Jolly_Rancher

Spending on home remodeling is showing signs of stabilizing, according to a study by Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. Home improvement spending seen down 12.6% to $105B this year, not quite as bad as the 13.6% drop in 2008. Center sees a potential return to growth by Q2 2010, but notes distressed sales are discouraging homeowners from undertaking nonessential projects.

For those who don't see the home as an investment, but rather see the remodeling as necessary. For instance, we needed a roof, so we had the roofer who was also a remodeler put in a patio which we needed. It wasn't a matter of investment; we wanted to expand our living space.