Home Improvement Articles

1. Buying a Home -- Is a Home Inspection a Good Idea?

By Raynor James To avoid “buying a pig in a poke,” buyers have long demanded the closing on a home purchase be contingent upon a satisfactory inspection by a home inspection firm. In many parts of our country, we’re now experiencing a strong sellers’ real estate market and sellers often receive more than one purchase offer on the same day for their home. In this environment, buyers are rethinking the home inspec... read more

2. Title Insurance – Examples of Problems and Advice

By Raynor James What is title insurance and why should any buyer get it when purchasing a home (single family, townhouse, condo, apartment, or whatever format your home purchase takes)? Doesn’t the attorney or settlement company handling the closing see to it that you have a clear title? Isn’t this just another way for someone to siphon a few coins off a real estate transaction? Title Insurance Title insu... read more

3. 6 Steps to Effective Management During Change

By Karin S. Syren Step 1: Establish Objectives The process must begin with a clear and detailed statement of objectives and move from there to goal design. Goals must be directly accountable to the vision while remaining in alignment with the stated purpose of the organization. This requires constant interaction with team members to determine that the they are on track, and with all internal clients to insure... read more

4. 5 Most Popular Styles of Christmas Ornaments

By Catherine Spelling Traditionally Christmas ornaments were bulbs of all the same color which were placed randomly throughout your Christmas tree. Over the past few decades, Christmas ornaments have developed into elaborate pieces of art which are delicately planned out and placed throughout the Christmas tree. Currently there are many types of Christmas ornaments to choose from and the creativity and uniqueness of yo... read more

5. The Secret To Marketing Your FSBO Home For Sale

By Raynor James You’re ready to put your home or land (house, townhouse, condo, apartment, farm, ranch, finished lot, raw land, etc.) on the market as a FSBO (for sale by owner). You’ve priced your property appropriately and gotten it ready to show. How are you going to market it so that it gets exposure to enough potential buyers to actually sell? Signs In some parts of the county, the real estate market... read more

6. Lisa French

By Breaking away from white wall paint Breaking away from white wall paint by: Lisa French Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to change a room. But choosing the right paint colors for your home can seem like an overwhelming task. Paint, accessories, fabric, furniture, and flooring should all blend, so take a good look at the room you will be working on, preferably before you choose a paint color, and decide wha... read more

7. Virginia Real Estate – Living in History

By Raynor James Virginia has played a central role throughout the history of the United States. With reasonable prices, you can live in the middle of it with Virginia real estate. Virginia The historical significance of Virginia is simply unmatched in the United States. Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson resided in the state as did many of the founding fathers. In the revolutionary war with E... read more

8. South Dakota Real Estate – Step Away From The Rat Race

By Raynor James From National Parks to a relaxed pace of life, South Dakota has a lot more going for it then you might think. With some of the cheapest prices in the land, South Dakota real estate is a steal. South Dakota If you’re looking for bustling cities and every modern convenience, South Dakota is definitely not for you. If you prefer a relaxed, honest place where you know the neighbors and a handsh... read more

9. “Try On” Your New Home Before Buying

By Raynor James It’s commonplace to try on suits, dresses, trousers or shoes before buying them. People instinctively know they need to try on clothes to be sure they fit, feel comfortable and are attractive on them. What about a home? It’s probably the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. Isn’t it even more important to “try on” a home before you purchase it? What on earth do I mean? Well, it’s usual t... read more

10. Real Estate Terms – From Pre-Approval Letter to Townhouse

By Raynor James When buying or selling a property, it always helps to have a basic understanding of real estate terms. In this on going series of articles, we take a look at definitions starting with “Pre-Approval Letter.” 1) Pre-Approval Lender Letter – a writing from a lender stating that a potential buyer has approval to borrow a stated amount of money from his firm based on having documented all the person... read more

11. 9 Simple Strategies for Home Organization

By Karen Fritscher-Porter Home organization means being able to find your stuff when you need it, not after an hour or more of searching. But home organization doesn't necessarily mean you're neat or clean. It doesn't even mean you're not a pack rat. Home organization just means everything has a place and you know where that place is in your home. Of course, when you practice "home organization" and "clearing clutter" t... read more

12. Alaska Real Estate – The Great Outdoors

By Raynor James Alaska is the biggest state in the Union and tends to be a take it or leave it proposition for relocation. For those choosing Alaska, the real estate market is a solid investment. Alaska Known as “the great land”, Alaska seems like a harsh, remote wilderness and certainly nowhere anyone would want to live. These assumptions are blown away once you visit and are overwhelmed by Mother Nature ... read more

