Articles about Home Improvement and Home Maintenance

Top 5 Finishing a Basement Ideas

As of this writing, there are 6,326 active listings for Single-Family Homes in Louisville, according to our MLS. Of those, 3,717 (58%) have basements. If your home currently has an unfinished basement, I’m sure you’ve thought about the prospect of finishing it and adding to your home’s usable space, right?

Photo of a gorgeous finished basement in Louisville
The idea of finishing a basement is great, right Louisville? It’s a less expensive way to add additional living space. Just make sure you make the right choices.
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How to Maintain Vacant Louisville Home While Up For Sale

Leaving a vacant home in Louisville up for sale can be very costly but it doesn’t have to be. You will still have to pay your taxes, mortgage payments, and other expenses. Generally speaking, it is always best to avoid selling a vacant property whenever possible.

Photo of a vacant room
Selling a home that is vacant is always more challenging as many buyers have a difficult time imagining a room’s purpose.
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Does Solar Energy for Your Louisville Home Make Sense?

Despite powerful incentives like historically low mortgage interest rates, a surplus of home inventory, and bargain home prices, the Louisville real estate market remains sluggish. Without a great push in these final three months, there will be fewer homes sold in 2011 than there were in 2010.

Photo of Dan Hofmann in front of a Louisville home with solar panels on the roof
Dan Hofmann, President of RegenEn Solar, stands in front of a great home in The Highlands showing off the new thin film solar solution.
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Home Improvements To Avoid When Selling Your Louisville Home

A basic concept in marketing anything is having an item appeal to the most amount of people possible. This concept also applies to selling your Louisville home. The more appealing it is to the market as a whole, the faster it will sell.

Photo of a Louisville home with a beautiful pool
While a home with a gorgeous pool may strongly appeal to certain house hunters, it won’t to the bulk of Louisville home buyers. | Photo: Tre Pryor
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Tax Credits Still Exist for Certain Louisville Home Improvement Projects

Nobody likes taxes. Well, almost nobody… there is this loopy bird who wants Obama to raise his taxes. But for the remaining 99.999% of us, lower taxes is a good thing.

Photo of solar panels on a residential roof
There are tax credits available to homeowners for more than just solar panels but the prices have reached a point where certain homeowners should consider them.
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Maximizing Your Home HVAC, Tips From a Pro

I had a chance to sit down and chat with Rob Benefiel, owner of Certified Comfort to learn more about his company and gain some insight into the best ways to make sure that your Louisville home is cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter.

Residential AC Unit in Louisville KY
Do you know what it takes to keep your home’s HVAC in top running condition?
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Quick Updates with Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures Make Big Impact

If you’re thinking about a quick and inexpensive way to update your home, consider kitchen and bath fixtures. Whether you’re selling or remodeling, take a look at your cabinetry hardware. Is it worn or outdated? Consider new satin or polished nickel or oil-rubbed bronze finishes. Simple, sleek contemporary or trans-modern styles are popular at Willis Klein Showrooms in St. Matthews, says Director of Marketing Rebecca Johnson.

Photo of a couple of new faucet styles
Looking for some pizazz? Bright and shiny new faucets might just be what you’re looking for in your Louisville kitchen or bath.
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Louisville Home Garden and Remodeling Show Starts… Now!

Amid the dozens of bathtub overlay companies, tool shed builders, and assorted specialty sales companies (need a new cell phone case?) you’ll find some intriguing booths at this year’s Louisville Home Garden and Remodeling show which starts today.

Photo of Kentucky Fairgrouns
The Kentucky Fairgrounds and Exposition Center is home to the Louisville Home Garden and Remodeling Show, March 11-13. | Photo Tre Pryor
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Louisville Home Improvement Costs vs. Values for 2010

For the past three years we’ve published the Remodeling Cost vs. Value data for Louisville remodeling projects. For reference, I’ll link them up for you here.

Photo of an Updated Kitchen in Louisville KY
Performing a major kitchen remodel in Louisville KY with midrange quality items brings a 72.6% return on investment. Using upscale items just a 60.5% return. | Photo: Tre Pryor
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Great Ideas in Kitchen Remodeling

Maybe it’s because one of my clients is planning a big kitchen remodel. Maybe it’s because I watch altogether way too much HGTV. Whatever the reason, I’ve been thinking about all the great options available to you, if you’re planning a Louisville home remodel. Let’s look at some of today’s great ideas in kitchen remodeling.

Photo of the Dacor vented range - Great Ideas in Kitchen Remodeling
This attractive range vent rises with the touch of a button and then recedes when you don’t want it there.
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