remodeling

Things are Looking Up: Pop-the-Top Renovations

Things are Looking Up: Pop-the-Top Renovations

We’re sure you’ve heard the phrase: “We’ve got nowhere to go but up!” That concept certainly rings true with homeowners who own structures that don’t allow for expansion beyond their home’s existing footprint. To grow the current size of their home, there truly is no other option but to go UP. Therein lies the inspiration behind a growing trend in pop-the-top-renovations, which – in the simplest terms – involve the removal of the roof on a one- or two-story home and the incorporation of an additional floor.

Three Great Reasons to Consider a Pop-the-Top Renovation:

  1. Add Square Footage to Your Existing Home: Are the kids getting too old to share a bedroom? Tired of hearing family members fight over who gets to take the next shower? Not enough room to comfortably entertain guests? Just imagine what adding an extra floor could do! You could add a couple of bedrooms with dedicated bathrooms, flanking a large central media room where everyone can gather together to watch movies or play video games. If the master bedroom is on the first floor, moving the kids to an upper floor may provide you with the privacy you didn’t know you were missing. Giving everyone a dedicated space and more room to spread out can do wonders for family harmony.
  2. Reimagine Your Home’s Interior: Not only can a pop-the-top renovation add some much-needed square footage to a home, but it can also provide an opportunity for the complete reimagining of your home’s interior layout. In certain areas of Metro Atlanta that are experiencing a resurgence in popularity – such as Chamblee, Brookhaven and Decatur, just to name a few – there are more than their fair share of mid-century ranch-style homes. What was a popular layout in the 1950s and 1960s may not work as well for modern families. You can turn cramped spaces on the main level into an open concept design, convert a galley kitchen into a gourmet showplace with large kitchen island, combine two existing bedrooms for a sprawling master on main and so much more!
  3. Transform Your Home’s Exterior: With the addition of an entirely new floor to your home, it goes without saying that the look of your home’s exterior is going to change. Take advantage of this opportunity and change the façade to something that not only appeals to you, but that will add major curb appeal when and if you ever decide to sell. Add elements of a craftsman home, infuse some European components, jump on the farmhouse craze or take it in a more traditional direction – just to name a few. The possibilities are virtually endless – giving you a rare chance to completely transform the home you know into something that you LOVE!

A pop-the-top renovation is next level remodeling and involves many structural engineering elements. It must first be determined that your home is a good candidate for a pop-the-top renovation. It must have a solid foundation and strong “bones” upon which to build an entirely new level. If new load-bearing walls must be incorporated for additional support, it’s vital that you’re working with a renovation company that specializes in both structural engineering and architecture. Atlanta’s premier custom home builder and award-winning renovation company – Highlight Homes – is proud to offer both of these specialties in our extensive list of services.

We’ve seen a number of pop-the-top renovations from concept to completion – always with stunning results. We welcome the opportunity to add your home to our list of gorgeous pop-the-top renovations. If your existing home is located in Metro Atlanta and you’d like to schedule a no-obligation consultation with one of our team members to determine whether or not a pop-the-top renovation is a viable option for you, please contact us at 678-874-9234 or info@highlighthomesga.com. To learn more about Highlight Homes and view our gallery of custom homes and luxury renovations, visit www.highlighthomesga.com.

 

 

Homeowners Showing Serious Inclinations Towards Renovations

Homeowners Showing Serious Inclinations Towards Renovations

“I LOVE MOVING” …said no one ever. While the excitement that comes with making a new house your own and the enjoyment of that “new house smell” are both powerful forces, there is a growing trend in home ownership that points in a very different direction. More and more homeowners in the U.S. are making the choice to simply stay put in their current homes and RENOVATE. As a matter of fact, according to the most recent Zillow® Housing Aspirations Report, a whopping 76% of homeowners would rather spend their money on a home renovation than as a down payment on a new home. Those statistics jump to 86% for homeowners who are 55+ and to 91% for retirees.

But why stay put when there could be a bright and shiny new home in your future? In addition to a clear dislike of the hassle of moving, the 2018 Zillow Group Report on Consumer Housing Trends indicates that 83% of homeowners surveyed simply love their current home. Furthermore, 63% have no plans of selling in the near future. For those who DO plan to move at some point, a well-planned and beautifully executed renovation is a terrific way to make their home more enjoyable in the present and more attractive to buyers in the future.

As far as the need for renovations go, the 2018 Zillow Group Report on Consumer Housing Trends also indicates that – with the average homeowner spending 16 years in their home – 60% believe their homes are in need of some updates. After all, styles change – as often do the taste levels of owners as they mature over the course of more than a decade and a half. As a matter of fact, 16% believe major renovations are in order and 4% feel a complete overhaul is needed. Of those homeowners who opt to renovate, 17 percent spend between $5,000 and $10,000; 11 percent spend between $10,000 and $20,000; and 8 percent spend $20,000 or more.

With the vast majority of homeowners paying cash for their home renovations – to the tune of 45% – return on investment is a very important factor. Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report outlines which home renovations will yield the best returns in 2019. Included among them are garage door replacement (recoup 97.5% of cost), manufactured stone veneer (recoup 94.9% of cost), minor kitchen remodel of about $22K (recoup 80.5% of cost), wood deck addition and siding replacement come in neck and neck (recoup 75.6% of cost), entry door replacement (recoup 74.9% of cost), window replacement (recoup 73.4% of cost), roofing replacement (recoup 68.2% of cost) and minor bathroom remodel of about $20K (recoup 67.2% of cost). Also on the list for recouping between 50-67% of the cost on average are major kitchen remodel, bathroom addition, major bathroom remodel, backyard patio and master suite addition.

In addition to being one of Atlanta’s premier custom home builders, Highlight Homes has a rich history of designing and realizing stunning luxury renovations. And with our solid background in architecture and structural engineering, we could virtually reimagine the layout of your home to fit your vision. If you’re among the 76% of homeowners who would opt for a home renovation above a down payment on a new home, we welcome the chance to talk to you! To schedule a no-obligation consultation, contact us at 678-874-9234 or info@highlighthomesga.com. You can also elect to complete our convenient online contact form. To view our work and learn more about our other capabilities, we encourage you to visit www.highlighthomes.com.

Sources: Zillow Media Room – Press Release “Americans Would Rather Renovate than Buy a New Home
2018 Zillow Group Report on Consumer Housing Trends
Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs. Value report