Remodelling Your Home on a Budget

You might be thinking of remodeling your home for a variety of reasons. In some instances, you merely want to improve it for your own quality of life. One more bathroom leads to less early morning shower battles and that updated kitchen means your family actually wants to enjoy dinner together. Others decide to remodel when it's time to sell their home. Buyer feedback can cue sellers in on some major areas of improvement or just a few ways to maximize their sale price.
Fortunately, remodeling is becoming easier as sellers learn some important DIY (do it yourself) techniques, which help them to improve their house while keeping costs low.

A recent article in the Detroit Free Press highlights Habitat for Humanity Restores as one avenue for bargain remodelling. As a realtor in the East Lansing area, I know a variety of homeowners and contractors who visit restores when it's time to update their houses. You can find a plethora of building and remodelling treasures from nearly-new appliances to marble counter tops.

Of course, before you start loading up on home improvement materials, you will want to know what you're doing. In the technology age, this is becoming easier every day. Hop on Youtube.com and you can find thousands of video tutorials on pretty much every home remodel project know to man (or woman). Visit your local library and check out books (for free) on unique painting techniques, bathroom plumbing and much much more. You can also attend free how-to workshops at Home Depot and several other home improvement stores.

I've seen first hand how updates can make or break the sale of a home. Unless you're selling a fixer-upper, your buyers want a home that's ready to be lived-in. For instance one seller that I represented, who sold their home in East Lansing, needed only to repair an ailing roof and add new paint to the interior to find a happy buyer. The recommendations vary when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck on remodel projects. Bathrooms and kitchens are nearly always a good idea. However, you know your home best. What does it need to great? Do that.

5 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Home in 2012

Home buying has seen its ups and downs over the years. Fortunately, as we move into 2012, the market is primed for those ready to purchase a new home or buy an investment property. The steady decrease in housing prices has created the perfect buyer's market. That dream home that was unaffordable five years ago now sits perfectly in your price range. Those investment properties are priced just right to bring some positive cash flow into your life. And let's not forget the surplus of lenders offering rock bottom mortgage rates.

Like any major decision, home buying should be a well thought-out process, but with the right realtor, you can receive expert advice and discover a myriad of homes that are suitable for your budget.

Top Ten Reasons to Buy a Home in 2012

1. Value: Purchasing a home right now means you're getting a great deal and securing a sound investment. Home prices are so low that you're bound to see a future increase.
2. Low Interest Rates: This one clearly is a no-brainer. There is no better time to purchase than when the banks are bending over backwards to lend you money at a very affordable rate.  
3. Low-Deposit Options: According to a recent article in the Guardian, low deposit mortgages are making a "strong resurgence." These mortgages are especially helpful to individuals or couples who don't have access to a lot of down payment cash.
4. Access to Information: Home buyers of the 21st century have the unique advantage of being instant home buying experts. Simply hop online and you can search properties for sale in your area, read lender reviews and hunt for the best realtor to represent you.
5. Rent is Going Up: For most people, the alternative to buying a home is renting one; however, a recent article published on AOL Real Estate cites a nearly 4% rise in rental costs in 2011, while home prices dropped almost 2%.