Free Home Improvement Articles that You Can Use

(ARA) - Not everyone who relocates has the luxury of doing it when school is out and the yard looks beautiful. If you're forced to sell your house and/or buy a new one outside peak season, you might have to work a little harder and think creatively.

Anyone who has bought or sold a home has heard the standard advice: Find a good agent, be aware of local home values, fix up the house you're selling and research school districts and crime rates where you're buying.

"It's all good advice, but it's not always enough," says Rich Novak, assistant vice president of Home Solutions, with USAA, a full-service financial services provider serving military personnel and their families. "Families who need to move quickly during a tough real estate market may need to go the extra mile to close a sale."

Keep these five themes in mind from the moment you start planning your next move:

1. Dig deeper: You probably already know to use neighboring home values as a comparison point for selling or buying. But in today's market, some additional homework can pay off. If you need to sell quickly, for example, keep a close eye on what other houses are selling for in your neighborhood and stay ahead of the market by pricing yours lower. In the wake of the bursting real estate bubble, it's also important to have a heightened awareness of foreclosures, both where you're selling and buying. As unfair as it seems, any foreclosures on your street can put a dent in your home's market value. And if foreclosures are still prevalent in the neighborhood you're moving to, it could be a warning sign that values could continue to drop after you buy.

2. Be involved: Just because you're working with a realtor doesn't mean you can't do some of your own legwork.

"The first 10 days on the market are the most critical to selling a home because new listings tend to get the most attention from buyers," says Brenda Wall, relocation director with ERA Colonial Real Estate in San Antonio, Texas. "Anything a seller can do to get their home ready to sell before putting it on the market would be helpful, including de-cluttering, cleaning, painting if needed and making the home look spacious and bright."

The Internet and social media have opened limitless new strategies to sell your home and find your next one. Try Craigslist, Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube. And don't be shy, say real estate agents. When you're selling, post pictures that show your home at its best and upload a narrated video tour - because that's what you'd want to see as a buyer. At some real estate agencies, a video tour is becoming the new requirement for sellers.

3. Accept a helping hand: Take advantage of a wide range of services, beyond your local realtor's, that could help you streamline the buying and selling process. Some cost money, such as home "staging" services that can help whip your house into selling shape. Others are free, such as relocation benefits offered by some employers, or the military's Homeowners Assistance Program. One free service actually helps you while you are out and about looking for a place to live. For example, Home Circle from USAA provides free home search services on the Web and through an iPhone app that gives you access to the same comprehensive listing information real estate agents use, driving directions to the homes you've searched and organization of pictures taken to help you keep track of all the homes you've seen. Chances are you qualify for some type of assistance through an employer, the government, or an association you belong to - you just have to ask.

4. Get creative: Sometimes it takes out-of-the-box ideas to seal a deal. If you know that a potential buyer is wavering on whether to make an offer on your house, buck convention by making a "reverse offer," where you try to win the sale with an attractive price. Sellers might also sweeten the pot with extra incentives. Money toward closing costs or prepaid homeowner's dues are common buyer incentives, but why not set yourself apart by offering a free trip to a beach resort?

If you're the one buying but can't find the perfect house, ask your agent to look up houses that were recently taken off the market. You might be able to request a "one-time showing" and get a bargain price on a house the owners thought they couldn't sell.

5. Remain flexible: According to the experts, buyers and sellers should keep their pride in check and be willing to make some concessions, especially in a tough market. That means not haggling over minor repairs or refusing to leave behind the chandelier your potential buyer loves. Factor in the cost of keeping up your home for several more months versus just accepting a lower selling price today.

"Always think in terms of the bigger picture. Don't lose a deal over $500," says Jodi Van Wagner, a Coldwell Banker agent in the Pensacola, Fla., area.

Even in the most sluggish real estate market, an early start and an open mind are two of the best strategies to make your next move go smoothly.

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(ARA) - The idea of someone breaking into your home and stealing your possessions, or worse, threatening your family, is a terrifying notion. Unfortunately, over the years, criminals expand their repertoires of techniques to get inside homes. The good news is you can make your home more secure. Thieves are clever, but, armed with the right knowledge you can be smarter than they are.

One technique that thieves are using more often is "key bumping." With this method, thieves use a filed-down key that can fit into most locks. By inserting the filed key into the lock and tapping it, they cause the locking mechanism to release your bolt lock. Similarly, "spring bumping" involves putting a small spring on a filed-down key and tapping it to dislodge the locking mechanism in your door. Since these methods cause no physical damages to your home, it is easy for a burglar to simply walk straight into your home, take whatever possessions they wish, and leave without any trace or evidence of theft. In other words, you are left stranded without any way of claiming a home invasion to your insurance company.

Likewise, your garage is filled with valuable items, and for those who have attached garages it's a gateway to the rest of your home, so it's important to protect it as well. Garage doors are increasingly a target of burglars who have devised many ways of getting in. One technique involves inserting a wedge at the top of garage doors that have glass that allows them to see inside. Through the opening created by the wedge, a thief can use a wire (even something as rudimentary as a straightened coat hanger will work) to pull the emergency release on the door. It can take as little as a few seconds to disable the garage door and get in.

While it's difficult to guard against every deviously creative thought that burglars have, putting a little time and energy into protecting your home will go a long way. You don't need to spend much to get a big benefit, either. In addition to steps like installing motion-sensing lights around doors and putting locks on windows, it's possible to have a home alarm system installed by one of the top alarm monitoring companies. Some security companies are even offering a free wireless security system, worth $850, with the purchase of an alarm monitoring package and a nominal installation fee.

Home security systems are one of the most effective tools you can have in your deterrence arsenal. If a burglar sees a sign outside your home that indicates that you have alarm system monitoring, he will be more likely to move on to an easier target. If he doesn't see the sign and gets into your home, an alarm system will make him leave faster. After the system is in place, you'll just need to pay for monitoring - a small cost when weighed against the damage that could be done by a burglar.

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(ARA) - You love the look of natural wood flooring but are afraid to install hardwood because you know the floor will take a beating from the kids, dogs and the heavy day-to-day traffic all too common in modern family life.

But you don't have to sacrifice high style looks for boring sensibility when considering a new flooring option in your home - not if you choose laminate, that is.

Today's best laminates combine the realistic grain and texture of wood with high durability and scratch and indentation resistance that "authentic" wood floors don't provide, according to Jeff Katz, director - laminate for Tarkett Residential, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable flooring. And not only are today's laminates available at a fraction of the cost of real wood floors, but they're right in sync with the latest designs.

"There's always a new decorating trend around the corner," Katz says. "It's imperative for manufacturers to respond to market demand, keeping up with the most up-to-date trends to ensure consumers are getting the latest in style and design, as well as technology."

