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SIGNATUREMT'S REALTOR ® TIPS ARTICLE PROVIDED BY DAVID LERAY, REALTOR ® EXP REALTY, LLC SiG MT 128 7 Steps to Save Money on a Remodel Every homeowner has a defined budget he or she can allocate toward a remodeling project. Even if funds were unlimited, it's still in a homeowner's best interest to secure the best value for each dollar invested in a remodeling project, ultimately increasing the value of the home. Consider these tips from the experts at the National Association for the Remodeling Industry to help save money on your next project. 1. Determine how far your budget will go. Create a wish list of everything you want to accomplish. Disregard cost and simply write down everything you can dream of. Prioritize items from "must haves" to "nice but not necessary." Find a contractor who will work with you to determine whether your wish list is aainable for the funds you are willing to invest in your home. 2. Decide how to handle budget overages. If you can't get far enough down the list with the available money, you could choose to stop the process and continue saving, investigate financing options, re-evaluate your wish list or consider material substitutions. 3. Make material selections you can afford. Every project will have a set of required materials, but there are options when it comes to variety, style, and quality. • Cabinets: Subtle changes like forgoing custom rustic cherry cabinets with plywood cabinet sides for regular cherry cabinets with furniture board sides can achieve the same look at a lower cost. • Countertops: Natural stone and quartz countertops are popular, but advances in the design options for lower-cost countertop materials have rejuvenated their popularity, too. With the proper usage and protection, nearly all countertop materials can support your everyday needs. • Millwork: Painted millwork has dominated the market for many years and solid maple is the preferred choice because the tight grain allows for a beautiful, smooth surface. However, the cost is multiple times that of vinyl and equally appealing when finished properly. • Flooring: Advances in synthetic materials make them difficult to distinguish from natural products. Synthetics generally come with Photo courtesy of Getty Image

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