HOMEOWNER HOW TOweltzin3.com/portfolio/home/fallhomeimprovement103112.pdf · helping homeowners make a strong first impression with prospective buyers. 4817 7 Inexpensive ways to

BETTER BATHROOMS

HOMEOWNER

HOW TO

Simple ways to give your bathroom a new look and feel

How to improve yourhome's curb appeal

October 2012A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO CLINTON HERALD

FAMILY FIRSTThings to considerwhen building an

in-law suite

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 • CLINTON HERALD2

Did youknow? According to Remodeling magazine’s2011-2012 “Cost Vs. Value Report,“replacement projects perform better inresale value than other types of remodelingprojects. Siding-, window- and door-replacement projects all recoup between69 and 78 percent of their initial costs.

Replacement projects perhaps recoup somuch value because, with the exception ofroofing projects, each of the projectsexamined in the report are priced at lessthan $19,000. Replacement projects alsotend to rely heavily on durable, low-maintenance products, reducing the overallcost of the project while helping ownerseventually regain more of their investment.In addition, replacement projects areknown to instantly increase curb appeal,helping homeowners make a strong firstimpression with prospective buyers.

4 8 177 Inexpensive ways to update a home now

Your basement need not be damp and drab

Décor & Decorating: Express yourself with color

Acclaimed interior designer shares her top color tips

Simple ways to give your bathroom a new look & feel

Make the most of small bathrooms

Pros and Cons to acrylic tub systems

Home features that are disappearing

Things to consider when building an in-law suite

Future homes strive to be energy self-sufficient

How to improve your home’s curb appeal

Concrete vs. Asphalt Driveways

Financing a home improvement project

How to save on home improvement projects

Did you know?

Things to consider before refinancing your mortgage

Professionals who might help you get a mortgage

Creating a multipurpose three-season room

How to close your pool for the season

Establish a home fire safety plan

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CLINTON HERALD • Wednesday, October 31, 2012 3


4. Change knobs or small accents.Give a room a new look by focusingon the small details. Switch outcabinet knobs for something updatedand modern. Take inventory of walloutlets and light switches and thinkabout selecting new ones thatcoordinate with your home décor.

5. Use plants. Empty corners orspots you’re not certain how to fillmay benefit from a plant. Plants areinexpensive ways to add instantcolor and visual appeal to a room.Plus, having live plants can helpimprove indoor air by filtering outcontaminants. A home with plantsalso feels more cozy.

6. Hang new wall art. It may be time

Inexpensive ways toupdate a home now

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Oftentimes, buying a home opens up abottomless pit of opportunities forprojects and improvements. While somehomeowners engage in different repairsand fix-ups out of necessity, many otherslike to freshen-up their spaces out ofpersonal preference instead of need. Buteven the most well-intentioned projectscan be waylaid if budgets are tight.What many homeowners may not realizeis that there are many ways to makeupdates and changes to a home that donot require a major overhaul or a largeprice tag. The following are sevenprojects that won’t break the bank.

1. Move around furniture.You may beable to change the look of a roomwithout spending any money. Interiordesigners know how to arrange furniturefor maximum appeal, but the averagehomeowner can do it, too. Find a focalpoint in the room and angle the furnituretoward it. Don’t make the focal point thetelevision, however. Try changing theplacement of chairs and sofas. Simplymoving a curio cabinet from one cornerto another may also make a difference.

2. Add lighting. Lighting at differentlevels in the room can create a vibrantimpact. Many homeowners mistakenlyput in a couple of table lamps and thinkthat will be adequate. However, properlyilluminating a room means varying thelighting to create different moods atdifferent times. Plus, more light canmake a room feel more welcoming.

3. Add new pillows or drapes.Changing a few aspects of a room cangive it an entirely new look. If you want toadd a splash of color but don’t knowwhat to do, think about incorporatingsome new throw pillows or change thecurtains. An accessory here and there ina bright color also can incorporate a newhue without it being overwhelming.

7to look at your photos andartwork and make a fewadjustments. Finding newprints to hang couldinstantly change a room’sambience. And you needn’tspend a lot of money onprofessional photography,either. Grab your cameraand take a few close-upshots of flowers or take in alandscape scenery. Manyof today’s home printerscan produce professional-quality prints in minutes.

7. Try a new coat of paint.After you’ve exhaustedother avenues, choosing anew paint color may be thenew look you desire.Painting is one of the leastexpensive yet mostdramatic methods ofchanging a home’s interior.With dozens of hues tochoose from, and newapps that enable you totake snapshots of things innature or in your life andmatch them up to a paintcolor, you will have scoresof opportunities to explorefresh new colors for yourhome.When you get inspired tomake improvements to thehome but fear how much itmay take out of your wallet,consider inexpensive tricksthat can induce a big “wow”factor.


Homeowners hoping to spread theirwings around the house areincreasingly heading downstairs to

create more living space. Whether it’s fora home office, a home theater room, aplayroom for the kids, or even a laundryroom, more and more homeowners areturning their dark, damp and drearybasement into a brighter, morefunctional space. Though what to do with your basementis up to you, there are certain thingsevery homeowner should considerbefore converting their basement. • Be wary when painting basementwalls. Painting the basement walls willbe high on your priority list, but you can’tjust use ordinary house paint downthere. Standard house paint might notlook bad initially, but if your basementever develops a moisture problem,standard house paint won’t be able toprevent water damage. When paintingthe walls, use a waterproofing paint suchas DRYLOK, which is both decorativeand waterproof and capable of stoppingwater from entering the pores of thewall’s masonry, preventing waterdamage as a result. When applying waterproofing paint,keep in mind such paint is thicker thanhouse paint, so it will take longer toapply, though its application is just assimple as that of standard house paint.Most waterproofing paints can beapplied with a stiff bristle brush or roller,and you simply work the product into thesurface of the masonry, filling the texturewith the coating. For the best results, theexperts at UGL recommend applying thefirst coat with a nylon or polyester bristlebrush, while the second coat can beapplied with a brush or masonry roller.Two coats are usually sufficient to stopseepage. However, if seepage is still

present after several days, an additionalcoat may be necessary. More applicationtips are available at www.ugl.com.• Take your measurements. Largeritems, such as pool tables andrefrigerators, can likely fit into thebasement. But homeowners who haveused their basement largely for storageshould take some measurements beforebeginning their basement project orbuying any big-ticket items. There’s noguarantee that 70-inch projection screentelevision or those leather armchairs canfit through the basement doorway.Though homeowners will eventually findsomething they like that will fit, thedoorway measurements might dictatethat decision more than homeownersknow.• Brighten things up. Though it mightbe best to have a darker or less flashybasement if the goal is to create a hometheater experience, homeowners optingfor a different kind of basement shouldlook to brighten things up. Basementscan be somewhat drab, but they don’thave to be. Latex-Base MasonryWaterproofer and DRYLOK ExtremeMasonry Waterproofer can be tinted tocreate a colorful, decorative andmoisture-free area that’s perfect forhomeowners who want to add some lifeto their basement while simultaneouslyprotecting it from the elements. What’smore, homeowners who want toinsulate, stud the walls and hang drywallcan rest easy knowing MasonryWaterproofer is already on the masonry,protecting the basement from anymoisture issues that might arise downthe road.When it comes to remodeling abasement, homeowners are only limitedby their own imaginations.

