This month, the Cyberhomes crew will share what's on our wish lists for the holiday season. Join us for 12 days of great gift ideas for home and real estate buffs.
Marty Frame, Cyberhomes general manager
On my wish list: new roofing for my house and garage. When it comes to remodeling, people can be divided into one of two categories: those who believe in the Big Bang theory — they move out for eight months and gut the place — and the evolutionists (that's me), always futzing with one project after another.
I don't really need a new roof; I was just starting to think that it was time. The tiles look a little wilted, the color a bit weatherbeaten and — call me crazy — copper flashing has always been an important part of my long-range plan. I've owned the place for seven years, just finished putting in new doors and windows, and was starting to get excited about moving on up when the giant sucking sound of the economy made me snap my wallet shut, like so many other people.
Cost: A typical job in my neighborhood of post-war L.A. stucco homes would run about $25,000 for asphalt composite shingles with standard aluminum flashing. But this is Christmas, and a man can dream, can't he? I figure adding copper details will pack on another $20,000, but I'm sorry, it would look sharp. Take a look at this gallery at BasicCopper.com: Come on, they make money out of this stuff!
Gift's added value to home: This is a vision thing; it has nothing to do with resale value. According to the "Change Home Value" tool for my home on Cyberhomes, I lose about $6,000 the moment I unroll the coil. But we're talking about a man's ego here.
My gift to you: You're busy, and your golf swing stinks. This backyard driving range won't tell anyone how bad your slice is. Plus, it's a gateway drug: Next thing you know, after your family gets used to you heading out to hit in the middle of the night, they will understand why you really need a putting green now, too.
Click here to read the previous previous holiday wish.
Click here to read the next holiday wish.
—Marty Frame