Houston Real Estate Blogosphere
Houston Real Estate Blogosphere brings together all the blog posts of REALTORS from the Houston area in one place
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Home Improvements & Repair
The most recently published posts in the Home Improvements & Repair category
Green homes can net higher sales prices, according to a new study conducted by the University of California. Researchers analyzed 1.6 million home sales from 2007 to 2012 and found that green-certified, single-family homes sold for $34,800 more — or 9 percent more — than comparable non-green-certified homes in California.In California, cities that also had the most electric vehicles and most eco-c...
Read Post [Posted on 05/23/2013 By John Askins]
Whether you are buying a home or getting ready to put your home on the market, putting wood floors in your home may be on your to-do list. With all of the wood floor options out there today, it can be hard to choose the one that works best for your home. As with fashion and design, wood floor styles change over time. Wood floor color trends get lighter or darker, planks get narrower or wider, the ...
Read Post [Posted on 05/22/2013 By Susan Greer]
When it comes to remodeling, exterior replacement projects have routinely rewarded home owners with more bang for their buck.This year is no different: REALTORS® recently rated many exterior improvements as among the most valuable home investment projects as part of the Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report.Two additional siding replacement projects were in the top 10, including foam-backed vinyl ...
Read Post [Posted on 05/22/2013 By John Askins]
The benefits of regularly changing the heating and air-conditioning filters
are obvious to homeowners; the real challenge is creating a system to make sure
it gets done.
A reasonable schedule would be to replace it with a new one-inch pleated
filter every 60-90 days. Households with shedding pets should consider replacing
them every month. Some people change their filters every mo...
Read Post [Posted on 05/20/2013 By Valery Smith-Blank]
More borrowers are exploring financing options to cover the costs of rehabbing properties they buy. “Rehab” loans are surging in popularity, according to a New York Times article.
“We’re seeing an explosive growth in these loans,” says Ed Brehm with Prospect Mortgage, one of the country’s largest processors of 203(k) loans. The spike in demand is from the higher number of bank-owned propert...
Read Post [Posted on 05/16/2013 By John Askins]
Thinking about remodeling your floors and countertops, then this video is for you.
VIDEO: http://livewellnetwork.com/Deals/episodes/Floors-and-Countertops/8416176
To find our more about me visit my Web site at www.michellerayproperties.com or give me a call at 832-715-5819. You can also look me up on Facebook by searching Michelle Ray Properties.
Michelle L. Ray - ABR, CN...
Read Post [Posted on 05/15/2013 By Michelle Ray]
Professional-grade appliances often take up more space than their standard counterparts, but they can provide extras that — if you really love cooking — make them worthwhile. A pro-grade refrigerator, for instance, allows you to keep plenty of fresh produce and cold beverages on hand. Most models also give you the ability to set separate temperatures for their various compartments.Drawer-sty...
Read Post [Posted on 05/13/2013 By Diana Walton]
Homeowners who regularly cook and entertain need kitchen spaces that are functional, efficient and beautiful. Even if your culinary creations are more often inspired by Chef Boyardee than Chef Gordon Ramsey, the right layout, surfaces, sinks, storage and appliances can make your kitchen a star.The terms "chef's kitchen" and "gourmet kitchen" are tossed around a lot these days. Within the rea...
Read Post [Posted on 05/13/2013 By Diana Walton]
CREATE AN OUTDOOR SPACE, SPRUCE UP YOUR UGLE CONCRETE WITH STAIN OR STAMPING, ADD A PATIO, PERGOLA, OUTDOOR KITCHEN. Buyers LOVE THIS and will pay a little more to have it all complete and ready to go!Examples of some great work and ideas:http://bedrocklandscapesportfolio.shutterfly.com/832-731-5883All of these are GREAT improvement to your property and will add profit when you sell! ...
Read Post [Posted on 05/13/2013 By D'Evereaux Baum]
More investors are rehabilitating homes and looking to sell them for profit, a move known as flipping.
RealtyTrac recently evaluated more than 600 metro areas to find where
flipping single-family homes offers some of the highest returns based
on the investor’s gross profit. The top eight metros for house-flipping
are:
Orlando
Average purchase price: $103,701
Average flipped p...
Read Post [Posted on 05/10/2013 By John Askins]
More than 80 percent of new single-family homes have at least two bathrooms, which occupy an average of 300 square feet of floor space, or 12 percent of the total area, according to a study by the National Association of Home Builders.The home builder’s study reports a major return on value for extra bathrooms: "When the number of bathrooms is approximately equal to the number of bedrooms, an addi...
Read Post [Posted on 05/10/2013 By John Askins]
How to Choose Stock Kitchen CabinetsBy: Deborah R. HusoBuying stock cabinets for your kitchen remodel can definitely save you money. Here are some tips to help you make the right buying decision. Stock cabinets typically come in standard sizes and colors. If you want something different, you could paint them and add different hardware. Image: Yankee Barn Homes Buying stock cabinets inste...
Read Post [Posted on 05/09/2013 By Amanda Nicodemus]
Not every home owner can splurge on a total upscale kitchen redo, now pegged on average at $111,000, according to the latest Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine. Many home owners don’t even have the funds for a minor kitchen remodeling project, which is placed at around $20,000.But a lack of funds isn’t necessarily the only issue. Even home owners with fat wallets and a love of congrega...
Read Post [Posted on 05/08/2013 By John Askins]
