Reprinted with permission from Cecilia Paredes

Even new homes will have a feature or two you may not like and will want to change.

If you've ever toured homes for sale, or watched hard-to-please homebuyers on HGTV's "House Hunters," you know there are always kitchen cabinets that are outdated, pink walls to be repainted or bathroom wallpaper that looks like it is 100 years old.

After shopping around for the lowestmortgage rates, you don't want to walk away from a house you like because it needs a few minor repairs, real estate experts say. The repair's price should be factored into what you're paying for the home, and mortgage lenders can help you pull money out of a home sale. For example, sellers may contribute to the repair bills, and some mortgages, like anFHA 203(k) loan, factor repair costs into the overall loan amount.

Sep Niakan, a real estate broker in Miami, says he's had clients walk away from homes because they can't see past minor flaws.

"Many buyers want to see an end product. They don't have a vision for what it could be with just a couple of tweaks," Niakan says.

So before you decide to cross a house off your list, here eight minor home flaws that shouldn't deter you from buying a home:

No. 1: Unappealing paint.This is one of the easiest and cheapest fixes, especially if you do it yourself. Don't let someone's poor taste in paint colors convince you not to buy. Most buyers who Niakan has worked with would rather pay a premium for a house that doesn't need fixes than take the time and money to do the repairs themselves. That's true even when the changes will cost less than a "perfect" house, he says. Even buyers of premium homes that don't need many changes still alter the home after they move in, Niakan says, and painting is often the first change.

"It's very, very rare for a buyer to buy a house and not personalize it in some way," he says.

Read:Go green when renovating: Choose deconstruction over demolition

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8 Common Flaws Homebuyers Shouldn't Worry About

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U.S. Home Systems to Report 2012 First Quarter Financial Results on May 15, 2012

The Thornton kitchen after its listing agent and an Ace Hardware owner gave its cabinets face-lift. (The Denver Post | handout)

What if your kitchen's surfaces were never expected to have a 50-year life span?

The listing agent for a home in Thornton faced exactly that problem. But she had seen a product at a trade show that intrigued her.

So Kirsten Chapman called public-relations client Ann Cummiskey, who owns the Ace Hardware store in Greenwood Village, and enlisted her to test whether a few people with very basic skills could do a cabinet makeover.

Buyers who viewed the Thornton house said its solid '90s kitchen lacked excitement.

"It was kind of all over the place," Cummiskey said of the room. "Yellow walls and off-white walls, and it had those light oak cabinets that were kind of generic in homes from the last 10 years. So it needed

The kitchen before. It also got fresh paint on the walls and a new matching microwave.

When you're talking kitchen cabinets, though, change can cost big bucks. "There just wasn't $15,000 in equity in this home to tap," Chapman said. Refacing still costs in the low thousands.

But ... paint your own cabinets?

"It's kind of intimidating for most people," Cummiskey said. "They say, 'Will it really look OK?' We said, 'Let's give it a try.' And it changed these plain, builder-grade cabinets into something that looked like furniture."

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DIY cabinet face-lift is affordable, easy

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Children talk with Waste Management s robot Cycler during the Builders Show in Waynesboro on Saturday.

Vendors offered products ranging from bathroom tiling, rainwater harvesting, flooring, landscaping, kitchen cabinets as well as financial services to fund future projects.

Bill Mooney, president of Appalachian Energy Systems, LLC, was at the show promoting the latest in solar energy - evacuated tube solar collectors to heat homes.

"They're the most efficient solar collectors on the market," Mooney said. "Inside the tube is a heat pipe, which was invented by a Pennsylvania company in the 1950s."

Inside the tubes are two drops of water in a vacuum that boil at a low temperature, he said.

"As soon as the sun's energy hits the collection plates on the tubes, it boils the water," Mooney said.

With a 92 percent efficiency rate, Mooney said they are working on developing the tubes to use the energy for air conditioning as well.

"Using evacuated tubes for air conditioning is probably going to be next summer's hot buzz thing," he said.

Also for outside the home, Clean Energy Homes was demonstrating how homeowners can harvest their rainwater to use again.

Link:
Energy savings a hot topic at Franklin County Builders Show

DALLAS, March 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --U.S. Home Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: USHS - News) today announced that on March 27, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. ET, management will hold a conference call to discuss its 2011 fourth quarter financial results. The financial results will be released following the close of trading on March 27, 2012.

