By Mylene Thomas and Jessica Cannon

Your 203(k) renovation can still meet your style standards.
This renovation was an overhaul of the entire home including, but not limited to, the plumbing, electrical, dry wall, painting, existing bathroom, kitchen, and exterior. What made this job particularly interesting was the installation of a full master bathroom within a master suite in what was originally just an attic space. The additional challenge for this 1946 South Arlington Cottage style home was that this property had been vacant for over a year and was then purchased by a 1st time homebuyer with a FHA 203(k) loan. We now had a challenging design concept for a crumbling home to create a luxury space on a significant budget.

The attic space was a 9’x 11’ open room with a window and ceiling fan. A lot of research had to go into this project to accommodate the contemporary sense of style the homeowner had and the budget we had to work within. We closed in the existing window to use the area with the full height ceiling for the shower space and installed a full bathroom with standup shower stall, vanity and toilet. My favorite design feature was the ceramic floor tile that looked like the hardwood with gray undertones you found in the rest of the home. We also maintained the integrity of the original Cottage style home by adding shutters on the exterior of the window we had closed off.

At the end our client, Rachel Dendui, had this to say, “FA Design Build helped me navigate the 203(k) Renovation process. Their designer [Jessica Cannon] provided expert advice, and drew the plans for a beautiful bathroom out of a tricky floor plan.”

By Mylene Thomas

FHA’s 203(k) loan for your fixer upper that you’ve either just purchased or you already own falls into one of 2 categories: Streamline or Standard. “Standard/Rehab (minimum $5,000 up to 110% of the improved appraised value) & the Streamline (work is less than $35,000…up to 110% of the improved appraised value).

Example: Purchase price is $100,000. Upgrades/Repairs/Improvements will cost $15,000. Borrowers loan amount is $115,000 (max 110% of after fix-up appraised value).”*

The good news- we handle them both. It’s often a difficult task to find a qualified Class A General Contractor with the ability AND willingness to sign on for either one. We are experienced and qualified to handle 203(k) projects and that alone can make a world of difference to you and the lender when going through the administrative processes as well as the obvious remodel. If we as your contractor do not meet the approval of your underwriter based upon the standards set out by the lender and the FHA program then we aren’t your contractor and you’re stuck up a creek without a paddle.

Thankfully that’s never happened to any of our homeowners and the 203(k) renovations were a success. Our most recent rave comes from a client’s lender who is known for his expertise in navigating the 203(k) process. Nice to know the experts approve of us too!

“Hope to refer you more business.  Great service!  Thanks, Bob” (Bob Miller, Southern Trust Mortgage) – January 19, 201

* www.203kcontractors.com

Copyright 203KContractors.com®

Courtesy of Hud.gov

FHA has a loan that allows you to buy a home, fix it up, and include all the costs in one loan. Or, if you own a home that you want to re-model or repair, you can refinance what you owe and add the cost of repairs – all in one loan.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) – which is part of HUD – insures the loan, so your lender can offer you a better deal.

• Low down payments
• Low closing costs
• Easy credit qualifying

FA Design Build has a dedicated team to help you through the 203(k) remodeling process.

Contact Mylene Thomas for details.

By Mylene Thomas

You’re approved for your 203(k) loan and you’ve picked a contractor and you’re ready for the inspection prior to signing all the paperwork and starting construction. Then there’s mold. The big national contractor of all people has said, “No way. No how. No mold abatement or remediation here.” Well, heck, now what? You’re supposed to go to closing in a week and this was the contractor and this was the inspection and who’s going to provide a proposal and do the work and can navigate the 203(k) process with you and your lender? You are going to lose this opportunity if you don’t find a qualified Class A General Contractor.

Call me. We don’t mind getting dirty with some mold. We’re certified for that sort of thing.

By Mylene Thomas

If your teenager, or significant other for that fact, is anything like mine then they have a built in filter that blocks any noise coming from your mouth. I don’t have nice countertops for that exact reason. I have a dedicated space just for cutting boards. Small cutting boards, medium cutting boards, large cutting boards, cutting boards for meat with a draining system, cutting boards for vegetables with a built in colander…you get the idea. However, when my 15 year old daughter makes her lunch salad the only thing she cuts on is my kitchen island counter top. It drives me crazy.