One such line is Tarkett's Trends laminate, a durable new collection featuring eight of the hottest flooring designs, including Old World-inspired antique-stained planks and soft, hand scraped wood grains. Colors and styles in this line will continually rotate out with new introductions to give homeowners the newest, most popular looks in flooring, ultimately providing them with the high style of premium wood floors without the fuss.

"That's the beauty of laminate products," Katz says. "They're the new normal - great-looking products that deliver great performance at a great value.

When shopping for laminate products consumers should look for flooring that is engineered with sturdy inner core board layers - preferably ones that deliver high impact resistance (at least an IC3 rating). This type of rating helps provide excellent indentation resistance, and when combined with highly rated top surface protection (AC3 or better) kids and pets can run and play freely on laminate floors without making a dent or marring up the surface's good looks. As a result, laminate flooring is so durable versus real wood products that some laminates come with up to a full lifetime warranty.

What's more, creating a laminate flooring transformation in your home is a relatively simple DIY project. Many of today's new laminate floors come in easy-to-install planks that simply snap together without the need for messy glue or nails to pound. Laminates can even be used over several types of existing flooring, often eliminating the need for costly sub-floor preparation.

"Consumers now have the choice of selecting laminate floor innovations that provide excellent performance and value, while also reflecting and accommodating their changing tastes," Katz says. "Laminate flooring solutions keep up with their day-to-day life. That's something we know will never go out of style." For more information about the latest trends in laminate flooring, visit www.tarkettna.com.

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(ARA) - When it comes to making your home more energy efficient, you may have to spend a little to save a lot. And, like most good investments, energy-efficient home improvements may require you to be in it for the long haul in order to see the maximum return on your investment.

Still, if you're planning to be in your current home for several years (and numerous studies report that more Americans are staying put), a long-term investment in improved energy efficiency can make sound dollar sense for your family. Energy-efficient improvements can help reduce energy use, lower utility bills and cut your home's environmental impact. You may also reap a tax benefit from making certain eco-friendly improvements. And some improvements, like installing skylights or solar water heating systems, can boost the healthfulness - and your enjoyment - of your home.

Skylight savings

Heating, cooling and electricity make up the largest chunk of nearly every American home's annual utility bill. Installing a skylight can actually help you lower heating/cooling costs and electric bills. In fact, installing Energy Star-qualified skylights, along with qualified windows and doors, can lower energy bills 7 percent to 15 percent compared to non-qualified products, according to EnergyStar.gov.

Because skylights admit abundant natural light, they can help lower your home's dependence on artificial light sources - meaning you'll use less electricity to light your home. They are also an outstanding method of passively venting moisture, fumes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from your home, so they can help improve indoor air quality as well. Venting skylights also admit cool breezes, to help lower cooling costs in spring and fall, when indoor temperatures may be too warm to be comfortable but not hot enough to warrant turning on the air conditioning.

You will find tax credits and product rebates in place for certain skylights and accessories, according to Joe Patrick of Velux America, manufacturers of the No Leak Skylight. He says that reliability, with long-term, durable performance is backed by both product and installation warranties. "When properly installed, Velux skylights are no more prone to leaks than any other properly installed, quality window in your home," he adds. You can learn more at www.veluxusa.com.

Solar water heating saves

Solar power is gaining broad acceptance across the country as a cost-effective way to reduce utility costs. Solar water heaters, in particular, have attained a level of reliability that makes them competitive with traditional water heating products. But when it comes to cost savings, comparisons pale between traditional and solar water heating systems.

The federal tax credit program makes it possible to recoup up to 30 percent of the installed cost of a solar water heating system, and many states and utilities offer additional incentives. The cost of a system from a manufacturer like Velux will vary based on a home's requirements. The installed cost for a residential solar water heating system will typically run between $6,500 to $12,000 says Jim Cika, a solar water heating expert with Velux. Installation costs will vary depending on a number of homesite variables, so a solar specialist should be contacted for detailed costs. Savings can be dramatic, he adds: an average of a 50 to 80 percent reduction in the cost of heating water for your home. "That's a significant sum when you consider that the Department of Energy says water heating can account for 14 to 25 percent of the energy consumed in our homes," he says.

Energy-efficient home improvements can be right on so many levels - from doing something good for the environment to making a change that can save you money in the long run. To learn more about how skylights and solar water heating systems can help trim your energy bills, visit www.veluxusa.com.

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(ARA) - Regardless of whether you're staying or thinking of selling, you want your home to look its best and be an asset to the neighborhood. Attractive homes accrue in value and help build strong, thriving communities. Plus, you'll enjoy living in your house more if you're happy to come home to it every night.

Projects to improve the value and appeal of your home don't have to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time to accomplish, according to Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware's home expert. "There are four easy and inexpensive projects that I recommend every homeowner undertake."

Update your curb appeal

Curb appeal is, quite simply, what everyone sees first when their car pulls up to your house. "Your mother's advice holds true here - nothing is more important than a good first impression," says Manfredini. "Strong curb appeal will help set a positive tone for the rest of the house."

Walk out to your sidewalk and take a look at the front of your house, checking for anything that needs to be cared for. A good first step is to update your exterior hardware, including house numbers, which often become dirty and dated over time.

Create a luscious lawn

Green, lush lawns always receive a lot of attention. Help your lawn reach its full potential by providing it with the proper fertilizer and grass seed. Manfredini recommends making sure that your lawn receives between 1 and 1 1/2 inches of water per week, including rainfall.

Groom your garden

Nothing compliments a great lawn more than a well-manicured garden. After the cold winter months, gardens and flowerbeds can be left looking unruly. Everyone wants outdoor spaces where they can enjoy spending time, so it's important that you tidy up these areas.

An easy way to do this is by spreading new mulch. Traditional mulch is a great option, but if you are looking for something that will last, consider Rubberific Rubber Mulch, which will last for 10 years.

"Homeowners should also trim and prune shrubs and trees to create a refined look," says Manfredini. "A 'jungle theme' makes your house look unkempt." Electric hedge trimmers can make this project simple and easy.

Finally, give your garden a pop of color by planting inexpensive annuals, such as marigolds and snapdragons.

Spruce up with paint

Now that the exterior of your home is looking great, spend some time on your interior. "Interior painting is one of the most inexpensive and simple projects that homeowners can do," says Manfredini. "And, it makes a huge difference!"

Choose neutral paint colors over bold ones. Equally important to the color is the type of paint you select. Ace Paint recently launched a new paint called Royal Finest, which is the first paint to combine ultimate stain resistance and environmental friendliness. Royal Finest is made with Scotchgard Protector from 3M, so stains and scuffmarks wipe right off. It is also low-odor, low VOC and GREEN WISE certified, so you know it's eco-friendly.

For more tips and advice on updating your home, visit www.acehardware.com or stop by your neighborhood Ace Hardware store.

