By Chris Taylor

NEW YORK (Reuters) - When the housing market went bust, house flippers went into hibernation. Now, as the recovery creeps along, bargain-hunters are once again looking for homes to fix up and resell for a quick profit.

Just take a look at the numbers. Home values are on the rise, with a year-over-year price increase of 11.6 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors. Inventory has cratered to levels not seen since 2005.

Irvine, California-based RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties, says that flipping - defined as buying and selling a property within six months - rose for the second year in a row, up a slight 0.33 percent in 2012 after logging a 12 percent increase in 2011. Those deals were churning out real gross profits, at an average of $37,375 per transaction for all of 2012.

Today's flippers have learned some hard lessons. The housing crash of 2006-2011 wiped out more than $7 trillion in household wealth across the nation, according to data from the Federal Reserve. The fallout left countless speculators holding properties they could no longer move.

This time, homebuyers are being more selective - putting more money down and making calculated bets on smart renovations.

"There are fewer real estate investors now, compared to during the boom. But this time, they have really done their homework," says Andy Heller, author of "Buy Low, Rent Smart, Sell High: Real Estate Investing for the Long Run."

Here are a few tenets to hold close, as you tiptoe back into this dangerous game:

1. Pick your spots

The best places to flip in 2012 included Orlando, Florida; Richmond, Virginia; Tucson, Arizona; and Charlotte, North Carolina, according to RealtyTrac. Flipped homes in Orlando, for instance, were bought for an average of $100,397 and sold for an average of $174,895, for gross profits of almost $75,000.

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The new rules of house flipping

BY JACKIE PILOSSOPH | Contributor April 16, 2013 9:10AM

They gave me pictures and examples, and we really worked together to develop what I was looking for, said Jerfita, who hired North Shore Nest for a major remodel of her home. | Jackie Pilossoph~for Sun-Times Media

storyidforme: 47373682 tmspicid: 17575773 fileheaderid: 7916592

North Shore Nest

(847) 858-7995

http://www.northshorenest.com

GLENVIEW When the Jerfita family decided to gut and remodel their kitchen, and add an office to the first floor of their Glenview home, they sought the help of two Glenview women they knew could handle the project and give them their dream home: Melinda Cahill and Suzanne Glavin.

Why Cahill and Glavin? Because the two best friends and owners of their Glenview-based interior design firm, North Shore Nest have been doing remodels all over the North Shore, especially Glenview for nine years.

My house is big and its nice, said Missy Jerfita. But we were looking for more warmth, and they really captured what I wanted.

Original post:
Best friends and interior designers strive to make homes unique

Culinary school enrollment Related story: Degree from expensive Pasadena culinary arts school no guarantee of a job

It was 2006 when the pilot episode of "Top Chef" aired.

At the time, the now-overcrowded culinary arts program at Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington didn't exist. The three-story, $40 million culinary arts complex at Los Angeles Mission College in the San Fernando Valley was but a blueprint. Nationwide enrollment at a group of 17 for-profit culinary schools owned by the company Career Education Corp. had yet to explode.

Is there a link between the blazing-hot popularity of food TV - led by "Top Chef" - and the booming market for culinary arts classes? Students and instructors alike say without a doubt.

"It brought a business and industry to light that was pretty much behind the kitchen door," said Steve Kasmar, chairman of the culinary and baking program at Los Angeles Trade Tech, home to the oldest continuously running culinary arts program in the nation. "They did glorify it. "

Regardless, in just three years, the annual student load of the culinary curriculum at Los Angeles Mission College has more than doubled, from 250 to 600. And that's not just because of the fancy new facility, which boasts seven spacious kitchens, each of them equipped with cutting-edge video technology a la the cooking shows. The surge is also happening at Trade Tech in downtown Los Angeles

Both of those schools have multimillion-dollar kitchen remodels in the pipeline, largely to accommodate the onrush.

"I'm packed with more than 60 kids per class - the cap is supposed to be 25," said Giovanni Delrosario, who runs the 5-year-old program at Harbor College. "We have 90 more students on the waiting list. It's phenomenal; I've never seen anything like it. "

Although the stampede for these classes is no doubt largely the product of an intangible trend - the term "gourmet" is becoming so ubiquitous it can even apply to ketchup - the food entertainment craze is a clear contributor. The popularity of TV cooking shows began heating up in the mid-2000s and reached a boiling point in 2012. (Soon after hitting an all-time high, ratings for the Food Network cooled slightly in the fourth quarter of the year.)

"It's more glamorous now - we look at chefs like rock stars," said Julie Valenta Kiritani,who recently finished a program at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Pasadena.

