Renovations and Home Appraisals - How Do They Connect?

Home styles can come and go and sometimes come back again just like wardrobe fashion. Renovating / remodeling one's home can improve the value of the house. You can use different styles and layouts for remodeling a 100 year old house and make it look brand new depending on the structure. One can also restore the home's original design by carefully reproducing the exact qualities and materials used like hard wood, mouldings, glass, and the like. These changes can affect even the hundred year old home's appraised value.

Appraisals are usually used for a variety of purposes. Every year the county estimates the value of a person's house to determine the amount of taxes that individual must pay. Renovations affect the value of the appraised amount. The appraisers take into consideration the amount of renovation done as this increases a property's value. So generally it follows that with the increase in amount is an increase in the house's value thereby, increasing the property tax.

In real estate, appraisals are very important, it helps buyers, sellers, and lenders correlate their prices and in determining the value of the house. A buyer wants to insure that he is getting his money's worth. You see despite visible renovations there might be other property discrepancies. A seller also has to have an appraiser, especially for a newly renovated property. When the seller renovates his property's value changes, so he must be able to determine the value at which he can sell his asset.

Sometimes, renovations can become a bargaining chip when determining a house's appraised value. The magnitude of a certain renovation can make or break the appraised price. A renovation cannot just be considered as just that; value and quality of the materials used also becomes a considering factor. The amount of renovations done is also very important, as it affects the labor intensive factor of the renovation.

But not all renovation are positive, it can also bring about the probability that the appraised value may go down. There are after all unnecessary renovations as deemed by a certain transacting party. Also, there is the fact that the renovation may have been "at the wrong place"; the "wrong place" in701 a sense that there were more urgent aspects of the house that needed attention but was not given the needed care. The renovation then becomes useless and does not change the house's appraised value or bring it down.

A home in repair or undergoing renovations can still be appraised. Banks or independent appraisers, need only be given the renovation plans and shown that the owner is financially capable to undertake such plans then they provide a ball park appraised value. It should however be kept in mind, that a person's taste differ from one to the other. Renovations done by a certain home owner may not be to the liking of another. And this does affect the appraised value.

One must also take not that an appraised value is just an assumption of the price of the property and not the actual price; it may or may not be close to the selling price. So it must not be taken to heart, but merely used as another piece of information.

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Preinspection

Rain Gutters And Downspouts - All You Need To Know

Rain gutters and downspouts are obviously one of the more important aspects on the outside of any home. They help in protecting your foundation from eroding as well as your roof and siding from rotting as well. Not to mention preventing a complete muddy mess that you have to try and avoid walking in. The biggest question about rain gutters is, what do you really need for your particular home? Here is a quick look at some of the basics on choosing a gutter system for your home.

What size of rain gutter do you need?

Because gutters come in different sizes, as well as materials one of the first things you will need to know is what size you need. This will depend on what part of the country you live in. If you live in an area which receives heavy rainfall then you should go with a larger 7" gutter channel. You need the bigger size to handle the heavier amounts of precipitation to prevent them from overflowing. For those living in areas which get little rain then a 5" or 6" gutter will be fine.

What kind of material do you want your gutter made out of?

Your next step is deciding what type of material you would like to have your gutter made of. The most common materials are aluminum and vinyl. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you can also choose to have them made from copper, steel or other materials. Obviously, cost will be a consideration when you are looking at copper gutters, but copper will last a lifetime if cared for properly. If you live in an area where you do not have extreme temperature fluctuations then a vinyl gutter system would make for a good choice.

Seamless or not?

Finally, you will need to decide on whether you would like to have a seamless gutter system or one that is in sections. Seamless gutters and downspouts are considered by most experts to be the best choice. It eliminates the "seams" that could eventually lead to leaks and sagging. Keep in mind though; a seamless gutter will still have seams at the corner breaks. Also, seamless will be a more expensive option. All in all though, it is the best route to go.

Installing rain gutters

Finally, whatever gutters and downspouts you decide to install, don't use the old style of putting them up with big spikes and ferrules. This is a very outdated method of installation and will only lead to problems down the road since these spikes expand and contract with the weather and wear out the fascia boards as well. Use gutter hangers and you will eliminate this issue altogether.

