Atlanta Real Estate News

(ARA) - Upgrading the kitchen is on many homeowners' "to do" list. And for good reason. A minor kitchen remodel ranks fourth on the list of the top 10 home improvement projects that deliver return on investment, according to Remodeling magazine's 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report.

But whether you're in it for the investment, or just to freshen up the space in your home where people spend the most time, a new kitchen look could be a fun, impactful improvement to your house. Some may start with a weekend project and a $40 can of paint, while others will jump into a $50,000-plus remodel. Either way, one thing is for sure - you can't go wrong with a beautiful, highly functional kitchen.

A simple refresh
If time or budget constraints limit you to changing just a few basic elements of the kitchen, focus on things that make the most impact. Even novice do-it-yourself homeowners can complete many of these items on their own:

* Paint the walls. Painting always tops the to-do list when a mini makeover is in order. It's an affordable, high-impact way to change the decor of a kitchen. If you're not changing out cabinets or countertops, be sure to select a color that complements those major elements.

* Add new accessories. Switching out the small decor details in a kitchen can make the room feel entirely new. Maybe it's replacing bar stools at the island, reupholstering pillows or a bench cushion, or even hanging a few new pieces of art or photos on the wall.

* Change the faucet. Often underestimated, the kitchen faucet has a lot of influence in the overall style of the room. Choosing a more up-to-date pull-down or pull-out faucet not only improves the look of the room, but can add significant convenience and functionality.

"Faucets in the kitchen are much more than what they used to be," says Kevin McJoynt of Danze, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing faucets and fixtures. "They play an important role in setting the decor and focal points of any kitchen."

A full remodel
Homeowners throughout the country are staying in their homes longer than they once did. Because of that, significant remodeling projects tend to rise to the top of the priority list. If you're in it for the long haul (or even to ensure you get that return on investment), a complete kitchen remodel could be for you.

When the entire room footprint is your canvas, the possibilities are exciting. While a contractor is recommended for most of these projects, make sure you're involved in exploring the options that will help you use this space as wisely as possible (yet provide beautiful decor in the process):

* Install display shelves. This hot kitchen trend is an eye-catching alternative to hanging wall cabinets. Taking down cabinets is a pretty simple task for two and hanging the shelves is even easier.

* Evaluate the flow of the workspaces. Adding more water sources to your room could improve efficiency and ease. Consider a simple, yet beautiful faucet on the island for prep, a pot filler by the stove to help while cooking, and a hard-working faucet at the main sink for clean-up.

* Mix and match your surfaces. Replacing countertops is one of the most noticeable changes to any kitchen venue. Quartz surfaces are a popular choice, providing a unique combination of quality, hygiene and a look of natural stone. Selecting a lighter color surface for the perimeter and a darker, bolder color for the island is a great way to add another design element to the room.

"With today's growing popularity in cooking and a rise in the number of at-home chefs, kitchen flow and workspace needs are critical aspects to consider when completely remodeling your kitchen," adds McJoynt. "The sink and faucet choices for each of these areas can play a big role in the functionality and enjoyment of the space."

Manufacturers such as Danze offer a wide range of faucet styles in various functional designs, according to McJoynt. So, whether you're looking to enhance a traditional decor, add sleekness to a contemporary professional-grade room, or something in between, leveraging faucets and other elements can help set the tone for the entire room.

To learn more about the beauty and variety of Danze, visit danze.com.

(ARA) - When spring arrives with its bright sunshine, fresh air, vibrant colors and light, do you find yourself regretting the decorating decisions you made last fall or winter? It's natural to incorporate the season into your home decor, and the best way to do that is with design touches that can change as easily - and quickly - as the seasons themselves.

While you may love the bright reds and greens of the holiday season or the lush lilacs and blues of spring and summer, making them the foundation of a room's design can leave the decor feeling out-of-step when the seasons change. By starting out with a foundation of neutral colors in walls, flooring and furnishings, you can add colorful and seasonally appropriate accents.

Updating your decor to complement the season is as simple as focusing on a few key areas.

Lighting

It's easy to overlook, but lighting is a key element in room design, and one that needs to change with the season.

In spring and summer, when sunshine is abundant and the days are longer, you can rely more on natural light. During warm months, you may only need artificial light late in the evening, when the advanced hour makes soft, muted light appropriate. Winter's shorter days and weaker sunlight lead to greater dependence on artificial light throughout the day, so your lighting design should include options that can be used throughout the day.

Most rooms will benefit from a mixture of overhead lighting, floor lamps, wall sconces and table lamps.

Walls

While neutral-hued walls make a versatile background for virtually any design, don't be afraid to spice things up with seasonal touches. Repositionable wall covering options like SmartStick from MuralsYourWay.com, make it possible to create a seasonal look with a wall mural - and then remove it and replace it with something different when the season changes.

A patented adhesive allows you to easily place the removable wallpaper on virtually any smooth, flat surface, from windows to walls. You can pull it down, reposition it elsewhere, even fold it up and store it in a drawer for use next year. A wide variety of designs mean you can find something to fit your seasonal decor, and if you don't see anything you like, you can customize by submitting your own original photo through the website.

Flooring

If your floor is wood or you have a newer home with builder-installed carpet, you probably already have a neutral palette to work with. Adding seasonal flair to floors is as simple as adding or removing area rugs.

Area rugs in rich tones can warm up a room during winter months - especially when wood floors can feel cold underfoot. You can even add an accent rug in evergreen or crimson to underscore your holiday decor.

In warm months, when your family spends more time outdoors, a more durable area rug, positioned near entryways can help keep soil, grass clippings and other debris off your carpet or floor.

Accessories

From window treatments to wall art, accessories are an easy, great way to create a seasonal look in any room.

In winter, when you want to keep out the chill, choose heavier drapes in colors that inspire warmth and comfort. For autumn or spring, when you want to welcome in sunlight, lighter, sheerer options can be appropriate. And in summer, when you'll rely on blinds to block out hot midday sun, pastels and lighter fabrics can be a soothing foil to the utilitarian appearance of blinds.

