Newsletter #60

Welcome to 2024!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I know this last almost week has been really cold and not so ideal, but hopefully you have heaters that are working and are cozy in your homes. Around this freezing type of temperatures I hear a lot from my HVAC companies that they are on quite a few emergency calls getting people’s heat running. Could be the furnace itself or even breakers popping or melting. Another thing to help keep you warm in your home besides the heaters is the insulation you have in your walls along with the types of windows/doors you have. If you have an older home, you may need an upgrade on some or all of these items as the cold can/will leak in through these places. Also, if you have multiple levels to your home, like a basement, but the basement isn’t finished(i.e. flooring, insulation and drywall on walls) this will allow the cold area from below to creep up into your home. Which in turn creates either a colder home or a higher electric bill for running your heat so high/so long. If you are one of these homeowners who has an unfinished basement, give us a call so we can chat 425-224-2004

Mukilteo floor to ceiling cabinets for the extra storage.

List of Work We Perform:

  • Whole House Remodel
  • Additions
  • Bathroom Remodel
  • Kitchen Remodel
  • Custom Home
  • Design & Build
  • New Construction
  • Decks
  • Outdoor Living
This island at our Mukilteo project really pops in this kitchen. The dark green cabinets with the gold pulls are so elegant in a sea of white cabinets.

Referral Program:

There is no greater honor than having our past clients/friends recommend us to their friends, family and co-workers. To show our appreciation, we would like to invite you to participate in our exclusive client referral
program.

When you refer a friend, family member or co-worker to our company and they sign a
construction contract with us, you will receive 1% of the total project cost on a future project with our company or cash. A $100,000 project=$1,000 credit.
The people who you refer to our company will also receive 1% off of their project costs to be used with their current project.

There is no limit on how many times you can use this program, so the more you use it, the more money you can earn.
We look forward to working with you, your friends and your family.

Trivia Question:
Q: Which white flower traditionally starts to bloom in January?

Call in correct answer for $10 Starbucks Gift Card 425-224-2004

This home in Mukilteo got all new flooring, cabinets, appliances, new paint on all the walls/ceiling as well as doors/windows. The white cabinets and black countertop are so modern. Everything in this home is of elegance and really takes your breath away when you walk through.

Classic Remodeling NW has made this homeowner in Mukilteo very happy. I was able to go out and get some final photos and can I just say, I absolutely love this home. Not because we did it, but because the homeowner got to decide on all the colors and finish pieces and they came together so well. Our guys did a great job on this home and it really shows. Walking through I couldn’t tell where the flooring planks started or ended, it was such a beautiful flow of the flooring and layout. The kitchen, both living rooms as well as dining room are all open to each other with one wall that was kept for some more cabinet space. But when speaking with the homeowners they mentioned grandkids running around this wall and it needed to stay for them to enjoy. That is beautiful and family memories are most important. Remodels can be crazy but the finished product you get at the end is priceless. The new space for new memories, or even the same memories to continue on. If you need work done, please let us know. No project too big. We service from Marysville to North Seattle, so if you are in need of a contractor to assist you with your project within these service areas, then give us a call at 425-224-2004. We would love to meet with you and go over your project needs. 

Start Small, Dream Big: 7 Expert Tips To Make Your Starter House Feel More Like A Forever Home

[realtor.com: Larissa Runkle]

With mortgage rates continuing to hover around 7%, many starter homes purchased in the past few years are quickly becoming more permanent residences.

If you’re a first-time homeowner facing the possibility of staying longer than expected in your started home, keep reading.

We spoke to home renovation experts to find out what projects are worth tackling in 2024 to make your fixer-upper feel more like a forever home.

Here are seven projects you should consider spending that Christmas bonus on to improve your quality of life and your home’s (eventual) resale value.

1.Apply Fresh Interior Paint

Giving everything inside your home a fresh coat of paint isn’t just a staging trick-it’s something you can do while still living in your house to refresh the entire look and feel of the place.

“This year, we saw interior painting as the second most popular project in our annual State of Home Spending report after regular maintenance, and it’s a great affordable upgrade,” says Angie Hicks of Angi (formerly Angie’s List).

