Aid for Chinese Drywall Owners
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Homeowners with tainted drywall may soon get some assistance, especially if they have an FHA-insured mortgage and are behind on their payments. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said Tuesday it is instructing its FHA-approved lenders to offer temporary help, including a suspension or reduction of payments, to those with the bad drywall. http://www.houselogic.com/news/articles/hud-aids-chinese-drywall-owners/ |
Eliminate Mold from Your Home
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7 Smart Strategies for Remodeling Your Kitchen
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Prep Your Home to Sell | ![]() | Home sweet home improvement – the Coldwell Banker® Network offers tips for upgrading your home and increasing property value . . . Whether you are planning to add more rooms, upgrade your kitchen or want to put your home on the market, the Coldwell Banker Network offers some essential home improvement tips to increase the value of your home. Kitchen makeover. The kitchen is the most popular room in the house to remodel. Most in the industry will tell you money spent upgrading a kitchen produces the highest return on investment. Hot makeover trends include adding dual sinks, cooking stations, bigger dishwashers, under-cabinet lighting, warming ovens and wine coolers. Also consider upgrading all major appliances. Bathroom fixer-upper. Upgrading a bathroom is another sound choice and will often provide a significant return on investment, as large bathrooms typically top the list for those seeking a new home. Adding skylights, sunken whirlpool baths, or larger showers are other attractive selling features. Cosmetic touch-ups. A paint job, new double-paned windows, or new carpeting will increase the price of a house virtually dollar-for-dollar. It is important to make sure your home standards are in-line with other houses in the neighborhood. Neutral colors and no clutter make a world of difference! It is vital to look after minor problems such as a leaky faucet or a loose cabinet to guarantee your house doesn't experience any long-term damage. As soon as you notice a problem, fix it sooner than later to help avoid a larger expense down the road. Home improvement professionals for hire. Whether you need an architect, gardener, interior designer or contractor, it is always important to do a background check prior to hiring a professional. Get references from family or friends and then interview your selection. Important qualities to look for are trust and experience, not initial price. |
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3 Budget-Friendly Decorating Tips With Impact
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You don’t have to spend a fortune to create a well designed, inviting home. Interior designer Lili Diallo, deputy style editor at Country Living magazine, often uses what home owners already own and just tweaks it to create an inviting space.
Here are a few of her budget-friendly tips for home decorating:
1. Move one piece of furniture.
Just moving one furniture item can drastically change the energy and look of a room. Instead of a sofa against the wall, pull the sofa into the room with a console and two lamps behind it.
2. Update the windows.
Window treatments can make a big statement in a room and simply changing them out can give a room an entirely new look. Try white muslin, or loose, white sheer linen panels so the light will come through them and soften the room, she suggests.
3. Add a large rug.
You don’t need two or three small area rugs in one room. Instead, swap them out for one large rug to unify and pull the room together and even enlarge it, she says.
Source: “Decorating Without Breaking the Budget,” The Washington Post (Jan. 20, 2011)
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