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	<title>Quality Home Improvement &#187; Time And Money</title>
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		<title>Home Improvement Project Tips</title>
		<link>http://www.akwos.org/home-improvement-project-tips-2</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:35:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.akwos.org/home-improvement-project-tips-2</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[think it is any surprise that a major home improvement project will not only take time and money, but it also takes proper planning to get the job done right. When it comes to planning, probably the most important aspect of the project is buying the materials for the job. By doing a little research [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>think it is any surprise that a major home improvement project will not only take time and money, but it also takes proper planning to get the job done right. When it comes to planning, probably the most important aspect of the project is buying the materials for the job. By doing a little research you can, not only find the materials you need, but cut some cost and time out of your budget as well.<br/><br/>Comparison shopping is the single most important part of your planning for the job. This takes time and effort, but you will quickly find out about the wide variety of prices and quality in the market place. The old adage “you get what you pay for” is very true in the remodeling world. Super stores or big box supply stores have great prices, but a good amount of their product is manufactured for their own private label, therefore the super store dictates the quality of the product. You might see some good prices, but the quality may very well be lacking.<br/><br/>Don’t be afraid to shop online. There are a ton of websites out there that specialize in various categories that can save you a ton of money since they don’t have the high overhead that is associated with the retail environment. When it comes to lumber (2&#215;4’s, plywood, etc..) you won’t find much of a difference, but for the fixtures, cabinets, lighting, and items like these, you can save as much as 50-60% by doing a little bit of research. There are literally thousands of websites for construction materials. By searching for closeout deals and alternative products to the name brand items, you can easily trim down your budget.<br/><br/>I touched on this earlier, but it is important to take a moment to talk about quality. The big name brand companies that supply the mega home improvement stores do a very good job of convincing you that they have a name you can trust (and that the quality will be there). While there are a lot of categories in which they do offer high quality products, there are some that you are better off getting from a specialty store. One example is paint. If you’re buying paint, don’t go with the big box retail brand. These stores tell you it is quality paint, but if you go to a real paint store like MAB or Sherwin-Williams; you will get a much better product and they will be more knowledgeable about the product.<br/><br/>The same is true for countertops and flooring. Once again, you can find all of these items in the mega stores, but the quality is just not there. Ironically, Home Depot and Lowes have very little to do with the flooring and countertops other than brokering the sale. They outsource the installation and most of it they don&#8217;t even stock in the store, especially the countertops. If you were to run into a problem with the product or how it was installed, it just becomes of battle of who is at fault. By working with a specialty countertop or flooring place, you can usually find a better deal on some closeouts and you know exactly who you are dealing with when you are signing the contract (it all comes back to the perception that the big stores have created about having the best price on everything, which is nearly impossible in the real world).<br/><br/>The other advantage of dealing with the smaller businesses has to do with the installation. Scheduling deliveries and installs can throw off your entire project time line if just one of the components isn’t completed when you need it to be. Time is money, so having an installer that you can rely on is just as important as what you are paying for the work to be done. By working with a local company, they are more likely to work around your schedule than the bigger outfits that will force you to work around theirs.<br/><br/><br />
<em>By: <strong>Gary Nealon</strong></em><br/><br/></p>
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		<title>Home Improvement Loans: The Key to Selling Your Home in a Sluggish Market</title>
		<link>http://www.akwos.org/home-improvement-loans-the-key-to-selling-your-home-in-a-sluggish-market</link>
		<comments>http://www.akwos.org/home-improvement-loans-the-key-to-selling-your-home-in-a-sluggish-market#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:03:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.akwos.org/home-improvement-loans-the-key-to-selling-your-home-in-a-sluggish-market</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[to sell your home in any market can be difficult, but selling your home in a sluggish market can be entirely frustrating. If you intend to sell your home in today&#8217;s market, there are a couple of home improvement tips that might help entice buyers.Most potential buyers will look at two things first: the state [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>to sell your home in any market can be difficult, but selling your home in a sluggish market can be entirely frustrating. If you intend to sell your home in today&#8217;s market, there are a couple of home improvement tips that might help entice buyers.</P><P>Most potential buyers will look at two things first: the state of your kitchen and the condition of your bathroom(s). This is precisely why many homeowners try to remodel kitchens and bathrooms before a home sale. However, there&#8217;s a right way and a wrong way to go about kitchen and bathroom remodelling.</P><P>The first thing to do is stop thinking about things that you like. This may sound kind of strange, but the trust of the matter is that most buyers will not enjoy your personal decorating taste. Thus, if you spend a fortune on art deco sinks and black plastic cabinets you may repel some buyers.