Chico homes for sale Archives - The Jacobi Team, Century 21 Select Real Estate, Inc.

Appraisal vs Realtor Market Analysis

What is an appraisal?

An appraisal is a report that’s performed by a licensed appraiser. They go out to the subject property and look at the size, square footage, lot size, age, and different amenities. Amenities include solar panels, upgraded bathrooms or kitchen. Does it have a pool, or a shop? Is the roof new or old? Then the appraiser puts together a report that includes other properties in the area that have sold that are very similar. They will make comparisons side by side with those comparable homes, or “comps”, and come up with a value based on that information. An appraiser’s most common client is a mortgage banking institution. That appraiser is hired to act as the bank’s “eyes” to see if that property is worth what the bank will be lending on. For lending institutions giving out a government backed loan, such as an FHA or a VA loan, an appraiser must be specially certified with an FHA or VA appraisers license. Appraisals can cost $500-$1000, depending on the appraiser.

What is a market analysis?

A market analysis is essentially the same thing, except it is performed by a real estate professional. But the process is the same. The realtor will go out and takes a look at a property and all of its amenities. Then, looking at the current homes for sale, pending sales and past sales that realtor will come up with a range of what they think the home would sell for if it went on the market that day. Home owners will often get a market analysis if they are thinking about selling their home. They also will often ask more than one realtor to give them a market analysis, and use it as a litmus test to see which realtor they want to hire. A market analysis is a free service performed by nearly every realtor.

Which one is better?

An appraisal and a market analysis are both an opinion. Each appraiser studies the comps and amenities and will come up with a value based on their interpretation. Sometimes two appraisers can come up with different values of the same home. A realtor does the same thing. The main difference between an appraisal and a market analysis is that an appraisal often happens after the home has already been exposed to the market and received an offer from a ready, willing and able buyer. A market analysis is most often created before the market has seen that home and the realtor must use their knowledge of the market to predict what that home would sell for. A good realtor will get it right nearly every time. Set side by side, if an appraiser were to go out and perform an appraisal on a home before it is exposed to the open market, and a realtor were to create a market analysis of that same home at the same time, the two should be similar. This is because both the appraiser and the realtor are going to be looking at the same market activity.

The Final Say

A buyer and a seller, negotiating a contract, are ultimately the ones who will determine fair market value. Worded another way is, what an able buyer wants to pay, and what a motivated seller is willing to take for a sale becomes that property’s fair market value. So how do home prices rise? When more and more buyers are able and willing to pay more than what a home is listed for sale at, then those sales become next month’s comps. And so on. Appraisers and realtors alike try not to go further back than three months when looking at past sales.

If you would like a free market analysis of your home, reach out to us! Click here and fill out this quick form and we will contact you shortly! We service these following California communities: Chico, Hamilton City, Orland, Paradise, Magalia, Forest Ranch, Oroville and Durham.

Let’s talk laundry rooms

Are they essential?

A survey done in 2018 indicated that the first two features for a home that buyers consider essential are living rooms and laundry rooms. Interestingly the survey showed that for first-time home buyers, the living room ranked first and laundry room was second; but for 2nd+ time buyers that reversed with laundry rooms being first and living rooms ranking second.

A 2019 report showed that laundry rooms rated top spot for most wanted home feature for home buyers. The humble laundry room – a place for washing and drying clothes – has now the potential to be so much more. According to a September 2020 article in “Kitchen & Bath Design News” the laundry room can become a flexible space that includes being a hobby and craft area or even a home office.

Sellers, remember when getting your home ready for sale, that the laundry room – no matter where it is located in the home – deserves as much attention as everywhere else so that buyers will be attracted to the home. Whether the laundry room is in a little closet off the kitchen, in the basement or even in the garage:

1. Clean, clean, clean. Make sure the washer and dryer are clean both inside and outside the machines. Move them out from the walls and clean behind and don’t forget the floors! Go outdoors and check the dryer vent, making sure that area is as clean as everything indoors. It doesn’t matter if the appliances are remaining with the sale, what matters is that they are sparkling so that the buyer can appreciate how beautiful the laundry area can be.

2. Spruce up the laundry area. Paint, if possible. Organize, put up shelving. Add attractive lighting. If the laundry area is in the garage make the laundry area appear separate. Organizing the garage wouldn’t be a bad idea before potential buyers show up.