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(ARA) - When it comes to adding value and enjoyment to your home, kitchen and bath remodels still remain tops, remodeling and real estate experts say. But how people remodel is changing. High-end renovations, costing tens of thousands of dollars, are dwindling, replaced by upgrades that provide homeowners with the most return for the least investment.

Part of the reason could be that mid-range kitchen and bathroom remodels now recoup more at sale time than do up-scale projects, according to the National Association of Realtors' Cost vs. Value Report. "A mid-range kitchen remodel brings an average 72.1 percent return on investment, while an upscale kitchen re-do returns only an average of 63.2 percent of the money invested," the NAR reports on its website. Mid-range bathroom remodels recoup an average of about 71 percent, while upscale projects return only about 61 percent, the site says.

"Given the decline in ROI for major remodels, it makes sense to get the most value out of upgrades for the least amount of money," says Joe Patrick of skylight manufacturer VELUX. "Installing a skylight is one cost-effective, energy-efficient upgrade that's becoming increasingly popular for kitchens and baths."

Kitchens and baths are logical candidates for natural lighting and passive ventilation upgrades. Along with laundry rooms, they tend to have higher moisture and humidity levels than other rooms in the home, making them among the most popular locations for venting skylights.

"Skylight installations can start around $800 each or range up to more than $2,000 each for electric venting models with remote control and blinds. The complexity of the shaft and other application specifics make a difference too, so it is best to get a qualified contractor or skylight specialist to give a detailed quote," Patrick says. Adding a skylight can help lower energy bills by reducing the need for artificial light in a kitchen or bath, and, when used for ventilation, can help remove humidity, cooking smells and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

"Venting skylights in a kitchen can release hot air and odors, lessening the need for energy-consuming mechanical ventilation, while providing better light for brighter days and more pleasant cooking and dining," Patrick points out.

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

"A clear window in your bathroom might fill it with natural light, but it can also give your next-door neighbor a view you don't want to share," Patrick says. In fact, 65 percent of homebuyers request skylights in their bathrooms, according to a National Association of Homebuilders survey.

"In bathrooms especially, venting skylights reduce condensation build-up while providing a beautiful view of the sky above, without affording anyone the opportunity to see in," Patrick says. "You get privacy plus the use of wall space, where a window isn't necessary, for decorating, storage, or another form of space utilization."

Modern skylights also eliminate one of the biggest fears of homeowners considering the upgrade - leaks. VELUX markets an Energy Star-qualified "No-Leak Skylight" that is guaranteed for 10 years not to leak when installed according to instructions. Today's skylights also contribute to energy efficiency with light and heat control as much as with ventilation by offering easily installed accessories to adjust and control light, as do vertical windows.

"Venetian blinds are available to adjust light, as are roller blinds to diffuse light and blackout blinds to block light," Patrick says. "And the accessories, as well as the units themselves, can be operated by remote control." Solar blinds are also available that qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit.

"From an economic standpoint, venting skylights admit light from above and reduce energy costs. It's also a way to stretch dollars," Patrick says, "with a one-time purchase that pays long-term benefits by reducing energy bills."

For skylight selection or installation information, visit veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org.

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(ARA) - Owing more on your mortgage than your house is worth may seem like a bad investment. But the alternative - choosing to default on your mortgage even if you can afford the monthly payments - will take a significant toll on your credit rating.

"Strategically defaulting - deciding to stop paying your mortgage regardless of your ability to actually carry the debt - will have a far-reaching, long-lasting impact on your ability to secure future credit," says Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education for global information services company Experian, one of the three large credit reporting companies that receive and update consumer credit histories which are scored to help predict risk. "It's by no means a move to be undertaken lightly."

About 355,000 borrowers strategically defaulted in the first half of 2009, according to research conducted as part of the Experian-Oliver Wyman Market Intelligence Reports. Interestingly, Experian and Oliver Wyman found that the homeowners most likely to strategically default were also those with the highest credit scores.

While it may seem like a good move to simply stop paying and walk away from a bad investment, keep several factors in mind when you consider strategic default:

* It's very final. Strategic default will lead to foreclosure by the lender. Foreclosure will negatively impact your credit report and scores. In fact, only bankruptcy will affect your scores more adversely than foreclosure.

For more information on just how severe the impact can be, VantageScore LLC recently completed a study that evaluates the effect that foreclosures, bankruptcies, short sales, and various mortgage programs have on consumers' VantageScore credit scores.

* The default will remain on your credit report for seven years. Since credit scores are based on information in your credit report, the foreclosure will greatly impact your credit scores during those seven years. Securing other credit at reasonable terms and rates will be very difficult, if not impossible, during that time.

* Potential lenders aren't the only ones looking at credit reports these days. Insurers, employers and even cell phone companies are considering the creditworthiness of those who want to do business with them. By impacting your credit report, a strategic default may affect your ability to get a job, secure insurance and enter into important service contracts.

* Fannie Mae, the government-controlled mortgage giant, announced on June 23 policy changes that will make you ineligible for a new Fannie-Mae-backed mortgage if you walk away from a current mortgage that you actually could afford to pay. The ineligibility will last 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.

"Strategic default may seem like 'walking away' from a bad debt, but it's really anything but," Sweet says. "While you will no longer have to pay the actual debt, you'll almost certainly 'pay' in other ways, in the form of lowered credit scores and a drastically curtailed ability to secure future credit for the next seven years. Higher interest rates and unfavorable terms could end up costing you more in the long run than continuing to pay on an upside-down mortgage."

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

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(ARA) - It's most likely one of the top reasons you've been putting off that bathroom makeover or remodel -- you're not sure where to begin. What color theme will you use? Do you want a pedestal sink or a furniture-style vanity? Will you incorporate any green faucets or fixtures? And, with all the decisions to make, will it all look good together and still perform well?

These questions, and many others, should be at the top of your list when you start mapping out your next bathroom project. Luckily, many manufacturers have made it easier in recent years for you to answer those questions in a painless, affordable way.

"We've created several full bathroom suites of fixtures, furniture and faucets," says Ed Detgen from Danze, Inc. "The elements of each collection were literally made for each other, which makes your job easier."

So what should you look for when you're planning your next bath or powder room project? Here are a few things to consider when choosing the key pieces:

Sink and vanity -- Choices are abundant when it comes to the sink area of a bathroom. For those smaller footprint powder rooms, or where storage isn't as critical, consider a pedestal sink. If a pedestal doesn't match your taste or needs, furniture-style vanities can have a significant impact on a room's decor and add extra storage.

Faucet -- This can be one of the most noticeable accessories in the room and one that homeowners and guests interact with the most. Make sure you choose a style and finish that is consistent with the overall decor. A soft brushed nickel or warm oil-rub bronze finish can add a distinct detail to the feeling of the room. If green options are important to you, explore WaterSense-certified faucets that can reduce water usage by 30 percent, without affecting performance.

