Not only is new construction starting to come back, there is also an upswing in remodeling! According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, spending for remodeling is expected to climb 20% from September 2012 to September 2013!  House.com says that 53% of homeowners think now is a great time to remodel!  During the worst of the housing market crash most home owners were only doing must do repair work and if possible they did it by themselves to keep the costs down.  Now that home prices are starting to rise people are starting to hire companies to do their remodeling projects. One major difference is that people are tending to pay cash or do their projects in small steps unlike the height of the housing market where everyone financed their remodels and did huge projects all at once. Kitchens and bathrooms are still the top remodeling projects.

Do you need some spring? Are you sick and tired of winter? Do you feel like it will never be warm again and the snow will last forever? Then you need to get down to the Home and Garden Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center starting on Wednesday this week. The show offers great tips, trends and ideas for all your home remodeling and decorating needs as well as landscaping.  What could get you more in the mood to think spring than planning out some new landscaping or finding interesting plants and trees for your yard?  Even if you own a condo, they have ideas to get your deck or balcony in shape this spring.  There is an idea house with the latest and greatest for bathroom spas, gourmet kitchens and more.  The show is open Wed. February 27 – Sun. March 3.  The hours vary by day, so please check their website for complete details and to get discounted tickets and bus passes!

MN Green Path is a new program exclusive to Minnesota providing durable, efficient homes which, compared to standard homes, are more cost-effective to own and operate. These homes are healthier, safer, and more protective of our natural Minnesota resources.  The trend is towards energy savings in all areas of our lives so this program fits right in! (more…)