What You Can Achieve With Home Renovation Services

Online Florida auto insurance quotes: That car insurance rates differ from insurer to insurer is no longer news. Don't be surprised if you realize that an insurer somewhere charges a fraction of what you're paying for a comparable plan. If you have an existing plan, you could be the one who pays double the premium others pay for a comparable package. Here's how to ensure you don't pay more than your should.

Getting a good number of online Florida auto insurance quotes will only require a few minutes. This way, you will even lift your savings to a new height as you will be able to contrast rates and packages and be able to make truly informed decisions on what's best for your vehicle insurance. Add the ease of use and you will realize that there's no reason to get your quotes any other way.

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

With sites that return online Florida auto insurance quotes you won't have to flip through the Yellow Pages or call anyone. You can, with just one request, get assorted rates from up to five insurers on several of these insurance quotes websites. To ensure you get all the help you need, some even provide live chat facilities.

And the process is also very simple: An online form is presented to you in order to capture details that will help them determine your rate. Shortly after you will receive rates from a number of insurance companies that are licensed to provide auto insurance in Florida. When you're done with obtaining as many online Florida auto insurance quotes as you can from several sites, contrast them to pick the best price to value ratio.

Remodeling Your Home The Right Way - Making it Pay!


** Proper Remodeling MAKES you money!

Remodeling your home properly can actually MAKE you money! New home construction costs are soaring, so there are certain financial gains that can be achieved from remodeling and existing home - and, these gains are greater than ever before!

Basically, remodeling adds equity and therefore capital gains that can be deferred until the home is sold. In addition, tax laws have made remodeling even more attractive to the investor by limiting the tax write-offs allowed on new investment property. The trick is not to overspend -- your objective is to spend one remodeling dollar and build more than one dollar in additional equity in your home.


** Remodeling Mistakes Can COST You BIG Money!

Know the value of your home in its market. If you are in a neighborhood where homes like yours are only selling for $200,000, then spending $50,000 in remodeling is very unlikely to produce a positive ROI on the remodeling project.

Have a good honest independent appraisal done of your home and pick only on the projects that will increase the value of your home. Reasonably priced kitchen and bathroom remodels work extremely well. For these big jobs always use qualified professionals in the renovation. In many U.S. states virtually anybody can claim to be a remodeling contractor. These may not the people you want renovating your home! YOU want contractors with a verifiable history of successful projects and financial stability.

REMEMBER THIS: YOU assume financial liabilities when you hire a contractor. So, make them prove they are reputable. Did You Know ... If a remodeling contractor performs work on your home but does not pay his supplier for the materials, the supplier can put a lien on your home.


** Go for Cosmetic Improvements!

These remodeling improvements include interior and exterior, painting, new trim, new flooring, cleaning up of unsightly areas, landscaping, and other items that damage the appearance of the home. Most people's impressions of a home are made in the first 5 minutes, and are always related to how the home looks and feels.

Home marketing experts have long known the power of color and texture to influence the moods and perceptions of the buying public. That's why so many plain products are sold in fancy packaging. The proper use of paint on a house can, in the first 5 minutes, influence a potential buyer to buy your home.


** Simple Painting Produces a Great ROI!

Painting your home inside and out is the cheapest and most productive cosmetic improvement you can make - colors... colors... colors...

This is what a fresh paint job does and why:

  • Makes the home appear clean and fresh...
  • Eliminates "old house" odors...
  • Covers patches and imperfections in walls...
  • Makes a room appear larger and brighter (if the color is right)...

Avoid these painting mistakes:
  • Only choose exterior colors that complement your neighborhood and the period flavor of the house...
  • Avoid interior colors that are too wild or bright. Allow accent pieces in the house to provide the bright colors.


** Curb Appeal - you have to get them in the door!


Simple Painting Produces a Great ROI!
Along with good exterior painting of your home, certainly spruce up the landscaping, but make it an improvement -- not an investment!

