| |
Home
: Blogs
: David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent
: David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent's Blog
: Tag "home improvement"
home improvement: How to Profit by Investing in Cheap Properties - 04/16/12 06:56 PM
With the right information any investor can profit by investing in cheap properties. But remember you are making a long-term investment. Property values tend to increase over the long term, and acquiring tenants to help pay down your mortgage while you wait to sell makes this a valuable investment vehicle for the future. Know your home inspector Home inspectors know the building codes for your area and can offer invaluable advice about the integrity of your property's structure. Not all home inspectors are created equal. Some are qualified to perform WETT certification for wood-burning fireplaces, others have the training and … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: No Granite? Don't Let That Be a Deal-Breaker - 03/17/12 04:41 AM
If you're looking for the perfect house, that huge wish list you're carrying around may be holding you back - and ultimately could cost you your dream home.Even the casual HGTV watcher will be familiar with "granite obsession." Picture this: A real estate agent is showing a couple a house that has great curb appeal in their chosen neighborhood, at a price they can afford. It's perfect. Or is it?"Hate that fixture," the husband says, as the couple checks out the dining room.They pause in the kitchen."This has to be completely redone," he says. "No granite countertops."She agrees. The husband and … (73 comments)
|
home improvement: Green Your Home: Save Now and Profit Later - 02/16/12 10:16 PM
With apologies to Sesame Street's Kermit the Frog, it is easy being a green homeowner. And it may be profitable, too.To green your home you need to invest in a number of energy and water-saving measures that result in lower energy costs. While the initial cost of your green investment may be higher, greening your home can give you an immediate saving of 30% to 60% off your energy costs. Incentives offered by government and local electricity distribution companies will help too.Best of all, when it's time to sell, you've increased your home's resale value - some say by as much … (2 comments)
|
home improvement: Selling Your Home? How to Make it Appeal to Buyers - 01/17/12 06:50 PM
Today's buyers love vibrant accent walls, usually in contrast to earth-toned neutrals. However, be careful not to be too bold and too personalized with your color choice. A fresh coat of neutral paint is often a cost-effective solution and an accent wall can make a space look bigger, feel warmer and more up to date.
Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, so it makes sense to spend the majority of your renovation dollars to upgrade these spaces. In the bathroom, new fixtures, a soft color for the walls and sconce lighting will make a world of difference. Add fluffy white towels, flowers and … (0 comments)
|
home improvement: Should You Make Those Repairs Before Selling Your Home? - 10/15/11 11:28 PM
Just how much should you invest in repairs to sell your home?It comes down to how desperate you are to sell and what changes are needed.Significant structural problems or major electrical or plumbing repairs must be disclosed to potential buyers. If you are unaware of these problems and they are discovered during the home inspection, they will have to be fixed at your expense or you'll have to hand over an equivalent amount to allow the buyers to fix them themselves.So if you are aware of significant repairs that need to be made, why not avoid the hassles and fix them … (7 comments)
|
home improvement: How Your Bedroom Can Help Sell Your Home - 09/16/11 11:28 PM
A great master bedroom will help sell your home. But you don't have to spend a lot of money, time and effort trying to impress buyers. Following are 11 easy ways to spruce up your master for little money:
De-clutter and de-personalize. Buyers want to see themselves in the master bedroom. Don't surround them with the trappings of your life. Clean, clean and clean some more. Make necessary repairs. Paint. You don't have to go for beige (or gray, which is the new beige), but emphasize the room's spaciousness with lighter colors. Don't forget the ceiling. Move some of the furniture … (3 comments)
|
home improvement: How to Give Your Home a Light and Airy Feel - 08/18/11 10:33 PM
The properties of natural light are well-known. It expands your space, brightens dark corners and gives your home an airy feel. If you're selling your home - or even if you're not - try adopting some designer tricks to increase your home's natural wattage.Paint is one of the least expensive and most effective ways of lightening up your home. Light colors reflect light and bounce it back, making a space look larger. And yes, painting your woodwork cream or white is allowed and does increase your light quotient.Mirrors also bounce back natural light, but they should be used sparingly. Bring in … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: How to Save Big Bucks by Refurbishing - 08/02/11 08:51 PM
A wooden bookcase can take on new life as a storage bench when turned on its side and a cushion is added to the top. A lampshade can be covered with wallpaper for a designer touch. A solid but unappealing chair can be painted and re-covered to create a unique piece.
