Home Improvement Stocks are Rising

Buyers are taking advantage of the low interest rates and the $8,000 tax credit that will expire in December this year. Buyers are finding great deals on new homes and properties nationwide. The Mortgage Bankers association has a listing that shows a downfall in interest rates that are currently sitting at 5.15% for 30 year loans and 4.52% for 15 year loans.
Americans are working towards updating their homes to take advantage of this years economic crisis in the real estate slump. The trick is selling their existing homes. Sellers are doing quick fixes to help ensure that they retain the value of their home and generate a quick sale.
Lowe's home improvement stock is up 1.69% and is opening new stores in Pennsylvania, New York, Louisiana, North Carolina, and California. Home Depot currently has 2,200 stores in the United States and states that their stocks are up .29 (1.07%) as of 8/25/09. Sellers are looking for the proper selling strategies and updates to seal the deal.

• Having the proper curb appeal is a must.
• Have a clean yard with updated rock or flower beds.
  
• Power wash the patios and Windex the windows for a clean appearance.
• Welcome mats add an inviting feel to the main entrance.
• Slap a fresh coat of paint on all doors and shutters.
• Touch up the trim around the windows with some matching paint to brighten the appearance.
  

• Fix leaky faucets or replace old ones to update the bathroom or kitchen.
  

Buyers create a mental note of all the small things that have to be fixed as they walk through. Anything that creaks or sticks is directly added to that buyers mental list.

• Remove all clutter and unnecessary or mismatching accessories.
  
• Find things that compliment the space. Remove bulky furniture for space.
  
• Smell is number one. Remove any signs or smells of pets. Empty the trash before a showing.
  

Dutch Boy has just released a new paint called Refresh. This new paint takes the smell out of almost any wall. Having neutral colors on the wall is best and this is a good chance to whack out both issues with one shot.

• Having everything clean is a must. No one wants to buy someone left dirt.
  
• Pay attention to the appearance of the floors, counter top in the kitchen and the overall appearance of the bathroom.
  
• Counter tops are a great investment. This is just to give an updated appearance. Quartz counter top replicates granite and is a third of the cost.
• If the cabinets are outdated a coat of paint and new knobs will really help out. The kitchen is a key point in any home. It can make or break a sale.
  

More contractors are bidding out jobs just to stay open and not to draw a big profit. It is more affordable to have home improvements done if the seller does not wish to do the work themselves.

• Adding a new fridge will increase value dramatically. Stainless steel gives the appearance that the other appliances are updated also. This is an investment that sellers get in return upon sell.
  

This may seem like a big time consuming list but when the property sells it all pays off in the end. As the weather starts to get cold buyers and sellers are less likely to make a move. If the tax credit ends in December time is running short. As America rises from its down turn interest rates will flare. Property value will sky rocket. Taking advantage now if possible can be a great investment and ensure a lower payment in the future.

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Tin Backsplash is a great new product that gives the appearance of tin but is actually plastic. This is a very affordable way to update the backsplash in any kitchen. The panels are thermoplastic and come in 18 X 24' pieces. There is a variety of colors and patterns that are available on the market. These great panels come in Silver, Bronze, Copper, and Smoked Pewter. They range around $20.00 a sheet but it does not take much to apply them. They work behind the stove as long as there is a four inch range between the tile and the heat source.

A tin backsplash can be applied right over old wallpaper and ceramic tile and only takes a few hours to accomplish. They can also with stand repeated washings as long as a harsh abrasive is not used. Dish washing liquid should do the trick.

• Clean the surface and remove all grease.
• Remove all outlet covers
• Cover your countertops to protect them.
• Measure the space that you are aiming to cover.
• Use a carpenters square and a marker to keep your lines straight.
• Mark off your measurements on the back side of the backsplash.
• A utility knife or a good pair of scissors can be used to cut this product.
• Determine the space where your outlets will be and cut the hole using the utility knife.
• Apply a generous amount of construction adhesive about two inches away from the sides of your sheet. You can go to the top under your cabinets. Make a square box with an X in the middle with the construction glue and apply your piece.
• Keep good pressure on your piece to allow a good bond.
• You can by sheets that stick right to your light cover that you can cut so that your light covers will match.
• There is edge trim and inside corner trim that applies to the edges to get a nice finished look.

Instead of adhesive you can also use double sided sticky tape if you are a person who likes to make changes often. This alternative solution will save your wall from all the glue and allow you to easily remove the tiles at any time. But if you want it to last over along period of time I suggest the glue.

This is a quick reference on how to install these tin sheets but you will be amazed by how easy they are.

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