Older homes are a dime a dozen. We see them all over our area. Many yearn to tear them down and build a new “oldie but goodie”. These builders want features of older homes, but updated. If you are one of the lucky few who have one of these older… read more →
Buying a flipped home is like negotiating a Cold War treaty: Trust, but verify. Flippers often make just a few cosmetic changes before they resell a house. With fresh paint and new appliances, what’s not to love? Frequently, flippers target projects the next buyer would have had to tackle anyway.… read more →
No for-sale house is ever perfect. But some houses are in better shape and consequently easier to sell than others. If yours isn’t one of the stars, but you still need to sell it for the highest possibly price, it’s going to take more than low mortgage rates to attract a… read more →
Pushing paper may seem like the least fun thing about a remodel but, like eating your broccoli, you gotta do it. Here’s an overview of the basic paperwork you will need: Contractors’ Responsibilities Contractors, like any business owners, have to take responsibility for employees and for their work. They should have the following papers in order—signed, with… read more →
There is no flawless house. Each home, even a new one, has some issues. The trick is in spotting the really big ones before you sign on the dotted line. People get emotionally attached to a house before they understand what the issues are with it.Subtle signs such as tiny insect… read more →
When choosing a contractor to head up your remodel, these simple steps can mean the difference between complete confidence and sleepless nights. Remember that when you’re hiring a remodeler, you are buying a service and not a product. Quality of service will determine the quality of the finished project. Here… read more →
Here’s the dirty little secret about home renovations: Some of them may not pay off. Of course, the value of a renovation doesn’t depend on the resale price alone, which makes deciding whether to do one more complicated than just crunching numbers. For anyone trying to decide whether to take on… read more →
The home-improvement shows you see on TV make it look so easy. Buy a complete dump of a house with “good bones,” and presto change-o, turn it into your dream home. The reality, however, is that buying a fixer-upper is some serious work. One option is to hire someone to… read more →
You’ve decided to sell your home, and you want to get top dollar for it. And you’ve seen TV shows where homeowners spend thousands of dollars staging their homes for sale, but there’s an important detail to consider: You don’t have thousands and thousands to spend. The good news is… read more →
Even in these days of economic uncertainty, we’d all like some luxuries in our lives. Sure, a home addition or kitchen renovation would be nice, but there are plenty of low-cost changes you can make to upgrade your home without spending a small fortune. Adding in little touches here and… read more →