Are you thinking about selling your home but you're not sure what it is worth? Do you need information on a short sale? Are you wondering what it will cost you to sell your home? Or what you need to do to prepare the home?
The value of your home is determined by a number of factors including: condition, location and selling price of other homes in your area. To see what some houses in your area have sold for recently, or just want some of your questions answered about the process, enter your address in the space provided:
Click here for Today's Top5 News
Here are five tips for planning a successful home remodel that you can enjoy for many years to come.
1. Compile a list of home remodeling ideas and draft a budget for the work.
You likely have some projects in mind, such as modernizing the bathroom, renovating the kitchen, replacing windows or repairing the roof. Prioritize your wish list: Maybe you don’t have the budget for your dream remodel, but professional remodelers can maximize your dollars by doing the work in phases, suggesting budget-friendly products and materials and implementing creative design solutions.
2. Look for a professional remodeler to help plan the project.
Start by searching NAHB’s Directory of Professional Remodelers at www.nahb.org/remodel. You’ll get a list of nearby remodelers to contact. Asking friends and neighbors for names of qualified remodelers will also help you find a match for your project.
3. Check the references and background of the remodeler.
After you start speaking with remodelers and find one or two who match your project’s needs, be sure to conduct some background research by checking with the Better Business Bureau, talking to their references and asking if they are a trade association member (such as NAHB Remodelers). Remodelers with these qualities tend to be more reliable, better educated and more likely to stay on top of construction and design trends.
4. Agree on a contract.
Talk over the details of the home remodeling project and begin reviewing the contract. You’ll want to check the remodelers’ insurance coverage, ask about any warranties on their work, know who is responsible for obtaining any building permits and understand the process for making any change orders after the contract is signed. Make sure that you and your remodeler see eye to eye before you sign on the dotted line.
5. Take advantage of the energy efficiency tax credits.
If your remodel includes replacing windows or doors, adding insulation, installing new roofing, upgrading heating or air-conditioning units, updating the water heater or installing energy generating products (such as solar panels, heat pumps or wind turbines) then you can take advantage of federal energy efficiency tax credits through 2010 that will help defray costs and maximize your remodeling budget while reducing home energy bills.
There's No Place Like (a Clean, Healthy) Home
10 Simple Tips You Can Implement Today!
As taken from "You Magazine"
 |
Words to Live (and Clean) By
Tip #1: Clean regularly. It sounds simple, but it can be hard to implement and stick to when life gets in the way. There are a few things you can do to make it easier to stick to a regular cleaning schedule. The first tip is to actually design a schedule. Make a plan to tackle some of the biggest projects, like vacuuming or cleaning the bathroom–one each day of the week if necessary. You can also make sure the work is divided between all the members of the house; that way, the work doesn't fall onto one person's shoulders and children learn a sense of responsibility.
Tip #2: Eliminate clutter. One of the quickest ways to keep a clean house is to make sure it never gets too dirty or cluttered. To avoid it, make a point to quickly pick up high-traffic areas (like the kitchen, dining room, and family room) each night before heading to bed. You'd be amazed what a few minutes of straightening can accomplish. In addition, you can also keep a box ready for items that should be thrown away or donated. For more information on eliminating clutter and getting organized, check out our past article on strategies to get organized.
Make the Living Room More Livable
Tip #3: Dust down. Dusting can be a real pain…and can create a big mess with all that dust flying around. To help minimize the mess (and isn't that the goal in the first place?), remember to dust from top to bottom–starting with cobwebs near the ceiling and high shelves.
Tip #4: Buy plants. Plants can be pretty amazing. They help clean the air and constantly breathe oxygen into your home. In addition, they add a cozy, welcoming feeling to just about any room.
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Tip #5: Go chemical free. These days, more and more people are going chemical free for their cleaning products…and for good reason. As we reported last May in our article on toxic-free cleaning, the average household cleaner may include chemicals, fragrances, and dyes that can be irritating to your eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. If that wasn't bad enough, most conventional cleaning products are produced using a petroleum-based formula. That's right, petroleum. For more information on safe, natural cleaning products and for cleaning tips, visit www.simplyneutral.com.
Tip #6: Freshen towels. Wet towels can be a breading place for mold and mildew. Unfortunately, it's all too common to use the same towel again and again and again. To eliminate the potential problem, remember to change towels after just a few uses. You can also try to hang towels to dry near a heating element immediately after using them.
Windows to the World
Tip #7: Open often. We all like to seal up the house during the cold winter or humid summer days. But when the weather permits, don't forget to open up those windows and get the air moving again to clear out the stale air inside your home.
Tip #8: Clean screens. Most everyone hates doing windows–all those streaks can be a pain. Instead of putting it off, make sure you clean your windows at least every six months, inside and out. When you do, don't forget the screens. Dirt and allergens can really build up on the screens, which means they'll be blowing into your house every time you open your window.
Tip #9: Consider the curtains. Window screens aren't the only things capturing dirt and allergens. If you have heavy curtains that haven't been cleaned in a while, it's probably time for a good cleaning. While they're down, you may want to consider which rooms really need curtains. If you don't need them in a room for privacy or to break the harsh sun, you might consider eliminating the dirt trap altogether.
Final Thoughts
Tip #10: Get help. Let's face it–you're busy. Sometimes, the best step is admitting that you simply can't do it all by yourself. If that's the situation you face, it may be time to consider hiring a little help. The best news is that it doesn't have to cost you a lot of money. You can hire a house cleaner or even a local college student to clean every other week or even once a month. Better still, you can talk to the person about just doing the one or two cleaning jobs that take you the most time or are often overlooked. That way, you can keep the cost down, while keeping your house fresh and clean.
Remember, the best tip to follow is to do a little cleaning every day–even if it's something small. Whether you quickly straighten a room or replace the towels in the bathroom, a few minutes can go a long way to making sure your home is clean and healthy.