Five Steps to a Successful and Profitable Real Estate House Rehab Tracey Drake Oct 16, 2009 Time stands still for no man, especially a real estate investor involved in a residential property flip. A successful house flip can profit by following 5 critical steps. There is possibly no greater business activity where ‘time is money’ than with house flipping. The entire focus in a real estate rehab project is to buy it low, fix it cheap and sell it fast. Funny enough, the single most critical element of a flip that catches even experienced investors off-guard is the unexpected delays and events that affect the timeline and end up costing money. Most investors tend to be self employed...
Getting the Right Contractor or Installer for the Job Sarabeth Asaff Sep 19, 2009 One of the most important steps of undergoing a home renovation is hiring a contractor. Making sure that the one chosen is right for the job is the key. When deciding to start a home improvement project, many people begin by looking at pictures to get ideas for the design. Or they may begin by visiting tile, plumbing, or cabinetry showrooms to get a feel for the cost and availability of products. But when it comes to choosing a contractor or installer, many people may not know how to begin, or how to find the right person for the job. Ask for Referrals Has a friend, family member or neighbor recently undergone...
Important Things to Consider When Planning a Kitchen Design Lauren Flanagan Aug 28, 2009 Outdated kitchens are a common complaint of homeowners. As a result many people are turning to kitchen renovations. Few rooms in the home see as much action as the kitchen. Usually the busiest room in the house, it is used to prepare meals and feed the family, store foods and other household items, and act as the family gathering place. The kitchen is often the centerpiece of the home. As such, it’s important that it is as functional and as up to date as possible, and many people achieve this through a kitchen renovation. When it comes to kitchen renovations, there are several things that need...
By J. A. Young No matter what kind of wood you’ve chosen for your deck or patio, you should protect it with a coat of wood deck sealant. Most exterior wood deck finishes may be chosen according to the look you want to achieve. This article discusses various methods of applying deck finish in order to enhance it decoratively, and also to protect it for seasons to come. Whatever finish you apply, be sure that your wood has been treated with a preservative and water repellant so it will last from season to season. Even redwood and cedar should ideally be treated with water repellant for extra protection. A popular preservative for decking is pentachlorophenol, which is both odorless...
Safe Painting is About Preparation, PPE, MSDS, Storage and Disposal Deborah Read Jul 31, 2009 Elements of a safe painting project can easily be overlooked by the first-time or novice D-I-Y. Once you know what to be aware of, you can keep you and your family safe. Preparation for a painting project in your home is not just about brushes and rollers, masking tape and spill rags. Take the time to ensure that you and all others around you will be safe and remain safe during the job you’re taking on. You’re not properly prepared until you do. Rules for safe work practices are in place because employers have learned what can happen from actual occurrences. With the proper information,...
The space beneath the stairs is one of the least-used spaces in a home, but its potential for storage is great. When deciding how to best utilize this space, keep these questions in mind: What kind of storage is most needed? Can this space be used for that purpose? Am I capable of building or purchasing built-ins or furniture pieces? For homeowners willing to renovate beneath the stairs, the possibilities are endless. Install a wet bar or lighting for a reading alcove. To create more storage space, you can build custom shelving, cabinetry, or drawers. One inspired couple installed kitchen appliances beneath the staircase in their basement; their basement can now double as an apartment to lease...
Hiring a company to do electrical contracting work for your home or business can be a very stressful decision. What if the costs soar half way the job and you can’t afford to continue? This article attempts to provide a good step-by-step guide for choosing the right electrician for the job. Just follow the simple steps below and you will be well on your way. STEP ONE: Get Appropriate Credentials Electrician services companies working in your home must always be licensed and insured in case of problems. Every electrical worker you consider hiring should be bonded, licensed, and insured. They should be willing to let you know their individual state license number. Also, check to see if...
How to Significantly Cut the Cost of Your Major Home Improvement ProjectsWhether you have just purchased a new home or you’ve been living in your house for some time, home improvement projects always seem to be on the to do list. Especially in today’s economy, homeowners are looking for a way to check items off that list and keep to a tight budget. Having recently moved into a new home myself, I have found creative ways to save on a variety of home improvement projects and get the look and quality I desire. Many home improvement projects require demolition. Did you know that often times the cost of the demolition is up to half the total amount of labor quoted on a project? Even...
Bathrooms are a small room in the house where we do our everyday personal cleaning so the bathroom is also the place where we store our personal cleaning items. Small drawers a good to have in your bathroom to store all the personal things that each person in your family needs to keep clean. If everyone could have a drawer to themselves that would work great. But even if you are lucky enough to have your own drawer it can get crowded with all your personal care items. A good rule to do is take some time each month to clean out all of the stuff in your drawer that you no longer are using. If you haven’t used something in the last year throw it out. It probably expired anyway.Go through...
What to Consider when Entering into a Home Improvement ProjectAs crazy as it might sound, employing one particular Clint Eastwood catchphrase from a “Dirty Harry” movie comes in handy when it comes to a home improvement or remodeling project. Clint Eastwood tells us in the movie “Magnum Force” that a “man’s got to know his limitations.” This is an appropriate yardstick by which to measure whether or not one needs to hire a contractor or engage in a home improvement project oneself. There are three avenues one can take to tackle a home improvement remodeling project: hire a general contractor, hire a specialized contractor, or do it yourself.The former...