foreclosure: How to get a total kitchen makeover for less than $500
- 05/03/11 01:19 PM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - The kitchen has always been the heart of the home - a place where the family socializes and entertains friends. It's no wonder a kitchen remodel occupies first place on many homeowners' wish lists, especially at a time when families are spending less time dining out and more time at home. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most expensive and time-consuming home improvement projects a family will undertake, ranging from $17,000 to $20,000 for a basic kitchen remodel. "Since the kitchen occupies a highly visible space in the home, it's understandable that families want … (3 comments)
foreclosure: Cold weather offers perfect opportunity to work on these projects
- 01/21/11 04:01 PM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - Although spring and summer are typically the seasons we focus on home improvement projects, there's no reason to put off projects or planning throughout colder months. If anything, it's the perfect way to spend time while hibernating indoors. From winterizing windows to laying new flooring, there are plenty of ways to keep improving your home year round. When the seasons change, one of the best things a homeowner can do is an energy audit. Though it's nice to keep the windows open all summer, drafty doors and windows can amount to hundreds of dollars … (2 comments)
foreclosure: Make your green renovation the envy of the neighborhood
- 01/20/11 02:55 PM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - What is it about "going green" that is so appealing? Even if it's not your favorite color, going green can benefit the environment, your health and reduce energy consumption, as well as overall energy costs. You may already recycle, use public transportation, buy local products or simply turn off the lights when you leave the room. While these simple practices can greatly reduce your overall impact on the environment, now is the perfect time to think about a total green renovation for your home. If the cost of a project is holding you back, … (2 comments)
foreclosure: Show off your personality through your garage door
- 01/17/11 03:42 PM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - An old adage says that if you live with a spouse or even a pet long enough, you may begin to look like your significant other or precious pooch. While it seems a stretch to some, there's a fair amount of truth in the notion that people tend to surround themselves with other people and things that capture their own looks and personalities. It's fairly common to see one well-toned person on a tread mill at the local gym alongside his or her equally well-toned spouse. A feisty international traveler might enjoy a kindred … (2 comments)
foreclosure: Looking to make your home more livable and still save money? Rely on natural light
- 12/08/10 09:55 AM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - Wild seasonal temperature changes and the high utility bills extreme temperatures can cause - no wonder a change in season can make many Americans feel down, or even outright depressed. Maybe we all just need to lighten up - literally. You can use natural light to enhance your home's livability, not to mention your mood, this winter. Bringing ample natural light into your house can also help trim utility bills by reducing your dependence on electricity to power artificial lighting, and gas or oil to heat your home. Designers bring daylight into a home … (0 comments)
foreclosure: Tips for making sure your contractor checks out
- 11/22/10 02:55 PM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - With many Americans still focused on staying put and maximizing the value of their current homes, competition is fierce among contractors wooing homeowners for their renovation dollars. All the attention may make homeowners feel like the prettiest girl at the high school dance, but for every "nice guy" who expresses interest, a "bad boy" could be waiting in the wings to take their money and leave their jobs unfinished. Even though the majority of contractors are honest, homeowners should be aware of the need to check a contractor's business license and the business' financial … (2 comments)
foreclosure: Deck and patio checklist: How to hold off winter weather and prepare for next year
- 11/08/10 02:48 PM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - The patio season is winding down, but it doesn't mean it's time to neglect your outdoor space. While the season for outdoor decorating and hosting is about to take a break, you can do a number of things to make sure your deck or patio stays in good shape for next year. Winter also presents a great time to work on some projects that can make your outdoor space look even better once the warm weather comes back. Before the weather gets too cold, you'll want to make sure you take care of a … (0 comments)
foreclosure: Cut heating costs with simple home decor changes and home improvements
