Category: The Caton Team Realtors

1. Open Concept Family Room One of the most popular trends in home design is the open concept layout. By removing walls and expanding your family room into adjacent spaces, you can create a seamless flow between the kitchen, dining area, and living room. Benefits: This design encourages interaction and allows natural light to fill the entire space, making it feel larger and more inviting. Room Addition Plans: Work with experienced home addition contractors to develop room addition plans that optimize your layout and maintain structural integrity. Cost Considerations: While the cost of adding a room can vary, an open concept addition can increase your home’s value significantly.Is your living room ready for a makeover?

2. Sunroom Addition A sunroom is a fantastic option for those who love natural light and the outdoors. This type of room addition allows you to enjoy the beauty of your backyard while being sheltered from the elements. Design Features: Incorporate large windows and glass doors to maximize views and sunlight. Consider using energy-efficient glass to help regulate temperature and reduce energy costs. Functionality: A sunroom can serve multiple purposes, from a cozy reading nook to an entertaining space for family gatherings. Home Addition Services: Consult with room addition contractors near you to explore the best design and materials for your sunroom.Ready to enhance your living room’s appeal?

3. Second Floor Addition If you’re looking to expand your home without sacrificing yard space, a second-floor addition is an excellent solution. This option adds significant square footage and can provide stunning views of your surroundings. Room Extension Ideas: Consider creating a loft-style family room with an open floor plan, or divide the space into separate zones for various activities. Planning and Permits: Building a second-floor addition requires careful planning and adherence to local building codes. Partner with reputable home addition builders near you who understand the complexities involved. Cost Considerations: The cost of adding a room on a second floor can be higher than a ground-level addition due to structural requirements, so be sure to budget accordingly

4. Outdoor Living Room For those who enjoy outdoor entertaining, consider extending your family room into an outdoor living space. An outdoor room can be a versatile area that allows you to enjoy your backyard while providing shelter and comfort. Design Elements: Use sliding glass doors to connect your indoor family room with the outdoor space. Include comfortable seating, a fire pit, or a kitchen area for cooking and dining. Room Addition Floor Plans: Work closely with room addition contractors to create plans that maximize usability and integrate with your home’s existing design. Home Addition Contractors: Seek out experienced contractors who specialize in outdoor living spaces to ensure your addition is both functional and durable.Ready to elevate your bathroom and increase your home’s value?

5. Multi-Functional Family Room As families grow and change, the need for versatile spaces becomes essential. A multi-functional family room can serve various purposes, from a play area for kids to a home office or guest room. Design Flexibility: Use furniture that can be easily rearranged or folded away to make the most of your space. Consider built-in storage solutions to keep the area organized. Consultation with Contractors: When building an addition, consult with home addition contractors to create a layout that accommodates different activities without feeling cramped. Room Addition Plans: Incorporate room addition plans that allow for future modifications as your family’s needs evolve.

I read this article HERE.

Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Cell| Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |  EMAIL  |  WEB  |   BLOG

We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team from our TESTIMONIALS.

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. The Caton Team 🏡  

How can The Caton Team help You?

TESTIMONIALS | HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TRUST AGREEMENTS | HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES | TESTIMONIALS

Get exclusive inside access when you follow us on Facebook & Instagram

TESTIMONIALS | HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TRUST AGREEMENTS | HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES | TESTIMONIALS

Got Real Estate Questions?   The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Cell | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 | EMAIL |  WEB|   BLOG

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Website | The Caton Team Testimonials | Our Blog – The Real Estate Beat | Search for Homes | Facebook | Instagram | HomeSnap | Pinterest | LinkedIn Sabrina | Photography | Photography Blog 

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties, Redwood City Ca.

DRE # | Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 | Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts.  Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third-party information not verified.

Learn from a homeowner’s experience and remodeling pros about what to do, and not do, in hiring a contractor.

Jody Costello was eager to begin a two-story addition to her 1940s home, including a new owner’s suite and an upper deck with a view of the San Diego skyline and waterfront. She gathered bids from four remodeling contractors, chose the middle-priced bid from a company that radio ads called the “No. 1 remodeling firm in San Diego” with “guaranteed customer satisfaction.” She thought she had done everything right.

But then came the shoddy work, water leaks, and mold. On top of that were regular failed inspections, mismeasured doors and windows, hard-to-reach contractors, a carbon monoxide gas leak that sent Costello to the ER, and home renovation costs that inched higher than her $150,000 budget.

Everything went wrong that could go wrong, she recalls. “ I remember standing in the hallway looking at the mess. A doctor had just ordered me to stay away from my home because of the mold, and I was thinking, ‘This is crazy.’”

