Home Improvement Articles - Page 4

There are several mortgage loans available for financing investment property. One of the best mortgage loans for financing investment property is the FHA 203(k) loan, but you must live in the house for at least one year. A construction loan is another type of mortgage loan for financing investment…

When deciding whether to do home improvement such as an extensive remodeling or to upgrade to a better home, you need to think about whether you can recapture the money you spend on the home improvements. The timing of the home improvement also plays a role - think about how close you are to…

If you are going to remodel, you may as well increase your net worth in the process. When deciding what home renovation projects to undertake, make the home remodeling projects that increase the value of your house the most your first priority.

Is getting a home warranty program a good idea? Usually, home warranty programs are not worth the money. Home warranty programs are expensive and still include a service fee for a service call.

Adding a shed to your backyard for extra storage won't likely decrease your property value. In fact, some home buyers decide whether to buy a home based on the amount of storage space it has. But homeowners do want to make sure a permit isn't needed before putting up a shed.

Flipping real estate can be lucrative if you get the right financing and like to make home improvements. How can you finance the purchase of a fixer-upper? Try finding a partner, using a 203(K) rehab loan from FHA or finding a HUD home.

Most remodeling projects require some planning, and the best ones are typically planned far enough ahead so that the details can sink in: How you use and live in a space should dictate the design, scope and cost of the project. Learn about planning a remodeling project including the budget.

When you get water damage on your roof and it begins to leak you'll need to hire a contractor to repair your roof. How can you find a reliable roofing contractor? Ask friends, family, colleagues, and local real estate agents to provide referrals. Contact the Better Business Bureau to check the…

A buyer and seller agree to set aside money in escrow for the repairs needed per the home inspection. Now the seller won't release the funds. The buyer and seller should have some agreement of file that indicates what the escrow money was for.

Home remodeling is a complex undertaking. How much will your home remodeling costs be? Will home improvement help your home appreciate in value when it's time to sell?

Is your neighborhood changing rapidly? Are your neighbors rehabbing, upgrading or rebuilding? When you buy a home as a fixer-upper, you're specifically looking to get a great deal on a neighborhood you might not otherwise have been able to afford. How do you decide if home improvements are worth it…

The green home design movement includes recycled kitchen countertops. You can also buy home design products that have been inspired by nature, with a pro-environment or green theme. Designers from Marcus Curtis Design and Herman Miller share some of their new green home design products.

Innovative storage ideas rarely make the pages of Architectural Digest. Fortunately, three new books tackle the problem by visually presenting several hundred pages of options.

How much work they should do on your house prior to putting it onto the market? By doing basic things before selling, and making your home look as fresh and neutral as possible, you'll not only sell your home faster, but for a lot more money.

When you buy a home as a real estate investment you need to also consider the costs it will take to maintain the home. Home repairs, home improvements and home maintenance can all add up and increase what it costs to keep your real estate investment in fine shape. Learn the different kinds of home…

Your home may be a repository for mold, not to mention lead, radon, and other toxic environmental hazards and you'd never even know it. One way to keep a lid on environmental hazards is to regularly test your home for them. You could hire a specialist, or you could make your way over to your local…

With time at a premium, an increasing number of Americans are hiring one of an estimated 30,000 handymen to tackle small home improvement and home repair jobs. Handymen can make home improvement and home repair jobs stress free. Because many Americans don't have the skills to handle even small home…

According to the Better Business Bureau (BBBonline.org) and the National Consumer Law Center (ConsumerLaw.org), home improvement scams are a big problems for consumers. Elderly homeowners in moderate and lower-income neighborhoods are the prime targets.

Learn what to consider for a large scale home improvement plan. It helps to work with an architect, contractor and building department if the home improvement project includes building up or building out on the existing home. An architect and contractor can help put the home improvement project in…

After spending a collective $200 billion on home improvement projects, many homeowners have discovered that punch list items often don't get fixed the way you'd like them, and even the best contractors make mistakes. All new homes and remodeling projects contain some items that either weren't…

Ilyce answers a reader's question about whether to remodel a fixer-upper or demolish and begin new construction. A fixer-upper can be remodeled and appreciate in value, but a new construction will also increase the value of your property. You may not have to decide between a fixer-upper or new…

When you're ready to tackle a home improvement project you'll want to make sure you find a reputable contractor. To find a good contractor for a home improvement project you can check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or the National Association for the Remodeling Industry (NARI). You can also…

A home seller has converted their breakfast nook into a play space. Should it be converted back to the breakfast nook before putting it on the market? The play space can be left as is, but list the home as having a breakfast nook and include photos of what it originally was. Home buyers with…

Maybe you've had your home on the market for a while and it's not selling. What can you do to sell your home? Part of selling your home is improving its curb appeal with improved landscaping and home improvement projects. Brainstorm with your real estate agent for some other ideas to help sell your…

Every house contains mold spores. You'll find mold on dogs nd kids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency websites, mold starts growing within 24 to 48 hours of being exposed to water or an extremely humid environment. If a house has a history of water…