Homeowners & Renters: What Improvement Do You Want Most

[arwalden]

[Jack_Dawson]

1. I don't think renters can renovate???

Or why would they want to?

[arwalden]

3. Excellent Point... I Didn't Consider That

[Sentath]

43. see below

its not like i haven't been a steady renter...

[Beaker]

48. just because they can't, it doesn't mean they can't wish for it-

some landlords will renovate for some tenants, especially if they're good long-term tenants and the place could use it.

[GOPisEvil]

2. A pantry.

I have to use my kitchen cabinets for food storage, so I don't have room for all my kitchen stuff.

An honest-to-goodness pantry would be very helpful. I think I'm moving out in May anyway. I've already made a list of stuff I want in a new place.

[patricia92243]

4. My house was built before electricity was so popular.

[arwalden]

15. They wanted to see if it would "catch on" before making a big committment.

No use in being the first to jump in to a new unproven technology. (Just look at Betamax.)

-- Allen

[TrogL]

23. Professionals use betamax

If you ever end up close to portable TV cameras (which I seem to end up doing with distressing regularity) you'll notice that they're all Betamax (except for the new wireless ones)

[NoPasaran]

26. Actually they use Betacam

Whose tape looks the same as the old Betamax but the actual recording technology is quite different.

[Shrek]

5. New kitchen flooring

Either wood or laminate that looks like wood.

Home builders who install carpet in the kitchen should be shot through the lungs with heavy-caliber bullets.

[wysimdnwyg]

6. You need an "Other"

I want more "living" space. That is, a larger family room. Got just enough room for a sofa, chair and the big screen. Wish I had more room to navigate and for a bigger coffee table.

[arwalden]

8. Sorry, You're Right. --- You Now Have An "Other"

;-)

As long as we're "dreaming" we might as well dream big, eh?

-- Allen

[XNASA]

7. I voted "Closet Space"......

...but we could really use more room in the Pleasure Chamber.

[arwalden]

11. Oh... I see...

I'm guessing that leather harness swing takes up more room that you anticipated. Eh?

-- Allen

[XNASA]

20. Exactly.

And I can get by with one of those little 3ft. whips, but if I care to brandish the 6 footer, I'm SOL.

[TrogL]

9. proper taps, proper ventilation, proper heat, hot water....

• soundproofing
  
• working intercom system
  
• proper locks on the doors
  
• working car plugin (it's a Canadian thing)
  
• insulation
  
• proper lighting
  
• proper wiring (so you don't have to shut down everything to run the coffee pot)
  
• proper smoke detectors (that aren't triggered by random smells)
  
• proper fire suppression system
  
• proper security system
  
• comfortable rugs
  

[tridim]

10. Voted for counter space, but

I really want to have a yard, a huge garden and a greenhouse. No can do in my townhouse.

I don't think I could ever have enough counter space. I'm very close to expanding my kitchen into the dining room by about 4 feet. It wont be easy since the sink is on the wall that I would have to move.

[fudge stripe cookays]

18. Me too....

I SOOOOOOOO want my own little potting shed in the backyard, but right now we really need a new fence first.

We're waiting on major home improvements until after the election. All our money is now going to pay off bills...just in case.

[Rainbowreflect]

12. Solar panels.

[supernova]

13. More Kitchen and More Bathroom period

I have about an 1100 sq ft 50s ranch. 3 bedroom/1 bathroom. Even with just me, myself, and I, I'm cramped.

Need a bigger kitchen. I have to store some dishes and crystal upstairs just b/c there's no place to put it all. I need more food prep space too, so longer counters would be good. I have two little workspaces now, but they fill up fast and there is no elbow room. The kitchen is a little too narrow to accomodate a work island, which would be the best thing.

Bathroom. I want another bathroom. Actually I want one of those new fancy master bedroom/master bath suites they build in new homes these days. That would feel most luxurious. I'd definitely feel like I was in a brand new house. Also with one bathroom, it's a little hard to have people come stay and visit. So, I'd like one bathroom for myself, and one for "company".

For the long term, I'm planning an addition that will give me all the above. I don't know how long it will take me though.

edit: Additional things.

Windows. Like cally, I need to replace the original windows. They are hard to open and clean. I want the ones that either tilt or swing out.

[terrya]

14. A home gym and mirrors on the ceiling in the bedroom. It's tacky as

all get out, but what the hey. :-)

Terry

[Bertha Venation]

16. screened-in front porch and

a hot tub out back, either under the deck (which will then be screened in) or in a new screened-in gazebo.

We have the great fortune of owning a less-than-3-yr-old house that was built just for us. We are grateful.

[bleedingheart]

17. Renters can get what ever they want as long as they pay for it

when I was renting I went for cheap, clean and pest free..

I figured I wasn't buying the place and I wanted to own a home eventually...however there are people who live large while renting..

Some places have everything and all the perks like a pool, workout place, even a cabana that can be rented for parties....it just costs more.

[Virginian]

24. PEST FREE! - YES!

I once rented a "luxury" apartment. I saw a mouse. I reported it to the office.
They told me what to do to catch it.
I told them that was the wrong answer, it was their job to provide a pest free apartment.
They handled the problem.