Interested parties may access the call by calling 1-877-941-1427 from within the United States, or 1-480-629-9664 if calling internationally, approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call. A replay will be available through April 3, 2012 and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 (U.S.) or 1-858-384-5517 (international), passcode 4523824.

This call is being web cast by ViaVid Broadcasting and can be accessed at U.S. Home Systems' website at http://www.ushomesystems.com. The web cast may also be accessed at ViaVid's website at http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=000094E0. The web cast can be accessed until April 27, 2012 on either site. To access the web cast, you will need to have the Windows Media Player on your desktop. For the free download of the Media Player please visit:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/download/default.asp.

About U.S. Home Systems, Inc.

U.S. Home Systems, Inc. (www.ushomesystems.com) manufactures or procures, designs, sells and installs custom quality specialty home improvement products. The Company's product lines include kitchen cabinet refacing products utilized in kitchen remodeling, bathroom tub liners and wall surround products utilized in bathroom remodeling, and storage organization systems for closets and garages. The Company manufactures its own cabinet refacing products and bathroom cabinetry.

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U.S. Home Systems to Report 2011 Fourth Quarter Financial Results on March 27, 2012

Then throw in elegance, modernity, durability and sustainability. Having indoor and outdoor living spaces is a bonus.

First off, people want to save money - if not in upfront costs, then on the expenses of energy consumption and maintenance later. And as the housing market slowly improves, future home sellers want their houses up-to-date and competitive for the market.

Hardieplank, the fiber-cement product that looks and feels like wood, is marketed as weather resistant, insect and fire resistant, and more durable than wood siding.

Decreased labor costs have "revolutionized" the industry, Wes Hadsell of Hadco Services said about Galvacore structural panels. The galvanized steel system can be used to make a range of structures - from fire pits and courtyards to outdoor kitchens to fences and benches.

Kevin Murphy, a lawnmower salesman, talked about the benefits of propane-fueled mowers. Propane, which is cheaper than gasoline and diesel, burns cleaner and produces less toxic emissions, he said.

And many people are looking for heavier lawn mowers that last longer than smaller, more convenient models.

Granite continues to be a must for many homebuyers and on the list of upgrades that increase home value.

"Granite is still the most popular when it comes to countertops," Hawksworth said. It's what 90 percent of CTS customers come in looking to buy.

Others are looking at quartz because of its low-maintenance reputation. But these days, granite is just as easy to keep up.

In the way of bathroom remodeling, Hawksworth said many customers are focusing less on luxurious tubs and more on larger shower spaces.

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Home, garden show focuses on saving money

Arlene Phillips hangs up the phone. New customer, same old story.

Getting rid of oak is keeping us in business," she said.

Actually, the Kitchen Tune-Up franchise that Phillips owns with her husband, Jim, does a lot more than just redo oak cabinets. But that work has been a mainstay.

Asked what customers prefer over oak, Jim replied: Anything else."

The Phillipses started Kitchen Tune-Up in the summer of 2005, after Jim had spent 17 years working for Learjet.

Whats the politically correct way to say this?" he said. I was ready for a change."

Arlene, meanwhile, had just retired as a school secretary for Maize. That job, she said, prepared her for the customer service aspect of owning a small business.

Arlene answers the phone and handles the paperwork while Jim, who always has been good with his hands, oversees the physical work; both do estimates and sales. They work out of their home in west Wichita and employ two people Charlotte Martin and Austin Koehn whom Arlene calls gold."

Kitchen Tune-Up is a franchise operation headquartered in Aberdeen, S.D. The couple considered a dozen different business opportunities, including starting their own business from scratch, before finding Kitchen Tune-Up through a franchise broker. They are the only franchisees in Kansas.

Jim said paying for a franchise was worth it because of the associated benefits, from training to help with marketing to being part of a buying network.

Original post:
Cabinet makeovers keep Kitchen Tune-Up franchisees busy

Sears Home Services Puts Top-Shelf Cabinets Within Reach

Longwood, FL (PRWEB) February 22, 2012

When designing a dream kitchen or simply updating the space for resale, the installation of new kitchen cabinets can make a world of difference in solving lifestyle, workspace and storage issues. Sears Home Services’ cabinet installation services offers both budget and environmentally friendly options for new kitchen cabinets.