Just as you change your own wardrobe to stay in step with the seasons, updating your home decor seasonally can help make your home feel welcoming and comfortable. Fortunately, it's easy to keep your home decor in tune with the seasons when you make a few updates that are easy to change with the season.

(ARA) - A significant shift in consumer preference in new home purchases is the latest by-product of the still-struggling economy. The residential construction market is shrinking and so are houses.

Homebuilders expect newly constructed single-family homes to average just 2,150 square feet by 2015. That's 10 percent smaller than previously, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), which conducted the survey.

To maintain this compact size, luxuries will be out and practicality will be in. Formal living rooms are going by the wayside, NAHB says, making way for smarter, multi-function layouts. What we'll see more of: eat-in kitchens that eliminate the need for a separate dining room; and great rooms that can accommodate entertainment as well as office space.

Homeowners looking to remodel existing homes - that they will someday put up for sale - would be wise to pay attention to these new home construction trends, which signal what the competition will look like down the road. Choose the right improvements today, and you may be better positioned to sell your home when the economy picks up.

Keep the following tips in mind if you're thinking of investing in an addition or a significant remodel:

* Choose your remodeler with care: Select a professional contractor with experience, knowledge of local codes and a good reputation for quality work, says the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). NARI calls this the single most important step in your project.

* Focus on tried-and-true performance: Remodel to your needs, of course. But before you finalize your decisions, research the improvements that will likely bring you the highest return on your investment. A minor kitchen remodel should return more than 70 percent of its cost at resale, according to the 2010-2011 Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report. Adding a bathroom pays back more than 53 percent.

* Practicality makes perfect: During the latest housing boom, remodels were all about big and bold. Now there is less emphasis on luxury and appearances-for-appearances-sake. Take advantage of that trend with a focus on practicality in your remodeling project. You'll make your home more competitive at resale, and your dollars will stretch a lot further.

* Multi-function = broader appeal: For today's busy families, efficiency is essential. Can you repurpose an existing room to make life easier? Add a laundry room to save going downstairs? Increase the size of your kitchen, so you can convert the dining room to a guest suite? If you're thinking of creating a family room in the basement, complete the project with a convenient bathroom addition.

Never enough baths
If you've ever waited in frustration for your turn in the bathroom, you know that just about every home could use a spare bath. A macerating toilet system is a great alternative to conventional (gravity) plumbing in situations where no below-floor drainage exists. Macerating, or up-flush, plumbing gives you unlimited flexibility, because there is no need to break through the floors to install drainage piping, which adds substantial cost to the project.

From the attic to the basement, up-flush plumbing lets you create a full bathroom anywhere you like. "It's a pretty good concept," says Otis Dardy, a general contractor and owner of Dardy Construction in Conyers, Ga.

Dardy recently used Saniflo up-flush plumbing for a residential customer's remodel and is now incorporating Saniflo in bids for other jobs. "This saves a lot of time, and it's nice and neat," he says, noting that his bids for the up-flush plumbing are around $5,000 less than their conventional counterparts, thanks to the ease of installation.

In an up-flush system, waste and water are pumped from the toilet, sink, and tub or shower up, rather than flowing down, as with conventional plumbing. This technology is also different from sewage ejection systems, which temporarily store plumbing waste in a nearby tank, which can cause odor problems. With up-flush plumbing, the waste is removed to the sewer line or the septic tank with every flush.

What could be more practical or efficient than an extra bathroom? This is one remodel project guaranteed to improve comfort and convenience in the near-term, while delivering a strong return on investment when your home is sold.


EDITOR'S NOTE:
For additional photography to accompany this article, visit:
http://archive.oreilly-depalma.com/pr/sf0819-saniflo.html

(ARA) - Enlightenment isn't just a state of mind - it can also be an important energy-saving state of being for your home's roof. By "enlightening" your roof, you can use less energy, save money, and dress up the interior of your home at the same time.

All roofs protect us, and the interiors of our homes, but they can do so much more. They can be the collection and distribution point for an inexhaustible supply of free natural light and energy.

A roof that uses Energy Star qualified venting skylights, for instance, admits healthful natural light while providing passive ventilation through the natural "chimney effect" of rising air. This is not an insignificant consideration especially in kitchens and baths that have higher moisture and humidity levels than other areas of the home.

Another kitchen- and bath-specific issue that skylights help address is the need for privacy. Many modern homes are built on small lots, in very close proximity to neighboring houses. "Light from windows is rarely enough, especially in places where lot sizes are small," says Jennifer Powers of design firm Scott-Ulmann.

Areas of the home where traditional skylights with blinds might not work - such as hallways, closets and small, interior baths - can still admit natural light through less expensive Sun Tunnel tubular skylights. And optional light kits turn these units into 24-hour sources of light. Low-profile flat glass models that blend unobtrusively with the roof, and domed models, all offer a fast, easy, less expensive way to transform a home with natural light.

In addition to light and ventilation from above, if you add an Energy Star-qualified solar water heating system your roof will work even harder for you. And, in addition to monthly power bill savings, these solar thermal systems qualify for tax credits and other savings that significantly reduce the payback time it takes to recover the initial cost.

Solar power attic fans are also a cost-effective roof addition that helps to reduce mechanical cooling costs while removing damaging moisture from the home.

In addition to the functional qualities these and other roof improvements offer, there are also aesthetic considerations.

Skylights offer room-changing drama and decorating flair while adding natural light from above. And skylight blinds are now available in colors and pattern choices to mix and match with room decor giving homeowners another interior design tool. Blinds not only dress up a room but also provide light control while increasing the energy efficiency and usefulness of skylights.