</P><P>Instead, choose bathroom and kitchen materials that are neutral, classic, and understated. If you try to think of your home as a blank canvas, then creating a wide open space will be easier to do. In short, stay away from any unique colors, accessories, and fixtures.</P><P>Aside from the kitchen and bathroom(s), take a good look at your outdoor area. If your yard is covered in endless vines and lots of rough patches, you might want to step up your home&#8217;s curb appeal. You can do this on your own with the help of a home improvement store, or you can hire a professional landscaper if you are less than talented when it comes to yard work.</P><P>While every home seller should invest in making home repairs, most people skip this step due to a lack of funds. However, time and again it has been proven that making necessary home repairs and improvements will lead to a sale. So, what do you do? Do you choose to spend some time and money fixing up your home, or do you leave it for the next person to do (with the hopes that they will see past your home&#8217;s present flaws)?</P><P>Home experts agree that making necessary renovations and repairs is crucial when it comes to selling a property. This means that you&#8217;ll have to try and come up with the money to make those repairs and renovations &#8211; not an easy task.</P><P>One way of getting the cash that you need to make those home adjustments is to apply for a private loan. Private lenders often approve home improvement loan applications, and (unlike a bank) you won&#8217;t have to wait for months to get the money that you need. Some loans such as car title loans can even be given to those with bad credit since they are secured by the value of the borrower&#8217;s vehicle. While banks fall short of lending home improvement money, private lenders are always willing to help you get the funds you need to sell your home fast.<BR /></P><br/><br/><br />
<em>By: <strong>Molly Wider</strong></em><br/><br/></p>
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		<title>Big or Small Home Improvement Projects &#8211; Planning Comes First</title>
		<link>http://www.akwos.org/big-or-small-home-improvement-projects-planning-comes-first</link>
		<comments>http://www.akwos.org/big-or-small-home-improvement-projects-planning-comes-first#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:32:55 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.akwos.org/?p=220</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Everyone loves their homes and most families, including myself, enjoy spending time and money on home improvement projects to make their houses look better and more comfortable. If you have just decided to start a home improvement project on your own, here are some things you should consider to make sure that your project would [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="body">
<p>Everyone loves their homes and most families, including myself, enjoy spending time and money on home improvement projects to make their houses look better and more comfortable. If you have just decided to start a home improvement project on your own, here are some things you should consider to make sure that your project would be completed perfectly.</p>
<p>In every home improvement projects, big or small, planning is of utmost importance. It is very important to come out with a detailed plan for achieving your goals. This is to ensure that your project will proceed in the right direction and end up as what you have in mind.</p>
<p>Whether you are adding a room, building a deck or simply installing new cabinets, you should always cater some time to plan what you want in mind first before you start to work on your project proper. By doing so, your progress would definitely be smoother and end results more successful.</p>
<p>To help plan a home improvement projects, there are the three main things that you need to consider:</p>
<p>1. Set your priorities before you begin<br />
You should have an idea of what you want and get your priorities right first. There are generally 3 elements of priorities where one can choose from namely: Speed, Cost and Quality. As a rule of thumb, most people can only achieve 2 out of the 3. It would be wise for you to choose what priorities you want first before you start your project.<span id="more-220"></span></p>
<p>For example, if you deem cost and quality as important priorities, one would usually need to spend more time in choosing the right material and working on the project itself and vice versa.</p>
<p>2. Cost Estimation</p>
<p>You should have a general idea of how much you want to invest into your home improvement project and work on that budget. Nothing is worse off than not having enough money to finish the whole project. To get a good feel of material cost, do some homework online or simply walk into your neighborhood home improvement center.</p>
<p>3. Gather your tools and resources</p>
<p>Make sure that you have the right tools and resources to do the job in advance. If your current toolkit does not have certain specialty tools to do the job properly, you might have to explore buying, borrowing or renting them. Some jobs might also require two people for safety reasons; you might want to get additional help before you work on that part.</p>
<p>Remember that most home improvement projects require a variety of different tasks, and more often than not, these tasks would require different skills and expertise ranging from design, construction, plumbing, and wiring to finishing. You might not have all the skills set to perform all of them. You can actually engage the help of a professional for certain tasks so that your progress would not come to a standstill.</p>
<p>Go on. Start planning your home improvement project today. With the correct planning and effort, your dream home would not be too far way!</p></div>
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		<title>Need Help Getting Started With Your Next Home Improvement? 5 Tips For a Stress Free Home Remodel</title>
		<link>http://www.akwos.org/need-help-getting-started-with-your-next-home-improvement-5-tips-for-a-stress-free-home-remodel</link>
