Expensive Projects Guides

November 29, 2009 by Fred Romano · Leave a Comment

Green Up Your Roof

Environmentally friendly roofing choices can save you money on heating and cooling costs and benefit your entire neighborhood.

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What to Consider Before Installing a Pool

Installing an in-ground pool is an expensive proposition with ongoing maintenance costs, so before you take the plunge, make sure you review the numbers.

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When You Need to Upgrade the Wiring in Your Home

A wiring upgrade can be messy and expensive, but there are times when it’s necessary to protect the safety, convenience, and value of your home.

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Your Guide to Replacement Siding Options

When replacing siding, you’ll often recoup a significant amount of your investment, but there are tradeoffs in maintenance, price, and sustainability.

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Replace Old Windows with Energy-Efficient Models

Adding new energy-efficient windows can pay off at resale, as well as boost your energy savings—$126-$465 annually—if you choose the right ones.

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Filed under Improvements · Tagged with electrical, pool, roof, siding, windows · 148 Views

Local Community Guides

November 29, 2009 by Fred Romano · Leave a Comment

Start a Christmas Tree Recycling Program

A Christmas tree recycling program is good for the environment as well as your peace of mind.

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Plant a Tree, Save Energy, and Grow Value

Plant a tree to add value to your home and have a positive impact on the environment.

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It Pays to Support Responsible Homeownership

Helping others become homeowners protects your home’s value and builds stronger communities.

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5 Ways to Green Up Your Neighborhood

Once you’ve made your home more environmentally friendly, it’s time to extend your mission of sustainable development to the rest of your community.

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Small Steps Let You Live More Sustainably

Making little lifestyle changes will do a lot to enhance sustainability for the planet and make every day Earth Day.

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Filed under Get Involved · Tagged with christmas, energy, green, holiday, savings, tree · 85 Views

Interior Projects Guides

November 29, 2009 by Fred Romano · Leave a Comment

What Your Remodeling Contract Should Say

Review your remodeling contract carefully and adjust it to make sure it protects you in terms of payments, work schedules, and project specifications.

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Remodeling a Bathroom the Green Way

If you want to make sure your bathroom remodeling project is as green as possible, here’s how to save energy, conserve resources, and protect your budget.

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Best Ways to Green Up Your Kitchen Remodel

If you’re ready to remodel your kitchen and want to go green, here’s how to create the healthy, energy-efficient, eco-friendly kitchen of your dreams.

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7 Smart Strategies for Remodeling Your Bathroom

Ideas to help you get the bath of your dreams while keeping costs under control.

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Budgeting for a Remodel

To calculate how much remodel you can afford, follow these four steps: Ballpark the cost, establish a spending limit, make a wish list, and set your priorities.

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Filed under Improvements · Tagged with bathroom, budgeting, contract, green, kitchen, remodeling · 104 Views

Exterior Projects Guides

November 29, 2009 by Fred Romano · Leave a Comment

Smart Upgrades for a Deck Addition

A few cost-effective add-ons can give a modest deck an edge and deliver a handsome payback should you sell your house.

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Evaluate Your House for a Deck Addition

Here’s how to plan a new deck that suits your property, meets your budget, and offers the best return on your investment.

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Installing a Spa on Your Deck

Evaluate the cost of purchasing, installing, and maintaining an outdoor spa to decide if it’s a worthwhile addition to your deck.

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Water-Saving Landscaping Techniques

Pick the right plants for your local growing conditions, and you’ll save water, cut down on maintenance, and still have a beautiful yard.

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Develop a Landscape Plan to Fit Your Budget

The success of any landscaping project, regardless of how much money you spend, depends on having a plan and sticking to it.

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Filed under Improvements · Tagged with deck, landscaping, remodeling, spa, water-savings · 146 Views

Home Tax Credits Guides

November 29, 2009 by Fred Romano · Leave a Comment

Tax Credits for Solar Water Heaters

A federal tax credit makes energy-efficient solar water heaters a more affordable and sustainable option for many homeowners.

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Tax Credits for Replacing Heating and Cooling Systems

Upgrading to an energy-efficient heating and cooling system can save hundreds on your utility bills and up to $1,500 on your tax bill.

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Tax Credits for Replacing Your Roof

Upgrading to a qualifying energy-efficient metal or asphalt roof can cut your cooling bill as well as knock off up to $1,500 from your tax bill.

