Livingston Reporting - page 126

Options in Radiation Therapy Delivery

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month?  Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that is treated in the United States with over 250,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.   It is estimated that this year, 2018 we will have approximately 1,735,350 cases of cancer diagnosed.  With this number expected to continue to grow, the techniques used in delivering radiation therapy, the most popular treatment option, are continuing to advance.

Radiation treatment for cancers of all types may be delivered externally or internally.  With external radiation a beam of high-energy rays is directed towards the tumor from outside of the body.  This delivery is most often done using a large piece of equipment known as a linear accelerator or LINACS for short.  Internal radiation, brachytherapy, requires the implantation of seeds containing radioactive material to be place in or near the cancer.  Another method of delivering radiation in cases of cancers like that found within the thyroid is sent directly into the vein.  Treatment options for cancer continue to advance as better methods are found to deliver radiation without causing harm to healthy cells surrounding the cancerous tissues.

EBRT – External Beam Radiation Therapy

Linear accelerators are used to deliver external beam radiation therapy.  Radiation is delivered from outside of the body by penetrating cancerous cells with high-energy external radiation beams.  This dense radiation beam is used to kill or shrink the cancerous tumor without harming healthy tissues.  Linear accelerators allow for a more precise treatment of radiation which leads to fewer side effects.  EBRT is most often prescribed on an outpatient basis for upwards of eight weeks.

3D-CRT – Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy

Another method of EBRT is done using a specialized computed tomography scan, CT scanner and targeting computer.  This radiation treatment gives oncologists the ability to perform three-dimensional conformal radiation.  This type of therapy reduces damage to healthy tissues while delivering a higher dose of radiation to the target area.

IMRT – Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

IMRT is another three-dimensional option in radiation therapy.  It gives the oncologist the ability to customize the doses given to each area of the tumor.  Using computer-controlled sections that are movable, radiation is delivered.  The sections are used to adjust the amount od radiation that is given at any one time.  They can block or allow radiation beams through to the treatment area.  The sections are adjusted to the size, shape, and location of the tumor.  It is similar to an adjustable showerhead where the streams of water can be adjusted, some areas offer thicker streams than others.

IGRT – Image-Guided Radiation Therapy

IGRT is a fairly new radiation treatment.  This type of therapy involves a number of images to be taking during the radiation treatment.  Computers compare the original images that were taken during the planning phase with the images that are coming through during treatment for comparison.  This allows the patient’s body position to be adjusted to shift treatment to the exact location of the tumor.  This treatment increases the accuracy of radiation while providing documentation within degrees of accuracy.  Image-guided radiation therapy can be used along with EBRT, 3D-CRT, and IMRT.

IORT – Intraoperative Therapy

Treatment using intraoperative therapy is delivered directly to the cancerous tumor during surgery.  This allows a higher dose of radiation to be delivered directly to the cancer while decreasing the exposure of radiation to healthy tissues.  These healthy tissues can be moved and shielded during surgery and exposure to radiation.  IORT is often used in cancers that are localized, difficult to remove, and have a high risk of reoccurring.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is also known as internal radiation.  Seeds of radioactive materials are implanted directly into or near the cancer.  This type of radiation therapy is often given when an additional dose of radiation is needed during EBRT but can also be used alone.  Overtime if the seeds are not removed the radioactive material will diminish, it can also be removed after a specific period of time.  This is dependent on the treatment plan for each unique patient and cancer.  Often Brachytherapy is used in treating prostate, cervix, uterine, vaginal, head, neck, and breast cancer.

SRS – Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Most widely used in treating brain tumors, arteriovenous malformation, and other selected conditions, SRS is a non-invasive option.  It delivers a high dose of radiation to a super defined area.  This type of radiation treatment delivers what is normally spread out amongst weeks of treatment in just one single treatment.  It can also be in a fractional manner over just a few weeks.

As an independent LINAC service company, Acceletronics is dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and services for linear accelerators and CT scanners across all major brands and models, as well as new and refurbished LINAC systems for sale.  More information can be found online at https://www.acceletronics.com/.

Acceletronics

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Custom Website Design for Growing Businesses

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Business of all sizes can benefit from custom web design services.  Small businesses, or growing businesses as we prefer to call them are just one set of the many clients that we can help improve their online positioning and presence with a website customized to their unique business needs.  The professional web development team at Creative Programs and System understand the needs of growing businesses as we are a growing company ourselves.