According to skylight manufacturer, Velux America, the addition of blinds can increase the overall energy efficiency of the units by 37 percent. They recommend closing the blinds on high heat/sun days in the summer to reduce potential solar heat gain and, on cold winter nights, closing them to provide an extra layer of thermal insulation to keep warm air indoors. Skylight blinds, as well as the units themselves, can be controlled manually or with a remote.

Modern, low profile skylights are unobtrusive and as dependable as vertical windows. Information about units with a 10-year no-leak installation warranty, plus an installer locator, is available at veluxusa.com. There's also a free mobile phone app there to help homeowners see how skylights and blinds would look in rooms in their own homes.

The Velux Skylight Planner App is available for iPhones, iPods, iPads and Android phones.

For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org. For remodeling information visit nahb.org/remodel or greenhomeguide.org.

(ARA) - Say goodbye to the McMansion. According to a leading real estate website, Trulia.com, 2010 was officially the year that homes over 3,200 square feet ended their dominance and appeal. But don't think that downsizing means downgrading. In fact, homeowners are looking to upsize their amenities to help them enjoy every inch of their homes.

And, while many different generations are following this trend, Boomers are a unique group, looking to enjoy their smaller nest now that the kids have flown the coop - yet ensure that their homes are filled with the many amenities they'll require for their golden years.

Anything but basic baths
While they may purchase a smaller floor plan, mature adults are looking for ways to turn ordinary rooms into extraordinarily indulgent experiences. In the bath, that means the ultimate spa experience - from elaborate showers to heated floors and towel warmers. But when it comes to the bathroom, it's just as important to keep it safe. Luckily, safe can also equate to stylish. Try installing comfortable seating for the shower with a beautiful fold-down shower seat made of teak and aluminum; or updating common bath accessories such as a paper holder, towel bar or shelf with a new integrated version that combines each accessory with a grab bar for added safety.

"Our goal is to make every bath a safe bath. And, for savvy homeowners looking to incorporate safety at any age, it's essential we provide products to meet their safety and style requirements," says Laurie Birko, Moen Home Care brand manager. "Our newest products, such as our Fold-Down Shower Seat and Grab Bars with Accessories look like decorative pieces rather than safety devices, so homeowners no longer have to choose between safety or style ... they can have both."

Kitchens that cook ... and more
Different generations have very specific desires in terms of creating a kitchen to meet their needs, and according to findings from the Research Institute for Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence, boomers are looking for kitchens with amenities that will assist with entertaining. These upgrades may include cooktops with special-purpose features, such as a built-in grill or wok; commercial or professional-grade appliances; a built-in coffee pot connected directly to plumbing or an oven that dramatically reduces cooking times without microwaves.

Bedrooms that sizzle
Mature adults still know how to spice up their bedroom with hot amenities, including fireplaces, heated mattress pads and large-capacity warming cabinets for blankets, robes, towels and clothing. Convenience-based bedroom trends include a laundry room off of the master suite, remote-controlled window treatments and voice controlled lighting and electronics, making your mature boudoir much more magical than your childhood bedroom.

The greater outdoors
No-mow lawns have sprouted up as a time-, water-, fuel- and money-saving alternative to the traditional lawn. These lawns have been around for over a decade in parks and other public spaces. Now they're catching on with homeowners - particularly with the growing population of second-homeowners who don't want to spend their precious getaway weekends mowing the lawn. They're also becoming popular with mature adults who are simply tired of the rigors and high cost of constant lawn upkeep.

For homeowners in colder climates who are tired of the hassles and hazards of snow removal, driveway heating systems are an ideal amenity. Radiant driveway heating systems provide heat similar to indoor in-floor heating systems. Heat is delivered with either electric cable (electric systems) or by hot water pumped through plastic tubing (hydronic systems) compacted in the surface. Most driveway heating systems have automatic smart sensors that turn the systems on when it begins to snow, providing great consistency and reliability for snow removal, whether you're home or not.

And, with safety always a concern - both indoors and out - driveway heating systems are not only convenient; these systems are potentially lifesavers, helping prevent heart attacks, frostbite and back pain commonly associated with snow removal. Driveway heating also helps reduce injuries due to slips and falls, and possibly liability due to such accidents.

Regardless of the size of your home, whether you build new or buy used, filling your empty nest with hot amenities will help to make your golden years as good as gold. For more information about Moen Home Care bath safety products, visit www.moen.com.

(ARA) - With the new year under way, you may be thinking about needed home improvements and how you'll use your credit to fund them. While it's important to understand your credit before making major home improvement decisions, you should also consider another kind of credit - tax credits for energy efficient home improvements.

For the past few years, the federal government has offered tax credits for certain home improvements aimed at increasing a home's energy efficiency. While the most popular and generous tax credits, such as the one that allowed you to claim up to 30 percent of improvements such as a new roof or hot water heater, have expired, you can still get credit for other significant energy-efficient improvements.

According to EnergyStar.gov, you can claim a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of installing a geothermal heat pump, small wind turbine or solar energy system in your home. The credit has no upper limit and applies to both existing homes and new construction, but not to rental properties. This credit is good until Dec. 31, 2016.

You can also get a credit of up to 30 percent of the cost of residential fuel cells, up to $500 per .5kW of power capacity, EnergyStar.gov says. This credit is also available until Dec. 31, 2016.

While the initial cost of these improvements may seem significant, they can dramatically decrease home energy bills in the long run.

Depending on the type of home improvement or repair you undertake, you may also be able to claim a deduction on your taxes. Before launching a significant home repair or improvement, it may pay to consult with your tax accountant to see what, if any, portion of the cost may be deductible. And, as you do home repairs throughout the year, keep receipts and discuss the improvements and possible deductions with your accountant when he or she is preparing your tax return.

Knowing ahead of time which, if any, tax credits or deductions your home improvement may qualify for can help you make a better decision about how to use credit to fund the work. Since how you use credit affects your overall credit score, knowing the cost of a project before starting it can help you better manage your credit.

