My Indiana Home Blog

It's important to find energy leaks in your home so you're saving money, especially if it's 20 years or older. So how do you find out if your home is less efficient? Knowing where to look is the first start. We as homeowners, often blame our drafty doors and windows for the expensive heating and cooling bills, but these are not the greatest sources for energy loss. You may find that the biggest issues arise from construction shortcuts.

For example, this could be the absence of external building wrap

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The Cost of a Remodel

According to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2007 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (featured in the March 10 edition of this publication), over half of sellers engaged in some kind of home improvement or remodeling project within three months of listing. Obviously a popular decision, but is every project worth it? And when deciding which project to tackle, how do you know where the money will be best spent?

Remodeling Online has some answers. The 2007 “Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report” provides a percentage of recouped cost on 29 typical home remodel projects. Projects range from garage and bathroom additions to a minor kitchen remodel and window replacement. Breaking the U.S. into nine regions, the report provides national and regional averages for further detail.

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 Now more than ever before, people are spending time outdoors or in their backyards. If you're planning on selling your home now or in the future, or even just love hanging outdoors, then consider making some changes. Upgrades can turn your backyard into an entirely new living area while increasing the value of your home sweet home! 

You could craft an outdoor kitchen- it's as easy as starting with a grill! Or add an outdoor sink and prep area, portable refrigerator, food storage, patio set for six...the options are endless.

   A new patio is an excellent way to define livable outdoor space. Consider eco-friendly Trex decking or hardscape options like brick pavers or decorative stones!      

Check back often for more creative ideas on improving your home!

Having trouble deciding what to update in your home when it comes time to sell it? Well if you have a bigger budget, definitely redo the kitchens, bathrooms and floors first. If you're trying to select one small area in the house to make a "quick fixer-upper", then start with the rooms that have running water first, mainly the master bath. If you do this right, they almost always pay off.

Renovations in bathrooms are often some of the most dynamic and noticeable, whether they're large or small, you can make changes to update and open this room up. It seems that nowadays, every homeowner wants a spa retreat within the comforts of their own home. You can create a spa like atmosphere in your bathroom...really. Maybe we're all just watching a little too much of Extreme Home Makeover or HGTV! In any case, here's what to do.

You can start your bathroom project by updating fixtures. From pedistal lavatories and furniture-style vanities to high performance toilets, new fixtures bring the bathroom from that wonderful 1970's pink tile appeal to modern chic! (Not to say your bathroom is that outdated).

Back to the spa- Replacing your boring bathtub with a luxurious whirlpool tub is definitely worth it. People tend to look for things like jet or garden tubs with a view. These tubs can be bought anywhere from $300-$1,000 and can boast innovative features such as air jets and hydrotherapy massages. Pamper yourself while you sell your home I say!

If you're working with a smaller space,

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Have you ever seen a new tool help make home improvement jobs easier?  I certainly have, and when I do, I usually think "...why didn't I think about that?"  I had that feeling the first time I used a paint stick.  Whenever I had painted before, I didn't like having to keep putting the roller back in the pan to get more paint.  It wasted time, not to mention the accompanying paint drips.  Paint sticks take away all of that.  The paint stick works like a syringe.  It sucks up paint from the can into a cylinder with an attached roller.  As paint is used, a push on the plunger at the end of the cylinder will disperse more paint.  The result?  A wall can can be painted quickly and with ease.  The sticks cost under $30, and can be found at Menards.