Forget the days of the dark, dank and dingy spot where the washer and dryer was located. Laundry rooms can be bright, functional and inclusive spots for all kinds of household uses. House Beautiful has an June 2021 article listing “50 Small Laundry Room Ideas.”

Looking for a home to buy? Have a home to sell? Let Emmett and Kim Jacobi, The Jacobi Team, help you with all the details, from location to loans. Contact them today.

Looking for a new home?

How do you know what you’re looking for?

Here’s a helpful checklist to give you some ideas.

Let’s run through a fun scenario. Let’s imagine you and your partner are relocating to this nice Northern California community and need to find a home. Or your family is growing and you need a larger home. This checklist also works if you are a couple whose chicks have left the nest and you now need to downsize. Regardless of your situation, you’ve decided a change is necessary. In all these cases, how do you know what to look for?

First set up three categories of priorities: what the home must have, what you would prefer and what you would be willing to be flexible on.

For the building itself are you looking for a single story home or one with two levels? What kind of square footage? Is the year it was built important? What about whether or not it has been recently updated? Is it important to you that it be move-in ready or are you good with a “fixer-upper?” Do you need the home to have a garage? One car or two?

Does the property need to have a yard? Front yard and back yard? Size of yards? Do you want the property to have fencing? What about patios and/or decking? Do you need to have a home that has a pool? Space to park an RV? Would a property that has outbuildings such as a shop or storage shed increase its interest for you?

How many bedrooms do you want? How many bathrooms? Is an indoor laundry room important? What about a den or office space? Do you want a dining area or is a breakfast nook sufficient? Does your lifestyle dictate that the home have a formal dining area? A formal living room? Do you need a great room?

What about flooring? Is carpeting important to you or are you looking for hardwood floors? Would dual pane windows be a must have?

Is a fireplace important? What are your requirements for heating and air? Septic or sewer? City water or well?

Once you’ve made a preliminary list of the must haves, the what you’d prefer and what you would be flexible on, take a look at the current market and see what is available. When you’re ready to do some serious house searching, find a realtor you can trust. With a real estate agent to guide you, look online and visit open houses. See what “must haves” may need to be moved to the “flexible” category. Your realtor can help to narrow down your favorite areas of town based upon what you want in a new home.

Home buying can seem a daunting task. However, if you hone in on what is most important to you it will make shopping for a new home more enjoyable.

Emmett and Kim Jacobi, The Jacobi Team, can help you develop a checklist that highlights and includes exactly what you want in a new home. Contact them today to begin a conversation.

Staging is not just for the theater

Preparing your home for potential buyers

Both kinds of staging involve an audience. On Broadway, the stage is viewed by an audience seeking entertainment. When selling your home, staging is a way to give prospective buyers the best possible first impression you can of your home. And, in these days of COVID awareness – even though everyone is slowly venturing out into the marketplace once again – staging plays a great importance. Read here for an April 2021 assessment of the importance of staging.

Here we offer 9 points about the value, and importance of, staging your home for selling:

1. Helps your home sell faster, decreasing the amount of time it sits on the market.

2. Often it sells at a higher price, offering a higher return on investment.

3. Gives potential buyers a better first impression of the home.

4. Helps buyers visualize themselves in the home.

5. Helps make the home look move-in ready.

6. Demonstrates the home’s potential.

7. Skilled staging highlights the home’s best features, often giving the perception of a bigger home.

8. Simple, tasteful staging makes the home look new, rather than cluttered or empty.

9. Online home photos will stand out more prominently, drawing more interest.

Staging is exactly that…setting the stage for your buyers to see your home in the very best light possible. At the Jacobi Team we offer professional staging to help you maximize the salability of your home. Contact us today.

A fun checklist for selling your home during the summer

Tasks for summer selling

How about flowers

Selling a home during the summer months actually isn’t all that much different than in any other season of the year. Here’s a quick list of things you can do when the weather is warm and the sun is shining:

Outside:

1. If painting the exterior is not feasible at least give the exterior of the house a power wash.
2. Make sure your front door says “Welcome!” Brighten it with a coat of paint and new hardware or replace it with a new door to add overall sales value.
3. Is there a flower bed next to your front entry? Spruce it up with fresh flowers, trim any bushes and make sure the lawn is mowed.
4. Spiders! Remember to take a broom and de-web. Sure they’ll be back but you want them not so noticeable on home showing day.