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Culinary programs at community colleges explode in popularity thanks to television chefs

NEW YORK, April 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing.

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Why Most Stuttering Therapies Don't Work -- Until Now Dr. Ron Webster President and Founder Hollins Communications Research Institute "Stuttering is a misunderstood and often mistreated condition that inhibits a person's ability to realize life's potential. Research shows that traditional therapies only help in about 25 percent of cases. Those who try psychological treatment, medication and self-help programs experience even lower fluency outcomes. Yet, science explains why most therapies fall short of helping stutterers become fluent. Findings by nonprofit Hollins Communications Research Institute reveal that stuttering happens in the muscles, not in the mind. Now, a physically-based treatment, which incorporates new technology, helps the vast majority of stutterers retrain their speech muscles to achieve lasting fluency." With National Stuttering Awareness Week May 13-19, Dr. Webster, a clinical psychologist and national stuttering expert, is available to discuss new, scientifically based treatment strategies. His nonprofit stuttering research and therapy center has served 6,200 people from 48 countries. Media Contact: Jules Sowder, jsowder@stuttering.org

Top Three Home Remodel Trends Dani Kohl Program Coordinator, Interior Design Program The Art Institute of Indianapolis "Due to foreclosures and short sales, home buyers are snatching up great homes at reduced prices and remodeling to create a modern home. TV interior design shows are mostly about buying and remolding a home versus building from scratch or finding a new property that precisely fits a wish list with plenty of personal requirements." Kohl, an architect and interior designer, says the top remodeling trends include: 1) uniting the kitchen and living room for an open-floor concept; 2) culture dictating an increase square footage: for entertainment, haven from a busy work schedule, and modern luxuries; 3) finding multi-functional uses for both spaces and furniture alike. She can also speak about custom residential design, space planning, materials and resources, and kitchen designs. She has owned her own architecture and interior design company for six years and is a registered interior designer in the state of Indiana. Media Contact: Lesley C. Valentin, lvalentin@aii.edu

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ProfNet Experts Available on Stuttering, Home Remodels, Avian Flu

Bathroom construction
Toddler fun with hammers 3/13.

By: MushynRody

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Bathroom construction - Video

A beautiful new commercial kitchen opened in February at the Seminole County Public Schools Midway Safe Harbor 21st Century Community Learning Center that will expand the facilitys ability to feed school children, thanks to the efforts of the RFMA (Restaurant Facility Management Association) and Regions Facility Services (RFS).

Brooksville, FL (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

RFS was honored in 2012 when RFMA chose them to be the General Contractor for the 2013 RFMA Gives project in Central Florida. RFMA board members selected the Safe Harbor Center and the Last Best Chance program to be the recipient of a complete remodel of their kitchen facilities. RFS, although assuming the lead role in managing this project, was complemented by a number of other professional contracting organizations, all working in concert for the success of the project.

Our entire team is honored to have been selected as the general contractor. The chance to give back to our community and the magnitude of benefits this collaborative effort has created are remarkable, said Ron Wilhite, President of RFS.

The Last Best Chance program impacts students, teachers and parents alike. The positive environment surrounding the program is helping youth put a priority on education and personal goals for success.

The kitchen remodel involved demolishing the old residential style kitchen and rebuilding the entire space, including heating and air conditioning, restaurant cooking equipment installation, kitchen exhaust system, a restaurant grease trap, waterproofing of walls, quarry tile flooring, FRP wall finishes and acoustical tile and grid ceiling.

About Regions Facility Services

Regions Facility Services (RFS) is a full service facility management company specializing in retail and restaurant construction. RFS works under a methodology that incorporates scheduled maintenance within its project based construction philosophy ensuring that its clients maintain the highest quality facilities, while limiting exposure to potential maintenance issues with large cost exposure. RFS currently provides nationwide services to familiar brands such as Darden Restaurants, Wendys, Joes Crab Shack, Islands Restaurants, Cracker Barrel, Margaritaville and many others.

About RFMA

Formed in 2004, the Restaurant Facility Management Associations (RFMA) mission is to advance industry awareness of restaurant facility management, while promoting professional and ethical standards to serve the customer with added value. Its core purpose is to promote the advancement of the restaurant facility management professional.

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Regions Remodels School Kitchen For RFMA Gives Project

KITCHENS squared(Part:1)(Mar)
KITCHENS squared(Part:1)(Mar)

By: Tara Wrightes

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KITCHENS squared(Part:1)(Mar) - Video

DC Construction Services engages Northeast area residents with painting, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and flooring installation services.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) March 28, 2013

A home is generally the largest financial investment a homeowner possesses, so it is vital to find a home contractor who is trustworthy. Homeowners should feel comfortable with the renovations being made to their investment as well as moral and reliable transactions concerning finances and contracts.