If you're unsure how a home improvement project may affect your credit score, websites like freecreditscore.com can help you understand your credit. The site offers members a Credit Score Estimator that can help you understand how big financial decisions, like applying for a home improvement loan, may affect your credit score.

To learn more about tax credits for energy efficient home improvements, visit www.EnergyStar.gov. To learn more about tax deductions, visit www.IRS.gov. You can find a list of regional tax credits, rebates and savings at energy.gov/savings.

(ARA) - Homeowners often worry about keeping their homes safe and secure for their families. And it's no wonder: nearly 70 percent of home break-ins are in the form of kick-ins to a door, according to the U. S. Department of Justice.

You have many easy and affordable options for ensuring a safer home, and ultimately, greater peace of mind. Here's a home security checklist to get you started.

Assess the perimeter. Walk around your yard at different times of the day to judge lighting and shadows. Think about how family members enter and exit the home from different doorways. Do you have sufficient exterior lighting to ensure that they can enter your home, can see and can be seen? Install better lighting near every entrance. Take a look at your landscaping from an intruder's point of view. Plant some thorny or prickly shrubbery below the windows and next to entrances so there's no place for someone to hide in waiting.

Add an alarmed lock. Most alarm systems trigger after a door has already been opened. However, if you don't have an alarm system, an alarmed lock is a great alternative, and will allow you to instantly hear what's happening at your door. For example, Schlage, a leader in home security, offers a first-of-its-kind Keyed Entry With Built-In Alarm. It's an alarmed lock with the added safeguard of a sensor alarm that lets you know when it is being tampered with. It has three alarm modes, which can be set to alert you to different types of activity at the door - when it's been open and closed, when it's been tampered with and when there's been a forced entry.

"An alarmed lock provides an added layer of security that many homeowners' are looking for and can put their minds at ease," says Chris DeSchamp, Schlage portfolio leader, electronic security.

The battery-operated units, which can be seen at www.alarm.schlage.com, costs around $99 and are easy to install and are available at select The Home Depot stores, homedepot.com, lowes.com, amazon.com and build.com.

Safeguard the windows. Make sure your windows are also set up for security. Install quality window locks that keep windows in a closed position, to avoid giving criminals an open invitation to enter. Manufacturers offer a variety of options to safeguard different types of windows including double-hung and casement windows.

Enhance security of glass and wooden doors. Make sure all your sliding glass and patio doors have at least one of the following to prevent them from being opened: a track lock, a hinged door bar, an insertion pin lock or a metal or wood dowel inserted into the track that allows it to be opened only when you wish. It's also a good idea to equip each wooden door with a wide-angle eye viewer so you can identify who may be at the door before opening it.

Monitor home security while you're away. With today's technologies, it's easier and more affordable than ever to monitor and control your home's security even if you're not home. For example, the Schlage LiNK System lets you use any computer connected to the Internet or Web-enabled cell phone to turn lights on and off, check the status of the door, grant entry into the home, open and close blinds, and many more functions.

By making these easy steps to upgrade your home's security, you'll not only gain more protection for your family, but you'll also gain the best security of all - total peace of mind. For more home security ideas, visit www.schlage.com.

(ARA) - A gas fireplace can add ambiance and warmth to any room, and with the cold weather, you might be dreaming of adding one in your home. Because purchasing a fireplace is not something we do every day, there are some important things to consider.

If you have lots of questions, you're not alone. It's smart to do your research and get advice from the pros. Joel Ginsberg, retail manager and fireplace expert for Fireside Hearth & Home, offers some important considerations so you get the right gas fireplace for your home.

Are you adding a new gas fireplace or converting an existing masonry wood-burning fireplace?

Many people choose gas fireplaces for the convenience. You can heat your home and enjoy beautiful ambiance by simply touching a remote control or wall switch. Whether you're starting new, or want to replace an old fireplace from the 70s or 80s, there are plenty of affordable options.

Already have a wood-burning fireplace? Consider transforming it with a cleaner and more efficient gas fireplace insert that fits directly into the existing opening. As part of the installation, two liners are installed inside the chimney; one expels the fire's combustion exhaust and byproducts outside the home, the other draws in outside air for combustion. This guarantees no room air is used for combustion which stops heat loss and protects the indoor air quality of your home. You get the benefits of gas without having to replace the entire fireplace.

What style fireplace fits your home?

The sky is the limit when it comes to fireplace design. Whether you prefer the traditional stone fireplace designs or you favor sleek modern styles, there's bound to be something to complement your home's interior design.

The look of the fire itself comes with many style options. Traditionalists prefer realistic manufactured logs with burning embers. However, if your design style leans toward contemporary, you might like options like the Cosmo 32, manufactured by Heat & Glo. These styles are inspired by European designs that have features like linear flames that flicker in unison, unique materials like black onyx, and panoramic viewing angles of the fire. Placement is also being redefined, as modern style fireplaces are often positioned at a higher level, evoking a living piece of fine art. To find out which style is best for you visit www.fireplaces.com.

What are your heating efficiency requirements?

Did you know a gas fireplace or fireplace insert can help reduce your heating costs? Similar to the premise of a hybrid car, you can turn down your home's thermostat and Zone Heat the rooms you use most with an efficient gas fireplace. This cuts down on the amount of fuel consumed by your furnace and can help to reduce home heating bills by 20 to 40 percent, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association.

Do you want a vented or vent-free gas fireplace?

Depending on the manufacturer and model, gas fireplaces can be vented or unvented. Direct vented gas fireplaces have sealed combustion systems that protect indoor air quality by drawing outside air for the fire and expelling 100 percent of combustion exhaust and by-products outside the home, resulting in a safe, beautiful fire. In contrast, unvented (a.k.a. vent-free or vent-less) fireplaces lack sealed combustion or venting systems, drawing indoor air and oxygen for the fire, while expelling exhaust and byproducts, like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and moisture, into the home. While unvented units are legal in many areas of the country, some hearth manufacturers, remodelers and hearth retailers will not sell them due to safety and moisture/condensation issues.

