Home Improvement Ideas
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Home Improvement Tips: How to Repair a Laminate Countertop
Plastic laminate is a very popular material for bathroom countertops as it offers a smooth, unbroken surface. However, it can chip and melt and can be difficult to fix.Some laminate countertops have squared off edges and these can sometimes be fixed simply by putting new laminate over the top of the old. Small chips can be...
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Home Improvement Tips: How to Paint Clouds
Painted clouds give a light and airy appearance to a room and is a particularly beautiful choice in children's rooms. To create the perfect clouds, follow these simple do-it-yourself painting instructions. Use this home improvement painting technique to creat a model home feel. Use two coats of primer and allow to dry. Then...
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Efficiency
There is a lot of talk about energy efficiency and conservation but how do you know if something is energy efficient and "green" or not? There are a number of factors that determine this that you should be aware of when shopping for various building materials and other products. Some of these factors are:Recycled -...
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Basement Communication Systems
Basements can provide that much needed additional space for a variety of purposes but when you need to communicate with someone on the upper levels of the house, basements can be frustrating. Because of the materials ordinarily used to build basements, sound doesn't travel very well and running up and down the stairs all day...
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10 "Green" Ideas that Pay Off!
Home buyers of today are looking more and more for home features that are "green". This embraces things made from renewable resources as well as features that conserve energy, thus, saving money, all while helping to keep the environment happy and healthy. Here are 10 "green" ideas that pay off!1. Compact...
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The Beauty of French Doors
Need a great way to let in natural light and add a beautiful design element all in one? French doors are the perfect solution!French doors are made with thin strips of wood running between clear glass panels that cover the entirety of the door, keeping them lightweight and elegant. The glass panels are called lites and come in...
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Home Improvement Ideas: Quick Fix Tips
A good way to see what needs to be fixed in your home is to walk through each room and notice what your eye is drawn to. If it goes to something that's broken or unattractive, write it down on your list. Some quick fix tips in home staging are:Peeling wallpaper can be fixed with regular old glue. If it's in really bad...
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Patio Fix-up
An outdoor patio or front porch can be a huge selling feature if it's clean and in good repair. But, if it's dirty or unstable, it may be the one thing that turns buyers away. Here are some outdoor staging tips to help you spruce up your patio or porch area to make sure those buyers stop and admire.For wooden decks,...
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How to Keep Your Basement Dry
Basements are prone to dampness for a number of reasons and sometimes it's hard to determine which possibility is the culprit. To figure out if your basement is damp due to condensation or seepage, you can tape a square foot of tin foil onto the problem wall and check it in a couple of days to see which side is wet. If...
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Tuscan Style Kitchens
Who doesn't want to run away to Tuscany to cook under the Tuscan sun? Well now you can bring Tuscany to you! Here are the basics to creating a Tuscan style kitchen that will have neighbors and buyers alike, raving. One of the most noticeable elements in a Tuscan kitchen is the use of warm colors. Rich oranges, soft yellows...
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Sponge Painting Technique
No matter what style you want to accomplish with your house, the use of paint can give it a whole new face that will impress buyers. There are many different painting techniques that each have their own unique qualities. Sponging is a more commonly used technique that adds depth and texture to walls that need a little spicing...
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Re-staining Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchens are often a make or break point in home selling. Kitchen cabinetry should look clean, new and inviting. If yours are dated or shabby they can turn buyers away despite your other kitchen staging efforts. Make your work work for you.Start by sanding down the wood to get a flat, smooth surface. This is to avoid unevenness...
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"Green" Flooring
Are you constantly looking for new ways to go "green"? Bamboo flooring is not only beautiful but durable and eco-friendly, too! Bamboo has many pros and very few cons as a flooring option. One pro is that it's very hard, harder in fact than white oak and hard maple. It is also extremely pliable which makes it less...
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Pedestal Sinks
Want to add some chic and unique flare to your bathroom without breaking the bank? Pedestal sinks (also called lavatories) are a great way to accomplish this look. They have been used for hundreds of years and are making a big comeback now. They come in many styles and every price range so you can find the perfect fit for you...
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"Green" Countertops
Are you environmentally conscious? Take your green machine to the next level with "green" kitchen countertops. Countertops are always installed over an underlying layer, so start here and work your way up going "green" all the way. Plywood that is certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), wheatboard...
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Kitchen Hardware
Does your kitchen scream "old fashioned"? Kitchen handles hold more import and power of impression than may readily meet the eye. By changing the knobs on your kitchen cabinetry, you can give your kitchen a whole new life with minimal cost and work. Replace outmoded styles with new, show stopping hardware.Whether your...
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Basement Window Wells
Basements are naturally dark areas as they are under ground. Small windows let in limited light making many people shy away from using their basements to their full potential. Adding more light and maximizing window space is easier than you may think. Window wells are your answer! Excavate the area around the existing...
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Easy Appliance Updates
Updated appliances are a must for selling your home successfully. Most of our appliances are in good condition and just need a face-lift. Instead of buying new appliances, here is a low-cost way to reface the old ones. Product: Stainless Steel Stick-on Covering Available: Lowes/Home Depot Price: about $20 a sheet Step 1...
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How to Paint a Room
Freshen Up with Color To be sure the home that you've staged won't sit on the market too long, color could be the ticket. Painting does not have to be expensive if you are willing to invest a little elbow grease. With just a couple of gallons of just the right shade you can easily transform a home. But before you embark...
