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Home Improvement

What to Do When You Discover Unpermitted Work

Steps to Take If You Find Unpermitted Work on Your PropertyEvery county, city or homeowners association have general rules regarding what a homeowner can build on their property. These general rules can be zoning laws, building codes and/or general HOA guidelines. Since a homeowners neighbors often share certain resources, such as plumbing and electricity, local officials have an obligation to look out for the safety of everyone by having these building rules and regulations.

However, not all homeowners know (or possibly care) about building regulations, which is why work that has not been permitted or allowed can often be a common occurrence....

What New Construction Buyers Need to Know

5 Questions to Ask Before Buying New ConstructionBuying a newly constructed home is a little different than buying one that has been lived in for years. What are the differences between a new construction home and a preowned home - and what do home buyers need to know?

It's important to note that there are generally two types of new construction homes; a custom built home and a planned builder home. A custom built home is where a home buyer chooses the floor plan and sometimes even the lot. They have a lot of freedom as to how the home is constructed, the building materials and the finishes of the home. A planned builder home is one where...

4 Reasons to Hire a Pro to Avoid Home Renovation Disasters

DIY or Hire a Pro? 4 Reasons to Rely on Home Renovation ExpertsWhile certain home renovation projects can be accomplished by even novice DIY'ers, most major tasks and improvements are best left in the hands of home renovation experts. Homeowners wanting to save money often ultimately discover that they have (or will need to) spend more through DIY efforts. Here are four reasons to put the tools away and hire a professional home improvement contractor to avoid renovation disasters.

1. Technical Proficiency From a Team of Tradespeople

There's a reason that only one ‘Y' appears in DIY, as most homeowners end up performing the majority...

How to Construct an Outdoor Living Space You'll Love

How to Get the Outdoor Space of Your DreamsAn outdoor living space is not just a nice thing to have, but a necessary component of a well-kept property. Plus, the outside of the home is the very first thing a person sees—whether it's the owner or a passing pedestrian. To spruce up the outdoors and discover the motivation you need to spend more time in the sun and fresh air, consider the following tips for constructing a more appealing living area.

Use Creative Color Choices

Even the most uninspired home...

5 Ways to Identify Roof Damage

How to Identify Roof Damage In Your HomeHomeowners are always on the lookout to make sure their home is in peak condition, and a home’s roof should be no exception, especially given that a roof in good condition is a valuable improvement to home buyers. While it may be difficult to know what to look for when it comes to a damaged roof, there are a few telltale signs that all homeowners should keep an eye on when doing a regular inspection. Here are five different types of damage homeowners may spot on their home’s roof and what it...

How to Choose Flooring Materials For Your Home

How to Find the Right Floors for Your HomeChoosing floors for a home may not seem very difficult until a homeowner considers the sheer volume of choices available, and this is one very common home improvement project that most homeowners will undertake. From natural stone to plush carpeting, the options can seemingly stretch out for days. To get a handle on their choices, homeowners need to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each type of common flooring material before deciding which one would find their rooms best.

Carpeting

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4 Home Improvement Projects with High Returns

Home Improvement Projects that Yield High ROIHomeowners have a difficult job of deciding how to maximize their property's potential. They have to maintain a balance of doing what they need to feel comfortable and doing what they need to make future buyer's comfortable, which can be a tall order for anyone. It's helpful to understand how buyers view the home before diving into the average returns a seller will get from their specific home improvement projects.

The Long and Short

The structural unity of the St. Petersburg Beach home is the most important factor...

Want A Smart Home? How to Install Home Automation

Want A Smart Home? Tips to Get StartedA smart home can make life convenient while also potentially reducing a home's carbon footprint. In many cases, smart home upgrades will also add considerable value to the home. Homeowners who are interested in making their home a smart home can do so by starting a little at a time, by choosing good products to install and by picking the right home assistant. These tips can help.

Know Your Priorities

Homeowners who haven't yet started to pick their smart products must first decide why they want a smart home and what they hope to achieve. Some smart products make life convenient, others help ...