Inside:
1. Open the curtains! Let the sunshine in and keep the lights turned on. When you’re showing your home you want it to shine like it is on Broadway!
2. Make the interior comfy by turning on the AC and ceiling fans. Speaking of ceiling fans, make sure they are clean and sparkling (they often get forgotten on the cleaning to-do list).
3. Empty out closets (and cupboards) about halfway. You do still live there, but you want your potential buyers to see that there is plenty of closet space–they will sneak a peek!
4. During showings place crisp white sheets over the beds. You don’t need to get expensive ones, but white looks so summery.
5. Place a vase of fresh cut flowers on your kitchen counter. A way to bring the summer inside.

And, because it’s summer, consider filling the kitchen sink with some ice and mini bottles of cold water.

Have an awesome home showing! The Jacobi Team.

Taking on a fixer upper?

The real deal on TV home-remodeling shows

By Stephanie Brick, posted on the Washington Post website Click here to see original post
Oct. 22, 2018 at 5:00 a.m. PDT

It is no surprise that reality television is rarely a representation of reality. How genuinely can anyone act (no pun intended) with a crew of cameras and microphones within arm’s reach? From scripted dialogue to behind-the-scenes staging, reality TV has seeped into nearly every corner of the market, and home remodeling is no exception.

Through the evolution of television, facts and fiction have generally known their respective places and, even if commingled, remained distinct from each other. Historically, there has been a differentiating line between programming intended for entertainment and programming intended for information.

Blurred lines

The difficulty is that the television industry has increasingly blurred the line between shows designed for entertainment and shows designed for education. Channels such as TLC (which once stood for “The Learning Channel”), HGTV, and even the Weather Channel and various news syndicates used to be defined by either their informative or educational programs. Now, however, they are more entertainment than information channels: You are more likely to tune in to facts or reality — when it is even presented — encased by opinions, drama, heavy editing or outright inaccurate data.

How we process information changes when that entertainment/education line is blurred — specifically, when programs designed for entertainment start introducing elements of their show as factual (or vice versa). It is a sneaky way to tip the scales: The entire show is easy to register as entertainment. So when little “facts” or context-specific truths work their way in, we have our guard down and accept them, often without even thinking about it. At times, almost insidiously, these programs start to rebalance themselves in our minds as mildly educational. This is the danger zone of misinformation.

Search for fixer-uppers in Butte County Click here

As a design professional, I believe one of my responsibilities is to help educate my clients. Despite living in the information age, we are surrounded by misinformation — and it can be nearly impossible to differentiate between the two without proper guidance. I see the source of this problem regularly when I tune in to shows about remodeling. So how can you tell what is true to the screen and what may be — directly or indirectly — propagating misinformation?

When it comes to home-remodeling reality TV, context is everything.

First consider the context of the home: Where is it located?

In some renovation shows, the city, state or even country (a surprising number that air in the United States are produced in Canada) are omitted. This becomes a honey pot for misinformation when numbers are then, inevitably, discussed.

Pricing for materials, labor and overall project budgets are not consistent across the United States, and any dollar amount needs context to have value. A $50,000 budget will yield wildly different results for a project in the heart of an East Coast city than it will in a Midwestern suburb. Always think to question where a project is located if numbers are discussed on a remodeling show.

It should also be noted that budget and total project costs may be influenced by the channel paying its regular and/or guest cast members each episode. (Do you think the designers, contractors and homeowners are only receiving 15 minutes of fame as compensation?)

Next, consider the episode in the context of its series.

Does it follow a formula? Confident designer makes lofty promises on seemingly low budget; problems are discovered during demolition; lofty scope must be dramatically reduced “to resolve discovered problem” or an egregious budget increase is required . . . every time.

To their credit, many of these shows do an excellent job communicating this true reality: Once construction has started, sometimes hidden or unknown existing conditions are revealed that warrant (or require) an unexpected increase in scope — which results in an increase in cost.

For instance, disintegrating pipelines or tangled DIY electrical work behind drywall usually cannot be detected — or accounted for — ahead of time. (As I tell my clients, we are still working on X-ray vision technology.)

