I must say, I’m very excited about the new version of my e-book on affordable home remodeling, which I’ll be completing and releasing very soon. It will have all of the same great tips and design ideas as my first version to help you through your own home remodeling projects, but I’ve got some terrific surprises as well. This time, I’m welcoming two guest contributors who have provided me with some excellent content that I know you will enjoy reading.

Kevin Contreras is the host of Building Green TV on PBS, and is an old friend of mine from our college days. He has become quite prominent in the green construction movement. In his chapter of my e-book, he provides some fantastic tips on how you can remodel with as little capital outlay as possible, resulting in a home that costs less to operate, is healthier to live in, and has less impact on the environment. You’ll love it!

Mark MacKenzie runs a real estate brokerage and information firm in Phoenix, and he is the author of the Amazon.com #1 best-selling real estate book, Marketopoly, and he has another book due out soon called, It’s the Housing Market, Stupid. In his chapter of my e-book, he provides some great information on housing market trends, timing the market for maximum profit, buying low, selling high, etc.  It’s a great read, especially for someone who is looking to be an investor in this difficult market.

I’ll have the new version out soon!

Seek simplicity, comfort, and value!

If you are a homeowner considering home remodeling projects to boost the sales value of your home, then you definitely must focus on high-value-added projects that are appropriate to your market and neighborhood. Many seemingly desirable home upgrades simply will not return the value invested through enhanced sales price. Especially in today’s housing market, it’s absolutely critical that you spend your remodeling dollars wisely—especially if you are planning to sell soon after the remodel is complete. Importantly, do not overextend yourself financially, because it might take awhile to sell, even with the improvements.

Whether of not you plan to sell your house in the near term, resale value should always be a consideration whenever you are planning out a home improvement project. In fact you should be thinking ahead to resale before you even buy a house, because you never know when circumstances will change. Know in advance why you are doing the project (e.g., for resale or for personal enjoyment), and don’t naively assume it will give you a dollar-for-dollar increase in home value.

Also, consider the lifetime cost of an upgrade, especially if you are planning to stay in the house for awhile. As an example, vinyl-covered wood-frame double-pane windows might be desirable for their triple benefit: strength, energy efficiency, and low maintenance. (It never hurts to think Green when remodeling!)

For the highest impact projects, I suggest starting with stunning, continuous floors (preferably hardwood), interior & exterior paint (preferably bright, neutral tones), inviting curb appeal (including landscaping), and clean, clutter-free living areas. I go into much more detail in my e-book.

Above all, seek simplicity, comfort and value!

Today I’d like to mention a product that my friend Conrad up in Hailey, ID is marketing. It’s called CarbonicHeat (http://CarbonicHeat.com), and he advertises that it’s the newest and most advanced method of providing radiant heat to your home. According to his web site, the heat film was invented in South Korea where radiant floor heat has been used for centuries, and today, 90% of Koreans use under floor radiant heating in their homes.

Laura
(Learn more about home remodeling at http://TransformYourHouse.com)

Here’s a gross topic for today: Mold.

Mold can be quite insidious. From what I understand, it is widely present in your outdoor environment but at low concentrations. However, when it starts growing in or under your house, it can cause elevated concentrations in your indoor environment and lead to “black mold,” which can result in allergic reactions, asthma attacks, headaches, or worse.

Sounds yucky, right? Well it is…but it’s also fixable, in most cases.

A recent remodel I performed had mold and mildew issues from moisture in the crawl space, and it required more than just remediation & encapsulation. I also needed to redirect the drainage to prevent moisture from pooling under the house, and I installed an intermittent fan system in the crawl space as added insurance that it would remain dry thru proper ventilation.
 
We knew about the mold when we bought the house, through both visual inspections and indoor air quality testing. However, the sellers flatly refused to deal with it, believing that mold is an overblown issue that opens a never-ending can of worms once you start addressing it.

Although it’s usually advisable to walk away from such a situation, we felt that the problem was manageable, so we bought the house (at a good price) and performed the required work. And if you discover mold prior to putting the house on the market, you can be pretty certain that it will come up during inspections, so it’s better to address it in advance.

Although I like to perform or manage most of my own projects, this was definitely a job we gave to a reputable firm that specializes in mold work! One caution, however: You’ll find all sorts of recommended solutions (including lining the whole crawl space with plastic), so be sure to talk to a variety of contractors and get references.

Seek simplicity, comfort and value!

To learn more home remodeling tips and advice, please visit:
http://HomeUpgradingIdeas.com

Today, let’s talk briefly about furniture, decor, and finishing touches. You can really transform a home simply by the way you furnish it, dress it up, and clean it up. In fact, you might be able to avoid or substantially reduce a costly home remodel with attention to detail.

Furnishings, in particular, whether for your own enjoyment or for the staging of a home for sale, can dramatically impact the feel of a home. You can find great stuff at specialty import furniture store sales…or in places like Craig’s List, eBay, estate sales, or newspaper classified ads. I have found rich leather chairs and sofas (nicely broken in and comfortable), and gorgeous slip-covered couches — all at reasonable prices.