These days it’s all about reusing and recycling. With a bit of imagination and some work, finds from thrift stores, garage sales and even Dumpster diving can be refurbished for a great - and environmentally responsible - new look. And the best part? You’ll save money too. Following are some … (2 comments)
|
home improvement: Buying a Home? Why it Pays to Think Like a Detective - 07/15/11 10:17 PM
You may not need a magnifying glass or a deerstalker hat, but thinking like your favorite fictional detective can give you an edge when looking for your dream home. Sherlock Holmes, for example, would likely advise you to draw conclusions based on what you see. Cracks in the walls could point to foundation problems. Loose caulking around the windows might indicate rot. Squeaky, uneven floors may be harbingers of expensive repairs. It's elementary, as Holmes might say. Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, on the other hand, would recommend you put your brain cells to work. As a savvy homebuyer, you would quickly … (3 comments)
|
home improvement: Boost Your Home’s Appeal with Outdoor Summer Projects that Sell - 07/03/11 10:01 PM
Everyone loves summer and with good reason: after a long winter, the bright sunshine beckons young and old alike to sit by the pool, enjoy a little music, and soak in the warmth. Summer is also the most popular time to buy or sell a home; and by investing a little time and energy into these summer projects that sell, your home will look its best whether it goes on the market next week or next year.
Fencing: Families with pets, young children or those just seeking a little additional privacy will appreciate the functionality and appearance of an attractive … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: How Porcelain Tile Can Raise the Value of Your Home - 06/19/11 12:02 PM
Installing quality tile flooring can increase the potential resale value of your home.
Porcelain tile is a great way to add thousands of dollars in value.
Porcelain is a high-quality building material and one of the most versatile and durable tiles on the market.
It makes a terrific selling point, even more so than regular ceramic tile, wood flooring or marble tile.
For a number of years, porcelain tile was mainly available for commercial-type installation.
Today, though, it is fast becoming a popular residential flooring material.
New glazing technology has opened up porcelain to a wider range … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: How to Turn Your Patio Into an Outdoor Room - 06/11/11 11:27 PM
Whether you are thinking of moving to a new home or just want to improve your living environment, there are many things you can do to turn a drab patio or deck into another room.
If you are putting your house on the market, turning this space into another room will help visitors see the potential of your house.
The key is to make your outdoor room look as inviting as possible. So think about it just as you would any other room in your house.
This means you should invest in furniture that will give a feeling of luxury, turning … (3 comments)
|
home improvement: Don’t Make This Mistake with Your Renovation - 06/06/11 08:41 PM
So, you’re planning a renovation. Congratulations. But while you’re checking the Yellow Pages for architects and thinking about digging out the basement, don’t forget about your neighbors.
After all, they’re the ones you’ll be competing with when it comes time to sell.
Look at it this way. If a major renovation will make yours the most expensive house on the block, you may never recoup your costs when you sell.
But if your house is the neighborhood embarrassment and you want to bring it in line with its fellows, then a major renovation is the way to go.
You might want … (2 comments)
|
home improvement: Clear Out the Clutter: A Simple Road to Happiness - 06/02/11 08:22 PM
It doesn’t take long for closets to become cluttered, but sooner or later even the most dedicated packrat must make room for new belongings.
Stop procrastinating and instead schedule time to tackle storage sheds, the garage and closets.
Not only will you feel better, but by planning ahead you can help others out during these tough economic times.
