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Home Improvements to Focus On

On July 27, 2011, In Building, By Mark Munns

There is a home equity crisis going on in the US. First there was the economic crash of 2007 (yes that is still rearing its ugly head), then real estate foreclosures, and now those who have managed to hold on to their homes are facing negative equity. To show just how bad it really is, consider the statistics released by CoreLogic in June of 2011. According to their data, 22.7% of homeowners have negative equity. In Canada, it’s less than 3% (according to the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals in May 2011).

Having little, zero or negative equity in an investment means you actually owe more than your assets are worth and are basically utilizing the property on borrowed time. It is definitely a scary place to be, especially if covering the mortgage payments and taxes is nearing impossibility. When homeowners get to this point, they usually want to sell the property and downsize. That is when negative equity will become a real problem. Not only will you walk away from the home with no money, but you won’t have a place to live or means to purchase another home. If it is at all possible, homeowners struggling with negative home equity are best advised to try and ride out the storm.

Of course the other option is to make home improvements that add value to the home, which may then add to the sale price enough to get you out of the hole just a little bit. At the very least, some improvements should reduce the energy costs both for your immediate benefit and the benefit of a buyer. Let’s begin with a few green ideas.

Assess the energy efficiency of the home. Are there a lot of cold voids in wall cavities, attics, crawlspaces, covered decks etc? Do windows and outer doors seem to ‘leak’ air? Does it seem to take awhile for a room to heat up when the thermostat is turned up? If so, then your home is literally leaking home heating and cooling dollars. The use of spray foam insulation will make a huge difference, even if it is just in the attic. Closed cell polyurethane foam can seal up even the smallest crack or space, thus stopping air flow. In addition, a closed cell foam is water resistant so there is no fear of mold or mildew should a leak occur. Oh, and critters can’t dig their way in either.

Continuing with the subject of greening the home, it would be a great idea to change all incandescent light bulbs over to energy efficient fluorescent ones. Converting showerheads to high pressure water saving devices is an excellent way to save cash as well. Disconnect heaters in places that do not really need to be heated, like hallways, bathrooms, entryways and garages. Set up a clothesline so laundry can be air dried in good weather, rather than using the dryer. Use cold water for laundry and start doing the dishes by hand on a regular basis instead of using the dishwasher. The savings will begin to add up and no doubt you will see a reduction in home energy costs.

Taking energy savings measures definitely attracts home buyers, but larger improvements are also quite beneficial. Let’s begin with the big ticket item: the building exterior. Adding a maintenance free-exterior to the home may cost a bit of money, but it will certainly play a huge role in attracting buyers. Since so many families are forced to have both parents working for longer than previous generations, there is little time for extra home maintenance. Having an exterior that does not require painting or plastering every two to five years is a very attractive prospect. Plus, a new exterior will give the home a whole new face, making it look brand new again. That alone may increase the value of the property.

Kitchens are the core of the home. They may also be the most used room in the house, so they get a lot of abuse. Does your kitchen need a makeover? Since the kitchen is so important to homeowners, ask yourself if you would want your current kitchen as it is right now. If your answer isn’t a resounding ‘yes’, then it’s time to renovate. Painting is a good start; even re-facing the cabinets might be a good idea. However, if money is short then it may be prudent to assess the need to replace the counter against the need for cabinet re-facing. If possible, update the appliances to current models. There is no need for top of the line stainless steel behemoths, few functional kitchens can accommodate them and most people don’t want them anyway. A mid-range model will do just fine. Also, add a few cabinet organizers if possible. It is a small gesture that goes a long way towards enticing a buyer. When there is organization, they can visualize themselves stocking the cupboards.

Negative equity in a home is not the end of the world. If it is at all possible to ride out the storm, then do your best. In the meantime, making the above improvements will empower you as a homeowner. You will begin to see the real value in your home, not just what the mortgage statement says.

Mark Munns is a representative of Spray Foam Direct. We supply quick and easy do-it-yourself foam insulation kits which will save you money and energy.Visit us online today or check out our blog at foam it green!

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How To Choose An Electrical Contractor

On November 13, 2010, In Building, By Mark Walters

Electrical jobs in the home are not always an easy undertaking. The idea of all of that wattage coursing through the home can be very intimidating when performing repairs, but it is imperative that an electrical issue is resolved as soon as possible before it becomes an overly expensive proposition. If you do not feel comfortable completing an electrical job yourself, contact an electrical consultant, but ask some questions before you hire one.