Hicks Advises choosing colors according to how you’d like a room to feel rather than simply hopping on the latest color trends.

“A coat of paint can go a long way in making your home feel more like you – especially if you pick colors that inspire you,” says Hicks.

2.Invest In New Appliances

Another home upgrade that will benefit you and make your home more valuable to its subsequent owners? Investing in new appliances.

“Getting new appliances was the third most popular project in 2023 – a big change from 2022, when this project wasn’t even in the top 10,” says Hicks. “Getting an updated appliance that allows you specific features and a look you want  it’s a great upgrade that won’t need to break the bank.”

Another upshot of getting your new appliances now instead of in years past? The supply chain has gotten a lot better.

“In 2023, we also saw fewer delays from appliances now instead of in years past? The supply chain has gotten a lot better.

3. Do a Minor Kitchen or Bath Remodel

When it comes to living in a starter home, two spaces tend to feel the most dated: kitchen and bathrooms. This is why smaller remodel projects in these rooms make No.3 on our list.

“A super affordable upgrade that falls into this category is refinishing the cabinets,” says Abigail Baker of the home services group BELFO Franchise. “Refinishing cabinets not only gets rid of the previous homeowner’s grease, grime, scratches, and dings but also allows you to refinish them to a color that better represents your style.”

Other ideas for your minor upgrades in these rooms? Consider redoing the tile, adding a new bathtub, or finally splurging on that farmhouse-style sink you’ve been eyeing.

4. Expand Your Deck

If you spend a lot of time outside your home, upgrading the deck can go a long way in how “forever” it feels.

“Adding a nice outdoor space where the family can hang out, where you can entertain guests, or dine al fresco can really be like adding additional square footage to your house,” says Baker.

The best part? Adding a deck doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, especially if you opt for wood instead of composite material.

5. Install Hardwood Flooring

Speaking of wood-based upgrades, one of our favorite ways to make a starter home feel a bit more permanent is by upgrading its materials – like ripping out that old carpet and upgrading your floors.

“If you have old or outdated carpet in your home, installing some new hardwood floors can make it feel a new home,” says Hicks. “It can bring increased resale value along with matching your aesthetic.”

6. Finish the Basement

If you’ve got a basement that’s just gathering dust bunnies, now might be the time to invest in transforming it into a more livable space, like an in-law suite or entertainment den.

“”while refinishing your basement is large project, it comes with some great benefits – like a lot of extra space that be used for an expanding family or guests,” says Hicks. “It also has a nice return on investment for a potential sale in the future.”

When planning your basement remodel, make it as livable as possible. This can be achieved by increasing the natural light with windows or a glass door, opening up with the floor plan, and investing in high-quality flooring that will withstand moisture and colder temps.

7. Improve the Curb Appeal

Ultimately, how you feel about your home has a lot to do with what it looks like on the outside.

So go ahead and paint the door your favorite color, upgrade the porch with a few fun knickknacks, and even consider spending some of your hard-earned cash on leveling up your landscaping.

“Improving the landscaping around your home can have a dramatic impact on curb appeal and make you happier every time you pull into your driveway,” says Hicks. “Consider planting new garden beds, building raised beds, planting trees, or even upgrading your outdoor lighting.”

Bakery Blueberry Vanilla Crunch Muffins

Time

Prep Time: 25min

Total Time

40 Mins

Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons), plus 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 3 cups, plus 2 teaspoons whole wheat pastry flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 2 tablespoons blueberry jam
  • 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean powder

Whipped Salted Butter:

  • 1 stick salted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons honey

Directions:
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 18 muffin tins with paper liners.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 stick melted butter, coconut oil, honey, yogurt, vanilla, and milk until combined. Add 3 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mix until just combined. At the same time, gently fold in the blueberries and jam, being careful not to overmix.
  3. Divide the batter among the prepared pan.
  4. To make the brown sugar crunch. Combine the brown sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 2 teaspoons flour, and vanilla beans in a bowl. Spoon/sprinkle the mix evenly over each muffin. Bake for 5 minutes, then reduce the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake another 8-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. To make the butter, whip together the butter and honey until light and whipped, 3-5 minutes.
  6. Serve warm with a good smear of that butter.

ENJOY!!!