Toilet -- This is one of the best places to go green in your bathroom. High-efficiency toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf), saving 2 or more gallons of water during each use compared to many toilets installed in the 1980s and prior, and saves 20 percent compared to more recent 1.6 gpf designs standard today. And, just because it's a very utilitarian element of a bathroom, don't skimp on design for this piece. Shape, height, styling and color greatly impact how the toilet can enhance the room's décor.

Shower system -- Years ago homeowners had a handful of choices for showerheads. Today, there are hundreds of styles, functions, finishes and components that can comprise a home's shower system. This is a recently discovered area of the bathroom that can really show off your personality and can help you create a unique retreat. Tastes range from building a "shower spa" with wall- and ceiling-mounted shower heads, to conservation-minded shower stalls equipped with WaterSense-certified showerheads.

Bath accessories - Careful selection of bath accessories is key to creating a finished look to your project. Once again, homeowners have a huge choice. Whether it's the ornate styling of an old-world towel ring, or the sleek lines of a contemporary towel bar, make sure to select accessories that match your room's faucet, sink and other elements.

Storage -- Homeowners can't seem to get enough storage in most bathroom floor plans. Again, choosing a furniture-style vanity can give you extra storage space, as can many well-designed mirrors. Be sure to match the finish and styling of the vanity and other pieces in the room.

"Coordinating bathroom pieces is easier than ever," adds Detgen. "Choosing pieces that are created as part of a collection is definitely a time-saver and a reassuring way to know the design details were taken care of for you."

For more information about the variety and beauty of Danze faucets and fixtures, visit www.danze.com.

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It's no secret that recent economic troubles have caused something of a "buyer's market" when it comes to real estate in the U.S. With more than 27,000,000 homes for sale as of May 2010, house hunting can be an overwhelming proposition.

Tirelessly viewing home after home, worrying about carrying costs and future repairs, and trying to learn the ins and outs of a particular market are just a few issues home buyers may encounter. Despite the hurdles, looking for a new home can be a fun process. Follow these simple tips to take the headache and confusion out of your house-hunting endeavor:

Tip: Work with a real estate agent
Certified Realtors are invaluable when looking for a new home. They know the area, are familiar with what's on the market and can help home-buying novices avoid common pitfalls. If you're hunting in a relatively competitive housing market, a real estate agent is useful for brokering deals and helping you come up with a reasonable offer. Though typical agents charge an average of 6 percent of the home's selling price, some charge less for simple consulting. Often, home sellers will pay both fees as an incentive to get their properties sold.

Tip: Always take a checklist
With so many specifications - like the number of bathrooms, gas vs. electric and square footage requirements - it's easy to forget what's important to you when you actually enter a new home. The easiest way to relieve this stress is to make a checklist with all your conditions and take it with you as you house hunt. Print your list so you'll have an instant, tangible comparison sheet in your hands when your search is complete. This step may seem unnecessary, but will come in handy when you're trying to recall the first of dozens of homes you visit.

Tip: Utilize online resources
In the last 10 years, hundreds of sites have popped up that aggregate real estate data. Using these sites can help you find homes in your area that meet your price, space and location requests. You can even set up appointments to visit homes. Another technological advancement to utilize is high-speed wireless Internet, which is available in select locations through the 4G network. Take your laptop with you on long days spent viewing homes, then use your mobile Internet to compare what you've seen with what you previously found online. You might even find other homes in the area that you'd like to visit while you're perusing the real-estate search engines.

Tip: Get comfortable
Though it may seem obvious, many people neglect to wear comfortable shoes and clothing when out looking for homes. Days spent on the search can be long and tiring, so be sure to schedule some time for snacks and discussions about what you've seen. If you have children, arranging childcare for them rather than taking them with you is advisable. It's often difficult to stay focused on the property at hand when you're worried about the safety and whereabouts of your child. Being prepared will ensure that your house-hunting experience is fruitful rather than simply exhausting.

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(ARA) - Renovating your home can be daunting. The last thing you want to worry about is the possible lead-related health risk of some common renovation tasks. Sanding, demolition and siding and window replacement can all disturb lead-based paint, placing you and your family at risk of lead poisoning.

Because of these risks, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program to help protect homeowners. As of April 22, the legislation requires that workers, including contractors, painters and maintenance personnel, be trained to use lead-safe work practices. Additionally, renovation firms must be EPA-certified.

Because these common remodeling practices can be dangerous to a family's health, it's important for you to learn about a contractor's lead-safe practices before delving into such projects.

"While this legislation does not directly apply to product manufacturers, it has proved to be a challenge for the industry as a whole," says Rich Black, a replacement channel specialist with Ply Gem, a leading manufacturer of home remodeling and building products. "So manufacturers like Ply Gem have taken a lead on this initiative and are working with customers to organize EPA certification-training programs so that they, in turn, can provide clarification and peace of mind to homeowners."

What does the legislation entail?

Under the EPA, the legislation:
* Applies to all remodeling/renovation projects on homes, childcare facilities and schools built before 1978 that contain lead paint.
* Is related to on-site work practices.
* Renovation workers must take an eight-hour training course to become certified on lead-safe practices.

Exemptions include:
* Housing built in 1978 or after. If you are not sure what year your home was built and whether or not it contains lead-based paint, it is the contractor's responsibility to confirm that information.
* Housing for the elderly or disabled, unless a child under the age of 6 lives or is planning to live in the home.
* Homes with no bedrooms, including studio apartments and dormitories.
* Homes declared lead-free by a certified inspector or risk assessor.
* Minor repair work using 6 square feet or less of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet or less of exterior space.

Questions all homeowners should ask

When meeting with a home improvement company or renovation firm, the representative should bring up the issue and provide a government-issued certificate from the EPA showing that their firm has installers who are certified in lead-safe renovation practices. If they do not provide this documentation, homeowners should question if the company is certified.

Also, beware that this legislation may increase the cost of some renovation projects, so homeowners should be careful not to fall for a lower bid from a non-certified contractor.

What the EPA-certification entails

"Before hiring a contractor or renovation firm, it's important to understand the basics of the legislation and what you should expect from your home improvement company," says Keith Pigues, chief marketing officer of Ply Gem.

By law, at least one certified installer needs to be on the job site, with a valid certificate, if it was built before 1978 and contains lead-based paint. To become certified, the contractor must attend an eight-hour course that includes education on the dangers of lead-based paint, hands-on learning of safe demolition, installation and disposal of the debris, as well as a final examination. Those who have taken the course can then provide on-the-job training to his or her helpers, who must also be able to provide a certificate to the homeowner.

