5 Installation Tips for Great-Looking Cabinets (Part II)

Tip #2: Start in the corner, work out from there
When hanging cabinets, just like when painting a floor, you don't want to end up in a corner--you want to start there. Some people install the base cabinets first, which gives them a "workbench" and reference point for installing the uppers. Others prefer hanging the uppers first, because they feel it's easier without the lower cabinets in the way. Either way, level, shim and square your corner cabinets so the cabinets next to them also wind up level and square.

Smart Idea: If the corner isn't perfectly square, use a utility knife to remove some of the drywall tape and taping compound in the areas that will be hidden by the cabinets once they are installed.

Check back tomorrow for tip #3.

A Vacation to Remember

If you're like many working adults, you've saved and planned for months in order to enjoy a much-anticipated vacation. You want to do everything you can to ensure that your trip is a memorable occasion for the entire family.

Your first step is to decide on a destination. Does your family enjoy participating in sports or activities? Are you more interested in exploring history or visiting landmarks? You may want to plan a trip around an interest that you share; make sure that each family member has a chance to voice his or her opinion.

Once you've determined where you want to go, you can begin looking for good deals. The earlier you schedule your travel and lodging, the more options you are likely to have, especially at discounted rates.

Travel Insurance -- as you budget for a vacation, travel insurance may seem like an unnecessary expense. In many instances, however, this coverage may be the best way to protect yourself and your family from the unexpected while traveling.

Many consumers aren't awar of the benefits travel insurance can provide; some policies even cover lost luggage and valuables. The cost of coverage is typically between five to seven percent of the total price of the vacation.

Travel insurance may also reimburse you if your vacation is cancelled or interrupted for unexpected reasons. Be sure to carefully read what the covered reasons are, however, before purchasing a policy.

Before traveling, check your current health insurance policy to see what is covered while out of your area of residence. If you are concerned that you don't have sufficient coverage, travel insurance can cover the difference. Even if you don't have any medical concerns, accidents can happen. In case of emergency, your travel insurance could reimburse you for the expense of being transported to the hospital as well as for the cost of the care you receive.

Of the 70 percent of U.S. travelers who purchase travel insurance, approximately one in six has had to file a claim. You may not need travel insurance, but the peace of mind you get from having it can allow you to enjoy a memorable, worry-free vacation.

5 Installation Tips for Great-Looking Cabinets (Part I)

Tip #1: Planning makes everything easier
Take the time to carefully lay out the position and height of each cabinet, and the job will go smoother further down the road. Find the high spot of the floor, measure up 34-1/2 in., and establish a level line to indicate the top of your base cabinets. Then measure, mark and label the position of each base cabinet. Repeat the same steps for the upper cabinets. That way, before you install the first screw, you'll know where everything goes and how it will fit.

Smart idea: Use your old kitchen cabinets for storage in the basement, laundry room and garage. The price is right and you won't have to pay someone to haul them away!

Check back tomorrow for tip #2.

Bed Covering Choices

Confused about the abundance of choices in bed coverings? Here's some information to "cover" your options and help you select what's right for your bed.

A comforter is the top layer of bedding, usually filled with down, feathers, cotton or hypoallergenic synthetic material. Comforters are often sold in complete bed sets that include a matching bedskirt and pillow shams.

A duvet is similar to a comforter, except that it is made to be encased in a removable cover to protect it and keep it clean.

If you are shopping for a down-filled comforter or duvet, consider weight and amount of fill, or the number of cubic inches per ounce of down. Lightweight comforters are approximately 26 ounces, while heavier (and warmer) comforters weigh in around 54 ounces. Standard fill is between 500 to 550, high-quality is usually 600 or above.

A bedspread or quilt covers the entire bed, including the mattress, box springs and pillows for a more formal, finished look. Handmade quilts should be handled very delicately, so you may want to purchase a more durable, machine-made quile for everyday use.

Home Tips

Lawn care
* Cut grass no shorter than 3 inches, and never more than 1/3 of the blade.
* Mow in the morning or evening.
* Deep watering, in the morning, is better for your grass than frequent, shallow watering.