Once you have made your choice for the type of guttering you want you can have it installed by any number of contractors for a nominal cost. It is well worth leaving to the pros. Getting up on a ladder and trying to do it yourself is not a great idea, especially if you have ever fallen off a ladder as so many people have. Let a pro do it and you can enjoy the benefits of their work for years to come.

You can learn more about Rain Gutters And Downspouts as well as much more information on all types of gutters and downspouts at http://www.GuttersA-Z.com

The Four Basic Styles of Sunrooms

Everyone knows that it is the design and style of a sunroom that makes it so attractive. Whether you have an eye for straight lines or flowing curves. there are four different styles that will suit the taste of any individual. The good news is no matter what your taste or style. it is highly likely that the sunroom enclosure you choose can be seamlessly added on to your home giving the appearance of a totally natural extension.

The Four Styles of Sunroom

The four styles of sunroom enclosures are: straight. curved. cathedral and conservatory.

The straight style of sunroom works best as an enclosure for a pre-existing patio. By enclosing the space with double paned glass windows and seamless vinyl siding. the homeowner is now allowed to utilize the space that may have been neglected or abandoned due to inclement or extreme weather conditions. The homeowner can choose a number of materials from wood to vinyl to aluminum to create a space that can now be enjoyed year round and has also found a way to add to the resale value of the home.

The curved style of sunroom gets its name from its wall that curves up to form the roof of the enclosure. As this design provides for the maximum capture of natural light. the windows of the curved sunroom are made expressly to ensure maximum energy efficiency and durability and are glazed to protect against harmful ultraviolet radiation rays from the sun. This allows one to not only enjoy the benefits of the sun year round. but prevents fading of furniture and/or carpet.

The cathedral style sunroom has a high center beam with sloping roofs and vaulted ceilings. Surrounded by double paned glass windows this design gives the illusion of height and exudes a light and airy atmosphere. An insulated roof keeps heat from escaping. providing an energy efficient environment. This coupled with the energy efficient windows and siding makes for a beautiful and economical choice in sunroom enclosures.

The conservatory style is perhaps the most elegant of sunroom enclosures. The roof consists of a number of glass panes joined together at a central beam. This allows natural light to filter into the room from all angles from sunup to sundown. The insulated roof panels with the extra durable. double paned windows glazed for UV protection provide for maximum energy efficiency in this all glass unit.

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on the subject for http://www.allsunrooms.com . A free online magazine that carries articles on sunroom enclosures, and a guide on house additions here sunroom enclosures

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House Framing

Light Up Your Life with Solar Power

Most people that take their RV's camping will make sure that the campsite they are going to offers electrical sockets so that they are able to run the lights and other essential electrical appliances. But this really does limit the camp sites that you can visit you're missing out on hundreds of fantastic sites just because you're too picky. There is another option, and no I'm not talking about going without electricity.

You can attach a solar panel onto your RV which will provide all of the electricity you need. 5B4All RV's have batteries contained inside which provide the power for air conditioning, TV and even more. Batteries are not things that last forever and you always need to replenish the power that you use out of the battery. These batteries are normally charged by connecting it to the RV's engine, this wastes energy and gas. This also means it will be costing you money to run. You could consider an RV solar power system to provide your RV with free electricity!

Why should you use Solar power when camping?

Solar Power Systems for RV's are very easy to use to charge up your batteries. They don't create any noise or mess. They also don't pollute the earth, and it's completely free. By putting the solar power back into the batteries you are able to use the power even when it's dark!

Solar panels don't have any moving parts, this means they should last for a very long time plus they're silent. Using solar power to charge your batteries actually makes them last much longer. Solar panels generate DC electricity which is the best way to charge batteries. Another reason why solar panels are so popular for camping is because it allows you to get electricity wherever you are. You don't need to go places that have electrical power points you simply need to go somewhere that has sun... which is pretty much anywhere.

Solar panels are very safe, no really extremely safe. They generate quite low voltages (around 12 volts) which m5A5eans you wouldn't really feel any shocks caused by solar panels. These also have a very low risk of starting a fire.

