Adding a wood deck is the upgrade that brings homeowners the best return on their investment. Nationwide, homeowners recoup on average 81 percent of the cost of adding a wood deck to their home, but that number drops to 71 percent when they go with a composite deck, according to the 2009-2010 REALTOR® Magazine/Remodeling Magazine annual Cost vs. Value survey. That’s just the beginning of what homeowners need to know about decks. Their return on investment varies depending on where they live, and upgrades like planters and shade sails can also make their deck—and home—more valuable. Here are a few things to consider before building a deck:
1. Know your deck options. Not too long ago, redwood and cedar were just about the only options. Synthetics, such as composite (trex) and PVC decking, and tropical hardwoods, such as ipe and mahogany, offer ease of maintenance and longevity that put the traditional favorites in the shade.
2. Understand pricing and maintenance. New decking materials are pricier initially, but don’t have the annual maintenance costs of softwood decks. In some cases, the overall cost (initial costs plus annual maintenance) of a wood deck can exceed those of a composite or PVC deck after only a few years.
For example, the cost of cedar decking is approximately $1,700 for a 16x20-foot deck. The same deck covered with composite decking would cost $3,200—a hefty $1,500 more. However, to keep the cedar looking good, it should be cleaned and resealed every year, at a cost of $90 to $100 if you do the job yourself.
In 2007, Ryan Zook was recognized as REALTOR Magazine's "30 Under 30" (click here for articles and information). A few weeks ago, Ryan met at the National Association of Realtors in Chicago for a 10-year Anniversary Photo Shoot and networking event with other 30 Under 30 recipients. To learn more, click on the interactive photo or read the article "30 Under 30: A Decade of Success."
Throughout the years of helping people buy and sell real estate, we’ve developed some amazing lifelong relationships with our clients and networks. As avid golfers and sports fans, we wanted to give back to our community by hosting the 1st Annual Cook and Zook Charity Golf Tournament on behalf of the Southeast White House. Located in southeast district of Washington, D.C. in an area that most refer to as the forgotten quadrant of the city, the Southeast White House is “A House on a Hill for All People.” In addition to helping the homeless and less fortunate, the Southeast White House mentors over 150 inner-city, at-risk youth through mentorships, volunteer programs and more.
On a perfect day in late April, we had 20 foursomes participate, a dozen volunteers, and 18 hole sponsors help us raise over $9,300!!! We wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped us raise support for the Southeast White House as well as give a special recognition to our hole sponsors. If you would like to learn more about these companies or need a great referral from the Cook and Zook Team, please click on the image below. Included are mortgage lenders, painters and handyman services, flooring companies and title services, dentists, consulting services, law firms, and more. THANK YOU!
We would love it if you could participate, sponsor, or volunteer for our 2nd Annual Cook and Zook Charity Golf Tournament in 2011. To get involved, please contact us at info@cookandzook.com!
The First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended to members of the military and other federal employees for an extra year. Below is a break down of the guidelines associated with the extension to the military...
Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this special rule. It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual’s spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.
In many cases, the credit repayment (recapture) requirement is waived for members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community. This relief applies where a home is sold or stops being the taxpayer’s principal residence after Dec. 31, 2008, in connection with government orders received by the individual (or the individual’s spouse) for qualified official extended duty service. The credit is still allowable even if this happens during the year of purchase. Qualified official extended duty is any period of extended duty while serving at a place of duty at least 50 miles away from the taxpayer’s principal residence (whether inside or outside the U.S.) or while residing under government orders in government quarters. Extended duty is defined as any period of duty pursuant to a call or order to such duty for a period in excess of 90 days or for an indefinite period.
Many of you in Northern Virginia have seen the ongoing construction for the new silver metrorail that will extend out to Reston and eventually Ashburn. The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project’s is underway along the entire alignment of Phase 1. You can see construction crews extend from Tyson’s Corner out to Wiehle Avenue in Reston and along the Dulles Toll Road. If you drive down the toll road on a regular basis, you will see changes happen overnight. If you are finding the construction process to be a nuisance or if your daily commute is being effected, be sure click here for the latest traffic advisories.
Adding a wood deck is the upgrade that brings homeowners the best return on their investment. Nationwide, homeowners recoup on average 81 percent of the cost of adding a wood deck to their home, but that number drops to 71 percent when they go with a composite deck, according to the 2009-2010 REALTOR® Magazine/Remodeling Magazine annual Cost vs. Value survey. That’s just the beginning of what homeowners need to know about decks. Their return on investment varies depending on where they live, and upgrades like planters and shade sails can also make their deck—and home—more valuable. Here are a few things to consider before building a deck:
Many of you in Northern Virginia have seen the ongoing construction for the new silver metrorail that will extend out to Reston and eventually Ashburn. The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project’s is underway along the entire alignment of Phase 1. You can see construction crews extend from Tyson’s Corner out to Wiehle Avenue in Reston and along the Dulles Toll Road. If you drive down the toll road on a regular basis, you will see changes happen overnight. If you are finding the construction process to be a nuisance or if your daily commute is being effected, be sure 
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