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DIY Home Improvements

By
Real Estate Agent with Crye-Leike (Sango)

DIY Home Improvements are a great way to put some equity into your home without paying to have a professional come in.  Sometimes however, your money is put to better use to hire a professional to do the work. 

I am one of those guys who knows his limitations.  I was not raised with a hammer in my hand - honestly don't know if my dad knew how to change the oil in the car.  Not his fault as his dad was not handy either.  I can tell you that thanks to my father-in-law, brother-in-law and some great friends, over the years I have learned enough to be dangerous with a few different improvement jobs such as laying tiles and installing trim work.  Even so, I am very cautious when contemplating a major improvement or remodel on my home.

A couple of weekends ago, after a few months (or was it a year) of prodding by my darling wife, I finally decided the time had come to install that floor in the basement.  The process looked simple enough, but I was wary and almost paid to have it done.  Thanks to Clif, Carol and Jake who shared not only their time but their expertise and tools we were able to knock it out in a couple of days.  I must say that I am pleased with the results.  Having seen many laminate floors in my time showing Clarksville TN Real Estate, I can tell you that there are many who would have been better off paying to have the job done right the first time.

You know, those floors that look like rolling hills?  Edges sticking up?  Gaps all over the place?  The ones you walk on and think you are walking on a matress?  While I am sure that many of the homeowners who listed these homes were proud of the job they did, in all actuality they did more harm than good.  Know your limitations and if you are going to do the job - do it right!

Same holds true with tile jobs.  Tile is a relatively cheap project, but it is back breaking, time consuming and certainly attention to detail ensuring the tile lines up, that the thin-set is not too thick under one tile and not too thin under another - oh yeah - is it the right consistency?  Too many times you walk into a home that is listed on the Clarksville TN Real Estate market that has a floor that looks like what it is - a complete amateur job that needs to be torn out and redone.  Folks, a person looking for a home, for the most part do not want to have to immediately replace the flooring (unless we are talking a bargain price or foreclosure).  Most folks will simply move on to the next property.

There are many great DIY projects that you and your Family and take on.  The above two examples are certainly doable by the 'Average Joe' but if you are going to do it (especially with friends) - don't rush, study up and above all - do it right.  Remember, most professionals in these type of projects are simply guys and gals that have been doing it for a while and have learned from their mistakes.

Some other DIY projects to improve your home:

- Crown Molding

- Lighting Fixtures

- Plumbing Fixtures (unless you are me - I DON'T DO PLUMBING)

- Landscaping

- Painting (as much as I hate it)

Again, if you set out to take on a DIY project around the home:

- Do your homework - research, research, research

- Solicit the assistance of friends (Pizza and Soda go along way!)

- Take your time, but also set aside the time to get er done!

- Don't cut corners.

Here are a few websites you might find helpful in your planning and preparation:

http://www.doityourself.com/

http://www.diynetwork.com/

http://www.diyideas.com/

http://www.bobvila.com/

http://www.lowes.com/cd_How+To+Library_615580068_

http://www.hgtv.com/

http://www.homedepot.com/

DIY Home Improvement projects can be the most rewarding work that you have ever done or the biggest nightmare you have ever had.  The choice is really up to you - Know your limits and research research research! 

Posted by

Regards

Tim and Pam Cash
Crye-Leike Realtors
931-648-2112 (office)
931-338-1375 (cell)


The Cash Team - Making dreams come true one home at a time. Proudly serving the citizens of Clarksville and the Soldiers of Fort Campbell. To view available Clarksville properties, please visit our website at www.cashsofclarksville.com or email us at thecashteam@cashsofclarksville.comand we will run a custom search for you. Finding you and yours the perfect property in Clarksville Tennessee and surrounding areas is our goal.

Comments (6)

Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Great information Tim !  It's almost time for the Spring cleaning

Mar 01, 2010 11:23 AM
Tim and Pam Cash
Crye-Leike (Sango) - Clarksville, TN
Real Estate Professionals - Clarksville TN

Thanks Roland.  I am ready for some warm weather.  This has been a brutal winter for us Southern folk

Mar 01, 2010 11:28 AM
Don Wixom
RE/MAX Executives Nampa, ID - Nampa, ID
"Looking out for your next move..."tm

Great advice!  You can almost always tell when someone "did it themselves." 

Mar 01, 2010 11:29 AM
Lori Liveston
Virtual Homes, Real Estate - Waltham, MA

Great post Tim!  These are all feasible projects that anyone can handle... DIY projects are a great way to build equity, as long as you don't bite off more than you can chew :)

Mar 01, 2010 11:30 AM
Tim and Pam Cash
Crye-Leike (Sango) - Clarksville, TN
Real Estate Professionals - Clarksville TN

Don - so true.  There is no greater pride than someone walking into your home and asking who put in your backslash or flooring and commenting on the great work without knowing you were the one who did it.

Lori - definitely.  If I can do it anyone can - but patience is certainly needed as is the right tools.

Mar 01, 2010 11:38 AM
Robert Dirienzo
HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC - Franklin, TN
Home Inspections - Nashville TN

From the perspective of a Home Inspector, we tend to cringe a bit when we hear the homeowner has been doing the fixer-upping.  More times than not, the end product leaves something to be desired.  I agree, most jobs are better left to a professional.  Painting is one exception, except for the color.  Most people can hang the paint OK.  Many seem to miss the mark on the color tho.

Thank you,

Richard Acree

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Comments in this blog posting are the copyrighted intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real estate investors, property managers, and lenders in the process of owning, buying or selling homes or commercial buildings.  HABITEC is a residential (home) and commercial building inspection company serving Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville, Dickson, Belle Meade, Columbia, Spring Hill and more!  In addition to building inspections HABITEC offers Environmental Services for mold assessments, radon testing and water quality analysis.  Additional information about HABITEC can be found on our website at http://www.habitecinspections.com, or call 615-376-2753. 

Richard Acree is the author of the HABITEC Home and Building Inspections Blog and founder of the ActiveRain Group Tennessee Home and Building Inspectors.  All are welcome to join and see more blogs like this one. 

 

Mar 02, 2010 01:00 PM