DC Construction Services is launching a new website http://www.remodelerboston.com/ to share their painting, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and flooring installation services to Boston Homeowners.

The least expensive way to give a home a real boost is with a new coat of paint. Painting can improve curb appeal and turn an everyday room into an extraordinary space. Painting is not just about improving the look of a home. Paint can protect your home from harsh elements, dirt and debris as well as UV rays. The painting process requires the right tools, skilled labor and knowledge about the different products, surfaces and techniques involved. DC Construction Services has a knowledgeable and professional crew to liven up any home. Exterior painting requires preparing the surface for the best paint adhesion. This is accomplished by pressure washing the home to remove dirt and mildew, scrapping any loose paint, caulking seals and cracks and priming. Interior preparation includes covering furniture, flooring and other valuables along with the removal of switch plates, blinds and taping and sanding.

The kitchen and bathroom should be inviting and functional. DC Construction Services can provide remodeling solutions that leave homeowners feeling inspired by their kitchen and bathroom. They are skilled to deliver floor plan transformations for better flow and function. Tile, lighting, flooring, countertops, vanities, new cabinets, paint, and fixtures will bring the kitchen or bathroom up to date. The addition of a kitchen island, sliding drawers, shelving or storage closets will improve organization. DC Construction Services can provide the right kitchen and bathroom renovation to fit any budget.

The solution to improving the look of a home could be right under your feet. The installation of new flooring can transform the look of any room. Hardwood floors add warmth and offer the versatility to fit into a modern or traditional aesthetic. DC Construction Services offers installation of solid hardwoods, engineered hardwoods and laminate flooring. They have knowledge of the proper underlayment and sub-flooring to make sure the job is done professionally to prevent future flooring problems. Tile flooring provides elegance with a variety of colors in tile, concrete, travertine, stone, marble and ceramic. When selecting flooring for a home, style, maintenance, environment and traffic are considerations in determining the best flooring for a room.

For more information please call (774) 571-3615 or visit their new website http://www.remodelerboston.com/.

About DC Construction Services

DC Construction Services is a trustworthy home improvement contractor providing solutions for your home renovation projects. Their 15 years of construction experience together with their focus on integrity, has equipped them to provide excellent customer service and high quality craftsmanship. DC Construction Services specializes in providing kitchen and bathroom remodels, room additions, flooring, painting, basement finishing, carpentry including trim and custom shelving, mantles, Millwork, custom cabinets, roofing, siding, doors, windows and demolition services. The owner works alongside his crew on the jobsite guaranteeing supervision and availability to customers. They happily serve Boston, Manchester, Providence, Hartford and all of Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, Northern Rhode Island and Northern Connecticut.

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Boston Home Improvement Company Announces Launch of New Website

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By: Cef507deSamambaiia

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as top do 507 - Video

Welcome back to Contractor's Corner. We have been getting a lot of calls recently for kitchen and bathroom remodels, and one of the main questions we are always asked is "Where do you think we should splurge and where can we save?" So we thought it made sense to share our personal recommendations with our loyal readers.

Whenever you begin a home renovation, you are faced with the cost-to-value question. A lot of decisions you make will depend on whether you see your home as a nest, an investment or somewhere in the middle. Some homeowners plan to stay in their homes for an extended period of time and value is not as important as comfort and design. One of the most important things to keep in mind when thinking about your renovation budget is that not everyone is going to like your style. If investment is important, then you need to stick with the current trends. Right now, people value an open floor plan, neutral wall colors such as grays and creams, and kitchens that double as social settings and accommodate new technology, such as LCD TVs, French door refrigerators, or in-wall speakers.

We list value in two categories: items that will sell the house, and items that will increase the value of the house. A wet bar area in the kitchen or living room might not add a ton of value to the actual appraisal price, but it is something buyers will notice. When we want to increase the value of a home and the neighborhood allows, we add square footage. A larger kitchen or an extra bedroom or bathroom is always a good place to start.

The value battle is most prevalent when renovating a kitchen. Here are some tips that will help you decide where to splurge and where to save.

Next month we will discuss how to source products. Anything else you want to know? Just e-mail me at patremodeling@gmail.com.

Patrick Driscoll is owner of Patrick Driscoll Residential Remodeling, a building and remodeling company on the Seacoast. For more information, visit http://www.pdrrnh.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pdrrnh.

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Home remodeling: Splurge or save?