Category: Home Improvement
CAN YOU ADD RENOVATION COSTS INTO YOUR MORTGAGE
Dave, We have seen several older homes that need a lot of work to bring them up to acceptable standards. We’re more than happy to purchase a “Fixer Upper” but we’re not sure where the funds to do so would come from. Unfortunately, we’ve got a lot of knowledge and determination to really turn a property... Read More
HOW DID DAVE’S 2024 HOUSING MARKET PREDICTIONS TURN OUT
What an interesting year 2024 was! I, for one, will say that I am happy it is in the rearview window, but before we altogether (next week) move on to my predictions for 2025 and start living life through the windshield, let’s take a quick look at how my predictions for 2024 fared. Spoiler alert…….The... Read More
SHOULD WE CONVERT OUR GARAGE TO LIVING SPACE
Dear Dave, I own an older home, built in the 1980’s. I’m doing some upgrades this spring and am considering adding on to it. I recently saw a home that was a similar age and when they remodeled they turned the 2 car garage into a living room and opened up the adjoining wall into... Read More
SHOULD WE CARPET OUR BEDROOMS
Dear Dave, Two years ago we completely remodeled our kitchen and replaced all of the tile floors throughout the home and living areas with laminate wood, but decided to wait to replace the bedrooms’ existing carpet for financial reasons. We will be selling our home next year and are ready to replace the carpet, but... Read More
SHOULD WE BUY A HOME WITH A SEPTIC SYSTEM
Dave, We’ve looked at a few houses with septic systems—which we learned is actually pretty common here—and we hate to admit it, but the houses that have them have moved down our list for that reason alone. We’ve heard some horror stories! We got to thinking about it though and what if we find a... Read More
WILL UGLY CONCRETE HURT THE SALE OF MY HOUSE
Dear Dave, My company is transferring me to a new location and I am going to be selling my home in the coming months. I own a fairly new home, about 6 years old, in a nice north area subdivision. My driveway and front walkway don’t melt off well when we get snow and ice,... Read More
WINTER HOME RENOVATIONS
Dear Dave, We are considering selling our home in the spring. Do you have a seller’s checklist or something that you give to people to help them figure out what will add the most value when they sell a house? We’re just trying to decide if there is anything we can do this winter to... Read More
HELP I NEED ADVICE ON PAINTING A BOLD COLOR IN MY HOUSE
Dear Dave, I love to do home improvement projects. One of the easiest and cheapest things I have found to do to make a change in my house is to paint. I am always looking at the new colors that come out on HGTV and those decorating magazines. It seems like most houses these days... Read More
HOW DO YOU BLOCK BUSY ROAD NOISE AT YOUR HOUSE
Dave, We just learned that there is going to be a well-traveled road extended that will go directly behind our home. We’ve enjoyed open space for the past several years that we’ve lived here and were really bummed when we heard about the road plans. We’re worried about our daughter playing in the yard, traffic... Read More
WHAT SIZE OF TREES SHOULD WE PLANT
Dear Dave,I have been out shopping at the local nurseries trying to get some ideas on landscaping materials. My home is about 7 years old and doesn’t have many established trees in the yard. There are different sizes of trees throughout the neighborhood. I want to know what you think is better to do –... Read More