KANSAS CITY, MO -
In a tough economy, not many people are putting their money into real estate. But many homeowners are renovating their own home, not to sell but for themselves, and at the Kansas City Home Show, exhibitors are changing their offerings to reflect that changing attitude.
"We decided instead of moving, we'd just fix up where we live," said Mark Damon, who is renovating his bathroom with his wife Carol. The Damons were at the Home Show on Saturday to look for some bathroom specifics.
"We're looking for tile and sinks, and someone who can do some remodeling work," said Damon.
Carol Damon says that they are looking to improve their space for the short-term, but she says that it's an investment that they know will pay off later.
"We've put a lot into it, and we're continuing to add to that and hopefully when we move the economy is better and the sale price will be better, and it will make a difference," said Carol Damon.
Many vendors at the Home Show, which runs through Sunday evening at the Downtown Convention Center, say that they are finding potential customers are more interested in upgrades that will help them to enjoy their homes, not just to help their homes sell.
"They're more interested in 'I want to stay in my house, I love my house,'" said Tiffany Akers of Renewal by Anderson. "A couple years ago people were like 'oh we're only staying for three years.' We're not hearing that this year."
Akers was manning one of the more popular booths at this year's Home Show, as her company makes and sells energy-efficient windows.
"For windows, its 30 percent back on the cost of your product up to 1500 dollars," said Akers. "It just gives you extra money back for doing a better job with your replacement project."
"We decided instead of moving, we'd just fix up where we live," said Mark Damon, who is renovating his bathroom with his wife Carol. The Damons were at the Home Show on Saturday to look for some bathroom specifics.
"We're looking for tile and sinks, and someone who can do some remodeling work," said Damon.
Carol Damon says that they are looking to improve their space for the short-term, but she says that it's an investment that they know will pay off later.
"We've put a lot into it, and we're continuing to add to that and hopefully when we move the economy is better and the sale price will be better, and it will make a difference," said Carol Damon.
Many vendors at the Home Show, which runs through Sunday evening at the Downtown Convention Center, say that they are finding potential customers are more interested in upgrades that will help them to enjoy their homes, not just to help their homes sell.
"They're more interested in 'I want to stay in my house, I love my house,'" said Tiffany Akers of Renewal by Anderson. "A couple years ago people were like 'oh we're only staying for three years.' We're not hearing that this year."
Akers was manning one of the more popular booths at this year's Home Show, as her company makes and sells energy-efficient windows.
"For windows, its 30 percent back on the cost of your product up to 1500 dollars," said Akers. "It just gives you extra money back for doing a better job with your replacement project."