Ultimately, Costello took her contractor to court to recoup some of the $240,000 in accumulated bills. She ended up with a settlement (for an amount she can’t disclose), but she was left with an unfinished project for years.

Costello learned a tough lesson: Hiring the wrong home remodeling contractor can cost you dearly. Now, as the creator of the “Contractors from Hell” website, Costello fields messages from desperate homeowners who’ve had similar experiences. She helps educate them about better protecting themselves.

“The foundation for a successful outcome is vetting to ensure you hire an ethical, competent contractor.” But many people trust a referral or online review, she adds. “You will pay the price if you don’t take the time to know fully who you’re working with.”

How to Find a Home Remodeling Contractor

Referrals — from neighbors, friends, or others —are a common source when looking for a remodeling contractor. Real estate professionals also recommend contractors and may offer extra assurance from their well-vetted network.

Before you hire a contractor, schedule three to five in-person interviews, gather bids, and thoroughly check the background of any you’re considering. “Google the contractor’s name and their business,” she says. “See what turns up and if they have any complaints or lawsuits” filed against them.

Check online reviews on Yelp, Angi, NextDoor, and elsewhere, but don’t base your decision only on those, cautions Josh Rudin, owner of ASAP Restoration in Tempe, Ariz. “Review sites are not all made equally, and not all reviewers are actually customers,” he says. “Some review sites let anyone post reviews about the company.”

Instead, Rudin recommends focusing on Better Business Bureau reviews and ratings. “Companies pay to be a part of the BBB, and when the customer complains about services rendered, the BBB has to do an actual investigation of the situation,” he says. “If the company has a bad BBB rating, this means they likely have failed to satisfy real customers who had real experiences.”

You can also find out whether a contractor you’re considering has been certified by an industry organizations. For example, certification by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry recognizes highly experienced remodeling professionals who are capable of planning and managing complex remodeling projects. NARI offers a consumer search tool at its site to find remodelers in your area who’ve also agreed to abide by NARI’s code of ethics for professionalism.

Questions to Ask a Remodeling Contractor

Erin Hybart, a real estate pro in Baton Rouge, La., helps investors flip houses. “Finding a good contractor is by far the hardest part,” she says. Hybart suggests that you explore these areas and ask the following questions to vet remodeling contractors:

Download as a PDF

Experience

• How many properties have you remodeled/flipped?
• How long have you renovated homes?
• How did you learn this trade?
• What do you specialize in?
• What makes you different from other renovation professionals?

Licensing, Insurance, and Bonding

• What type of license do you hold?
• How much insurance do you carry, and what does it cover?
• Does your insurance cover anyone you hire as a subcontractor?
• Are you bonded?

Project Costs

• How detailed are your quotes?
• Can you share a quote from a project you recently worked on so I can see how detailed it is?
• Does your quote include materials and labor?
• If your quote includes materials, do I have a say about the material selection?

Work History

• Do you have pictures of projects?
• Do you have at least three references?
• Have you ever had a project go over money and time budget? If so, tell me about it.
• Have you ever had an unhappy client, and how did you deal with it?

The Scope of the Project

• Is there anything you can’t do regarding the project I’m proposing?
• Do you subcontract anything to others?
• Who do you hire as subcontractors?
• How do you ensure the quality of your subcontractors’ work?
• Do you pull permits?
• How are you paid?
• What percentage do you put into the project for possible incidentals?
• Why do you think I should hire you for this job?

Why Remodeling Contractors Should Be Licensed, Bonded, and Insured

Being licensed, bonded, and insured can lend credibility to contractors and offer protection to homeowners, but these credentials come with some limitations, according to Rudin.

• Licensed: The company has registered their business operations with the state contractor’s registrar. But states offer different type of licenses. “Some licenses allow a contractor to do one kind of work, but not another,” Rudin says. “It’s important to know the differences between these levels of licensure and what your specific project requires.” Each state has different requirements and rules, with some even limiting contractor licenses by the cost of the project. You may want to view contractor licensing rules in your state.
• Bonded: This means they have a surety bond, so if your home is damaged, the bond will cover the loss. “This is important because if the company isn’t bonded and an accident occurs, you’ll be on the line for the cost of repairs,” Rudin explains.
• Insured: The company is protected against various risks and liabilities, such as if a worker has an accident on the job site or if they caused some sort of professional mistake.