However, this does not happen with every single household or project. So if you notice it happening — on a dramatic scale — during every episode of a reality TV show, recognize this consistently injected drama for what it is: a real representation of renovation risks? Perhaps. An excuse to get out of building that third-story addition that was never even close to realistic for the proposed, yet accepted, budget? Definitely.

Third, what is the context of the final results you are seeing?

Extravagant scopes on extremely short timelines are simply unrealistic. In theory, you could hire a huge workforce — but have you ever tried to find more than one really good craftsman or contractor to work on your home? How about a hundred? Even with the best of laborers, tight timelines rarely set anyone up for quality success.

In recent years, the grand unveiling of these finished houses have been quietly revealed as — sometimes — just grand shams, showcasing a meticulously composed staging. What you see is a beautiful, furnished, finished space, but just beyond the camera’s precisely calculated pan is an unfinished room and incomplete home.

Not knowing a project’s geographic context can lead to a misperception of budget and costs. Having only the pinhole sightline of a camera’s view can lead to unrealistic timeline expectations — even if just as an indirect, trickle-down effect.

We all know building a custom home from scratch in a week is unrealistic under normal circumstances. But does it not still, despite this acknowledgment, make three weeks for a bathroom remodel seem a little longer than it should be?

Whether or not your project is filmed by a crew and broadcast to the world, all architecture projects are governed by three factors: time, money and quality. If you are lucky, pick any two — speedy schedule, low cost, genuine craftsmanship — at the sacrifice of the third.

Many home-remodeling TV shows seem to deliver all three. These may be excellent sources for entertainment but should be recognized as poor sources of information.

Stephanie Brick is the owner of Stephanie Brick Design in Baltimore.

A Note from the Jacobi Team’s Kim Jacobi: Hey! We hope you stick around on our website and check it out! You can search for homes, sign up for our newsletter, and more!

You Must Master This When House Hunting

Excerpt from: Take Note! This Is the One Thing You Must Master When House Hunting

By Jamie Wiebe | Sep 27, 2018 From the Realtor.com website

Average home buyers look at 10 houses before they find The One. And unless you’ve lucked out with a photographic memory, remembering the details of all those homes can prove challenging. Wait, which one had that weird bathroom? What was the address of that awesome house near the lakeshore?

If only you’d written it down.

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It might not be the most exciting skill to learn, but good note-taking can keep you organized and dramatically simplify your home search. Yes, you already know how to write things down. But are you writing down the right things?

Jot down your impressions of size

You might be wowed by the size of the place when you walk inside, but you’re omitting crucial information if you’re not comparing that impression with the actual dimensions. Most homes come with a spec sheet, and if you’re surprised to discover the cavernous living room is just 9 feet by 9 feet—smaller than your bedroom at home—then make a note. Clever staging might be tricking your eyes, and getting the space to feel that enormous with your own furniture might be a challenge.

“Looks can be deceiving, and many agents have the means to perfectly stage a property,” says Vincent Averaimo, who works in real estate law. “Sometimes that means it looks bigger than it really is.”

Record your gut feeling

When you step into the home, what do you feel? After a long day spent driving to a dozen different homes, you’re likely to forget that feeling.

So make sure to write it down. Did you feel relaxed and comfortable? Slightly ill at ease? Did an intangible thrill race along your spine?

“When you have found the home for you, there’s a special feeling that you get,” Roberson says.

While you’re at it, dig into the specifics of why you got that special “yes!” feeling. Was it the bay window in the master bedroom? The 500-bottle wine cellar you’re already dreaming of filling up?

“Note something you really love about the home or something that really bugs you,” says Maria Daou, a real estate broker in New York City. “If you don’t make these notes in the moment, when you are in the space, you forget what it is and all the houses start blending together.”

Give the home a numerical rating

Real estate agent Dale Schaechterle recommends establishing three “have to haves,” which must be included in your final home. Then, each time you visit a house, rate each of these must-haves from 1 to 10, with 10 being “exceptional” or even “better than desired.”

For instance, if you’re insistent on a three-bedroom home, then a home with more than three beds might get a 10, and a three-bedroom home gets an 8.

At the end, tally it all up to see which home has the highest score on the things that matter most to you.

“A perfect score is not the goal,” Schaechterle says. You’re looking for something with the best balance of everything you want that gives you “permission” to stop looking and write an offer.

