Remodeling Hell For Only $3.00!

For a limited time only Irion Books is offering Divorce Hell, Remodeling Hell, Autograph Hell, Car Dealer Hell and Roadkill Cooking for Campers for the cost of mailing ONLY in exchange for an honest review!

We are more than happy to send the book media mail, which would be $3.00.  If interested, just Paypal your $3 payment to uspark@cox.net and we will get the book out to you right away!


Learn the history of divorce and how you can save your marriage with Divorce Hell!







Autograph Hell will reveal the true story behind autograph collecting, how to avoid getting caught up in "authentication" schemes and how to collect the right way.





Car Dealer Hell is a book anyone should read before buying a new car.  Full of inside knowledge that will help you avoid pitfalls and traps and walk into your next car buying experience armed and ready to take on any car salesman!




Save thousands of dollars and headaches with Remodeling Hell.  Even if you aren't planning a home remodel in the near future, there are many home remodeling tricks that can help you save several months in repairs and construction.


 

Roadkill Cooking for Campers - The Best Dang Wild Game Cookbook is the funniest cookbook in the world!  Learn how to cook anything from a moose nose to just Indian bread!  This cookbook makes for a great novelty gift for the outdoors lover and/or camper in your life! 



If you have any questions, please contact my assistant Jennifer at jennifer@irionbooks.com

Your Holiday Organizing Checklist

Holiday parties can be a blessing and a curse -- sometimes the prep can get overwhelming. Get started now by tackling this pre-party to-do list. Getting your infrastructure organized before all the activity begins will ease party prep later, and you might even start off the New Year organized, too.

Eclectic Kitchen design by Los Angeles Interior Designer Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC.

1. Organize your pantry. Whether you're hosting a party or having family stay for a few days, it's easy to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Make cooking easier for all with a spic-and-span pantry. Clean out all those random boxes and cans, and organize items by type to make them easy to find.

Modern Bathroom design by Other Metros Building Supplies Lowe's Home Improvement

2. Clean out the linen closet. Make sure you have a neat and tidy space for guests to access towels, extra sheets and other necessary supplies. If you don't have a dedicated linen closet, clear out a space in a small closet or bathroom cabinet where overnighters can grab an extra pillow or towel without having to knock on your bedroom door.

Modern Living Room design by Raleigh Fireplace COASTROAD Hearth & Patio

3. Get your fireplace ready. For those lucky enough to have a fireplace, you'll want to make sure it's in tip-top condition for winter nights. Clean out your glass or louvers, and make sure a professional services your wood or gas fireplace before you get a roaring blaze going.

Contemporary Home Office design by Baltimore Kitchen And Bath Innermost Cabinets

4. Declutter your junk drawer. Despite your efforts to keep your junk drawer hidden, the drawer's often prominent placement (near your front door or in the kitchen) means guests are likely to happen upon it at some point. Save yourself a little embarrassment and keep necessities at hand by getting your favorite junk drawer into shape.

Contemporary Kids design by San Francisco Architect Cary Bernstein Architect

5. Tidy up kids' spaces. Even though it might not stay clean for long, it's worthwhile to make the effort and get your children's play space under control before the holidays. Using organization techniques that'll encourage kids to put things away may help the space stay tidy -- at least until the end of the day.

Contemporary Closet design

6. Clean out your coat closet. It's time to get rid of those wire hangers and piles of snow gear to clear the way for visitors' outerwear. Don't forget to clean the space, too -- dust, sweep and give everything a good wipe down.

Eclectic Bathroom design by Other Metros Media And Blogs Michelle Hinckley

7. Organize the bathroom. Getting your guest bathroom ready for the holidays means more than doing just a quick wipe down. Make sure it's clean and organized so visitors can find what they need without having to dig through piles of old lotion bottles.
Use the holidays as an excuse to get your bathroom exactly how you want it -- toss out old beauty items, wipe down drawers and shelves and put hand towels and other necessities where they're easy to get to.

Traditional Bathroom design by Architect Sarah Susanka, FAIA

8. Double-check safety precautions. Keep first aid kits fully stocked, check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and make sure your home is ready for rough weather. Guests will stay comfortable, and you'll have peace of mind.

