real estate guide - february 2011

2 - Roanoke-Chowan Real Estate Guide

Roanoke-Chowan Real Estate Guide - 3


(MS) -- Few industries havegrown as much in the last decade-plus as the home improvementindustry. Whereas it was oncecommonplace for homeowners tohave a handyman on speed dial,nowadays homeowners handle notonly the routine upkeep necessaryto maintain a home, but manyhome improvement projects aswell.

Home expert Danny Lipford,host of the nationally syndicatedTV show , Today's Homeowner ,and radio show , Homefront, said,"Today you've got not only anamazing selection of tools to helpwith every project, but they alsoshorten the time it used to take tocomplete the project. When youcouple that with all the DIYinstruction and programming outthere, it's no wonder we have theconfidence to do more on ourown."

As popular as home improve-ment projects have become, manyhomeowners still find themselvespressed for time when it comes totackling projects around the house.For homeowners without muchtime during the week, Woodcraftoffers the following projects tailor-made for weekend warriors.

Ready The Deck For Summer Fun

With spring on the horizon, theseason to relax on the deck andsoak up the sun is right around thecorner. Homeowners can upgradetheir deck and create an incrediblystrong wood-to-wood bond withthe Kreg Deck Jig System.Compatible with composite deckboards and ACQ treated lumber ,the Kreg Deck Jig System can helphomeowners create a beautiful andfunctional deck surface that's com-pletely free of exposed fastenersand painful splinters. The KregDeck Jig System's easy grip han-dles help DIYers gain a secure holdand completely control each andevery joint, while the system'sthree separate drill guides allow

for easy installation of deck boardsin a variety of hard-to-reach areas.When combined with a few simpletools homeowners already own,the Kreg Deck Jig System ensureshomeowners can vastly improvetheir deck no matter how pressedfor time they might be.

Paint A New Look InsideSpring is often seen as a season

of rejuvenation, so why not giveyour home a brand new look byrepainting the interior? VeteranDIYers can no doubt recall whenpainting took as much elbowgrease as it did time, but timeshave changed. Thanks to the newFein MultiMaster, the tedious andtime-consuming job of scrapingold paint with a putty knife andsanding tight spaces with paperwrapped around your finger is athing of the past. TheMultiMaster's profiled sandingpads make scraping old paint easi-er than ever before, while its mul-tiple user-friendly accessories thatscrape, cut, shave, sand, polish,and remove grout make theMultiMaster an ideal companionfor homeowners with several proj-ects on tap this spring.

Tackle Indoor Projects On Rainy Days

Spring might be synonymouswith feelings of rejuvenation, but italso brings spring showers. Onrainy weekends, tackle interiorprojects with the RockwellBladeRunner. Whether you want tocut and install base molding, chairrails or hardwood flooring orframe and trim windows anddoors, the lightweight, portableBladeRunner is your go-to tool.This precision cutter's variable-speed motor control and simpleblade changing mechanism allowyou to easily cut wood, metal,ceramic tile, aluminum, and plasticusing a T-shank jigsaw blade. Youcan operate the BladeRunner on abenchtop or use the convenientwall mount bracket. Attach the

tool's dust port to your shop vac foreasy cleanup.

Prepare Tools In AdvanceWhile there are several projects

homeowners can complete in a sin-gle weekend, no project is likely tobe successful without properlymaintained tools. Homeownersshould take inventory of their toolsbefore beginning any projects toensure the tools won't cause anydelays. The W ork Sharp(R) Knifeand Tool Sharpener can bring toolsback to life in a matter of minutes.This handheld, motorized toolsharpens any knife as well as scis-sors, tin snips, garden shears, andeven lawn mower blades for greenthumbers. The sharpener's patentedFlex-Tek(TM) belt technologyconforms to the shape of anyblade, practically guaranteeing asharp edge and ensuring your nexthome improvement project willstart off on the right foot.

Work SmarterTackling a home improvement

project in a single weekend might

not be easy , but DIY ers can takesteps to make such projects easier .For example, Vibe-Away Anti-SlipPads are made from recycled tiresand designed to reduce the transferof vibration that occurs in mostwoodworking tools and stationaryequipment. This shock absorptionpad helps reduce sound, vibrations,and pulsating of router tables,scrollsaws, table saws and otherbenchtop or stationary machines,making it easier to complete a proj-ect mistake-free and in less time.

LOC-Blocks InterlockingMaterial Gripping Blocks gripboth the work surface as well asyour project without the use of anyclamps. The nonslip pads supportwork during assembly withoutleaving marks, while the non-mar-ring pads allow homeowners to liftwork above the surface while fin-ishing edges.

