home improvement: Hiring A Contractor: Eight Do's And Don'ts - 08/25/10 06:27 PM
Hiring a contractor can be one of the most intimidating experiences for a homeowner. Most people don't know a reliable contractor, have some reluctance about major remodeling, and hear horror stories from friends or relatives. But it doesn't have to be that way, by following a few, simple steps:
Have A Plan- The first step to a smart remodel is to have a strategy. The frustration that many homeowners experience with contractors, is not having a definitive game plan. This complicates the process and can lead to cost overruns and unsatisfactory work. If a homeowner can properly convey their expectations, it … (12 comments)

home improvement: Selling A Home: We Are In A Price War And A Beauty Contest - 08/23/10 06:13 PM
Let's just lay it on the line. This isn't your fathers real estate market. Mortgage bankers and brokers are dealing with new stringent rules and regulations. Real estate brokers and agents have less business to go around. And inspectors and appraisers are doing their jobs on pins and needles. But the folks under the most pressure in the market are sellers of homes.  Falling values, lots of competition, and picky buyers, make for an uphill battle. What is a seller to do? Throw their hands in the air and give up?
Well, believe it or not, some homeowners actually sell their … (7 comments)

home improvement: Warm weather+humidity= Termites - 05/14/10 02:05 PM

We typically only think about wood destroying insects such as termites when we go to buy or sell a home.  But the average home sells every five to seven years,  And insects don't have off days, much less off years. Wood destroying insects cost Americans two to three billion dollars a year.
 
The problem is exacerbated by the fact the we have had an unusually warm and wet spring in central Texas. In fact, we may have the worst termite (and other pest) problem in five years. Our bats under Congress Avenue and in the University of Texas stadium … (1 comments)