For more information on the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, visit www.epa.gov/lead. For more information on renovating your home with Ply Gem products, visit www.plygem.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Natural stone and ceramic tile floors have great design, architectural and sculptural qualities. But they can be expensive, hard to clean, cold to walk on and not very durable.

So imagine transforming your aging flooring with the look of rich travertine, limestone, concrete, slate or ceramic tiles, but without the cost or frailty of these lavish coverings. Today's luxury vinyl tile (LVT) products echo the look and styling of these natural materials but also live up to the rigors and traffic of day-to-day family life. Luxury vinyl tile offers the perfect marriage of design and durability for today's busy homes. Available in a wide range of colors, styles and textures, LVT works in every room of the house, giving homeowners unlimited options for fresh style.

"Luxury vinyl tile pops with depth and realism, combining classic and contemporary elements that deliver clean design and stylish floors," says Erica Hubbard, Tarkett director of marketing - NAFCO Luxury Floors. "You get all the design features of natural materials with a much more durable floor. When you stand on these floors and look down at them, you're hard pressed to tell you're not really standing on limestone, travertine, concrete or slate."

Unlike their lookalike natural counterparts, today's LVT floors are created to resist scuffs, stains, scratches and wear. This is due to durable construction and even protective wear layers or coatings, such as Tritonite, exclusively used in NAFCO Luxury Floors. These hardworking construction details help keep floors looking new and wear-free.

Flexible, comfortable LVT floors also have the advantage of being warmer and quieter than hard-surface natural tile floors. Soft underfoot, they don't produce a hollow sound like other flooring options.

Another benefit over "real" stone and tile is the safety aspect of LVT. Unlike stone or tile, LVT isn't as slippery when wet. Glass or china is less likely to shatter if accidentally dropped and little knees won't get scraped during falls.

Further adding to LVT's realistic look is the fact that some of these floors can feature three very different installations options: for example, the NAFCO Luxury Floors' PermaStone collection is available in GroutFit, which produces a realistic grout effect; GroutLess where tiles install edge to edge without grout or seam sealer for a uniquely modern look; and GroutFil, an option of 14 pre-mixed, stain-resistant, acrylic-based grout colors to create an endless number of pattern and grout possibilities and also heighten the mimicry of real stone.

"The option to include grout with luxury vinyl tile floors allows homeowners to combine tile and grout colors in a way that customizes a look that ties their home together," Hubbard says, adding that grouted LVT floors are much easier to install than traditional ceramic tile. They're also more cost efficient, Hubbard notes.

Maintenance for LVT floors, even grouted ones, is minimal. Forget the sealing, polishing and special cleaners required for natural tile floors. Luxury vinyl tile requires only the use of a neutral floor cleaner and water. No harsh chemicals are needed for the tiles or the grout.

"LVT is a practical choice that looks fabulous and stands up to everyday wear and tear," Hubbard says. "Combine that with its easy installation, great performance characteristics and the fact that it won't break the budget and you have the perfect summer DIY project for beautiful floors."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Whether you're selling your home and want the best price, or you just want to be the envy of the neighborhood, creating "curb appeal" can be very rewarding. And you're confident you know what constitutes great curb appeal - siding, windows, doors and a lawn that are all in good shape. But is that all you have to think about when it comes to curb appeal?

Not so, says Gordon Blickle of Gardner-Gibson, a manufacturer of driveway, brick and patio sealers. "Driveways and sidewalks are the entryways to the home," he notes. "If they're in great shape, you've got a strong first impression. If not -- you've said a lot about the quality of the home."

Unfortunately, driveways are often overlooked, spoiling an otherwise manicured landscape. Unless the drive is severely cracked, crumbling or poses a safety hazard, there's no need to spend thousands on removing and replacing it. There are easier ways to makeover a tired driveway and boost the curb appeal of a home.

Beautify your blacktop
Don't let problems go unaddressed until it's too late. Old pavement left untreated will crack and crumble, becoming an expensive replacement. But a new coat of driveway sealer can restore it to like-new beauty. Refresh old, worn blacktop driveways and fill small cracks with fast-drying Black Jack Ultra-Maxx 1000, a flexible, long-lasting filler and sealer with a 10-year guarantee.

Showcase your home at night
Low-voltage or solar landscape lighting can create a softly lit path to border the driveway. In addition to creating a pretty landscaping effect, the lighting can improve visibility and decrease the chances someone will accidentally drive onto the lawn.

Make walkways more welcome
Stains on sidewalks and entries from dirt, mold, tree sap, and other outdoor invaders create an unattractive first impression. Clean the walk with an outdoor cleaner like Driveway Kleen, a garden-safe spray solution that attaches to a garden hose. To protect stains from coming back, coat the sidewalk and adjacent pavers or edgers with Krystal Brilliance, a waterbased clear acrylic sealer.

Add greenery to your scenery
Instead of having to keep the edge of the lawn trimmed against the driveway, create a "buffer" strip with a decorative rock garden or plant flowers along the path to create an inviting drive up to the home. If the driveway is shared with a neighbor, plant shrubs and flowers between them to create a small privacy wall.

Border on amazing
Edge the driveway with pavers in colors complementary to the home and pavement. Use pavers in different shapes and sizes to create an interesting focal point and frame the driveway.

"Consider your front yard the 'arms' that welcome visitors into a home," says Blickle. "Without a warm welcome, guests and potential buyers may just keep walking."

For more information and ideas on how to protect driveways from the elements, visit www.gardner-gibson.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - You know that moving into a new home can be one of life's biggest stressors - the packing, the paperwork, the unpacking, finding the nearest coffee shop ... even though numbers are down, 35.2 million Americans changed residences in 2008, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau. There are many ways to make your new house feel like home sooner than later, according to interior design faculty at The Art Institutes.

"Incorporating items with personal meaning, such as memorabilia or a special collection, can make your new place feel less like a stranger's house and more like your home," says Annette Lawrence, academic director of the Interior Design program at The Art Institute of Ohio - Cincinnati. Lawrence describes the concept of "adaptive re-use," an easy, inexpensive way to create a "sense of place" - in other words, making your new house the place in which you feel most comfortable - home.

Adaptive re-use involves bringing items from your previous residence to your new home, but with the twist of adapting them for a different or new use. Adaptive re-use is affordable, ecologically responsible and helps ease the psychological stresses that come with moving into a new, unfamiliar space. Adaptive re-use also involves using items from local design consignment shops. Such establishments can now be found in most towns and carry items ranging from furniture to window treatments and accessories.

Some examples of adaptive re-use:

* Same item, same use - The entry rug from your old house goes in the entryway of the new house.

* Same item, different location - Your living room furniture from your old home becomes your family room furniture in your new place.

* Same item, new use - You use the fabric from a window treatment to upholster your dining room chairs.