To learn more about productsthat can help you successfullycomplete your home improvementprojects this spring, visitwww.woodcraft.com. SH112567

Easy Home Improvement Projects for Weekend Warriors


Home improvement proj-ects seem to drum upimages of shyster contrac-tors or bumbling do-it-your-selfers. However , homerepairs don't have to turninto an unor ganized mess.By avoiding some commonmistakes and taking com-mon-sense precautions, youcan end up with renovationsthat wow.

1. Accepting the lowestbid. Smart homeownersshop around for everything-- including work done ontheir home. But acceptingthe lowest bid right of f thebat to save money may costyou more in the long run. Alow bid certainly may be agreat deal. But generally itcould be a sign of an inex-perienced contractor, or onewho plans to use subparmaterials or skimp on thejob. Contractors will havesimilar prices. Shop basedon experience and recom-mendations, not price alone.

2. Choosing friends andfamily. There certainly areskilled professionals thatalso may be a close friendor family member. But mix-ing business and pleasurecould be a recipe for trou-ble, especially when work-manship and an exchange ofmoney are involved.

"We had a friend replaceour home's furnace," saysBeth in Pennsylvania."While we got a great price,we found out later on whenthere was a glitch in thesystem that certain thingsweren't done up to code. Wehad to spend more money tohave it repaired, and thefriendship has since suf-fered."

Some relatives areadamant about doing repairs-- but they may not beskilled or know the correctlaws governing remodeling.Stick with a third party con-tractor with whom you'llfeel comfortable talking ifyou feel repairs need to bedone a certain way.

3. Thinking you can han-dle it. Many do-it-your-selfers (generally in anattempt to save money)believe they can learn everyDIY task from a book ormagazine. There are somejobs, however , that shouldbe left to the professionals,including major plumbingwork or electrical repairs.There's no need to risk afire, injury or death bydoing inexperienced electri-cal modifications.

4. Letting maintenanceslide. Many homeownersthink once the repair ismade that they're all set --failing to keep up with rou-tine maintenance. But com-plications can arise by notmaintaining a new appli-ance or keeping up with animprovement.

"Our homeowner's associ-ation required proof that thedryer venting for ourclothes dryer was replacedon an annual basis," of fersBill in California. "I'd sim-ply go out and buy a newbox of the venting materialand submit the receipt as'proof' so I could save themoney on a professionalinstallation. But one day thelint trapped in the venting,which I hadn't bothered tochange, caught on fire. Itnot only damaged the vent-ing, it damaged the entiredryer -- resulting in the pur-

chase of a new dryer .Luckily no one was hurt.I've since learned my les-son."

5. Following every trend.Anyone who has a harvestgold or avocado greenappliance collecting dust inthe garage or basementknows how interior stylechoices come and go.Instead of jumping on everytrend (granite countertopsand stainless steel refrigera-tor, for example), thinkabout what will work foryour home and be timeless.Otherwise you may end uphaving to update every fewyears.

6. Asking questions later .Make a list of every ques-tion you can think of andask it before the work gets

started. This way you're leftwith few surprises and cando changes without costingyourself time and money .Don't wait for the finishedproduct before you start toquestion the hows andwhys.

7. Expecting things to beperfect. If you go into aproject with the idea thatthere will be no mishaps,even minor ones, you mayend up stressed out whenone arises. Everyone makesmistakes -- even profession-als. If you think somethingis not being done correctly ,speak up or get a secondopinion.

Top Home-Repair Blunders to Avoid


(MS) -- The best vacations lift usout of the frenzy of our lives, whisk-ing us off to faraway places that relaxand rejuvenate us.

Yet a great vacation can also be agreat financial strain as well -- andreally, how relaxing is that?Especially since once the trip is over ,there's typically little to show for allthe expense beyond a few snapshotsyou can post on Facebook.

So how do you meet the pressingneed for a stress-reducing change ofscenery without wiping out your sav-ings in the process? The solution mayactually be simpler , and closer , thanyou think: Open your own back door ,and begin imagining the leisure possi-bilities right beyond your doorstep!

Instead of throwing a bunch ofmoney at a short-term getaway , con-sider investing a portion of it intotransforming your back yard into apersonal relaxation oasis.

Don't be put of f by how big a taskthat sounds. S tart out simple, making

additional changes as finances allow ,and inspiration strikes.

To begin with, your yard may needsome degree of facelift. Hire a qualityprofessional landscaper who candesign around native plant species,for maximum benefit and minimalupkeep.

Yet landscaping is really only set-ting the stage -- you still need somekind of show-stopper to completeyour yard's transformation.

Pools and decks are whoppingfinancial commitments. There is,however, a less bank-breaking path tobackyard-relaxation bliss: Invest inthe very symbol of relaxation itself.Invest in a hammock and hammockstand.

