By Mark J. Donovan
There is a sign that the housing market may be beginning to bottom out. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that home sales increased 2.9% in February.
This is certainly a positive sign in the housing market; however the rest of the news with this report was not so good. The report also indicated that housing prices dropped precipitously, with the average medium sale price on existing homes falling to $195,900. The NAR reported this was the biggest year over year price drop in existing home sales since 1999.
Whether or not this is truly the beginning of a recovery of the housing market or not, getting a little positive news in a market that has gone through a major correction over the past couple of years is a good sign of things to eventually come.
Readmore »»
Monday, March 24, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
With Declining Interest Rates is now a Good Time to Buy a Home?
By Mark J. Donovan
Interest rates on home mortgages are at their lowest levels in several decades. Thirty year fix rate mortgages are now available below 6%. In addition, the housing market has been in a decline for the past couple of years. If there was ever a time to buy a home, now is the time. Yes, you could try to time the bottom on the housing market, but similar to predicting the bottom of a bear market, it is a very tough endeavor.
Also, many are predicting the housing market to begin to rebound in late 2008 or early 2009. Personally, I think it may take a little longer. Regardless of exactly when the housing market will rebound, the fact is there are few times in modern history where both home prices and interest rates have declined so significantly.
In addition, there is a glut of homes on the market today, both new and used. Builders have inventory that they need to dump in order to pay their creditors. There are also many homeowners who have been trying to sell their homes for a year or longer. It is truly a buyer’s market, and both the used home sellers and builders are willing to negotiate.
Trying to time the bottom of the housing market by waiting a few more months could cost you more, both in terms of a higher purchase sale price, and in higher interest rates. Though the Fed has been cutting interest rates dramatically over the past couple of months, there is the real threat of rapid inflation. If inflation begins to rear its head to any appreciable level, the Fed will quickly reverse its position and begin to ratchet interest rates up.
So if you have been considering buying a home don’t wait. Now is the time, with both declining interest rates and reduced home prices. Readmore »»
Interest rates on home mortgages are at their lowest levels in several decades. Thirty year fix rate mortgages are now available below 6%. In addition, the housing market has been in a decline for the past couple of years. If there was ever a time to buy a home, now is the time. Yes, you could try to time the bottom on the housing market, but similar to predicting the bottom of a bear market, it is a very tough endeavor.
Also, many are predicting the housing market to begin to rebound in late 2008 or early 2009. Personally, I think it may take a little longer. Regardless of exactly when the housing market will rebound, the fact is there are few times in modern history where both home prices and interest rates have declined so significantly.
In addition, there is a glut of homes on the market today, both new and used. Builders have inventory that they need to dump in order to pay their creditors. There are also many homeowners who have been trying to sell their homes for a year or longer. It is truly a buyer’s market, and both the used home sellers and builders are willing to negotiate.
Trying to time the bottom of the housing market by waiting a few more months could cost you more, both in terms of a higher purchase sale price, and in higher interest rates. Though the Fed has been cutting interest rates dramatically over the past couple of months, there is the real threat of rapid inflation. If inflation begins to rear its head to any appreciable level, the Fed will quickly reverse its position and begin to ratchet interest rates up.
So if you have been considering buying a home don’t wait. Now is the time, with both declining interest rates and reduced home prices. Readmore »»
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
How to Build a Simple Computer Desk
By Mark J. Donovan
Back a few years ago I decided I needed to buy a computer desk. After looking around at a half dozen furniture stores and department stores, I came to the conclusion that there were only two types of computer desks on the market; very expensive ones from high end furniture stores and pressed board garbage from low cost box stores. Neither suited my budget or tastes, but I needed a computer desk.
It was during this realization that I came up with an idea of building my own simple computer desk. I remember seeing standalone kitchen cabinets for sale at one of the local home improvement stores. I thought, hey if I could affix a countertop surface to two kitchen cabinets I’d have a functional computer desk.