8 Red Flags to Look for in a Remodeling Contractor

When you’re interviewing, background checking, or starting a relationship with a remodeling contractor, be leery of these eight red flags:

1. Vague contracts: A written contract should spell out the scope of the work, materials, payment schedule, change orders, etc. “If a contractor gives you a contract that is only one or two pages, that’s a red flag,” Costello warns.
2. Lack of consumer protections: A contract should protect you, the homeowner, as well as the contractor. Offer a contract addendum if needed. Costello recommends a clause that allows you to fire a contractor for shoddy work or for failing to show up at the jobsite for a specified time. Also, she recommends the contract calls for a change order to be signed by both parties for any added fees. That will help avoid surprise invoices.
3. Large down payments: The contract should outline a payment schedule based on work milestones, such as when framing is completed or rough plumbing or electricity is installed. Costello’s red flag: having to pay $30,000 before work even started. “Every state is different, but in California, all that is required is 10% or $1,000, whichever is less,” she says. “Negotiate that upfront cost if your state requires a lot more, because if you give away too much money right off the bat, they could drag their feet or use your money for another project.”
4. Refusal to pull permits: Many remodeling projects — like for fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, and room additions — require a permit from the city or county to ensure they’ll be completed up to code. Most remodeling contractors will file these on your behalf, but be cautious of those who don’t; it may be a sign they’re unlicensed, Costello says. She advises having the contractor pull any permits because “whoever obtains and signs for the permit is responsible for everything, including fees and fines if something ever goes wrong,” she adds.
5. Lack of communication: Costello says she never spoke to the contractor until after she hired him and had to communicate through a salesperson first. Her contractor would often not show up for days or weeks and rarely returned phone calls or messages. She recommends the contract detail the frequency of communication.
6. Failure to address lien waivers: A lien waiver can help protect homeowners in large remodeling projects. This ensures a contractor’s supplier can’t place a lien on your property if the contractor fails to pay the supplier. (Costello says a “mechanics lien” was placed on her home during the remodel for this reason.) Liens can affect a homeowner’s ability to sell their home until they’re resolved.
7. Low estimates: Homeowners may be tempted to choose the contractor with the lowest bid, but be skeptical: “Low bids tend to be vague,” Costello says. “They tend to just offer vague references to painting, plumbing, and electrical, with nothing broken out about the scope of work or materials used. Make sure costs are detailed.”
8. Lack of professionalism: “It may seem judgmental to assess the quality of a contractor by their appearance and first impressions, but it can be one indicator in your toolkit,” Rudin says. If the contractor arrives late or is continually difficult to reach, that reflect on how they’ll handle your project, he adds.

What to Do If You Notice Problems With Your Remodeling Contractor

Looking back, Costello says she likely could have avoided some of her remodeling nightmare by spotting the red flags. Those include the lack of communication, vague contracts, and the requirement to put down too much money upfront. “If you start to notice something isn’t right, communicate that right away to the contractor,” Costello says. “Always follow up with a written letter that summarizes what you said and uses language like, ‘I appreciate your help,’ or ‘I appreciate your attention to this,’ and ‘I look forward to getting this resolved.’ Document and take photos.”

Costello credits documentation for helping her to receive a settlement from the contractor. Even then, it took about 15 years to get her two-story renovation completed the way she originally envisioned, she says.

“I just wish I knew back then what I know now,” she says. “Educate yourself, understand your rights, vet your contractors carefully, and learn to read contracts.” It paid off: Her remodeling experiences ever since —for the two-story addition’s reconstruction and later a kitchen — went smoothly, and she credits hiring well-vetted, professional contractors for the results.

I read this article HERE. By: Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Cell| Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |  EMAIL  |  WEB  |   BLOG

We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team from our TESTIMONIALS.

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. The Caton Team 🏡  

How can The Caton Team help You?

TESTIMONIALS | HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TRUST AGREEMENTS | HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES | TESTIMONIALS

Get exclusive inside access when you follow us on Facebook & Instagram

TESTIMONIALS | HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TRUST AGREEMENTS | HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES | TESTIMONIALS

Got Real Estate Questions?   The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Cell | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 | EMAIL |  WEB|   BLOG

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Website | The Caton Team Testimonials | Our Blog – The Real Estate Beat | Search for Homes | Facebook | Instagram | HomeSnap | Pinterest | LinkedIn Sabrina | Photography | Photography Blog 

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties, Redwood City Ca.

DRE # | Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 | Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts.  Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third-party information not verified.

Key Points

• While rent prices for apartment buildings are flattening out because of a supply increase, single-family rentals did not see that same level of construction.
• That dynamic has kept available supply of single-family rentals low, and prices higher.
• “Single family rentals are detached homes, perhaps with a yard,” said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist at the National Association of Realtors. 

Renters looking for a better deal may need to rethink the kind of properties they’re focused on in their search. 