- 11/04/10 03:47 PM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - Saving money never goes out of style, especially when it comes to home utility bills. With a scorching summer drawing to a close and last winter's deep freeze looming in their minds, many Americans are already looking for ways to curtail energy costs this winter. In fact, more than 20 percent of Americans are concerned about heating and energy costs and half believe it's already difficult to afford their utility bills, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. They may have reason to worry; heating oil costs are expected to rise nearly … (2 comments)
foreclosure: Warm your home for the holidays with energy-efficient products
- 10/20/10 11:26 AM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - Fall colors, cooler weather and crackling fires mean the holidays are right around the corner. As consumers prepare themselves and their homes for colder temperatures, many will seek out energy-efficient products. By making smart decisions, you can be sensible, yet stylish, when the cold weather, family and friends arrive for the holidays. The first place to start: your windows and doors. Replacing old, drafty windows and doors with fashionable, more energy-efficient ones can help you save energy and lower your utility bills year-round. If you're an American homeowner, it could even help you save … (1 comments)
foreclosure: How to create versatile living spaces for today's ever-changing families
- 10/18/10 03:41 PM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - With the active and bustling lifestyle families lead, it is no surprise that they frequently change the way they interact with, and in, their living spaces. Different stages of life call for different living spaces. Most homes are not equipped to offer this versatility. Outfitted with traditional swinging doors that squander space, standard-width doorways offer limited accessibility and restrictive living areas. According to a survey on homeowner and home buyer priorities, the ideal home readily adapts to a family's changing room space requirements. For example, the addition, growth and departure of children or elderly … (1 comments)
foreclosure: Federal tax credits set to expire by end of year
- 10/08/10 09:15 AM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - Putting off that home improvement project? Waiting too long could be detrimental to your wallet. On Dec. 31, the federal tax credit worth up to $1,500 for energy-efficient home improvements will expire, leaving procrastinating homeowners out in the cold - or at least chilly from their old, drafty windows. In addition to tax credit savings, many window sellers are offering savings on qualifying windows during October, which happens to be National Energy Awareness month. "The timing couldn't be better for value shoppers to make the investment into new energy efficient windows for their homes," … (0 comments)
foreclosure: Go beyond de-cluttering with sophisticated bathroom storage
- 10/06/10 04:35 PM
LIVE IN TARPON SPRINGS, FL (ARA) - Look through any interior design magazine and you'll notice one common theme across all the featured homes: a lack of clutter. No matter whether the style is minimalist or maximalist, in the most beautifully decorated homes in the world, you're unlikely to see hairdryers and beauty products sitting out on the bathroom counter. You might think that it's just a trick of styling for a photo shoot, but with the right storage solutions, clutter doesn't need to be a part of any home's decor. The first step to creating a magazine-ready, uncluttered room is … (2 comments)
foreclosure: The 'keys' to homeownership
- 07/14/10 03:22 AM
Are you looking for a deal on a home in Tarpon Springs, FL? (ARA) - "It's a buyer's market" is a popular headline right now. It's one that's hard to ignore, especially if you're a young adult or even a long-time renter who has been waiting for the right time to pursue the American dream of owning your own home. Buying your first home can be scary, but as with anything else in life, the right preparation should bring you good results - a home you want and one you can afford. Whether you are ready to buy a home in … (0 comments)
foreclosure: Lower summer cooling costs with a do-it-yourself project
- 07/12/10 04:33 PM
(ARA) - When it comes to do-it-yourself projects that will save money on energy costs, many new products on the market make it possible to save hundreds of dollars over time, with just a few hours of easy installation. Few of these products come close to the long-term benefits of installing a radiant barrier in your attic. There's even a federal tax credit (available on your 2010 federal tax return) to help you recoup a portion of your purchase price, saving you up to $1,500. A radiant barrier works in your home similar to the way a reflective foil car shade … (0 comments)
foreclosure: Weighing the costs of walking away from an upside-down mortgage
- 07/09/10 06:55 AM
(ARA) - Owing more on your mortgage than your house is worth may seem like a bad investment. But the alternative - choosing to default on your mortgage even if you can afford the monthly payments - will take a significant toll on your credit rating. "Strategically defaulting - deciding to stop paying your mortgage regardless of your ability to actually carry the debt - will have a far-reaching, long-lasting impact on your ability to secure future credit," says Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education for global information services company Experian, one of the three large credit reporting companies that … (2 comments)
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