"Mies van der Rohe's old adage, 'less is more,' certainly holds true here," says Jackie Barry, interior design instructor at The Art Institute of Houston - North, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston. "Select significant pieces of furniture and art to move. You don't need to have or show everything you have all in one room."

Barry also advises incorporating a concept called biophilic design, which recognizes the inherent need of humans to interact and affiliate with nature to achieve and maintain optimum health and well-being. "Bring the outside in; don't neglect good views to the outside, accentuate them," she says. "Let your garden and landscaping work for you on the inside. Connecting with nature can also have a calming and a comforting effect."

If all of this still feels too overwhelming to you, consider hiring a professional interior designer to help you out. Lawrence suggests using personal contacts and references to find a designer who is right for you.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) -- Living on a budget is the norm, rather than the exception, in the current economy. Whether you're trying to entice potential homebuyers or just want to give your living space a quick spruce up, here are a few tips for making a big impact in the look of your home without breaking the bank:

* Start small. Small improvements - like a fresh coat of paint or an attractive new floor - truly update a home because people's eyes tend to notice surface areas first. Experts agree that these upgrades make all the difference to prospective buyers as well. According to the International Association of Home Stagers, investing in small upgrades can increase a home's value as much as 7 percent - and a new floor has been proven to return nearly twice the value for every dollar spent.

* Shop around. From mattresses and dining room sets to LCD televisions and sofas, you might be surprised to find the home decor items on your shopping list at budget-friendly spots like thrift stores, boutiques and warehouse clubs.

For example, quality flooring is available at Sam's Club. Traditional Living laminate flooring combines low-maintenance and authentic good looks with the outstanding value pricing for which Sam's Club is known. Its glueless click installation makes Traditional Living flooring an ideal weekend do-it-yourself project - saving additional money on installation. The superior protective surface provides durability and scratch-resistance to stand up to years of heavy foot traffic from kids and pets.

"More consumers are on the hunt for retail locations that offer premium home products at bargain prices," says Sherrie Towne, assistant marketing manager of SimpleSolutions, LLC, which distributes Traditional Living. "For example, the cost of a Sam's Club membership plus the cost of Traditional Living laminate floors is approximately 30 percent less than the price of premium laminate purchased at another retailer."

* Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. If a new sofa or coffee table isn't in the budget, infuse a room with energy and color by adding simple finishing touches like pillows, artwork and rugs. Flea markets, estate auctions and garage sales are unexpected sources of one-of-a-kind - and often inexpensive - accessories that add color and personality. In the bathroom or kitchen, swap out existing hardware on cabinets and drawers to quickly create a more up-to-date look.

* Clear the clutter. Piles of papers, toys and books can detract attention from the unique items that make a house a home. If your space - and your budget - is tight, organize everyday items with furniture that pulls double duty such as a storage ottoman or a bookshelf with built-in compartments. And if you're putting your home on the market, professional home stagers suggest removing one-third of furniture from public areas like living and family rooms to create the illusion of extra space.

For more information on the Traditional Living collection, visit www.traditionalliving.com or www.samsclub.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - With long days and plenty of sunshine, you're ready for your home decor to fully embrace the light, upbeat spirit of warm weather. You've decided to discard the darker hues in your home and brighten things up a bit.

Re-accessorize the right way - spend your redecorating dollars on items that will give you the most impact for the lowest monetary investment. Here are a few ideas from the home decor experts at Montgomery Ward to get you started:

Switch up wall decor

Giving a room a whole new look can be as easy as taking down a picture and replacing it with something different.

If you're looking to create a brighter, lighter feeling with wall decor, forego heavy canvases or tapestries, dark colors and large, heavy frames. Opt for nature-inspired wall accents in simple materials like metal, and simple styles like lightly framed floral prints. Look for bright colors that bring in the outdoors - like grass green, geranium red, marigold yellow and sky blue. These colors give a complementary pop to virtually any neutral background, plus they'll evoke the upbeat feeling of being outdoors.

Fabric fun

Abundant sunshine is one of the most joyful aspects of warm weather. Doff the drapes and give windows a light, airy and optimistic feeling with sheer, frothy fabrics in light hues.

You can find styles and colors to match virtually any taste and decor theme. The key is to choose lightweight fabrics that won't weigh down the windows or block the welcome sunshine. This type of window treatment has a practical side for summer as well - when the summer sun is so hot that you need to close the blinds, lighter window treatments can help balance the innate visual heaviness of blinds.

Think outside the firebox

Even though you're not using it, your fireplace doesn't have to sit idle. It's easy to dress up a wood-burning fireplace and make it fit into your lighter, brighter summer decor theme. Clean the firebox of ash and debris, and place a lush, green fern inside the fireplace. Or, incorporate the light-hearted feeling of running water by placing an electric-powered fountain inside the fireplace.

Great outdoors

Spending time in your outdoor living space is one of the best treats of summer. The right accessories, furniture and decor can make the time you spend outside feel restful, relaxing and easy - even if you're preparing for the summer's big barbecue feast for friends, family and neighbors.

Outdoor furniture in materials like wicker, accented by colorful cushions, can make your outdoor environment feel light and bright. Create movement and a cool atmosphere with fans, misters and fountains. Think beyond the deck or patio and create separate seating areas in attractive spots throughout your landscape. A resin bistro set, designed to mimic the look of white-painted wrought iron, nestled beneath a tree or near a flowerbed can turn an unused spot into a great place to take your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Cost-effective, simple and easy-to-do changes can make all the difference in how well your decor reflects the easy, breezy days of summer. Log on to www.wards.com for more accessory and decorating ideas.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - If you think having great curb appeal is only important if you're trying to sell your home, think again. Your house is one of your biggest investments and making a great first impression will leave everyone - not just potential buyers - wanting to see what's inside. With 10 simple improvements, you can easily transform your home into the best looking house on the block.

In a day

There are a number of quick fixes you can complete in just one day that will make a big impact on your exterior.

* Replace old hardware. It's the little things that make a big difference. Update your dated or dingy house numbers, entry door lockset and overhead light fixture. Each of these elements can add style and interest to your home's exterior, especially if you incorporate a great finish option like oil-rubbed bronze or brushed nickel.

* Make over your mailbox. Your mailbox should complement the style and color of your house. Restore your existing mailbox with a fresh coat of paint or stain that matches the trim, color and woodwork of your house.

* Tame planter beds and landscaping. If your beds are overrun with weeds and unsightly growth, you'll need to get them under control to give your home a well-manicured look. Prune, pull weeds and plant flowers to add color. Add a fresh layer of mulch and your yard will look as good as new.

* Illuminate your walkway. Adding low-voltage solar lighting to your front walkway can have a big impact on your home's curb appeal. It also provides added safety and security. If you don't have a walkway, string accent lighting in the trees for a whimsical-looking effect.