Your basementneed not be damp and drab


Are you courageous when it comesto decorating your home? Manyof us would like to be as creative

as possible but need guidance toventure out from the neutrals — andinto something more powerfullybeautiful.Color is the most important tool in thetoolbox, say experts, who often addthat one of the easiest and mostinexpensive ways to infuse the homewith color is with paint. “People often feel intimidated bythis type of expression and that’swhy so much of our country isbeige and off-white,” says GenevieveGorder, a renowned interior designerand color expert for Valspar Paint. “Weneed to remember that color is agreat balancer in a space; it’s ajuggling act between neutrals,grounding shades, highlight andaccent.”

Décor & Decorating:Express yourselfwith color

When choosing a paint palette forany room, Gorder notes, there arefour key components to ensurepowerful effects while keeping aharmonious balance: neutrals,which are the beige or creamiestversions of any color; thegrounding shades, like blacks,browns and grays; the highlights,like the bright white on moldingsand window trim; and the all-important saturated pops of colorwhich add life to any room.“You might want your pop ofcolor to be a powerful accentwall,” Gorder continued. “Then,you can complement it withneutral upholstery andgrounding accents in theaccessories to balance it all.”

For additional guidance,inspiration — and evenliberation — here are thisdecorator’s favorite tips. • If you want to incorporate a trendycolor into your home but feelintimidated, start small with paint ordécor accents that are inexpensive.This way, you can always changeyour mind if you fall in love withsomething new or want to refresh thelook of your room.

• Use the chip rack at your retailer tofind color families and theircomplementing shades. A popularway to find an accent, for example, isto go a few shades darker in thesame family.

• Feel free this season to expressyourself fully without risk.

When designing a home, coloris one of the most powerfultools to add life to a space,says Genevieve Gorder, oneof television’s best knowninterior designers. “Painting is one of the simplestways to incorporate color intoa home, but people often feelintimidated by it until they havesome guidance. This must bewhy so much of our country isbeige and off-white,” shelaughs.Take a look at this snapshot ofanswers to the most frequentlyasked color questions,compliments of the designer.

Q: How do I use colorto tie a room together?

A: Use the different elementsthat make up a color palette ina way that they balance eachother. It’s a juggling actbetween neutrals, groundingshades, highlight and accentcolors. Having the rightbalance among these differentcolor components is the bestway to tie a room together.

Q: How are accentcolors applied?

A: From the palette, they areused for emphasis. Thesepaints are often bold or vividand are used sparingly.However, if you play with thepalette and create balance for

this powerhouse tool, you caneasily paint a whole room inan accent color.

Q: Any tips for workingwith bold paint shades?

A: Create a sense of balancethroughout the room, as youwould with any color. Forexample, if I put the vivaciousValspar Luscious Green 6010-7 (one of my personalfavorites) onto a wall, I wouldbreak up those big planes ofcolor with enough highlights(whites and creams) andgrounding colors (grays andblacks) so that it isn’toverwhelming. Neutrals wouldbe chosen for the contents ofthe room along with smallsprinkles of an accent color,like yellow.

Q: What if, on the firststroke, we feel the color wasa mistake?

A: Allow a couple of days tosee how the color looks atdifferent times of the day andin different lights, and considerthe feeling it creates in theroom. If after that you still feelyou made a mistake, don’t letit deter you. Magnificencecomes with risk. A very specialcolor, one that will give you joyin that room for decades, isright there waiting for you todiscover it.

Acclaimed interior designer shares hertop color tips

Genevieve Gorder



According to the “Remodeling”magazine’s 2011-12 “Cost vs. ValueReport,” which compares the averagecost for 35 popular remodelingprojects with the value those projectsretain at resale, homeowners canexpect to spend upward of $52,000 onan upscale bathroom remodel. Thatmakes a bathroom remodel one of themore expensive home improvementprojects a homeowner can undertake.For many homeowners, that costlyprice tag is simply too much money tocommit, especially in an economywhere money is still hard to come by.Fortunately, there are several simpleways homeowners can give theirbathrooms a new look and feel withoutbreaking the bank.• Install a new shower. One of thebest ways to give a bathroom a newlook is to replace the traditional tuband showerhead with a bigger, moreairy shower. Such showers aretypically found in modern hotels thatboast luxury amenities. Instead of thetub and slide glass, choose a hingeddoor with heavier glass, replacing thebathtub entirely.

• Add windows and a skylight. Manybathrooms, particularly those in olderhomes, sorely lack adequate lighting.Adding some extra windows and askylight can give a bathroom anentirely new look, even if you don’treplace any of the existing features orfixtures. Sunlight can make abathroom more inviting, giving theroom the feeling of a sanctuary thatmany of today’s homeowners prefer.• Add some entertainment. Just likethey offer larger showers with moreroom to breathe, many luxury hotelsnow ensure guests can be entertainedeven while they’re in the bathroom.Such hotels often feature smallflatscreen televisions that sit behindthe bathroom’s mirror. Guests don’teven see the television until it’s turnedon. Homeowners can bring this lap ofluxury into their own homes. This isespecially valuable to homeownerswhose bathrooms currently featuresoaking tubs where they can escapethe daily grind with a hot bath and noweven watch a little television while theysoak.• Replace old tiles. Manyhomeowners cite their bathroom’s tilesas the feature they would most like tochange. Old linoleum tiles give manybathrooms a dated look that few oftoday’s homeowners find appealing.Glass tiles are growing in popularity,but those old linoleum or glazed tilescan be swapped out with porcelain orstone tiles to give the room an entirelynew look without spendingexcessively.• Replace the toilet. Another easyway to give a bathroom a new look isto replace the toilet. Older toilets maybe eyesores and many are not veryeco-friendly, either. A new toilet cangive the bathroom a sleek, modernlook, and since many of today’s luxurymodels are low-flow, you’ll also savemoney on your monthly water billwhile doing something good for theenvironment.Renovating a bathroom is a toppriority for many homeowners. But if afull-scale remodel is not within yourbudget, there are still plenty ofinexpensive ways to give yourbathroom a new look and feel.

Replacing old bathroomtiles with newer ones isan easy and inexpensiveway to give a bathrooma new look and feel.

Renovating bathrooms iscommonly at the top of homeimprovement to-do lists.Though some rooms aroundthe house may remaintimeless, bathrooms, likekitchens, show their age (andera) much more easily, whichcould be why homeownersare always on the lookout fornew ideas.Although many people maydream about creating a spa-type oasis in their homes, noteveryone is lucky enough tohave a large bathroom, muchless a large budget for a full-scale renovation. Smallbathrooms are common,particularly in older homes,but they needn’t forcehomeowners to compromiseon style when renovating.Small bathrooms may be ahalf-bath on a main homelevel or even a full bath,depending on the home. By

thinking creatively,homeowners can maximizetheir spaces and redobathrooms in ways that bringout their best assets.• When space is at apremium, it’s best to lookfor fixtures and items thatfit with the scale of thebathroom. Although you maywant a large vanity andcabinet in which to hide all ofyour toiletries, this simplymay not be practical — takingup most of the bathroom realestate. Instead, look forelegant pedestal sinks thathave a much smaller profile.They’ll also help you controlthe clutter in the bathroombecause there won’t beanywhere to hide it.• Use optical illusions tomake the bathroom appearmore roomy. For example,lay tile diagonally to createthe impression of space. A

A frameless shower can take up less space in a small bathroom.

