October 4, 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 27, 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 [...]
July 30, 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 [...]
July 11, 2009
- 5 Cheap Do-It-Yourself Repairs
5 Cheap Do-It-Yourself Repairs
In today's economy, everyone is looking for ways to save money. Here are 5 cheap home repairs you can make today that will save money tomorrow. (Video runs 1:29)Have questions or comments? Use the comment link below. Your email address will never be published with your comment for your privacy and protection.
June 11, 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 [...]
February 27, 2009
- Remodeling: Which Area is Best?
Remodeling: Which Area is Best?
Thinking of remodeling your home? Trends and times have changed. It used to be that the best place to invest your remodeling dollars was in the kitchen or bathroom updating. But to make your renovation dollar go furthest, focus on the part of the house everyone sees first.
Replace or repair your [...]
December 31, 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 30, 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 6, 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 26, 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 15, 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 [...]
July 26, 2008
- Biggest Water Wasters
Biggest Water Wasters
Are you flushing water (and money) down the toilet every month? You may not think you're a water waster, but maybe you should find out:
Stacy Johnson has more in this short 1:31 video…
So how much water are you wasting every month? Any other ideas for saving water and/or electricity? Tell us about them… [...]
May 15, 2008
- Home Improvements: Prices Improving?
Home Improvements: Prices Improving?
When it comes to food and fuel prices, they're going through the roof. But what about the roof itself? There the news might be a little better. Stacy Johnson takes a closer look in this short (1:18) video.
Tell us what you think… we'd love to hear YOUR opinion. Use the comment [...]
April 30, 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 11, 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 24, 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 [...]
January 16, 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 [...]
December 7, 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 [...]
August 7, 2007
- Home Fixes Everyone Should Consider
Home Fixes Everyone Should Consider
Whether you are buying a home or selling a home, there are some home fixes you should be concerned with.
One of the biggest concerns revolve around safety, not whether the walls are freshly painted or not. You should be concerned about the critical systems of the home and whether or not [...]
July 22, 2007
- Four Easy Home Improvements
Four Easy Home Improvements
If your house needs a makeover, but remodeling is beyond your reach, try these four simple fixes:
Touch-up exteriors. Repainting the trim and front door of your house can significantly boost its curb appeal. This kind of retouching work is easy on the budget and can be done in just a couple [...]
