVC millwork from Fypon, says Clement. We also replaced older windows with ENERGY STAR qualified vinyl windows from Simonton Windows and added a new polymer slate roof from DaVinci Roofscapes. These are all man-made products that add more life to our house. Plus, were saving more on our daily energy bills because of the incredible features of these products.

Another important aspect to consider when it does become time to replace key products on the homes exterior is to look at upgrading and taking advantage of newer, more aesthetically pleasing products that are on the market. Thats what we did with the high-performance, low-maintenance products we selected. Our product choices not only make our home more livable right now, but also more add value to the home and make it more sellable when it comes time for us to put the house on the market.

Tips for Evaluating Your Roof

1.Using either a ladder or binoculars from across the street, look for problem areas, such as missing or broken shingles, along with roofing tiles that may be flapping in the wind. These are all indications that a new roof may be in your future.

2.Check the sides of your roof. The southern exposure weathers significantly faster than the other sides of the roof, so make sure to carefully examine this area. Also, shallower pitches weather faster than steeper pitches. So again, if your roof has a shallow pitch --- like a shed dormer --- make certain you can clearly see it to get a true indication of the condition of your roof.

3.If you have a real cedar roof, consider your geographic location. Many West Coast homeowners are proactively replacing these wooden roofs with fire- and impact-resistant polymer shake roofs. Along with helping protect the home from potential wildfires, these roofs oftentimes come with a homeowner insurance discount.

Tips for Assessing Your Windows

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New Insights on Knowing When It’s Time to Replace Products on Your Home

Atlantic Pest Solutions Jacksonville FL
Atlantic Pest Solutions Jacksonville FL http://www.localedge.com Painting, painter, residential painting, commercial painting, siding, doors, siding replacement, pressure washing, home inspection, carpentry, wood repair, A/C duct cleaning, drywall texture, home improvement, WDO inspections

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Tanya Brown is spending hours making hailstones by hand, injecting rubber molds with a seltzer-and-water mixture and freezing them. On Wednesday, the researcher and her colleagues at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety will fire more than 8,000 of the ice balls at up to 76 mph onto a test house inside the institute's facility in Richburg, S.C.

"We really want to try to mimic Mother Nature," says Brown, whose team chased real storms to measure typical hailstone mass, size and hardness for the test, which the institute says is the first of its kind. They plan to study what happens to different kinds of shingles, siding and other building materials under the kind of barrage for which insurance companies don't yet have good models.

Insurers generally have enough experience with hurricanes to predict damage and avoid taking on too much risk. Not so with hailstorms and tornadoes, where costs are increasing. That's why the institute's insurance-company members are funding the research.

Average industry losses for severe thunderstorms in the U.S. have ballooned sevenfold since 1980 and totaled almost $15 billion last year, according to Munich Re, the world's largest reinsurer. The tab for 2011 was a record $25.9 billion.

As storms have occurred earlier in the year, they've tended to strike farther east, where there's greater population density, says Matthew Nielsen, director of product management at Risk Management Solutions, a disaster modeling firm. The spring outbreak of severe storms in 2011 cost property insurer Travelers more than the deadly Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Chief Executive Officer Jay Fishman said.

With storm damage on the rise, insurance companies are taking steps to limit losses. Allstate, the second-largest U.S. home insurer, began two years ago to "age-rate" customers' roofs. In states like Oklahoma, where severe storms blow through with troubling frequency, the company is rolling out policies that take a roof's age and construction material into account when calculating the payout to replace it after storm damage.

"A lot of people would wait until these things happened" and file a claim to get a new roof, says Thomas Wilson, CEO of the Northbrook, Ill., insurer. "That's not a fair deal for anybody, because that cost goes through us back into the system." Policyholders can still pay a premium for full-replacement coverage.

Predicting where hailstorms and tornadoes will strike is tougher than for hurricanes because the historical record is less complete and because they're much smaller and more variable, says Nielsen. That's especially true for tornadoes, whose paths of destruction often appear random, decimating some buildings while sparing others nearby.

Insurance Institute CEO Julie Rochman says this week's simulation is just the start of research she hopes to conduct that could lead to better building standards and lower insurance losses within a few years.

High on the agenda for Brown, the researcher: automate the creation of the hailstones: "Making ice every day for two hours a day is not my most favorite thing."

