NEW YORK (MainStreet)Younger homeowners are likely planning renovations this summer, according to a new study, with some improvements benefitting property values more than others.

p>The Zillow Digs Summer Home Improvement Trend and Spending survey found that 71% of those aged 18 to 34 plan a home improvement or addition compared to 51% of homeowners 55 and older.

The survey found that 40% plan to work on their outdoor spaces while 17 percent plan to improve their bathrooms.

"As we head into the long days of summer, we are seeing increased interest in outdoor spaces with very natural elements such as stone fireplaces as well as bringing more light into bathrooms with clear glass on the walls and shower enclosures," said Cynthia Nowak, a trend expert with Zillow Digs.

Overall, 60% of American homeowners plan renovations and expect to spend $1,200 with 65% of homes housing children planning three or more home improvements compared to 57% of homes without children.

But not all home improvements pay off and positively impact property values, according to the Appraisal Institute, a professional association of real estate appraisers.

Siding replacement, entry door replacement, attic bedroom addition, minor kitchen remodel and garage door replacement rank among the projects with the highest expected return on investment, according to Remodeling magazine's most recent Cost vs. Value report.

"Projects that take a home significantly beyond community norms are often not worth the cost when the owner sells the home," said Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges. "If they don't match what's standard in a community, they're considered excessive."

Other renovations with high expected pay-offs include basement remodel, deck addition and window replacement.

"Consumers should be aware that cost does not necessarily equal value," Borges said.

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5 Tips to Make Summer Home Renovations Pay Off

Cochrane town council gave the go-ahead for the Cochrane Society for Housing Options (CSHO) to pull $56,000 from the affordable housing reserve so it can replace the siding on the Homestead Building. CSHO chairman Glen Sine asked council to release the funds so the society could replace its siding on the four-storey building, estimated to cost $144,000. Its a major project CSHO wants to put behind them. While there was $123,576 available in the reserve it wasnt enough to complete the project. By withdrawing $56,000 from the reserve the project can be completed and the society will still have funds available for other capital project. Its not a new ambition, in fact it was part of the CSHOs decision to take care of all deficiencies in the seven-year old building and the siding was the largest single project to tackle. But the society has been unsuccessful in its push for grants, only securing a $16,362 grant from the Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Fund and has raised $3,700 from fundraising efforts. CSHO is also ineligible to apply for capital grants or raffles and casinos through the Alberta Gaming and Lottery Commission due to guideline restrictions. Sine explained to council the current vinyl siding is not doing the job and contractors have told them the product is not ideal for the four-storey building. It will be replaced with James Hardiboard siding to better withstand sun and wind patterns that have damaged the existing siding over time. In addition, the new siding is noncombustible and will provide better fire protection. CSHO appreciates the support council gave to the siding replacement. CSHO is pleased the funds will be used to protect the integrity of the Homestead, a community asset we consider critical in achieving the towns affordable housing strategy, states a news release. The Homestead has 21 rental united, accommodating 43 people with low to moderate incomes at rents at least 10 per cent below market. CSHO says the Homestead fulfills two objectives within the housing strategysupply and affordabilityfor low and modest income families. Sine told town council CSHO is concerned over the short supply and high cost of rental accommodations in the community and said a one-bedroom bachelor apartment currently costs about $1,000 per month. The current rental market in Cochrane and surrounding area shows consistent trends in rents rising over the last three to four years along with vacancy rates continue to decline, CSHO states in a news release. Current vacancy rates are less than two per cent. The current rental market is very short on supply and high on demand. This type of market is hardest on those with low and modest family incomes. The main floor of the Homestead is dedicated to commercial space. The reserve was at $106,895 before Monday nights decision and was built through contributions to the fund equal to annual property taxes since 2006. Its the first time CSHO has had to come to council to access funds from the reserve. noel.edey@sunmedia.ca

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Reserve accessed to help re-side Homestead

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Opal Enterprises is offering a Price Match Special on James Hardie siding in Arlington Heights. The siding contractor will beat any James Hardie siding estimate obtained from any of the eight Chicagoland James Hardie Preferred Remodelers. This special offer is available only in Arlington Heights and is good through December 31, 2013.

"As the most experienced James Hardie contractor in the Chicagoland area we are excited to move into the Arlington Heights area to serve the community with high standards and competitive rates! The city of Arlington Heights will be able to experience working with a qualified contractor who wants to provide a Wonderful Remodeling Experience with the premium James Hardie fiber cement siding. We look forward to being able to serve and beautify homes throughout Arlington Heights," said Voytek Opalski, General Manager of Opal Enterprises (www.opalenterprises.net).