Simple ways togive your bathroom anew look & feel

Make the most ofsmall bathrooms


Increasing the value of their home is a goalfor many homeowners. Bathroomrenovations are among the more popularhome renovations, and they’re oftenbeneficial to homeowners thanks to theirimpact on a home’s resale value. Butbathroom renovations can be costly andmessy and can disrupt the use of thebathroom for a week or more, depending onthe scope of the renovation. The popularityof acrylic tub systems has risen due in partto their cost and convenience, but somehomeowners wonder if an acrylic tubsystem is worth it in the long run?Acrylic bath liners are custom-fit molds thatare installed directly over an existing tub orshower and is glued into place. There isminimal work done in the bathroom, and theshower can typically be used quickly afterinstallation.There are a wide variety of companies thatoffer acrylic tub liners and systems, andmany popular nationwide homeimprovement centers sell their ownincarnations while also installing theproduct.But there are pros and cons of acrylic tubsystems. In certain instances, they canmeet a homeowner’s needs quite well,while they may not provide the sameassurance as a traditional shower and tubreplacement for other homeowners. Hereare some of the pros and cons of acrylic tubliners and systems.

large mirror will reflect the room back and makeit appear much larger than it really is.• Select lighter hues in paint colors andaccessories. Dark paints and fixtures couldmake the room feel cramped. Dark colors aregenerally used to make spaces feel more cozy.In a small bathroom, it may make the space feelclaustrophobic. Instead, think light and bright andthe room will instantly feel more airy.• Minimize wall hangings and keep fixturessmaller. Filling the walls with knickknacks maycontribute to clutter and make the space appearclosed in. Use decorative items sparingly.• If possible, store towels in a closet outsideof the bathroom. This way you won’t have todevote space inside the bathroom to a closet,leaving more room for other things.• While some people like the thought of aseparate bath and shower, in smallerbathrooms this may not be possible. Instead,look for a combined shower and bath, or select awalk-in shower with a much smaller profile. • Windows are often welcome in bathroomsbecause of the ventilation they provide, butthey could be a hindrance in smallerbathrooms because they take up prime wallspace. Cover a window in a shower stall to freeup space. Just be sure to install a venting fan toreduce moisture in the bathroom.• Maximize wall space if you need storage.Find cabinets that will fit beneath windows or beable to fit in thin areas between sinks and toilets.Over the toilet is prime area for cabinetry.• Consider a frameless shower. This is apartitioned area of the bathroom that’s set asidefor the shower and is typically only cordoned offby a thin wall or piece of glass. Or a shower withno walls at all is the ultimate in space-saving.The entire bathroom floor is decked out in tile,and a portion is sloped toward a shower drain. • Think about installing a skylight if you prefernatural light, but there is no room for a traditionalwindow.Thinking creatively can help turn a crampedbathroom into a space-saving and well-designedroom homeowners desire.

Pros and Cons toacrylic tub systemsPros ConsOne of the primary reasonspeople look to these products isbecause no demolition isnecessary. Demolition of abathroom often means takingthe room down to the studs.Cemented tile will have to bebroken and removed, and thisusually ruins underflooring aswell. Removing a tub that hasbeen in place for years can alsobe a hassle, one that meansheavy lifting, hiring a plumber toturn off water supply and/or cutpipes, and all of the mess that isleft in its wake. Those who areanxious to have their bathroomsup and running quickly like theconvenience acrylic liners offer.Acrylic liners also take some ofthe work out of planning thenew bathroom look. They’re all-in-one sets that can include thetub liner and the wall surround.For those who tend to pour overdetails of tile designs and groutcolors, these systems may beadvantageous. Another plus to acrylic liners isthat they offer immediategratification. On one hand, fromstart to finish, acrylic linerinstallation can take as little assix hours. On the other hand, abathroom remodel can takemany days, and if products areout of stock or changes aremade, the renovation canstretch out indefinitely.Acrylic bath liners are touted fortheir durability and longevity.They may be more durable thansimilar fiberglass tubs. Andwithout grout lines and caulkingaround the tub, they may alsobe less likely to foster mold andmildew growth that oftenplagues even the tidiestbathrooms.

What they have in convenience andease of installation, acrylic bathsystems lack in other areas.Depending on the model, they canbe quite costly. You generally paymore for the convenience of anacrylic liner and fast installation,sometimes four times as much as atraditional bathtub and labor. Butsome feel the life expectancy of anacrylic tub make them a worthyinvestment.Although acrylic is durable andrequires basic care, the material canalso be easily scratched, which cancontribute to the accumulation of dirtin the scratches. Over time you mayfind the tub no longer has thatpristine shine it once did. They’realso susceptible to staining from hairdyes and other dark-coloredproducts, like bath-safe crayons andmarkers geared toward children.Harsh abrasives should be avoidedwith many acrylic tubs, which canmake cleaning difficult.A poorly handled acrylic liner maycrack during installation. There isuncertainty as to whether or notthey can crack over time fromroutine use.Because the acrylic bath is installeddirectly over an existing bath, theresult may be a more narrow bathand higher tub walls, which canmake the tub less comfortable. Thenew tub also may take up a fewadditional inches of space. Somepeople have concerns of moldaccumulation between the liner andthe old bath.A professional bathroom remodel,complete with tile and a new tub,may have more aesthetic appealthan an acrylic surround.Homeowners aiming for aestheticappeal over all else may be betteroff to avoid an acrylic tub.

There is no denying the profound impactthat the recession has had on the realestate industry. For the last several

years, the real estate market went frombooming to one characterized by homessitting on the market for months on end. Newhome sales also have been conservative, andbuilders are cutting back on some offeringsthat were once commonplace.

The National Association for Realtors saysthat, despite floundering sales, there arefewer foreclosed homes available now than inrecent years. Distressed homes —foreclosures and short sales sold at deepdiscounts — accounted for 25 percent ofhomes sales in May of 2012. That figure isdown from 28 percent in April and 31 percentin May of 2011.

While home sales have increased, money isstill tight in the building industry and amonghome buyers. As such, instead of over-the-topfeatures in homes that were once becomingthe norm, builders are now focusing on morevalue-conscious designs and offerings. Thelist of add-ons also has been reduced.

So what can buyers expect to live withoutwhen buying a newly constructed home?Here are a few of the common features thatare falling by the wayside.

• Sunrooms: Although the “bring-the-outside-in” movement was once strong, builders arenow focusing on home features thatimmediately add value and attract the eye ofbuyers. Therefore, they’re putting theirresources into linen closets and laundryrooms while de-emphasizing sunrooms.

• Extended ceiling heights: It can take a lot

of energy to heat rooms with 15-foot ceilings.As a result, grandiose family rooms and two-story foyers are less attractive to buyersfocused on saving money. Homeowners wantspaces that are easier to heat and cool.

• Luxury bathrooms: Many private residenceluxury bathrooms rival those found at popular4-star hotels. But luxury bathrooms are beingphased out in favor of less expensive, morepractical options.

• Outdoor kitchens: Although entertaining athome is one way to keep budgets in check,some homeowners have realized they don’tneed a complete backyard kitchen with apizza oven and brick fireplace in order to hostguests. According to a survey from theNational Association of Home Builders,outdoor kitchens are the second least-likelyfeature to be included in homes built in 2012.

