Remodeling: Costs Are Up, Returns Are Down Home remodelers are getting less bang for their bucks. For the fourth straight year, renovation jobs have added less to resale values relative to their costs, according to an annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report released  recently by the National Association of Realtors. One common renovation, a mid-priced bath […]

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 likely to […]

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 and doors, insulation, metal […]

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 even when they’re not […]

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 […]

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 […]

Is Now the Time to Remodel? While selling your home may be tough, remodeling it has gotten easier and adds value… which then makes it easier to sell. But be careful, there are some rip-off artists out there waiting to take your home improvement project on… (video runs 1:33)… We’d love to hear your feedback.  […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]