November 5, 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 [...]
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 [...]
July 13, 2007
- Swimming Pools: Improve Your Real Estate Value
Swimming Pools: Improve Your Real Estate Value
Summer is here and the temperatures are soaring everywhere. During the dog days of summer, there is nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in your own in-ground pool. An in-ground pool not only adds value to your real estate, a swimming pool provides year-round entertainment and enjoyment [...]
July 10, 2007
- Home Improvements That Won't Break the Bank
Home Improvements That Won't Break the Bank
If your house is in need of 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 [...]
July 4, 2007
- Home Renovations: Think Smart
Home Renovations: Think Smart
The thought of renovating your home to improve the price it will bring on the real estate market is an appealing one. The question any home owners should be asking themselves is "what does my home NEED in order to obtain a higher selling price?" Many home owners overlook obvious things their [...]
June 24, 2007
- Making Room for Parents
Making Room for Parents
The emotional and financial advantages of opening your home to a parent can be great. You won't have to stress about whether they are taking proper care of themselves - you'll be able to see for yourself and help as needed. And if your mom or dad becomes frail or chronically ill, [...]
June 20, 2007
- Fix-ups That Can Speed Your Home Sale
Fix-ups That Can Speed Your Home Sale
You don't have to spend a fortune renovating your house to ensure a quick sale at the best price. Some of the most effective fix-ups are also the cheapest.
Spending just $400 to $500 on fresh landscaping, for example, can boost your home's value by $1,600 to $1,800, according to [...]
