Brought to you
by: Homes
& Land of Tucson and Southern Arizona
Alarm Systems: One of the
best investments a homeowner can make...
|
| Few industries enjoy a high
positive customer relationship like
that of alarm companies. According to
a study done by Dr. Simon Hakim, director
of the Center for Competitive Government
at Temple University, 94 percent of
alarm owners are satisfied with their
systems. With one in five homes currently
electronically protected, that’s a pretty
amazing statistic.... |
V
iew This Article |
| Carpet: Choose
your style... |
| Carpet has become one of
the nation’s most popular floor coverings
because it provides additional insulation,
reduces sound and gives off an appearance
of comfort and warmth. Today, carpet
is made from a variety of products and
is easier to care for with most lines
offering soil, stain, odor and static
resistant options.... |
V
iew This Article |
| Easing
Into A Move: One of life’s
greatest stresses... |
| Moving is considered one
of life’s greatest stresses, especially
given that it involves leaving behind
the comfort of familiar surroundings,
friends and routines. While the emotional
challenges associated with a move are
inevitable, planning out a careful move
can alleviate some of the discomfort.
If possible, try to make a moving plan
at least six to eight weeks prior to
your actual moving day.... |
V
iew This Article |
| Energy
Efficient: Make Your Home
Energy-Efficient... |
| According to the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend
an average of $1400 a year on energy
bills, 45 percent of that comes from
the heating and cooling of their home.
Increasing the efficiency of your heating
and cooling appliances can substantially
reduce your annual costs up to 30 percent
per year. Even more importantly, making
your home energy-efficient helps to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
improves the quality of our air....
|
V
iew This Article |
| Fencing: Designing
your landscape... |
| Fencing can play a key role
in the landscape of one’s home. Its
purpose can be as simple as keeping
the family dog in or as important as
keeping young children out, especially
from hidden dangers like a pool. The
U.S. fencing industry is a billion dollar
market which continues to grow more
than five percent a year. What once
was limited to chain link and wood products
has grown to include PVC and vinyl fencing....
|
V
iew This Article |
| Furniture
Style: Be uncompromising... |
| Shopping for furniture can
be as daunting as shopping for the right
car and nearly as expensive. The shopping
process often entails lying on dozens
of beds, reclining on hundreds of overstuffed
chairs and upholstered sofas, pulling
out numerous dresser drawers or sitting
on an abundance of decorative wood dining
chairs. Choosing the right furniture
piece or room suit is a quest, but the
adventure should be as exciting for
you as the day your new piece of furniture
is delivered.... |
V
iew This Article |
| Home
Electronics: Are you ready
for a home theater?... |
| Few shoppers can pass by
the big-screen television display at
their local electronics store without
stepping back and imagining one in their
own home. Package that television together
with four speakers, a subwoofer for
bass projection, and a DVD/CD/MP3 player
and you’ve constructed your own home
theater system.... |
V
iew This Article |
| Home
Exteriors: New options &
traditional favorites... |
| You need only look back at
the story of The Three Little Pigs to
know that a home’s exterior not only
adds to its' beauty but is a factor
in determining its’ strength and durability
against inclement winds and storms.
In fact, a study released in 2004 by
the Wind Science and Engineering Research
Center at Texas Tech University states
that "homes built with brick offer dramatically
more protection from wind-blown debris
than homes built with vinyl or fiber-cement
siding."... |
V
iew This Article |
| Home
Inspections: One of the best
investments you can make... |
| Whether you’re purchasing
a new or existing home, consider the
benefits of a home inspection performed
by a certified or licensed inspector.
The purchase of a home is the biggest
investment people make. It not only
involves acquiring a significant asset,
it may also mean taking on additional
problems as well. While home inspectors
are limited in their scope, they can
offer peace of mind to a new homeowner
by assessing some of a home’s major
componenets.... |
V
iew This Article |
| Home
Theater: Transforming home
entertainment... |
Over the years, the world
of home entertainment has radically
changed. Twenty-five years ago, only
a small percentage of households in
the U.S. had cable television, and
VCRs were merely a luxury item. Today,
most U.S. households get at least
50 channels and have a good-sized
TV accompanied by a variety of electronic
components. Many people are opting
to create their own home theater systems,
a combination of electronic components
designed to recreate the experience
of watching a movie in a theater....
|
V
iew This Article |
| Insuring
Your Home: Lowering Your
Premium... |
When purchasing a home, most
mortgage companies require the buyer
to have homeowners insurance as a
condition for receiving the loan.
