Insulation Do’s and Don’ts for Real Estate

The Equifax Finance Blog has recently weighed in on the importance of going green in real estate, especially when it comes to energy efficiency. The new article “Green Real Estate Market Trends,” is all about easy ways to save money by making your home more energy-efficient:

• Do have an energy audit. Energy audits can save money by identifying the places in your home needing the most help and offering suggestions about how to improve your energy efficiency. If you’re not sure where to start, an audit is a great way to find problem areas and form a plan for savings.

Piedrafina Now Available in Construction Resources Slab Gallery

In addition to announcing their exclusive relationship with Piedrafina, Construction Resources is excited to show the first of their Piedrafina slabs have come in to their immense 20,000 square foot indoor slab gallery. The colors of Botticino, Emperador and Noche Bella are available now, with more coming soon. You can see more pictures of the newest environmentally-friendly slabs in Georgia on the Construction Resources Pinterest page.

Update Your Homeowners Insurance Annually to Stay Protected

Make sure your homeowner's insurance is upgraded
along with your projects!

How would it feel to reset your home to how it was when you first bought it? Would you be alright with living without any renovations you’ve made while still suffering the cost of the renovations? Of course not – which is why the Equifax Finance Blog points out why it’s important to keep your homeowner’s insurance in the loop in the recent article, “Renovating Your Home? Renovate Your Insurance Policy.”

For home improvement large and small, it’s important to keep a running track of your upgrades and their costs. Make sure to submit the list to your homeowner’s insurance each year or more often if you are having major work done. This protects your progress, allowing you to get the most money returned to you in the event of a disaster. To make it easier, it’s best to make a habit out of it and set a schedule with reminders as necessary to send updates to your policy holder.

Grow your retirement savings with Your Remodeling Skills

Build your retirement savings as you rebuild
and remodel homes!

If you’re keen on remodeling and design trends, you have a gift that you can make use of to grow your retirement savings. By getting a little capital together, you can turn a foreclosure from an eyesore to a desirable dwelling and net a profit. Best of all, you can defer many taxes on these ventures until you’re retired. The Equifax Finance Blog explains all about a great way for designers to build up their nest egg in the article, “Using Retirement Money for Real Estate Investments.”

Now is the perfect time to take one of the low cost foreclosed homes that are on market, and with a little work you can flip it – renovate modestly and give it some style before putting it back on the market. You can benefit from a flipped home by pricing it aggressively for sale or rent. Remember to be careful in pricing as there are others out there with the same idea as you, and you will also be competing against new foreclosures as they come onto the market.

Bring the new GaTech Arena Home

Add Eco by Consentino, the countertop material
of the new GaTech Basketball Arena, home today!

If you’re a big fan of college basketball and live in Atlanta, there’s no doubt that you have had an interest in the renovations at GaTech. The complete stripping of the insides of the basketball arena and replacement of the inside is going to mean a better college hoops experience for fans. It also means that you can bring part of the arena home by getting the same gorgeous, environmentally friendly kitchen countertops in your kitchen.

Construction Resources, the experts in specialty kitchen and bath materials in Georgia, have installed Eco by Consentino recycled material countertops in the new Hank McCamish Pavilion. This is part of the new arena’s initiative to make environmentally friendly upgrades, from capturing rain off the dome to installing more energy efficient electronics and lighting.

Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Buck On Home Improvement Projects

Example of a replacement project which will
help you save money.

Real estate writer Ilyce Glink offers tips for getting the most of your home improvement efforts in her article, “Make the Most of Your Home Improvement Projects” on  the Equifax Finance blog.

Homeowners too often don’t think about the real bang for their buck that they will get out of a home improvement project. But, like any other major expense, you have to think about return on investment. You may think certain upgrades are a must-have, but when the time comes to sell your home, will buyers be willing to pay more for that upgrade?

Building an impressive bathroom or kitchen may not pay off as much as replacement projects will – replacing roofing, siding, windows, etc. To get a home in “selling shape” the best upgrades are often cabinet refurbishing, new countertops, paint, bright lighting and a clean floor. The experts say avoid luxury upgrades and focus on your market – if you live in an area where outdoor living spaces are hot, add a deck instead of overhauling your kitchen.

Find Amazing Countertop Options at Elite Kitchens

Part of the Elite Home Solutions Showroom.

There’s a new reason to visit the Elite Home Solutions showroom at North Point Mall – a dazzling display of kitchen and bath countertop designs! These showcase just a few samples of what the renovation company can do with its partners, including Decatur’s own Construction Resources.

The inspiring displays are prominent in the front window, where you can see Kilimanjaro granite countertops, a brown material from Brazil that is perfect for indoor and outdoor applications. They continue in the bathroom display, where there is a Bellingham Cambria countertop and an antique chiseled and brushed pewter Travertine shower wall. Crema Marfil Classico wall and shower floor tiles are displayed and you will marvel in wonder at the artistic features, like bands in the shower made of six rows of Cristal Crema Serpentine mosaic with a Crema Marfil honed marble pencil rail on the top and bottom. There is also a Kinetic Khaki glass and stone random mosaic on the wall.