* Freshen up the front door. The front entry is the focal point of your home's curb appeal. To keep it looking free of abuse from the elements and use, clean off any dirty spots and remove any loose paint. If your door is beyond repair, install a new version that reflects the design of your house. Once you're all set, be sure to add a piece of decorative flair, like a wreath or door knocker that showcases your personality to the outside world.

In a weekend

In just a couple of days, you can boost the beauty of your home with easy upgrades.

* Renew paint and trim. Give your home an exterior facelift by adding a new coat of paint or stain. You'll automatically update the look of your home by fixing any obvious defects, like loose paint, fading colors or cracks in your trim and fence. Be sure to use high-quality painting tools to get a professional-looking finish, like the Pro-Extra brush from Purdy. The extra length and thickness of the filaments on these paintbrushes provide superior paint-holding capacity and are specially designed for all exterior paints and stains.

* Replace gutters and downspouts. If your gutters are loose and worn out, not only do they look neglected, but they're also a danger to guests. To prevent any injuries, as well as improve the overall appearance, install a new, snap-fit gutter system that go together with a few tools for an easy and important upgrade.

* Add shutters or accent trim. Everything on the exterior of your home should be a reflection of what's inside. To mirror the pulled-together appearance of your indoor rooms, install shutters and trim to provide an extra layer of interest on the exterior. Not only do shutters help control light and ventilation, but new materials such as PVC resins or polyurethane make them durable and low maintenance.

In a month

Using a little elbow grease and taking extra time on some projects can reap huge rewards for your home in the long run.

* Upgrade railings. Porch and stoop railings deteriorate over time and can become loose. If yours are past their prime, look for quality wood or metal replacements. Make sure the color, scale, design and details coordinate with the rest of your home's main features.

* Dress up the drive. If your driveway is cracked, stained or has weeds sprouting up from it, now may be time to show it some TLC. Upgrade it without completely starting over. Repair any cracks or stains and be sure to kill the weeds and then add some extra character by staining the concrete or affixing flagstone. For additional flair, add stone, bricks or pavers to the sides for a completely custom look.

With these easy curb appeal cures, your home will be the envy of all your neighbors. For more information about the Pro-Extra brush series or other Purdy painting products, visit purdycorp.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - With warm weather months here, it's the perfect season for the annual ritual of performing a spruce up around your home. Planting gardens, improving the look of your lawn and maybe applying a fresh coat of paint to the window trims are on your to-do list. An appealing exterior offers an invaluable first impression to neighbors, friends, and - if you're trying to sell, which many do prior to the beginning of school in the fall - perspective buyers.

In fact, small-scale exterior projects are the most profitable during resale, according to the 2009-10 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). "Once again, this year's [report] highlights the importance of a home's first impression," says NAR President Vicki Cox Golder.

One exterior feature that greatly contributes to this first impression is the garage door, and updating it can drastically improve your home's "curb appeal." If you've looked into replacing a garage door, you know that it can be an overwhelming task with so many styles and materials from which to choose. It's important that your choice complements the architecture of your home as well as your lifestyle. In other words, you don't want a door that sticks out like a sore thumb or one that requires more maintenance than you'd prefer.

So how do you make sure that you pick the right garage door? Follow these simple steps: pick a material, choose a style and find a good dealer.

When selecting a material, decide what material best fits your home and lifestyle, whether it be the natural beauty of wood, the durability and low maintenance of steel or the environmental friendliness of wood composite. Wood doors offer a classic, handcrafted look that won't go out of style but will require more frequent upkeep. Steel doors need the least amount of maintenance and come in three types of construction - single, double and triple layer. The more layers in a steel door, the more energy efficient and noise reducing it is. Wood composite doors, newer to the market, are made of a minimum of 80 percent recycled fiber and combine the strength and security of steel doors with the beauty of wooden doors. Wood composite doors won't rust, rot, crack or split and are the "greenest" option.

Once you've selected the material, it's time to choose a style. Doors are available to match any architectural style and there are plenty of easy-to-use online tools to assist in picking a style. Try the Door Designer at Amarr Garage Doors (www.amarr.com) to help find the perfect door to match the style of your home.

Once you've chosen a design, you'll need to select a color and any decorative hardware desired to enhance the door's beauty. Steel doors often come in pre-painted colors, but they also can be customized with exterior latex paint. Wood doors generally come in their natural finish and can be easily stained or painted. Wood composite doors are sold painted or primed and ready to stain or paint. Depending on the style you choose, you may also have the option to add decorative hardware or decorative windows.

Finally, it's important to find a reputable dealer who can provide pricing for the correct door size needed and installation and removal of the old door if you're purchasing a replacement door. Garage doors are sold sized to specifically fit your garage door opening. An important, but often neglected step, is enlisting a professional dealer to measure your door to ensure that it will be correctly sized. Make sure that your local dealer is authorized, fully insured and has a good local reputation. Never try to repair or install a garage door yourself - it can be extremely dangerous.

Investing in a new garage door is a sure way to improve the look of your home's exterior, as well as improve energy efficiency and protection. You can also take comfort in knowing that this purchase will add value to your home and will be an important asset should you decide to sell.

Could you use a new garage door? If the answer is yes, following these simple steps of choosing a material first, then a style and finally a qualified dealer, makes selecting the best garage door for your home easier than ever.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The housing market in the U.S. has done a 180. What was once one of the most booming sectors of the economy has become one of the most depressed. And while there have been glimmers of a revitalizing housing market, homeowners still need to be more creative than ever in selling their homes.

To cut down on the costs associated with selling and to maximize the amount that ultimately ends up in their pockets, many homeowners are choosing to sell their own properties. There are plenty of advantages to doing so, but if it's the path you choose, you need to really devote yourself to it. Don't forget that it's a tough market and every effort you make to set yourself and your home apart will help to set you apart from the crowd.

Even if you're acting as your own agent, you need to interact with Realtors. If you can get their attention and have them bring potential buyers to your house, you'll increase your chances of making the sale. Use attention-getting tools like invitations to open house events. You can often find great invitation designs on websites like Vistaprint.com that let you add your details to an eye-catching format. Set your open house date and get the invitations out to Realtors well in advance.

Make sure your house is in tip-top shape, inside and out. The importance of curb appeal cannot be underestimated. You want people to imagine your house as a place they'd want to come home to every night after work. But ultimately, a neatly trimmed lawn and freshly painted exterior will only go so far - the inside of your house needs to be pristine as well. It might be extra work, but make every effort to keep your house as neat and clean as possible, so that you can show it on short notice.

You might want to spread the word that your house is for sale beyond Realtors. But don't rely on a regular word processing program to make a notice to hang in your local coffee shops. Once again, the Internet is a great source for ideas that will make your efforts stand out. Create customized posters with beautiful photos of your house that will compel people to come and look. If you're not an ace photographer, ask a friend who's handy with a camera to help you.

