Do you have the right tools for your "honey-do" list?
It's summer and there's no better time to take on home improvement projects and that ever-expanding "honey-do" list. In a few months, those tasks will seem a lot more unpleasant when they can't be done in the beautiful sunshine.
Lower costs make now a great time for a bathroom remodel
Have you outgrown your small home, but you're staying put for financial or economic reasons? Or maybe you recently bought a house in foreclosure that was a great deal, but needs fixing up. If so, you're part of the re-energized remodeling market. For the first time since 2006, home-improvement spending is up, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
The new ways thieves are getting into homes: What you should know now
The idea of someone breaking into your home and stealing your possessions, or worse, threatening your family, is a terrifying notion. Unfortunately, over the years, criminals expand their repertoires of techniques to get inside homes. The good news is you can make your home more secure. Thieves are clever, but, armed with the right knowledge; you can be smarter than they are.
Thanks to the federal tax credit program, you can recoup 30 percent of the total installed cost of a solar water heating system. It's a great time to switch to solar power for your water heating needs. But before you buy a solar water heater, do your homework, learn about the technologies available and review just how solar-friendly your home can be.
How to make your outdoor living space as cool and comfortable as indoors
It is easy to enjoy your deck or patio when the weather is warm and pleasant, and memories of cold winters are driven far away. But when the temperatures soar, do you find yourself retreating indoors? Even through the dog days of summer, you can enjoy your outdoor living space by using outdoor versions of indoor comforts such as luxurious furnishings, decorative touches and even air conditioning.
Think your kitchen needs a makeover? Why not try a "make under"? "Less is more" is the new mantra for homeowners who want to take control of their home decor - eliminating clutter, streamlining products and taking a simplified, minimalistic approach to their home-improvement projects. The perfect room to begin this organized overhaul is the kitchen, as it's a spot that tends to clutter quickly. Learn how you can make under this space and uncover its true beauty.
Kitchen, bath renovations remain tops, but go lean and green
When it comes to adding value and enjoyment to your home, kitchen and bath remodels still remain tops, remodeling and real estate experts say. But how people remodel is changing. High-end renovations, costing tens of thousands of dollars, are dwindling, replaced by upgrades that provide homeowners with the most return for the least investment.
Winter-proof your home this fall for year-round benefits
After a summer of record-breaking temperatures across the country, you may be wondering if the impending winter weather will be just as extreme. While harsh weather puts a strain on wallets with increased energy bills, it can also be damaging to the home. Before the ice and snow hit, consider winterizing your home to help increase efficiency and minimize maintenance.
Easy ways to take advantage of solar energy at home
While installing a complete residential solar energy system can be cost-prohibitive for many homeowners, recent technology that integrates solar power with individual household appliances is making it easier for homeowners to harness the power of the sun without breaking the bank.
Outdoor lighting tops the list of easy weekend projects
With its mild temperatures, fall is a great time for outdoor home improvement projects, but it's also supposed to be a time to relax and have fun with family and friends. That makes quick-to-do projects that add to the "family fun factor" appealing to homeowners, who also need to spend their limited home improvement dollars wisely.
WUTV files and maintains quarterly Children's Television Reports and DTV Consumer Education Activity Reports in its Public File.
The Public File is available to the public at 699 Hertel Ave., Suite 100 Buffalo, NY 14207,
weekdays from 8:30am. to 5:30pm.
