There are many ways of giving your home a makeover and many reasons to do so, but one of the best reasons is to make your living space more comfortable, more cozy, and more like home. One often neglected area during renovations is the bedroom – we all think of redoing our kitchens, our bathrooms and even the living rooms. But when it comes to our bedrooms, we don’t seem to want to change anything about it. Perhaps it is the fact that not many people see your bedroom; perhaps it is because you don’t think renovating your bedroom adds to the value of your home; whatever the reason, it’s time to put it to bed and use these five simple and easy ways to redo your bedroom:

• Revamp the curtains: If your bedroom windows are large, use curtains to good effect to dress up your room. Instead of going in for the readymade stuff available in stores, buy suitable material and get them stitched to match the size and tone of your windows. When you color code your curtains and the walls in your room, you provide a first and lasting effect to people who walk in.
• Invest in new bed sheets and covers: Do up your bed in bright colors and bold textures, suitably in colors that match your wall and curtains. And make sure you have more than just one pillow on the bed. Put a few on the cover just for effect, and make sure your bed is neat at all times, except when you’re in it off course.
• Use a carpet to good effect: A small carpet that fits in by the side of your bed or under your table in the bedroom makes a good addition to any bedroom. Make sure the carpet is soft to step on because it’s what you’re going to be stepping in every morning when you wake up.
• Throw in some personal effects: No bedroom is perfect without a few personal effects, so put up some pictures in vantage positions. Bring in a lamp for your table and keep a vase of fresh flowers on your window sill or on the bedside table. If you like to read, bring in a book case as well, one that goes with the décor of your room.
• Do up your lighting: The best way to provide your bedroom with both comfort and good looks is through the lighting – get help from a professional as to where to position your lights so that they are bright enough without being obtrusive. When your bedroom is well lit, yet not too bright, it shows all your other accessories in good light, literally.

This guest article was written by Elizabeth Johnson, who regularly writes on the topic of online construction management degrees.

I’ve noticed a lot of news lately regarding homeowners attempting to lower their property taxes due to reduced home values. My first instinct was, “Sign me up!” After all, my home’s value dropped more than 55% in the last few years. On one hand, this could mean thousands of dollars in savings, especially in areas like mine where the decline in home values is significant. On the other, what will it mean for publicly-funded services like fire departments, law enforcement, schools, and libraries?

Perhaps nothing. As the amount of property tax collected decreases, local governments can raise the tax rate to make up for it. Wait, I could actually end up with a tax increase this year?

“Taxes are based on property values times [the tax rate]. We could have declining values but make up for it by raising the rate,” said Bill Donegan, the property appraiser for Orange County, Fla., which includes my hometown, Orlando. (source CNNMoney.com)

But wait, there’s more. He goes on to say that the decline in home values has been so great, it’s unlikely that any increase in tax rate would offset the lower assessments. To make up for it, local governments can raise fees and even taxes in other areas.  In other words, the money is going to come out of your pocket eventually.

In the meantime, if you want to challenge your property tax assessment, eppraisal.com can assist.  Here are some steps to follow:

• Know your home’s property value and compare it to the tax assessment value.
• Verify the information on record (number of rooms, square footage, etc.)
• Research neighborhood property values
• Get an appraisal from a licensed professional appraiser
• Submit your case to the county tax assessor

It’s not surprising that pools are most popular in California, Arizona, and Florida, where the summers are hot and the year-round temperature warm. But even though the National Association of REALTORS® say pools can add as much as 8 percent to the value of a home in these states, not all home buyers will see the value. Families with young children, older home buyers, or those not interested in the upkeep of a pool may not even consider a pool home. Of course, in areas where the winters are cold, a pool can even detract from the home value.

Yet, it’s hard to overlook the benefits of a pool, especially when you live in Florida like I do. It’s a great way to cool off in hot weather, they are a great focal point for entertaining, and let’s face it, kids love them. So if you’re thinking about installing a pool, do it for the fun factor if it’s something you desire, not as a tactic to increase your home’s value or attract buyers.

I recently started having little panicked moments thinking about what lurked inside the ground under my yard. My wife and I purchased our first home about six years ago. At the time of the purchase, we wisely chose to have the previous owner pump the septic tank. Since then, we’ve kind of ignored this important process of home maintenance.

