Search Results for: blog planning a home remodel

Home Week in Review: July 28th Through August 3rd

What makes a house a home? Is it the little decorating touches, the noises of little feet stomping down the stairs in the morning or the feeling that when you enter your home you’ve left the world behind? However you define your home, you’ll find lots of ways in the Home Blog to personalize it and keep it cozy and safe. Here is a review of last week’s articles. July 28th When Remodeling, Consider the Neighbors If you are planning a remodeling project, it is important to consider the neighbors. No, not because they might complain but because their home … Continue reading →

When Remodeling, Consider the Neighbors

If you are planning a remodeling project, it is important to consider the neighbors. No, not because they might complain but because their home might be affecting the value of your own. Taking a look at all of the factors for your home, including your neighbors will help you make the right decisions about remodeling projects and get the most value from your investment. First, if you are planning an addition, take a look at the square footage of the houses that belong to your neighbors. You want to keep the size of your house in line with the others. … Continue reading →

Building A “Green” Home

In honor of Sunday’s celebration of Earth Day I decided to write about “green” homes. In a previous blog I detailed my first tour of a “green” home. I found the house to be clean, comfortable, airy, and certainly energy-efficient. I could see myself living in a highly environmentally correct dwelling, though remodeling my current home to get it up to “green” standards may be a challenge. If I went “green” I would do so from scratch. During my tour I learned that constructing a “green” home is not as difficult as many believe. Like any construction project, it takes … Continue reading →

Home Remodeling And Your Pet

In a previous blog I told you about my friend who surveyed her home on her hands and knees looking for safety hazards prior to bringing her new puppies home. It’s a good idea—even better if you are planning to redecorate or remodel your home. Before you hire contractors, experts recommend you look at your home through your pet’s eyes: Floors Before you choose a new floor consider how well it will hold up to scratches? Also, ask yourself how easy is it to clean (should Fido have an “accident”). According to animal experts, tile, linoleum and hardwood floors are … Continue reading →

Home and Garden Television’s (HGTV) Dream Home Contest

It’s back! Every year HGTV throws a contest where one lucky winner walks away with a house. Not just a house, mind you, but a dream house. They’re built just for the contest, elegantly decorated, and situated in beautiful communities with gorgeous views. Truly a dream come true. Although we already have a home that we (mostly) love, we continue to enter. We’ve been entering for four years now and haven’t won yet, so this must be our year! The 2007 home is in Winter Park, Colorado, a skier’s paradise. It’s one that I could actually see my parents living … Continue reading →

Planning a Home Remodel?

When it comes to planning a home remodel, be aware that it is one of the most stressful events that a couple can embark on together. There are a lot of horrible experiences out there that couples have shared during a remodel as their expectations of the project and of each other are challenged. This happens especially when a couple doesn’t share, clearly, what they expect is going to happen not only during the remodel, but afterwards. When you are planning a remodel, it’s important to discuss your hopes and dreams for the remodel. You need to be honest and … Continue reading →

Kitchen Design Styles

When looking at a kitchen renovation or remodel, the choices are endless. From countertops to flooring to appliances to walls to back splashes, tile, wood, paint, stainless steel, ack. You get the picture. Each little bit that goes into the kitchen has its own set of choices, and then you have to make sure that all of these choices can work together. One thing that can really help when you are planning out your kitchen is to have a clear idea of the design style that you prefer. This doesn’t mean that you are doomed to have a cookie cutter … Continue reading →

List of Financial Goals

As I was writing yesterday’s blog entry on setting your financial priorities, I started thinking about all the different financial goals we might have. I thought it would be helpful to list some, and invite my readers to add any more in the comments. Having a list to work from may also help you narrow down which of these apply most to you. Common Financial Goals: 1. Buy a house. 2. Save for retirement. 3. Retire early. 4. Quit work to stay at home with kids. 5. Take an extensive vacation – around the world, to Europe, etc. 6. Pay … Continue reading →

7 Common DIY Mistakes (5)

What common do it yourself (DIY) mistake can really get you into trouble? You could be hit with fines, lose weeks or months of time, or even lose your home sale if you have your house on the market. Don’t let it happen to you. The fifth most common DIY mistake has to do with permits. I am always surprised at home many homeowners don’t realize that they need to apply for and have permits granted for many renovation and remodeling projects. Overlooking permits can ruin your project and set you up for some expensive challenges. Permit requirements will vary … Continue reading →

7 Common DIY Mistakes (4)

What is the biggest complaint that potential buyers make when looking at a recently remodeled house? That is the subject of our next common mistake that is made when you do it yourself. Learn what that mistake is and how to avoid it. Image that you are looking at a home. It has some fabulous new updates, but some things seem to be missing. This is what happens when the homeowners have left certain things half done or incomplete. This can not only not add the value to your home that was your goal in remodeling, but it can also … Continue reading →