Towards the middle of last year I wrote about the annual report released by Remodeling Magazine that revealed some of the best investments in home improvement projects. At that time I warned against overspending on large-size, pricey renovations and that you focus instead on small conversions or enhanced features during the economic downturn. It made sense—and still does—until the housing market has at least a palpable rebound.
Now, Yahoo Finance reports that “super deluxe” kitchen and large-scale bath improvements can actually devalue your home when it comes time to sell. Yahoo warns against “a $30,000 kitchen upgrade” to industrial or restaurant grade stoves, fridges and appliances can bite you in the back later one when they elevate kitchen value over those in your neighborhood. Settle inst
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Our homes are the one place we should feel safe, or at least the place we can make safe as possible just by taking a few precautions. For example, an alarm system and or camera system makes many people feel a great deal safer than without. Also some people feel that a dog makes their home feel safer. Some people may believe that a dog is not enough so they resort to stronger measures by adding a fire arm to the family tree. There are people with security lights as well. These lights can be triggered by someone walking in front of them. Do not forget the family with the security gate and wall that surrounds their property, they are definitely protecting their homes from the selfish acts of their outside world.
What about the home itself? People have found many ways to protect the home, the actual structure. Read full post…
With the winter months approaching and cold weather just around the corner, a lot of people will be considering ways to “button up” their homes. Caulking air leaks and improving insulation is an important step but it’s even more important to start with an accurate home energy audit.
Home energy audits let you determine where your house is losing energy, the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems and even ways to conserve hot water and electricity. Home energy audits are the best way to identify home efficiency problems.
DIY Home Energy Audits
If you search around online, you’ll quickly find the ENERGY STAR, Assess Your Home site. This site takes basic information and provides a simple assessment, comparing your home to others in the area. It’s a grea
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I am a homeowner and would like to improve my carpentry/construction skills. I am a teacher and have the summers off, which I would like to spend improving my house. This isnt just to save money; I really want to learn how to do it.
I once converted a garage into a sculpture studio, so I have some skills/successes (can build a wall, install new windows and doors, wiring, put in a floor) and some failures (leaking skylights). Ive also put in fences, built bookshelves and done some plumbing. Plus sculpture!
I know I could take classes at a tech school, but Im looking for other hands-on ideas where I could learn from someone. Books are great but I need to SEE it and be able to ask questions. Though I have the summers off, they are short and I have young kids. Id like to work a bit for someone for free in exchange for the teaching – is that feasible? I
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