		<comments>http://www.akwos.org/need-help-getting-started-with-your-next-home-improvement-5-tips-for-a-stress-free-home-remodel#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:59:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.akwos.org/need-help-getting-started-with-your-next-home-improvement-5-tips-for-a-stress-free-home-remodel</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Great helpful Tips to consider for a stress free home renovation. Have fun with your remodeling process. Read these 5 tips before your next home improvement.1. Have a Plan:Start with the end in mind (have a vision of what you want to accomplish) and do not get overwhelmed with all the details. Set a reasonable [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Great helpful Tips to consider for a stress free home renovation. Have fun with your remodeling process. Read these 5 tips before your next home improvement.<br/><br/><strong>1.</strong> <strong>Have a Plan:</strong><br/><br/>Start with the end in mind (have a vision of what you want to accomplish) and do not get overwhelmed with all the details. Set a reasonable budget and an allowance for unexpected expenses on larger projects. Set a practical deadline as discussed with your contractor.<br/><br/><strong>2. Get Recommendations: </strong><br/><br/>Talk to friends and family to see if they have any Home Improvement Contractor recommendations. Ask to see previous work (Pictures and if possible, ask to speak to previous clients). It pays to hire the professionals.<br/><br/><strong>3. Do your research:</strong><br/><br/>Research the products you wish to add into your home and educated yourself with what type of design. When you choose the right Home Improvement Contractor, he/she will be more than happy to help in this early stage of the project. Now is the time to make critical changes to your project (look at different designs) and this will save yourself time and money.<br/><br/><strong>4. Start with one project:</strong><br/><br/>It&#8217;s best to start in one area of your home if possible. This way your Home Improvement Contractor can finish one part of the home at a time. Unless you are undertaking a larger renovation, finish what has been started and then have your contractor move on to the next project.<br/><br/><strong>5. Communication:</strong><br/><br/>Communicate with your Home Improvement Contractor. Set up meetings with your contractor as necessary within the critical parts of your remodel. Bring up points such as time-lines, budgets, etc. It&#8217;s your remodel; you should be entitled to know how things are going.<br/><br/>Most importantly, remember to have fun. Being a Home Improvement Contractor, I understand that this process is supposed to be fun for the client. Choosing different materials and shopping for products should be enjoyable and it is when you allow yourself ample time. Upgrading your home may seem like a daunting task now, but by following these 5 helpful tips, it will help with a Stress Free remodel.<br/><br/>Enjoy the results!<br/><br/>For more helpful tips and information, visit us online at http://www.travisrobertrenovations.com Visit our website to see photos of our work and to see how we helped our clients design and build their spaces, the stress free way. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have on your next home improvement.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br />
<em>By: <strong>Travis</strong></em><br/><br/></p>
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		<title>Home Improvement Projects That Add Value to your Home</title>
		<link>http://www.akwos.org/home-improvement-projects-that-add-value-to-your-home</link>
		<comments>http://www.akwos.org/home-improvement-projects-that-add-value-to-your-home#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:01:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[There are several home improvement projects that you might be itching to do but unless you plan to live in your current home forever or if money is not an issue, choose those home improvement projects that add value to your home rather than decrease from it.How can home improvement projects decrease value from your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are several home improvement projects that you might be itching to do but unless you plan to live in your current home forever or if money is not an issue, choose those home improvement projects that add value to your home rather than decrease from it.<br/><br/>How can home improvement projects decrease value from your home? This can happen if you choose to personalize your home so much that no one else wants to buy it or if you install such archaic elements in your home that it takes you back in time instead of in the future. So, if you have home improvement plans in mind, chalk out a realistic budget and go for those areas which will pay back the time and money of the project plus give you some profit too.<br/><br/>Flooring<br/><br/>Fashions change and now people are turning back to solid hard woods and laminate flooring like Pergo as oppose to carpeting. While carpet may have been very popular a decade ago, now apart from bedrooms, it is no longer in vogue. If you do have some money for home improvement, get wooden floors for your home. That will increase the value of your home, make it appealing to prospective buyers who may have allergies and it will save you money in the long run as carpets always get dirty no matter how much you care for them.<br/><br/>Kitchen<br/><br/>Research shows that kitchens make and break deals to buy homes. Even if all American families do not cook as much as they used to, the kitchen still is the focal point for all members to convene to for homework, bill paying, snacking and of course meal preparation and consumption. If you can invest in stainless steel appliances, do so. This home improvement idea will surely pay you back as stainless steel refrigerators and other appliances are the rage right now. If you can save space with over the counter built in microwaves add other such ideas, go for it. No one has ever said they do not like extra kitchen counter space.<br/><br/>Replace countertops with granite as it fives a very posh, regal look and hides many scratches and other spillover effects of regular kitchens. Do not go for a very new granite color; stick to the neutral tones as found in your kitchen cabinets and flooring. Add a tile backsplash for easy cleaning and some pull-out drawers in lower cabinets and you have a kitchen to die for.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br />
<em>By: <strong>Amos Grham</strong></em><br/><br/></p>
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