March 4, 2010
- Ways to Save on Home Remodeling
Ways to Save on Home Remodeling
Here are some simple tips to help you save money when remodelng your home.Have any other interesting ways to save money on home remodeling costs? Share them with our readers by leaving us a comment below. We'd love to hear your ideas.
February 13, 2010
- Make Sure Remodeling Pays Off
Make Sure Remodeling Pays Off
Just a few years ago you could count on getting the bulk of your money back for almost any home-improvement project you took on. Today merely replacing a toilet seat can feel like throwing caution, and cash, to the wind. According to a study from Remodeling magazine, the average return on [...]
February 3, 2010
- Home Improvements on a Budget
Home Improvements on a Budget
There are many first time homeowners these days, due in part to the first time homebuyer tax credits. And for most new homeowners, home improvements are not something you might have a lot of experience in. Chances are your first home isn't perfect, which means you may be considering making some [...]
December 23, 2009
- Remodeling: Costs Are Up, Returns Are Down
Remodeling: Costs Are Up, Returns Are Down
Home remodelers are getting less bang for their bucks. For the fourth straight year, renovation jobs have added less to resale values relative to their costs, according to an annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report released recently by the National Association of Realtors.
One common renovation, a mid-priced bath remodel, for [...]
October 6, 2009
- Home Repairs That Actually Add Value
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Home Repairs That Actually Add Value
Even if home repair jobs add value to your house, only a few get back the money spent to do them.
It is the highly visible repairs that will help most. Unfortunately, the less obvious ones don't attract much attention.
New energy-saving doors and windows are not [...]
August 29, 2009
- Primary Home Upgrades Qualify for Tax Credit
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Primary Home Upgrades Qualify for Tax Credit
Federal tax credits are available for homeowners making energy efficiency improvements to their existing primary homes as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Tax credits of up to $1,500 are available for existing homes in 2009 and 2010 for windows [...]
August 2, 2009
- Money-Saving Tips for Adding Value to Your Home
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Money-Saving Tips for Adding Value to Your Home
Inexpensive projects like these can add a whole lot of value and efficiency to your most important asset – your home.
1 - Unplug: Plugged in toasters, coffee-makers, TVs and other electronic devices in your home actually use a small amount of electricity [...]
June 10, 2009
- How to Haggle With a Contractor
How to Haggle With a Contractor
When it comes to home improvement, haggling on price can be risky. Even if contractors are more willing to lower their prices nowadays, they're still liable to get angry and cut corners on the job.
So how can you haggle with your contractor and not sacrifice on the quality of the [...]
May 18, 2009
- 3 Ways to Reduce Property Repair Costs
3 Ways to Reduce Property Repair Costs
One of the best ways to keep costs down on real estate repairs is to do the work and maintenance yourself. That works … unless you don't have the time or necessary skills. In those cases, you'll have to hire someone to do the work.
Here's how to do it [...]
March 23, 2009
- Is Now the Time to Remodel?
Is Now the Time to Remodel?
While selling your home may be tough, remodeling it has gotten easier and adds value… which then makes it easier to sell. But be careful, there are some rip-off artists out there waiting to take your home improvement project on… (video runs 1:33)…We'd love to hear your feedback. Planning to [...]
December 30, 2008
- Appliances: When to Repair - When to Replace
Appliances: When to Repair - When to Replace
The hot water is no more, or the furnace makes you pull out the blankets. Perhaps your washing machine just spun it's final load.
The question becomes, Fix it, or junk it?
If an electronic device cost less than $200, junk it without further thought. Repairing a relatively inexpensive item [...]
October 29, 2008
- True Costs of Home Improvements
True Costs of Home Improvements
How do you decide when hiring a contractor is the right way to go versus doing it yourself?
Money Editor Stacy Johnson looks at this question in this short video (runs 1:34)…Any comments about doing it yourself versus hiring a contractor? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Just click the comment link [...]
October 12, 2008
- Remodeling? Five Questions to Ask
Remodeling? Five Questions to Ask
Before making any big changes to your home you should ask yourself these big questions:
How long do I plan to stay in my house after the renovations? The longer you plan to live there, the more creative you can be. But if you're planning on selling the house in the next [...]
August 30, 2008
- Tankless Water Heaters: Are They Right For You?
Tankless Water Heaters: Are They Right For You?
If you're in the market to replace a water heater, now may be a good time to consider a tankless variety.
After getting over the initial phobia of not having hot water sitting in a tank waiting for you to use (and wasting a lot of electricity at the [...]
August 19, 2008
- Housing Upgrades That Don't Pay
Housing Upgrades That Don't Pay
Before you dive into a major renovation project to give a house your special signature, consider how long you're likely to stay in the house.
A lot of people get into trouble by going into a home they're only going to be in for a relatively short period of time, and they [...]
May 5, 2008
- Remodeling Your Home: Five Questions to Ask First
Remodeling Your Home: Five Questions to Ask First
If you're planning to tackle a remodeling project this Spring, make sure you know exactly how big a renovation you can afford and whether it justifies the time you intend to spend in your revamped home.
There are 5 big questions you should ask yourself before you even break [...]
April 7, 2008
- Household Junk: Time to DeClutter?
Household Junk: Time to DeClutter?
Many Americans make it a spring rite to de-clutter their homes and get rid of accumulated junk. Usually such efforts require trips to the municipal dump or heated arguments between family members the night before garbage day.
There are thousands of residential junk haulers in the U.S., and they compete within the [...]
January 22, 2008
- Some Home Improvements Are Worth Skipping
Some Home Improvements Are Worth Skipping
Homeowners aren't recouping as many improvement costs as they could in recent years, according to a recent study by Remodeling magazine. In fact, real-estate agents advise clients not to overdo it, regardless of what the local market conditions are like.
To keep costs down and spend remodeling dollars wisely, consider the [...]
January 14, 2008
- Choosing the Right Contractor
Choosing the Right Contractor
Making major improvements to your home is one of the biggest decisions you can make. So who actually does the job is an important decision. How do you find the best contractor? Money reporter Stacy Johnson has some tips.
If you have a question or comment about the video, please post your comment [...]
December 13, 2007
- Is There a Plus Side to the Downturn?
Is There a Plus Side to the Downturn?
It may not be the best time to be selling a house in much of the country. But increasingly, it's a good time to build or renovate one.
The housing slump has pushed down prices on everything from lumber and drywall to labor and design fees. Legions of carpenters, tile [...]
