With kitchens taking on a more family-centric role in homes in the past decade, focusing on upgrading accents is easily possible with small efforts leading to an impressive change in look and function.

Kevin Heebner, co-owner of Heeby’s Surplus in Maidencreek Township, said his most popular-selling kitchen upgrade component for the least cost with the most impact in overall appearance is handles for cabinets and drawers, with around 300 styles in stock.

“Handles are the first thing people seem to change when they want to upgrade their cabinets, other than totally changing the cabinets,” Heebner said, noting that a black matte handle is something many people are gravitating toward instead of shiny, silver-colored finishes.

Since replacing cabinetry can quickly become expensive, Heebner recommended sanding and repainting surfaces to bring a fresh throw of clean color into a kitchen setting without putting too much of a pinch on the wallet.

Heebner said he brings in more than 15,000 pieces of granite each year, meaning he can offer very competitive pricing on granite countertops, an element increasingly seen in kitchen remodeling.

This is especially appealing as homeowners either want to sell their houses more successfully in a difficult real estate market or due to many people planning to stay in their homes for a while, wanting to beautify and more efficiently develop their living spaces.

“The darker colors tend to come from Europe, while the lighter colors come from more toward China,” Heeber explained about different hues of granite.

Restaurant-styled faucets with pull-down spray features built into them are another upgrade taking a lot of interest with his shoppers.

Brightening the backsplash behind a sink is possible with ceramic, tumbled marble and glass tiles, Heebner said.

Other low-cost efforts for an enlivening shift in kitchen-views are changing or painting outlet covers, repainting windowsills and switching out bulky ceiling light fixtures to single-stem hanging lights.

Sales manager Jason Schaedler at Baldwin Kitchen & Bath Design Center in West Reading agreed that replacing countertops and backsplashes can make a notable difference in remodeling without needing to resort to an entire upgrade of the room now more known in a home for the purpose of social gatherings.

“If people are on a budget, the kitchen is still the safest place to put money when you’re doing anything to your home,” Schaedler said about the benefit to a house’s resale value. “People are now really focusing on what they’re going to be using in their kitchens for the next five, 10 or 30 years, for those assuming they’ll be staying in their homes.”

Steam ovens are something more in tune with healthy cooking in today’s evolving eating habits, Schaedler said about an appliance many people don’t realize is available.

For those who do want to move forward with revamping cabinetry, cabinet-faced dishwashers and trash compactors are a way to keep the flow of the kitchen counter’s lower levels even and matching with fronts and surfaces.

“Redoing lighting is an easy way to really brighten up a room,” Schaedler added, noting that people want as much light and space as possible, so knocking down walls is sometimes done.

At Empire Surplus Home Center in Bern Township, a few families per day ask to take advantage of the free design services offered for kitchen remodeling.

Kitchen designer J.R. Raab emails the homeowners usually about three different layouts so they have options to choose from and can get an idea of what will best suit their kitchen space and budget.

With unexpectedly affordable pricing on granite slabs, the upgrade to sleek stone countertops is a top-selling kitchen remodeling item in their storefront said Melinda O’Neill, in charge of sales and marketing at Empire.

Formica has also done a spin on the well-liked surface with its new 180fx line-countertops crafted from photographing marbled granite, Raab said.

“Crushed quartz is the second hardest stone to diamond, with a couple different companies making it,” Raab said about another countertop option taking on popularity similar to granite.

Undermount sinks are taking on an increase in sales, O’Neill added, with stainless steel still the usual choice of most homeowners.

Laminate flooring made to look like genuine hardwoods are a less expensive means of switching up where footfalls make their way around a kitchen, with the latest designs often difficult to distinguish from authentic wooden floors, O’Neill said.

But from the start, the most important factor to keep in mind in order to not become overwhelmed is a budget. It determines what options are approachable in bringing a clean and vivid transformation into a kitchen in the new year.

Talk About Curb Appeal! This Immaculate 4 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Colonial Will Blow You Away! Home is Situated on Almost a Half Acre in the Beautiful “Country Walk.” Walk Through the Front Door & Take in the Stunning 2 Story Foyer. The Formal Living Room Offers Neutral Décor, Oversized Windows & Crown Molding. The Bright Formal Dining Room Was Made for Entertaining with Chair Rail & Easy Access to the Kitchen. The Striking yet Comfortable Family Room Features Hardwood Floors, Plenty of Windows, & a Marble Fireplace. Enjoy Family Dinners in the Eat in Kitchen with Lovely Cabinetry, a Double Sink, a Center Island, & Sliders to the Convenient Rear Deck. Upstairs, all 4 Bedrooms are Perfectly Sized with Wall to Wall Carpet & More than Enough Closet Space. The Master Suite Has Its Own Private Bath with Double Sinks & a Soaking Tub. Finishing Up this Rare Dream Home is an Unfinished Basement – Great for Storage or Just Waiting for that Finishing Touch, and a 2 Car Attached Garage! A Truly Wonderful Place to Call Home!