As of January, median single-family home rent prices are up about 41% since before the pandemic, according to a recent report by Zillow. Meanwhile, multi-family rents are up 26% in the same timeframe.

A construction boom of multi-family buildings helped rein in rent prices for apartment units in the U.S., prompting some economists to dub 2025 as a “renter’s market.”

But single-family rentals did not see that same level of construction, keeping the available supply low.  Single-family rent growth also remains strong amid high demand, as high mortgage rates keep would-be buyers out of the for-sale market, Zillow noted in the report.

Multi-family housing often includes many units or separated dwellings within the same building, whereas a single-family rental is often in the form of a detached house.

More from Personal Finance:
Federal judge blocks DOGE from access to student loan borrowers’ personal data
Trump, DOGE mass job cuts: Federal workers’ money questions answered
Don’t wait to file your taxes this season, experts say

The typical asking rent price for a single-family home in January was $2,179, up 0.3% from a month prior, and up 4.4% from a year ago, Zillow found. Meanwhile, the typical asking rent for a property in a multifamily home was $1,820, up 0.2% from a month ago and up 2.7% from a year prior.

The gap between the costs to rent a single-family home versus a unit in a multi-family apartment is the largest difference Zillow has recorded since it began tracking the metrics in 2015.

But while there’s a lack of single-family rentals compared to multi-family properties, “demographics play a huge role here,” said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist at the National Association of Realtors.

If you can’t afford to buy a home yet, but need the space, here’s what the high cost of single-family rental housing means for you. 

‘Renters are stuck renting for longer’

The millennial generation — those born between 1981 and 1996 — has had a tough time getting into homeownership.

The typical first-time homebuyer in the U.S. is now 38 years old, an all-time high, according to a 2024 report by NAR.

“Renters are stuck renting for longer,” said Orphe Divounguy, an economist at Zillow. 

This means many people are staying renters for longer. Zillow found in a separate 2024 report that the median age of renters in the U.S. is 42, and millennials make up about 31% of renters in the U.S. In Zillow’s analysis, millennials were those age 30 to 44 at the time of the survey.

As homeownership has become “so unaffordable and out of reach,” the cohort has had to find bigger rental properties to accommodate major life changes, such as getting married, and having kids or pets.

watch now

VIDEO04:49

Bad housing starts in January due to weather, says Zillow’s Orphe Divounguy

The appeal of single-family rentals, experts say, is a homeownership experience without the same costs. That can be meaningful for buyers who are faced with affordability challenges in the for-sale market. Coming up with the down payment can be a hurdle, as well as navigating volatile mortgage rates and rising home prices.

The median sale price for homes nationwide was $375,475 in the four weeks ending February 16, up 3.7% from a year prior, according to Redfin.

Meanwhile, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage inched down to 6.87% the week ending Feb. 13, per Freddie Mac data. That’s the lowest so far in the year, and down from the latest peak of 7.04% in January.

What to do in the meantime

Factors like “having a strong income, strong credit score and lower debt-to-income ratios” are essential for renters in looking into single-family rental homes, Divounguy said.

Paying down debt can help improve your debt-to-income ratio, which measures your debt repayment obligations relative to your income.

When landlords look at your financials, it helps them gauge how easily you can afford the rent based on your current income.

This measure is even more important for renters looking into single-family rental properties, Divounguy said. If you plan to buy a home in the future, keeping this in check will increase your chances of having an approved mortgage application.

I read this article HERE. By Ana Teresa Solá.

Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

Cell| Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |  EMAIL  |  WEB  |   BLOG

We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team from our TESTIMONIALS.

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. The Caton Team 🏡  

How can The Caton Team help You?

TESTIMONIALS | HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TRUST AGREEMENTS | HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES | TESTIMONIALS

Get exclusive inside access when you follow us on Facebook & Instagram

TESTIMONIALS | HOW TO SELL | VIRTUAL STAGING | A GUIDE TO BUYING | BUYING INFO |  MOVING | TRUST AGREEMENTS | HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES | TESTIMONIALS

Got Real Estate Questions?   The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

Cell | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 | EMAIL |  WEB|   BLOG

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
What can we do for you?

Website | The Caton Team Testimonials | Our Blog – The Real Estate Beat | Search for Homes | Facebook | Instagram | HomeSnap | Pinterest | LinkedIn Sabrina | Photography | Photography Blog 

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Drysdale Properties, Redwood City Ca.

DRE # | Sabrina 01413526 | Susan 01238225 | Team 70000218 | Office 01499008

The Caton Team does not receive compensation for any posts.  Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Third-party information not verified.