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Hey, you're talking about my kitchen
Original cabinets built in place in my 1962 house. They're ugly, but very solid, and I'm seriously considering leaving them when we redo the kitchen in a couple years. Definitely new countertops & floor, possibly new doors, but maybe not... Seriously considering having these "glazed" since they are real wood and not not veneer doors. I really *hate* the thought of throwing perfectly good cabinets to the dump.... Now the pink tiles in the bathroom, those can go to the trash In any case, since I don't want to over-improve for the neighborhood, we'll be going with middle of the road updates, not over-the-top high end "keeping up" improvements
And I agree with your other posts regarding prices of starter homes. When we moved back to New England in 2001, "starter homes" were over 200K, and that's just not right...
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Originally Posted by Martha Anne
The sad and ludicrous thing is that there are probably plenty of "outdated" kitchens which are in perfectly good condition, and with some new wallpaper or wall paint, some cosmetic "cleaning up" of the cabinets with paint (I am not talking about refacing them), and possibly, but not even necessarily, redoing the counter tops, perhaps a new floor covering, are fine. But in our Keeping Up with the Jones culture, everyone thinks it has to be "new" and "updated" meaning new cabinets, etc.
I agree, Valerie. We've put in a new floor, new paint job and new appliances. Next round: new upper cabinets (these really are not serviceable, in terms of storage), but I will paint the lower cabinets and island, new countertops (peanuts, since we have little counter space) and new lighting. Voila: renovated small kitchen that doesn't lose its charm. Why should I tear it out to the studs? That makes no sense at all to me. I remember reading a book a few years back called "Bobos in Paradise." It was an analysis of the middle-class and upper-middle-class anxiety over status. It was pretty funny in parts, especially when it came to discussing kitchens in the new McMansions: the author referred to them as "landing pads, not kitchens."
Hi I think what is sad is when the market went out of whack and houses where way overpriced who was giving these people these ideas on what to put there house on the market for. I would think realtors. They are who give you the prices. How did the housing market gets so outrageous in MA? Who set the prices a few years back? Now these poor people bought these houses and a few years later they are going down 100,000 of dollars and people cant afford to sell them for that because they bought them for more than that. Media really messes with peoples heads. Just like they do with everything else.
Hi I think what is sad is when the market went out of whack and houses where way overpriced who was giving these people these ideas on what to put there house on the market for. I would think realtors. They are who give you the prices. How did the housing market gets so outrageous in MA? Who set the prices a few years back? Now these poor people bought these houses and a few years later they are going down 100,000 of dollars and people cant afford to sell them for that because they bought them for more than that. Media really messes with peoples heads. Just like they do with everything else.
Interesting thought that the realtors were <<giving these people these ideas on what to put there house on the market for. >>
I am not a realtor and will never be one, but I am not sure about your statement. It might be too simplistic. But I do feel that societies as a whole do respond with "group think" and to hype. Group psychology. It's hard to go against mainstream thinking - takes a really independent mind to do it!
Realtors aren't to blame for housing prices. A house is like any other commodity--its only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The fact is that many people were willing to pay ever increasing prices for houses for a number of years. You can't blame that on realtors.
Housing costs are driven by supply and demand, just like everything else. Right now demand is soft because economic growth has stalled and prices have gotten way too high. Housing prices remain inflated. How do we know? Because there are many, many houses that sit unsold on the market. Lower the price and at a certain point, it will be bought (think of it as an auction in reverse).
Massachusetts prices remain shockingly high because of a structural deficiency: MA communities artifically reduce supply sharply by using zoning rules to make construction extremely difficult. Those who bemoan high housing prices in Mass. and worry about struggling first-time home buyers should march down to their town hall and demand that their community leaders authorize the building of more housing in their community--single family homes, townhouses/condos, and apartments. Of course, just the opposite occurs: virtually every suburban community in the state does everything in their power to stop development. The net result is a huge constraint on supply and, hence, an enormous upward pressure on house pricing.
We have to have zoning or the land would be destroyed. Intact ecosystems keep the planet going. Without them, we'd all die. Eliminate zoning and eventually--due to human overpopulation and greed--the planet dies. Just a fact. Also, look at areas of the country which have no zoning--like Houston, Texas--what a nightmare that place is: strip malls and billboards crammed into every conceivable open space on any major thoroughfare, polluted to the gills, etc. No thanks.
Also, look at areas of the country which have no zoning--like Houston, Texas--what a nightmare that place is: strip malls and billboards crammed into every conceivable open space on any major thoroughfare, polluted to the gills, etc.
Yes, and in Houston a family of four with an income of $50K/year can afford a nice 3 bedroom home for $150K in a safe community with good schools. And lower middle income folks have the opportunity to buy decent housing, which allows them to build a little savings and strong community ties. Try that in the Bay State....
Trying not to take it to heart. I did ask for it. I did a search myself and actually there are 2 other homes higher priced than mine that only have 1 bath. I have thought about repainting the kitchen cabinets (even though they are not pink, they look pink online) and i have already started painting the peach/pink bedroom. New exteriors were taken on saturday. the garage isn't meant to be the focal point but it certainly is a highlight (no other home in this price range has a 2 car garage).
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Originally Posted by surfingatwork
I don't know if it's the weather or the fact that the market is SO slow but i'm feeling a bit down today about my house. I know it's only been on the market for 14 days but i thought by now i would have some action. is there something wrong with it that i'm just not seeing Single Family Home - Lakeville, MA, 02347 - Realtor.com or is it just this dreary weather and I just need to have some patience.
Time of the year. I assume by now all the Christmas stuff is down. Paint the kitchen cabinets and paneling white and the walls a neutral color. Doing this I think will minimize the counter top color. Front is fine except as someone said if you can make the front door stand out more the better. Perhaps replace those storm doors with glass ones that have just a small frame around them Capitol Window and Door (broken link), Paint the front door a dark green that goes with the siding color, put a nice wreath on the front door.
Den, the circle rug is out of proportion. Go to Walmart, get a cheap but nice looking rug and anchor furniture in a placement in front of the fireplace <img 3>. Remove the rocker from the door area and put a nice side table <img. 4> Room looks cold. Paint it in a warm coffee shade. Might paint the beams/molding the same color or a slightly darker or lighter coffee color depending on what shade you use on the wall.
The room above the Den is weird. This furniture would be great positioned in front of the fireplace and consider that you might change this weird room to a dining room. You could put a railing up and put in a nice chandelier.
I agree about the step down. Is it possible that you take them out and replace with a nice oak step down? With an oak railing it'd look nice. Remove the Star.
The bedrooms look fine (except perhaps the rose room, paint more neutral) but if you get some simpler linen (less country, eliminate the bed skirts) they will look more modern (check out those fixup to sell shows on)
The basement, what can I say, extremely cold looking. Not extremely important as the kitchen.
Basically these improvements should cost you no more than $2,000, probably much less if you do everything yourself. Overall I don't see any clutter which is good.
Yes, and in Houston a family of four with an income of $50K/year can afford a nice 3 bedroom home for $150K in a safe community with good schools. And lower middle income folks have the opportunity to buy decent housing, which allows them to build a little savings and strong community ties. Try that in the Bay State....
Not in a community with good schools--no way. In any case, they'd still have to live in an environmentally decimated city--breathe bad air, etc. Better to live outside of Austin.
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