According to the Insurance Information
Institute, the average cost per year
for a standard homeowners policy in
2004 was $608. While standard homeowners
policies will cover the structure
of the home and its contents against
fire, theft, and some natural disasters,
(excluding floods, earthquakes, landslides,
mudslides or sinkholes), the amount
of coverage varies. Even if you’re
not in the market for a new home,
it’s a good idea to review your policy
to make sure your coverage is in line
with your home’s current appraised
value.... |
V
iew This Article |
| Kitchen
Upgrades: Stainless is back... |
According to a poll commissioned
by PBS’ wellknown This Old House series,
nearly a third of respondents (32%)
cited a high-end kitchen as their
dream renovation. The kitchen is no
longer the place where mom retires
to cook the family dinner. Today,
kitchens serve as the heart of the
home, and many Americans are looking
for ways to make it more comfortable....
|
V iew This Article
|
| Land
Scaping: Turning your vision
into plan... |
| A
nice yard not only makes for a good
neighbor, it helps to enhance property
values as well. A high quality landscape
design can actually improve the appearance
of a building or home by adding warmth
and character.... |
V
iew This Article
|
| Mortgages: Which
one is right for you?... |
| So you’re ready to buy a
home. Finding that perfect home can
be a great adventure. Seeking out the
mortgage that’s right for you can be
difficult. There are a dozen or more
options available for financing a home,
and it’s important to consider the pros
and cons of each. Before looking into
more complicated choices, consider the
most common.... |
V
iew This Article
|
| Buying: Tips
for buying a home... |
|
| Buying a home can be a rewarding
life experience, as well as a great
investment. But having a successful
purchase requires some education and
research. For first time homebuyers
especially, you'll save yourself a lot
of frustration--and maybe even money--if
you start with a few simple steps....
|
V
iew This Article
|
| Loans: Introduction
to Loans... |
| With so many financing choices
available today, it's easier than ever
to find a home loan that meets both
your budget and future plans. But before
you sign on the dotted line, it pays
to be familiar with some of the most
common types of loans. You should also
get advice from your real estate agent
and speak with several lenders about
your options.... |
V
iew This Article
|
| Neighborhoods: Choosing
the Right Neighborhood... |
To find the right neighborhood,
focus on areas that meet your needs,
budget and personal taste. You should
also spend time talking with your
real estate agent and researching
different neighborhoods before making
a final decision... |
V iew This Article
|
| NewHomes: What
You Should Look for in New Homes... |
Communities, neighborhoods
and modern conveniences are just a
few of the reasons homebuyers choose
new homes. But before deciding on
your new dream house, make sure to
do your homework and find the right
builder for your needs and budget....
|
V
iew This Article
|
| Online
Listing: What to Look for
in an Online Listing... |
Online real estate listings
have revolutionized the way buyers
locate property, compare prices and
find real estate professionals. But
before you log on, make sure you have
all the tools to get the most from
your search.... |
V
iew This Article
|
| Renting: 9
Things Every Renter Should Know... |
Before you even begin looking
for an apartment, make a list of what
you absolutely need vs. extras you'd
like to have. Important considerations
include access to employment, shopping,
schools, parking and recreation. Don't
forget to keep your budget in mind,
and make sure you have adequate funds
to cover deposits, utility hookups
and other service fees....
|
V
iew This Article
|
| Selling: Tips
for Selling Your Home... |
With a little preparation
and the guidance of a professional
real estate agent, you can help make
the sale of your home go much more
smoothly. Key factors include setting
the proper price, effective marketing,
and making your home sparkle inside
and out.... |
V iew This Article
|