For showings or for more information..

Call our automated line – 800-470-2232 & use ID# 5022

Or Call me Directly at – 610.406.9800 / 610.792.3000

Make it an awesome day!

Glen Russell

www.glenrussell.com

1525 Kauffman Road Pottstown, PA 19464

Listed For: $ 198,000

MLS# 5961672

Front View

Foyer

Living Room

Kitchen

Finished Family Room

Rear Deck

 

For showings or for more information, please call The Glen Russell Team at Keller Williams Realty Berks! 610.406.9800 / 610.792.3000

 

Make it an awesome day!

 

Glen Russell

 

www.glenrussell.com

MLS# 5961361

Listed For: $190,000

Front View

Living Room

Dining Room

Rear Yard

This Upland Village Colonial is Priced to Sell! Walk in the front door & feel at home in the spacious living room with parquet wood floors & a lovely fireplace. Entertaning family & friends will be a delight in the large dining room featuring sliders to the rear deck. The eat in kitchen offers plenty of cabinetry and an over the range microwave along with a breakfast bar. Downstairs, the finished basement is a complete walk out with sliders leading to the rear yard. Upstairs all 3 bedrooms are perfectly sized with plenty of closet space. The Master bedroom has its own bathroom & walk in closets. Other great amenities include and attached garage, covered front porch and a rear yard for outdoor fun.

For Showings or Any Additional Information – Contact The Glen Russell Team at 610.406.9800 or 610.792.3000

Make it an awesome day!

Glen Russell

www.GlenRussell.com

$95,000

Amenities:

• 6 Bedrooms 1.5 Bathrooms
• 3 Stories
• Covered Porch
• 2 Car Off Street Parking
• Rear Patio
• Spacious Rooms
• Double Staircase

2628 Welsh Road Philadelphia, PA 19152 (Units 105 & 317)

$95,000

Amenities:

• 1 Bedroom 1 Full bathroom
• Condo / Flat
• Convenient Location (Close to Shopping & Major Routes)
• Spacious Living Room & Dining Room
• Full Galley Kitchen
• Laundry Area
• Storage Room
• Well Maintained!
• Includes: Elevator, Pool, Exercize Room, Meeting Room

318 Walker Road Ambler, PA 19002

$225,000

Amenities:

• 3 Bedroom 1.5 Bathrooms
• Split Level
• .18 Acres
• 1 Car Garage
• Above Ground Pool
• Full Finished Basement
• Hardwood Floors
• Vaulted Ceilings

For More Information or to Set Up a Private Viewing – Call The Glen Russell Team At Your Convenience!

610.792.3000

www.GlenRussell.com

On October 5, 2011, (rain or shine), at approximately 7:45 AM students and parents are encouraged to walk to school. Walk To School Day is dedicated to raising awareness of walking to school, improving walker’s safety and encouraging more children to walk to school.

Birdsboro Mayor Myers, WalkBikeBerks President Nancy Kaufman, Principal Mrs. Kiesel, Pastor Joseph Motz, 5th Grade Teacher Mrs. Inch, School Nurse Mrs. Hughes students and parents will walk to school together for this special event.

Walking Route (see map below):  We will begin at Jefferson and Cocalico Streets, turn right on West Sixth Street, proceed to Carriage Drive, Washington Street, First Street, Madison Street, Second Street and then Jefferson Street to BEC.

For Maps or More Information Please visit http://www.dboone.org/News/Pages/09-26-11%20WalktoSchoolDay.aspx

*Shared by www/kwrealtyberks.wordpress.com

• LISTING APPOINTMENTS – 15

• NEW LISTINGS – 9

• SELLER OFFERS NEGOTIATED – 7

• CLOSED LISTINGS – 4

• BUYER APPOINTMENTS – 39

• NEW BUYERS – 14

• BUYER OFFERS NEGOTIATED – 3

• CLOSED BUYERS – 2

• HOURS SPENT PROSPECTING – 93.5

• MARCH PROSPECTS GENERATED – 22

Things are very busy here in Montgomery, Chester, & Berks Counties!

Make it an awesome day!!

Glen Russell

610.792.3000 / 610.792.5900

Info@TheGlenRussellTeam.com

www.GlenRussell.com

Click Link to View The Virtual Tour for Our New Listing in Royersford, PA!

Make it an awesome day!
Glen Russell
610.792.3000 / 610.792.5900 X 8113
Info@TheGlenRussellTeam.com
www.TheGlenRussellTeam.com

1003 FOXMEADOW DRIVE

ROYERSFORD, PA 19468

OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH

FROM 1-3PM

** SNACKS & REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED!!! **

Hope to see lots of buyers there!!

Make it an awesome day!

Glen Russell

610.792.3000

Info@TheGlenRussellTeam.com