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*article source:  foxnews.com

Kitchen Cabinets

Exploring Your Door Style Options

Structure
The doors can be mounted in different ways, creating a distinct look to certain cabinet collection. The face frame is the part of the kitchen cabinets that make up the foundation. Overlay is the term used to describe how much of the face frame is visible, while the covered portion is referred to as the reveal.

• Partial overlay is the most common door style option where the doors are mounted on the face frame, leaving one inch of reveal.
• Full overlay is designed to have the doors almost entirely cover the reveal. Though more common in frameless or “European” kitchen cabinets, this can also be seen in framed cabinet units. Hinges are concealed and less than an eight of an inch is left between one door to another.
• Inset is as door style option where the doors are attached within the rails and stiles,lying even with the front portion of the cabinet box. However, a common problem with this is that humidity and constant change in temperature can cause rubbing between the stiles and the door.

Form
Kitchen cabinets come in various panel designs that are made more interesting in an endless variety of rich finishes. Your door style options include:

• Slab – which as the name suggests, display clean lines and simplicity.
• Recessed panel offers a picture-frame look with its flat panel fixed within a mounting constructed with miter and tenon joints.
• Raised panel features panels that generally measure between  ½ and ¾ inch in height, creating a bulging quality to the doors. This is then made more dramatic by a routed edge profile, making kitchen cabinets in this door style option truly elegant.
• Curved panel showcases decorative raised panels that loop upward in gentle arches.
• The cathedral panel can either be raised or recessed, with a cathedral-type arch crowning the door design.
• Beadboard panel is typically found in recessed panels and makes use of routed beaded details to achieve a casual country look.

Depending on the architectural style of your home and kitchen, you can choose from different door style options to complement with the rest of the designs and décor, helping you achieve an overall look and feel that is tasteful. Perfect for modern set-ups, contemporary kitchen cabinets are made distinct by their simple, basic lines that make the collection appear sleek and streamlined. There are also designs that can be used for a variety of architectures from traditional, cottage, transitional or modern kitchens like Shaker and Mission door style.

For more information about Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!
For more information about the Summit Murder Mystery series, CLICK HERE! 


Article source: craftsmennetwork.com

Beat the Heat

Many homeowners have already begun sweating the inevitable increase in their electricity usage that arrives along with warm summer weather. In addition to the longer days and more frequent thunderstorms most regions experience every summer, the Farmer's Almanac is predicting record high temperatures across the country in 2012. The combination of those factors can wreak havoc on a home during summer months, and Power Home Remodeling Group, the nation's fourth largest home remodeling company, offers homeowners tips for protecting both their homes and their wallets by saving energy this summer.

 

"So many homeowners dread their high energy bills during the summer months without realizing there are a multitude of common sense solutions that can help increase their home's energy efficiency," says Matt Hess, Power's VP of Operations-Installations. "The beauty of these steps is that they are not only extremely simple to implement, but they also defeat the negative effect heat can have on a home — and a wallet."

Power offers the following tips to make your home more energy efficient during the hot summer days and nights:

• Cut down your AC usage by turning the thermostat up during the daytime hours when no one is home, or consider installing a programmable thermostat.
• Replace air conditioner filters every month to increase your unit's efficiency and productivity.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air but remember to turn them off when leaving the room.
• Plant trees or shrubs to shade AC units, but make sure they don't block the airflow.
• Run dishwashers and clothes dryers at night to reduce heat production in the home during the hottest hours of the day.
• Install door sweeps on the bottoms of all doors leading outside so that they lightly graze the existing threshold and keep hot air outside, and cool air in.
• Place electronic equipment like televisions and computers away from thermostats where the heat they produce could cause the AC to run overtime. Likewise, position the thermostat away from direct sunlight which can cause it to read a higher than actual temperature.
• Keep shades and blinds closed during the day to block out the sunlight and keep the house cool.
• Close any AC intake vents that are low to the floor and open those that are high on the wall to ensure warmer air is cycled back into the home through the AC system.
• On the hottest days of the summer, switch the fan mode on your thermostat from "auto" to "on" to continuously cycle the air and make the temperature on all floors feel consistent.
• Seek out drafts around kitchen and bath vents, doors, windows and outlet covers with the help of a stick of incense. Light the stick and wave it slowly in front of those areas to see where the smoke is drawn out. Repair any leaks by sealing with caulk or weather stripping and replacing trim.
• Avoid using the oven on very hot days. Instead, cook using an outdoor grill or microwave.
• Investing in new doors and energy efficient windows can protect window treatments, floors and furniture from fading due to sun damage. Look for windows featuring Heatshield low-E glass that is much more efficient at keeping heat and humidity at bay.   
• Swap old lightbulbs out for energy efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs that emit a brighter light and last longer.
• Secure loose shingles, replace damaged sections of the roof and gutters and clear gutter blockages to prevent ultimate gaps and holes that can lead to leaks and the escape of cool air.
• If replacing a roof, consider using pale-gray shingles as they will attract less heat than darker shingles.