Finding the Components for my Computer Desk
With the idea in mind I grabbed my tape measure and drove to a local home improvement store. The store had numerous standalone kitchen cabinets for sale, made from all types of wood. Some were low end constructed, while others were more high-end constructed. I found one cabinet that consisted of a top drawer and a large front door with adjustable shelves. I then found another cabinet consisting entirely of a column of drawers. After pulling them aside, I then visited the countertop area of the store, and surprisingly I found pre-fabricated 5 foot countertops for sale. I selected one that was aesthetically appealing to me and rested it on top of the two kitchen cabinets. I spaced the two kitchen cabinets apart so that they were located at the far ends of the countertop to allow room for a chair and seating. I then made a height measurement and determined that the only modification required was to cut about 2 inches off the bottom of each kitchen cabinet.
Building a Computer Desk
With my desk idea nearly realized, I purchased the two kitchen cabinets and countertop and brought them home for assembly.
Using a skill saw I removed two inches of the base of the cabinets. This was easy to do since the cabinets had about a 3 inch area below the fixed base cabinet shelf and the drawers that was effectively empty space. I then positioned the two cabinet pieces in my office area and mounted the kitchen countertop to the two cabinets using screws and brackets.
Finally, I mounted a keyboard tray slider to the underside of the countertop and my good looking and functional computer desk was ready for use.
Note: Keyboard tray sliders can be found at most office stores. Readmore »»
Back a few years ago I decided I needed to buy a computer desk. After looking around at a half dozen furniture stores and department stores, I came to the conclusion that there were only two types of computer desks on the market; very expensive ones from high end furniture stores and pressed board garbage from low cost box stores. Neither suited my budget or tastes, but I needed a computer desk.
It was during this realization that I came up with an idea of building my own simple computer desk. I remember seeing standalone kitchen cabinets for sale at one of the local home improvement stores. I thought, hey if I could affix a countertop surface to two kitchen cabinets I’d have a functional computer desk.
Finding the Components for my Computer Desk
With the idea in mind I grabbed my tape measure and drove to a local home improvement store. The store had numerous standalone kitchen cabinets for sale, made from all types of wood. Some were low end constructed, while others were more high-end constructed. I found one cabinet that consisted of a top drawer and a large front door with adjustable shelves. I then found another cabinet consisting entirely of a column of drawers. After pulling them aside, I then visited the countertop area of the store, and surprisingly I found pre-fabricated 5 foot countertops for sale. I selected one that was aesthetically appealing to me and rested it on top of the two kitchen cabinets. I spaced the two kitchen cabinets apart so that they were located at the far ends of the countertop to allow room for a chair and seating. I then made a height measurement and determined that the only modification required was to cut about 2 inches off the bottom of each kitchen cabinet.
Building a Computer Desk
With my desk idea nearly realized, I purchased the two kitchen cabinets and countertop and brought them home for assembly.
Using a skill saw I removed two inches of the base of the cabinets. This was easy to do since the cabinets had about a 3 inch area below the fixed base cabinet shelf and the drawers that was effectively empty space. I then positioned the two cabinet pieces in my office area and mounted the kitchen countertop to the two cabinets using screws and brackets.
Finally, I mounted a keyboard tray slider to the underside of the countertop and my good looking and functional computer desk was ready for use.
Note: Keyboard tray sliders can be found at most office stores. Readmore »»
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal
By Mark J. Donovan
Whether or not you are planning to sell your home or just want to improve the overall look of it, investing in your home’s curb appeal always makes great financial sense.
If the front yard of your home looks like a barren wasteland or you have trouble seeing your house from the road due to overgrown shrubs, you should seriously consider investing in your home’s curb appeal.
Particularly if you are planning to sell your home, it is important to invest some money and time into your home’s front yard. Your home’s curb appeal is what generates the first impression to prospective home buyers. It could literally prevent a prospective buyer from looking any further at the home. “If this is what the outside looks like, what’s the point of seeing the rest of the house”, is frequently the thought that runs through a buyers mind when seeing a home without any curb appeal.
