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Archive for the ‘betterment’ Category
DIY Converting under Stair’s to Storage
In our busy lives of living, we all tend to accumulate too much stuff. Therefore storage is always a premium, and storing seasonal items or momentos or whatever we tend to deem, savable things, there is typically not enough usable space to go around. But in most instances under our staircases there is several extra square feet of area to convert into usable space.
![staircase [bookcase] storage](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/thumbnail-21.jpg "staircase [bookcase] storage")
Be creative and succeed in utilizing the space that otherwise tends to go unused, storing and organizing cubicles make more cent’s than anything for the cost involed per the square foot price you will spend on your annual property taxes. A set of full height pullouts that will hide as well as allow easy access of almost any items you can dream of. The return on investment can prove to be advantageous too.
Many builders know how their clients are constantly asking about cabinet storage, well here is the DIY warrior’s greatest tool. The ability to think outside of the box!! And diy your way into the new rich lifestyle of real estate investing that has you thinking away instead of rotting away in front of the boob tube……
Rain Gutter dilemma’s
Average homeowners throughout this world can now relax and need not to fret any longer about their rain gutters. With the expansive widths of the average fronts of our homes, my experience here lies in the fact that rain gutters cannot perform as designed. ![no push causing malice [mosquitos/ dryrot / water damage]](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/thumbnail-23.jpg "no push causing malice [mosquitos/ dryrot / water damage]")
Water has to have a 1/4″ per foot slope to jettison the moisture to the down spout at the end, and not a sole likes to see a highly noticeable crooked rain gutter attached to the front of their homes. It appears wrong and anti symmetrical, common fascia board widths consist of 4″ to 12″ heights while, after installation causing a loss in fascia profiles when buried by drip edge flashing and shingle overhangs accentuating this dilemma.
I’m launching an all new and improved rain gutter marketing campaign that will easily and virtually correct and eliminate all of these aforementioned appearance and functionality problems. Take this opportunity now and tell me your stories of and why this may inexpensively be of service.
Napoleon Hill, Charles Hannel, Henry Ford, Tim Ferriss etc., all these great men that have changed many lives and authored books on self development, championed the fine art of mastermind groups to create change for all as well as a way to wealth through the laws of nature. “success requires no explanations, failure permits no alibis”
How To Update by Removing the Popcorn
Change is good and changing a rooms overall look is even better. Popcorn ceilings [acoustic] are old and out dated, in large part it was an inexpensive way to avoid the finish mud process of drywall work. By removing the popcorn acoustic ceiling mask in your real estate purchase, this will bring so much needed lift and clean appearance to the home, that you wished you would have made it the very first home improvement venture. Take a few pictures of before and after so all can see what it used to look like.
Step #1: remove contents of room Step#2: plastic tarp off entire room Step#3: Get a 6″ putty knife / vacuum / plastic trash bags / goggles and mask / fine spay bottle [optional] / step ladder Step#4: at the correct angle gently dig into the popcorn surface, as to not gouge at the drywall’s, try this in several different directions as well as strength of pressure, until complete Step #5: with a damp sponge wipe clean until noticeably you see the effects of a finish product Step #6: repair any maladies with drywall mud until suffice then sand Step #7: prime entire ceiling 2 coats, now paint with your favorite color!!
Don’t forget the after photos before you crack that cold one and sit back to enjoy the fruits of your labor, GOOD JOB!
diy how to handle 90lb bags of concrete mix
When there is a will there is always a way for the DIY’er. Concrete mix [redi-mix] bags are sold in 90 lb bags, and there are like move your sleeping 13 year old, but with no handles. If you have a few bags to mix for that patio slab for instance, there is a great technique to facilitate this chore. Diy home improvements for your real estate portfolios. The object to save your back and ease the dumping process. All these types of jobs needs you to get the mix into your choice of mixing bin. IE, wheelbarrow/ electric mixer / bucket or whatever?
[A] 
The first step is to set and lay the bag of mix flat over a short piece of rebar, where the center of the bag will fold as you lift upwards on the rebar.[B] take a utility knife and cut the bag across the width [C] Now as you lift the rebar or halfing tool, the cement, ceramic tile grout or bag of mix, will split into half with the sides standing. The open tops set upright waiting for you to grab and dump into your mixing apparatus. The beauty lies in the fact that for an extra minute of work you’ll be able to continue this fun chore the whole entire day.