• Media rooms: Individuals certainly lovetheir gadgets, but many of these gadgetshave become smaller and more portable. Thatreduces the need for giant home theaters andgaming spaces.

While certain features are disappearing, thereare others that are growing more and morepopular. Dual sinks in kitchens, walk-inclosets, extra storage areas, and hiddencharging stations for devices are likely toshow up more and more in new homedesigns.

The design of new homes is changing to bemore budget-friendly and also represent thechanging priorities of home buyers. As aresult, today’s newly designed homes willlikely look much different from homes builtjust a few years ago.


Home features that aredisappearing

Extended ceiling heights


and more popular. Dual sinks inkitchens, walk-in closets, extrastorage areas, and hiddencharging stations for devices arelikely to show up more and more innew home designs. The design of new homes ischanging to be more budget-friendly and also represent thechanging priorities of home buyers.As a result, today’s newly designedhomes will likely look muchdifferent from homes built just afew years ago.

Luxury bathrooms

Media rooms


Perhaps thanks to a strugglingeconomy and an unpredictablestock market that has resulted in

many retirement nest eggs beingdecimated, more and more adultchildren are welcoming their agingparents into their homes. Such livingsituations have led to a growth in in-lawsuites. In fact, in 2010 the NationalAssociation of Home Builders found that62 percent of builders surveyed wereworking on home modifications relatedto aging.

In-law suites are often created byconverting a room in the house, such asthe basement or even a garage, into alivable suite. Such suites can benefitelderly relatives who might have beendealt an unforeseen financial blow. Butin-law suites can also benefit youngerhomeowners who want to see theirparents more. In addition, when oldermen and women move in with theiradult children, they can provide somenecessary relief from the escalatingcost of daycare.

But before building an in-law suite intheir home, homeowners might want toheed the following tips.

• Be certain it is legal. Makingchanges to your home may requirea permit, particularly if your in-lawsuite will be an entirely new additionto your property and not just a strictroom remodel. Contact your localzoning board to ensure the projectis within your rights as ahomeowner.• Consider the health of your in-laws when making plans. Manyin-law suites are occupied by agingrelatives who might not be able toget up and down stairs as easily asthey used to. That makesaccessibility of the suite a toppriority. Typically, it’s best to locatein-law suites on the first floor, sorelatives won’t find it difficult to getin and out of the suite.• Don’t overlook privacy. Justbecause your parents or in-laws willbe moving in doesn’t mean theydon’t still value their privacy.Chances are your relatives willinitially feel as though they areinvading your space and yourprivacy, so be sure the suite affordsadequate privacy to all members ofthe household. It might be best tobuild the suite so it has its own

separate entrance from the rest ofthe home. The suite should alsohave its own full bathroom and, ifpossible, its own kitchen area soyour in-laws can cook forthemselves and entertain their ownguests without feeling like a burden.A second kitchen is also somethingto discuss with a zoning board, assome locales prohibit having twocomplete kitchens in a singleresidence.• Tailor certain amenities to theelderly. If your in-laws are older,install certain amenities, such asgrab bars in the shower andbathroom, during the initialconstruction so you won’t have tomake changes down the road.Install easy-open drawers and makesure the suite has ample lighting.• Remember to install safetyfeatures. Safety features like fire,smoke and carbon monoxidedetectors are a necessity. Makesure the alarms on each of thesedetectors are loud enough soelderly men and women who havehearing loss can hear them withoutissue. Make sure all walkwaysleading to the in-law suite have

Things to considerwhen buildingan in-law suite

Many seniors are moving in with their adult children to help carefor grandkids and provide some relief from a sagging economy.motion detecting lamps atnight to reduce risk of falling.Also, if the suite will be aseparate building from yourhouse, such as a convertedpool house or detachedgarage, install an intercomsystem that connects with themain house so your relativescan easily reach you in case

of emergency.

In-law suites are becomingmore popular as a greaternumber of older adults aremoving in with their adultchildren. Such suites can bringfamilies closer together andprove beneficial for all partiesinvolved.


Housing and energy expertscall the goal ‘net zero.’ Itrepresents a building that hasbeen constructed in such anenergy-efficient way — withmethods and materials — it isable to produce, on site, asmuch energy as it uses overthe course of a year. “Due to premium constructionefficiency and energy generatingabilities, experiments are alreadyproving it can be done,” says ToddBlyth at Nudura, a leadingmanufacturer of insulated concretewall forms. “The first net-zeroachievable school was opened inBowling Green, Kentucky, and moreare breaking ground.

“Even now, the materials you choosecan make a big difference to theoverall efficiency of your home,”Blyth explained. “If you want thehighest performance, be sure to payclose attention to decisions for thewalls, windows, roofing, ventilationand indoor climate control. Thosefeatures in particular assist in thegoal to completely offset energyconsumption.”

Nudura walls are a case in point inwhich interlocking concrete formsare replacing the traditional woodframe method. The system is knownto builders as ICFs, or insulatedconcrete forms.

“Our ICFs consist of pre-assembledpanels, each one stacked,reinforced, and then filled withconcrete,” Blyth explains. “Oncelocked together (like Lego) thesystem creates a solid, monolithicwall reported to be up to nine timesstronger, with far more fire protectionand with far more sound insulation.”

This feature — alongside solargeneration, geothermal heating and

cooling, plus positioning your hometo take advantage of natural light —are just a few of the features alreadyavailable. More details are availableonline at www.nudura.com.

Construction Quick Tip:Future homes strive to beenergy self-sufficient


• Take to the trees. Manyhomeowners growaccustomed to overgrowntrees around theirproperty and may notnotice that low-hanging,unsightly branches arehiding the home fromview. Buyers want to seethe house, so take to thetrees and trim anybranches that hang toolow or obscure yourhome. • Clean the gutters.Leaves and stickshanging from the guttersare a red flag to buyers,who tend to associateclogged gutters with roofdamage. Clean thegutters thoroughly beforeputting your home up forsale and keep them cleanthroughout the sellingprocess. If your propertyincludes lots of trees,install guards to keeptwigs and leaves out ofthe gutters.• Make the homeaccessible through thefront door. Manyhomeowners enter theirhome through a side dooror through their garage. Ifyou fall into this category,keep in mind thatprospective buyers will beentering through the frontdoor, so make this areaaccessible. Clear anyclutter, such asovergrown hedges, awayfrom the front door, and

consider upgrading thedoor handle to a moremodern feature. Inaddition, make sure thelock on the front doordoesn’t stick, forcing therealtor and buyers toimmediately strugglebefore entering the home.You want buyers and theirreal estate agents to getin and out of the home assmoothly as possible.• Make sure all plants,including flowers, areliving. Dehydrated ordead plants and flowersare eyesores, and theywill give buyers theimpression that you didn’tpay much attention toyour property. Make sureall plants are alive andthriving and replace thosethat aren’t. You canreplant new flowers orplants or just use pottedplants instead. Whenpurchasing new plants,choose low-maintenancevarieties that appeal tobuyers who want goodvibrant plants but mightnot want to put in muchwork into the garden.When selling a home,homeowners can employa number of tactics toimprove their home’s curbappeal.

