Cape Coral/SW Florida News.....January 2012
State and National News:
- 2011’s foreclosures lowest in four years Read more…
- Mortgage relief to unemployed Read more…
- Fla. No. 5 nationally as ‘best for business’ Read more…
- Jobs outlook brightens as confidence begins to rally Read more…
- Federal judge OKs Chinese drywall deal Read more….
- Amendment 4 Read more…
- Rate on 30-year mortgage drops to record 3.89% Read more…
- FL ranks high among states in lowering unemployment Read more…
- Housing outlook is more upbeat Read more…
- Avoid foreclosure with help from HUD-approved agencies Read more…
- About 1 million homeowners may get mortgage write-downs Read more…
Taxes, Insurance and more:
- 5 insurance mistakes consumers make Read more…
Cape Coral and SW Florida News:
- Cities With the Highest Rising Home Prices Read more…
- HUD homes: $100 downpayment in Florida Read more…
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Developer buyer out Sandoval Read more…
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Fewer foreclosure homes returned for resale Read more…
- Army center contract awarded Read more…
- Lee County building permits held steady in 2011 Read more…
- Cape Coral utilities plans, pans renewed Read more…
- North Fort Myers’ Marinatown flourishing Read more…
Real Estate Tips:
- 9 tips to help you save on home staging Read more…
- 10 ways to improve curb appeal Read more…
Outdoors:
- Interior Department bans snake import Read more…
- Low-income housing goes green Read more….
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This month’s feature property…..
you can own a Spacious home with boating access to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond for just $374,900
BIG! BIG! BIG! and READY TO SELL!! Spacious Gulf Access home!! almost 2700 sf of living space. Heated pool with waterfall and jetted seat. Home features 4 bedrooms, formal living and dining rooms, family room, 3.5 baths. An addition in 2002 is where you’ll find a den/office with a closet, a 2nd family/media/exercise room and 1/2 bath which could be used as an in-law area. This addition features its own air conditioning/heating system. Located in fabulous unit 74 on an oversized lot. Includes a dock and 7,500 pound boat lift at the end of a finger canal. Main a/c system new in 2008. Roof new in 2006. Kitchen remodeled in 2006-2007 and bathrooms recently upgraded, new tile, carpet, paint, etc throughout. Pool and large screened lanai built 2002. Beautifully landscaped with fruit and palm trees. Circular drive allows for ample parking.
(click picture for more info)
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Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets: The Options and Costs
Published: January 3, 2012
Want to reface your kitchen cabinets? Smart decision. It’s more cost-effective and takes less time than a full remodel. Here are options and costs.
Kitchen cabinet refacing pros
- It’s about half the cost of a total cabinet replacement. You’ll also save the time, cost, and hassle of tearing out your old cabinets.
- It’s a green kitchen remodeling solution because old cabinets stay out of the landfill.
- You can continue to use your kitchen during refacing.
- You’ll give your kitchen a new look in a week or less.
Kitchen cabinet refacing cons
- Pricey options, such as expensive replacement hardware and exotic veneers, can drive up the cost of refacing and reduce savings.
- Refacing materials can’t fix an inefficient layout.
What are your refacing options?
Your choices for the finished look of your cabinets is virtually limitless. Veneers are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures, grains, and more, which you can mix or match to get a relatively low-cost kitchen facelift.
- Rigid thermofoil (RTF) doors, which feature a durable plastic coating over fiberboard, are an affordable alternative to wood or laminate doors.
- Plastic laminates come in hundreds of colors and patterns, are durable and moisture-resistant, and are reasonably priced. You can pick matching or contrasting laminates for your doors and drawer fronts.
- Real wood veneers include many standard species, such as oak, cherry, and maple, and you also can choose from an array of stain colors. Wood veneers are the most expensive option. Wood must be carefully sealed to protect against moisture.
Further customize and update the look of your cabinets with new kitchen cabinet hardware.
What does refacing cost?
A professional cabinet refacing for a typical 10-by-12-foot kitchen starts at around $1,000 to $3,000 for laminate. Expect to pay $2,500 to $6,000 for real wood veneer. Costs can rise to $7,000 to $9,000 or more for a large project with high-quality wood veneer.
Finishing the project with new hardware (pulls, knobs, hinges) runs $2 to $4 per piece, up to $20 to $50 each for high-end hardware.
In comparison, completely replacing old kitchen cabinets with new cabinets starts at $4,000 to $5,000 and up for stock cabinets; $8,000 to $10,000 for semi-custom cabinets; $16,000 to $20,000 and up for custom-made cabinetry.
Can my cabinets be refaced?
Refacing is feasible if your existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound and in good condition. Cabinets with water damage, warping, and broken frames are poor candidates. Particleboard cabinetry sometimes requires fasteners, in addition to adhesives, to ensure that the veneer is secure.
What’s involved
A professional installer will come to your house to measure your cabinets and determine the amount of veneer required, the correct sizes and quantities for door and drawer fronts, and how much hardware is needed. Newly ordered doors and drawer fronts may take 1 to 2 weeks for delivery.
When all the materials are in hand, your installer removes old cabinet door and drawer fronts, and prepares the surface of the cabinet boxes by washing the exteriors with a degreaser and lightly sanding the finish. Any significant flaws in the surface are repaired or filled to ensure a smooth, secure fit for the new veneer.
The installer applies veneer to the cabinet faces and any exposed cabinet ends, then mounts the new doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. The process typically takes 2 to 4 days.
Can I do kitchen cabinet refacing myself?
Detailed instructions and adhesive-backed veneers make cabinet refacing a feasible do-it-yourself project.
If you have extra time, patience, the necessary veneering tools, and a knack for precision, you can save money by tackling kitchen cabinet refacing on your own.
Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. © Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
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