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Insurers' fake hail helps plan for worst

Soft-Lite Windows is pleased to pay tribute to one of its long-standing dealers, Larmco Windows & Siding, which recently received the 2012 "Super Service Award" from Angie's List, a leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

Streetsboro, OH (PRWEB) February 19, 2013

According to Angie Hicks, Founder of Angie's List, standards for the Super Service Award are quite high and earning this recognition reflects Larmco's dedication to providing great service.

We are so pleased that our customers and Angie's List have recognized Larmco for extraordinary achievement in delivering the best home improvement products with the best service and overall customer satisfaction to Ohioans, said Bill Simon, Chairman of Larmco Windows. In our 50 plus years of business, today is a day to remember. Thank you to all of our loyal Larmco customers!"

We have a great network of dealers and distributors that promote and sell our products, and were particularly proud of our long-standing partnership with Larmco," said Roy Anderson, President of Soft-Lite Windows. "Like all our dealers, Larmco plays a considerable role in Soft-Lite's success, as were manufacturing hundreds of windows for them every week. Their dedication to superior customer service, as evidenced by earning this award, is one of the primary reasons they've maintained such long-standing success and growth, and I commend them for it!

Larmco Windows & Siding is a leader in the vinyl replacement window and vinyl siding industry, with tens of thousands of satisfied customers and over a quarter million windows installed. The company has worked hard to gain and maintain a reputation that is centered on quality products, expert installation and satisfied customer. Larmco proudly serves the Columbus and Cleveland areas of Ohio. For more information, visit http://www.larmco.com.

Soft-Lite is a vinyl replacement window and door manufacturer headquartered in Streetsboro, Ohio. The company is a multiple Crystal Achievement Award winner and is also a recipient of the Friedman Corporation Customer Appreciation Award, the Window & Door Top 100 Manufacturers recognition, and the Door and Window Companies To Watch recognition. For more information, visit http://www.soft-lite.com and http://www.gorell.com.

Melanie Thomas Soft-Lite Windows LLC 330.528.4007 Email Information

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Soft-Lite Windows LLC Recognizes Larmco Windows & Siding for Earning Distinguished Angie's List "Super Service Award ...

In a recent nationwide survey examining local markets and buyer home preferences within those markets, Realtors rated exterior projects among the most valuable home improvements.

In the 2013 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, the agents indicated such projects as siding, window and door replacements can recoup more than 70 percent of their cost at resale.

Realtors expected a steel entry door replacement as the project to return the most money, recouping an estimated 85.6 percent of costs upon resale. The steel entry door replacement is the least expensive project in the report, costing little more than $1,100 on average.

Three types of siding replacement projects ranked in the top 10: fiber cement siding, expected to return 79.3 percent of costs; vinyl siding, expected to return 72.9 percent of costs; and foam backed vinyl, expected to return 71.8 percent of costs. A midrange and upscale garage door replacement were both expected to return more than 75 percent of costs.

According to those surveyed, two interior remodeling projects can recoup substantial value at resale. A minor kitchen remodel, ranked fifth, is expected to return 75.4 percent of costs. Nationally, the average cost for the project is just under $19,000.

The second interior remodeling project ranked eighth in the top 10 and tied with the vinyl siding replacement is the attic bedroom, with an estimated cost recovery of about 72.9 percent. With the addition of a bedroom

"Realtors are the best source for helping homeowners decide what remodeling project brings the best value to their home because they see many homes every year and can provide valuable insight into what types of improvements can make a difference with buyers. They also are knowledgeable about what types of improvement projects are permitted and regulations involved in your particular area," said Carolyn Miller, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.

The 2013 report, which is produced by Remodeling magazine publisher Hanley Wood, LLC and completed in cooperation with the National Association of Realtors, compares construction costs with resale values for 35 midrange and upscale remodeling projects comprising additions, remodels and replacements in 81 markets across the country.

To read the full project descriptions and access national and regional project data, visit http://www.costvsvalue.com. "Cost vs. Value" is a registered trademark of Hanley Wood, LLC. Results of the report are also summarized on the national group's consumer website HouseLogic.com, which provides information on dozens of remodeling projects, from kitchens and baths to siding replacements.

Information in this column is presented by the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at silvar.org. Send questions to rmeily@silvar.org.

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Exterior projects offer big returns