Taking out loans for remodeling is an reinvestment into the largest purchase of a lifetime for many - your home. That's why everyday people are tasked with making informed decisions about the most beneficial way to put hard-earned money to work in their homes. These are questions worth considering before hiring a contractor and writing a check.
One of the possibilities that often flies under the home remodeling radar is an outdoor kitchen. If you make a quick Internet search for Top 10 Home Remodeling lists often include decks, patios and indoor kitchens. However, creating an outdoor kitchen could outpace all of them.
Outdoor living spaces rank among the top home remodeling investments because they deliver a sound return on investment and leisure benefits. Converting otherwise unused square footage into seasonal or daytime living space easily checks those boxes.
But the same areas that allow homeowners to enjoy the fresh air and spend time with friends and family members remain limited. While property owners often place a gas grill on them to barbecue a light meal, the majority of foods and appliances remain indoors.
An outdoor kitchen involves building countertops, installing a built-in liquid propane or natural gas grill, refrigerator as well as adequate drawer and storage space. An outdoor kitchen utilizes specialized appliances that withstand the elements to create a second complete kitchen.
A complete kitchen typically provides the following:
When homeowners factor in the potential return on investment of an outdoor kitchen, estimates can range from 100-200 percent, according to Forbes. That far exceeds home remodeling projects such as bathrooms, wood flooring or energy-efficient windows.
One of the keys to maximizing return on investment involves creative designs that include stone veneer counters, high-quality stainless steel gas grills, overhangs to protect against inclement weather and the footprint leveraged to prepare food and enjoy them in an informal outdoor dining setting. It may take a little extra effort and some thinking outside the home remodeling box to conclude that an outdoor kitchen delivers everything homeowners desire. Those that make the investment often consider the upgrade a game-changer.
Ted draws energy and joy from building synergetic relationships with his Clients. Ted's nature is graciously gregarious and persevering; he's honest; and he's been dedicated to a substantial list of clientele throughout his 25 years in the hospitality business and almost two years as a REALTOR. His passion is creating a sincere, successful relationship with people.
Ted grew up in a family of Realtors in central Indiana, earned a degree in economics and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and jumped into all aspects of the restaurant business. His ensuing hospitality career path eventually led him into the Event Management Sales & Service role in hotels and quickly guided him to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and finally to a luxury resort in the Napa Valley, where he, his husband, and their dog have resided for almost a decade now.
The irony is not lost on Ted that his ‘growth’ journey has culminated in“living happily ever after” in an agricultural area with a small-town feel and sense of community strikingly reminiscent of his youth…and as a REALTOR nonetheless!