home improvement: Boost Your Home's Look for Less: Try These $500 Hacks
- 08/17/15 07:50 AM
Itching for a home improvement project but low on cash? Not every project has to break the bank; there are plenty of jobs that will boost your home's appeal for under $500. Here are a few ideas:Paint: Paint your kitchen, paint the baseboards, paint your front door, and paint some furniture. It's amazing how a few coats of a new color (or a refreshing of the old one) can improve the overall look and feel of your home.Work in the yard: You don't have to have the best garden on the street, but a well-maintained front yard plays a huge role … (1 comments)
home improvement: Watch Your Thumbs and Other Rules of Remodeling
- 06/15/14 10:15 AM
Today’s renewed interest in home remodeling has a dark side. Prevent problems with these "rules of thumb." Rule 1: Safety first DIY projects can lead to mistakes and injuries. Remember the oldies but goodies: Wear safety goggles; don’t cut electrical lines before shutting off breakers; hammer carefully... Rule 2: Measure twice and have a Plan B Take careful measurements and cut once. When you’re re-modeling, you need to be prepared to make changes on the fly. So develop a Plan B. For example, adding new appliances or fixtures may necessitate reconfiguring wiring or plumbing - not something you want to find out at the last … (1 comments)
home improvement: How to Pick a Paint Color for Your Spring Spruce up
- 02/01/14 09:42 AM
Spring's on its way, meaning spring cleaning and updating. One of the least expensive, most effective ways to update your decor is to paint. But what color? Paint colors, like fashion trends, fall in and out of favor. And most of us want to be in style.Why not consider what's new in interior design, furniture, and fashion? Watch the runways in Paris, Milan, and New York for hints about upcoming color trends. And look back at the January issues of design magazines - many included features on color trends.For manufacturers and marketers, color is all about business. However, it's a not-for-profit … (2 comments)
home improvement: Make 2014 the Year You Complete That Home DIY Project
- 01/03/14 10:57 PM
Many people are planning to complete a much-awaited home DIY project in 2014. However, turning your home into a haven can make your life - and your family's - a long-term nightmare. It's important to stay on time and on budget. But you can do it. Here's how.Do your research. Know what you want to do - and whether you can do it. Talk to experts at home-building stores. Watch video tutorials. Read books. Find out how long it should take and avoid unnecessary delays by ensuring you have the proper equipment before you begin. Buy wisely from stores with good … (1 comments)
home improvement: Homeowner Spending to Boost Economy in 2013
- 12/15/12 12:24 AM
After a downturn in spending on home renovations, homeowners across North America have once again been bitten by the renovation bug. And this bodes well for the economy as a whole in 2013. Residential investment - including construction and remodeling - is expected to add almost three-tenths of a percent to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013. And, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, Americans will likely spend upward of $134 billion by June 2013, up from $115 billion recorded in September 2012. The peak of renovation activity across the U.S. occurred in 2007, … (1 comments)
home improvement: How to Profit by Investing in Cheap Properties
- 04/16/12 11:56 AM
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
- 03/16/12 09:41 PM
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 … (75 comments)
home improvement: Green Your Home: Save Now and Profit Later
- 02/16/12 02:16 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 10:50 AM
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 04:28 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 04:28 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 03:33 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 01:51 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 03:17 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 03:01 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 05:02 AM
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 04:27 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 01:41 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 01:22 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 12:10 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)
Itching for a home improvement project but low on cash? Not every project has to break the bank; there are plenty of jobs that will boost your home's appeal for under $500. Here are a few ideas:Paint: Paint your kitchen, paint the baseboards, paint your front door, and paint some furniture. It's amazing how a few coats of a new color (or a refreshing of the old one) can improve the overall look and feel of your home.Work in the yard: You don't have to have the best garden on the street, but a well-maintained front yard plays a huge role … (1 comments)
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