In addition to these tips, energy and savings-conscious homeowners can conduct a home energy assessment through a do-it-yourself energy review or by hiring a licensed company. By seeking out air leaks and inspecting insulation, lighting and heating/cooling systems, homeowners can easily target the energy-sucking culprits around their homes and determine solutions.

For more information about Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE
For more information about the Summit Murder Mystery series, CLICK HERE

*article from supplychaindigital.com

5 Home Improvements That Won't Sell Your House

Here is a great article about upgrades to your house that won't sell it.  Take a look!  

If you remodel your house because you plan to live in it forever, then do whatever you want. But if you plan to remodel to help your resale value, beware of these projects.

Homeowners upgrade their homes for two reasons: They always dreamed of having a walk-in shower, or they think remodeling will boost their home’s value when it comes time to sell.

While the emotional value a remodeling project adds to a home usually pays off, unfortunately the monetary value rarely does.
Let’s face it, you’re not always going to recoup the money you spent on a remodeling project when it comes time to sell. Check out these examples to get an idea of what you shouldn’t do before you sell…

1. Adding a new facade to the exterior of your home

I live in a historic neighborhood comprising mostly of turn-of-the-century Craftsman Bungalows. A few years ago, adding a brick front over the original wood became all the rage in my neighborhood. Now it just looks out of place in the area. Last month, three houses went up for sale on my street – two with the brick facade and one with the original wood. The wood house sold right away while the brick fronts are still sitting there.

I’m not saying that was the reason why one house sold and the others didn’t, but spending the extra money sure didn’t seem to help. According to MSN, homes that stick out – like brick facades nestled among wood bungalows - won’t do anything for their value.

Alternative: While you should update the exterior of your home before you sell, stick with the original plans. For example, replacing weathered siding with the higher-end fiber-cement siding returned an average of 78 percent of what homeowners paid, according to Remodeling Magazine.

2. Putting in a pool

According to SmartMoney, adding an in-ground pool to your backyard won’t add any real value when it comes time to sell. In fact, large outdoor projects don’t typically appeal to a wide range of buyers. Most buyers would rather see an open yard space than a koi pond or 16-seater hot tub.

Alternative: Clean up the yard and add some basic landscaping to the front and back. Having a nice yard gives your home curb appeal, and it’s one of the cheaper remodeling projects you can do. In fact, a study by HomeGain shows that the average landscaping job costs $540 and adds $1,932 to your home’s value.

3. Converting your attic to a home office

Converting attic space into a useable room will appeal to buyers – if it’s the right kind of room. Rooms like home offices only appeal to buyers who consider working from home a plus. In fact, HGTV reports that a home office remodel only recoups 60 to 73 percent of the cost on average.

Alternative: Converting your attic space into something that appeals to everyone, such as a bedroom. On average, homeowners saw up to a 90 percent return on this project, according to HGTV.

4. Overhauling your entire kitchen

Kitchens are the one room in the house that will appeal to the most buyers, so you want it to be eye-catching. But, that doesn’t mean you need granite counter tops, wood floors, and a double Viking oven to sell your house. On average, homeowners spent $110,938 on an upscale kitchen remodel. But the new kitchen only increased home values by $63,731 on average (or about 57 percent), according to MSNBC.

Alternative: Do a smaller-scale kitchen remodel, and focus on the areas that are the most outdated. As a comparison, MSNBC found that a smaller kitchen remodel cost $19,588 on average but raised the home’s value by an average 72 percent.