No real curb appeal is possible without an attractive yard. Many older houses are overgrown with large foliage that obscures the house and produces a dark or dreary atmosphere. Trim large plants to expose your home. Add some small accent plants around the yard can make the yard appear "well groomed". If your lawn suffers from poor upkeep or bare spots, consider rock or foliage gardens to cover the affected areas.

Whatever you do, don't overspend on landscaping. A few landscaping dollars can go a long way. Excessive landscaping will not increase the value of your home a great deal. In fact, it can reduce home value if the buyer perceives hours spent in the yard grooming, cutting and pruning.

** Kitchens and Bathroom Must Sell Your Home!

So paint and landscaping got them in the door -- now close the deal with the kitchen and bathrooms. Minor kitchen remodeling can be quite cost efficient and entail as little as new floor coverings and painting of the cabinets. But, a major kitchen overhaul can bring a greater return on investment than minor face-lifts. The idea is to produce more space, cleanliness, brightness, newness. Even new cheap appliances help produce what you are after.

Recent trends are toward lavish and spacious baths. The two-bath house has become a standard. Adding a second bath to a home may not return its full value, but it eliminates a major obstacle in selling a home. Because of the high cost of tearing out old fixtures and installing new ones, consider doing some of the work yourself. Tasteful decorating and a wise choice of fixtures will quickly add to the general value of your home without costing a small fortune. Estimating a remodeling project can be a real challenge, since many necessary repairs may be hidden behind walls and floor coverings.


and FINALLY...


Living with a remodeling project can be a stressful endeavor -- Projects never go as smoothly as expected and invariably encounter delays. Plan for this and learn to live with it! Regardless of whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional, remodeling an occupied home can be challenging and dangerous. Be prepared for dirt, sawdust, interruptions of electrical and water service, noise and general inconvenience. Don't under estimate the psychological toll this will take on your and your families' personal life.

Successful Tips For Home Renovation

Online Florida auto insurance quotes: That car insurance rates differ from insurer to insurer is no longer news. Don't be surprised if you realize that an insurer somewhere charges a fraction of what you're paying for a comparable plan. If you have an existing plan, you could be the one who pays double the premium others pay for a comparable package. Here's how to ensure you don't pay more than your should.

Getting a good number of online Florida auto insurance quotes will only require a few minutes. This way, you will even lift your savings to a new height as you will be able to contrast rates and packages and be able to make truly informed decisions on what's best for your vehicle insurance. Add the ease of use and you will realize that there's no reason to get your quotes any other way.

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

With sites that return online Florida auto insurance quotes you won't have to flip through the Yellow Pages or call anyone. You can, with just one request, get assorted rates from up to five insurers on several of these insurance quotes websites. To ensure you get all the help you need, some even provide live chat facilities.

And the process is also very simple: An online form is presented to you in order to capture details that will help them determine your rate. Shortly after you will receive rates from a number of insurance companies that are licensed to provide auto insurance in Florida. When you're done with obtaining as many online Florida auto insurance quotes as you can from several sites, contrast them to pick the best price to value ratio.

Are You Ready for Green Home Remodeling? - 6 Ways to Tell

Why Now is the Right Time for Green Home Remodeling

Going green is an uber-popular trend these days, and nothing says eco-friendly and trendy than green home remodeling. In addition to saving the Earth and showing people that you're "hippie-luxe" and savvy when it comes to home improvements, green kitchen renovations and other energy-saving upgrades will save you money for years to come. Additionally, you'll also be surprised to see that you might begin to save money immediately - by finding money in places you couldn't have imagined before!

Are You Playing Hide and Seek with Your Money?

I'm sure you're looking for ways to save as much money as you can, especially with the recent turn of events in our economy. American homeowners and small business owners have seen energy costs rise along with everyday expenses - including gas! Were you aware that with the recent turmoil in African countries such as Libya and Egypt, we can stand to see our gas costs skyrocket to $5 per gallon?! With expenses like these, you and I have to take as many carefully planned steps as possible to secure the financial future of not only ourselves, but also our families... and this also starts with taking a good look at where our money is going.

6 Ways to Determine whether Your Home Drains Your Wallet

Here are some of the most common household and building issues people experience that suck money out of your wallet.