 

As a growing business we understand that expenses are everywhere and thus understand the importance of affordable services.  A website does not have to cost tens of thousands of dollars to be exceptional.  We are able and willing to work with small, independent business owners looking for an ecommerce site to sell their art and large scaled, international corporations. There are a number of companies that are not interested in working or designing websites for companies that are not looking to exhaust their budget on a website, which is most often a template anyway.  You won’t find that at CPS; we believe custom websites should be designed specifically with our clients wants and needs in mind.

 

Of course, there are more factors to who you hire to design your website than cost.  However, even if you don’t have a ten-thousand-dollar budget it is important to note you often get what you pay for when it comes to $500/cheap, template websites. You must understand what you are agreeing to before you sign a contract to design or re-design a website.  Some companies can offer low cost websites because they are purchasing templates and fitting your business needs into the template.  This is not the ideal type of site for most growing businesses.

 

Additional services can add to the total budget needed for a new website.  If you are looking to add in services such as logo design, content creation, and in-depth search engine research and development it is important to note that these services are an additional fee above and beyond the initial design and development of your website.  If you are looking into additional services, it may be important to consider your site development in stages.

 

When you meet with professional website developers it is important to consider their professional advice.  Some fancy features may not be only be unaffordable, they may also detract visitors.  Flash, reverse type, awkward navigation, music, videos, and other special effects actual cause a distraction and have been proven over and over again to not add the expected value.  When planning your strategy online with a limited budget these are options to skip, even with an unlimited budget some of them should be avoided.

 

Your website should be all about your customers. It is easy to get swept up in what you think is desirable but in reality, the only thing that is important is what your customers want.  Remember, most customers are looking for information and outcomes.  If they want to purchase a new car, they are looking at your site for valuable information on the product and how to easily go about obtaining it.  All website design should consider what the customer is looking to obtain from it and be designed around this.

 

Content is a key element not only for your customers value but also for search engine rankings.  When creating content or having content created for your company it is important to take into consideration what your customers are looking for and how your content can answer this need. If your visitors find the information on your site reliable and useful they are more likely to become a customer over those that cannot find answers to what they are looking for.

 

 

Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, is an all-inclusive IT solutions company offering a variety of services including: managed IT services, IT consulting, residential computer services, custom programming, website design, iphone & android app development, and more.  More information can be found at https://cpsmi.com.

Creative Programs and Systems

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Vision Correction Surgery: What You Should Know About Cataract Surgery

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

One of the benefits of aging is the amazing side effects it has on our bodies!  Of course, we are being sarcastic however, it is true that as your age increases so do the ailments that affect us.  One of the most common side effects of aging is the development of cataracts.

 

Cataracts are described as a cloudiness on the lens inside your eye.  Often the loss of vision due to cataracts cannot be corrected with the use of contacts, glasses or corneal refractive surgery, LASIK.  We know this sounds scary at first.  However, vision can be restored when it is lost because of cataracts with modern cataract surgery.  Surgery for cataracts often reduce the dependence on vision correction methods as well.

 

As previously mentioned cataracts are most often associated with the process of aging.  Cataracts are more common to seniors and in fact up to 70% of Americans over 80 have been affected by cataracts.  This number is expected to continue to increase in the years ahead.  This is just one of the reasons eye surgeons have taken modernizing cataract surgery so seriously.  It is expected that the population of the United States affected by cataracts is to nearly double by the middle of the century.

 

One of the safest, most effective, widely performed surgical procedures now-a-days is cataract surgery. Three million cataract surgeries are performed each and every year, the majority resulting in unparalleled visual outcomes.

 

During cataract surgery the cloudy lens inside the patient’s eye is removed and replace with an intraocular lens, IOL.  This artificial lens helps to restore clear vision.  The surgical procedure is most often performed on an outpatient basis and doesn’t require the patient to stay overnight.  Modern cataract surgery involves the use of a high-frequency ultrasound that is used to break the cloudy lens into small pieces that can be removed.

 

Modern cataract removal is known as phacoemulsification, phaco for short, and is performed using smaller incisions than used in previous cataract techniques which allow for faster healing times and a reduction in the risks such as retinal detachment that can occur as a complication of cataract surgery.