Take pictures—of everything

Any good seller’s agent will stuff the listing chock-full of pictures—but that doesn’t mean you should put your camera away during the showing.

In fact, you should take photos of anything that jumps out at you—good or bad, recommends real estate broker Brenda Di Bari.

Did you absolutely adore the dual-faucet sink in the kitchen? Or were you uncertain about the strange laundry room setup? Flipping through your camera roll can help you recall the details that might not be pictured in the listing photos.

And there’s another darn good reason to take lots of pictures: Sometimes listing photos lie. A deck might look pristine on camera, but up close the boards are splitting and—oh, heavens—are those carpenter ants? Or perhaps a room that looked enormous feels more like a coffin in real life.

“Maybe there are areas of damage or concern that you want to consider before making an offer,” Di Bari says. A photo will help you remember.

Write down the renovations you’ll want (and look up their cost later)

Few houses are perfect. Jot down any obvious changes you’ll want to make—and anything that might impede a home improvement project. (Is that wall clearly structural?)

“Noting if [renovation] is even an option is really important,” Daou says.

Once you’ve figured out which renovations your potential home might need, suss out how much they’ll cost. Add that to any other must-change items, like a coat of paint, replacement gutters, or even furniture needed to outfit a bigger home.

“It almost always costs more than you think,” Di Bari says.

And what good is a dream home if you can’t afford to make it shine?

Note from the Jacobi Team

We hope you stick around and explore our website! On our site you can search for homes for sale in Chico and the surrounding area. You can also download our free Home Buyer’s Guide which is chock FULL of great info! Reach out to us if you have any questions! Thanks -Kim and Emmett

Pros and Cons of renting out a secondary unit

By Jeanne Sager | May 7, 2018 on Realtor.com

An in-law unit can be a major selling point when you’re buying a house. It’s the perfect guesthouse for short-term visits (your adult children coming for Christmas) or long-term stays (Grandma moving in with you). But what can you do with your in-law unit while it’s sitting empty? Some homeowners opt to rent it out.

Nothing sounds sweeter than extra monthly cash flow, but is it really that simple? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of renting out your in-law unit and what you can expect to deal with as a property manager.

What is an in-law unit?

To qualify as an in-law unit, this part of the house should have its own entrance, bathroom, and kitchen or kitchenette, says Stephanie Trevizo, a real estate agent and landlord in Los Angeles. If your home listing says it comes with an in-law unit, you should make sure it legally qualifies as one in your municipality. “This can usually be done by calling your local housing authority or city,” Trevizo says.

Benefits of renting out an in-law unit

As Trevizo points out, homeowners stand to make extra income with a space they’re not already using, and they can do so with relatively little intrusion on their everyday lives. Because of their separate entrance, in-law units offer homeowners privacy and a sense of distance from their renters, something that wouldn’t happen if you were renting out a room in your home.

In-law units are also attractive to renters, which can make it easier for you to find a tenant. Because an in-law unit is part of a home, it’s likely located in a community largely made up of single-family homes. “Some [renters] choose these types of units to get into certain school districts,” Trevizo notes. “The landlords tend to be more flexible than a management company at an apartment complex.” What’s more, if you’ve already furnished your in-law unit for visits from your guests, you have the advantage of being able to list it as a furnished unit for short-term rental on sites such as Airbnb or HomeAway.

Then again, the separate entrance and all-in-one amenities (e.g., private bathroom and kitchen) make most in-law units great for extended-stay rentals as well, says Rob Stephens, co-founder and general manager of Avalara MyLodgeTax, a company that provides lodging tax compliance solutions for property managers. If you know the unit will sit vacant for a while, an in-law unit can be turned into a more traditional rental, with long-term monthly or even yearly leases.

Click Here to see if there are any homes for sale in Chico with a mother-in-law unit!

Disadvantages of in-law unit rentals

Before renting out your in-law unit, you must ask yourself if you’re ready to deal with a tenant in your personal space. Separate entrance and bathroom aside, the tenant will still be living on your property, so you’re both certainly going to have some personal interaction at some point.

There are also a few other questions to consider, says Kimberly Smith, a broker with AvenueWest Global Franchise, in Denver. For example, will the tenants’ noise bother you or your noise bother them? Will you feel safe? Are you comfortable renting to someone with a pet? Do you have enough room for them to park their car, or will that require daily communication?