What is your budget?

"For the most part, when people enter the store, they assume it will be expensive to purchase and install a gas fireplace or fireplace insert. Most people are pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive it can be," comments Ginsberg.

He says the average price of a gas fireplace including installation is $4,400. For those interested in a gas fireplace insert, the cost can be as little as $2,900 installed.

What is the return on investment?

These days, homeowners want to make sure the money they put into their home adds value. There is good news: Homebuyers consider fireplaces one of the top three desired home features, according to Remodeling Magazine. Also, according to the Residential Cost Handbook, a gas fireplace can add an average of $5,900 to the value of a home. Therefore when it comes time to sell, homes with gas fireplaces have an advantage.

As we head into the cold winter months, it is natural to want to warm up by a fire. Given the potential of increased efficiencies, zone heating to reduce utility bills and hours of ambiance and enjoyment, installing a gas fireplace has a multitude of benefits.

(ARA) - As your family heads back to school, take some time to complete a few simple home repairs. Doing your "home"-work projects now will allow you to spend more time with your family and less time fixing, cleaning and repairing things this fall.

Get outside for some yard work
After a summer full of outdoor fun, it's time to tidy the yard before winter comes. Clean and safely place any outdoor furniture in storage. Once the furniture is put away, give your deck or patio a good power washing. Bring your indoor plants back inside and prune your trees and shrubs to encourage healthy growth. You should also remove any leaves or debris from your gutters to avoid clogs or other drainage issues.

Inspect the driveway
While you're outside, check your driveway and patch any cracks or potholes that may have resulted from the summer heat. You may also want to consider resealing your driveway in the fall to keep it smooth and even all year long. Sealing your driveway will also protect it from any winter snow or ice damage.

Organize your garage
Fall is an ideal time to clean the garage and clear out any unwanted items your family has collected over the summer. Invest in a good storage system that will keep you organized, and clear pathways around vehicles and doors. Move your rake or leaf blower to the front of the garage and consider placing holiday or winter items in an accessible spot for the coming season.

Install a remote thermostat
With the kids back in school, your home may now be unoccupied for a large portion of the day. Lowering your thermostat while the family's away can provide substantial cost savings. A programmable thermostat will allow you to create custom temperature settings for the hours you are home and away. Some models, like the AccuLink(TM) Remote Thermostat from American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, allow you to set and control your home's temperature remotely using most Web-enabled cellphones and computers.

Check and seal your windows
Proper insulation will not only keep your family comfortable, but it may also help to improve the overall energy efficiency of your home. Air drafts are often easy to spot. First, make sure your windows are tightly shut. Then, feel around the edges of your windows for air leaks. If you feel a draft, you can easily seal the leaks with do-it-yourself caulk or weatherstripping.

Seasonal maintenance will help to protect your home and prepare it for winter. With a little effort this fall, your "home"-work will be sure to make the grade.

(ARA) - Buying a home is more than numbers, dollars and cents. The pride of owning your own home is an incredible feeling, providing a place for you and your family to come together and build memories.

For many, getting through the process of buying a home can be daunting, if not downright frightening. Talk to anyone considering buying a home for the first time, and many will say the same thing: "There's so much information - I don't know where to start or where to turn for answers. It's overwhelming."

With all the potential pitfalls out there, it's key to arm yourself with the right tools to help you navigate the intricacies of the home buying process. Getting the right information and help along the way will make this milestone purchase easier and hassle-free.

Knowledge is power

While partnering with a real estate agent and knowledgeable mortgage lender will go a long way towards home buying success, empowering yourself is also important. You are not alone, but you're also your own best advocate.

Learn about the neighborhoods where you might want to live, and think about your day-to-day lifestyle when deciding what area - and type of home - is right for you. Take a home buyer education course - they're often free and will help prepare you for the home buying process. The U.S. Department of Housing (www.hud.gov), NeighborWorks America (www.nw.org), and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (www.nfcc.org) are all great resources for further education on buying a home. Or you can check with your bank - some, like TD Bank, offer sites that provide one-stop shop info on buying your first home.

Real-ing and dealing

Partnering with a real estate agent can help make the process of buying your first home more efficient and hassle-free. A real estate professional will help you assess your needs and wants in a home, and then utilize that information to narrow the field of available homes in your price range to a manageable pool. Well-versed in the local area, a real estate professional can help ensure you're getting a better price, will negotiate on your behalf, and can protect your rights as a homebuyer. Your agent also may be able to make mortgage lender recommendations.

Find a financial partner, not just mortgage rates

Like buying a home, choosing a mortgage provider is about more than terms and rates - it's about finding a company that has the knowledge to help you succeed.

"Find a lender who is also your financial partner," says Mike Copley, executive vice president, retail lending at TD Bank. "Your mortgage advisor should work with you to find the borrowing solution that's right for you, and make the experience as straightforward and hassle-free as possible. Your lender's commitment to you shouldn't end with the closing of your loan."

Some things to consider when selecting a mortgage lender: Will I be supported from application to closing - and beyond? Are there application fees? How quickly will I have a decision on my application? What type of mortgage should I choose? Does my mortgage provider service their own loans, or can they be sold to another institution later? Does my mortgage provider have a strong customer service focus, so I can ensure my needs are being met? The answers to these questions will help you forge the right partnership with the right mortgage lender.

There's nothing to fear about buying your first home if you're an educated consumer who finds the right real estate and mortgage team to help you make your dreams come true. So get out there and find your dream home!

(ARA) - With more and more homeowners choosing to stay in their current homes instead of selling, many are deciding to remodel.

If you are thinking about remodeling your home, consider projects that will add style, but will also offer the best return on investment when it comes time to sell. With return on vinyl siding and vinyl window replacement each above 70 percent, according to "Remodeling" magazine's 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report, it's apparent that homeowners can gain considerable curb appeal and return on investment by upgrading the exterior.