5. Installing solar panels

Green homes are becoming more popular, so making your home more energy-efficient will appeal to buyers. But the big greening projects are costly. For example, The New York Times reports that while the cost of solar panels has gone down by about 40 percent, one homeowner still paid a whopping $77,000 to install a solar panel system. It would be nearly impossible to recoup that investment in this housing market.

Alternative: Upgrade your windows with energy-efficient models – you’ll make your home more energy-efficient without the hefty price tag of those huge greening projects. Double-pane energy-efficient windows provide better insulation, which lowers utility bills – improvements that appeal to every buyer. And if you buy Energy Star-rated windows, you’ll qualify for a tax credit.

Questions to ask yourself

Before starting a remodeling project, consider these points…
1. Will this upgrade add value to my house? If you’re remodeling because you plan to eventually sell your home, run your ideas past a real estate agent or professional contractor. Not every project automatically adds value to a house.
2. How will my house compare to other homes in my neighborhood? If you put your house on the market the same time as five of your neighbors, your house needs to stand out – but not too much. Most buyers won’t consider your house if it’s priced much higher than others in the same area – even if your upgrades are worth the higher value.
3. Does this upgrade appeal to a wide range of buyers? If you’re going for a standard kitchen remodel, odds are it will appeal to almost every buyer who comes through your house. But, if you’re planning to break the mold with your home remodel, you might be wasting your money. Run your idea past a few friends and see if they’d buy it.


To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE
For more information about the Summit Murder Mystery series, CLICK HERE

Article source: moneytalknews.com

10 Terrific DIY Home and Garden Projects

It has been a while since I've posted some DIY projects, and I came across these and thought I would share!  Add Spring panache inside your home and out with these engaging DIY projects for all skills levels.  From fixing up roadside furniture to installing an edible container garden and building a stone fire pit, these 10 DIY projects for the home and garden are for both newbies and pros!

Project: Painted quotation
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 1 hour

The book Flea Market Chic by Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell features a quote painted on the wall above a bed's headboard. You can easily re-create this poetic look with a small can of paint and a set of letter stencils — or very good handwriting.

  Project: Burlap-wrapped pots
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 15 minutes

Jennifer of The Old Painted Cottage covered basic pots with burlap to enhance her maidenhair ferns. Buy a roll of burlap at a garden store, cut a section that fits your pot and place the stylishly covered pot in a plant stand. You can also finish the look by tying the burlap with twine.

Project: Two embellished paper lanterns
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 20 minutes to 2 hours

Monica Ewing of Crafty Nest whipped up these delightful paper globe lanterns with nothing more than a glue gun and embellishments from a craft store. The flower design takes a bit more time, but you can finish the pom-pom creation in just minutes.

See the full instructions here

Project: Container garden Difficulty: Easy Estimated time: An afternoon Want an edible garden in raised beds but don't have the time or desire to do major construction? Take a cue from the folks at Banyon Tree Design Studio and fill galvanized troughs (yes, the kind livestock drink from) with soil and compost, and use them as containers to plant your seeds.

Project: Reclaimed dining chairs
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated time: 2 days (including drying time)

Monica Ewing of Crafty Nest scooped up these chairs for free on the side of the road and transformed them with black paint and decorative fabric.

This is a no-sew project, so it's even appropriate for newbie DIYers. Read the full details and how-to here.

Project: Stenciled rug Difficulty: Moderate Estimated time: 2 days Upgrading a sisal rug with a modern print creates a fresh look that's inexpensive. Read more about this project here.

Project: Outdoor chalkboard Difficulty: Moderate Estimated time: 2 days Shades of Green's portfolio on Houzz inspired me to research outdoor chalkboard DIY projects. I discovered the perfect method: Mix outdoor paint with a dark sanded grout and apply it to a sheet of plywood for a version that will hold up against the elements. Get the full how-to here.

Project: Front-door face-lift
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated time: 2 days (includes drying time)

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn, aka the Decor Demon, upgraded a basic hollow-core door in a weekend with new hardware, fresh paint and crisp graphic design. It may look complicated, but with time and patience, even a beginner can tackle this project.