13. Avoid Problems Painting Aluminum and Vinyl Siding

By Robert Clarke Anyone with older aluminum siding is well aware of the paint chalking problem. Just rub your hand along the old siding and the chalky old paint will be all over your palm. Trying to get paint to stick to this could be a real problem. This is due to oxidation of the paint. Siding manufacturers originally referred to this problem as a “benefit”. They called it, “self cleaning”, as the paint literall... read more

14. Curb Appeal – First Impressions Count When Selling A Condo or Townhouse

By Raynor James Curb appeal is the key to selling a townhouse or condo. Since common areas are controlled by a homeowners’ association, paying attention to details can make all the difference. Townhouses The same rules that apply to selling a house apply to townhouses except that the scale of things has to fit a smaller space and nothing can go around to the side unless you own an end unit. Townhouses do h... read more

15. Idaho Real Estate – A Better Quality of Life

By Raynor James A mountainous state, Idaho has become a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiast. If you’re considering Idaho, here’s a primer on the state and Idaho real estate. Idaho For backpackers, river enthusiasts and rock climbers, Idaho is frequent destination. With a mountainous profile, the state is a haven for river rafting, fishing, rock climbing and pretty much any outdoor activ... read more

16. Louisiana Real Estate – A French Influence

By Raynor James Obviously, Louisiana had a rough year in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. The state will recover as will Louisiana real estate. Louisiana Louisiana has obviously been in the news because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. To say the entire episode is a tragedy is to understate the obvious. Louisiana is a state that has overcome problems before and it will do it again. For the purpo... read more

17. Mulch Your Spring Flower Bulbs in the Fall for a Beautiful Spring Display

By Michael McGroarty You are welcome to use this article on your website or In your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, Mulch Your Spring Flower Bulbs in the Fall for a Beautiful Spring Display Flower bulbs need a good, lo... read more

18. Oklahoma Real Estate – Cowboys and Indians

By Raynor James Oklahoma is a state that conjures up images of cowboys, indians, college football and dirt track racing. If these subjects appeal to you, you’ll be happy to learn Oklahoma real estate prices are very low. Oklahoma Once known as the Indian Territory, Native Americans and their culture heavily influence Oklahoma. This give the state a unique relaxed atmosphere with even Oklahoma City feeling ... read more

19. Selling Your Home – What Can Go Wrong With Pricing and Loans

By Raynor James So, you’re selling your home (house, townhouse, condo, apartment, land, lot, farm, ranch, etc.), what can go wrong? The sad fact is that a lot of things can go wrong. However, don’t despair, there are almost as many solutions as problems. In this article, we look at problems related to pricing and a buyer’s inability to get a loan. Price Negotiation A problem that shows up all too frequently... read more

20. Single pane glass repair in an aluminum frame,part 2

By John Rocco This week we are going to continue our series on single pane window glass repair. Let's talk about broken glass in a fixed window, usually referred to as a picture window. The most common type will have metal stops on the outside, around all four edges of the window glass. Sometimes these stops will be held in place with screws, and other times there will be aluminum stops that snap in place. In s... read more

21. Colorado Real Estate – The Rocky Mountains

By Raynor James Colorado is the land of the Rocky Mountains and all that comes with it. Located in the foothills, Denver is the central location for Colorado real estate. Colorado A state dominated by mountains, Colorado is a popular relocation spot for outdoors enthusiasts. The state offers skiing, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, camping and other activities in the mountains in combination with big city s... read more

22. 5 Steps From Clutter To Control

By Karin S. Syren, CTACC If you sometimes feel overwhelmed, as though you are drowning in clutter and you find yourself avoiding certain areas of your home or business because you've lost control of them, don't give up, there is an answer - and it's not difficult! Here are 5 practically painless steps to de-clutter for people of all ages and stages. 1. Begin by identifying the areas which are most impacting your abil... read more

23. 7 Little Things That You Can do to Organize the Kids' Rooms

By Karen Fritscher-Porter 1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in their room to view things from a kid's level. Convenience is an important factor in getting anyone to organize or put things away. Lower clothing racks in the closet. Put most frequently used items on the lowest shelves and in the lowest drawers. Set up decorative, short open bins, crates, baskets and boxes in corners, on closet floors and at the foot ... read more

24. Maintaining Your Hot Tub

By Terri Greene Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one that should not be taken lightly. Hot tubs cost thousands of dollars and if not maintained properly they can become ineffective within just a few months. Maintaining your hot tub and all of its components is a key factor in how long it will last. In order to maximize the life of your hot tub and keep it running smoothly for many years, follow these ... read more