Free Up Space: De-cluttering is the fastest way to free up space without adding cost or upkeep. In fact, less stuff means less cleaning. If you haven’t used items within the past year, then it’s time to toss them. Exceptions include family heirlooms, … (2 comments)
|
home improvement: Paint Your House like a Pro with these Useful Tips - 06/01/11 07:10 AM
A great coat of paint makes all of the difference in the world to your home. These tricks of the pros will help you to get the results you want.
Quality. Cheap brushes and cheap paint are amateur choices. Quality paint gives good value because it takes less paint and less time to cover the same area. Buy sufficient paint before starting.
Primer. Apply a primer coat first. The job will look better, last longer and require less of the expensive paint.
Test. Professionals test colors thoroughly. Paint a patch of wall, and examine it against the room’s furnishings in various … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: 5 Quick and Easy Renovations and Remedies - 05/24/11 10:38 PM
Learn how to earn tidy profits when selling your home or investment property with these quick renovation and maintenance tips.
Color
Still living in sterile white walls? Does a boring beige and brown exterior greet potential buyers? Eliminate the institutional look and give your home a brand new appearance inside and out with a quality paint job.
Clean Air
The sense of smell is a powerful tool especially when it comes to selling a home. Pet odors, smoking or other unpleasant smells can dramatically alter the impression of the home. Deep clean carpet, air vents, upholstery, and drapes plus any other … (24 comments)
|
home improvement: Use Lighting to Add Value to Your Bathroom - 05/18/11 07:31 PM
Lighting is a great way to give your bathroom a whole new look and feel – and it’s an easy way to add value to your home.
Keep in mind that you can never have too much light in the bathroom. It is recommended that you layer light sources to provide enough illumination for applying makeup and for shaving while reducing glare.
Begin by selecting an overhead fixture for general lighting in the room; cove and recessed lighting are popular choices. Recessed lighting in the shower area makes shaving and shampooing easier. Your tub area needs good general light, which … (0 comments)
|
home improvement: Use Moldings to Make Your Home More Attractive - 05/17/11 10:53 PM
Moldings are decorative strips of wood or polymer. Used where walls meet floors and ceilings and around doors and windows, moldings can transform a house. They add charm, elegance and decorative flair, giving the finishing touch to your vision of an inviting home.
Once you determine the look you want, select the types of moldings that best suit your design. Use a single type or use several types together to create the overall effect desired.
Cornice Molding
Cornice molding makes a seamless join between walls and ceilings, adding drama with its decorative cap. Cornice molding comes in two types: crown molding, … (0 comments)
|
home improvement: How to Conquer Messy, Cluttered Closets - 05/05/11 09:43 PM
One of the things that can make our homes less enjoyable to live in is disorganized closet space. It's quite depressing to look in your closets every morning and not be able to find what you need.
And if you are selling your house, having a cluttered closet will damage your chances of getting the best price, because people will view cluttered closets as a sign your house doesn't have enough storage. So here are some tips to organize your closets.
Invest in a closet organizer
Imagine how you (and potential buyers) would feel to see your closets tidily organized! A … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: How to Make Sure Your Furnace is Efficient - 05/05/11 06:55 PM
A warm home is the key to comfort. With a well-maintained furnace/air conditioner, you'll stay cozy throughout the year. You'll also save money and help the environment.
Annual Tune-up
Your furnace should get a tune-up from a professional once a year. This will keep it running smoothly and advise you of any problem that's developing. A tune-up takes a couple of hours and costs about $150; ask for a copy of the furnace's efficiency test.
Filter
The furnace's filter traps dust that would otherwise circulate throughout the house. The filter gets clogged with dust, so the furnace must work harder. … (1 comments)
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Hill PhD,ePro,SFR,CIAS,BPOR,CNE Chicago Real Estate Agent
Gurnee,
IL
More about me…
Midwest Premier Realty, Gurnee IL 224-321-0699
Address: Gurnee, IL, 60031
Office Phone: (224) 321-0699
Cell Phone: (224) 321-0699
Email Me
 Listings
Links
Archives
|
;)
;)
;)