Opal Enterprises has a long history as siding contractors in Arlington Heights, with several completed homes in the area. The Arlington Heights siding offer is just one example of the company's competitive pricing. Opal Enterprises has 126 Guild Quality reviews with their closest competitor having only 40 reviews with the validating source. The award-winning company was recognized with the 2013 Service Excellence Award presented by James Hardie and Guild Quality!

To learn more about the Arlington Heights Price Match Special on James Hardie siding contact Opal Enterprises at (630) 355-6557.

About Opal Enterprises: Opal Enterprises (http://www.opalenterprises.net/) is a family-owned remodeling company that is operated in partnership with their employees. They have been installing windows, siding, and roofs throughout the western suburbs of Chicago for over 10 years. Their niche is specific to better serve homeowners in need of roofing, windows, doors, gutters and house replacement and improvement. They strive to provide their customers with a pleasant experience while bringing energy efficient beauty to the homes.

http://www.opalenterprises.net/

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Opal Enterprises Announces Price Match Special on James Hardie Siding in Arlington Heights

DES PLAINES, IL--(Marketwired - Jul 9, 2013) - Newly elected Mayor of Des Plaines, Matt Bogusz visited Feldco Windows, Siding and Doors.The Mayor met with Feldco President and Owner, Doug Cook to discuss the community and commerce of Des Plaines. Cook gave him a tour of their facilities located at 125 E Oakton Avenue where they employ over 100 people.

"Feldco has established a home here in Des Plaines and it was an honor to be able to show Matt around our operations.As a business owner, I am excited for the direction the Mayor sees for the city," stated Doug Cook after his visit with the Mayor.

In 2010 Feldco was awarded the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce Community Enhancement Award for bringing business and employment opportunities to Des Plaines. The Mayor's recent visit marks a continued partnership between Feldco Windows, Siding and Doors and the community in which they are a part.

In continued support of the community they serve, Feldco supports various Des Plaines youth sporting leagues as well as continually partnering with local charities through donations of services and product.

ABOUT FELDCO Feldco is the Midwest's leading window, siding and door replacement specialist. Founded in 1976, the company is focused on delighting customers by making home improvement projects simple. With premium products, factory-direct pricing and certified installers, Feldco provides an excellent overall value and experience for nearly 250,000 customers. The company offers free in-home demonstrations and lifetime product warranties. Feldco serves all of Central and Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana, as well as Southern and Northeast Wisconsin. Feldco has showrooms in Chicago, Des Plaines, Rockford, and Peoria, Illinois, and Madison, Milwaukee, and Menasha, Wisconsin. Please visit Feldco's website (www.4feldco.com) or contact the company's appointment center (866-4FELDCO or 708-437-4000) to learn more about Feldco's products and services.

Feldco was named the 2007 and 2009 Dealer of the Year by Window and Door Magazine, and was also named one of the Best Places to Workin Chicagoland by Crain's Chicago Business, and a Top 100 Workplace in 2010 and 2011 by the Chicago Tribune.

For more information on this press release, please contact Patti Freko, Feldco's Director of Communications (708-437-4005) or email marketing@4feldco.com.

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Des Plaines Mayor, Matthew Bogusz, Visits Feldco Windows, Siding and Doors Headquarters

updated 1:42 PM EDT, Mon July 8, 2013

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

(CNN) -- Amtrak Train 91 was way behind schedule. More than 13 hours behind schedule, thanks to a nearly half-day stranding just 2 miles from a train station.

The Miami-bound Silver Star train had departed New York City on Sunday at 11:02 a.m. with 261 passengers aboard, and it was supposed to arrive just after 5 p.m. in the Richmond, Virginia, area. Instead it arrived there on Monday around 6:45 a.m., according to Amtrak's website.

"The dining car developed axle problems that disabled the train 2 miles north of the Staples Mill Road Station in Richmond around 5:30 p.m. Sunday," said Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods, via e-mail. "The dining car couldn't be moved or cut out at the scene, because of the axle problems."

"The train was between stops so safely removing the passengers or arranging alternate transportation was too problematic," Woods said.