How to improve your home’s curb appealM

en and women whohave tried to sell ahome are likely

familiar with the phrase“curb appeal.” Curbappeal is similar togetting ready for a bigdate, only you’re notdressing yourself up tomake a strong firstimpression. Instead,improving curb appealinvolves dressing yourhome up in the hopes itmakes a strong firstimpression onprospective buyers, manyof whom will have astrong opinion about theproperty before they evenget out of their cars tohave a look around.A home with strong curbappeal can entice buyerswho are likely to believethat a home with a well-maintained exterior islikely to have an equallyimpressive interior.Homeowners who wantthe process of sellingtheir home to gosmoothly can improve theproperty’s curb appeal ina number of ways, manyof which don’t necessitatea substantial homeimprovement budget.• Clean up. The mosteffective way to improvecurb appeal is to clean upthe property. Manyhomeowners are savvyenough to remove toysand other items from the

yard before showing ahome, but cleaning upgoes beyond removingclutter from the property.Make sure all hedges aretrimmed and removeweeds, sticks and otherdebris from any flowerbeds. Lay mulch in theflower beds and garden,as mulch prevents weedgrowth while helping thesoil retain moisture,resulting in moreattractive gardens tocatch a buyer’s eye.• Get an “edge” onother sellers. Edging isanother easy andeffective way to improvecurb appeal. Edgedriveways, sidewalks andother walkways aroundthe property, removing ortrimming anything that ishanging over thedriveway or walkways. Ifthe boundary betweenyour driveway and lawn isnot distinct, considerinstalling edgingmaterials such as stoneor bricks. The edging canbe level with the drivewayor elevated, but keep inmind that elevateddriveway edging canprotect the lawn,preventing kids fromriding their bicycles ontothe lawn or cars fromdriving onto it. Addingedging is not a verydifficult do-it-yourselfproject.

Get an “edge”on other sellers.

Be front dooraccessible.

Make sure allplants are living.

Ensuring a home’s primary entryway is welcoming and well-groomed is one way homeowners can improve curb appeal.

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something unique and functional. Enlist our professional servicesfor your next home project and watch your plan come to life.Counter Top: Granite, Solid Surface, Quartz, and Laminate.

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CostAccording to the Do It Yourself Web site, concrete cancost up to 45 percent more than asphalt to installgenerally. But if the price of crude oil is high, andcrude oil is a component of asphalt composition, thenthe asphalt could be more expensive. The best way tocompare prices is to get a few estimates for eachmaterial.

Depending on climate, both asphalt and concrete canbe prone to cracking. In many cases, it is moreexpensive to mend cracks in a concrete driveway thanin one made from asphalt.

Weather compatibilityIf you live in a very hot climate, you may want tochoose a concrete driveway. Asphalt tends to get softin the heat, which can contribute to grooves and dentsin the surface. Whereas concrete driveways workbetter in warm climates than cold ones. Salt used onroadways can damage concrete, and cold-weathershrinkage can lead to cracks in the concrete.

Rate of repairDespite the cost, some people choose concretedriveways because they tend to have a longer life withless maintenance required. A concrete driveway canlast as long as 50 years. Asphalt driveways can lastaround 30 years, but if they’re not properlymaintained, may start deteriorating after just a fewyears. That’s because asphalt is petroleum-based andvery elastic. If left to dry out without adequate sealing,the driveway can become brittle and start to wearaway. Concrete driveways can be sealed to preserve

their quality, but most people associate sealing withasphalt. This should be done every 5 years or so toprevent the breakdown of the oils in the asphalt. Thefirst application of sealant should be applied nosooner than 8 to 12 months after installation to allowthe asphalt to properly cure. Asphalt that is ready forsealing will start to take on a grayish hue.

StainingA light-colored concrete can be stained easily fromfluid leaks from the underside of a car or leaves. Itmay take powerwashing to remove the stainadequately. However, stains are much less visible ondark asphalt.

But asphalt can do its own type of staining. The oilsreleased from the asphalt can stick to the undersidesof shoes and be carried indoors. If you don’t removeyour shoes upon entering, these oils may eventuallydiscolor vinyl or tile floors or get imbedded into thecarpeting.

VarietyWhat you see is what you get with asphalt. Therereally are no decorative options — it’s merely a simpleand practical driveway material. On the other hand,concrete can be colored or stamped to providedesigns and aesthetic appeal. If you desire a higher-end driveway, then concrete may be right for you.

Both driveway materials will do what they’re supposedto — providing a durable surface on which to parkyour car. If you’re looking for low installation costs,then you may want to choose asphalt. For the utmostin durability, perhaps concrete is best.

Concretevs. AsphaltDriveways

Asphalt driveways tend to be less expensive to install than concrete.

Many homes come with adriveway. Whether leading toa garage or not, the

driveway is a convenient place topark one or more cars. If a drivewayis in need of repair or replacement,owners often choose betweenasphalt or concrete.

There are certain factors that comeinto play when making a decision.More often than not, cost is a mainconsideration and frequently thedriving force behind any drivewaydecisions that are made. Until yourealize all of the subtleties behindthese materials, you may not be ableto make an informed decision.



With the economy stillstruggling, money istight for many

homeowners. That reality canpresent a problem to thosewho want to improve theirhomes without spending toomuch money.The cost of a homeimprovement projectdepends on a host of factors,including the scale of theproject and the availability ofmaterials. Upscale projectslike a full roof replacementwill set homeowners back asubstantial amount of money.In its 2011-2012 “Costvs. Value Report,”Remodeling magazinerevealed that theaverage cost of a such aproject was nearly$38,000. However, asmaller project like agarage doorreplacement could becompleted for fewer than$3,000. When deciding if a homeimprovement project is withinyour budget, it’s a good idea

to consult such figures beforechoosing a project. Forexample, if your home is afixer-upper, then one projectmay not be more urgent thananother, something that mayallow you to choose lessexpensive projects now whilesaving money for moreexpensive projects down theroad.

It’s also important forhomeowners to know thatfigures such as those in the“Cost vs. Value Report” arejust averages. Some projectsmight cost more than theaverage, while others mightcome in well under budget.To ensure your project is oneof the latter and not theformer, consider the followingways to trim costs off yournext home improvementproject.

Homeowners can trim home improvement costs by buying theirown materials before hiring a contractor to complete the project.

After years of funny financingand few limitations on loans,banks and other lenders have

tightened up their lending policies.As a result, homeownersconsidering a home improvementproject might need to lookelsewhere to secure financing.

There are no certainties in the realestate markets. Though statisticssuggest marked improvement inhome sales over just a few monthsago, many homeowners remainweary about selling their home to tryto move up to something bigger andbetter. The National Association ofHome Builders says many peopleare choosing to stay put in theirhomes and remodel or makerenovations to transform the houseinto something more comfortable.

While there are many worthwhilehome renovation projects, the NAHBrecommends projects that bringyour home up to par with theneighbors’. It doesn’t pay totransform your home into the mostexpensive on the street — unlessyou plan to live there for the rest ofyour life. Real estate expertsrecommend that a remodelinginvestment increases the value ofyour house by no more than 10 to15 percent above the median salesprice in your neighborhood.

When it comes time to finance aremodel or renovation, you may notknow where to start. Creditrestrictions on home mortgages thathave troubled many would-be

buyers have also plaguedindividuals looking to finance homeimprovements. However,homeowners hoping to finance aproject do have options, and not allof them require stellar credit ratings.