Entry Ways
The front doors are a focal point of your home, and your home is the largest investment in your portfolios. The ability to leverage any equity will consist of where it is that you best allocate the budget dollars for a real estate appraisal, or the resale value that also is known as ROI [return on investment]. Kitchen and baths pretty much are the most scrutinized of these barometers. A simple but exciting tile floor pattern at the front walkway is very effective too.![entry foyer [8 ft rule] tops on ROI](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/thumbnail4.jpg "entry foyer [8 ft rule] tops on ROI")
But unlike any DIY kitchen and bath locals, those return on investment strategies for the professional real estate investors, their viewpoints on this subject go straight to the front doors. It’s dubbed the 8 foot rule, or anything in close eyeball range. Theory is grab them from the get go, and wow your potential real estate buyer or renter when your realtor is at the entry door unlocking the lockbox. When your remodel dollar can get the best ROI, likely, knowing where to place the call will give you an educated advantage.
Insulate the ATTIC
1. Insulation
Heat loss through walls, floors and the roof accounts for about 45% of heat loss (or cooling loss, in summer) in a typical home, says Anna Lowen, researcher for the American Council for an Energy efficient Economy. Attics are often the easiest thing to insulate, and rolling out some Owens Corning fiberglass is often a DIY weekend project. Need more incentive? There’s a significant federal tax credit for installing insulation — 30% (up to $1,500) of the cost of materials.
- spend $5,000 and get $1,500 back
- live more comfortably today
- boost the resale value [portfolio]
- install vinyl replacement windows
- low flow plumbing fixtures
- energy efficient appliances
- DIY and save huge
DIY for resale
Upscale Projects best ROI
- Siding Replacement (fiber-cement or foam-backed vinyl). With the economic slump, home buyers aren’t being dazzled by bells and whistles as much as they are improvements that will ensure lower repair and utility bills. Although replacing current siding with fiber-cement has lost value from 2007, it still nets an astonishing 87% ROI. If you prefer a foam-backed vinyl product replacement instead, you can still look to recoup 80% of your cost.
- Window Replacement (vinyl or wood). Windows are not only an aesthetic feature. For most homeowners, they represent one of the easiest ways to lower home heating and cooling bills. By replacing your current windows with more efficient vinyl or wood ones, you can save on your utility bills, attract future home buyers and net a nearly 80% (vinyl) or 77% (wood) return on your investment.
- Bathroom Remodel. Depending on the size and amenities of your desired bathroom, you could expect to pay over $50,000 to tear out walls, repair joists and wall studs, change structural elements and make major layout changes, such as switching a toilet and shower. However big the price tag, you can still expect to recoup nearly 71% of the cost (which would be $36,400 if you have a $50K bill) when you go to sell. This project increased its value since 2007, while its sister project – adding a complete bathroom – fell in value.
- Major Kitchen Remodel. Kitchens are typically the most frequently used room in a home, so it makes sense that investing money here is going to pay off when it comes time to sell. While a major kitchen renovation is usually the most time-consuming and expensive home improvement job (averaging more than $110,000), it’s also one of the most profitable. Regardless of the size of your financial layout, you can expect to get a nearly 71% ROI
- Win/WIN/WIN and DIY today. BTW how has the stock market been working for you?
Home and Landscape Design
Home and Landscape Design Suite is the all new product from Punch! Home design software that has been two years in development and written from the bottom up. However, when you have been number one for nine years, you need to be compatible with your previous products and this package will not disappoint you.
A new code base allows them to offer new features and enhanced performance while maintaining the features you loved in our previous versions. Because of this combination of compatibility with previous versions mated with new features, they have labeled this NexGen technology, emphasizing the focus on the future as well as differentiating this as a completely new product.
Bamboo Flooring (how to)
Installing bamboo is straight forward and easy process for a fantastic home improvement. You can install bamboo floors above or below grade and on top of wood or concrete. If installing on a cement floor, glue down application is your best bet. Work in small sections, connecting the boards as you go. Using certain flooring tools to ensure a tight fit. 
Otherwise, bamboo flooring can be nailed down or you can create a floating floor as strips snap together on top of a layer of foam. A horizontal cut will give you a wider strip versus a narrow vertical cut. A horizontal cut usually shows more bamboo markings. Bamboo is also easy to maintain, but like wood, it can dent or scratch. It stays fresh looking by sweeping with a soft broom and mopping with natural cleaners. Look closely at your products warranty, because most suppliers offer a lifetime structural warranty and a 15-year finished warranty. Buy a scratch repair kit and burn repair kit from the flooring company you used.
Double Hung DIY window replacements
In a home makeover, there is no substitute for a stunning window. Double hung replacement windows, properly chosen and installed, revolutionize the look of a home, amplifying the beauty and increasing its value.
D
ouble hung windows, are among the most common, yet aesthetically striking window styles. Double hung windows are windows in which the upper and lower sashes move independently of each other. They maximize the amount of light in a room, help sustain outdoor airflow, and completely shut out wind, rain and cold. The best ideas for double hung windows come from where to place them. Get inspired and DIY double hung your window before the real chill hits.