Looking for a Summer Remodeling Project? These Tips Might Help

Other than vacations, summer is the time of the year most popular for home improvement. The long days and warm, sunny weather make a great time to work on repairs and renovations without much of the hassles and delays that rain and other elements bring.

Following are tips and projects—both large and small—for homeowners looking to spruce their homes up this summer.

Patios and Decks
What better way to enjoy the warm days than by creating an outdoor living space for the family to enjoy.



Decks and patios are among the most popular summer remodeling ideas. There are various factors to take into consideration when deciding on whether a patio or deck is the most appropriate project to undertake. Such factors include soil condition and consistency, site terrain, use, capacity and privacy, as well as the cost and maintenance you are willing to put up with.

Home Maintenance
Throughout the seasons, your home has taken good care of you and your family and now is the best time to give back.

Go through your property to evaluate and create a checklist on areas that need mending or replacement. This list is a crucial preparation before calling a contractor or handyman for maintenance/repair services. Some common maintenance and repair include:

•Waterproofing the basement
•Re-caulking and replacing weather-striping
•Cleaning and sealing wooden decks
•Trimming bushes and trees
•Realigning downspouts and gutters
•Repairing the roof
•Cleaning the pool
•Mending the fence
•Sealing cracks along driveways, foundation, walkways, etc.
•Maintenance of HVAC systems
Energy-Efficient Renovation
When it comes to summer remodeling, there's no better way to invest your hard-earned dollars than by making your home energy efficient. An energy-efficient summer remodel is truly a worthwhile endeavor as it will result in years of savings on your energy bills. Some of the common items you can buy and integrate into your energy-efficient renovation include:

•Insulation systems and materials
•Roofs that resist heat gain
•Biomass-burning stoves
•Energy-efficient windows
•HVAC systems with the highest efficiency tier
•Solar panels
•Fuel cells
•Geothermal heat pumps
•Wind energy systems
Taking on one (or more!) of these projects is a great way to give back to your home this summer…and, in some cases, save you a bit of money, too.
Call me if you need any references to professionals that can help!

Short Sale and Foreclosure Insights

Fannie Mae has just released a website to provide help for homeowners who are struggling to stay in their homes. Check out www.knowyouroptions.com