"The train began a very slow move (at 3:45 a.m.) to a siding in Richmond and arrived to the station just after 6:30 a.m. and a replacement car was added," she said. "The train resumed its trip around 7:12 a.m." (A siding is a section of track off the main line.)

During the delay, passengers were free to move around inside the train, and they had access to food and water, bathrooms, and heating and air conditioning, she said.

Passenger Kevin Smith was frustrated at how long it took Amtrak to solve the problem.

"If you are a corporation that alienates its customer base, you ain't going to have customers," Smith told CNN affiliate WTVR. "I think Amtrak could have solved this a lot sooner."

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Amtrak passengers stranded for 13 hours

The New Siding

By: Darick ScreamingEagleAirsoft

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The New Siding - Video

Dixon Group Services, Home Contractor in Marietta, GA
Dixon Group Services is an experienced home improvement contractor that serves the Atlanta Metro Area. Our extensive knowledge includes deck building and res...

By: Daniel Evans

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Dixon Group Services, Home Contractor in Marietta, GA - Video

Q About a year ago, a plumber installed a granite vanity top with a porcelain under-mount bowl in my bathroom. This week, a hairline crack 6 to 7 inches long, beginning at the drain area, appeared. What do you think happened? Does it need to be fixed? Can it be fixed? According to the paperwork, the top has a "Limited Warranty" but not the bowl.

A It's interesting that the top is warranted but not the bowl. At any rate, the porcelain cracked, I think, because the chrome drain cover was installed too tightly. Maybe the plumber can help.

Some years ago, I got a call from a person whose Corian sink had cracked at the drain hole.

I guessed that it was installed too tightly and suggested she check with the Corian dealer. She got an immediate replacement.

If the bowl is not leaking, you can live with it. Or buy a new bowl and have it installed properly.

Q There have been signs of rotting behind the vinyl siding of my condo complex, some minor and some more advanced. Should we re-side the complete complex now or later? It was done 32 years ago and looks OK, but we don't know what's underneath.

A Decay can occur behind vinyl siding, from condensation behind the siding or from an outside leak caused by improper pressure washing that traps water behind the siding that won't go away for months.

If it's due to one or both problems, it can affect the entire complex. The only way to find out is to take off some of the siding and

If you re-side, I suggest red cedar clapboards stained with a semitransparent stain, which will not peel but has to go on bare wood. If you insist on residing with vinyl, I suggest you use Cedar Impressions. It looks like painted shingles. In the case of clapboards or vinyl, that 3/8-inch insulation is essential to success.

Q I had a kitchen renovation late last year. Since then, there has been an odor under the kitchen sink that is bothering me. Is it possibly a chemical or sealer used in the plumbing? I asked my contractor, who said he smelled it but that it would go away over time. It is still very strong when I open the cabinet doors under the sink. It also can be smelled in the adjacent Bosch dishwasher. It is strong enough to make me cough at times.

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Crack in new sink drains homeowner's enthusiasm

How to not patch wood siding

By: Aaron Wolfe

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How to not patch wood siding - Video

(BPT) - Youve finally scraped together some money to improve the looks of your house.

Problem: Every project costs too much or produces a minor improvement.

Solution: A stunning new garage door. A front-facing garage door packs a big punch and dramatically improves the curb appeal of the entire home.

Thats one of the big revelations from the 2012-2013 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling Magazine. In the report, a garage door replacement again ranked in the top three in cost recouped on a list of 35 common home remodeling projects.

Siding replacement and a deck addition also ranked at the top, but they can cost $10,000 to $15,000. An upscale garage door often costs less than $3,000.

The project that pays for itself

No other exterior home project transforms such a large space at such minimal cost and time, says Tom Wadsworth, long-time editor of a garage door trade magazine. Since a homes garage doors can take up more than a third of the front elevation of the home, a new garage door can make a big difference.

And a stylish new garage door can actually pay for itself, according to a Stratamark Research survey. When nationwide real estate agents were shown before and after photos of houses with new upscale garage doors, they increased the list price of the home anywhere from 1 to 4 percent. That means a $2,000 garage door investment could increase the sale value of your home by as much as $8,000 if youre selling a $200,000 home.

Making a difference

Brad and Jenny Considine recently moved from the Midwest to a nice home outside Baltimore. They had a budget for making improvements, but they had a tough time prioritizing which job should come first. They were glad they chose the garage doors because the change was dramatic, says Brad.

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Surprise: New garage door tops list of high-impact, affordable home improvements