 

Once all of the remnants of the cloud have been removed from the lens the surgeon then inserts the clear intraocular lens.  It is positioned in the same location as your natural lens, behind the iris and pupil.  Special circumstances may require the lens be placed in front of the iris and pupil, but this is not common.

 

Once the cataract surgeon has removed the cataract and finished the IOL implant procedure with the closing of the incision that was made to your eye a protective shield is put into place over the eye.  This shield is in place to protect the eye as you recover from surgery.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

 

Michigan Lasik

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Wedding Consultants: Helping Brides Through Issues They Probably Haven’t Even Thought of Yet

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

No matter how prepared a bride and groom are there will always be circumstances outside of their control when it comes to planning for the big day.  To prepare yourself we have come up with a list of issues our brides and grooms have run into and how to handle them if (when) you run into them while planning your wedding.

Awkwardness in the Workplace:

  • In wedding planning there will always be people that think that they should have been invited to your special day. A lot of brides and grooms struggle with invitations for their boss and coworkers.  As a couple you are under absolutely no obligation to invite anyone to your wedding.  The best way to avoid awkwardness is to address the issue head on letting people know that it is nothing personal but that your wedding invitations are being limited only to family and close family friends.  This will help people understand why they have not received an invitation.  If you are not going to be inviting people from your workplace to the wedding it is best to keep wedding talk to a minimum.

Bridesmaids and Groomsman Budgets:

  • There is a slight chance you may hear some grumbles when it comes to the expenses associated with taking part in your wedding. When you consider the costs associated with being in a wedding don’t forget to consider all of the parties, the attire, the presents, and everything in between.  It is important that as the bride and groom you take them into consideration as you are choosing attire.  Try to choose a style that is affordable and that they may be able to use again.  Black suits for gentleman and simple, yet stylish dresses can be perfectly suitable.  If you are a bride that always dreamed of glitz and flash (otherwise a dress that will never be worn again) consider offering to split the expense.

RSVPs:

  • This is the absolute worst part of wedding planning for most couples, getting people to respond! If the date you expected the RSVP’s back has come and gone it is time to get on the phone.  Never assume that those guests are not coming instead reach out and touch base with them or if it is a family friend have your parents reach out.  When it comes to a final head count it is better never to assume that people are not coming.  If you cannot reach them error on the side of caution.  It is better to have more food than and seats than not enough!

Toasts:

  • This is another tricky area to regulate and thankfully that is why you have hired people. To avoid the scenario of drunken, inappropriate toasts, or toasts from any guest who can get a hold of the microphone speak to your DJ and wedding coordinator about the “rules” of the microphone.  Make sure they understand that under no circumstance should the microphone be handed over to any other guests than the ones that have already been preapproved by the two of you.

There are so many little things that can and will go wrong.  Some you may know about; others may be hidden from you because after all you shouldn’t worry…It’s Your Day!  Whatever happens it is important to remember at the end of the day the only aspect that is truly important is that the two of you become one.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at http://www.eventplanningdc.com.

Event Planning DC

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Well Water: Removing Iron from Your Homes Water

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

There are many issues that can affect your homes water with the two most common being hard water and increased iron levels.   Using the correct water filtration system, iron can be removed from your well water in a simple and efficient manner.  Water treatment systems such as water softeners and water filtration units are most often the ideal choice for homeowners looking to remove iron while reverse osmosis units are more ideal for the removal of harmful minerals and other substances.  Your homes water must be analyzed before homeowners can determine what water treatment option should be installed to properly treat their unique water supply.

 

As mentioned above, if your homes water is affected by iron the two best options in treating your water are the installation of a water softener and/or a filtration unit.   When a water softener is installed it is important for the homeowner to know what minerals are in the water.  When an excess amount of iron is found in the water it is important that the water softener that is installed that exclusively removes iron from the water source.  Water softeners use a process in which iron in the water is replaced with healthier minerals.  The drawback is that if the water also contains more harmful materials such as arsenic or sulfur a water softener may not be the right choice for treating your water supply.

 

If you are restricting your sodium a water softener that uses potassium chloride will offer you similar results without the use of salt.  Other methods of removing a high iron content from your water are oxidation filtration and reverse osmosis.

