Your new NARI Central Indiana Chapter E-Newsletter
NARI Central Indianapolis Chapter E-News
February 2016
Share this with your clients - Helping clients understand how improving their home helps resale

By NAPS, 
North American Precis Syndicate

The next time you’re thinking about sprucing up your digs, consider these projects, which the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) recent “Remodeling Impact Report” says can bring the greatest cost recovery or deliver the most happiness based on a “joy score.” Think Like A Buyer

Even if you don’t plan to sell your home in the near future, envision yourself as a potential buyer walking into your house for the first time. Which imperfections would catch someone’s eye immediately yet are reasonable to fix? A few projects that made owners happiest were adding a bathroom, new fiber-cement siding and a complete kitchen renovation.

There are several affordable renovations that recover most of the costs when it’s time to sell your home. Of the projects that had the greatest cost recovery, many, based on average costs, were $2,500 or less. These included insulation upgrades (95 percent cost recovery on $2,100), a new garage door (87 percent on $2,300) and refinishing hardwood flooring (100 percent cost recovery on $2,500).

Look Above

Depending on your home’s age, your roof has likely felt the brunt of Mother Nature. Over time, torrential downpours, fierce winds and even the cold can cause shingles to peel back, buckle and even fall off. This leaves your home susceptible to leaks and possibly mildew or mold.

Although costly ($7,600 on average), a new roof rated the highest in both cost recovery (105 percent) and happiness. When selling, a recently fixed or replaced roof also puts potential buyers at ease.

Give Your Kitchen A Fresh Look

While full kitchen renovations can cost north of $50,000, smaller projects such as updating worn-out cabinet surfaces, installing touch-activated faucets and even a new backsplash are budget friendly and likely gratifying to you or a potential buyer.

Need proof? Fifty-seven percent of surveyed Realtors reported they’ve suggested sellers complete a kitchen upgrade before attempting to sell. As for owners, 82 percent said they have a greater desire to be home since completing an upgrade.
Chapter Member Highlight: Walter Maxson
For more than 30 years, Walter Maxson has been remodeling homes throughout Central Indiana.
From  his Zionsville headquarters, he’s been tackling projects from the simple to the complex and his clients  have benefitted from realistic cost research, detailed job specifications, guaranteed fixed pricing, and  specific beginning and completion dates. The result is hundreds of extremely satisfied clients and  beautifully remodeled homes. 

But all good things have to come to an end. Walter Maxson is closing up his business and calling himself  retired. He won’t be hanging up his tools, of course. 

“There’s always something to work on around the farm,” he explains. For many years, Maxson and his  wife have lived on a corner of a farm that’s been in his family for generations. He’s managed the farm, but  hasn’t had the luxury of time to work on it because of the demands of his remodeling business. Now, he  envisions doing more. 

Mrs. Maxson may have some ideas, too. While remodeling homes throughout the area, Maxson has  taken many photos of his work. Mrs. Maxson has been inspired to suggest a number of projects that are  now part of the Maxson home. “And there’s still more to do,” Maxson says.

He’ll also have more time with his children and grandchildren; more time for church-related service  ministries; and free time to devote to the men’s trio he has sung with for more than 35 years.

An active member of NARI’s Central Indiana chapter since the late 1980s, Maxson says that it’s an  organization  that he has valued highly. 

“I’ve appreciated the professional relationships, as well as the education opportunities,” he says, citing  lead carpenters he’s hired through the certification program, as well as certification programs that he’s  attended. “It’s been a wonderful experience,” he says. “NARI has meant a lot to me.”

Looking back over his career, Maxson says, “God puts us in places of opportunity. For me, it’s been a  matter of being thankful for what I have and seeking ways to serve God and my fellow men.”
Tax Tips
Know your write offs - 
There are numerous potential write-off options for small business owners, including:
  • home office deductions
  • startup costs
  • inventor
  • office supplies, furniture, and equipmen
  • mileage
  • software and subscriptions
  • telephone charges (including cell phones, if you use yours for your business
  • retirement contribution
  • travel, meals, entertainment and gift
  • applicable insurance premiums   
Accounting Tips
“there’s an app for that!”
Visit your accounting software’s homepage and search for authorized third party apps to make routine accounting tasks easier.


NARI Survey
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2016 NARI Events
The NARI Central Indiana Chapter website has been updated to include all events for 2016. Please click here to check out what we have in store for you and add them to your calendar. We look forward to seeing you!