Read the full story with step-by-step instructions

Project: Placemat pillows Difficulty: Moderate (sewing machine required) Estimated time: Several hours Living in a Nutshell by Janet Lee covers creative and budget-friendly projects for small spaces. Here's a genius tip from the book: Sew designer placemats together and fill with stuffing to create a pillow. Read the Houzz coverage of Living in a Nutshell for more ideas.

Project: Backyard fire pit Difficulty: Hard Estimated time: Several weekends (and helping hands) If you are ready to bust out the power tools and do some heavy lifting, this stacked stone fire pit could be yours in time to enjoy warm summer nights. Erin Lang Norris did a wonderful job outlining step-by-step instructions, so if you decide to tackle this project, you are in good hands. Source: www.houzz.com To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, please CLICK HERE! To read how you can help updating Remodeling Hell, please CLICK HERE For more information about my Summit Murder Mystery series, please CLICK HERE!

Home Remodeling Tips: Preventing and Cleaning up Dust

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Remodeling your home is the hardest part, but keeping the dust and dirt down to a minimum and cleaning it up afterwards can also be a challenge. Find out some handy tips you can use to ease both tasks in this article!

Home remodeling projects can make your home look brighter and more attractive. They can also give you and your family much – needed additional living space. The down side of remodeling your home, though, is the plaster, wood and other dust particles that always result.  Not only does it make the interior of your home dirty, but an estimated thirty – five million Americans suffer from dust – related allergies, and you might be one of those sufferers. You can greatly prevent the amount of the dust particles in your house that is created during a home remodeling project, and relieve your allergy symptoms by following these simple tips:

Home remodeling tips: Preventing and cleaning up dust

Tip 1
When working on one room, isolate it in order to keep the rest of your home dust – free. To do this, close all of the doors that lead to any other rooms. Place old rugs at the bottoms of the doors so the dust cannot escape. If the room doesn’t have a door on it, moisten one or two old blankets with tap water and hang them in the doorway to cover it completely. The water in the blankets will help to trap dust particles and keep them from entering the rest of the house.

Tip 2
No matter if the heating or if the cooling system in your house is running or not, close the registers in the room you are remodeling. This action will keep your furnace or central air system from spreading the dust around the entire house. Then, after they are closed, moisten an old rug or towel with tap water and cover each register. This will prevent the dust from entering your registers and infiltrating your ductwork.

Tip 3
Immediately clean up any wood dust, plaster dust messes, et cetera, that you make during your remodeling. Don’t wait to clean up after you are done, because, the dust will be tracked through your house on the soles of people’s shoes, and it will filter through the air.

Tip 4
Always cut wood, drywall, plastic, metal, and all other materials that you may use in your remodeling project, outside in the fresh air away from your house. Cutting all of these materials creates dust particles that you don’t want floating around inside your home.

Using these tips can help to keep the amount of dust that a remodeling project creates in your home to a minimum. However, there will still be a certain amount of dust that is created from all of the activity involved.

Cleaning up the dust during and after a remodeling project can be relatively easy if you follow these tips:

Tip 1
The best device to use to clean up dust and other messes – either wet or dry – is a canister – type vacuum, such as a SHOP VAC. Don’t try to use your upright vacuum sweeper, because that will just blow the dust particles around in the air. A SHOP VAC is specially designed to pick up only dust, but also small pieces of materials. Picking up a small screw or nail won’t hurt this type of vacuum either, but it can ruin your vacuum sweeper.

Tip 2
Don’t use a broom to sweep up dirt and debris from the remodeling project. A broom creates an enormous amount of dust and dirt. If you have large pieces of remodeling materials to clean up, either pick them up by hand, or scoop them into a dustpan with your hand. If you have laid plastic down on the floor, simply fold up the corners of it and take it outside before you clean it off.

Tip 3
Trying to clean up dust with a dry rag is a futile task. All a dust rag does is simply puts the dust and dirt into the air. When the air settles down, the dust just re – settles again in a different area of the room. A more effective way to clean furniture and other wood surfaces, is to dampen a soft rag with furniture cleaner first. The dust will collect on the rag, and it will be removed from the air, as well as from the room. Turn the dust rag over when one side gets soiled, and replace it when it is thoroughly soiled.

