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Smart Design With Suzette: Home Remodeling Projects That Pay Off

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Roughly 10 percent of all projects nationwide had a return of more than 100 percent and every one of the projects had a payback of more than 100 percent in at least one market nationwide. Courtesy image 
 
By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos
 
Depending on the project, the average return on investment (ROI) nationwide for remodeling projects ranges from as high as 107.7 percent to as low as 53.9 percent. That’s the word from REMODELING Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report that compared costs for 29 of the most popular professional mid-range and upscale remodeling projects in U.S.
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Smart Design With Suzette: Green Building – Designing Your Home To Help The Environment

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By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

Whether we want to admit it or not, the Earth is currently facing some serious challenges. Fires and droughts are becoming more common, and the ice caps are melting.

If climate change is going to be managed, it’s going to require participation from everyone in society. Below are a few ways you can live green and use your home to help the environment.

Use a Smart Thermostat
If you want to make your home greener, you need to make your home’s heating and cooling system more efficient. One way to do that is to install a smart thermostat. You’ll be able to program the thermostat Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Insights From Kitchen & Bath Show 2017

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Thompson Traders copper sinks. Courtesy photo

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

Design trends, professional growth, product launches, networking, industry speakers, innovation, inspiration, learning opportunities, kitchens and baths…that’s what I experienced last week in Orlando at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), National Association of Home Builder’s (NAHB) International Builders Show and Design and Construction week.

Held at the Orange County Convention Center, I went everywhere – from the West Hall to the South Hall (and back and forth more than I want to remember) to the Outdoor Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Organization

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Organized closet. Courtesy photo
 

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

Happy New Year! Many New Year’s resolutions involve getting organized. Disorganization puts tremendous pressure on both the mind and the body. Taking the time to organize your home can lift a great weight off of your shoulders and reduce stress.

But let’s face it, getting organized can be difficult and time consuming. One of the toughest part is getting starting and knowing the process. Here are some tips to help you.

Clear Out Some Clutter

The first step is to get rid of things you don’t need. This requires the most time on your part. Read More

Los Alamos Single Family Home Prices Jump

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LAAR News:
 
The Los Alamos Association of REALTORS® (LAAR) reports that the median price of Single Family Home salesjumped by 18 percent when compared to the 4th Quarter of 2015 or $270,000 to $320,000 in this quarter.
 
Single Family home sales moved from 57 in the 4th Quarter of 2015 to 63 this quarter. Single Family home sales volumes also rose sharply from $16.7M in 2015 to $20.8M for the 4th Quarter of 2016 reflecting the increase in home prices. Condo and Townhome sales also rose in the 4th Quarter of 2016 to 21 units sold compared to 16 units
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Operation Holiday Home Protection Roll Outs New Toll Free Number

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Attorney General Hector Balderas

From the Office of the Attorney General:

ALBUQUERQUE – Anyone facing foreclosure or finding it hard to make their mortgage payments, Keep Your Home New Mexico, a program run by the Office of the Attorney General may be able to help.

Attorney General Hector Balderas has announced that the program has a new toll free number: 1-800-220-0350. By calling this number or by visiting www.keepyourhomenewmexico.org, New Mexicans can get assistance that may help keep them in their homes.

“Foreclosure can feel like a hopeless, scary situation, but the worst thing you Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: What’s Next?

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Courtesy photo
 

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

Residential construction leaders have begun predicting green building trends for 2017.

Most homebuyers aren’t looking for a LEED label on a new home, but they are looking for high performance and comfort.

That’s the consensus from builders and other industry professionals who have participated in the Excellence & Building Conference in Texas.

Here’s an overview of insights and trends shared by building professionals.

 

Energy/Water Efficiency
When homebuyers were surveyed, the tops “must haves” in a home were energy and water Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: The Year In Review

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Courtesy photo
 

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

Happy Holidays everyone!

As we slide into the remaining week of 2016, it’s time for pause and reflection.

For many this has been a really tough year. No doubt, some wonderful things have happened in your life. And, you’ve likely had your fair share of struggles and setbacks, too.

The idea is to create a road map for the year ahead—an overall outline of what matters and what you hope to achieve in the next year. I complete this process in bits and pieces over several days because it helps me to think about it slowly.

While a lot of people want to speed ahead to Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Pantone Unveils 2017 Color Of The Year

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Courtesy image

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

Pantone, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, announced PANTONE 15-0343 Greenery as the 2017 Color of the Year. Greenery, a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring, illustrates the lushness of the great outdoors.

“Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. The more submerged people are in their own modern realities, the greater Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Holidays – Stress Free

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Relaxing at home during the holidays. Courtesy photo
 
 
By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year, complete with family gatherings, meaningful traditions, delicious food, and gifts. It is precisely these things that can lead to stress and overwhelm us.

Keeping the holidays simple can reduce stress and chaos. Consider the following ways to simplify your holidays this year. Taking time to reflect on what you do want this holiday season — and what you don’t — can help you keep your celebrations simple and heartfelt.

UnDecorate
Perhaps the thought of thoroughly Read More