[bleedingheart]

28. I agree...pest free has to be first

I remember doing a walkthrough of a place where some roaches come out and did a tap dance...I left immediately.

[TXlib]

19. BDSM dungeon

[cally]

21. To finally get the largest shower

fixed. We have had three different contractors come out and then not show up to fix it. It's been about a year since we can use this shower. :aargh:

Second is windows that open more easily. Many are very hard to open.

[Virginian]

22. All of the above.

Who couldn't use more kitchen cabinets?
Who couldn't use more closet space?

Not just more outlets, but more circuits going to them.
I blow the circuit breaker when I am sewing in the lower floor of our townhouse because I put on entertainment, a space heater, lights, and sometimes want to do laundry while I am there.

The latest thing in homebuilding is a soaking tub. It's nice, but it needs a shower attached because I might as well wash my hair while I am soaking and the only way to rinse out the shampoo is with a shower spray.

[radwriter0555]

30. I rather LIKE being limited in space and storage. This keeps me in

check and I don't get carried away buying useless crap I don't need.

I have a kid, and some dogs and fish and a turtle. I don't need room for 280 rolls of toilet paper. We only use one at a time.

I don't buy foods in bulk, since we don't eat processed foods. We eat fresh made or made to order, or home made. I use about 6 14 inch wide shelves for all our food needs, and I'm a SERIOUS cook with all the staples on hand.

I have a closet for coats and purses and craft storage, and since it's full, I don't buy any more until I've used what I have. We store our shoes in those hang on the door shoe pockets. I have several more pair in boxes.

My daughter's closet is barely used... mine is rather full, but I rotate things seasonally. We just don't have more than we NEED. We're comfortable, don't get me wrong, by any means... but there comes a time when enough really is enough. My kid and I have 2 bds, an office, and a nice back yard. In nice weather, February - October, we spend most of our time outside. Our yard is an extension of our living space.

I find those nutsy piles of paper that get to be MILES high, once sorted, are reduced to no more than an inch of filing.

I DO need a prep counter in the kitchen. Right now I have only a couple of square feet for prep under a low cabinet. I'm hunting down someone to build the counter top and some shelves above for cooking accoutrement that are currently in a cupboard. Part of that cupboard will be converted to a dishwasher space eventually.

But we try to just not buy more than we need.... seems to be the key to staying organized and clutter-free.

[Arugula Latte]

31. Damn! You're good!

I feel guilty.

No, I try to be good, too, but, well, it doesn't always work.

I agree with small closets keeping you in line. I read somewhere that when it comes down to it, really, you probably only wear about "one or two feet" worth of hanging closet space. That is, your regular clothes only take up a small percentage of your closet rod.

[Virginian]

46. I wish I could be that organized.

I guess I am a walking, talking PACK RAT!
Do you sew?
I find that I collect fabric in my "stash."
I see some fabric and I know just what I will use it for, or... I don't have any idea what I will use it for but I like it and I know I will find a use for it. I also have inherited things from my parents that take up space.
I inherited my mom's stash of fabric and 3 sewing machines.
I have my water colors, but I have inherited her oils and acrylics. I have all of her lace and ribbons and buttons.
There is also Silk-ribbon-embroidery ribbons and fabric which were a hobby for both of us.
I have a small box for my tatting, and a larger box for my crochet, but I also have her knitting needles and accessories.
Then there are the patterns and books involved in these hobbies, not to mention the different types of stabilizers, interfacing and hooks and eyes, elastic, and thread. Every time I go to embroider something, I need another color of thread. There is the laptop which stores the embroidery patterns I send to the sewing machine and the CD's and floppy disks and Flash Cards that hold the embroidery designs.

I like to read and usually am reading a couple of books at the same time. We have book shelves, but until we get rid of the books we have already read, there isn't any room for any other books.
Magazines? Yep, and unfortunately, they are good for reference, not the kind you just toss away once they are read. I have at least a year's worth of Consumer Reports. Can't get rid of those right away.

Clothes? Different sizes and different seasons. I never know if I will be required to wear suits to the next job, so I have to keep those around even if I haven't worn them for a year, because I might have to wear them next month.

Books for work? The trunk of my car is full of Xerox boxes with reference books for work. Maybe my next office will have shelves where I can put them, but I have no room for them in my house.

Christmas Oranmaents? I have a couple of large storage boxes full of these. Christmas Dishes? Those take up room. Wrapping paper? I have that under control.

Batteries, Tools, screws, nails, Shovels, hoes, rakes, ladders, saws, sand paper, painting dropcloths, rollers and trays? These all have homes, along with hoses, spray nozzles, car washing stuff, house cleaning stuff, vaccuums and rug shampooers.

Shucks, I'm taking up more space just listing my clutter than space you use to store it. And I have just begun to list.

I forgot to have kids, so I guess I have to clutter my life with these hobbies to keep my life as full as someone who has kids.

[radwriter0555]

53. The key is to STOP SHOPPING.

Think of all the money you would have, and the space you would have, if you stopped shopping and got rid of anything you haven't used in a year.