• Borrow against a retirementplan. Many retirement plans, suchas a 401(k), allow plan members totake out a portion of the savings toput toward a home loan. This doesnot mean you are taking money outof the account permanently. Rather,you are borrowing against yourself,with repayment necessary in acertain timeframe. Because theseloans often offer very low interestrates, and essentially the interest isbeing paid back to you, they mightbe a good option for men andwomen who cannot secure atraditional loan. However, if you havebeen laid off, there may be a shorterrepayment period. Also, the intereston these loans is not tax-deductible.

• Borrow against otherinvestments. CDs, bonds or mutualfunds can provide the collateral youneed and earn you a lower interestrate. Fixed-income investments aremore stable options to borrowagainst, as their value won’t have achance to decline.

• Apply for a home equity loan.Many people have heard of a homeequity loan, and it is usually the firstchoice when borrowing funds forrenovations. Essentially a homeequity loan is taking out a secondmortgage on your home to pay forthe work you want to have done,which is based on the equity, or thedifference between the home’s fairmarket value and the outstandingbalance of all liens on the property.The interest on these loans is tax-deductible, which can make thisfinancing option quite popular.

• Secure a home equity line ofcredit. A home equity line of credit,or HELOC, is another type of homeequity loan. Instead of receiving alump sum to use toward renovationslike you would with a traditionalhome equity loan, a HELOC is sortof a credit card type scenario basedon the equity in your home. You are

given a line of credit, against whichyou can buy items. This is good forintermittent needs, when one largesum is not needed. HELOCs have adraw period, during which theborrower can use the credit, and arepayment period, during which itmust be repaid. HELOCs generallyhave lower mortgage fees at thestart and are generally subject tothe same tax incentives as regularhome equity loans.

• Consider refinancing. Interestrates on mortgages are at historiclows. You may qualify to do a cash-out refinance, where you borrowagainst the value of your home andcreate an entirely new mortgage atthe lower rate. Although you willstart your mortgage all over fromday 1 and have to pay closing fees,this type of refinancing can be moreadvantageous to homeowners withsignificant equity in their homes.

• Apply for a government-sponsored loan. The governmentmay offer programs aimed athelping individuals who areunderwater on their home loansborrow money to make necessaryimprovements. While the fundingcannot be used to purchase luxuryitems, such as a swimming pool, itcan be used for necessities.Residents of the United States canexplore FHA 203(k) refinanceoptions and an FHA title 1improvement loan.

• Discuss financing with yourcontractor. Some contractors mayoffer financing. Keep in mind that theinterest rates may be high, and itmay be difficult to investigate thesecurity of these types of loans.

Many homeowners also look tocredit cards to help finance somehome renovation projects, but theyshould be used as a last resort.Credit cards typically come with highinterest rates, and while they aregood for some small projects,financing larger projects on a cardmay land you very deep in debt.

Homeowners who choose to stay intheir homes and make renovationshave a host of options at theirdisposal to finance those projects.

Many people use their credit cards to financerenovations, but there are better options.

Financing a homeimprovement project

How to saveon homeimprovementprojects

• Avoid the DIY movement if youdon’t have adequateexperience. Many homeownersfall into the DIY trap, feeling theycan pull off a project without hiringa professional contractor. Whilethis is an option for thosehomeowners with homeimprovement experience, it’s anapproach that’s best avoided bythose without such experience.Homeowners who decide to go italone on a home improvementproject should know that mistakesare costly. One mistake couldhave you paying for the samematerials twice: once when youbegin the project, and then againwhen you need to hire acontractor after your efforts didn’twork out. A failed DIY project alsocosts you time, somethinghomeowners hoping to sell theirhomes post-project cannot affordto waste.• Hire the right contractor. Thebest contractor for the job won’tnecessarily be the one whocomes in with the lowest estimate.The right contractor will know howlong a project will take and whatthe materials will cost. The wrongcontractor, who might lack theexperience of his competitors,

might make empty promises thatultimately cost you more moneyvia overrun costs. Find acontractor who comes highlyrecommended and is willing toprovide references and show youhis or her past projects like theone you’re hiring him or herundertake. If you hire the wrongcontractor, the project may neverbe completed and you may findyourself in court, where the moneyyou had budgeted for homeimprovements is being spent onlawyers instead.• Consider supplying your ownmaterials. If you diligentlyresearch your project, you shouldbe able to buy the materialsyourself, even if you plan on hiringa contractor to do the work. Somecontractors mark up the materialsas a means of padding the bill. Ifyou research the project and learnabout the materials you want touse, you can save a substantialamount of money buying thosematerials yourself and then hiringa contractor.• Don’t overlook recycledmaterials. Buying recycledmaterials is another way to reducehome improvement costs.Bathroom fixtures, doors, flooring,

and lighting are just a few of thematerials that are commonlyrecycled and resold at a fraction ofthe cost of new materials. Shoparound for stores in your area orperuse the Internet for recycledmaterials. Homeownersundertaking a replacement projectrather than a remodel might evenbe eligible for tax breaks if theydonate their old materials.• Choose projects that providemore bang for your buck.Another way to save is to chooseprojects that provide a strongreturn on your investment. The“Cost vs. Value Report” comparesthe cost of popular remodelingprojects with the value thoseprojects retain at resale. If moneyis a motivating factor behind yourproject, choose a project that willget you the most money back atresale. While the economy has notnecessarily been kind to the homeimprovement industry, there arestill plenty of homeowners lookingto improve their homes. Savvyhomeowners can do just that andsave some money along the wayby putting a few strategies to workfor them.

Did you know?According to TGBEnterprises in Burlington,Ontario, kitchenrenovations are the mostpopular homeimprovement projects.Renovating a kitchen is agreat way to increase thevalue and also thefunctionality of a home.The National Kitchen &Bath Association's latestmarket report says that,in the first three monthsof 2012, the number ofhomeowners who starteda kitchen renovation wasup more than 50 percentfrom the previous quarter.A kitchen is a centralgathering place and isone of the most popularfamily gathering spots inthe house. Withtraditional dining roomsbeing eliminated in favorof open, eat-in kitchensand entertaining spaces,more attention than everis now placed on a well-designed kitchen. Theaverage remodelingbudget for a kitchen

renovation exceeds$30,000. But there areways to keep budgets incheck.• Do some of the workyourself to reducemoney spent on laborcosts.• Consider laminateflooring and counters,which will look like realstone but at a fraction ofthe cost.• Skip custom cabinetryin lieu of stock units.They’re more attractivethan ever before anddon’t require the waittime of custom-orderedcabinets.• Choose lessexpensive, mid-rangeappliances that mayfunction better than orequal to high-endmodels.• Plan layout accuratelyand spend timereviewing your designs.Late changes in aremodel can quickly eatup a budget.



Many homeownersare finding now isa great time to

refinance their mortgages.Lower interest rates andlegislation aimed athelping owners whosemortgages are underwaterhave encouragedhomeowners to takeadvantage of theseopportunities, which mightnot come along again.

But before refinancing amortgage, it’s wise forhomeowners to examinetheir credit ratings andtake the steps necessaryto ensure they get thebest rates possible whenrefinancing.