What you need to know about RV Solar panels

RV solar panel systems are very easy to install, they're also easy to understand. There are five important things that you must bear in mind when fitting solar systems. First the solar panels should be located so that they can capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. The next most important point is that you need to purchase special brackets in order to fit the panels onto your camper in the optimum places.

You must install something known as a charge controller which allows you to charge batteries. This enables you to change the flow of electricity so your batteries can be charged. Some more sophisticated systems have a monitoring system built in to monitor the batteries charge. You will also need some wiring in place to connect the panels to your batteries. Vinyl windows gives your windows a new look.

RV solar panel systems are a very useful and efficient way to power the electrical appliances in your RV. This can be used to power every electrical device, including climate control. NASA uses solar power for satellites, so they must be good enough for your RV!

Guy Morris frequently pens detailed papers on subjects corresponding to interior design. Through his publications on window hardware and replacement vinyl window the columnist improved his knowledge in the field.

A Gazebo Can Make Your Landscaping Spectacular

Better Living Sunrooms - Three Or Four SeasonsBy: Andrew Caxton
3 season sunrooms provides a romantic getaway from the entire world amidst all delicacies. You can enjoy the warm sun, the bright daylight, the starry skies, and the rainy night but safely in the interiors of glass doors. Barring the natural attacks like insects and adverse weather conditions, the sunrooms are simply perfect for people wanting to enjoy nature outside within the comfort of home, inside. This is a special type of sunroom that promises you with al fresco enjoyment subtracting the fluctuating weather conditions, seasonal detriments and unusual insect attacks. So while you are experiencing the charm of being at home even when you are outside, the 3 season sunrooms prevent the imposition of adverse weather conditions on you. The 3 season sunrooms are, thus, a dream-come true haven for romantics who want some time for their secret tryst and also for young-at-heart people who love to be amidst Nature. The 3 season sunroom characteristic can be added to the patio rooms, gazebos and home-attached screen enclosure rooms. These sunrooms come with superior insulated glass doors and other additional structural wonders. One of the structural wonders includes windows on any one or more of the walls. But if you do not prefer the windows, you can design the sunroom as a solid block of enclosure as that will also add a great degree to the privacy of people and provide a great backdrop for wall decorations, a backyard bar or some shelves to be stacked on the walls. Features Of A 3 Season Sunroom The features of the 3 season sunrooms are simply amazing. There are insulated roof panels that come with a pre-coat of aluminum using the Krystal-Kote paint system. The advantage of this unique system is it ensures easier shedding down of ice and snow from the roof panels.

The high luster of the paint makes these sunrooms far more durable than the sunrooms with conventional finish. This ultimate adhesive and laminating process is the state-of-the-art quality that aids the sunroom to bear superior loads. The roof panels of the sunrooms have an insulating rating of R14, which assists in keeping the rooms cooler in days/summers and warmer during the nights/winters, respectively. The 3 season sunrooms have a 36” wide glass wall that comes with smooth rolling sliding doors and the ideal sizes available for 5-sides are 12’ x 6’’, 12’ x 9’, 12’ x 12’, 12’ x 15’ or 12’ x 18’. The peak roof height on each side should be 10’ and the sidewall height should be 6’6”. A variety of colors that can add an altogether different décor to the sunroom are heron blue, sierra clay, burgundy, alabaster, black, fern green, gray, red, imperial brown, ivy green, maroon, mocha tan, terra cotta, Wedgwood blue, polar white, sandalwood, yellow, wicker, ivory, cream and white. So, that this brand of sunroom pays great attention to its details is amply evident from its insulated glass door panels, designed interiors and sophisticated look. The 3 season sunrooms also have an additional barrier called thermal break structured into the design of the sunrooms. This characteristic structure prevents the transfer of outside cold from seeping in through the walls and into the room, promising maximum protection from cold weather. Sometimes the 3 season sunrooms come in package with non-permanent supplemental heating and cooling criteria that also provide additional climate control methods. The 3 season sunrooms are constructed of anodized extruded aluminum along with insulated roof and gables. There are added structures like built-in-fascia and gutter systems that are typically built to withstand even cyclonic weather conditions. The 3 season sunroom can be built on top of the existing decks or concrete patios using outstanding items like fiberglass screens, vinyl windows, lightweight and four track aluminum frames. Make 3 Season Room Your Recreation Room A 3 season sunroom can be extended to become an all season sunroom. This happens when all the elements in the sunroom work together to hold out colder temperature through more days and nights thereby promising to keep the temperature normal and pleasant. These 3 season sunrooms features high-performance window systems, wall systems with insulation and thermal breaks, thermal roofs and thermal break systems in the base channel. In these all season sunrooms you can enjoy the winter sun and summer rain alike with the same comfortable feel. However, the 3 season sunrooms enjoy non-permanent supplemental heat that keeps the rooms comfortable during evening or on particularly cold winter days. A piece of advice for laymen is try to use electric-baseboard heaters or electric simulated fireplaces instead of wood-burning heat generators to keep the rooms warm on cold wintry days.