Adding curb appeal to your home doesn’t necessarily have to involve breaking your banking account. Listed below are some basic steps you can take to improve your home’s curb appeal.
1) Make sure the yard is free from clutter, e.g. lawn toys, patio equipment, unregistered cars and trailers.
2) Dispose of any old / broken lawn furniture or toys.
3) Make sure the yard is mowed, trimmed and raked.
4) If there are patches of dead grass, remove them and get some grass seed.
5) Make sure the gutters are in good working order and not hanging off the home.
6) Clean the gutters if they are not working properly.
7) If there are overgrown shrubs, prune them so the home can be seen from the road.
8) Add mulch around the shrubs to dress up the shrub area.
9) If the home is lacking shrubs plant some small inexpensive ones around the home’s foundation, and again apply mulch around the base of them.
10) Add a fresh coat of paint to the home if the home has either faded or cracking paint.
11) If the paint looks in good shape, then at least give it a power washing to get off the dirt and grime, and to brighten up the home.
12) Fix anything that is broken on the outside of the home, lights, gutters, shutters, door bells, etc.
13) Add some flowers to the front walkways and entrances.
14) Finally, make sure the yard is kept clean and neat.
With these basic steps your can dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal without breaking the bank. Most of these suggestions take only a little time and effort. Readmore »»
Whether or not you are planning to sell your home or just want to improve the overall look of it, investing in your home’s curb appeal always makes great financial sense.
If the front yard of your home looks like a barren wasteland or you have trouble seeing your house from the road due to overgrown shrubs, you should seriously consider investing in your home’s curb appeal.
Particularly if you are planning to sell your home, it is important to invest some money and time into your home’s front yard. Your home’s curb appeal is what generates the first impression to prospective home buyers. It could literally prevent a prospective buyer from looking any further at the home. “If this is what the outside looks like, what’s the point of seeing the rest of the house”, is frequently the thought that runs through a buyers mind when seeing a home without any curb appeal.
Adding curb appeal to your home doesn’t necessarily have to involve breaking your banking account. Listed below are some basic steps you can take to improve your home’s curb appeal.
1) Make sure the yard is free from clutter, e.g. lawn toys, patio equipment, unregistered cars and trailers.
2) Dispose of any old / broken lawn furniture or toys.
3) Make sure the yard is mowed, trimmed and raked.
4) If there are patches of dead grass, remove them and get some grass seed.
5) Make sure the gutters are in good working order and not hanging off the home.
6) Clean the gutters if they are not working properly.
7) If there are overgrown shrubs, prune them so the home can be seen from the road.
8) Add mulch around the shrubs to dress up the shrub area.
9) If the home is lacking shrubs plant some small inexpensive ones around the home’s foundation, and again apply mulch around the base of them.
10) Add a fresh coat of paint to the home if the home has either faded or cracking paint.
11) If the paint looks in good shape, then at least give it a power washing to get off the dirt and grime, and to brighten up the home.
12) Fix anything that is broken on the outside of the home, lights, gutters, shutters, door bells, etc.
13) Add some flowers to the front walkways and entrances.
14) Finally, make sure the yard is kept clean and neat.
With these basic steps your can dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal without breaking the bank. Most of these suggestions take only a little time and effort. Readmore »»
Monday, February 11, 2008
Contemplating a Basement Ceiling - Consider the Industrial Look
By Mark J. Donovan
When it comes to basement ceilings, we normally think of two alternatives, drywall or dropped ceiling tiles. However there is another alternative. The industrial look is also an alternative for basement ceilings. The industrial look basement ceiling involves simply painting the basement ceiling as is, floor joists, first floor subfloor, pipes, ductwork, wiring included.
The Industrial look is ideal for the basement ceiling situation where there is limited ceiling height and budget to add either a dropped ceiling or drywall basement ceiling.