“Before buying new kitchen cabinets, it’s important to address the four key organizational storage areas,” said Ginger Jackson, manager, Sears Home Services. “By making the most of every space in your kitchen, you can reduce clutter, keep what you need within reach and update your home’s style.”

Jackson outlines the four key storage areas to consider before planning for your new kitchen cabinet installation:

1.    Kitchen Storage – Adding easy-to-reach cabinets, a built-in spice rack, Lazy Susan, wine wrack or even a roll-out pantry will greatly expand a kitchen’s storage space and update its appearance.

2.    Food Preparation – Adequate workspace is key to satisfaction in the kitchen, so the addition of a kitchen island that integrates cabinets into the design allows for increased storage and functionality.

3.    Cooking Areas – To make food preparation and cooking areas safer and more convenient, consider adding storage drawers and cabinets to keep items like utensils, pots, pans and hot pads within easy reach of the stove and oven.

4.    Clean-up – Most modern kitchens include elements for easy cleanup in the design, like a handy pullout waste container by the sink, and cabinets for glasses and plates near the dishwasher.

Selecting the right company for your cabinet installation is an important part of the planning process. It is critical that the contractor provides the following:

For nearly a decade, Sears Home Services has provided cabinet installation services to millions of homeowners across the county. From kitchen remodeling to cabinet refacing services, all work is backed by Sears Home Services satisfaction guarantee. For more information or to access kitchen remodeling tips, visit http://www.searshomeservices.com.

About Sears Home Services

Sears Home Services is a division of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), the nation’s fourth largest broadline retailer with more than 4,000 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. As the nation’s largest provider of homes services, Sears Home Services provides more than 11 million service calls annually. For more information, visit the website at http://www.searshomeservices.com.

###

Larry Costello
Sears Home Services
847-286-9036
Email Information

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Sears Boosts Home Value with New Kitchen Cabinet Installation and Offers Environmentally Friendly Cabinets Choices

Photos courtesy of Appliance Art

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Today, the Ways 2 Save Home Renovation Week continues.

Yesterday I showed you my favorite granite alternative to create new life for your bathrooms, kitchens and countertops. Today, the message is don't replace, reface.

I've heard from countless viewers who, like me, were unhappy with their white appliances and not-so-exciting kitchens.

Today, I want to expose a renovation secret that will increase the appeal of your home.

When my fiancée and I settled on a place to live, there was no way to justify buying stainless steel appliances or upgrading our cabinetry since the dreary white dishwasher, fridge, microwave and stove were all brand new.

White... but new.

I'd heard about Appliance Art on the home design circuit. The highly creative company has attracted the attention of Rachael Ray, The Today Show, HGTV, Food Network and countless others, so I decided to put it through the Ways 2 Save ringer.

Here's how it works...

1. Measure your fridge or whatever appliance or cabinet you want to upgrade.

2. CLICK HERE and settle on a pattern or theme that you would like to replace whatever drab eyesore has you down. Prices to convert a fridge max out at $89. Dishwashers and cabinets are $29 to $49.

3. Whether your pick is stainless steel or hundreds of fantastic designs, you'll be able to nail down a magnetic cover, or one with an adhesive, to cover every inch of your home improvement project.

4. Appliance Art will ship the appliance covers to you (very cheap USPS shipping rates).

5. Refacing your appliances is no more than a 15-minute project. The adhesive or magnetic covers are easy to clean (Windex usually does the trick) and designed to withstand years and years of wear, or something that you can remove in an instant if you change your mind without damaging the original façade.

Appliance Art not only has an astounding selection, but the materials are high quality, more durable than I expected and extremely easy to apply. There are also instructional videos and other great design tips which you can find on today's website.

The fact that you can change your whole kitchen for 90% less than buying new counters makes me one ecstatic customer.

CLICK HERE to discover your new kitchen.

Looking for more savings tips? I'll be sending those out after the show via Twitter. CLICK HERE

We receive absolutely no financial compensation for mentioning any company, product, or deal. The purpose of this segment is to find great deals -- that's it.

WGRZ

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Upgrade Your Kitchen to Stainless Steel for $89

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Renuit Kitchen Cabinet Refacing available at Home Depot - Video