New siding can increase the value of your home

Tired of that old run down looking house you've been living in? Why not upgrade your home to a new look and increase the value of your home in the process. You can have the home of your dreams and it's not as hard as you think. Your old home may be run down and the paint may be thirty years old and peeling off, but you can have the best looking house in your neighborhood.



How? Just give it a new face lift with colorful and easy to maintain vinyl siding. Vinyl siding comes in a variety of colors and you can choose the one that's right for you. Your 100 year old house can look new again and the cost won't burn a hole in your pocket.



Vinyl siding can be applied over brick structures and it can also be applied over wood and concrete structures. Vinyl siding looks great and its insulation qualities wrap the entire home in warmth and comfort. The entire project will be completed in a short amount of time if done by a reputable contractor of your choosing.



You can have your old home looking brand new and bright and shiny with new siding. Your entire home will match with the same bold colors you select and your window and door trim will match also. The value of your old home will sky rocket and if you ever decide to sell your home, you'll receive higher offers for it.



You may be wondering why you'll want to put up new vinyl siding as compared to aluminum siding. There are a lot of good reasons to choose vinyl, but the final decision is yours. There are a lot of differences between aluminum siding and vinyl. Vinyl siding is manufactured from a continuous formed plastic material and usually has a thickness between .040 to.046 inches. Aluminum siding is a continuous formed material that is usually around .019 inches thick.



Vinyl siding is manufactured with a solid color, while aluminum siding is manufactured with a baked on enamel paint finish. Since vinyl siding has a manufactured solid color, the color will remain solid even when scratched.



Not so however with aluminum siding. The paint is baked on so if aluminum siding is scratched; the paint peels off and leaves a shiny bare metal finish exposed. The choice is yours; however, your home will look newer and have a higher value when it is finished. You'll love the added warmth and comfort that your new siding will bring you.



Your neighbors won't believe the big difference they'll see in your home and you'll have a hard time believing that is the same house yourself. Energy efficient, stylish and modern, your new siding will give your home that personal touch and feel it had when you first purchased it. You have everything to gain with new siding and the new look it gives your home and property is amazing.



http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6388.shtml

Automatic irrigation systems are the better way to water

When you have a large yard with a lot of flower beds watering can be a chore. Lugging around hoses can make your back sore and the job uninviting. Because you love your flower beds you hate to stop watering them. Isn't there a better way to water?



Many landscapers and lawn services recommend automatic irrigation systems for large yards with lots of flower beds. Having such a system will mean no more dragging heavy hoses around. You may wonder if one of these is right for you. They are best installed by landscaping companies experienced with plants and watering. Proper layout is essential for optimal performance and low maintenance.



Not all sprinkler systems are alike. Some sprinklers sit above the ground perpetually. They can have a better watering radius, but because they stick out of the ground, these types of sprinklers are prone to being tripped over and to being destroyed by lawn mowers.



Other sprinkler systems use pop up sprinklers. These sprinklers, a friend to lawn services because they aren't easily hit, sit flush or below ground level when not in use and pop up above the ground when the irrigation system comes on. When a pop up sprinkler breaks, it can cause localized flooding and can be difficult to fix.



Drip systems are designed more for flower beds than lawns and put water directly at the base of the plants. The problem is, except for the main water pipe, these irrigation lines must stay above ground to keep from clogging with dirt. The tips are replaceable, but if the irrigation line gets a crack or a leak, fixing it requires a little skill.



All of these systems can be laid out, hooked up to a water faucet, and turned on manually. Doing so requires you to remember to turn it on and off. If you forget to shut off the irrigation system, your water bill could take a hard hit. If you go away for a few days, your flower beds could suffer miserably.



Using an automatic irrigation system eliminates the problems with manual operation. Computerized control of the flow, the amount of water, and the length of time the water is on, saves on maintenance because it eliminates excess pressure which can burst the lines. They can be set on multiple timers to water one section at a time, and can be set to run during the cool parts of the day when less water evaporates.



This type of system saves water, which can lower your water bill. It's a great choice when you have a lot of flower beds or a large yard. Many quality landscapers and lawn services are able to install and maintain an automatic irrigation system to meet the needs of your landscape. With such a system, you can stop lugging hoses and start enjoying your flower beds.



by: Nick Messe

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6443.shtml

Tenant screening: Check those tenants out!