 

Oxidation filtration is used to not only remove iron from your water but also arsenic.  Oxidation filters are more powerful than water softeners and therefore chemical elements such as arsenic are removed when they are used to treat your water.  An oxidation filtration system can also help homeowners who have a problem with water that smells like rotten eggs or a unique flavor, both caused by sulfur in the water.  Increased arsenic levels are common in well water.

 

Another option as mentioned above is a reverse osmosis filtration system.  RO filters are used in water that has a number of different trace mineral elements including: iron, salt, arsenic, fluoride, lead, and manganese.   The one drawback of using reverse osmosis when treating your homes water supply is that not only does the process remove harmful minerals, it can also eliminate good minerals, such as calcium, that is naturally in your water.

 

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

Reynolds Water

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Radiation Therapy: Equipment Used by Veterinarians

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When many of us think of cancer and how it affects us and the lives we lead we are more often than not picturing human patients however, we are not the only ones that affected by cancer.  Today’s post is all about cancer in our pets and how their treatment includes similar treatment plans and medical equipment.  Just like in the treatment of cancer within humans, pets use radiation therapy in various forms to shrink and kill tumors.

 

Radiation therapy delivered to pets can take various forms with the most common form of radiation treatment being delivered via linear accelerators with multi-leaf collimators.  The multi-leaf collimator moves while the radiation treatment is on and being delivered to the patient.  This allows the radiation therapist to sculpt the treatment around the tumor with very little damage done to cells outside of the area.

 

Another form of radiation therapy that is used to administer radiation treatment to pets and humans alike is Cyberknife, a linear accelerator that is paired with a robotic arm.  This combination allows the machine to move around the patient.  The radiation beam is turned off and on and is able to deliver radiation to the tumor from several angles.  This ensures that the treatment conforms to the shape of the tumor within your pet.

 

Treatment can also be delivered through a Tomotherapy machine.  A Tomotherapy unit is best described as a mix between a LINAC and CT scanner.  It allows an image to be taken of the tumor right before radiation treatment is delivered.  The therapist uses the images that are produced to guide radiation treatment to the tumor.

 

Tumors of the brain are treated with a very specific method of radiation known as the Gamma Knife.  The word knife in the name may lead you to believe that cutting is involved however this is not the case.  What occurs in Gamma Knife treatment is that very high doses of radiation are delivered to a very specific location on the brain while avoiding normal brain tissue.

 

As with humans, radiation therapy can be prescribed to pet patients through a variety of methods.  One method is known as hyper-fractionated which means that many small doses of radiation are delivered to the pet with the goal being complete eradication of the tumor.  This method is most often considered after surgery has been performed when there are small bits of the tumor left behind.  Another method is known as hypo-fractionated in which radiation therapists use large doses of radiation in order to treat tumors that cannot be removed through surgery.

 

A more advanced scheme of delivering radiation treatment are Stereotactic Radiation Therapy, SRT.  This includes both SRS, Stereotactic Radiosurgery, and SBRT, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.  These methods both deliver high doses of radiation in one, two, or three treatments.

 

Radparts is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts for Linear Accelerators and Radiation Oncology equipment.  Radparts provides high quality, user friendly, low cost parts support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. More information can be found at https://www.radparts.com/.

RadParts

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Avoiding Late Enrollment Penalties

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

No one wants to pay more for something than they need to.  This is true of all things, Medicare included.  To avoid having to pay late enrollment fees when enrolling in Medicare and Medigap there are a few important dates to keep track of.

Three months BEFORE you are to turn 65, you should start receiving information about Medicare’s open enrollment period.  The enrollment period lasts for the three months before, the month of, and for the three months after your 65th birthday.  If participants enroll outside of this period, they are subjected to a late enrollment penalty.

Enrollees should understand that there are several different late penalty fees that can apply.  If enrollment is delayed for Medicare Parts A, B, and D a late penalty fee can incur.

Late Enrollment Penalty – Medicare Part A

Most often participants automatically qualify and are enrolled in Medicare Part A when the patient turns 65.  Medicare Part A is premium-free health care.  Automatic enrollment occurs if the participant or their spouse worked at least ten years in the United States.  If participants do not meet this requirement a premium must be paid when they become eligible, otherwise a late enrollment penalty applies.  This penalty increases the monthly penalty up to ten percent.  The premium increase will need to be covered for double the number of years in which you could have had Medicare Part A but didn’t.

