“The
world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible
in May.”
-Edwin Way Teale, American naturalist, photographer and writer,
(1899 – 1980)
Tip of the Month
Warmer
weather makes many homeowners think about projects around
the house, including remodeling. If you’re considering
a remodeling project that will require a contractor, consider
these tips before going any further, as detailed in a recent
USA Weekend article:
1. Inflated fees. Contractors can charge
high prices for seemingly simple things like a dumpster. This
can often cost you more than $500! If you see a fee that high
on your bill, ask your contractor to show you proof of his/her
costs and negotiate from there. Another option is to rent
one yourself for as little as $300.
2. Cheap roofing materials. Contractors sometimes
cut corners to save costs. The roof often bears the brunt
of this neglect, as it is a hard-to-see, difficult-to-judge
part of your house. Make sure you get 25- or 30-year algae-resistant
architectural shingles from a reputable manufacturer. Labels
will tell you what kind of shingles the roofers are using,
so check them out when they arrive.
3. Poor carpet padding. Another method of
deceiving homeowners is to charge for high-cost, high-quality
carpet padding but use cheap, low-quality, thin padding. As
this is another area you can’t readily see, be cautious.
Request rebond carpet padding of 6 pounds or more and request
a sample before it is installed. You can visit the Carpet
and Rug Institute’s Web site for more details at carpet-rug.org.
On the day of installation, carefully compare your sample
with what is going under your carpet.
Welcome to the May 2007 issue of “At Home with HouseHunt,” HouseHunt’s monthly consumer newsletter. Spring has officially arrived, and with it, the warm weather that brings homeowners who want to start planning projects for their home. One of the most popular projects is to remodel, so if you’re looking to begin a remodeling project this season, look at our tip of the month segment on how to avoid costly contractor fees. Many people use water to accentuate their home’s exterior, and our story, “Create a Backyard Sanctuary: Just Add Water” should provide some terrific tips for you. If there’s one thing about spring that doesn’t bring smiles to everyone’s face, it’s spring cleaning! Make sure you read, “Easy Tricks for Tough Cleaning” to make your cleaning go smoothly and efficiently. As a buyer, finding the perfect agent to represent you isn’t easy. Our feature story on how to find the best agent for you should make the buying process much more enjoyable. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In real estate, a word can be worth thousands of dollars. This month, we present a recent Canadian study that illustrates how choosing the right word in real estate ads can means thousands of dollars for you. Finally, take advantage of our Angel Food Cake recipe. There’s no better way to welcome back spring than with a great cake!
The HouseHunt Team - Information
you need for all your real estate needs
Survey Question
In today's
slower housing market, would you expect
your sales agent to be more aggresive in: (Please select one answer and hit submit)
Spring
is finally here! And what better way to celebrate than
to have some friends over for a backyard barbeque, complete
with a "summer is almost here" easy dessert? more>>
A
recent USA Weekend article offers guidance on using
water features to enhance your home's outdoor space.
From big to small, we'll walk you through how to do
it. more>>
They
don't call it "spring cleaning" for nothing. Spring
inspires many folks to neaten, spruce, polish, buff
and shine. We'll give you a few tricks to make your
efforts pay off. more>>
If
you have ever bought or sold a house, you know how tough
it is to find someone to represent you who fits your
needs. A recent Wall Street Journal Online article discusses
this process and offers tips on finding your best match
in a Realtor. more>>
A
recent Canadian study reveals the importance of word
choice in real estate ads. Read on to find out what
you should say, and what you shouldn't. more>>
Spring
is an ideal time to start remodeling projects, which
are especially popular with the cooling real estate
market. It is critical, however, to have a plan for
success.more>>
Feedback: Please tell us what you think of this newsletter. Just send us
an email.
Spring
is finally here! And what better way to celebrate than
to have some friends over for a backyard barbeque, complete
with a "summer is almost here" easy dessert? 
A
recent USA Weekend article offers guidance on using
water features to enhance your home's outdoor space.
From big to small, we'll walk you through how to do
it. 
They
don't call it "spring cleaning" for nothing. Spring
inspires many folks to neaten, spruce, polish, buff
and shine. We'll give you a few tricks to make your
efforts pay off. 
If
you have ever bought or sold a house, you know how tough
it is to find someone to represent you who fits your
needs. A recent Wall Street Journal Online article discusses
this process and offers tips on finding your best match
in a Realtor. 
A
recent Canadian study reveals the importance of word
choice in real estate ads. Read on to find out what
you should say, and what you shouldn't. 
Spring
is an ideal time to start remodeling projects, which
are especially popular with the cooling real estate
market. It is critical, however, to have a plan for
success.