The industrial ceiling look is regularly used in the reclamation of older industrial buildings. Frequently you will find upscale restaurants and office space in these reclaimed buildings with industrial ceilings.
If you want to consider an industrial look basement ceiling, check first with a building inspector or home inspector to see what can be painted and what can not. In some cases, some utilities (e.g. heated duct work) may not be able to be painted.
Once you know what can and can not be painted, simply give the as-is basement ceiling a good cleaning, being careful to remove all of the dust. It is important that anything that is to be painted should be free of dust; else the paint will not stick.
Once the as-is basement ceiling is clean, spray on a primer, followed by one or two coats of finished paint. Lighter colors will give the room a brighter look and the perception that the ceiling height is higher than it really is. Readmore »»
When it comes to basement ceilings, we normally think of two alternatives, drywall or dropped ceiling tiles. However there is another alternative. The industrial look is also an alternative for basement ceilings. The industrial look basement ceiling involves simply painting the basement ceiling as is, floor joists, first floor subfloor, pipes, ductwork, wiring included.
The Industrial look is ideal for the basement ceiling situation where there is limited ceiling height and budget to add either a dropped ceiling or drywall basement ceiling.
The industrial ceiling look is regularly used in the reclamation of older industrial buildings. Frequently you will find upscale restaurants and office space in these reclaimed buildings with industrial ceilings.
If you want to consider an industrial look basement ceiling, check first with a building inspector or home inspector to see what can be painted and what can not. In some cases, some utilities (e.g. heated duct work) may not be able to be painted.
Once you know what can and can not be painted, simply give the as-is basement ceiling a good cleaning, being careful to remove all of the dust. It is important that anything that is to be painted should be free of dust; else the paint will not stick.
Once the as-is basement ceiling is clean, spray on a primer, followed by one or two coats of finished paint. Lighter colors will give the room a brighter look and the perception that the ceiling height is higher than it really is. Readmore »»
Saturday, January 26, 2008
AirFlow Breeze Vent Video Review
By Mark J. Donovan
Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com reviews AirFlow Technology's AirFlow Breeze Vent in this video.
The AirFlow Breeze vent is a great, energy efficient, low cost device for increasing the warmth, or coolness in a problem room within your home.
The AirFlow Breeze Home Heating/Cooling System (Almond) (Fits 4"W x 10"L opening)
and can be purchased on line at Amazon.com.
Readmore »»
Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com reviews AirFlow Technology's AirFlow Breeze Vent in this video.
The AirFlow Breeze vent is a great, energy efficient, low cost device for increasing the warmth, or coolness in a problem room within your home.
The AirFlow Breeze Home Heating/Cooling System (Almond) (Fits 4"W x 10"L opening)
and can be purchased on line at Amazon.com.Readmore »»
Simple Caulking Technique
By Mark J. Donovan
A simple way to get an excellent caulk line every time is to apply masking tape on either side of the gap you want to caulk. You can determine how big of a caulk line you want to leave by how large of a gap you leave between the two strips of masking tape.
After applying the masking tape, run a bead of caulk the length of the gap into the joint.
Once you have applied the caulk use a putty knife to smooth the caulk / joint.
Finally, as soon as you have smoothed out the caulk, immediately remove the masking tape. If done right you will have a beautiful caulk seam, with very fine edges.
Give it a shot. Readmore »»
A simple way to get an excellent caulk line every time is to apply masking tape on either side of the gap you want to caulk. You can determine how big of a caulk line you want to leave by how large of a gap you leave between the two strips of masking tape.
After applying the masking tape, run a bead of caulk the length of the gap into the joint.
Once you have applied the caulk use a putty knife to smooth the caulk / joint.
Finally, as soon as you have smoothed out the caulk, immediately remove the masking tape. If done right you will have a beautiful caulk seam, with very fine edges.
Give it a shot. Readmore »»
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