The electric based generators are preferable to wood-based generators because the latter adds a great quantity of moisture to the air, thereby producing a misty condensed vapor on the glass doors. This is known to considerably decrease the classy look of the sunrooms, so generate warmth within the sunrooms with electric-based generators. The 3 seasons use maximum insulation properties in the window systems specially in the double-pane HPG 2000 glass windows that contribute to the extended seasonal use of the sunrooms. These windows perform multi-level functions providing maximum-duty protection against heat/cold transfers and solar UV penetrations of rays. This window becomes a thermally broke, insulated window with double insulated window unit that provides obstruction to heat from entering the interiors and resistance to cold from escaping outside. In addition, it is designed to also keep winter’s desirable warmth comfortably in the interiors of the room. Set against the backdrop of unique design; make the 3 season sunroom in your home a peaceful haven for all to have a friendly tryst and welcoming get-together.
About The Author
Andrew Caxton loves writing for http://www.allsunrooms.com .A focused website that offers the best articles on 4 seasons patio rooms and 3 season sunrooms , read more at http://www.allsunrooms.com/betterliving.html.

Building Home Additions

Building a Family Room Addition

By: Mark J. Donovan
Besides providing your home with more living space, building a family room addition can be a terrific investment. However, before embarking on building a family room addition the homeowner should first consider several important items. These items include: home market values in the neighborhood, financing, home building costs, family room design plans (size and scale of project), architecture, timetable for completion, personal disruption/inconvenience threshold and the sweat equity commitment level. Designing a Family Room Addition and Assessing Market Value Prior to actually breaking ground on a family room addition, it is best to first have a plan. You need to determine what you are looking for in terms of additional living space. For example: How many square feet? What types of rooms? Once this is understood, it is then important to find out the market value of homes in the local area with similar size and features to the new and improved home. With this information the homeowner can then calculate the difference between their current home market value and the new and improved home market value. This difference should represent the maximum cost budget for the new addition if a positive investment is desired. For example, a homeowner would not want to spend $40,000 on a new family room addition that provides only $20,000 in increased market value to the improved home. Financing the Family Room Addition The next important question involves how to fund the cost of the family room addition. Unless the project is being funded via cash/savings then financing will be required. If current mortgage rates are higher than the existing mortgage, then a home equity loan will probably make the most sense. If current mortgage rates are lower than the existing mortgage, then refinancing the entire home, including the cost of the family room addition project, may make the most sense. Family Room Addition Design and Architectural Considerations Once the financial items have been addressed it is then time to focus on the size and scale of the project, as well as the architectural and aesthetics of the new family room addition. The family room addition should be of size and scale such that it aesthetically melds into the original house. It should not be too small or too big. Frequently, homeowners get carried away and add large amounts of new living space without sufficient thought on the outside appearance. From a market value, there is more to a home than just pure living space. A home needs to maintain its exterior aesthetics as well. It is important to consider such items as siding, doors, windows, rooflines, and elevations. All should meld into the existing home exterior seamlessly and aesthetically. If an architect is not planned for the project, then the homeowner should at least make some sketches of the home exterior with the new addition. The buildig inspector will probably require them anyways during the permit process. Also, there are many Home Design software packages on the market today that can help create such drawings. Schedule and Sweat Equity Commitment The next two items that should be considered include the timetable for completing the project and the homeowner sweaty equity commitment level. Many homeowners assume they can do a lot more than they are either skilled to do or have the time to do. From personal experience, I would suggest contracting out the site/ground work, rough framing, roofing, siding, heating/cooling, and the drywall. All of these tasks require skill, time and brawn. If local laws permit, electric and plumbing may be tackled by the homeowner. However, both require skill and can be life threatening if not performed properly. Other tasks that a homeowner could tackle include installing interior doors, finish trim, painting, cabinet installation, tiling and hardwood flooring. Prior to a homeowner signing up to any specific task however, they should first honestly assess their skill and available time, and compare them to their project schedule. If they don’t match, hire the contractor. Threshold of Inconvenience and Disruption Finally, a homeowner should consider their threshold for inconvenience and disruption. A family room addition, particularly if it involves the kitchen, is very disruptive to today’s busy lifestyles. It is also a dusty, dirty and noisy endeavor. In addition, dealing with subcontractors can be challenging at best. For a typical family room addition anticipate several months of effort and inconvenience. If after assessing all these issues you are still willing to move forward with the project, contact your subcontractors, pull your permits and get ready for an exciting time. For most homeowners building a family room addition is a positive experience that provides both new living space and a great investment. For more help on building a family room addition, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's Room Addition Bid sheet. The Room Addition Bid Sheet will help ensure that your room addition project goes smoothly and is completed on time and budget.
About The Author
Mark J. Donovan. Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com/ and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com/