If your potential electrical contractor represents themselves ask them for proof that they maintain general liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Electricity is not something that is easily tamed, so you want to be sure that any damage that may possibly arise to the house or people inside while the job is being done are covered by the contractor’s insurance. If the electrical contractor is not covered, it might be a good idea to move on to the next candidate because you could end up with expensive insurance claims of your own or an exorbitant lawsuit.

One of the best methods by which to measure any business’s reliability is to find out how long they have been in business. This applies when hiring an electrical contractor as well. Ask the contractors whom you contact how long they have been performing the job, because someone who has been at it for several years has more experience than others and is likely still in business because past customers have been satisfied with the work. Be sure that the electrical contractor you are considering for the job is also certified to complete the job you need done. There are many disciplines within the electrical field and therefore many certifications.

One thing you certainly do not want to do when looking for an electrical contractor is hire the first one you speak to. It might require some work, but find contractors who provide free over-the-phone estimates. The extra effort will be worth it in the long run because those who cannot or will not do it might be unorganized, inexperienced, or simply lazy. Be sure that even if they give you a free estimate that they will not charge a trip fee if they come out to your property. Shop around until you find free estimates with no strings attached.

Think of hiring an electrical contractor the same way you would when hiring anyone or buying anything. Look for someone with a good reputation who offers quality work at a fair price. Go with the electrical contractor who meets your needs and fix your electrical problem right away.

Now Try : M&E Contractors

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DIY Tools Guide: From Beginner to Expert.

On March 19, 2010, In House plans, By Martin Davis

You probably sometimes think that you would find a rabid monkey to fix the broken seal in your back door rather than waiting around for Cowboy Bob to ride in on his Ford Rip-off and tell you it’s going to cost three times the price it actually should. There isn’t much of a difference, except the monkey probably smells better and won’t drink all your tea and eat all your biscuits. We have fallen on hard times. We’re not fools. The politicians may be telling us we’re on our way out of the credit crunch, but we know better.

There is a simple solution to this problem. Do it yourself. You might think DIY is just the cause of bodge jobs and nasty accidents, but it’s an excellent way to save money should you plan ahead and ensure you know how to handle the tools you have to hand. We’re talking simple jobs like repairing holes in the walls, putting up shelves, hanging pictures, fixing the cars and reshaping doors and not extending the back bedroom or building a conservatory. Some things should be left to the professionals.

First of all, you need to know what your basic tools are. You can buy them separately, or if you want to just get it all out of the way and buy the lot, you can easily find sets that have everything you need for everyday odd jobs. Most kits include screwdrivers, a spirit level, hammer, spanner, chisel, tape measure, pliers and a Stanley knife. Of course, though these seem like the babies of the tool world, they still require at least a little bit of skill to handle. They can cause a lot of damage if handled incorrectly are likely to cause bruises even when they are!

Safety is one of the most important considerations when endeavouring to DIY. Everyone has heard the statistics, and the last thing we want is for you to add your name to the number. Purchasing goggles, gloves and masks will make an excellent addition to your DIY basics and are also going to be vital to keeping your free from injuries and chemical fumes.

If you consider yourself more of a novice, you can probably move onto the slightly more edgy DIY items; the power tools. These definitely aren’t for those who aren’t in the know-how. You shouldn’t try using them to make yourself look cool, either, because you’re only going to end up losing an eye or a finger.

What makes power tools especially dangerous is the added threat of electricity. A jigsaw isn’t going to stop sawing unless you switch it off – all the yelling in the world isn’t going to achieve that, so it’s best you don’t get anything you value too near to the blade. Power tools don’t suddenly turn you into John McClane. In fact, if you end up losing a limb, you’re going to end up a lot more like peg-leg Captain Barbossa than rugged womaniser Captain Han Solo. On the plus side, so long as you know how to handle them, electric drills, screwdrivers, planes and jigsaws will come in very handy for bigger DIY jobs.

The advanced tools are only for those amongst you who already know how to handle heavy pieces of kit. A hammer to the thumb or pinch from the pliers is nothing compared to the physical harm these pieces of equipment (routers, chopsaws, sanders) can cause if you don’t have the right safety gear and don’t know exactly what you’re doing. Don’t say that you can just figure it out, otherwise you’re going to be figuring out what you’re big toe is doing on the other side of the room. Find someone who knows what they’re doing.

Check-lists are excellent tools on their own for helping you get starting DIYing. If you have a nice, friendly list of everything you need to perform a job, then you know there is nothing you’re going to forget. Saves you the headache from forgetting something vital, doesn’t it?

adflyer will help you to find the best DIY tools at excellent prices.

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