  • Drafty rooms where windows are in need of insulation or replacement, or where doors aren't properly keeping air from entering or leaving the home.
  • Uncomfortable room temperatures that can indicate air leakage that might cause you to raise your heat and cooling costs.
  • Cluttered and disorganized rooms that cover risks related to poor indoor air quality, including toxic black mold and dust mites.
  • Unreasonably high utility bills that have since become normal in more recent months.
  • Dry rot and other continuous maintenance issues overtaking your home that never seem to be fully resolved.
  • Outdated appliances that were purchased in 1990 or earlier, making them over 20 years old.

If these problems seem familiar, consider the impact of green home remodeling and what it can do for your wallet. Sure, it may be an investment upfront, but the monetary benefits will pay you back over time. Proper home remodeling and interior design of eco-friendly products and materials will not only improve your home, but the quality of your life. Cluttered spaces will become livable and breathable, allowing you to exhale in peace after the stress of a long day. You can experience the beauty of strong bamboo plank flooring, for example, that keep your floors beautiful and resilient against pests. You will be able to comfortably sleep at night once you've implemented successful changes to your energy and water system that save you money and allow you to enjoy a stable temperature in your home, no matter what time of the year it is.

Six Million Dollar Home Renovation - Sign of the Times

Online Florida auto insurance quotes: That car insurance rates differ from insurer to insurer is no longer news. Don't be surprised if you realize that an insurer somewhere charges a fraction of what you're paying for a comparable plan. If you have an existing plan, you could be the one who pays double the premium others pay for a comparable package. Here's how to ensure you don't pay more than your should.

Getting a good number of online Florida auto insurance quotes will only require a few minutes. This way, you will even lift your savings to a new height as you will be able to contrast rates and packages and be able to make truly informed decisions on what's best for your vehicle insurance. Add the ease of use and you will realize that there's no reason to get your quotes any other way.

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

With sites that return online Florida auto insurance quotes you won't have to flip through the Yellow Pages or call anyone. You can, with just one request, get assorted rates from up to five insurers on several of these insurance quotes websites. To ensure you get all the help you need, some even provide live chat facilities.

And the process is also very simple: An online form is presented to you in order to capture details that will help them determine your rate. Shortly after you will receive rates from a number of insurance companies that are licensed to provide auto insurance in Florida. When you're done with obtaining as many online Florida auto insurance quotes as you can from several sites, contrast them to pick the best price to value ratio.

Kitchens and Baths Receiving More Attention in New Home Design

At the height of the housing downturn the most impacted areas in new home design were also once the most lucrative: kitchens and baths. For several years new home owners passed on popular and expensive add-ons to their kitchens and bathrooms such as water filtration systems, large pantry areas and natural wood cabinets. However, a recently published A.I.A Home Design Trends Survey indicates these functions and more might see a comeback.

Renovation and remodeling contractors want to make the most of a renewed interest in these once popular amenities. Homeowners who passed on the functions to save money during construction are now more interested in having it installed after the fact. Meanwhile, some architects report an upward trend in the kitchen space requested by customers during the design of their new homes. What might it mean for renovation and remodeling contractors? More business.

The area that received the most attention was the kitchen. 22 percent of respondents in the A.I.A report said the size of the kitchen is increasing in new home design and construction. The rediscovered focus on size opens up the possibility of remodeling and addition work that can be done in this popular and lucrative sector. The dominant feature requested for new kitchens are renewable materials. Almost half of the surveyed architects said that materials such as bamboo, cork and concrete are becoming increasingly popular.

Bathrooms are a different story. The report suggests their size and quantity is remaining stable but with an added emphasis on accessibility of design. The trend towards more accessible, safer bathrooms has long been anticipated by contractors as current generations choose to stay in their homes into old age. Doorless showers and handheld shower heads are a popular addition to customer bathrooms.

Contractors are already beginning to mount advertising campaigns aimed at these unique customers. It remains to be seen if homes constructed in the residential downturn will become the latest, hottest market.

