home repair: What Is RRP And Why You Need To Know - 04/06/10 07:48 AM
What is RRP? Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP), is a new federally mandated program to deal with the issue of lead paint in homes, primarily those homes built prior to 1978. The program takes effect April 22, 2010. It’s important that general contractors, real estate agents, plumbers, remodelers, handy-men, painters, property owners, carpenters, electricians, and all others who work in home repair or maintenance be aware of the rules and the requirements for compliance. Failure to do so can result in a fine of $37,500 per day, per violation!
 
The basic requirement is that work in homes containing lead … (97 comments)

home repair: Can’t Sell And Buy Your Dream Home? Build Your Dreams Into The One You Own - 03/11/10 03:10 AM
With many homeowners unwilling to accept the prices being offered by today’s buyers, some have taken the remodeling approach. If the reason you wish to move is to have a new kitchen or bath, or to have additional space, remodeling may be just the answer.
 
Today is a great time to remodel, and the changes just might make you fall in love with your home all over again. Materials and labor are at extremely competitive prices, and the government may even help foot the bill by providing tax credits for energy saving upgrades.
 
However, those who are seriously considering … (48 comments)

home repair: Great New Section On The Housing Guru - 06/06/09 08:41 AM
The Housing Guru has just added a great new section, Painting Tips & Tricks with information for anyone considering tackling the sometimes tedious job of painting. With valuable tips that include both painting techniques as well as choosing the right paint for each paint job, this new section contains information that even “seasoned” painters will appreciate.
 
Those who have trouble selecting the right color will find the Sherwin-Williams Color Visualizer tool especially helpful. Just click on the link and create your own experimental room or exterior. Then explore hundreds of colors, apply them, and see just how they would appear … (0 comments)

home repair: Home Repair Tips on The Housing Guru - 03/31/09 09:10 AM
The Housing Guru has just expanded its website with a new section, "Home Repair Tips." In this section homeowners can find easy fixes for common home repair problems. Homeowners wanting to save by doing it themselves will find helpful information on topics that range from repairing drywall, simple electrical maintenance, greening your home, easy plumbing repairs, or how to locate water cut-off valves.
 
A valuable resource with the latest information about housing, The Housing Guru also provides tips on selling, buying, building, remodeling, and frugal living. Check out this new addition to our website and let us know how we … (3 comments)

home repair: Drainage, an Important Home Maintenance Issue - 03/24/09 08:49 AM
Now that we’re entering spring it’s time to consider doing that home maintenance you’ve postponed all winter. April showers do bring May flowers, but they also bring flooded basements and crawlspaces, and the potential for mold and mildew. If your home is plagued by water seeping through your basement walls, or is keeping your crawlspace soggy, there are several things you should check.
 
The first and most misunderstood culprit for creating such water problems is DRAINAGE. Homebuilders, landscapers, and homeowners pay too little attention to this critical issue. The key to a dry basement or crawlspace is keeping the water … (2 comments)

home repair: Frugal Living Info on The Housing Guru - 02/17/09 06:36 AM
The Housing Guru has just added a new section entitled, "Frugal Living" to its website, www.thehousingguru.com. The new section provides information on saving money when remodeling, green living, how to save on energy costs, and several easy do-it-yourself projects. 
 
Check out this new section; and if it has been a while since you last visited, we have added other useful information for those interested in buying, selling, building, or remodeling.  Also, watch for our new "Home Repair" and "How To" sections, coming soon. 
 
The Housing Guru is committed to providing timely and useful information for home owners, home buyers … (2 comments)

home repair: How to Improve Customer Service from your Builder - 02/17/09 06:07 AM
Most of those who have owned new homes have, at some time, been frustrated by a lack of service from their builder. In most cases the problems either arise from a breakdown in communication or understaffing problems. Builders generally want their customers to be happy with their purchase; it’s in their best interest. However, it’s sometimes easy for a builder to overlook what may seem a trivial problem, especially if he/she is burdened by a busy construction schedule or closing deadlines.
 
How do you get your builder to respond to your needs? Generally it’s pretty easy, and only involves keeping … (5 comments)

home repair: 10 Rules for Successful Remodeling - 02/06/09 06:27 AM
1. Have a plan. While I’m not necessarily referring to architectural drawings, if your job is complex, hiring an architect may be necessary. Regardless of how large your project may be, you should have a list of what you want, exactly what you want changed, and what you expect your project to look like when completed.
 
2. Hire a professional. If the scope of your project is significant, $25, 000 or more, you probably need the services of a true professional. While Joe the handyman may be able to do a kitchen or bath upgrade, if your project is complex, … (3 comments)