Protect your home when you're on vacation.
* Lock doors and windows.
* Set timers on lights.
* Have mail and newspaper stopped or picked up by a neighbor.
* Unplug electronic devices vulnerable to power surges.

Energy Savers

I wanted to provide some helpful information about using energy efficiently.

Making your home energy efficient may cost a little bit up front, but the extra effort and expense can save you a lot of money in the future. Here are some energy-saving tips to try:

* Replace your old thermostat with a new digital one
* Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents
* Replace the old seal on your refrigerator door
* Get a furnace “tune-up”
* Install a ceiling fan

Many utility companies offer free energy audits by trained representatives who come to your home and point out areas where energy is being wasted.

I hope you find these tips helpful.

Fire Safety

I thought I would provide you with some valuable information about home safety.

As busy as we all get, it's sometimes easy to overlook fire safety and other home maintenance.

Remember to replace the old batteries in your home's smoke alarms regularly. While you're at it, dust each alarm and test it to make sure it is properly functioning. Make sure you have installed enough smoke alarms for the size of your home--at least one per floor, especially near bedrooms.

It's also a good idea to periodically check your fire extinguishers. Many models are useful only for a certain number of years before they must be serviced or replaced. Check your model to determine the time period. Each home should have at least one extinguisher in the kitchen and the garage.

Finally, because overloaded circuits are the cause of many home fires, you should take a few minutes to scan your home's power outlets and replace any cords or plugs that have cracks or other visible damage.

These easy tasks can make your home a safer place for everyone.

Homeownership Improves Lifestyle

Just a short note to share some information from an interesting article I recently read.

According to a “Home Ownership Survey” by Neighborhood Housing Services, home ownership enhances the quality of life and financial positions of most homeowners.

The reasons for this are:

* Increases in home value
* Interaction with neighbors
* Better conditions and amenities in the new neighborhood than in the previous one

I hope your experience is similar.

Market Trends

One of the biggest changes in real estate today is the emergence of the Internet as an increasingly valuable tool for home buyers and sellers.

According to the most recent research:

* 75% of home buyers have searched for real estate information online.
* 70% of home buyers and sellers agree that it's important for their agents to be Internet-savvy.
* The Internet is replacing local newspaper classified ads as the definitive resource for prospective home buyers.

Top 10 Places to Live!

Here are the top 10 places to live according to Relocate-America.com:

"The population of Asheville (NC) is only about 70,000, but this mid-size city ranked No. 1 on a list of the most popular places to live in 2007. Asheville made its second appearance on Relocate-America.com's annual top 10 list, compiled each year since 1998. The site attracts visitors in the process of relocating and is aimed at helping people research cities before making a move. The Web site is a service of HomeRoute, a Howell, Mich.-based company that also connects consumers to Realtors.

Below are the top 10 cities on Relocate-America.com's "America's Top 100 Places to Live for 2007:"

1. Asheville (NC)
2. Traverse City (MI)
3. Ithaca (NY)
4. Chicago (IL)
5. Cary (NC)
6. Portland (ME)
7. San Francisco (CA)
8. Stevens Point (WI)
9. O'Fallon (MO)
10. Spencer (IA)

To assemble the list, the site starts by asking visitors for nominations, which describe some of the characteristics of the cities, including people and neighborhoods, the beauty of the area, schools, activities, economic health and environmental health. The editorial staff then considers education, crime, employment and housing statistics for the past year in order to rank the cities, the company said in a news release."

Source: Real Trends Magazine (5/4/07)

I think Minnesota got shafted. We should nominate our cities to this site for consideration. What do you say?

$5 Ideas for Making a House More Appealing

Here are some ideas from a real estate expert in California.

"Real estate professionals in Sacramento, Calif., say it only takes a $5 investment to do some quick makeovers to attract potential buyers.

Here are five under $5 ideas:

1) Give the trim around the front door a fresh coat of paint, covering up fingerprints and dings.
2) Fertilize the grass so it looks bright green.
3) Hang a small flag that says “Welcome.”
4) Place a big pot of yellow marigolds in the foyer — yellow makes people feel comfortable.
5) Dribble a few drops of vanilla on the oven door and turn it to low (it’ll smell just like cookies are baking)."

Source: The Sacramento Bee, Jim Wasserman (05/04/07)