A few months ago, we started seeing large piles of dirt and small earth-moving machines sitting on once groomed lawns. Inquiring with the owners, we found they were having some problems with their septic systems. The homes in our neighborhood are about 26 years old, which puts them in the “at risk” age for drain field clogs and septic back flow. A few shared grisly stories of being in the shower when undesirable refuse came up through the drain. Yuck.

Needless to say, I quickly looked up the company that had serviced the septic when we moved in and scheduled an appointment. The next day, I was standing in the front yard discussing the finer points of septic systems, how you can nurse an old system along, and how to avoid back flow.

First, some quick facts about conventional septic systems:

• They typically have two major features, the tank and the drain field.
• The tank holds solids (which settle at the bottom) and scum (which floats at the top).
• The drain field takes liquid effluent from the tank and distributes it across ground soil or gravel trenches.
• The more people using the system, the more often you should have it pumped.
• The most common point of failure is a clogged drain field.

The gentleman who pumped our tank noted the recent increase in septic failure in the neighborhood was directly related to the age of the homes. A typical septic system with moderate usage will last somewhere around 20 years. He defined moderate usage as < 50 gallons per person per day or < 200 gallons total per day. He noted that while our tank did not appear to have any problems, we should be careful. Ever since we moved in, we have followed the common sense rules against putting garbage down the toilets, using the garbage disposal, etc. Those useful tips have prevented us from having to repair the system so far.

In addition to the common rules, our septic professional offer some further guidelines:

• Have the tank pumped every year. This, at first, seemed a little self-serving; however, a quick Google of “septic system maintenance” revealed his advice is dead on for the number of people in our home.
• Spread out high water usage activities over the whole week (do 1-2 loads of laundry a day over the week instead of 8 loads on one day).
• Don’t pour grease/cooking fats down the drain.
• Use organic soaps/detergent that completely break down. A little research into the meaning of “safe for septic” revealed a large gap between claims and practice. So be wary of manufacturer claims. Consumer reporting sites will be helpful here.
• Look into installing rain gutters for systems close to a home that has excessive rain water washing over the drain field.
• Installing an additional filter (a newer innovation for septic systems) on the sanitary tee outlet would increase the life of the drain field.

With the possibility of system failure looming, he offered a few key indicators that something was wrong:

• Sewage back flow into toilets, sinks or tubs. No brainer here.
• Slowly draining tubs and sinks, particularly after rain or laundry.
• The smell of raw sewage along with soggy soil around or downhill of the tank and drain field.
• Broken or cracked pipes sticking out of the ground (for low pressure pipe systems).
• Water tests indicating biological contamination or an increase in infections and illness from swimming in nearby lakes or rivers.

The best way to keep this common household nightmare from striking is to have your system inspected and pumped. Good maintenance will pay for itself down the road.

Many of the nation’s new homes incorporate energy-efficient features. This is definitely a step in the right direction, but with existing homes consuming 22 percent of the nation’s energy, more focus needs to be directed at greening up older homes.

The chart below, provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, shows that homes built before 1970, when energy was relatively inexpensive, are responsible for about 40 percent of the nation’s residential energy consumption.

If you’re remodeling an older home, consider some of these upgrades:

• Add or replace insulation
• Seal windows, doors, fireplaces, and cracks in the exterior of the home
• Tighten air ducts
• Replace older heating and air conditioning units, as well as water heaters

While improved energy efficiency is good for the environment, achieving national security goals, and sustaining resources for future generations, its also means reduced costs for you, putting more money in your pocket each month.

Homes and buildings built before 1980 still maintain the chance of containing asbestos materials. If you are a potential home buyer, are remodeling or foreclosing older homes, those involved in real estate should make sure to inspect for asbestos. Exposure to the substance can cause significant health concerns.

Frequent exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can increase the chances of developing asbestos-related illness such as malignant mesothelioma, a fatal lung ailment. The only known cause of mesothelioma is associated with asbestos exposure. Many symptoms of the disease may not show up for 20 to 50 years, making it incredibly difficult for doctors to diagnose potential carriers.

Removal of asbestos in all locations must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are trained in handling toxic materials. The Environmental Protection Agency has set strict regulations and standards in regards to asbestos abatement and disposal. It administers a number of programs which are aimed at preventing asbestos exposure in public facilities, workplaces and homes. The type of contractor performing the inspection will determine the type of removal method needed. Despite knowledge asbestos problems, many communities throughout the country still find themselves constructed atop asbestos deposits.