Because renting out an in-law unit is legally equivalent to renting out any other piece of property, you do need to follow the laws of your local municipality, Stephens says. In the case of a short-term rental such as an Airbnb, you may be required to collect occupancy taxes, register guests, and sometimes obtain a license from your local authorities.

“Requirements to register and the occupancy tax rate that needs to be collected vary by city, county, and state across the U.S.,” Stephens says. “In some areas, you may only need to complete one registration form and remit taxes to one tax agency. In other markets, there are usually three to four different registrations that need to be completed, which include some form of licensing with the separate city, county, and state agencies. In about half the markets across the U.S., you will need some form of business or rental license. In other markets, you simply need to register and pay the occupancy taxes, not obtain a license.”

In other words, you’ll need to check with the city, county, and state where your home is located before you decide to become a landlord, even if it’s for the short term.

Renting out your in-law unit could also have an effect on your homeowner insurance policy, so it’s important to call your insurance agent before you put up that rental ad. Because renting is defined as a business activity, your typical homeowner policy will not cover losses related to your rental, Stephens warns.

One final consideration, and this is a big one: the responsibility that comes with maintaining a property.

“This could mean late-night phone calls about problems the tenants are having with the home,” Trevizo warns.

As the property manager, you’ll be on the hook for a number of things, including collecting rent, setting lease terms, handling repairs and emergencies, dealing with security deposits, and filing taxes on the property.

“There is always the risk that you may have to evict a tenant, which could be costly and time-consuming,” Trevizo says.

From Emmett and Kim Jacobi of the Jacobi Team of Century 21 in Chico, CA:
If you are interested in purchasing a property you can rent out and have questions or want guidance in finding just the right property, then please reach out to us! We are full time real estate agents here in Butte County and serve not only the Chico area, but also Orland, Oroville, Durham, Paradise, Magalia, and Butte Valley. Also, we hope you stick around on our website and check out all that we have to offer here!

Electric Floor Heating

Radiant floor heating systems heat a room by means of a system of pipes or wires that run beneath the surface flooring to gently radiate heat upward into the room. Such systems offer a good way to heat a room addition where it is difficult to extend existing HVAC ductwork, and they are especially effective on flooring surfaces that are naturally cool to the touch, such as stone, concrete, or ceramic tile. Radiant floors can also be a good choice in large, tall rooms since the heat source emanates at floor level, where the heating is most needed. And particularly in rooms where you walk with bare feet (the prime example is a bathroom), a radiant floor makes for unparalleled comfort.

Radiant floor systems come in several styles, but one of the most popular is the electric system, in which a wire mesh or loops of individual wires run across the floor beneath the surface, creating warmth by means of the natural resistance occurring as electricity flows through the metal wires.

Anatomy of an Electric Radiant Floor Heating System

The principle of radiant floor heating has been around for centuries. In ancient Rome, for example, many public buildings had a system of tunnels beneath stone floors that circulated air warmed by wood-burning fires. In the modern electric adaptation, thin heating cables installed under surface flooring—most commonly ceramic tile—heat the floor much the way an electric blanket works. Typically they are operated by their own 15- or 20-amp electrical circuit controlled by a wall thermostat. Often such systems are used to provide supplemental heat and are installed during remodeling projects.

Most electric radiant floors involve laying strips of electrical matting across the subfloor, linked together and connected to an electrical circuit and line-voltage thermostat, and secured in place by a covering of thin-set mortar. The surface floor covering is installed over the electrical matts. In these matt systems, you can cut pieces to size to fit irregular areas, although it is generally better to use full-sized mats. Ideally, the mats cover most of the floor, but it is also possible to confine the heating to areas where you usually walk. In other systems, individual wires are looped across the bathroom floor about 3 inches apart and secured by thin-set adhesive. For ceramic or stone tile floors, the electrical mats or wires are installed over the cement board underlayment, over which the ceramic tile is then laid.

Pros

Electric radiant heating systems buried within thermal masses (such as between cement board and ceramic tile) can retain heat for a long time, even after the power is turned off.

Electric radiant floor systems offer a discreet way of heating a floor. With the right temperature setting, it is difficult to even detect that the radiant heat is operating.

The systems can help reduce overall heating costs—your HVAC or space heaters do not have to operate as hard to heat up the room.