Since my voice apparently comes out sounding like Charlie Brown’s teacher I have decided to change my surroundings rather than fight the laws of a teenager’s nature. I’ve always thought I’d wait until all my kids were out of the house to do this upgrade, but by then I’ll be blogging about which hover round model is the best. Thankfully there’s Cambria. Honestly the upfront costs are pretty comparable to granite countertops. The real cost savers are in the maintenance. It can withstand the wear and tear and stains associated with my destructive family. Plus, since it’s a quartz product like granite, it mimics a lot of the same aesthetic qualities of granite. Let’s face it who has time to refinish their countertops when last week’s clean laundry has made its way back into the dirty pile…and it’s still clean. Grrrr… At least I won’t be scrubbing my countertops with a toothbrush to get the yuck out of the knife grooves inflicted on it anymore. Ahhhh….

We have a great selection of Cambria samples in our Fairfax showroom. Come check it out and while you’re there win a gift card to Palio’s Restaurant and let someone else cut up their kitchen counters!

Do you seriously expect me to remember when, where and how I’m supposed to treat my countertops? Have you seen my indoor plants? No? That’s right. Because if I could remember to water them they would still be here alive adorning the foyer with their beautiful fauna.

How about Cambria kitchen countertops? It’s 93% quartz, a natural stone and with FA Design Build’s new resources they can offer more style choices that look like granite but don’t require the up keep. Maybe with all the time I’ll save not worrying about how to treat and seal granite I can buy that beautiful palm tree again and water it, too.

P.S. If my husband is reading this I would like the new kitchen in Shirebrook and the master bathroom in Praa Sands.

By Mylene Thomas

By Mylene Thomas

A man designed my bathroom. He didn’t realize that in order to achieve the Victoria’s Secret model bed head sexpot hair it required an arsenal of curling irons, brushes and hair products with names that sound like they belong in a romance novel. This man didn’t realize the amount of creams specified for daytime protection ONLY to fight off the signs of aging from the cleaning up after 3 children, the dog and his muddy boots. These daytime creams will do absolutely NOTHING for the insomnia, and, so, I need the night time creams to ward off the bags and wrinkles. So, I will NOT apologize for the bathroom counter covered in my beauty war zone.

If you choose to enter the battle zone then come prepared.

Remodel my bathroom with Medallion’s Simplicity Storage Solutions. Save me from the counter burns from my curling irons for each perfectly sized curl and buy the salon styling cabinet with the various shaped salon grade metal canisters.

Help me organize the many shades of pink blush designed to adapt to each season and shade of white or tan I may be and get the custom drawer inserts.

 I forever promise to cherish you and do my best to keep my girlish glow for you and for my sake, but please for the love of God give me the bathroom to do it and I promise I will not infiltrate your garage for my storage solutions.

Email Jessica and she will take the work out of it. Don’t worry; you can still take credit for it and the thank you for it afterwards.

I bought a townhouse 8 years ago and rented it out for a couple of years. When I decided to sell it I knew that it would need a serious facelift. Once I got into it, however, I realized this was going to be a lot more than my diy-er wanted to handle. $20,000, 2 months of daily work for 2 people with full time jobs and families, new tools, forfeiting summer vacations… and oh by the way did I mention I was very pregnant?

So, when do you know what to do on your own and when it’s time to call in the experts? Can’t you take credit for the beautiful new home even when you stroked the pen instead of swinging the hammer? Or is it like Thanksgiving dinner when your in-laws compliment you on the fabulous apple crumb pie that you totally bought in the frozen section and you technically baked so you reply with a somewhat guilty “thanks”? Where’s the line between I can do this myself and I don’t need to have my own show about this because I have a full time life already?

Come talk to me at the Fairfax Community Home Show March 10-11, and then listen to Nicole Curtis, DIY’s “The Rehab Addict”.

Home remodeling can be a big step in improving both your living environment and the value of your home. A lot of people remodel their homes to compliment the home owner’s desires, wants, and needs, but it is also a great option for increasing the value of your home if you are planning on selling. Many studies today show that people would rather buy a house that needs minimal repairs and updates compared to buying a “fixer upper.” Remodeling your home can be an over whelming task if you are not sure where to start. I found some great tips to help point you in the right direction for the remodeling process.