Green alternative options need to be given serious consideration such as lcynene, cellulose and cotton fiber. Research demonstrates that these new forms of insulation such as cotton fiber can reduce energy costs significantly every year. The United States Environmental Program states that the use of recycled building materials can reduce energy use by 25 to 35 percent. These asbestos alternatives will reduce energy costs and allow a lifestyle that is free of health damaging materials.

The image below shows areas where asbestos may reside in home.  Click to enlarge.

Ever heard of a home warranty policy or considered applying for one? Well pay attention so you don’t get burned by this not-so-ethical industry.

What is a home warranty?

• A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair and replacement costs of home appliances. For an annual fee of $250 to $600 the warranty generally covers equipment and appliances such as dishwashers, plumbing systems, electrical systems, etc. that fail due to normal wear and tear. Air conditioning, pools, spas, wells, and sometimes roofs can typically be added to the basic policy for an extra fee. Coverage varies significantly across warranty companies.

How it works.

• The warranty company contracts with local repair companies to provide service. If something breaks, the homeowner calls the warranty company, who arranges with the local company to dispatch a repair technician.

Here is the problem (loophole).

•  When applying for a home warranty many companies don’t require any documentation on the current condition of the home or inspections. They simply take your word for it. Yet when it comes time to file a claim on a faulty item covered on your policy, the company sends out a technician to verify the claim. If the technician finds a pre-existing, condition the claim is denied. There is your loophole — companies that don’t require documentation or inspections leave themselves a safety net to reject your claim since there was no documented proof that everything was in working order originally. It’s your word against the warranty company’s technician. The company will usually side with the technician every time.

Here are some useful links featured on Squidoo with home warranty information for consumers.

Home Warranties Not Always What They Seem

My Three Cents

Consumer Affairs.Com

Article at Home Warranty Reviews

Warranty Firm Probed for Fraud

Complaints.com – Home Warranty Complaints

American Home Shield Complaints

Complaints Board

As home prices and mortgage rates continue to fall, acquiring the home of your dreams may be possible. Homes that were unaffordable for many during the real estate bubble are now within reach for those fortunate to be in the position to snatch them up. Of the 705 counties tracked by eppraisal.com nationwide, more than 140 have experienced a drop of 30 percent or more in median sales price since their peak.

In San Diego County, California, which consists of cities such as San Diego, Carlsbad, and Encinitas, the median sales price has dropped by almost half, from $660,000 at its peak to $350,000. Those seeking the good life on the West Coast of Florida should turn to Collier County, home of sought-after Naples and Marco Island. Median prices have dropped almost 45 percent from $454,000 to $250,000.

If coastal living is not ideal, it’s not surprising that the Denver area is our next pick. Median prices are down to $162,000 (but don’t be fooled, ski lift tickets are still $90+).

When deciding which remodeling projects will get you the most bang for your buck and attract potential homebuyers, opt for the outside.  According to the 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, exterior remodeling projects return the most money as a percentage of cost.

On a national level, wood deck additions and all types of siding replacements returned more than 80 percent of costs upon resale.  Window replacements also return a high percentage of remodeling costs.

Here is a breakdown of the percentage of project costs returned for major remodeling efforts:

Wood Decks – 81.8%
Siding Replacement – more than 80%
Window Replacements – more than 76%
Kitchens – 76%
Bathrooms – 74.4%
Attic-to-Bedroom Conversion – 73.6%
Basement Remodel – 72.7%
Back-Up Power Generators – 57.1%
Sunroom Additions – 56.6%
Home Office Remodels - 54.4%

Of course, the resale value depends on a variety of factors.  Before you begin any remodeling project, whether it’s just a spruce-up or a major remodel, talk to local real estate agents and contractors to determine what is attracting homebuyers. The most important factor is to make sure the home is up to the standard of others in the neighborhood.

When your neighborhood is faced with foreclosures, the market value of your home, and in turn your home equity, can be affected. Vacant homes can become community eyesores and crime sites — factors that further affect the value of your home. There’s not much you can do to stop the foreclosures, but there are some things you can do to minimize the effects on your neighborhood.

Get your neighbors together and agree on a schedule to maintain the exterior of any foreclosed homes. Some things you can do include:

• mow and water the lawns
• rake leaves
• pick up fallen fruit
• clean pools
• collect mail and newspapers

Keep an eye out for criminal activity, and report anything suspicious to the local authorities. In most cases, a single foreclosure won’t alter the value of surrounding homes. However, a neglected property will. Do what you can to minimize the effects of foreclosure on your neighborhood.