Do It Yourself

Seven inexpensive ways to update a home now

Oftentimes, buying a home opens up a bottomless pit of opportunities for projects and improvements. While some homeowners engage in different repairs and fix-ups out of necessity, many others like to freshen-up their spaces out of personal preference instead of need. But even the most well-intentioned projects can be waylaid if budgets are tight.
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Make the most of small bathrooms

Renovating bathrooms is commonly at the top of home improvement to-do lists. Though some rooms around the house may remain timeless, bathrooms, like kitchens, show their age (and era) much more easily, which could be why homeowners are always on the lookout for new ideas.
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Simple ways to give your bathroom a new look and feel

According to the "Remodeling" magazine's 2011-12 "Cost vs. Value Report," which compares the average cost for 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale, homeowners can expect to spend upward of $52,000 on an upscale bathroom remodel. That makes a bathroom remodel one of the more expensive home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake.
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Did you know?

According to Remodeling magazine's 2011-2012 "Cost Vs. Value Report," replacement projects perform better in resale value than other types of remodeling projects. Siding-, window- and door-replacement projects all recoup between 69 and 78 percent of their initial costs.
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Professionals who might help you get a mortgage

The process of buying a home can be intimidating, especially for those men and women who have never before owned their own homes. Nowadays, more homeowners are choosing to get preapproved for mortgages before they begin searching for a home in an effort to make the home-buying process go more smoothly when they find the home for them.
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Concrete vs. asphalt driveways

Many homes come with a driveway. Whether leading to a garage or not, the driveway is a convenient place to park one or more cars. If a driveway is in need of repair or replacement, owners often choose between asphalt or concrete.

There are certain factors that come into play when making a decision. More often than not, cost is a main consideration and frequently the driving force behind any driveway decisions that are made. Until you realize all of the subtleties behind these materials, you may not be able to make an informed decision.
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Things to consider before refinancing your mortgage

Many homeowners are finding now is a great time to refinance their mortgages. Lower interest rates and legislation aimed at helping owners whose mortgages are underwater have encouraged homeowners to take advantage of these opportunities, which might not come along again.
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Decor & Decorating: Express Yourself with Color

Are you courageous when it comes to decorating your home? Many of us would like to be as creative as possible but need guidance to venture out from the neutrals -- and into something more powerfully beautiful.
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