For other home remodeling tips and tricks, order your copy of Remodeling Hell by CLICKING HERE!  

Article source: Newsolio.com

15 Outdoor Decoating Ideas on a Budget

With spring in full swing, many people are spending more time outside. The warmer temperatures, beautiful blooming flowers, and green grass growing, it is time to get outside and see what nature has to offer.  It is also the time of year when avid gardeners turn to outdoor decorating.  Listed below are 15 outdoor decorating ideas on a budget.  Which of these ideas will you implement into your outdoor décor?

• Bring in the flowers.
  If your garden just doesn’t seem up to par, add beauty through flowers. Replace old flowers that may have seen better days.  The more color you have in your flower beds, the more curb appeal your home will have. Your local nursery will have beautiful plants at great prices.
• A stylish second hand bird bath. 
  A bird bath will attract wild life to your yard.  Put a bird bath in your yard that will be stylish and attractive to your guests as well.  Sit on your porch in the spring enjoying the outdoors and beautiful wildlife that is attracted to your yard.
• Find great outdoor furniture at garage sales.
  Outdoor furniture will make a big impact when decorating your outdoor space. Unfortunately, it can get rather expensive.  Visit garage sales around the area in search of second hand outdoor furniture that is still in good shape.  You may even check the ads in your local newspaper.
• Recover your existing outdoor furniture.
  If you already have furniture, choose to recover it instead of going out and buying brand new furniture. This is a cost efficient way to get  a new look for your outdoor space.
• Make your own outdoor accessories.
  Choose to make you own stepping stones and outdoor art to help beauty your space.  The options are endless when creating classic pieces to help decorate outdoors. If you have a creative touch, use your skills to save you money.
• Shop at your local craft store for outdoor accessories.
  Some large craft stores will carry outdoor accessories at a cheaper price. To really save money, go in search of accessories that may have minor defects. This is a great way to save you money.
• Find an outdoor rug on clearance.
  An outdoor rug can help warm up the space and make it seem as if you are really indoors. This is a great way to add in color and texture to your outdoor living space.
• Build a raise platform with lumber you have laying around.
  A raised platform is a great place to put a dining table or to make a sitting area.  If you have extra lumbar lying around, use it to decorate your outdoor space.
• Don’t be afraid to bring the indoors out.
  If there are things from indoors that you plan on getting rid of, why not bring them outdoors and allow them to act as garden accessories.
• Make your own stepping stones.
  Stepping stones can be rather expensive if you choose high quality materials. Save some money on those stones by making your own from cement.
• Discover inexpensive outdoor lighting.
  Outdoor lighting is a must to help complete the perfect outdoor space. When decorating, choose inexpensive lighting that can make a big impact.
• Bring in a water element.
  A water fountain in the corner can give you and your family the illusion of being someplace else.  Wait until the end of the season and get a water fountain on sale.
• Potted plants can make a big impact.
  Add potted plants to your porch area for another inexpensive burst of color.
• Invest in a trendy outdoor fan.
  Outdoor fans are inexpensive, provide relief from the heat, and can also make a statement in your outdoor space.  Choose a trendy design that is eye catching.
• Outdoor pillows are must!
  If you can’t afford to recover your outdoor furniture, choose to buy new outdoor pillows to help give the space a fresh look. This is an inexpensive way to add a touch of color and elegance.

Are you busy decorating your outdoor space? If so, choose to implement the ideas above to help get the look that you want on a small budget. 

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!

*article from letsrenovate.com

Remodeling Hell Giveaway

Win a copy of my book Remodeling Hell! Remodeling Hell describes my journey as I endeavored to build my dream home, which turned into a two-year nightmare. It's packed with money-saving tips and ideas.  This book contains often hilarious, but always valuable lessons of what to do and what NOT to do when building or remodeling homes. This book also contains a "Salvation Guide" 36 pages of remodeling guidelines that will save you time and potentially thousands of dollars. The valuable lessons in this book will help people as much today as it will in the future.

Fill out the form below using your 'tab' key to enter for a chance to win a copy of your own!  The contest will run  until the end of the month, with the winners contacted via email and announced here!  