"Repeat customers are alwaystelling me the best mini-vacationthey've ever bought has been a ham-mock and a hammock stand," saysJ.R. Pelletier , manager ofTheHammockCompany.com, aninternational leader in hammock

sales. "A good hammock can feel as ifyou've just caught a flight straight outof your stressful daily life."

Plus, a quality fabric hammock canmake your yard look as pretty as avacation postcard as well. Recentadvances in all-weather synthetic tex-tiles have vastly expanded design andcolor options for fabric hammocks.

"It used to be fabric hammockswere just drab," notes Walter R.Perkins III, CEO of TheHammockSource, the world's lar gestmanufacturer and seller of ham-mocks. "Owning one meant watchingwhat little color it had fade like aflower by summer's end. But today , aquality fabric hammock can be ashow-stopper for your yard, for manyseasons to come."

Add an arc-style cypress or faux-wicker hammock stand, and your out-door living space becomes not only agorgeous relaxation destination, butalso one that requires no checked-baggage fees or full-body scans to get

to!Your favorite patch of yard is final-

ly the primo spot for unwinding, apersonal relaxation space for lettingyour mind wander to all those distantgetaway places you might one daylike to go. But for now , you're prettycontent right where you are, aren'tyou?

From Bland Backyard to Beautiful Vacation Destination


Checklist for House HuntersUse this checklist when you go house hunting. It will help you keep track of prices, qualities andspecial features of each house you look at. You’ll find this checklist will remind you to ask aboutimportant items that are easily forgotten.

House #1Address

Age Price

Realtor®

Terms

Monthly Payment

#of Square Feet

Lot Size

School District

Average Utility Payments

House #2Address

Age Price

Realtor®

Terms

Monthly Payment

#of Square Feet

Lot Size

School District


House #3Address

Age Price

Realtor®

Terms

Monthly Payment

#of Square Feet

Lot Size

School District


House #4Address

Age Price

Realtor®

Terms

Monthly Payment

#of Square Feet

Lot Size

School District



(MS) -- Faux painting techniques arean economical and innovative way totransform any surface and can comple-ment any decorating style. Dull concretefloors, both indoors and out, can bebrought dramatically to life with a latexpaint such as DR YLOK(R) LatexConcrete Floor Paint.

Planning and PreparationBefore choosing a design, look care-

fully at your surface and space. Somedesigns are useful for disguising flaws ina floor. For other designs you may needto patch and smooth flawed surfacesfirst.

You will also need to think about thetraffic in the area you are painting. Is itworth doing an elaborate, time-consum-ing pattern in a high traf fic area? Large,bold patterns may be out of scale for asmall room. Equally, small, detailed pat-terns may get lost in large spaces.

Inspirations for Faux Painted Floors

Brick and StoneBrick and stone finishes can add tex-

ture and/or color and can be ef fectiveindoors and outdoors.

Tiles and MosaicsFaux terra-cotta tiles are a versatile

option for porches, patios and diningareas. The earthy appearance creates awarm, earthy feel and goes well with therustic Tuscan look and matches manydecors.

Patterned and Textured FinishesFor a finish that isn't too busy, you can

use paint to create subtle visual texture.With pattern, your choice is endless.Covering an entire surface is one option.Alternatively, you could paint a faux rug,perhaps with patterns inspired by orien-tal carpets.

The most important thing to remem-ber is to follow the proper preparationand patching procedures from the prod-uct label. If you are using a pressurewasher to clean the surface, do not use

on a pressure setting above 1750 psi toavoid damaging the concrete. Rememberconcrete acts like a sponge. Pressurewashing and cleaning in general maytrap residual moisture in the concrete. Tocheck for trapped moisture, tape a 12" x12" piece of 3 mil plastic or aluminumfoil tightly on all four edges to the sur-face. Remove it after 24 hours. If thefloor side of the plastic or foil is damp,allow additional drying and then repeatthe test. It is very important not to havetrapped moisture in the concrete; it is thenumber one reason why epoxy and latexconcrete floor paints fail.

Protecting the PatternA clear protective coat, such as DRY-

LOK(R) WetLook Sealer is the perfectfinish to protect the design from scrapingof patio furniture, grease, weathering andwashings. Remember to use a productthat is made to be a clear protective coat,not a penetrating sealer . A penetratingsealer is designed to enter the pores ofthe surface and settle into the masonry. It

will not penetrate the floor paint. Theclear sealer is a protective measure thatshould be repeated every two to fouryears depending on the use and exposureof the surface.

Bold or subtle, bright or neutral, fauxpainting techniques can give your flooran expensive-looking makeover thatwon't break the bank.

Home Improvement Trend That Won't Break The Bank

real estate guide - february 2011

Documents

upgradetheir deck

deck andsoak

homeowners tohave

simpletools homeowners

giveyour home

totackling projects

home improvementindustry

tackle indoor projects