Granite Tiles Basics

By: Daniel Roshard




Granite tiles are becoming more and more popular as people begin to recognize the durability and hardness of the material. What is great about granite tiles is that they can be used in a variety of ways such as for walls, countertops, and flooring. The appeal of granite is that it is beautiful, durable, and strong all at the same time, carrying the ability to withstand high traffic and use.

The thing about granite tiles is that you must take extreme care when installing the tiles. For instance, before considering this type of tile, you should put a heavy weight on the moisture level of the area, slip resistance of the tile, and foot traffic it will receive. Particularly helping if you are a do-it-yourselfer, granite tile is very heavy, so it can be a strenuous task. Consider hiring a professional, if you have any concerns about laying the tile.

Because granite tiles are made of natures own material, you should expect to find some variations in the color. Natural materials differ from manufactured materials, because you will never find a perfect match. The variations in color creates the overall beauty and popularity of the material, giving the kitchen a host of colors, meaning more ability to mix and match your kitchen design.

Before you begin laying the granite tiles, first ensure that the area you wish to install it, is even, clean, and dry. If you place the granite tiles on areas that are wet, dirty, or uneven, you may damage the overall look or even the tile itself. Maintenance and cleaning should be performed with extreme care. When you have granite tiles, make sure, if anything is ever spilled upon it, that you clean it up immediately. Leaving anything upon the granite tiles, will be cause for having to replace the tile in a short period, in addition to affecting the natural beauty and finish of the tile.

You should also avoid, when cleaning the granite tiles, using any types of harsh or acid-based agents and cleaners. After cleaning, you should also be sure to rinse the material thoroughly. Taking extreme care of your granite tiles can protect your investment, ensure that the tiles always keep their natural beauty, and protect the finish used on the tile.

Granite tiles often come at higher price than other types of materials. However, many homeowners will gladly pay the costs, to have a beautiful and very durable material for any area of their home, particularly the kitchen. The costs of granite tiles generally run from as cheap as $30 a foot to $120 a foot, depending on where you buy it, the quality of the stone, and if you need installation with it. In general, those that sell granite tiles will have different tiers of pricing level. Several things can affect the price of the tiles. For instance, fashion trends, soft minerals, thickness, patterns, veins, color, and even the country the material came from.

The best things you can do are shop around, visit different dealers, and compare prices. You will want to make sure you are getting high quality granite tiles, at a price you can afford.


About The Author

Daniel Roshard is a interior designer working on interior and kitchen design, and currently studying garden design and integration of house appliances to the outdoors. Daniel writes Granite Countertops buying tips at http://granite.zupatips.com