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How to Patch a Hole
Wall patching is a common home repair. You can damage your walls when you move furniture, or nail something on the wall, or even if you bump into the wall. Use a quality putty and knife to fill small dings and dents. Use a screen to patch larger holes. What you'll need: - drywall - drywall screws - spacle - putty knife -...
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#6 Top Ten Updates that Pay Off! Basement/Average Return 90.1%
Top 10 Home Updates That Pay Off!Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. Why It Pays off: There is nothing worse than that unmistakable damp-basement smell. A dry basement is far more important than worrying about the right lighting or furnishings. If your basement is...
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#3 Top Ten Updates that Pay Off! Exterior Paint
Top 10 Home Updates That Pay Off!Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank. Plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. Painting is the easiest and inexpensive facelift for the exterior of your house. A gallon of paint covers 400 sq. ft. of house and starts at roughly $10 a gallon. Paint color cards take the...
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#7 Top Ten Updates the Pay Off! Windows/Avg Return 86.1%
Top 10 Home Updates That Pay Off!Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. Replacement windows are often not a luxury home improvement option, but a must for older properties. Nothing can turn a potential homebuyer away faster than outdated and rotten windows. And with a...
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#2 Top Ten Updates that Pay Off! Landscaping/ Average Return 100
Top 10 Home Updates That Pay Off! Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale The second best return comes from exterior the house - landscaping. With an average return rate of 100 percent, fixing up the yard can make a big difference in bringing in potential homebuyers....
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#1 Top Ten Updates that Pay Off! Bathroom/ Avg Return 102%
Top 10 Home Updates That Pay Off! Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank, plus get tips on getting your maximum return at resale. Bathrooms have an average recoup rate of 102 percent, that is a great return on your investment. A minor bathroom update replacing the sink, bath, tile, floors, toilet, vanity and fixtures...
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#5 Top Ten Updates that Pay Off! Vinyl Siding/Avg Return 94%
Top 10 Home Updates That Pay Off! Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. Vinyl Siding A high-paying improvement is new siding. If your property is in need of a facelift, siding can be a quick fix with a great recoup rate of 95.8 %. The average national cost of replacing...
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# 8 Top Updates that Pay Off! Patio Ad On/Avg Return 86.1%
Top 10 Home Updates That Pay Off! Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. Why It Pays Off: A deck will provide you with more than a place to flip burgers and soak up the sun. Buyers see a deck as offering a seamless transition from inside to out. Experts suggest using...
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#4 Top 10 Updates that Pay Off! Kitchen / Average Return 98.5%
Top 10 Home Updates That Pay Off!Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. If the kitchen on your property needs a minor update, meaning mainly cosmetic as opposed to a complete overhaul, then taking on the project will get you an average 97.2 percent return on your...
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#9 Top 10 Updates that Pay Off! Living Room/Average Return 66%
Top 10 Home Updates That Pay Off!Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. Your Living Room needs to present itself well to the potential home buyer. This is the first room that they see when entering the property. If a potential home buyer sees an outdated and dingy...
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Top Five Living Room Updates
Top Five Living Room Updates #1Paint the Walls Cost $35. Freshen up living room walls with a coat of neutral color paint. Painting is the easiest and least expensive way to update any space. And do not overlook the trim? Brighten it with high-gloss white paint and caulk any open seams between the molding and ceiling and...
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Strategic Exterior Painting
This may be the most important painting (and preparation) you do and unless you have experience with painting you might want to consider leaving this to the pros, because if you make a mistake everybody will see it. Paint and preparation vary with the type of surface: wood, stucco, metal, masonry. Check with your paint store to...
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Easy Kitchen Cabinet Update
Dated kitchen cabinets can be a big turnoff to potential buyers. Instead of paying a lot of unnecessary money to replace them, just paint them! Step 1 Remove all cabinet hardware. Step 2 Clean all wooden cabinet parts (doors, frames, etc) with a degreaser. Step 3 If cabinets are in overall good shape, lightly sand any rough...
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Update Wood Paneling
You'll see an unattractive wall go from standing out to blending in. Instead of tearing it out, cover it up!List of Items:- Paint- Drop cloth- Painters- Tape- Spackle- Sponge and bucket- Paint roller and brush- Sand paper.Step 1Use wood filler to carefully fill in all the cracks between the panels.Step 2Use a damp sponge to...
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Home Updates that Buyers Want
Buyers wonder what else is wrong with the property if they see areas that need repair. Flooring If your home has hardwood floors, that's what buyers want. It would pay to have the carpeting removed and the floors refinished. If you have worn or an outrageous colored carpet, then replace the carpeting with a light tan....
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10 Green Updates
More contemporary home buyers are looking for sustainable green features. Why Green? "Green" is not limited to renewable resources. It also refers to energy conserving features that limit the impact on the environment. Energy conserving features save money by decreasing utility costs, and that is music to...
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Preparation Checklist
Home Staging is not just about decor and design. It is about presenting your home to its very best appearance while on the market. A nicely staged home is not going to look good if it has years of deferred maintenance. Use the preparation checklist below to address problem areas of your home. Exterior1. The Yard Remove all...
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How to Keep Your Lawn Healthy
It is absolutely crucial that your lawn is in tiptop shape while on the market. Homebuyers have been known to simply drive away if the grass is in horrible condition. You also do not want potential homebuyers to think that your home is going into foreclosure and offer you a low-ball offer.To have greener lawn without hiring...
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#10 Top Updates that Pay Off! Bedroom/ Average Return 52%
Top 10 Home Updates that Pay Off! Find out how the top 10 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. When money is tight, it is difficult to justify spending it on things that would make your home more beautiful. When your home is on the market, it is imperative that each space looks it best. Read...