Overall, the report indicates a trend of stabilization in the design of kitchens and bathrooms with notable upticks in certain areas. Savvy renovation and remodeling contractors are cashing in on the number of households that renounced popular features during the downturn. Meanwhile, others expect more remodeling and addition options as the size of kitchen and bath design continues to increase in new home construction.

Check out the AIA's full fourth quarter of 2010 Home Design Trends Survey Report.

Great Ideas on Home Renovations and Contemporary Kitchen Cabinets

Online Florida auto insurance quotes: That car insurance rates differ from insurer to insurer is no longer news. Don't be surprised if you realize that an insurer somewhere charges a fraction of what you're paying for a comparable plan. If you have an existing plan, you could be the one who pays double the premium others pay for a comparable package. Here's how to ensure you don't pay more than your should.

Getting a good number of online Florida auto insurance quotes will only require a few minutes. This way, you will even lift your savings to a new height as you will be able to contrast rates and packages and be able to make truly informed decisions on what's best for your vehicle insurance. Add the ease of use and you will realize that there's no reason to get your quotes any other way.

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

With sites that return online Florida auto insurance quotes you won't have to flip through the Yellow Pages or call anyone. You can, with just one request, get assorted rates from up to five insurers on several of these insurance quotes websites. To ensure you get all the help you need, some even provide live chat facilities.

And the process is also very simple: An online form is presented to you in order to capture details that will help them determine your rate. Shortly after you will receive rates from a number of insurance companies that are licensed to provide auto insurance in Florida. When you're done with obtaining as many online Florida auto insurance quotes as you can from several sites, contrast them to pick the best price to value ratio.

Remodeling to Make Accommodations

When you think of home remodeling, you probably think of extending a room or changing cabinets in a kitchen or modernizing an older home. Yet there is a whole new market of people needing home renovations - the elderly.

Renovations for the Elderly:

According to a recent CNN report, home renovations for the elderly are on the rise. These types of renovations are the fastest-growing segment of the remodeling industry, said James Lapides of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). NAHB's recent study concluded that 75 percent of remodeling companies have seen an increase in requests for so-called "aging-in-place" work.

The "Certified Aging in Place" Specialist program, offered by the NAHB Remodelers Council to teach professionals how to modify homes for older adults, has increased in enrollment, according to Lapides. Representatives of NAHB and the AARP created the program in 2002. Over 1,000 participants have learned building techniques and structural awareness for accommodating physical needs. (CNN, "Builders: Home Renovations for Elderly on the Rise", by Grace Wong)

Statistics Show Elderly Want to Stay in Their Homes:

According to the AARP, 83% of people over 45 own their own homes. A 2003 AARP survey, "These Four Walls," sampled this group and found that 75% expect to stay there for the rest of their lives. 51% envision making changes so that can happen.

In addition, The National Association of Home Builders conducted a survey of remodelers and learned that:

o 75% reported getting more requests for "aging in place" projects

o 60% had done "aging in place" projects. Of those:

o 43% were for customers aged 45 to 54

o 76% were for customers aged 55 to 64

o 67% were for customers 65 and older

Remodelers reported that clients wanted aging-in-place remodeling because:

o 75% were planning for future needs

o 53% were living with older parents

o 46% had acute, age-related disabilities

o 23% had acute disabilities unrelated to aging

(realestate.msn.com, "Elegant Remodels Allow 'Aging in Place'", by Marilyn Lewis)

A Remodeling Project:

Some families are bringing older relatives to live with them and extending a part of the house to accommodate that change. Others are making modifications for physical reasons, such as widening doorways for wheelchairs, lowering bathtub walls and adding support bars. Other modifications simply include updating an older home because of wear and tear. However, the going trend is to do it all with style.

