With spring comes landscaping…Here are a few books that we recommend to get your creative side up and running!!

This article hits home as to why it is SOOOO important to get a meth test done when buying an existing home. Even if you forgo the inspection…..ALWAYS TEST FOR METH.

This article is from the CNN.com web page

Couple’s first home is a meth houseBy Sarah Hoye, CNN

The couple also received a certificate of approval from the borough inspector stating that a general inspection revealed “no imminent hazards” and the home was “in compliance” with borough codes.

The couple thought they had done everything right. But there was one thing missing from the to-do list for the first-time homebuyers: a test for methamphetamine.

“It’s horrifying,” said Quigley, 31. “This is the worst possible thing that could happen to a homebuyer. Period.”

Routine home inspections generally do not include searching for signs of meth labs, according to David Tamny, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors.

“That would be well beyond the scope and well beyond states’ statutes for home inspectors,” he said. “There are certain trainings or awareness seminars, but there’s never been much more than voluntary participation.”

Check out the full article here and let us know what you think!!

Couples's first home is a meth house

We found this AWESOME article on MSN Real-estate this morning, talking about why a new home may be better than a resale for some people! (Article by Luke Mullins)
Check it out: “To help consumers understand the advantages of buying a new home, U.S. News spoke with a handful of experts and compiled a list of nine reasons to choose a new home over a resale.

1. Customization: Many homebuilders allow buyers to help design the property, which helps create a living space tailored to the consumer’s tastes. New-home buyers, for example, can often decide where their bathroom might go, choose their favorite flooring or pick the exterior paint color. Buyers moving into a subdivision can sometimes pick the lot they like best. “There is a lot of flexibility for [new-home buyers] to kind of put their personal signature on the product,” says Patrick Costello, president of Forty West Builders, based in Ellicott City, Md. “Those kind of things you can’t do with a used house — it’s just not possible.”

4. Fewer repairs: The features of new homes should also hold up better than those of existing homes, which may have experienced years of wear and tear, says Evan Gilligan of Mandrin Homes, which has offices in Maryland and Delaware. People will buy [previously owned] houses, and then the carpet needs to be replaced or it needs to be repainted or it needs new appliances or the flooring is shot,” Gilligan says. “When they buy a new home in today’s market, it really is new.”

As always check out the full story and let us know what you think!!

9 reasons to choose a new home over a resale

We found this article in Qualified Remodeler and found it to be very interesting.Kohler is of course a leader in bathroom and kitchen hardware…so we thought it fitting to pass this article along!!

“The biggest thing in most bathrooms is undoubtedly the bath/shower unit – literally!. Being such a large piece, it often is the focal point of a bathroom space and can sometimes make or break a remodeling project – both in terms of budget and aesthetics.
The STERLING Accord seated shower offers a well-designed, functional and affordable option for a shower remodel.
Both homeowners and professional alike are happy at how thoughtfully the Accord was designed to meet their needs:

• Movable and removable seat, offering safety and flexibility in the shower as well as offering a place to relax, bathe a child or even shave legs.
• Four-piece unit made of lightweight, durable, Sterling-exclusive Vikrell – easy to carry around a job site and looks great for years!
• Arched back wall gives the shower an open, airy feeling.
• Spacious and partially hidden shelving keeps the unit looking clean and uncluttered.
• Great for homeowners looking to “age in place” with functional seat and optional grab bars that mirror the arch of the back wall.
• Single pivot point installation system easily interlocks walls with base with a satisfying “click.”
• Installs from the front, fits snug with no caulk needed in the seams and is watertight; solid Vikrell material is chip-, crack- and peel-resistant.
• Comes in three popular colors: White, KOHLER® Almond and KOHLER Biscuit and has a clean, geometric design that works with most décors and lifestyles.”

For more information visit this link

Sterling Plumbing <

This article comes from MSN-Realestate and it talks about energy efficient upgrades to your existing home. It also talks about how making these changes in your attic can help local business as well.

Here is an excerpt, “The most effective investments a homeowner can make to lower his utility bills occur in the attics and crawl spaces, with homegrown labor and homegrown goods: insulation and caulking. Nearly every dime stays close to home.”

“Employing local workers. The work is hardly glamorous (when’s the last time a TV show featured an air-duct remodel or a trendy attic insulation?) nor does it need to use the sexy house-wares that big companies promote in ads and on Capitol Hill. Often the results are even hidden from the view of the homeowner himself (aside from the smaller number on the electric bill).”

We found this to be a very good article. Please take a few minutes to read it, and let us know what you think.

MSN Realestate; Energy Efficiency

Another great article on MSN Real-Estate….talking about June’s home maintenance checklist…” Early summer chores should get you outdoors: Look for winter damage, ward off mold and rot, sharpen your tools and patrol your home’s perimeter for pests and other problems.”

The article lists items such as switching the ceiling flan blades to push cool air down, cleaning out your dryer vents (which can become a fire hazard if you don’t clean them out from time to time.

“Take advantage of dry weather to clear out leaves, needles and debris, leaving gutters free to carry rainwater away and protect your home from mold and rot. Depending on your home’s surroundings, you should do this several times a year. Hire someone (around $50 to $100) or get a stable ladder (and someone to hold it) and do it yourself. Use a garden trowel or your (gloved) hands to muck out the debris. Scrub gutters with a non-metallic brush. Slosh water from a hose through the gutters and the drainpipes to finish the job and test that they’re clear and that water is flowing away from your basement, foundation or crawl space.”

Check out the entire article on MSN-Real-Easte and let us know what you think

MSN Real-Estate June Home-Maintenance

I ran across this great article on MSN Real-Estate about 10 ways to reduce your summer utility bills. I know the economy is rough and money is tight for most of us….so performing a few simple energy conscious acts can help keep your utility bills from being a nightmare this summer.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

MSN Real-Estate Reduce your Summer Utility Bill