Medicare Part B – Late Enrollment Penalty

 Medicare Part B works similarly to Medicare Part A.  Most participants are automatically enrolled in Part B.  If you are not automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B you must enroll when the participant becomes eligible.  If you do not enroll within the allotted time frame enrollees will be required to pay a late fee.  The penalty has the potential to increase up to ten percent for every year the participant could have signed up but did not.  Medicare Part B is elective coverage.  Enrollees are not required to participate in Medicare Part B, but it is encouraged.

Late Enrollment Penalty – Medicare Plan D (Medigap – Prescription Drug Coverage)

Participants are not automatically enrolled in and must take the initiative to enroll in Plan D, prescription drug coverage within the same open enrollment period of Medicare Part A and B.  If enrollees do not sign up during this period of time and do not have any other credible prescription drug coverage a late enrollment penalty will apply.  The Medigap Plan D penalties are a bit more complicated then those associated with Original Medicare.  Plan D’s enrollment penalty multiples one percent of the national base beneficiary premium times the number of months that participants were not enrolled in prescription coverage.

Exceptions

Some participants may qualify for a special enrollment period.  This occurs if enrollees are eligible for Medicare but choose not to participate because you are still working.  This situation exempts Medicare participants from penalties.

The experts at eMedigap Plans, powered by Omega, have all the answers you are looking for when it comes to your Medigap Supplemental Insurance needs.  More information can be found at http://emedigap-plans.com.

Medigap Insurance Plans

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Medicare vs Medicaid

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Both Medicare and Medicaid are both health care programs sponsored by the government, many people mistake the two for being the same.  This is of course, not the case.  Medicare is a federal health care plan that is available to enrollees over 65 years of age.  Medicaid is a jointly funded health care program that is funded at both the state and federal level and is intended to supplement a need for coverage in lower-income families and individuals.

Medicare/Medigap Supplemental Insurance  

As stated earlier, Medicare is a program that supplies health insurance to individuals who have attained 65 years of age.  Qualification for Medicare comes when a participant or their spouse has worked at least ten years and paid Medicare taxes.

Medicare covers the basic health care needs of enrollees.  Medicare breaks down into multiple parts: Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), Medicare Advantages, Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans, and Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage.  Medicare Part A and Part B cover most health insurance needs.  Voids and gaps in coverage are filled with the purchase of additional coverage in the form of Medigap Plans A – Z.

It is important to note that Medicare/Medigap do not cover vision, dental, or hearing.  Coverage for the services will need to be purchased separately from any Medicare or Medigap policies.

Medicaid

Medicaid aids low-income families and individuals with health care assistance.  Coverage is funded through both the state and federal government and is available to people of all ages.  The requirements that are needed to qualify for Medicare vary greatly depending on where you live.  Medicaid is eligible for Medicaid if they meet certain requirements such as passing a necessity test, an asset test, and an income test.

Medicaid offers additional coverage that Medicare does not such as dental coverage, vision, and hearing care.  Medicaid also covers prescription drugs without having to add additional coverage.  To check availability in your state, check out the Medicaid website.

Differences Between the Two

The biggest difference between Medicaid and Medicare don’t stop at funding.   Coverage between the two vary a great deal as you can see from above. Medicare doesn’t offer coverage for dental, vision, or hearing. Medicare doesn’t have financial limits on who qualifies and who doesn’t.  It is possible to have dual-eligibility.  This means that a participant is over 65 and has met the financial or medical eligibility requirements associated with enrollment in Medicaid.

The experts at eMedicare Supplemental Insurance, powered by Omega, have all the answers you are looking for when it comes to your Medicare Supplemental Insurance needs.  More information can be found at http://emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com/.

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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The Lowest Price Isn’t Always the Deal Homeowners Think It Is

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

It doesn’t matter if you are starting on a new construction project or a simple home remodel, going for simple or extravagant, sticking within your budget is important.  Although the price of any job is important there are many other factors that should come into play when choosing a contractor to create your dream home or produce a kitchen your neighbors will envy.  The lowest bid is not always the best choice.  Below are circumstances that may make you think about signing on the dotted line of the lowest bid.