And since more and more buyers rely on the Internet when searching for their perfect new house, you need to be where they're looking. With the help of user-friendly website builder programs, you can create your own website - and you don't have to know programming code or any complex computer tricks. Vistaprint offers a website building tool that walks you through each step - all you need to do is enter your photos and text. If you're not a wordsmith, they even have prewritten text that you can choose from. With a few clicks of the mouse, you'll be closer to selling than ever.

With some creative thinking and a true dedication to making your house look its best, you'll be able to attract the interest of Realtors and motivated buyers. Before long, you could be the one who's looking for a new home.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Real estate agent Diana Schenker of Scottsdale, Ariz., owns two furnished properties that she offers as both corporate and vacation rentals, depending on the time of the year.

"There are many vacationers in Scottsdale in the winter months because of the mild weather here, so my property makes a perfect vacation rental for anyone looking to get away from winter for a few weeks," she says. "During the rest of the year I market my property to Scottsdale's growing business community."

Many landlords of furnished rental properties share a similar experience to Schenker, as they often market their furnished rental properties as both a vacation and corporate rental.

Landlords don't have to choose between marketing their property as a vacation or corporate rental, says Kimberly Smith, the founder of CorporateHousingbyOwner.com, a website that markets individually-owned furnished properties. Rather, landlords of furnished properties can service both markets and capitalize on seasonal and economic trends.

"It makes perfect sense for properties to be marketed as both a vacation and corporate rental so landlords can maximize their occupancy year-round. It depends on the season, geographic area and timely events as to whether the property should be a corporate or vacation offering," she says.

She adds that areas like Orlando, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco and Las Vegas are perfect examples of cities that are frequented by both vacationers and corporate travelers. Furnished corporate housing properties in those areas could be marketed as a vacation rental during holidays and as a corporate rental during the busy convention and expo season.

Jennifer Cooling of Annandale, N.J. says that she only markets her home as a corporate rental because she prefers longer-term renters and scheduling weekly renters between longer-stay corporate renters can be tough.

"Normally vacationers are looking to rent for a week or two and they want to reserve time well in advance. Corporate rentals work on a first-come basis and rent for longer time periods, so it's not ideal to schedule a weekly rental for months out when you don't know who you might capture as a corporate tenant for a long-term stay," she says.

Smith of CorporateHousingbyOwner.com says that Cooling's strategy is a wise one because booking a weekly vacation rental too far in advance can cause more harm than good.

"We all know that people usually plan their vacations several months in advance. That means if you schedule a vacationer to stay in your property too far in advance, you may disqualify yourself from being able to accommodate someone who wants to rent your home between now and then . . . and beyond," she says.

Plus, she says, weekly renters can cost more money in the long run.

"Landlords should keep in mind the true cost of nightly and weekly rentals. Higher turnover can lead to more paperwork, more cleaning and more wear and tear on a home, all of which can quickly eat up your property's income potential," she says.

Smith adds that landlords should be on the look out for key trends in their area, which can affect how they market their property.

Debbie Hartman, the owner of a little cottage in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, in Salt Lake City, says what's going on in the area dictates how she markets her home.

"I've had great success renting out my cottage to business visitors to the area. That said, I'm always on the look-out for trends and events affecting our city. When the Olympics were held in Salt Lake City a few years back, I was able to rent out my cottage as a vacation rental, which proved to be quite lucrative for us," she says.

She says, however, that longer-term tenants are the best because they stay longer and create less wear on her cottage. "We've had corporate tenants stay with us for two full years. There was no fuss and we got our full asking price. It doesn't get better than that."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - For many people, the attic is an oversized junk closet. It's a space where all of the "I don't know what to do with this" items go and seem to disappear for years. However, homeowners forget that a finished attic can be usable living space. And, whether you're trying to increase the appeal of your home before selling, or simply adapting to a growing family, an attic bedroom can be an excellent upgrade to your home.

Often, homeowners are reticent to create an attic bedroom because they're worried about structural challenges, appealing decor and establishing a comfortable environment within a small space. But a few simple steps can help create a livable, inviting bedroom in the attic.

Lots of natural light
Most attics do not have exiting windows or lighting. And, because attics tend to have a lower ceiling height than the rest of the house, it can be challenging to find lighting options that won't hang so low that people hit their heads on them.

Adding a skylight is a great solution to this problem. Skylights are generally easy to install, and provide a lot of natural, cost-free light. Certainly in the late evening and night, skylights won't offer as much light, so consider supplementing with track lights or recessed lights. Both require minimal space and can be directionally focused on the area of the attic in need of the most illumination.

Be color conscious
Though an attic bedroom is a great way to effectively utilize a home's space, the dimensions are generally very different from other bedrooms. Sloped ceilings and smaller square footage can make the room feel smaller than it actually is. However, good color selection, like using a light or cool colored paint on the walls will help open up the room, and make it feel much larger than it is.

Monochromatic color schemes of soft shades of blue or green can make an attic bedroom look larger, feel cleaner and evoke a relaxed environment. One trick to make the room feel even larger is to utilize a color palette that has a slight gloss to it. Because a true semi-gloss can be a bit too reflective, companies like Pratt & Lambert (www.PrattandLambert.com) are now offering a "satin" finish to its paint. Satin has a subtle gloss to it that will help create the illusion of light in a small room like an attic bedroom.

Furniture that fits
Though most people would love to have a comfy couch next to their bed and a big armoire dresser and a standing floor to ceiling mirror in their rooms, it's just not possible in a small space. When choosing furniture for an attic bedroom, utilize pieces that have clean lines and are not oversized.

Ornate detailing will clutter the room, and oversized pieces like dressers or armoires will decrease open walking space and make the room feel very closed-in. Consider getting a bed that has storage space underneath. This will allow you to neatly organize folded clothes, without the need for a standing dresser.

Also, make sure not to block any doorways or window areas with furniture. This will also make the room feel much smaller than it is.

For the floor
Generally, light colored wood flooring will provide the best aesthetics for making small spaces look larger, and will also be easier to clean than carpet. However, in an attic, footsteps on a wooden floor could be very distracting for the lower levels of the home. A good compromise is sturdy, short sheared carpeting.

Short, sheared carpeting will look clean, provide some additional insulation and can easily be treated to repel stains and spills. Since attic spaces are generally not as easily accessible, these are all important factors for easy maintenance.

It's all worth it
For any homeowner, a major upgrade project like creating an attic bedroom has to have a solid return on investment. If you need more space for a growing family, an attic bedroom is an ideal way to turn storage space into livable space. And, if you plan on selling your home, attic upgrades have been shown to yield more than a 75 percent return.

Courtesy of ARAcontent