Uniquity Builders, Inc.

The 2014 Cost vs. Value Report is Here!

If you plan to fix up your home in order to sell it, it looks as though this is the year to do it!  The 2014 Cost vs. Value report shows increases in almost every remodeling category.  What this means is that you could potentially get a good chunk of your money back upon resale!  Whether you plan on moving or not, knowing what kind of return you could see on your remodeling investment is valuable knowledge.

                

Cost vs. Value is Remodeling magazine's annual report.  This report covers many types of remodeling projects, from replacement doors to adding a second floor to your home.  You can select the region within the country you live in, and it gives you a list of projects and their approximate cost along with their resale value.  This is something that we, as builders, have also found to be very useful.

For example, by adding a wood deck to your home, you could see up to an 81% return upon resale!  And more than 75% of your money back by remodeling a bathroom.  For smaller projects, such as replacing your front entry door, you could see as much as 113% of your money back!  The exterior of your home is the first thing home buyers see when they are out looking for their new home, why not spruce it up?

Also, make sure you give us a call when you're ready to make those long overdue changes to your home.

To see the full report, click here. 

 

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Turn Your Home Into a "Smart" Home With These Cool Gadgets.

It seems like the world of the wireless and WiFi is getting creative these days.  We already have phones and tablets and glasses on the list, but what else can people come up with?  In a previous post I told you about the WiFi enabled mailbox, and of course the WiFi thermostat, Nest, that's been a big hit the last few years.  Lets go ahead and add door locks, dog food dishes and light bulbs while we're at it!  

The world of WiFi is getting wild!  Here's a list of just a few of those gadgets to look out for in the near future.

• Doorbot is the WiFi enabled video doorbell that allows you to see and talk with visitors through your smartphone from anywhere in the world.

                            

• Lockitron allows you to lock your door from anywhere in the world.  Any smartphone can use Lockitron through its intuitive app. With Lockitron you can instantly share access with your family and friends. It lets you see if your door is locked when you’re gone and will send a notification when your child unlocks the door using their phone or key.

                                     

• A really cool new pet feeder called Pintofeed is currently in development; it can put you in touch with your pet remotely and make sure your furry friend gets fed on time.  The feeder connects to the Internet via WiFi, and you can monitor and control it with your smart phone and even via social media.  Dry pet food can be dispensed on a schedule.  Or you can tell the unit to provide food anytime you like from a smart phone app.  Pintofeed can notify you on Twitter, Facebook or via text message when your pet starts and stops eating, and also if there are any errors or problems with the feeder.  It plugs into the wall for power and if the power goes out, a backup battery keeps it going for a while. Pintofeed is a crowd-funded project on Indiegogo that has already met its fundraising goals.  It should cost about $130 when it ships later this year.       

                                      

• A collaboration between two companies called GreenWave Reality and NXP Semiconductor resulted in an Internet-connected LED light bulb.  The bulbs, called the GreenWave Reality Connected Lighting Solution, cost more than $20 each. That sounds like a lot for a light bulb, but it's a low price for what is in effect a little computer on your home network.  The light bulbs can not only communicate via WiFi, but they can extend the range of your home network through mesh networking, a technology that enables each mesh networking device in the house to pass along wireless data traffic to and from other devices.

                                      

• Using a facial screening application, the iHouse Smart Faucet recognizes the user and automatically turns on the water to the preferred temperature and flow. The touchscreen on the top of the faucet can be used to access email, check your calendar, check the outside temperature, among other things.  The integrated LEDs in the tap illuminate to show the variation of temperature, with transition from blue to red for higher temperatures.

                           

 

There's always something new and amazing coming out in the tech world.  Some of it useful, some silly, some so cool you just have to have it whether it's silly or not!  Whether you get excited by all this tech stuff or not, it's only a matter of time before all of our homes are filled with all sorts of WiFi enabled gadgets.  So, why not just embrace it?

 

 

If you enjoyed this article, feel free to visit our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com.

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Source:  Houzz.com

                                       
   

    

Adventures in Remodeling!

Here is a photo book of a pretty major room addition we did last summer.  We added a spare room with a root/wine cellar underneath.  The dig for the cellar proved to be a bit of a challenge, but we had a little fun with it in this book.  Enjoy!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Call us today at 800-498-1833 or 209-772-9200 to get the extra space you have always wanted.  The summer-time BBQ and entertaining season is just around the corner, don't wait any longer!

For more information about how we can help you get the home of your dreams, visit our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com.

Also  be sure to "like" us on Facebook! 

 

Shutterfly photo books offer a variety of layouts and cover options to choose from.

 

A Few Home Improvement Projects to Cure Your Winter Blues!

The winter months can find some people stuck in their homes with not much to do.  It's too cold, rainy or snowy to go outside.  So, you end up mulling around your house, looking for ways to entertain yourself.  Since you've already caught up on all the shows you've DVR'ed and read the book you've been meaning to get to...now what?

Why not get a head start on that honey-do list?  No need to wait to start on your spring cleaning, just do it now.  There are lots of projects you can do to keep yourself busy when the weather outside is keeping you in.  Here's just a few...

                                 

• Add a fresh coat of paint.  Paint is relatively inexpensive and can drastically change the look of your home.  Choosing a color that's bright and vibrant may also help cure your winter blues.  Make sure you pick a day when it's not rainy or too cold, so you can open the windows to add ventilation.
• Update your lighting fixtures.  You can always go out and buy new fixtures to get a new look.  But this can also be a great way to show your artistic side.  There are so many crafty ideas online right now to make your own light fixtures at home.  Not only won't you have to brave the winter elements by going outside, but creating your own re-purposed light fixtures will add a personal touch to your home.
• Get organized!  The new year is the perfect time to dig deep into your closets and get rid of some of the old things you've been hanging onto.  Donate the items that are still in good condition and organize the things you plan to keep. 
• Spruce up the floors. You won't believe the number of laminate flooring options these days.  So many styles to choose from and the products are better than ever.  Putting down new laminate flooring is a great way to improve a basement, laundry room or even certain bathrooms.  This would make a great weekend project and you can usually find tutorials online to help you with some of the trickier cuts of flooring.

A lot of these smaller home improvement projects are easy for kids to do, as well.  Getting the kids involved is a great way to keep from hearing the dreaded "I'm bored" for the hundredth time! 

Now that you've gotten a head start on your honey-do list, you and your family can look forward to actually enjoying the warm spring weather when it arrives!

 

If you found this article helpful, feel free to stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com.

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Source:  iohomeimprovement.com

  

Don't Wait for a Storm to Knock Your Power Out... Protect Your Family With a Back-Up Generator!

Despite the fact that California has seen little to no rain or snow this winter, doesn't mean it isn't coming.  For all we know, we could get pummelled with storms in the next couple months.  Those of us who live in the higher elevations know that power outages go hand-in-hand with heavy snow fall.

Wouldn't you rather be prepared for an emergency like this?

A back-up generator will make sure your power stays on when PG&E power fails due to heavy winter storms.  It’s not just the lights that go out... the fridge shuts off, the stove doesn’t work, toilets won't flush and most importantly…your heater won't heat!

The next big snow storm is right around the corner.  Protect your family from the freezing darkness!  Call us today to install a back-up generator at your home! 

             

 

 

If you found this article helpful, feel free to stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com.

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