• Get your credit report.Many people know theycan access their creditreport once a year forfree. However, what thosesame people might notknow is that there arethree agencies that keeptrack of your credit, andyou can access reportsfrom each one for freeonce a year. So that’sessentially three freereports per year.Homeowners who want torefinance their mortgagesshould stagger the reportsso they don’t receive allthree at the same time.This allows you to showhow much progress you’remaking on improving yourcredit over the course of ayear.

Spreading out your creditreports also makes iteasier to address anyerrors that may appear.For example, if your firstcredit report shows anoutstanding balance on agiven account, then youpay off that balance, thatpayoff should be reflectedon your second report ifyou allow ample timebetween the payoff andwhen you place the orderfor your second report. If

the second report doesnot reflect up-to-dateactivity, consult the creditreporting agency andhave the issue corrected.

• Stop paying bills late. Ifyou routinely pay your billslate, especially credit cardbills, then you almostcertainly won’t get thelowest interest rate whenrefinancing yourmortgage. Make all creditcard, utilities andinstallment loan paymentson time. Once you’veestablished a lengthypattern of paying bills ontime, then that might be agood time to visit yourbank and discussrefinancing yourmortgage.

• Don’t open newaccounts. If you have abad credit history, don’topen any new accounts,especially if you still haveoutstanding balances onexisting accounts. Payexisting accounts downcompletely before youeven consider opening anew account. Oncebalances are paid in full,then you might shoparound for a new creditcard. Many people with

high outstanding balanceshave high annualpercentage rates, so onceyou have paid downbalances on those cards,you’ll be in a betterposition to apply for a cardwith a lower APR.

Once you have addressedyour credit score, thereare some things youshould know about therefinancing process. Firstand foremost, don’t expectthe process to be free.The Federal Reservenotes that it’s not unusualfor homeowners to payanywhere from 3 percentto 6 percent of theiroutstanding principal inrefinancing fees. Feesvary depending on wherean applicant lives, but youshould expect to pay anapplication fee, a loanorigination fee and points.Points are a percentage ofyour mortgage loan, andthere are two kinds youmight have to pay. Loan-discount points are aone-time fee that you’repaying to reduce yourexisting loan’s interestrate. Some lenders alsocharge points to earnmoney on the loan. You

likely paid points on yourinitial loan, but pointswhen refinancing aren’tnecessarily fullydeductible like they werethe first time around.Additional fees caninclude an appraisal fee,inspection fee, closing fee,and other fees that, whenadded up, can costhomeowners a substantialamount of money.

Another thinghomeowners should studybefore deciding torefinance is no-costrefinancing. No-costrefinancing is a bit of amisnomer, as you mightnot pay closing costs ifyours is a no-costrefinancing, but you willavoid those costs at theexpense of a higherinterest rate on theremainder of the newloan. Since manyhomeowners refinancetheir mortgage specificallyto lower their interestrates, no-cost refinancingmight not be in their bestinterests.

In some instances, no-cost refinancing maysimply include theaforementioned fees in thenew loan. This means thefees are added to yourloan’s principal. You will berepaying them withinterest over the life of theloan. In such instances,many homeowners simplyprefer to pay therefinancing fees upfront,but that’s a decision foreach individual to make.

Many homeowners aretaking advantage of lowerinterest rates andrefinancing theirmortgages. But beforedoing so homeownersshould repair their creditand determine ifrefinancing is truly forthem.

The process of buying a homecan be intimidating, especiallyfor those men and women whohave never before owned theirown homes. Nowadays, morehomeowners are choosing toget preapproved for mortgagesbefore they begin searching fora home in an effort to make thehome-buying process go moresmoothly when they find thehome for them.One of the first things buyersmust do when seekingpreapproval is find the rightmortgage lender. There aremany different ways to find amortgage lender who will fundyour home loan. Prospectivehomeowners would be wise tofamiliarize themselves withmortgage lenders beforebeginning the preapprovalprocess.The following are a fewterms prospective homebuyers should knowbefore they begin theprocess of buying a home.• Retail lender: These arelenders who will reach outdirectly to prospective homebuyers. Retail lenders includebanks with loan officers in localbranches, though many banksare also wholesale lenders.• Wholesale lender: Awholesale lender is one whofunds a mortgage acquiredthrough a mortgage broker. Awholesale lender will buy themortgage from the broker afterthe broker has found thecustomer and processed theloan.

• Mortgage broker: Mortgagebrokers are essentiallymatchmakers. A mortgagebroker will examine aprospective buyer’s financesand then work to find the buyera lender who can provide himor her with the best rate andterms. The broker may chargebuyers a fee, but the broker willearn the bulk of his or hermoney when the buyer ismatched with a lender.• Mortgage banker: Amortgage banker will fund theloan initially. But mortgagebankers often sell the loan tosecondary lenders. Many menand women might be familiarwith Fannie Mae and FreddieMac, both of which aresecondary lenders. A mortgagebanker will borrow money fromthe a bank to fund the initialloan, then repay that bank ifand when the loan is sold to asecondary lender.• Portfolio lender: A portfoliolender is typically a credit unionor community bank that usesdeposits from its customers tofund loans that it will keep in itsportfolios.• Loan officer: Loan officerscan be very helpful to buyers,helping them through the loanapplication process andoffering advice on finding amortgage that best meets acustomer’s needs. A loanofficer may be referred to as amortgage consultant or a homeloan consultant, and many willearn a commission on the loanonce it is finalized.

Professionals who might help you get a mortgage

Things to consider before refinancing your mortgage

Quality Sales & Service Since 1977524 3rd Ave. S., Clinton, Iowa • 563-242-4563


Aspace that serves asan indoor-outdoortransitional area in a

home can be a valuableliving space. Screened-inporches are often attractiveto buyers, but are typicallynot as popular as a roomthat can be used once thewarm weather has passed.Certain features of ahome can increase ahome’s resale value.According toBankRate.com, a light,airy and spacious feel isone characteristic thatprospective buyers findvery attractive. RichardGaylord, a member of theexecutive committee forthe National Associationof Realtors, says, “Ihaven’t sold many homesthat aren’t bright andairy.” Even the popular

home improvementtelevision network HGTVtouts brightening up ahome as a way toincrease its value. A bright, well-lit room helpspeople feel more cheerfuland relaxed. To easilyachieve more light andspace, consider the additionof a three-season-room.When paired with energy-efficient new windows, thisspace can make a welcomeaddition to just about anyhome. A three-season room isoften called a sunroom orextended season room. It isnot to be mistaken for afour-season-room, which isfully insulated and generallyhas heating and airconditioning just like therest of the house. A three-season room does not have

these amenities, but it maybe used year-round with thehelp of a portable heater.There are manyadvantages to three-season rooms.• A room with regularwindows can make thespace more comfortable.This allows for the use ofscreens in warmer months— letting in air and soundsof nature. When thetemperature drops, thewindows can be closed tohelp insulate against thecold. • Three-season rooms canadd much-needed extrafloor space to the home.• These rooms can alsoserve as a transitionbetween the house and theyard, which is a good way toreduce tracking dirt anddebris.