Five Tips for Choosing a Kitchen Remodeling Company

There are many considerations when considering a partial or full remodel of your kitchen.  In addition to cabinetry and appliances, it’s good to think about the space itself, and how it meets your needs for space, food storage and preparation, and energy efficiency.  If your kitchen is a primary gathering place in your home for entertaining your family and friends, an update should include a focus on making this room an inviting spot as well. 

1. What are your remodeling needs?  Even if you’re trying to replace outdated appliances, keep in mind that a new refrigerator, stove, hood, sink and microwave oven may be somewhat larger than your current appliances.  You may have to reconfigure the space of your kitchen to accommodate some, or all of these.  Also, Energy Star Appliances will add value to your home, and lower your energy costs while giving your home an EPA Environmentally Friendly upgrade.  Be sure to determine what your most basic needs for a remodel are–the “must haves” before you continue to the smaller renovations.
2.  Plan your budget to include low-end, middle, and high-end renovations.  This will give your kitchen contractor a basis from which to work, and will open your options a great deal.  While you may not be able to afford a premium remodel, there are many opportunities to move funds within your budget to allow for some high end renovations while saving money in other less-crucial areas.  Explore all your options and choose a contractor who will work within your budget without trying to “up-sell you” on costly, often unnecessary upgrades.
3. Interview two to three different companies and consider only companies that:

• Offer many choices, styles, and brands
• Provide free estimates
• Understand your budget and show you the math to prove they know how to stay within it
• Are licensed, bonded and insured, and provide numerous references from satisfied customers
• Have experience in a variety of remodeling styles and approaches, including energy saving green building practices
• Guarantee their work to completion on the projected date, and guarantee your complete satisfaction
• Have received awards for excellence in design, service and customer satisfaction

4.  Keep it simple.  In order to avoid becoming overwhelmed with all of the choices that exist, narrow your search to companies that are local, highly rated for satisfaction, affordable while promising quality work within your budget and time frame, and who listen and communicate with you throughout the process.  Choose the company that understands your style, and with whom you feel most comfortable.
5.  Be flexible with your design plans.  Many kitchens can be designed various ways to accommodate your evolving needs.  Be sure to find a kitchen design company that can offer you many different floor plans, cabinetry designs, kitchen counter options, and appliances while staying within your budget.  A creative designer will help you think outside the box, and offer you the latest in affordable design choices, hardware, tile, flooring and appliances.  Knowing your personal style, favorite colors and preferences for appliances ahead of time certainly helps your designer in the initial consultation, but avoid being rigid.  Having several preferences can open the door to options, and may just save you money.

 For your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!

*article from http://www.greensborocabinetrydesign.com/

When is the Best Time for Home Buying?

There are times in a year when it is particularly ideal to go into home buying. Aside from the actual time though, the situation of the buyer should also be considered. Timing in terms of what period of the year it is and timing in terms of the financial condition of the buyer are both important.

If you are on a fence as to whether it is the right time for you to purchase a house, you may have to consider some or all of the factors enumerated here. Below are some guidelines that may help you decide.

1. Market condition. This is quite obvious, particularly to those who are aware of what is going on in the housing market most of the time. The best time to buy, of course, is when it is a buyer's market. This is a point in time in housing when there are more sellers than buyers. As expected, this favors the buyer since the prices will be lower, more choices are available and their power to negotiate is stronger. Sellers will be forced to compete against their fellow sellers for a limited number of potential buyers, so they will be more willing to lower their prices.

2. Unusual time of the year. Most home buyers get into the market during spring. The weather is ideal for house hunting and this is the time when most sellers unveil their best offerings. However, this is also a time when competition among home buyers is tightest since almost all of them have the same goal in mind. If you have the patience for it, it may be best for you to buy during times when most of your fellow buyers prefer to stay inside their homes. Winter months and the weeks leading to Christmas season are examples of such times. If you shop during these periods, you will have fewer competitors and you may just luck out, especially since sellers who have their properties listed at these times are the most motivated to unload their houses.

3. You have resolved your debt issues. If you are at a period in your life where you have multiple debts to pay for, then you may have to reconsider your plan to purchase a residential property. Paying for a mortgage is a big responsibility, so you need to make sure that you do not have other heavy financial obligations when you decide to buy a house. Pay off 75% or all of your debts first before you go into home buying to avoid being weighed down by too many financial obligations.

