Dryer Vent Cleaning

Many people are looking at the options of rehab and foreclosure homes. Often when you buy these homes, you will notice that certain things need to be fixed. This is due to neglect either by the previous owner or the simple fact it has been sitting on the market for a while. Below are some of the more common problems you might run into.

Wall and Ceiling Repair

Drywall repair is easy. Patch the small holes by using a blunt round object that will press in the edges of nail holes and such and then with drywall putty you can fill them. It usually takes sanding the first coat and then applying another thin coat and then again a little sanding to get it smooth with the surface.

Replacing big holes is not as easy. Best to cut out between two studs and leave a ½ to ¾ inch of stud showing to screw it back down with, with the appropriate length drywall screw. Tape is a must. Do not try to putty it without taping it first. Coat with drywall mud, thin enough to cover the surfaces, and wider than the tape needs to be applied to the seam between the old drywall and the new. Solid white drywall tape is then applied and pressed down with at least a 3 inch putty blade. Let dry completely. Then with the three inch blade, spread a coating of drywall mud thinly on the tape and over the edges. It’s best to use a good flexible eight or 12 inch blade to drag over the mud and pull it smooth. Let it dry and then repeat. Two or three coats will be needed depending on your talent.

Drywall repair and replacement ranks right up there with painting, when it comes to time consumed.

Electrical Repair

Light fixture replacement is safe when you make sure the switch is off and put a piece of tape over the switch to make sure no one turns it on while you’re replacing them. If you see red or black wires connected to white, do yourself a favor and have an electrician who is licensed do that spot. So many three way switching combinations fool the average homeowner. They try to connect all the white to white and black to black and it messes everything up. It also makes it hard for the average electrician to come in and trouble- shoot it if he doesn’t ask you the right questions.

Receptacle replacement needs to be with the same rated amp, volt and style of part. You cannot replace a 2 prong plug with a three prone plug. You cannot replace a 15 amp plug with a 20 amp plug. However, in some states, it is legal to replace a 20 amp plug with a 15 amp plug. Check with your local authority having jurisdiction.

Flooring Replacement

Flooring is another job that given the right talent you can do. However glued flooring is not an easy job and neither is carpeting for getting it tight and cut right. It is better to let the professionals do it for you. Many other facets of rehab repair can be done by the average person like replacement of door trim, base molding and window trim.

These are just some of the inside maintenance jobs that have to be done. Once you have repaired, replaced, painted and caulked your rehab will start to shine and that profit margin you saw as an encouragement to purchase will be within your grasp! With the slowdown in our economy and the housing foreclosures taking place, rehabs are in good supply!

Learn more about the Anchorage Real Estate market or search Anchorage Homes For Sale on Ryan Tollefsen’s Alaska Real Estate web site.

If you think you’d like to build your own shed, here are a few very important things you must consider first. Believe me, I speak from experience because I built a shed a few years ago and the project was a disaster.

Here’s what I did wrong before I even started building shed

o I did not get a set of plans

o I did not create a material list

o I did have a clear idea of what my finished shed would look like

This is not a very smart way to start a do it yourself shed building project. I wasted lots of money on trial and error designs. Plus I wasted a bunch weekends because I was trying to design the structure on the fly.

But hold on, there’s more.

Even though I finally built a shed, I was forced to tear it down. I’d failed to get a building permit from the town. On top of that, I didn’t get permission to build from my homeowners’ association. The structure didn’t conform to the association’s design guidelines so they also wanted me to pull it down.

My next shed building project was a 1000-percent success.

Here’s what I learned that should help you immensely when you build your own shed.

o Check your local building codes to make sure your design is in compliance. And, if you belong to any type of homeowners’ association, get its approval as well.

o Get a good set of building plans. That’s the only way you can take steps to comply with your town and homeowners’ association building regulations. There’s no question the time and trouble you’ll save by purchasing a set of plans rather than creating your own is well worth it.

o Make sure your blueprints include a complete material list and a cut chart showing to what sizes you or your lumberyard should cut your wood.

Having a list of materials is great because you can buy your wood and other supplies, then do the necessary cutting and stockpiling before driving your first nail.

You can’t prepare in advance when you don’t have a professional set of construction plans to follow.

But before you get started, carefully consider the location of the shed and exactly how you plan to use it. For example, do you expect to use it as a workshop or for any other purpose that requires a source of electricity?

Finally, it is always a good idea to get a shed design that blends with the landscape and matches your house or other structures on your property.

By taking these important steps, you’ll guarantee yourself a smooth-running project. Plus you’ll save lots of time, money, headaches and heartburn when you build your own shed.

Get everything you need to plan and expertly build your own shed and to tackle virtually any do it yourself woodworking or carpentry project you envision

Whether you’re an expert carpenter or a beginner, this is where you get clear, detailed do it yourself shed plans along with step-by-step building instructions, manuals and drawings. For expert advice and a galaxy of woodworking and carpentry projects that will enhance your home and property: Go to http://woodworking-plans-and-projects.info.

If you’re a homeowner, one of the best things you can do to increase the value of your house is to invest in home improvement windows. When you replace old windows with new versions that are well insulated and modern, people will instantly notice. It’s amazing what new windows can do to make a home more attractive. When you combine your new windows with window treatments like shutters, blinds and curtains you can really transform the appearance of your house. If a person’s eyes are the windows to his or her soul, the windows of your house are the…uh…windows to its soul. Whatever, I’m sure you get the point.

Home improvement windows are also one of the more affordable ways to remodel your house. Unlike remodeling a kitchen or a couple of bathrooms, windows can be purchased at a reasonable cost. If you take the time to read up on how to install them, you can save yourself a lot of contracting fees. Also, once you put a couple of them in, the rest of the windows in your house will be a breeze to replace. Exchanging old windows for new models is really an affordable and easy way to add value to your home.

In addition to the obvious money saving costs of replacing windows over a kitchen or several bathrooms, there are a few hidden money savers as well. For example, if you buy well insulated windows you can save a lot of money on your heating and cooling bills. Without all of the heated or cooled air escaping from your house and into the rest of your neighborhood, your house will have a controlled climate at a fraction of the previous cost. Purchasing home improvement windows is a fantastic investment to make, and I highly suggest you consider it if you have some extra money.

For more great home improvement windows project tips, visit the Home Improvement Forums at http://www.DIYDiscussed.com/ today. It’s free to become a member, join today!