While now is the time for long looks back on the year that was, one bright note we discovered from this week's Bloomberg post was that Chicago was the fifth most valued housing market in 2017 (see chart below).  This report, based upon a Zillow market study, showing that the total value of the residential housing market in Chicago reached $821 billion dollars - up 5.8% from 2016.  While this increase might pale in comparison to average stock market results, or cryptocurrency speculation for the year, this should still be positive news for homeowners considering home improvements in the new year!

If your 2018 New Year to-do list includes professional bathroom renovations, we'll be waiting for your call! 

Happy New Year Everyone! 
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​Looking back, 2017 was a pivotal year for our small, local company! While we succeeded in moving into our new space in Crystal Lake, we continue to work diligently to convert it into a Customer Selection Center that makes professional bathroom remodeling more convenient than anything that's been offered to Illinois residents previously.  From all of us here at Diamond Bath - Jim, Jen, Melissa, Jon, Rick, Bob, Ed and Len - please have a joyous Christmas holiday and a wonderful 2018!

While it's easy for us, as professional bathroom remodelers, to get caught up in the "Spa-Like" bathroom remodeling trend that's hitting Illinois and the entire nation, it is also easy for us to forget about the actual spa-like experience.  Yes, we can install dimmers on your new bathroom light fixtures to get the mood just right, and bluetooth speakers that will play perfectly soothing music upon your verbal command, and even digital thermostat controls for your heated floors and towel warmer - BUT if your beautiful, new 10" rainfall shower head is hitting your head with the same hard water that you've tolerated for years, will that dampen your "spa-like" experience?  Having lived in Northern Illinois for our entire lives, we know that hard water is a reality for most homeowners. If your current bathtub has a permanent ring, or if your fresh laundry is looking a bit dingy, or your clean dishes consistently have spots, you very likely have hard water.  When traveling, if you notice that the water feels different than home and your same hair shampoo lathers more easily, you probably have hard water.  While we are NOT specialists in water softening systems, there are some handy online buying guides for water softeners, and obviously we know a few licensed plumbers who can help with the installation of a system that can will quickly improve all the areas of your life that water touches.  And of course, once you've got that spa-like water flowing in your home, you know who to contact to truly make your new master bathroom spa-like as well! 

Just one week ago we shared an important story here on our blog about a subject near and dear to our bathroom remodeling hearts about the rise of "The Statement Shower".  This new trend was identified by Realtor.org thanks to a recent homeowner study completed by Houzz, and we concluded our blog post by asking; are you willing to give up the tub in your master bathroom to make room for a statement shower?  Just a few days later we discovered yet another take on the same Houzz study, but this one from Huffington Post, titled Should You Keep or Ditch the Tub?  If you are preparing for a professional renovation project of your master bathroom AND you are debating on what to do about your existing tub, please, take a look at this useful article. Within it you'll find some strong statistics about what is truly trending with today's tub technologies, while also providing some stunning examples of what new home buyers will be considering with their next purchase. 

And, when you've finally made your decision about Statement Shower or Timely Tub, be sure to contact Diamond Bath Remodeling for a free in-home estimate! 
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