Residential real estate is transitioning from a seller’s market; for some homeowners this means “adding on” to enhance sales, for others it means make more room and stay. If you plan to renovate your home, make sure you hire a professional residential architect. Below are 10 reasons why you should follow this advice.
1. Get ideas! An architect applies a lifetime of practical, historical, and design knowledge to your project. Present the architect with a clear idea of what you want, but let the architect show you how to achieve it.
2. The Concept: An architect will help integrate your ideas to develop a coherent concept that pulls the project together. Share the sketch plans, photographs, and wish lists you have gathered. The concept can be a simple ordering of horizontal and vertical lines that make up a building façade. The shape of the building may define an exterior courtyard. The building may fit closely to the topography of the site. Or a detail or set of details on the existing home may be exaggerated on a new addition.
3. Keep the Project Realistic: Consult with an architect early in the process to determine if the project is realistic based on codes, zoning, budget size, etc.
4. Preliminary Designs: Before incurring the expense of preparing complete construction documents, have an architect prepare preliminary designs. The initial (schematic) designs will show you what is possible. The architect can then provide construction budget estimates that will help determine the next steps.
5. Cost Savings: A good architect often saves the home owner a sum much larger than his or her fee. Paper and computer walls are far cheaper to modify than wood and masonry walls, for example.
6. Construction Budget: Architects are familiar with local construction costs and can help determine preliminary budgets with contingencies. As the design develops, the budget can be refined to reflect the specific character and details.
7. Construction Cost: The reduction of construction cost is often viewed in terms of lowering material and labor costs. However, the biggest savings can come from only building what you need. An architect will help you decide what you need and the most cost effective way to achieve it.
8. Environment: Well-designed architecture complements the natural environment. Besides knowing local zoning ordinances and building codes an architect will design a home or addition that takes advantage of and complements the natural features of your property.
9. Adding Value: Whether your home is colonial, contemporary, Victorian, or a combination of styles, an architect will be familiar with each of those styles and will prepare designs that enhance and add value to your home. That value eventually transfers to sale price.
10. Think Green: An architect can recommend environmentally friendly “green” materials for both the interior and exterior of your home.

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Q. I was recently told by a real estate agent that my house would show better if I removed some of the clutter. I don’t want to throw anything away; what can I do?
A. If you need to create a spacious look for your home while it is on the market, off-site storage may be the right solution.
When shopping for a storage facility, determine what size unit is required to hold your possessions. Typically you can choose a space from as small as 5 feet by 5 feet, which holds between 10 to 15 boxes, to 10 feet by 25 feet, which is about the size of a single-car garage.
Ask questions such as: Is there a guard on duty? Is there video surveillance and/or alarms? Do you need to provide your own lock? Is the area well lit?
Before signing any agreement, inspect the facility and your storage unit for cleanliness and signs of proper maintenance.
Make certain you understand the rental agreement. Are you renting on a month-to-month or a six-month basis? Is there a deposit? Does termination of the agreement need to be in writing? How much advance notice do you need to give?
Prepare your unit by placing plastic on the floor. If you will be moving in large furniture, lay down blankets or sheets as well. Store your most valuable possession first, toward the back. Store frequently used items at the front. Make sure that you leave a walkway.

Storage advice provided by Steve Novenstein of Storage Deluxe Realty,
White Plains. Tel: 914-682-7998 or visit www.storagedeluxe.com