"Updating your home with new windows or siding is a great way to instantly boost curb appeal and reduce the maintenance of your home," said John Stephenson, vice president of marketing for Ply Gem, a leading exterior building products company. "But many people are beginning to consider the possibilities of an entire exterior remodel, by combining multiple product categories such as windows, siding and stone veneer. Homeowners can take their home beyond a simple product replacement, and instead give it architectural style and a new color scheme."

Ply Gem and remodeling company Case/Design Remodeling, Inc. offer advice on how to achieve a complete, architecturally-styled exterior remodel based on a recent before and after project.

Envision your dream home
"Having a vision helps your remodeling contractor understand what style you're looking for," said Bruce Case, president of Case/Design Remodeling, Inc. "Keep in mind, it's also important to select a style that fits with the neighborhood. It may be more difficult to sell in the future if you make a too drastic change."

Your remodeler can make style suggestions, or you can drive around older neighborhoods in your area to gauge ideas for what styles might work best.

For this project, together with the homeowners who were nominated by the community to receive a free renovation from Case/Design Remodeling, the team decided to transform the exterior using architectural elements of a shingle home style. This style worked well with the home's more traditional suburban Washington, D.C. neighborhood, and also worked well for renovating the colonial two-story exterior without significant structural changes.

Mix and match texture and color
More often than not, homeowners stick with the basics when taking on an exterior renovation. However, today's exterior building products allow for infinite options that can take your home to the next level and go beyond simply replacing windows and siding.

When remodeling this particular home from a 1970s colonial to a modern interpretation of a shingle style, it was important to incorporate new textures and colors to completely transform the look.

"This home had a watered down style, but also had inherent architectural elements to work with," said Deryl Patterson, principal, BSB Design architecture firm. "By replacing the lap siding with shingle siding, the brick with stone veneer, the windows with a colonial grille pattern, and adding red shutters, we were able to give it character."

Mixing and matching texture and color does not have to be an overwhelming process. Stephenson recommends homeowners look to collections like the Designed Exterior Collection by Ply Gem, which help simplify selection by identifying color palettes and product combinations that work for specific architectural styles.

Consider architectural details
Beyond texture and color changes, adding minor architectural details can make a big difference. For this project, a portico and roof gable were added, but did not require any structural changes or interior work. To see more of the renovation described in this story visit www.facebook.com/plygem.

(ARA) - If you've finished making your holiday gift list, don't put the pen and paper away just yet. While the holidays take up a lot of attention right now, it's also a great time to look a bit further into the future. With the new year just around the corner, planning for home improvement projects now can help you prioritize and budget.

Spending more time indoors at home might be bringing some potential projects to your attention. Maybe you've noticed fraying carpet under your toes, chipped paint on a window frame or a paint color that feels outdated - whatever needs to be addressed should get marked down on your fix-it list.

Give yourself a deadline for completing the list and then call a household meeting to start prioritizing. One of the most important things you can bring to that meeting is an idea of how much you can afford to spend. Given that the economy is still lagging - and many people are feeling that pull on their pocketbooks - it's wisest to avoid going into debt to accomplish everything you want to do.

Setting a home improvement budget gives you parameters to work within as you weigh the importance of each project on your list. However, you should also come to the table with a reasonable idea of how much it will cost to complete each of the tasks you want to finish.

Armed with your list and your budgetary figures, go through each item, weighing the pros and cons of both doing it now and letting it wait. You'll inevitably have a lot of options, including putting things off and saving more money throughout the year, or investing some money in repairs now and letting your savings grow for midyear projects. Naturally, you'll also need to consider the constraints of weather on your projects - if you want to put on a new deck, you'll have to wait until at least spring. Consider the fact that an outdoor project might feel a lot more necessary when warmer weather arrives than it does now.

Your long-term plans for your home should also come into play. If you're planning on selling anytime soon, consider carefully whether the projects you plan on doing will pay off at sale time. Additionally, if you plan on catching a buyer's eye, take an objective look at what might help you make the sale. If you're working with a Realtor, you might even want to discuss with them the best fix-ups and repairs within your budget.

(ARA) - Who would risk the negative impact of defaulting on a mortgage if they didn't really have to? About 17 percent of Americans who defaulted on their mortgages in the second quarter of 2010 did exactly that, according to a study by Experian, the leading global information services company.

"Strategic default" - choosing to stop paying on your mortgage even if you can afford the monthly payments - peaked at the end of 2008 during the height of the Great Recession. At that time, strategic defaults accounted for 20 percent of all mortgage defaults 60 or more days overdue, according to Experian.

And while the percentage of Americans taking this option has steadily declined since then, the credit risks for strategic defaulters remain unchanged.

"Not paying your mortgage will have a far-reaching, long-lasting impact on your ability to secure future credit, regardless of the reason for your default," says Charles Chung, Experian's president of Decision Analytics. "Experian's study indicates that many strategic defaulters continue to faithfully pay on their other debts. Some even purchase other homes for better terms before selectively defaulting on their upside-down mortgage."

If you owe more on your home than its current market value, you may feel tempted to walk away from a bad investment, even if you can afford to make the monthly mortgage payment. But when considering strategic default, you should keep several factors in mind:

* Defaulting on your mortgage is the second most damaging thing you can do to your credit, even if you continue to pay your other bills. Only bankruptcy will affect your credit score more adversely than foreclosure.

* Foreclosure remains on your credit report for seven years. During that time, securing other credit at reasonable terms and rates will be very difficult, if not impossible.

* Potential employers are looking at credit reports. In fact, 60 percent now check applicants' credit reports, according to an article in the Washington Times. By impacting your credit, a strategic default may affect your ability to get a job.

* Last year, Fannie Mae, the government-controlled mortgage giant, said it would implement a policy to prohibit strategic defaulters from getting a new Fannie Mae-backed mortgage for seven years from the date of foreclosure.

* Finally, in some cases, the debt that foreclosure "erases" may be recorded as income, which means you will have to pay taxes on it.

