http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/general-home-articles.htm Up to date General Home Articles and information from HomeRenovationGuide en-us info@homerenovationguide.com Thu, 15 May 2008 16:24:24 EDT Copyright 2007, HomeRenovationGuide,com http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/rcharlie.htm Think Rentcharlie.com.Ever have to use a screwdriver as a hammer? When was the last time you used that pressurized nail gun you bought to install hardwood flooring? The only thing worse than not having the tools you need to do the job right is spending hundreds to purchase tools you’ll only use once – search with rentcharlie.com and find the tools you need to rent!www.rentcharlie.com is Canada’s only dedicated online rental search engine. Quickly find the tools and equipment you need for your next home renovation project. Locate rentals from nail guns to table saws Tue, 06 May 2008 11:44:27 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/rcharlie.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/concrobium.htm Tackle indoor mould issues with an outdoor strategyIn the wake of this winter’s major meltdown, and with spring’s rainy season at our doorsteps, excessive household moisture exposure and water damage could cause mould to take hold in your home.Follow these five simple tips to stave off mould in your home:Check: Do a thorough inspection of your home from top to bottom and inside/outside. Look for damaged shingles, a warped window pane or cracked foundation mortar – spots where moisture could seep into your home.Shovel: If you still have snow surrounding your home, sh Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:42:50 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/concrobium.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/solidcore.htm Canadian winters can be unruly, but what we often forget is that Canadian summers can also be unbearably hot. And with the aging population and so many people suffering from allergies in the summer, the indoors can provide a cozy and climate-controlled safe haven. As enjoyable as a cool and comfortable home may be, too much indoor activity can create a noisy environment. Sound can travel from room to room and may be disruptive for those in the home.It’s comforting to know you can equip your home to help reduce indoor noise. Consider insulating your home with produ Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:13:35 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/solidcore.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/crawlspace.htm A home’s crawlspace is often used for storage and may be a place that homeowners rarely explore. With its low ceilings, minimal light and often cluttered space, venturing into this unchartered territory might be a little scary. Though you may not have any idea what you are storing in your crawlspace it is important to know that air flows in and out of there, and can affect the overall health of your home. Crawlspaces are built directly above the ground, which means that moisture-laden air rising into the home from the ground below may lead to condensation and possible Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:13:57 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/crawlspace.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/equity.htm Your home equity is the current value of your home less what you still owe on it. For example, if your home is valued at $250,000 and your outstanding mortgage is $120,000, your equity is $130,000.The equity you have built in your home can be a valuable source of financing. You can borrow against it to pay for your child’s tuition, purchase an investment portfolio, pay for large-scale home renovations, or buy an income property. In some instances, the interest may even be tax-deductible.Your tax advisor and mortgage specialist can help you decide whether it makes Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:49:16 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/equity.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/asset.htm With today’s low interest rates, many homeowners are taking a hard look at the financing of their most important asset. Before you decide to renegotiate your mortgage, carefully consider the potential costs involved.If your mortgage is closed (that is, you can’t pay it ahead of schedule), you may face a penalty when you renegotiate. It may still be worthwhile to refinance. The key is to determine whether the potential interest-rate savings outweigh the penalty.The rough guideline is that refinancing makes financial sense if the refinancing rate is at least tw Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:12:55 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/asset.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/interest.htm Today’s low interest rates are a double-edged sword for homeowners who want to move up. On the one hand, mortgages are available at bargain rates. On the other hand, real estate prices have skyrocketed in key centres across the country.Many homeowners have turned to renovation as a cost-effective alternative to a new home. In addition to sprucing up your home and making it more attractive to inhabit, the right renovations can increase its resale value.According to the most recent (1999) Renovations and Home Value Survey conducted by the Appraisal Institute of Cana Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:05:07 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/interest.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/financing.htm Before you start thinking about the kind of home you want and where you want to live, it’s a good idea to take a financial inventory.This stage of the process — saving, budgeting, planning — is not as exciting as choosing a neighbourhood and looking at homes. But it will put you in the best position when it comes time to talk mortgages. Your home can provide a lifetime of memories and financial security, with the right mortgage and financing options that give you the upper hand.Preparing to buy a homeFor most of us, the first step in the home-buying process is t Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:06:01 EDT http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/financing.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/vacuum.htm Choosing a vacuum cleaner can be confusing for many consumers, and the number of vacuum types and options can seem bewildering. When it comes to vacuum cleaners, there are just as many choices as there are uses, and although some may think that vacuums simply remove dirt and dust from carpeting, many of today’s modern vacuums can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks. In addition to the ubiquitous upright vacuum and cyclonic bagless vacuum, there are also specialty vacuums to help you cope with hardwood floors, pet hair, asthma, and allergy problems. Therefore, not Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:31:43 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/vacuum.htm http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/raab.htm The old adage that you only get one chance to make a first impression rings true for sellers showing their homes in today’s competitive market. "First impressions are key in real estate as buyers often make up their minds about a home within the first few minutes of entering the front door," said Dianne Usher, senior manager, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. "As the real estate market begins to moderate in many markets across the country, the need to impress buyers becomes even more crucial. A combination of the right renovations with modern and tasteful decor i Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:01:43 EST http://www.homerenovationguide.com/pages/raab.htm