Creating a multipurposethree-season room


• They reduce thediscomfort of sittingoutdoors among peskyinsects.• A three-season roomlets in more sunlightthrough windows orskylights, possiblyreducing home energycosts as a result.• The three-season roomenables those sufferingfrom seasonal mooddisorders to extend theirtime spent in the sun.• A three-season roomsis often the ideal placeto entertain companybecause it tends to bebright and cheerful.Handy homeowners maybe able to convert anexisting porch into athree-season room orbuild one from scratch orassemble the room froma premade kit. However,those homeowners whoprefer to leave the workto someone moreexperienced can hire a

contractor. Before getting started, itis best to contact thelocal building andpermits office todetermine which buildingcodes for the new roommust be met. Whilescreened-in porchesmay be adequate with acertain level offoundation and structure,rooms that will be usingglass panels or standardwindows may needsome modifications tomake them safe. Applyfor the necessarypermits and have thework inspected to besure it is legal.Where you locate yoursunroom may depend onthe direction of the sunor the space you haveon the property.Consider your landscapeand property linesbefore doing anybuilding.You may have to reframe

certain parts of the roomif you are converting aporch to a sunroom. Besure to use materialsthat will accommodatethe addition of heavier,thicker glass orwindows.

Many homeowners findweatherproofing theroom is a good idea.Use construction-gradematerials you cancommonly find at homeimprovement centers.Wrapping the room in amaterial that guardsagainst heat, humidityand moisture will ensurea more comfortableenvironment onceconstruction is complete.

Building a three-seasonroom can addsubstantial value to yourhome and createanother family-friendlyspace.


After a summer’s worth of memories andfun in the sun, pool owners know it’stime to close their pool for the coming

fall and winter seasons.

As the leaves begin to change color and theair starts to grow a little more crisp,homeowners turn their attention to winterizingtheir pools. The goal is to begin the workearly on so that you’re not facing the hassleof leaves all over the ground or in the pool.Many times, closing the pool requires a teameffort, so enlist the help of a spouse, friend orfamily member before beginning the process.

The first thing that is essential to winterizingthe pool is having all of your equipmentready. Depending on the type of pool youhave, this equipment can vary. But have alltools, winterizing chemicals and water plugsat the ready. Although inground pools andabove-ground ones have similar winterizingsteps, there are a few differences betweenthe two and it is important to be aware of thedifferences.

Thoroughly vacuum the bottom of the pool

and clean the walls. You want to remove asmuch organic material, such as algae anddead insects, as possible prior to coveringthe pool so that there is a higher propensitythe water will be crystal clear next spring orsummer when you reopen the pool.

Once the pool has been vacuumed and

How toclose yourpool for theseason


People rely on fire and smoke detectorsto help keep them safe in their homes.Though fire and smoke alarms areeffective, a firm fire safety plan that willkeep everyone calm should a fire occurcould make the difference between lifeand death.The U.S. Fire Administration saysthat more than 3,500 Americans dieeach year in fires, while roughly18,300 more men, women andchildren are injured each year.Cooking accounts for the greatestpercentage of residential fires, followedby arson. Dryer vent fires are also a bigconcern. FEMA says that smoke, ratherthan the fire’s flames, is responsible for75 percent of all deaths by fire.In addition to physical injury and materialdamage, fires can cause a host ofproblems. Psychological distress,monetary damages and loss of pets maycome with fires. Loss of irreplaceablepersonal items is also a concern.Although fires can be devastating, they’realso highly preventable, and smokealarms and a home fire safety plan aretwo precautionary measures everyoneshould take.Creating an evacuation plan doesn’t haveto be complicated. Such a plan can beestablished in a few minutes and then

reinforced through practice every so oftento keep everyone fresh on what to do.• Begin by assessing the layout of thehome. Figure out the two best exits fromthe home.• If your home doesn’t have two doors,invest in a fire ladder so that one of thewindows can be a point of exit.• Know how to gain access to the exits,including the best path to take to avoidinjury. It’s a good idea to consider a fewdifferent scenarios. A kitchen adjacent tothe upstairs staircase may becomeengulfed in flames and make exit by wayof staircase impossible. Just because youhave doors to the outside doesn’t meanthey’ll present the best type of exit.• Sketch out the layout of the home andthe escape plan. Smoke can make itdifficult to know up from down. Be sureeveryone can reach the exits even ifvision is obstructed. Try it with your eyesclosed.• Check fire alarms routinely, and changebatteries at least every year.• Make sure windows can be easilyopened if they are an exit point.• Make note of who will be helpingchildren or the elderly out of the home.• Establish a place where the family will

meet outdoors. This area should be farenough away from the home so thateveryone will be safe from smoke, flamesand falling debris. Fires may ignite fuelexplosions, so be sure the meeting spotis a good deal away.• Children should be instructed to run tothe meeting spot immediately withoutwaiting behind for anyone to catch up. Noone should reenter the home afterarriving at the meeting spot.• Do a few practice runs so that everyonewill be accustomed to getting out quickly.• While in most cases it is better toescape and let the fire departmentextinguish a fire, in the event of a smallfire, occupants may be able to stanch itwith a personal fire extinguisher. Followthe acronym PASS to properly put outthe fire.PULL the pin in the extinguisher.AIM the nozzle or hose at the base of theflames.SQUEEZE the trigger.SWEEP the foam across the fire base; donot just aim in one place.Fire safety is very important. Inconjunction with smoke alarms, a firesafety plan can help everyone get outalive.

Establish a home fire safety plan

cleaned, backwash the filter to remove any excess residue.Remove plugs or open drain ports on the filter and let all ofthe water flow out of the filter. Give the filter components,including skimmer baskets, a good rinse with water and allowthem to dry.

Next, disconnect the pool’s pump and filter. Everything shouldbe totally drained of any water. With an above-ground pool,remove intake and output hoses and drain. For ingroundpools, use an air compressor or a shop vacuum to blow outany residual water from the return pipes, and then promptlyplug up the ports.

Some people prefer to plug-up the skimmer return as welland leave the water level of the pool as is. However, it is alsopossible to drain the pool water level below the skimmer level.Put duct tape or use some other blockage method on all

exposed pipes or openings to the pools to prevent anythingfrom getting inside — this includes any insects and rodentslooking for places to set up winter camp.

While some people keep their filters disconnected andoutdoors for the winter, the pump should be moved into agarage or shed. Do so with the filter if you have room in orderto better safeguard the equipment.

Homeowners should also test the pool water chemistry andadjust the pH, calcium hardness and total alkalinity accordingto recommended levels. Then prepare to add the desired mixof chemicals to the pool to sanitize it for the season. Mostpeople use a combination of algaecide and chlorine as theirwinterizing chemicals. However, if the chlorine level is highenough, algaecide may not be necessary. Raise the chlorineto shock level — much higher than the recommended level for

when the pool is running. Thoroughly mix granulatedchemicals to prevent them from settling on the liner andcausing stains.

The cover should be placed on the pool and properlysecured. This is where an extra body comes in handy so thatthe cover can be maneuvered easily. In above ground pools,an inflated pillow is often used to alleviate ice expansion andprevent the walls of the pool from splitting. It is not to keeprainwater from accumulating on the top of the cover.

Store all of the pool equipment for the winter season, andduring the cold weather, periodically check the cover, airpillow and water tubes for any damage.

Although closing a pool is not terribly difficult, it can be forthose who have never owned a pool in the past. When indoubt, it is best to consult with a pool service.


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HOMEOWNER HOW TOweltzin3.com/portfolio/home/fallhomeimprovement103112.pdf · helping homeowners make a strong first impression with prospective buyers. 4817 7 Inexpensive ways to