"Some may see strategic default as a way to get out of paying a bad debt," Chung says. "But its associated costs like a lower credit score, higher interest rates and less ability to secure future credits, can wipe out the financial benefit of no longer having a mortgage payment."

To learn more about credit management, credit reports, credit scores and the factors that affect them, visit www.Experian.com.

(ARA) - Are you keeping your home longer than you expected, due to the sluggish and uncertain home-resale market? If you are, you've got company. Only 43 percent of homeowners believe they would get their asking price if they sold today, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker.

That lack of confidence, coupled with interest rates on personal savings accounts that are at or near record lows, has a lot of homeowners investing in their homes instead of depositing money in their banks.

In fact, nearly two-thirds of homeowners will be remodeling in 2011, says American Express. Improving your home can be a smart strategy over the long run. In the meantime, it can make your home more comfortable and convenient while you're living there.

Now is the time to ask yourself if putting your hard-earned savings into your house is right for you. You won't see the return on your investment in the near-term, but when you factor in a quicker sale or higher sale price, you could end up with more profit than savings account interest rates can provide.

Improvements that pay

Experts recommend that you stick to improvements likely to increase your home's resale appeal and value. There's no such thing as a guaranteed return on investment, but some home improvements have a better value track record than others. A basement remodel will recoup 70 percent of its cost at resale, according to the 2010-2011 Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report. Adding a bathroom returns more than 53 percent of your investment, while modernizing a kitchen can bring back 72.8 percent.

* Build a bath: If you plan to install a bathroom, laundry or wet bar in an area that lacks below-floor plumbing drainage, you can dramatically reduce your installation costs with macerating technology. Installing drainage in a basement, attic or garage can be messy, time-consuming and expensive. But with macerating, or up-flush, technology, you can have plumbing virtually anywhere in your home, without breaking through floors or jackhammering concrete.

Unlike conventional gravity plumbing, up-flush systems pump waste and water from toilets, showers, sinks, wet bars and washing machines upward. Small-diameter piping carries the waste into the sewer or septic tank. For more information on this cost-effective plumbing option, visit www.saniflo.com.

Want to make your new bath seem larger? Let the light in! If a skylight isn't in the budget, use recessed ceiling lights and large mirrors. Also, choose a warm semi-gloss paint and install 12-inch by 12-inch or larger floor tiles to minimize grout lines.

A walk-in shower is a smart and cost-effective space-saver. If you don't need storage space, a pedestal sink is another good alternative. Two surefire ways to give the illusion of space are a recessed medicine cabinet and a pocket door instead of a traditional hinged door.

* Rebuild a kitchen: An average rebuild of a kitchen takes nine months to plan and three months to build, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. You can improve the overall look and feel of a kitchen with a lot less work and money simply by refurbishing what you have. Some refurbishing options include refaced cabinets instead of new, resurfaced countertops or an added backsplash, updated flooring and under-cabinet task lighting.

Regardless of the project you plan to undertake, there are a few things you can do to ensure you get the most for your money. Here are some general tips from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI):

* Establish a budget:
* Hire a qualified remodeler who is familiar with local building codes.
* Compare products and prices before you begin.
* Work with a contract.

Rural living is popular for many families looking to raise their children outside the hustle and bustle of city life. If you've imagined your children running unhindered through acres of backyard, or developing a baseball game in the field with your nearest neighbors, you're probably looking into living in a more rural area.

In addition to the space your children have to grow, also consider how much more energy efficient your family can be, growing your own fruits and vegetables, chopping wood for a wood burning stove and even composting some of your garbage to benefit the next year's garden.

Purchasing property outside the city limits can be a challenge, especially with today's real estate market and loan approval difficulties. But the USDA Loan program was designed to help develop the nation's smaller, rural communities, and loans are available for purchasing property outside of city limits in communities with populations of fewer than 20,000 people. Visit www.usdaloanagency.com/propertysearch to see if a property you're interested in purchasing qualifies.

You probably get suspicious when you hear the terms, "no down payment loans," but for these government-backed USDA loans, it's a benefit.

Having good credit is a factor for getting approval on home loans, but unlike many mortgages, with a USDA Loan, you don't need to have money down. For these home mortgages, credit history will be evaluated. And if you've been working on improving your history, and are able to meet monthly financial obligations, you've have a good chance of qualifying for this type of loan.

Because property prices and taxes often are lower in rural areas, with a USDA loan, families might be able to afford larger parcels of land. Loan rates are fixed, meaning families who finance up to 100 percent of the home will have the same monthly payment. And you don't have to be a first-time homeowner to qualify.

If you've been yearning for a life of fewer distractions, less noise and a deep breath of clean, fresh air where your children can run and play in the backyard, investigate if a USDA loan can help you afford a place to live in the wide open spaces of America's rural landscape.

(ARA) - Whether you are upgrading a kitchen, adding on a master suite, or gutting a newly purchased structure, you need to reassess your insurance needs both before and after your renovation.

It's common to plan every major step of the renovation. But one thing that's tough to plan for is the unexpected. What if an oily rag left unattended starts a fire and your home goes up in smoke? The remodeling work done to date may have an impact on your homeowners insurance - unless you let your insurance agent in on the plans ahead of time.

For example, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company policyholders are required to let their agent know about any renovation projected to increase the replacement cost of your home by more than $25,000 in order for the crucial full-cost replacement coverage to remain in force.

"Your insurance company and your agent can help you find gaps in your coverage related to remodeling and establish appropriate replacement costs," says Don Soss, vice president of personal insurance at Fireman's Fund. "We can also make sure your contractor and subs have adequate liability insurance in case of damage to your property from poor workmanship or carelessness."

In addition, risk managers at the insurance company can provide advice to minimize the possibility of fires, theft, and mishaps. Good risk management practices also minimize potential project delays. This may be a good time to add security and safety features such as water flow monitoring devices or upgraded burglary and fire alarm systems.