These systems are ideal for use under naturally cool surfaces, such as ceramic and stone tile or on concrete slabs.

Electric systems are easy to install during remodeling projects.

Radiant system, in general, are more cost-effective than other means of electric supplemental heating, such as space heaters.

Electrical systems are the most DIY-friendly of the radiant floor options.

Cons

These systems are difficult to install retroactively, as the floor covering must be removed. They are most practical during new construction or during major remodeling projects.

They are more effective at warming the floor surface “to the touch,” rather than heating the entire room (though it is possible to use radiant floor heating as your primary heat source).

For whole-home use, electrical systems are more expensive to operate than warm-water radiant heating.

Broken wires are trapped between flooring surfaces and are difficult to repair.

Radiant floor heating is less effective under carpeting, hardwood, or vinyl since heat can be trapped between the insulating surface layer and the subfloor.

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Costs

You can expect to pay at least $8 per square foot at a minimum for the materials for an electric radiant floor. For estimating purposes, $10 to $12 per square foot is a safe number to use for materials alone. On average, for professional installation plus materials, plan on spending about $16 per square foot.

While it depends on where you are located and the cost of electricity there, you can figure on operating costs of about $0.50 to $1.00 per day for an 8 x 10-foot bathroom, if the system runs 24 hours a day (regulated by thermostat). When operated 8 hours a day, costs run about $0.25 to $0.35 per day for the same 8 x 10-foot bathroom.

Alternate Forms of Radiant Floor Heating

Less common but also available is the hydronic (hot water) radiant floor system. In hydronic systems, tubes of water warmed by a central boiler or hot water heater circulate beneath the floor. Hydronic radiant floor systems are more typically used in new construction for creation of whole-house heating systems. Installation costs are considerably higher than for other central heating systems, but hydronic radiant systems are extremely efficient and offer much lower ongoing operating costs—about one-third that of forced air systems.

Written by Lee Wallender; found on thespruce.com website

Hi from Emmett and Kim! We are a husband and wife real estate team here in Chico, CA with Century 21 Select Real Estate. If you have any questions about buying or selling a home, or any other home related questions, please reach out to us! We hope you stick around and check out our website. You can search homes for sale, get local market reports, and more!

12 Hidden Renovation Costs That Can Sink Your Budget

Surprises happen. Shelling out cash on unexpected renovation costs isn’t completely avoidable — but there are plenty of hidden renovation costs you can prepare for.

Here are some of the surprising things that can set your wallet on fire during your next big project.

#1 Extra Muscle: $500

Even if you’re just clearing out the renovation space by moving boxes downstairs, you still might find yourself in need of a few strong hands.

“For the longest time, we thought we could clear out the space ourselves,” says Summer Sterling, who renovated her home’s entire top floor, including gutting the kitchen, updating two bathrooms, and vaulting a ceiling. She and her husband lived in the basement during the remodel. “Then we realized we have this gigantic furniture.” The Sterlings moved as much as they could beforehand, but the movers still cost about $500.

#2 Anxious Pups: $125 Per Week

Some pets have nerves of steel. Others cower at any unexpected noise or strangers. And construction zones are full of noisy strangers: dropping wrenches, hammering, or stomping through your home in metal-toed boots.

Monitor your dog to see how he handles the stress. If the answer is “not well,” prepare for a brief boarding — although you might find a mid-day dog walker or a short stay with Nana is soothing enough (and far less expensive).

Sterling and her husband adopted a new dog shortly before the remodel. “It was tough on our little guy,” she says. “He likes to sleep all the time.”

Their two pups doubled their time in doggie daycare — stressful for the dogs and the budget. But planning your work during your sitter’s down season can save you some cash.

#3 Dinners Out: $80 Per Week

Cooking without a kitchen challenges the best chefs — there’s a reason it’s a stalwart Top Chef challenge. Even if your kitchen remains intact during the reno, putting together a meal in a home filled with dust is no fun at all.

Sterling and her husband ate out or ordered take-out “at least three or four times a week,” she says.

Instead of single-handedly funding your favorite restaurant’s expansion, she recommends storing pre-prepped, microwaveable meals in a chest freezer. Or setting up a makeshift kitchen.

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#4 Dumpster Fees: $400

Construction junk has to go somewhere. If you’re DIYing the remodel, dumpster fees might come as a surprise.

