Construction Trends - Keeping up with the future of construction!

The Climate Bill and the Building Industry

no@spam.com (Lynn Bulmer) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:00:00 PDT

Companies will be penalized (taxed) for generating an excess of greenhouses gases, such as carbon dioxide; 15% of electricity must come from renewable sources such as wind or solar power; and car companies will be rewarded for developing new energy efficient models. The policies will touch every sector of the economy and is expected to create a flood of jobs in related environmental fields.

Buying a Home? Be Upfront with Your Agent

no@spam.com (Justin Lee) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:30:00 PDT

I have a good friend in real estate who is working hard at building his business to provide the best service that he can to his clients. Not long ago he was working with a couple to find a suitable property for them. He showed them home after home, working hard to try to find what they said that they were looking for. Weeks after their initial consultation, they commented that the properties he'd shown them wouldn't be large enough for them to keep a horse on.

Staging Your Home with House Plants

no@spam.com (Matt Barker) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 PDT

So, you've decided to put your home on the market and it's all cleaned, organized, and repainted but seems to be missing something. Take a look around and notice how much greenery you have living in your home. Healthy houseplants can add a lot of appeal to your home, as well as other benefits to you and your family.

Renovate from the Ground Up: Options for Flooring

no@spam.com (M Shane) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 PDT

There are however, a few downsides to carpeting, including the fact that they emit chemicals like formaldehyde into the air. They also get stained and dingy looking fairly quickly, and become mildewed and musty-smelling if liquids come in contact with it.

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Fixer Upper

no@spam.com (Mike Taylor) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:00 PDT

Fixer uppers seem to evoke two main responses in potential buyers, that of total optimism or that of complete terror. However, if you proceed cautiously and keep yourself firmly in the realm of realistic expectations then you can actually come through the experience relatively unscathed with a fabulous house to live in.

Linoleum and Vinyl: Deciphering the Difference

no@spam.com (Mike Taylor) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:00 PDT

If you have been considering replacing a kitchen or bathroom floor, you may have looked into vinyl or linoleum floors and may well have been met with a jumble of contradicting and confusing data on the details of these flooring options.

Using Tile to Spruce up Your Home

no@spam.com (M Shane) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:00 PDT

Tile can be a visually interesting way to spruce up bland parts of your home, whether you're looking at making your home more appealing to sell or if you've bought a home that literally needs some sparkle. Types of tiles range from ceramic, stone, glass, to linoleum and peel & stick gel tiles. Not all tiles are appropriate for all kinds of treatments however.

Livable Home Design for our Time

no@spam.com (M Shane) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:00 PDT

The upper class and upper middle class during this time believed in a complex set of social rules about appropriateness which is greatly reflected in many houses from that era. The homes built at the time were full of fancy single purpose rooms for public functions and private use as well as less ornate rooms for their children and servants, as deemed appropriate by the social mores of the day.

What Kind of House is Right for You?

no@spam.com (Lauren Kline) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:30:00 PDT

The very first thing that you need to find out is how much you can afford. Talk to your bank and see how much you can get in a pre-approved mortgage. This will give you a ballpark figure to work with. This also gives your agent an idea of what range of homes to show you.

Storm Proofing Your Home

no@spam.com (David Sporleder) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:30:00 PDT

Along much of the country's coastal regions, big storms are an unwelcome yearly visitor but don't let stormy weather keep you from enjoying living in some of the most beautiful areas in the country. Some people will tell you that storm-proofing your home is an unnecessary expense. It's true that not all storms reach the hurricane or tornado level of destruction, but why not play it safe and be prepared?