An example of an accommodating remodeling project occurred in a California backyard. A playhouse was rebuilt to become a livable apartment for one family's 70 year-old father with Paget's disease. Building aspects of the apartment include a walk-in shower with no obstructing ledge at the entrance, two-inch-square commercial nonskid tile, lever handles instead of doorknobs and an anti-scald device to keep water temperature even. (realestate.msn.com, "Elegant Remodels Allow 'Aging in Place'", by Marilyn Lewis)

Suggestions for Remodeling:

If you are contemplating a remodeling project, keep the future in mind. You can make simple changes now for what may be needed many years in the future. Sam Clark, a builder and author of "The Real Goods Independent Builder: Designing & Building a House Your Own Way" and "Remodeling a Kitchen", provides the following suggestions for changes to make to your home to accommodate the physical bodily changes that occur over time:

o Remodel your home so that you can live on the ground level if necessary.

o Widen doorways to accommodate wheelchairs.

o Plan the front entry to be as level with the ground as local building codes allow. Eliminate stairs with sloping sidewalks.

o Try to think way ahead. For example, in a bathroom remodel, install reinforcement for grab bars.

o Plan for a lot of storage within the "optimal reach zone" - the space between 20 inches and 44 inches above the floor to a depth of 20 inches away from your body.

o Use drawers instead of cupboards where possible.

o Install lever handles throughout the house.

o Use hard flooring or choose an attractive, low-pile commercial carpet.

o Place electric outlets higher than usual and switches lower.

o Install a shelf outside the front door so you can put down packages while searching for keys.

Additional tips from the Home Remodelers in New Jersey (www.homeremodelersgroup.com) further suggests vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is made to look like real wood and it never needs painting, preventing any hazardous maintenance or painting. Vinyl windows are also suggested; they are easy to clean and energy efficient.

DIY Home Renovation Tips

Online Florida auto insurance quotes: That car insurance rates differ from insurer to insurer is no longer news. Don't be surprised if you realize that an insurer somewhere charges a fraction of what you're paying for a comparable plan. If you have an existing plan, you could be the one who pays double the premium others pay for a comparable package. Here's how to ensure you don't pay more than your should.

Getting a good number of online Florida auto insurance quotes will only require a few minutes. This way, you will even lift your savings to a new height as you will be able to contrast rates and packages and be able to make truly informed decisions on what's best for your vehicle insurance. Add the ease of use and you will realize that there's no reason to get your quotes any other way.

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

With sites that return online Florida auto insurance quotes you won't have to flip through the Yellow Pages or call anyone. You can, with just one request, get assorted rates from up to five insurers on several of these insurance quotes websites. To ensure you get all the help you need, some even provide live chat facilities.

And the process is also very simple: An online form is presented to you in order to capture details that will help them determine your rate. Shortly after you will receive rates from a number of insurance companies that are licensed to provide auto insurance in Florida. When you're done with obtaining as many online Florida auto insurance quotes as you can from several sites, contrast them to pick the best price to value ratio.

Home and Garden Show Trends

Recent spring home and garden shows showcase the latest trends in home design and remodeling. Some of those trends include:

Going Green - Energy-efficient HVAC systems and appliancessave you money on your utility bills and can also save you money on your taxes. Homeowners doing renovation or remodeling work to their primary residence may deduct 30% of a project's cost, up to $1,500. Many exhibitors were touting the tax benefits of geothermal heating systems, high efficiency solar panels, solar water heating systems, insulated vinyl siding, and solar ceiling fans.

Luxury Features - Homeowners may have cut back on their remodeling budgets, but some luxury items are still hot, including bigger and better hot tubs, built-in wine racks for the kitchen, and water features in and on decks. Faux finishes and murals for ceilings and walls still appeal to many consumers, but in a nod to recent green awareness, some companies now advertise the use of low VOC paints.

Recent Trends Still Popular - Year-round sunrooms remain a cost-saving remodeling option for many homeowners. Granite is still the biggest thing in kitchen countertops, although Silestone and other manufactured stone finishes remain a viable option. Glass tile is continuing to grow in popularity, and stainless steel is still the finish most consumers prefer for appliances.

Do It Yourself - The economic downturn has created a resurgent interest in do-it-yourself, especially among women. A number of booths were exhibiting ergonomic tools and tools designed specifically for women, right down to a smaller size and pink or purple handles.