Also, I like to mix furniture styles. Although some experts prefer to keep a consistent theme throughout a home, I like to use diverse pieces and combine them in fun and interesting ways. I’ll combine cottage, contemporary, traditional, and rustic; or I’ll use Western, African, Indonesian, Mexican, and Asian pieces, prints, and artifacts in various combinations or from room to room. Why not spice it up with flair?

Go for an easy and unobstructed flow between rooms. Big comfy furniture, a big-screen TV, and a sturdy coffee table (avoid thin glass around kids and pets) are a good bet.

All the details count, including things like window treatments, baseboards, crown molding, doors, hardware, countertops, tile, shower doors, sinks, faucets, chandeliers & lighting, ceiling fans, light switches & outlets, hanging pot racks, accent pieces, open space & freedom of movement, and of course, furnishings.

For window treatments, I generally like a layered look, relying upon wood blinds or rollup shades to block out the light, with the curtains or drapes serving mostly as decor, enhanced by stylish curtain rods, finials, and hardware.

( I talk a lot more about all of this in my ebook, including lots of pictures and project specifics:
http://TransformYourHouse.com/ebook1 )

When staging for sale, some agents will say that a home should be shown empty so that a buyer can better imagine their own furnishings in it. But I believe that homey beds & bedding, armoires, sofas, coffee tables, dining sets, TV and electronics, oriental rugs, desks and bookcases, if appropriately sized and placed for space and flow, can positively impact a buyer’s impression of your home.

Try to look at your furniture objectively. If it’s not up to par, move it out and replace it with a more clean and appealing look. Borrow or rent appropriate furniture if you have to.

And before you jump into a remodeling project, consider first whether simple changes to your furniture, decor, and design details might be an affordable alternative.

Seek simplicity, comfort and value!

To learn more about my design ideas and plenty of other important tips, visit:
http://TransformYourHouse.com

Appliances, fixtures, and details — including hardware, lanterns, molding, window treatments, electrical switch plates, etc. — can make a home seem fresh and sophisticated, even if they aren’t the most expensive brands.

As far as I’m concerned, you can’t go wrong with a stainless steel finish for appliances. It is extremely popular and classy. It works with any design motif, including contemporary or rustic. Just be careful not to scratch it when you clean it!

For plumbing and electrical fixtures, you should avoid that ubiquitous shiny brass finish. Instead, I particularly like oil-rubbed bronze, antique brass, or brushed nickel finish. I also really like wrought iron decorative pieces, like chandeliers, sconces, towel rods, door knockers, etc.

I talk about this topic at length in my e-book:

http://www.TransformYourHouse.com/ebook1

Seek simplicity, comfort and value!

For most homebuyers today, the bedroom is no longer an afterthought. For kids, it has always been a place to play, study, or hang out. But for adults as well, it is no longer strictly utilitarian, i.e., not just for sleeping and hanky-panky. Rather, the bedroom has become a retreat for relaxation, exercise, private quiet time away from the family, etc. So, it has become desirable for it to have more in the way of space, comfort, decor, and amenities.

The master bedroom should be your safe haven–a sanctuary where you can relax and find privacy from the stresses of the world, including family.

Here are a few tips:

* Don’t skimp on the bed size or mattress quality.

* Enhance the bed with an attractive frame/headboard/footboard, large comforters, and decorative pillows.

* Use flooring that is both attractive and comfortable. Although I usually avoid carpet, it can help make a bedroom feel warmer. However, it can also trap dirt, moisture, and allergens, which in turn can disrupt your sleep if you have allergies. I prefer hardwood with decorative rugs.

* Brighten & enlarge living spaces using lighting, paint, and window treatments, but also ensure that the room can be completely darkened when it’s time to sleep.

* Install a ceiling fan over the bed or in the middle of the room, both for decoration as well as for circulating the air to make it more comfortable on those hot summer nights.

It can be quite easy and affordable to transform a dreary bedroom into a cozy sanctuary. And it not only makes it more enjoyable for you, but also (if you are intending to sell) it enhances the ambiance of the home in the eyes of a prospective buyer.

Seek simplicity, comfort and value!

Get more information at http://HomeUpgradeIdeas.com

Let’s discuss indoor living spaces. Today’s homebuyers invariably expect bright, spacious, airy living rooms and family rooms. If possible, these rooms–which are generally intended for high activity–are near or adjacent to the kitchen, which has evolved into the central gathering and entertaining area. In fact, if a living area isn’t near the kitchen, it probably isn’t getting enough use.

This has relegated the old style living room (a.k.a., great room)–often situated far from the kitchen in older home designs–into something akin to dead space, rarely seen by human eyes. Oh sure, you intend to use it whenever you have guests…but somehow you just can’t get anyone to leave the kitchen and go there.