Expect to spend about $400 on your trash-mobile, but contractors can provide localized, ballpark dumpster estimates.

Once it’s in your driveway, save some extra cash by using the dumpster to ditch unwanted stuff accumulating around your house. Tired of those nasty old blinds? Say adieu, without paying extra disposal fees. Just leave room for the construction junk.

#5 Hotel Stays: $500

You’re determined to live at home during the reno, but if a contractor accidentally smashes through your bedroom wall or the noise gets too unbearable, you might find yourself packing up for a short stay in a nearby hotel.

You don’t need to book your staycation beforehand, but budgeting enough cash for a few days’ away will make the decision to abandon ship a bit less stressful. Or hole up with some friends — just make sure to bring wine and cover dinner as payment.

#6 Childcare: $175 Per Week

Checking your calendar, you realize demo day coincides with school inservice. You can’t have the adorable little rascals stomping through the dust — so off to the sitters they go. Great. Another $100 down the drain.

Keep a close eye on the calendar and pre-arrange playdates for their days off to keep your wallet in check. Or bring over Aunt Margie to keep the kids corralled (and entertained) in a spare bedroom.

#7 Labor Costs: $50 Per Hour

Delays, schedule changes, and unexpected surprises don’t just add time to the renovation — they mean paying more to the workers.

“Our labor costs wound up being much higher,” says Janet Heller, whose sink broke during a bathroom renovation — requiring multiple trips and two times the work from contractors and laborers.

Know each contractor’s hourly cost so when disaster strikes, you can budget appropriately.

#8 Professional Cleaning: $150

Your new kitchen features sparkling, brand-new marble and stunning oak cabinetry — but you can’t ignore the fine layer of sawdust covering everything.

“Construction dust is everywhere,” Sterling says. Allocate a few days for a top-to-bottom clean. Scrubbing everything yourself can save you some much-needed cash.

But if the mess is too daunting, consider hiring a service as a post-renovation treat. Even if they’re just handling the hard-to-reach spots, a little help will be more than welcome. Now all you have to do is go home, kick back, and heat up your very last frozen dinner.

#9 Office Space: $195 Per Month

Telecommuters have their own renovation challenges. How can you take a phone call with clients when a drill is whirring overhead?

“I work from home, but am unable to function with so much construction noise above me,” Sterling says. “There’s no privacy whatsoever.” But privacy doesn’t come cheap: A “flexible desk” at a co-working space can cost $195 per month — and more if you need a closed door.

Sterling leased a temporary office twice per week during the renovation and lowered costs by working out of coffee shops or a library as often as possible.

#10 Higher Utility Bills: 15%-20% Extra

Doors opening. Fans whirring. So many power tools. Is there anything in construction that doesn’t suck up energy?

“We’re living in a much smaller space, but the efficiency is terrible,” says Sterling, who spent about 15% to 20% more on electricity during the renovation. “The bloody contractors leave the windows open all the time.”

Don’t feel bad if you’re a bit of a nag. Unless the breeze is necessary (drying paint and new hardwood floors require ventilation), pop upstairs every evening to close the windows.

#11 Lawn Landscaping: $1,500

Did they really need to put their equipment on your beautiful Kentucky bluegrass? For some reason, renovating the interior can mean your lawn takes a beating that only a professional landscaper can repair.

Ask contractors beforehand if they plan on using your yard for staging, and place down tarps to protect the foliage. Or find alternative spots, like the attached garage or gravel driveway.

#12 Permits: $1,000

Before the first sledgehammer swings, sit down with your contractor (or city building department) for a detailed discussion of exactly what permits you need.

“Usually a contractor will include plans and permits,” says Charles Rinek, owner of custom home building company Rinek, Inc.

But make sure you know early on if they don’t, otherwise you’re in for a surprise. Sterling says she paid more than $1,800 in permit fees — causing major sticker shock, if you’re not expecting the bill.

Written by Jamie Wiebe, found on houselogic.com website

Hi from Emmett and Kim! We are a husband and wife real estate team here in Chico, CA with Century 21 Select Real Estate, Inc. If you have any questions about buying or selling a home please do not hesitate to reach out to us! We hope you stick around and explore our website. There is a lot of great info and you can search for homes for sale as well!