remodeling: Update Your Mantle with Style - 04/23/12 12:42 PM
A mantle can be the place where you highlight treasured family photos; it can also be a show-stopping focal point for your room.  Whether you like minimalistic design or prefer to be surrounded with your favorite objects, here are some ideas to help you decorate your mantle:
* Go Bold.  If you tend to use neutral colors for your walls and furnishings, you can make your mantle really stand out by adding a bright “pop” of color.  Consider using a vase of crimson tulips, a bowl of sunny citrus fruits or an array of colorful glass bottles.
* To balance or … (1 comments)

remodeling: Cabinet Help - 03/09/12 12:53 AM
Can’t afford a full kitchen makeover?  Sprucing up the cabinetry is an easy fix for a fraction of the cost.
There are two options:  replacing or refacing.  Refacing includes covering the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with wood or plastic veneer and replacing knobs and door hinges; replacing cabinets requires removing them entirely and starting from scratch.  So what’s best for your home?  Here are a few things to consider, according to HGTV.
First, check to see if the cabinets are structurally sound.  If you have problems opening the drawer, closing the doors, or if the cabinet’s interior isn’t as … (0 comments)

remodeling: Remodeling Outlook Positive for 2012 - 02/09/12 09:54 AM
Like the residential housing market, the remodeling market is showing signs of improvement, according to two leading industry indexes. The National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Market Index (RMI) rose five points in the fourth quarter of 2011 from the third quarter, reaching its highest level in five years. Index components measuring current market conditions and future indicators of remodeling business both increased five points in the fourth quarter. The highest market activity occurred in two categories: major additions and minor additions.
“The residential remodeling market has been improving gradually, mirroring the trend in other segments of the housing market,” says … (0 comments)

remodeling: Home Remodeling Activity Expected to Improve by 2011 - 08/16/10 07:24 AM
Remodeling spending is expected to increase by the end of the year and accelerate to double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2011, according to the latest Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.Kermit Baker, director at the Joint Center for Housing Studies, says homeowner optimism is driving the trend toward investing in the home again. "The recovery in home improvement activity appears to be moving beyond simple replacement projects and energy retrofits to broader remodels and upgrades," Baker says. "A wider activity base would help generate the expected growth in … (1 comments)

remodeling: A Lending Hand, FHA 203K - 08/27/09 08:52 AM
Home renovations can be daunting, but financing them doesn't need to be.  Homebuyers considering a fixer-upper and homeowners thinking about doing a major rehab work might want to consider an FHA 203K loan.
Often called rehab or renovation loans, 203K loans differ from traditional mortgage loans.  Buyers who want to purchase a home in need of repair usually have to secure a loan to buy the property, get additional financing to complete the renovation and then get a permanent mortgage to pay off the interim loans.  203K loans, however, are made based on the after-repair value and include an escrow account, … (0 comments)