One of the most common issues is maintaining a secure environment during the work phase. For example, contractors often disable a home's existing fire alarm system because dust and particulates generated by construction tend to trigger false alarms. It is important for temporary measures such as fencing and alternate alarms to be in place to keep the property secure.

Demolition debris should also be secured so it can't become airborne in high winds. Toxic or explosive materials need to be stored and handled appropriately, and rebars should be capped to prevent injury to workmen and residents.

Often, the family moves to temporary housing during a remodel. It may be a good idea to put art collections and other valuables that could be damaged in an offsite secure storage facility for optimal protection.

Even before your work is complete, your agent can go over your current homeowners insurance and make sure you have the replacement value of your home updated. This will reflect increases in construction materials and labor, changes in building codes, installation of new safety devices, changes in square footage, and custom features and appliances.

Top tips for homeowners considering a renovation:

1. Contact your agent before construction starts for coverage of your remodeling work and the value of your completed home.

2. Make sure your contractor and subcontractors have adequate liability insurance. Many contractors carry the generally recommended limits of at least twice the replacement value of the home.

3. Ask the contractor to maintain adequate safety and security devices such as fire and burglar alarms.

4. Save all records related to your project (receipts and appraisals). Store copies of these records in a secure off-site location. Videotaping your house and possessions is also recommended.

Whether you're looking to make a little extra money, or are just waiting for the market to turn around before you sell, there are benefits to renting additional property you own. While being a landlord has its perks, there is some risk involved. If you're renting your property, or are thinking about doing so, there are some things you can do to make sure you protect yourself.

Rental History Reports provides tenant screening and other resources to small landlords looking for ways to protect their investments. The company offers the following advice on how to avoid five common mistakes landlords make:

1. Not screening your tenants
Failing to run a tenant background check is perhaps the biggest mistake you can make as a small landlord, as it will help you avoid numerous other mistakes. Screening tenants is easy and affordable, and you can choose packages that best suit your situation. When you use a tenant screening service, you should be able to find out if your prospective tenant has a criminal record, previous evictions or any other red flags that might hamper their ability to pay their rent. A good rental history report will also check on whether an individual is on the Treasury's Specifically Designated Nationals list of individuals who citizens are prohibited to do business with, and cover other less-known issues for small landlords.

2. Eschewing paper work
In the legal world, if it's not on paper, it might as well have never happened. No matter how much you might trust a potential tenant, making them sign a lease is absolutely necessary. If you're unsure about the type of language you should include in the lease, you may want to consult with a legal service that can help you.

3. Staying far away from the property
You might think you're intruding on your renters if you visit often, but good renters will be happy you care about your property. If you're keeping the place nice, your renters will be happy to see you. And if your renters don't welcome your visits, you may have reason to be concerned.

4. Unknowingly violating the Fair Housing Act
While it's important that you protect yourself by learning about prospective tenants' legal status and rental history, there are certain things that you can't ask. Familiarize yourself with the Fair Housing Act to learn what types of questions to avoid. For starters, questions about race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and family situation are off limits. Asking such questions could open yourself to legal action if you turn down the person's request to rent your property.

5. Ignoring important repairs
When you're renting out your home, it's tougher to notice things that need to be fixed when you're not living there. Establish with your prospective tenants that you want to be made aware of any issues so you can fix them promptly. It's also important to make sure fire alarms, locks and other important items that make a home safe are working properly before you turn the keys over to your tenants - you could be held legally responsible if they aren't.

A foreclosure notice is the last thing any homeowner wants to receive. Many times the notice isn't much of a surprise. But there have been documented cases where the notice of foreclosure was in error - an incorrect address, a misfiling of payments or even worse, an incomplete review of the file, leading to an inaccurate foreclosure status.

Receiving a surprise foreclosure notice can cause shock and disbelief. But it's only a notice. Foreclosure doesn't happen until several more legal steps are taken. In the meantime, you can take a couple of actions to determine if you can - and should - fight the foreclosure and save your house.

Tip 1: Review the notification to make sure all the information is correct. Errors on this information - your name, address, account number, etc. - could be a result of the file not being correctly reviewed, and can help you stay in your home.

Tip 2: Connect with an attorney who specializes in foreclosure law. An easy way to make sure you find the correct attorney to handle your unique situation is to sign up for Legal Service Plans from LegalShield. Plans have a monthly subscription, and provide you with access to resources, advice and legal counsel for whatever legal situation you have, including foreclosure.

Every state has different foreclosure laws, on top of federal laws that often go into effect when the mortgage holder is located in one state and the homeowner lives in another. Having an accomplished law firm on call for legal assistance and on your side to help explain the entire process can help you determine if the potential for foreclosure is justified.

Even if the foreclosure is justified, you may still have options available to you that can help save your home. A lawyer who is knowledgeable about foreclosure law in your state can help you find and explore these options.

Tip 3: Collect and review all your financials. Having records showing payments, and amounts of the payments will come in handy in determining in court if the foreclosure notice is justified. For example, it could be determined that the amount of money you were expected to pay is too high for the loan. Or that you made payments, but they didn't end up in the correct place, and weren't properly processed by the mortgage company.

Tip 4: Keep documentation of all conversations, emails, mailings and notifications. Set up a file and print copies of all communications to store in that file. If you have to converse via a phone call, take time after the call to note the time and length of the call, who you spoke with and their title, and a summary of the conversation. If you are able, email a note back to the contact reviewing the conversation as well, so you have a copy of the conversation in writing.

Tip 5: Determine if you want to argue the notice of foreclosure. This is a big decision because your home, your credit rating and your finances are all dependent upon the final outcome. Work with your attorney and discuss all of your options, including the potential consequences of all actions.

Yes, you will worry if a notice of foreclosure appears in your mailbox, especially if it's catching you by surprise. And with losing your home a potential outcome from this notice, following these tips may help you find freedom - from worry or from being taken advantage of.