Usually collecting crap is just a sign of relative insecurity. It's comforting to keep clutter around for two reasons;

First as a sort of self punishment. This way, you've always got guilt on your shoulders about what you should do, be doing or have.

Secondly, for some, material goods, even if they're junk, provide emotional security. Having THINGS equates to having love.

[catmandu57]

25. Our wish list

1. a laundry room, why they didn't build a laundry room when they did the addition beats the hell out of me.
2. solar power system, to heat the water and house
3. what we really need and the first thing I'll do when the inheritances come in is build either a basement or storm shelter out back just big enough for the two of us.

[trackfan]

27. Storage, storage, and more storage.

[TEXASYANKEE]

29. House husband.

I'm happy with the size and features of my house. What I need is a househusband to take care of the endless little "to dos" that owning a house entails -- clearing clogged drains, painting the exterior, installing new windows, etc etc.

[supernova]

32. Best suggestion yet!

I've always said that when I acquired my first million I'd hire a butler. He could keep up with the household and I'd just get to sit back and enjoy it. :D

[BigMcLargehuge]

33. LP gas waterheater

we get our hot water from a standard oil furnace which offers ALMOST enough luke warm water to wash a load of dishes. Baths are out of the questions and showers require lightning speed before it goes ICE COLD.

[jmowreader]

40. The best kind is the Bosch tankless water heater

Expensive as hell, but very energy efficient--works only when needed.

[kodi]

34. indoor plumbing would be nice

and a big velvet elvis pix to cover that gaping hole in a living room wall.

but these folks today have it easy..........

when i was a kid........

[arwalden]

39. Funny!

[VOX]

35. Closet space in the master bedroom!

In fact, it needs a *whole* closet! My wife uses the existing "mini-closet," and I use a wardrobe, which is sort-of okay, but we desperately need a good-sized closet to hold everything (and neatly, too).

[slackmaster]

36. My house is too dark inside

One of the bathrooms doesn't even have a window to the outside.

I want skylights. About four of them.

[tinrobot]

37. Already remodeled...

New bathroom and new kitchen... they look groooovy.

Still need more closets... or less stuff.

[jmowreader]

38. Insulation

I don't think you can ever have enough insulation. The new Model Building Code that's currently being discussed calls for:

Walls: R-22
Floor: R-30
Ceiling: R-49

By comparison, your house probably has:

Walls: R-11 or R-13 depending on how old it is (R-13 within the last three years)
Floor and Ceiling: R-19

You get to R-22 with R-15 in the walls and R-4 styrofoam sheathing. The drywall is considered R-2 and the siding R-1.

[Sentath]

42. snicker chortle guffaw ... whimper

Dude!

My windows don't keep out bugs, let alone breezes.

AND I asked my landlady if I could have new storm windows installed, on MY dime, free gift just to reduce my utility payments.

NOT ONLY did she say no. She made oblique reference to getting rid of me.

and people wonder why i have housecleaning issues

bah

[jmowreader]

47. You wanna see some jaws drop?

Tell someone buying insulation that the Department of Energy, right now, says you should put the same insulation in a house in North Carolina (R-19 walls, R-25 floor, R-30 ceiling) as you put in one in Idaho.

"Oh, they're crazy. No one here needs that much."

I had a guy in tonight who really did put in that much insulation. Says his heat pump kicks on three times a day, and his electric bill in the summer is $75 a month (for air-conditioning a 2500-sf house). Same guy has low-E windows with argon (which is strange--unless you're buying a brand that comes standard with it, no one around here buys argon in their windows because it's more for cold weather use), poplar trees along the north side of his property and really little windows in the southern exposure. I'm tracking down this guy's contractor. I may have some work for him.

[camero]

41. A fuel cell

When and if they come out.

[LWolf]

44. More acres, fewer neighbors.

And a solid, sturdy house I don't have to spend time repairing.

[BiggJawn]

45. A water heater that doesn't act like some damn prop from "Das Boot"

Last time I complained about it leaking, the landlord came out and stuck a drip pan under it.

So twice a day, I hook up an eductor and suck out the pan....

Think I'll mention it when I pay my rent next week. Probably come home and find a bigger pan under it....

[Beaker]

49. to finish all the projects I've already started.

beyond that, what we want most in our current house is new hardwood floors, and a new roof- including a couple of skylights for the upstairs apartment.

hopefully, it's all going to get accomplished this year, just in time to sell.

[Mrs. Venation]

50. Our Front Porch Screened In

so I can cook on the grill in warm weather without first dousing myself in mosquito repellent. Also, the cats could go out there and enjoy themselves; right now they are strictly indoor cats (except on the rare occasion when they escape).

Next would be to put in a spa with at least two lounges with neck jets. We'd have to do some excavation under the deck to do it the way we'd want to, though.

Mrs. Venation

[Bertha Venation]

52. heheh.... see

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=685147#685215

:loveya:

[DS1]

51. Staff

[geniph]

54. A second bathroom!

Preferably one with a urinal, so my stepsons and their friends can quit peeing on the floor in front of the toilet.