Once upon a time, the great room was reserved for adults, often for the men folk to share a nightcap and a cigar after dinner. But today, many families turn it into a game room with billiards, ping-pong, card tables, and a big-screen TV, just to get some use out of it.

When you walk into a living room or family room, you want it to feel warm and inviting. To me, flooring is the most important feature, and you don’t want to cover it up with lots of clutter and obstructions–although an oriental rug can accent it nicely.

Here are a few tips:

* Flooring is your most important feature–make it continuous and stunning

* Brighten & enlarge living spaces using sunlight, lighting, paint

* Remove obstructions to vision and movement

* Furniture and amenities can make it or break it

As always, seek simplicity, comfort and value!

Learn more:  http://HomeUpgradeIdeas.com

Paint is a key enhancement for both interiors and exteriors. Of all the things you can do to freshen up a home for the least expense, paint is far and away the most cost-effective.

Sorry, but I’m not a big fan of wallpaper, although it can work if simple in design (no flowery prints, please.) If you have existing wallpaper in your home, you can try removing it and re-texturing the wall (if necessary), but if it is strongly adhered, you might be able to paint right over it. It has worked for me before.

If the ceilings have an acoustic (”popcorn”) sprayed surface, I highly recommend that you consider scraping it off and retexturing the ceiling smooth. (Beware, however, of possible toxins like asbestos in older acoustic ceilings.) Popcorn is an indication of cheap construction, so it’s best gone from your home.

The hardest part of choosing a color is visualizing how it will look in your home based solely on a swatch from the paint store. In general, light neutral earth tones (e.g., eggshell, almond, cream, sand, biscuit) or mediums (e.g., gray, taupe, beige) always work well. However, don’t discount darker colors altogether. Using deeper neutrals (e.g., chocolate, charcoal) for the main wall color, or adding more contrast, can make a large room seem more intimate and cozy.

In my e-book, “Transform Your House! How to Update & Upgrade (Without Major Remodeling),” I identify some inexpensive interactive software programs that let you colorize images of your own rooms so you can test a color before you paint.

http://www.TransformYourHouse.com/ebook1

Also, help your paint do its job of lightening the mood of the house by doing what you can to let in more sunlight. That means things like lightweight curtains, clean windows & screens, skylights and Solatubes.

As with the interior, paint is the most cost-effective wonder cure for the exterior of a “plain vanilla” or older home, especially if you can apply it yourself. There are so many colors and textures available to add vibrancy and character, but be careful about getting carried away with anything too crazy. What you like might not appeal to others, so stick with neutral colors.

If you like to make frequent updates to your decor, painting your home in a neutral allows you to do things like change the color of your front door or repaint your house trim without having to repaint the entire house.

But don’t be afraid to experiment with effects like a faux finish or sponge texture. After all, you can always paint over it. In fact, I have been known to go through several applications of various colors and effects before settling on something, and even then I might change it again in a month or two!

Seek simplicity, comfort and value!

Flooring–especially dramatic hardwood or tile floors–can totally transform an interior and dictate the feel of the entire home from the moment you enter. It is the one of the most critical design features of your home.

Ever walk into a house with no furniture in it? If the floors are a mish-mash of old and new carpet, tile, and wood laminates, your impression is immediately negative. But if the floors are a continuous hardwood throughout, you undoubtedly will be impressed. I firmly believe that you can make more impact on your interior from beautiful floors that flow throughout the house than from any other single improvement. But with so many choices of flooring, which type should you go with?

Well, let me start by saying … I hate carpet! I don’t want to offend anyone, but in most applications I prefer to avoid carpeting. I like wood floors first and foremost, followed by tile, for most of the house. Ceramic, Travertine stone, or marble tile works best in the bathrooms, although hardwood also can work well in the bathrooms and kitchen so long as you are diligent about mopping up puddles of water.

Okay, I’ll admit that carpet might be okay for certain uses, like bedrooms, family rooms, or dens. It certainly costs less, which is a big plus. And for kids’ rooms, carpet provides greater warmth and helps insulate, and it’s much easier on the kids’ knees when they play on the floor. But carpet also tends to breed or trap bacteria, dust, pollen, moisture, assorted allergens, pet smells, bugs, and other sorts of undesirable things.

For expansive floors, nothing compares to wood. Hardwood traps none of those undesirable things and can completely transform your home all by itself. And although wood laminates can be more affordable, I personally prefer real hardwood boards (in an alternating variety of lengths and widths) laid over a plywood base–with a good moisture barrier.

Are you trying to live “green”? Wood flooring that is considered green, or environmentally-friendly, includes bamboo, cork, eucalyptus, and engineered oak.

Are you looking for something inexpensive? In general, I prefer to avoid vinyl or linoleum; however, I acknowledge that the cost incentive is hard to ignore. You might consider higher-quality inlaid linoleum for a laundry room, pantry, or even a bathroom, but stick with decorative patterns such as black & white checkerboard or faux stone.

Seek simplicity, comfort and value!

Learn more:  http://HomeUpgradeIdeas.com