With Home Sales Rebounding in February is an Improving Housing Market Right around the Corner

By Mark J. Donovan

There is a sign that the housing market may be beginning to bottom out. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that home sales increased 2.9% in February.

This is certainly a positive sign in the housing market; however the rest of the news with this report was not so good. The report also indicated that housing prices dropped precipitously, with the average medium sale price on existing homes falling to $195,900. The NAR reported this was the biggest year over year price drop in existing home sales since 1999.

Whether or not this is truly the beginning of a recovery of the housing market or not, getting a little positive news in a market that has gone through a major correction over the past couple of years is a good sign of things to eventually come. Readmore »»

With Declining Interest Rates is now a Good Time to Buy a Home?

By Mark J. Donovan

Interest rates on home mortgages are at their lowest levels in several decades. Thirty year fix rate mortgages are now available below 6%. In addition, the housing market has been in a decline for the past couple of years. If there was ever a time to buy a home, now is the time. Yes, you could try to time the bottom on the housing market, but similar to predicting the bottom of a bear market, it is a very tough endeavor.

Also, many are predicting the housing market to begin to rebound in late 2008 or early 2009. Personally, I think it may take a little longer. Regardless of exactly when the housing market will rebound, the fact is there are few times in modern history where both home prices and interest rates have declined so significantly.

In addition, there is a glut of homes on the market today, both new and used. Builders have inventory that they need to dump in order to pay their creditors. There are also many homeowners who have been trying to sell their homes for a year or longer. It is truly a buyer’s market, and both the used home sellers and builders are willing to negotiate.

Trying to time the bottom of the housing market by waiting a few more months could cost you more, both in terms of a higher purchase sale price, and in higher interest rates. Though the Fed has been cutting interest rates dramatically over the past couple of months, there is the real threat of rapid inflation. If inflation begins to rear its head to any appreciable level, the Fed will quickly reverse its position and begin to ratchet interest rates up.

So if you have been considering buying a home don’t wait. Now is the time, with both declining interest rates and reduced home prices. Readmore »»

Remodel A Masterbath

Remodel a Masterbath
Atmosphere of individuals, their indulgence, which was once the domain of the day spa, is finding its way into the master bath remodels. Only by the imagination and a project budget, the standard master bath has become custom retreat. The good news is that luxury, can be included in any design.

"We have already begun to put more luxury, said:" Salaanbashibi, the country's kitchen and bathroom Association (nkba) and the President-elect has Salabashi design, Elk Rapids, Michigan

Style of Remodel A Masterbath
Not sure how to describe the style you want? Will not be a problem. A book like "Yes / No Design: Decorative found your style and taste revealed cases Exercises," by the British love (rizzoli international publications), to help consumers identify, through different styles. Decoration Show paid a visit to the house, the kitchen and bathroom showroom and plumbing showroom provides the opportunity to see first-hand information bathroom, and get ideas, your project, says Jessica clock, a kitchen designer and caramel experts , companies, caramel, industry

Materials of Remodel A Masterbath
Master bath, no material is too extravagant or too unusual. "[People] is far above the" Bashibi said. Of course, "Over the top" can mean different things to different people. To some, this may mean splurging on the granite. To others, it might mean to the top state-of-the line from top to bottom, from top to bottom integration.

Layout of Remodel A Masterbath
Create a customized floor plan, consider hiring qualified bath designers, they will analyse the size of space and your family's needs. There are some things on this matter with the designers include:

Shower or bath: the master bath have been some changes in recent years. Giant tubs, once popular, out of favour. On the contrary, people in the choice of custom showers including indirect Video, Video wall, portable Video, shower tiles, rain Bar, the body spray and steam showers. "People do not have to spend time in tubs," Bashibi said. "They can receive the same benefits, and out in five minutes and [shower]."

Select a custom shower in the bathtub of a smaller scale can have a big impact on the layout, bathing as well. "Nice, a big bath tub surround and occupy a lot of space, we can do a lot of large custom shower in many less space," Bashibi said.

The number: Bashibi customer will often require the two modified the master bath. After discussion the matter further, and in most cases what customers really need is a sink and mirror and more counter space. "This is rare, we have two sinks," she said. Plumbing for the second consecutive sink, can raise prices is a modified, so this is a wise and let the matter careful consideration before deciding on the number of bathrooms.

Delicate question: "bathroom more personal than talking about the kitchen," Bashibi said. While this may seem a bit embarrassed to discuss the matter, as a separate room for the toilet or dual-Video and designers, to do so will lead to a better bathroom modifications.

Universal Design: Another trend in the master bathroom is the use of universal design. This practice, designed to accommodate people of all ages and abilities, including more extensive door, shower, no lips around the upper and lower levels of the larger shower door, and more space around the fixtures. Have thought that, because the industry forward-looking, universal elements such as handrails, now blends seamlessly integrated into even the most luxurious master bathroom.