The usual landlord/tenant relationship goes something like this. The tenant rents an apartment, pays the rent, the landlord maintains the property and all is well. The times that the landlord/tenant relationship goes sour can often be traced back to the tenant screening process.



Bad tenants usually do not just develop overnight, they have been bad tenants for a while and they leave a trail. Your job as a landlord is to sniff out this trail before you allow them in your property. You can save yourself many headaches by rigorously screening your prospective tenants. In fact, I might even go so far as to say that tenant screening is the key component to being a successful landlord.



Bad tenants may present themselves very well. They may dress and speak well. They will say all the right things. They may even have cash in hand and be ready to move in. When someone is holding $500 in front of you to move in, it can be very tempting. Do not do it! Screen them! Screen everyone thoroughly. Check every reference and verify everything on their application. Oh, you don't use a written application?!? Well there is your first problem.



Here are some tips when screening tenant applications:



Pull credit and criminal history on everyone. This is your first line of defense against the bad tenant. Compare the data in the reports you receive with what is stated on your application. Does it match? If it does not, dig deeper. Why is the info different? If we discover lies, that is immediate cause for disapproval.



Verify their work history. Do not do this by calling the number they have listed on the application if you can help it. A friend may be waiting for your call on the other end. Instead, call the main office and get transferred into the department where the person says they work. In this way you can avoid the "friend" set up.



The current landlord may want them out and will therefore lie to you. It is best to talk with the previous landlord or to get an accurate view.



People forge documents. It has happened to us. Do not believe the paycheck stubs, letterhead, whatever. Verify everything with the issuer.



The old adage is true; do not judge a book by its cover. We had a well dressed, well spoken man fill out and application, say all the right things and pay the application fee in cash. He must have assumed we would pocket the fee and not check. He had never paid a bill in his life. Even the phone company was after him! There are professional scammers out there, be vigilant. It would have taken us at least 4 months to get him out. I know that time frame could be a year or more in some parts of the country.



Ask their place of employment if there are any planned layoffs. We had a tenant get laid off the day he was approved to move in.



Most people are good, tell the truth and try to do the right thing. Your job is to weed out the bad ones by finding the lies. And they will lie to cover up their past, and get into your property. Evictions are neither fun nor cheap. So save yourself some hassle, set up a rigorous tenant screening process. Also, be sure to treat every applicant in the same manner by using the exact same screening process. Don't set yourself up for a discrimination lawsuit because you treated one perspective tenant differently.



Author: Kevin Perk



Kevin's Website: http://www.smarterlandlording.com

Bathroom remodeling ideas that add style and space

Now, more than ever, homeowners are adding to the value and comfort of their homes by renovating bathrooms into private retreats with luxurious touches that rival those of an upscale spa or resort.



Ron and Susan Bishop of Adams Township, Pa., recently completed an extensive remodel of the master bathroom in their 20-year-old home. The remake covered nearly every square inch of the space, including the installation of new cabinets, tile, floor coverings and lighting. The couple says one of the biggest highlights is the custom shower enclosure, made from Clarvista glass by PPG, which uses a fused-on coating to keep its showroom appearance over time.



"Few things detract from the appearance of a luxurious bathroom more than a shower door covered with water deposits and soap scum," Ron Bishop says. "Susan and I made it a point to find a product that would keep its good looks and be easy to maintain. We completed the renovation on our master bath more than a year ago, and the glass on our shower enclosure still looks brand new."



When considering an update for your bathroom, whether you choose to do an extensive remodel or a smaller project, most kitchen and bath designers agree on these tips:



* Consider the size of the bathroom. If you have a small room, look for ways to make it feel more expansive. A sleek, stylish glass shower enclosure helps your bathroom appear more spacious, and in most instances, a frameless shower enclosure will provide the cleanest, most open look. If you decide to go with a framed shower enclosure, you'll have two choices: frameless sliding doors or framed doors. For framed doors, be sure the finish of the metal framing and handles matches your bathroom fixtures.



* Think outside the box. Taking a creative approach to bathroom necessities can help you make the most of your space. For instance, the majority of shower enclosures are square or rectangular, but today's designers encourage you to think about other shapes. Don't be afraid to consider a circular or oval-shaped enclosure, a triangle or even a standard shape with an artfully bowed glass door, which can redefine the space and make your bathroom more versatile.



