At Home With House Hunt

In This Issue

· Choose the Correct Products When Remodeling

· Places to Retire that Give You More Bang for Your Buck

· New Year's Resolution: Keep New Year's Resolutions!

· Fixing Bad Credit

· When to Do It Yourself and When to Hire It Done

· Seasonal Suggestion

·Past Issues: December, November, October, September,

Monthly Quote

“Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

-Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “Ring Out, Wild Bells,” 1809-1892, English Poet

Tip Of The Month

We are now well into winter, and many people have begun to feel the agony of high heating bills. If you are looking for a way to save money without instituting a “sweater rule” in your house, think about installing a programmable thermostat. You can save up to 15% by programming the temperature to be lower at night or when no one is home. Although each degree you lower the heat saves more money, do not swing the temperature more than 6 to 8 degrees, or your furnace will have to work overtime to bring the temperature up again.

HouseHunt.com | MoveUp.com | Market Conditions | Mortgage Info

Choose the Correct Products When Remodeling

“Given a resilient housing market and low interest rates, homeowners continue to reinvest in their homes in the midst of a sputtering economy,” says Nicolas P. Retsinas, director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. So, when you choose to remodel, which flooring do you choose? What about appliances? Or fixtures or countertops? A recent Realty Times article attempts to guide you through the confusing landscape of remodeling by advising you on how to choose the correct products.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) describes many things to consider when choosing remodeling products:

· Be informed. Try to find out the strengths and weaknesses of each product. A comparison of similar products is also useful to obtain.
· Figure out annual cost. Divide the cost of a product by its anticipated longevity to find out the annual cost. For example, expensive flooring that will last for 15 years might be a better choice than inexpensive flooring that will last only 5 years. Make sure to make a product’s longevity a component in your selection process.
· Ask questions. If you have a question about a product, do not keep it to yourself. Your professional remodeler, the manufacturer of the product and home improvement showrooms are all good sources of information.
· Price does not equal quality. Keep in mind that you do not have to purchase the most expensive product to get good quality. Products with high price tags may be charging you for their name, and other lesser-known products can offer a similar or greater level of quality. Evaluating each product on its own merits, rather than price, is always a good idea.
· Talk to your contractor. Your contractor will probably have good advice regarding which products will fulfill your needs. For instance, some products may suit a dry environment like a dining room, but not a humid environment like a bathroom.
· Get a guarantee. Before deciding on a product, be sure to investigate what guarantees or service options are available. Some offers may be better than others and may factor into your decision.
· Think about re-sale. Some products will add to the re-sale value of your home. Your contractor should be able to offer his or her opinion on what is the best choice to increase your home’s value.
· Be energy aware. If you are looking to purchase items such as dishwashers, ceiling fans, office equipment, light bulbs, air conditioning, programmable thermostats or washers and dryers, you will want to look for an Energy Star label. This is a federal designation that means the product uses less energy than non-Energy Star labeled items.

The most valuable advice is, take your time! Do not make hasty decisions and take the time to consider the future. If you are planning on selling your home in a few years, choose products that appeal to everyone. Black carpeting may not be to everyone’s taste. It is always prudent to choose products that have a good reputation and are durable and timeless.

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