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Tax Credits for Adding or Replacing Insulation

Adding insulation is one of the easier and cheaper ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and cut your heating and cooling bills.

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Tax Credits for Replacing Windows, Doors, and Skylights

If money seems to be escaping through drafty windows, doors, and skylights, this federal tax credit might make energy-efficient replacements more affordable.

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Filed under Tax Credits · Tagged with insulation, skylights, tax credit, windows · 128 Views

Neighborhood Guides

November 29, 2009 by Fred Romano · Leave a Comment

How to Get a Playground Built in Your Neighborhood

Getting a new playground for your neighborhood can increase property values, but the effort requires time, money, and great organizational skills.

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Stop Speeders in Your Neighborhood

You have the power to slow down drivers on your street—if you’re willing to invest time and perhaps some money in a traffic calming plan.

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Homeowners Associations: What You Need To Know About Rules

Lobbying for change in your homeowners association’s rules requires procedure, compromise, and perhaps joining the board.

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Start a Neighborhood Watch

Organizing a neighborhood watch can bring you closer to your neighbors, improve community safety, and potentially boost home values.

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Start a Community Garden: Find and Design a Site

Find the right spot for your community garden, and you can potentially boost property values while saving money on produce.

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Filed under Get Involved · Tagged with garden, Get Involved, hoa, playground, rules, speeders · 71 Views

Home Organization Guides

November 29, 2009 by Fred Romano · Leave a Comment

Make Your Case for a Property Tax Reduction

To successfully challenge a real estate assessment and lower your property tax bill, you need to do a bit of sleuthing first.

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A Financial Plan for Your Home

A house is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Create a financial plan that takes into account repairs, upgrades, mortgages, insurance, and taxes.

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Create a Home Emergency Preparedness Kit

Having a plan for an emergency and creating a preparedness kit that’s tailored to your needs could be the key to your family’s safety if disaster strikes.

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Homeowners Insurance: Time for an Annual Check-Up

An annual check-up on your homeowners insurance can result in a healthier policy and a healthier pocketbook.

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Your CLUE Insurance Report Matters

Your homeowners claims don’t disappear after your insurer cuts a check because CLUE reports keep them alive for seven years—and that could cost you.

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Filed under Get Organized · Tagged with emergency, insurance, plan, tax · 105 Views

Home Energy Savings Guides

November 29, 2009 by Fred Romano · Leave a Comment

8 Easy Ways to Seal Air Leaks Around the House

For what the typical family wastes every year on air leaks—about $350—you can plug energy-robbing gaps, start saving money, and enjoy a more comfortable home.

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Save Money With an Insulation Upgrade

Beefing up inadequate insulation is one of the quickest energy-payback projects you can do, resulting in lower heating and cooling bills and increased comfort.

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7 Ways to Save on Lighting Costs

Lighting eats up as much as 20% of your annual electric bill, but using energy-efficient bulbs and making other simple changes can cut lighting costs dramatically.

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Water Heaters: 5 Tips to Save Energy

Water heating accounts for up to 25% of household energy costs, but there are inexpensive things you can do to increase efficiency and reduce energy bills.

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Low-Flow Showerheads: How to Choose

Thanks to innovative new technology, today’s super-efficient low-flow showerheads save water, reduce your energy bills, and still feel good to use.

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Filed under Energy Savings · Tagged with energy, insulation, lighting, savings, showerhead · 134 Views

Home Improvements Guides

November 11, 2009 by Fred Romano · Leave a Comment

What Your Remodeling Contract Should Say

Review your remodeling contract carefully and adjust it to make sure it protects you in terms of payments, work schedules, and project specifications.

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5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor

You’re ready to remodel but you want to make sure you get the best contractor for the job. Here’s what to ask the candidates before you decide.

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When It Pays to Do It Yourself

Doing home-improvement jobs yourself can be a smart way to save money, but choose the right DIY projects or you’ll end up paying dearly.

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Budgeting for a Remodel

To calculate how much remodel you can afford, follow these four steps: Ballpark the cost, establish a spending limit, make a wish list, and set your priorities.

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Should You Move or Improve?

Whether to move or improve is a harder question to answer than it was a few years ago, but a few cost-benefit calculations can help you make the right decision.