Articles from the Fall Real Estate Guide 2009 are now online. Click the links below for stories, resources and information.
Home Improvements
• Low-cost projects that make your home look like a million bucks - If you have big design dreams but are working with a small budget, no fear — you don't have to sacrifice style and professional-looking results. Try these budget-friendly decorating tips to help get you the priceless design you've always wanted without breaking the bank. ...
• Finding hidden treasures - Uncover the beauty of wood -
Beautiful wood is often hidden underneath built-up grime, nicks and scratches, old finishes or paint, carpeting or tile. As homeowners are looking for ways to make the most of their home's comfort and value, many are discovering the hidden treasures they have in reclaimed furniture and older hardwood floors. ...
• Create a state-of-the-art kitchen with vintage flavor -
Vintage or period motifs have become one of the hottest trends in home kitchen design, but your Old World kitchen doesn't need to feature modern looking faucets to take advantage of the latest technology. Whether creating an original design, restoring an old kitchen, or simply redecorating, more homeowners are turning to period-style plumbing fixtures that offer traditional style with all the modern conveniences. ...
• Bathrooms offer real value at low cost -
While new home construction has come to a grinding halt in most of the country, smaller home-renovation projects are still a viable option for homeowners. ...
• Add warmth to bathrooms in cold weather -
The last place you want to be on a chilly morning is barefoot on your cold bathroom floor waiting for the icy shower to heat up. There are many ways to warm up the bath and make it a place you look forward to luxuriating in as the weather turns cool. ...
• Quick and easy jobs that can make a big difference -
Whether you're looking to sell your home or simply make improvements, chances are finances are a big consideration before you can go forward with any project. However, certain DIY projects around the house can do wonders to make over a home while not breaking the bank, either. ...
• Adorn your home with autumn color -
The beauty of autumn hues is perhaps only surpassed by the grandeur of holiday lights and trimmings. But before you get set to deck your house in Christmas flair, transform it into an autumnal wonder in time for the month of November and your Thanksgiving feast. ...
• Reducing clutter makes your home a haven -
Do we have times in our lives that we long for more peace and tranquility? As we check out our surroundings maybe it isn't so much that we need to go to a different place to get this feeling rather than we can make changes in our own homes to make our lives easier or less stressful or frustrating. ...
• Best home improvement investments -
Whether it's time to sell the house, or it's just time to make some improvements, it's important to know which projects will be the best investments. You may really want to put a hot tub in the bathroom, or create an outdoor room, but will you recoup any of those costs when you sell the house? Where's the smartest place to invest your hard-earned money? ...
Buying a Home
• Tips for first-time home buyers - The real estate market isn't all bad news. In fact, right now market conditions are ideal for those looking to purchase a home. While the times are ripe for buying there are a few other items to consider when looking to purchase a home. ...
• What you should know when shopping for a lender -
With low interest rates and low home prices, now is an ideal time to purchase a home. Taking the plunge into home ownership is a big decision and there are ways to make the process go as smoothly as possible. The first thing you can do is prepare a complete picture of your finances to take to your lender. If you don't have a lender, this is useful information when shopping for one. ...
• Make your home more appealing -
Staging a home isn't just for models homes anymore — it's for anyone and everyone looking to sell a home. So what exactly is home staging? “Home Staging is taking the space and making it more appealing,” Deis said. To make your home more appealing to potential buyers, Deis has some pointers. ...
Other Real Estate Articles
• Eco-friendly fall lawn care tips - Part of having a beautiful yard in the spring and summertime involves preparation in the fall and winter. If your lawn is properly taken care of in the fall and winter, it has a better shot at surviving the colder temperatures and it will be more likely to flourish when spring arrives. ...
• Tips for getting room color right -
There's nothing quite like committing to a paint color only to find that once it's on the walls, it looks nothing like you envisioned. Or, you realize too late that while you may love the color orange, it really doesn't work as a living room wall color. Or maybe you just can't decide which color is right for your bedroom. Color dilemmas happen all the time, causing more than a little frustration. ...
• Things to follow while moving your home -
When you plan to move your home to a new place, you have to take note of some important things that make your moving process easy and accordingly. Moving makes you look into many important issues like, selecting a moving company, contracts with them, storage in transit etc. ...
• Let your home age with you -
More and more seniors are opting for renovating their current residence to suit their needs instead of pulling up stakes and moving from their home of many years. Some renovations can be costly and extensive, but there are many minor changes you can make that will make life easier. The key is to look at your routine and habits and see if you can modify your home to better suit your needs. ...