4. You are ready to settle down. This does not necessarily mean that you are ready to have a family or to get married, although it could also cover these situations. What this means is that you have really decided that you can stay in one place for long. This is important because you need to live at least five years in a home for it to build a decent equity. So, before going into home buying, make sure that you have really decided that it is the right time for you.

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*article from e-foreclosuresearch.com

3 Musts in External Home Improvement

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to keep your home looking as great as the day you first moved into it. Regular home improvement and maintenance will not only make living in it more comfortable, but it could also improve its market value and make it easier for you when the time comes to sell it.

Most homeowners fail to pay attention to the home’s exterior, spending time and money on interior home renovation and improvement projects. You should realize there is no way potential buyers will be motivated to look inside if they do not like what is outside. For this simple reason, you need to make an effort to change the way your home looks outside.

Here are some must dos:
Tackle your home garden
There is nothing which says comfortable and relaxing than a lawn full of well-maintained plants. You need to make sure your garden does not look like a jungle by taming the growth of the grass and other foliage. You should also have some sort of organization to make your garden a backdrop of your home and not the other way around. If gardening is not your thing, you can always hire a professional landscape artist to design your garden and after, you can handle the maintenance yourself.

Spruce up pathways walkways
Many homeowners tend to neglect the paths leading from the road to the house. You need to check whether or not you need to fix it up or simply clean it up. If you do decide to renovate them, make sure your choice of material is both affordable and easy to maintain as well as appropriate for the area. You can choose stones, concrete, bricks or tiles.

Give your home a facelift with fresh coat of paint
You will be surprised at how painting your home’s wall can make such a huge difference. This is perhaps the easiest home improvement project you can tackle and it will not even cost you much. But if you think all your walls need is a good scrubbing to get rid of the moss and other stains, be sure to use a high pressure water hose.

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*article from e-forclosuresearch.com

Home Remodeling Tips for the Bedroom

A home remodeling project can change the way you see your house and the way you feel when you are inside it. Some people feel the need for a change after a few years of living in the same place. If you are one of them, a change in decoration or an altered appearance of your surroundings may help.

You can start in your bedroom since this is a place where you spend nearly half of the 24 hours of each day. Various remodeling options are discussed here to give your bedroom a new look and a new feel.

1. Mix and match. Playing with colors and designs can be a fun way to spend your days and also a great way to change the look of your bedroom. If its current look leans more towards a traditional style, like everything in their proper places and every color complementing each other, a bolder, more adventurous look may be in order. If the dominant shades are neutral or safe colors, pick out some bold furniture, like a hot pink foot stool or couch and combine it with the neutral-colored sheets. Add velvet accents instead of the traditional linen and cotton to provide a bolder look. The key is to throw in bold colors and accents amid neutral and safe materials.

2. Romantic look. If you feel that there is too much going on in your bedroom, tone it down a little and go for the romantic look. Choose just three soft shades that you will use for the sheets, curtains, cabinets, lamps and accents. A combination of white or cream, light blue or green and skin-tone color looks peaceful and quiet. Add romance by putting bed posts and draperies around the bed and soft light to complete the theme.

3. Modern look. This may require a higher budget since you need sleek and modern furniture to give your bedroom a more sophisticated look. Solid colors combined with pricier furniture can give it a contemporary appearance. Put in a huge headboard in solid color and add a shiny, black bedside table. Light browns and blue shades provide a modern look to any room.

4. Play with shapes. Combining rounded lamps with solid, square and rectangle furniture will produce a creative atmosphere. Accessorize with different figurines and table top decors that vary in sizes and shapes to give your room a more adventurous look. You can also use screens or shades instead of curtains to change the look of the room. Warm colors usually go well with this type of design.

5. Stripped-down design. If you have a tendency to feel crowded in when there is too much color and too much furnishings around, remove them and go for a more stripped-down look. Do without the many-colored pillows and sheets and choose a neutral color all throughout. White or cream all throughout – from sheets, to curtains to carpets – is enough to give it a simple look. Break the monotony by adding a single bold-colored lamp. Home remodeling can be as simple as changing colors or removing excess furniture and you can always start the change in your bedroom.

For your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!  

*article from e-forclosuresearch.com