  • Sometimes the lowest bid equates to a contractor using inferior materials. Lower quality is often synonymous with a low bid however not always that is why it is important to have open communication with your contractor.  Materials that are substandard often need to be replaced or repaired more often than those of higher quality.  This means you are spending what you would of on better materials later on repairs.  That just doesn’t make sense.  In many situations when you are renovating or building a new home it is cost effective to look into materials that are of better quality rather than settling for bottom budget options.
  • A lower bid may mean that your job could take longer than it should. Professional companies with several contractors on staff may cost a bit more than a single contractor because of the efficiency they can guarantee.  With more contractors on staff your project will continue to move along without hiccups no matter what other projects the company has in que.  This however, is not always true with independent contractors.

Often times companies are working on more than one project at a time and if a snafu occurs on another job a single contractor company is obligated to make necessary adjustments.  This means your kitchen renovation that was only going to take a month could stretch into two or three months.  Time is money, and this can quickly add to the stress and costs associated with renovating.

  • Often times contractors use a low bid to lure in clients. They produce a contract with a lower bid than the competition by not including the “extras”.  However, often the “extras” aren’t above and beyond and are actually needed elements of the project.  Contractors that specialize in low bid offers do so in a way that makes the extra costs come across as unexpected expenses.  This can be avoided by having a detailed contract that lays out all of the costs from materials to labor.  It is best to receive an up-front price for your project with any changes whether in budget, materials, time, labor, or anything not included in the contract must be approved in writing by the homeowner and the contractor with an agreed upon cost.

You certainly get what you pay for in new construction and home renovations but that does not mean that the highest bid will be any better than the lowest bid.  It just may mean that they included more in their proposal.  To get an accurate assessment of the bang you are getting for your buck you must have a detailed contract with a reputable company that is known for providing superior craftsmanship at industry average wage.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

Kearns Brothers

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Increasing the Value of Your Home Through Renovations

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Selling your house is a big deal.  To most sellers it is important to get top dollar for selling their home especially after they have put money into it through updates and renovations.  The problem that most sellers run into is that they sink money into renovations that do not offer the type of return on investment that they think it will.   Some renovations are just aesthetic and really don’t get sellers a ROI however others are not only pretty to look at, they add functionality that didn’t previously exist.  In this installment we will discuss several projects that not only increase the functionality of your home but bring added value as well.

Siding Replacement – Manufactured Stone Veneer

Curb appeal, curb appeal, curb appeal… you will hear this over and over again when you are selling your home.  When you improve the appeal of your home upon first glance it naturally draws people in.  To create a high-end look to your home’s exterior consider replacing the siding on your front porch or the front of your house with manufactured stone veneer.  This offers the appeal of real stone without the weight.  Even updating a small area on the front of the home’s exterior can make a huge difference.  An industry average of this type of renovations shows that homeowners will receive about a 92% ROI.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

When buyers enter your home, they are looking at certain areas in particular to ensure that the home is suitable for their family’s needs.  The kitchen is one area within the home that gets more scrutinized then any other.  The kitchen space has become known as the heart of the home.  It is a central area to bring your family together to start or end their day.  Kitchen spaces can easily make or break the sale of a home.

When speaking with other real estate professionals we have found that even the most basic kitchen upgrades turn the impression of a seller’s kitchen from bland to exquisite. Consider new flooring, updated countertops, replacing cabinet doors and hardware, add a backsplash, replace outdated appliances, and/or replace the sink and faucets.  All of these will make a large impact on the homes space.  Kitchen remodeling, even just minor updates can net a solid 82% ROI.

Bathroom Renovations

Second to the kitchen a bathroom is another highly scrutinized area in the home when buyers are viewing a home.  Bathrooms are an essential piece of any home and therefore high on the list of considerations that can make or break the sale of a home.  Consider replacing flooring, updating fixtures and cabinetry, increasing storage, as well as updating lighting.  Bathrooms are smaller areas that renovations are more easily accomplished.  The normal return on investment for bathroom renovations is upwards of 71%.

There are a lot of things to consider while living in a home.  The return on your investments doesn’t always play a role until you go to put the home up for sale.  By taking time to evaluate your family’s needs, along with the ROI, before prioritizing renovations you will be able to maximize both your family’s comfort and profit you are adding to the (eventual) resale value of your home.

JFC Remodeling is a full-service licensed contractor out of Howell, Michigan.  Specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades, and home remodeling services.  More information can be found online at https://jfcremodeling.com/.

Jason Foldenauer Construction

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