A great place to start is deciding on a budget that you can both afford and be happy with the results. Having a budget will give you guidelines to help maintain costs. If you are remodeling multiple areas of the home, give yourself an allowance for each separate area. It has been my experience as both a designer and a consumer that unexpected costs often do arise and you must be prepared financially and emotionally for these possible setbacks.

Begin your remodeling plan by making a list of what currently does not please you about space as it is. Then make a list of features you would like to add and any changes you would like to make in its arrangement when you begin the remodeling.

Kitchens and bathrooms have the most dramatic impact on the overall appearance and impression of your home. The kitchen has become a major focal point for entertaining. The new trend people follow is spending more time in the kitchen entertaining than anywhere else in the home. There are so many elements involved when remodeling a kitchen. Due to the wiring and plumbing that usually need to be done, it may not be an ideal do it yourself project. The cabinetry and countertops are two very important areas of the kitchen. If new cabinetry isn’t within your budget, try updating them with some new distinctive and decorative cabinetry hardware. Choose a style and type of finish that complements not only your cabinets but the age of your home. Try to avoid trendy finishes that will scream “time warp” in a few years. Countertops are one product in which esthetics and practicality can coexist. Prices of granite and other natural stone materials continue to drop, while manufactured materials such as laminate and engineered stone are mimicking the real thing better than ever.  Take the time do research all available options and rule out which countertop will work best for you, and your home. Faucets can be a simple and effective upgrade that adds style and functionality. Stainless steel appliances are currently all the rage. It’s neutral and sleek while offering a commercial and sophisticated feel. Nothing brightens a kitchen more than great new lighting fixtures. Try putting accent pendant lighting over an island or a larger scale pendant over the dining room table. Under cabinet lighting is also another great option to add to the ambiance of the kitchen.

These are some helpful tips and guidelines to follow to make the process of remodeling your home a more enjoyable and a less stressful process.

To add on to the last post about remodeling your kitchen, I thought why not give some helpful advice on remodeling your bathroom as well! Like the kitchen, your remodeling ideas should start with a rough plan. Again, make a list of what displeases you and what you want to change or add. Evaluate how you use your bathroom and how you want it to accommodate your needs. In the morning, do you want to get in and out of the bathroom as quick as possible, or would you rather have a more relaxing bathroom and spend more of your time in there. It’s all about how you as the user, wishes the bathroom to be according to your needs and wants!

Bathrooms are a popular home remodeling project. It involves a lot of similar decisions to the kitchen. Remodeling a bathroom is a great way to add comfort and value to your home. Bathrooms have gained an important status within the household, and instead of just being a functional room they are now as interesting and decorative as the other rooms within a household. Evaluate your space, do some research online and in magazines, to help you develop your new bathroom design. Think about which fixtures you will want, and what style pleases you. Choosing brushed nickel bath fixtures and accessories will give your bathroom a fresh modern look. Bath fixtures and accessories are widely available in this popular finish. You’ll not only find faucets and shower heads in this nickel finish, but, lighting fixtures, knobs and drawer pulls for cabinetry, towel bars and racks, tissue holders and all the typical bathroom accessories that are needed to furnish a bath. Adding tile in the bathroom can also help increase value, and looks great! Building a decorative boarder around the shower, or putting in a backsplash can really help accentuate the room. For a bath that is looking out of touch with the times, and a little worn around the edges, a fresh coat of stain and new knobs and handles on your cabinetry in this brushed finish will give an even newer appearance. Sometimes selecting a darker stain is a good option, and the darker stains are very trendy these days, in both flooring and cabinetry. A newly stained vanity with fresh new hardware will often pass as a new fixture to friends and guests in your home. Remodeling a bathroom will increase the dollar value of your home, and this is one home improvement that will be a good investment. Aside from the pleasure your new bath will give you, if in the future you sell your home, having remodeled your bathroom will both increase your home’s value and its selling appeal.

Remodeling kitchens and bathrooms are collaborative efforts. Although you get inspirations from magazines, you do not get a kitchen or bathroom out of them. Depending on your space, needs, budget and taste, your kitchen or bathroom should be a reflection of a collaborative effort to ensure that you will have a great remodeling experience!