 Home Improvement Tips
Most homeowners consider home improvements for one of the following reasons:
1. You need to update the out-of-date. Kitchens, family rooms, bathrooms, all these and other places in the house may be the same since you moved in twenty years ago. It„s time to modernize.
2. You need to replace appliances and/or fixtures. Changing from the old antique oven, getting rid of the bulky microwave? This is a great time to knock a wall out and add a sit-at-counter or a breakfast nook.
3. Your family has grown and you need more space.
4. You are selling your home. The more you improve your property, the better your chances for getting a better selling price.
5. You're staying put. You thought about it, but now you realize that improving your present home is a better option.
If you are going to put your home on the market, you really should evaluate your plans carefully. Potential buyers may not want to pay for the extras you might include in your plan so keep changes simple. Also keep in mind that your buyers might have different tastes than you do and may not appreciate the time and effort you put in to find that shade of green on the bathroom walls.
The remolding projects that buyers might appreciate the most are: adding or remodeling a bathroom, improving the kitchen, adding a new room or landscaping. If you have been thinking of selling your home in the near future, don„t go overboard on remodeling. Your home„s value should be no more than 20% above the average.
Home projects can be expensive. You may be tempted to do things yourself, but unless you are an experienced handyman, don't attempt. Hiring the people who have the talent and the experience can save you time and money - and it will bring a better price when the home goes up for sale.
A word of caution though: If you do hire professionals, check to see if they are properly licensed by the right government bodies, and that they have enough liability insurance.
Buyers Remorse >First Time Buyers
People who are selling their homes should know something about the market group from which their buyers are likely to appear. Many homes are perfect for a first-time buyer. First-time buyers are making a major purchase they have never attempted before, and may be unusually subject to the inevitable stress and anxiety that goes with buying a home.
First-time home buyers are usually younger (between 25 and 34 years of age) and have distinct buying patterns. First-timers are often looking for homes that are smaller, and perhaps older, than repeat buyers. The median home size for first-time buyers is about 1450 square feet. Approximately four in ten first-timers will buy homes built before 1960, compared to two in ten repeat buyers.
First-time buyers are in the process of developing a clearly defined sense of what they want in a house. They may not have enough money to buy their ultimate dream home at first, but seventy-four percent say they like their new home better than their previous residence.
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| Q |
Where is the world's tallest apartment block?
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| A |
The 100-story John Hancock Center in Chicago, Illinois is 1,127 feet high; floors 44 through 92 are residential.
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