A Record Year for DIY | Local, Industry & Listing Updates | Caspersen Brothers Oct. Newsletter

Show of hands: Who has done some DIY home improvement in the last 6 months?

Statistics show… probably most of you!

To no one’s surprise, a huge amount of Americans have decided to make the most of their unplanned and extended homestay by finally making the updates and improvements they’ve dreamt about for years.

Combined with a bit of elbow grease and a wealth of YouTube how-to videos, this extra time at home has led to all-time-high stock prices for brands like Home Depot and Lowe’s.

A recent survey of 1,000 homeowners and renters reveals some interesting findings:

• The most popular DIY projects these days are bathroom repair, interior painting, and bedroom decor.
• Among the most successful projects for homeowners and renters alike is installing or enhancing a garden, while the least successful projects involve DIY repairs. (Better call a professional?)
• A fresh coat of interior paint is both one of the cheapest and most successful projects undertaken, but exterior painting led to higher costs and lower success rates.

Home improvements are a great way to keep busy (if you’re not already busy enough) and reinvigorate your love for where you live. Of course, DIY only goes so far.

If you’re interested in making bigger changes to your living arrangements, now is a uniquely good time to do so. Today’s home buyers benefit from record-low mortgage rates, and sellers benefit from searing hot demand — and buyer/sellers enjoy the best of both!

As always, if you have questions about the market, or if you or someone you know is thinking of making a change, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We’re happy to help!

Mark & Pete Caspersen

“”New home sales are now 15 percent higher on a year-to-date basis, with gains in all regions,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. Read more from World Property Journal here.