* Don't skimp on the glass. All glass used for shower enclosures is safety glass, which means it is tempered to make it stronger and more shatterproof. That doesn't mean all shower glass is alike, though. Most shower doors and enclosures are fabricated from conventional clear glass - which typically has a light, almost imperceptible green cast - or some variation of frosted glass. If you want a look that's chic and ultra-clear, ask your bath designer or showroom retailer about Clarvista on Starphire glass.



* Brighten things up. Repainting your bathroom with light colors can make it feel more spacious. If your bathroom has windows or skylights, use window treatments and accents that maximize the amount of light that comes through to give the room a more airy feel.



* Find the best use for your space. Move bathroom cleaning items to a hall closet if you are stretched for storage space in your bathroom, especially if you have freestanding storage units that are taking up valuable floor space. If you need more storage space, consider adding built-in compartments if possible between your wall studs to maximize usable space.



It's been shown time and time again that remodeling a bathroom can add to a home's value. Whether you want to sell or just enjoy your home more, it's one of the most practical and dramatic ways to make your home more appealing. To discover more great ideas and inspiration for bathroom remodeling, visit www.ppgclarvista.com.

MAY 2015 MARKET UPDATE

                      

 May 2015

DeLena Ciamacco

Included in this blog post is a link to my Real Estate Update Newsletter. Please click on the link below to get the latest Real Estate Update for May! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office. 

614-882-6725

delena@delena.com

 http://realtytimes.com/198/DeLenaCiamacco

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DIY or DI-don't? When to do it yourself, when to hire a pro

(BPT) - When it comes to home improvement, homeowners aren't afraid to get their hands dirty; 64 percent who plan to make improvements this year say they will do it themselves, according to an American Express Consumer Spending and Saving Report. But not all home decorating or renovating projects are suitable for the average DIYer. So how do you know when to DIY or when to call in a professional?



You can quickly assess if a DIY project is achievable. Consider if you need special knowledge or expertise beyond what you could acquire with online research or a class at your local home improvement store. Does the job require specialized tools that would be very expensive to buy or that aren't available through your local rental center? Lastly, consider the amount of time and money you have to devote to the project.



Whether painting or building, the good news is every job can be considered a DIY project. Here are three popular home projects with suggestions for when to DIY and when to call in a pro:



Adding new window treatments



Custom window treatments that offer multiple colors, styles and light-filtering options can transform any room. Cellular shades are a great option for DIYers who want a professional-looking result without the hassle and expense of hiring a professional. Simple Fit Custom Cellular Window Shades install in seconds and require no special tools - no drill, screws or brackets - or expertise to securely install your shade. Simple Fit shades give you a polished look quickly and easily with the push of a button that activates a patented compression-mount system. View a video on installation and learn more at www.simplefitcustomshades.com.



Go pro: Installing wooden blinds or shutters typically requires tools and precise abilities. If screw drivers, level surfaces and detailed instructions are not your thing, call for help. When assessing the windows, you may notice that some windows are in need of repair. Before installing, consult with a professional to ensure the window is in proper condition.



Installing wooden flooring



With a variety of flooring on the market to choose from, quality laminate can provide you with the look of wood at a fraction of the cost, labor and hassle of the real thing. Typically, laminate offers many options and is easy to do yourself. It's easier to "float" laminate - meaning no messy, hard-to-manage adhesive is required. Some options are as simple as cutting to size and clicking into place.



Go pro: Installing genuine hardwood requires an extensive list of materials and tools. If you are not confident with this type of installation, consult a professional. A pro can take the guess work out of the installation and eliminate costly mistakes. Refinishing existing hardwood floors is also a job better left to pros unless you have extensive experience operating a sander. This home renovation is labor intensive and errors could result in ruined planks.



Sprucing up the kitchen



Many simple kitchen enhancements are an easy job for even novice DIYers. Painting walls or cabinets and adding new hardware can impart a whole new look to a kitchen for relatively little time and money.



Go pro: Installing granite countertops are among the most desirable kitchen upgrades, but unlike other countertop installations, granite is rife with peril. Incorrectly measuring the amount of granite you'll need will result in a countertop that doesn't fit - a costly disaster. Professionals ensure proper installation to avoid breakage, cabinet or water damage and other problems. Granite countertops are an investment, and it pays to hire a professional to ensure that investment pays off in the best possible way.



When it comes to DIY projects, it's important to take on tasks that will yield great results and little to no frustration. Fortunately, it's easy to find plenty of decorating and home improvement projects that are simple, cost effective and high impact.