Details of Remodel A Masterbath
When talking about the actors in the master bathroom modifications, and the luxury. Hang extravagant chandeliers over bathtubs and with built-in warming drawer, or install a free towel through the atmosphere and the warmth of the fireplace. You might also consider increasing the convenience of the bathroom by the Housing Authority your washing machines and dryers, next to the changing rooms, and even massage table space.

Audio systems and televisions, and so on, have become quite common in the master bathroom, but today the remodels is the concept to a new level. Flat-panel displays are becoming more popular in the mirror mode, and television is visible only when it yes right, yes another option.

Master bath should be a calm, but the calm is not retreat, and to hardware, and Latin America and the noise from the television or stereo Luandiao bouncing on the hard surface in the room. "I would like to know, you want to bring some soft materials [such as plush towels and fabric curtains] into space," Bashibi said. These will be the finishing touch on this a little extravagant to have a spa-like master bath modified. Readmore »»

How to Build a Simple Computer Desk

By Mark J. Donovan

Back a few years ago I decided I needed to buy a computer desk. After looking around at a half dozen furniture stores and department stores, I came to the conclusion that there were only two types of computer desks on the market; very expensive ones from high end furniture stores and pressed board garbage from low cost box stores. Neither suited my budget or tastes, but I needed a computer desk.

It was during this realization that I came up with an idea of building my own simple computer desk. I remember seeing standalone kitchen cabinets for sale at one of the local home improvement stores. I thought, hey if I could affix a countertop surface to two kitchen cabinets I’d have a functional computer desk.

Finding the Components for my Computer Desk

With the idea in mind I grabbed my tape measure and drove to a local home improvement store. The store had numerous standalone kitchen cabinets for sale, made from all types of wood. Some were low end constructed, while others were more high-end constructed. I found one cabinet that consisted of a top drawer and a large front door with adjustable shelves. I then found another cabinet consisting entirely of a column of drawers. After pulling them aside, I then visited the countertop area of the store, and surprisingly I found pre-fabricated 5 foot countertops for sale. I selected one that was aesthetically appealing to me and rested it on top of the two kitchen cabinets. I spaced the two kitchen cabinets apart so that they were located at the far ends of the countertop to allow room for a chair and seating. I then made a height measurement and determined that the only modification required was to cut about 2 inches off the bottom of each kitchen cabinet.

Building a Computer Desk

With my desk idea nearly realized, I purchased the two kitchen cabinets and countertop and brought them home for assembly.

Using a skill saw I removed two inches of the base of the cabinets. This was easy to do since the cabinets had about a 3 inch area below the fixed base cabinet shelf and the drawers that was effectively empty space. I then positioned the two cabinet pieces in my office area and mounted the kitchen countertop to the two cabinets using screws and brackets.

Finally, I mounted a keyboard tray slider to the underside of the countertop and my good looking and functional computer desk was ready for use.

Note: Keyboard tray sliders can be found at most office stores. Readmore »»

How Do I Vent My Plumbing?

Under most plumbing codes, every plumbing fixture must have a vent. There are many ways to vent a plumbing fixture, but the most common is with an individual vent that runs a vent stack or outside air. Vents must rise at least six inches above the flood-level rim of a fixture before being run horizontally.

In some cases, a kind plumbing inspector may allow the use of a mechanical vent. These vents screw into a one-and-one-half-inch female adapter and provide air for a fixture to drain better. In remodeling job, these vents are sometimes allowed in lieu of running a vent all the way to the roof. However, if you are installing a toilet or a sewer sump, plan on running a two-inch vent to the outside air or to an approved connection point with another vent.

When you have to get a vent from your basement to your attic, look for closets to run the vent in. Consider building a small box-chase in a corner to allow the installation of the pipe. The routing of the vent from a basement is often the hardest part of the job.

Can I run my vent up the outside of my house?
Some plumbing codes do allow side-wall vents. These vents must be protected from freezing, in cold climates, and they must not terminate under a soffit vent. There are restrictions pertaining to the proximity of the vent to windows, doors, and even properly boundaries. Check with your local code officer for details on side-wall vents.

My drain goes out at floor level, what can I do?
If you position your bathroom or plumbing near the existing drain, you may be able to build up the new floor, with a sleeper system, to allow height for your new drains. Check your ceiling height requirements before raising the finished floor level.

Can I tie into the pipe for my floor drain?
Most floor drains will be connected to a pipe of at least two inches in diameter. In fact, the minimum pipe size for pipes running under concrete is usually two inches. The floor drain could be connected to a three- or four-inch drain.

As long as you vent your new fixtures, there shouldn't be any problem with tying into the same drain used by your floor drain. The plumbing code does set requirements for the number of fixture-units placed on a pipe, so check with your local requirements before making such a connection. For example, you would not be able to install a toilet and have its drain tie into a two-inch pipe. The minimum pipe size for a toilet drain is three inches. Readmore »»