T he Bay-Waveland Garden Club will present gems from the past and present plus a sneak preview of the Infinity science discovery center on March 10 for this years Bay-Waveland Garden Clubs Spring Pilgrimage. In addition to Infinity, four homes, a bed and breakfast and the garden clubs center will be on tour.

Complimentary tours of Infinity, adjacent to the Mississippi Welcome Center at Exit 2 on Interstate I-10 in Hancock County will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 11 a.m. The tours of the houses and the bed and breakfast will be from 1 to 4 p.m.

Pilgrimage will begin at noon at the Bay-Waveland Garden Center, 541 Main St., Bay St Louis, where visitors will receive a map to and descriptions of all the venues, plus light refreshments and the opportunity to shop the clubs plant sale, which will feature bromeliads and indoor and outdoor plants.

TAMMY SMITH/SUN HERALD The Stouder house, 526 Citizen St., Bay St. Louis, dates to the early 1900s. Except for additions made in the 1940s, the house retains its original character.

Yaupon hedges planted by myself without aid internal or external ..., an entry in the garden journal by Roy H. Turner, a New Orleans physician who bought four acres and a summer home in Bay St. Louis in 1949, inspired this years theme, From Yaupon Hedges to Infinity.

The Bay-Waveland Garden Club Pilgrimage will be held in conjunction with Second Saturday, which begins at 4 p.m. in Bay St. Louis.

The Bay-Waveland Garden Center 541 Main St., Bay St. Louis

The Old Taylor School, a one-room schoolhouse at 114 Leonhard, was the original home of the Bay-Waveland Garden Club. The clubs current home, on Main Street, is a reproduction of the ca. 1915 craftsman-style cottage.

The Benvenutti Home 104 Beverly Drive, Bay St Louis

The home at 104 Beverly Drive is in the Cedar Point area of Bay Saint Louis. This coastal cottage was built in 2007 after the previous home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The house was designed and built by Mark Buszkiewicz. Several features of the home use materials salvaged from the old home, such as the outdoor front porch brick fireplace. The home was designed for a panoramic view of the water. Interior walls and the ceiling are pickled tongue and groove boards. The main floors are stained and etched concrete. The back yard includes an in-ground pool and hot tub, surrounded by gardens that the owners landscaped. The front porch is shaded by a 100-year-old registered oak tree.

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From Yaupon Hedges to Infinity

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

That old adage should be a warning for homeowners. What you do to a home -- in terms of renovations, furnishings and additions -- is all well and good while you sleep under its roof. But if you plan to sell, your efforts could diminish rather than boost its selling price.

A miniature backyard skate park, indoor basketball court or basement lounge complete with a stripper pole and smoke machine are the sorts of extravagances that may not directly push down your home value, but could nevertheless drive away prospective buyers or provide room for them to haggle down the price. A bright pink paint job and lawn cluttered with gnomes and flamingos is going to offer little in the way of curb appeal. That koi pond you love so much may be just a headache for a new owner.

"Swimming pools and landscaping can both backfire," says Brendon DeSimone, a Realtor in California and New York and blog contributor for online real estate database Zillow(Z) who has been featured on the HGTV television shows Curb Appeal, Bang for Your Buck and My House is Worth What?

[See also: Homes Built Out of Strange and Usual Materials]

"They are nice to have because they show really well and will lure buyers in," he explains. "But when buyers are assessing pros and cons of the home or comparing it to other homes, the upkeep -- or safety, in the case of the pool -- will factor in. Some people just may not want to sign up for having to do landscaping or pay the landscaper. So while a swimming pool or beautiful manicured lawn might reel in potential buyers, eventually those things could turn them off. Gardening and over-the-top landscaping is for a very specific buyer."

There are always exceptions to be had if the right buyer comes along. A pool in warm-weather Arizona or Southern California is certainly more attractive than one at a home in Maine where it gets only a fraction of the annual use.

Jacuzzis and whirlpools are other luxuries that can be a hit or a miss for sellers. A young couple may love the additions; a family with small children may see them as a waste of space and potential hazard.

Renovating your basement, attic or garage into an additional room? That man cave or spare bedroom may fit your lifestyle, but buyers may lament the lack of storage space and place to park their car. A basement or dormer apartment may run contrary to local zoning and be a red flag during a home inspection. Converting a bedroom into an office may appeal to a work-at-home buyer, but eliminating that bedroom in the eyes of local assessors will decrease your home's value.

External additions can be problematic if your bigger and better house is out of character with the surrounding neighborhood in size and style. It can be even worse if your do-it-yourself project lacks professional polish. Even more modest improvements -- such as doors, windows or awnings -- can hurt if they don't match your home's architectural style.

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Beware of Value-Killing Home Renovations

Courtesy of The Boulders, Scotsdale, AZ

That old adage should be a warning for homeowners. What you do to a home -- in terms of renovations, furnishings and additions -- is all well and good while you sleep under its roof. But if you plan to sell, your efforts could diminish rather than boost its selling price.

A miniature backyard skate park, indoor basketball court or basement lounge complete with a stripper pole and smoke machine are the sorts of extravagances that may not directly push down your home value, but could nevertheless drive away prospective buyers or provide room for them to haggle down the price. A bright pink paint job and lawn cluttered with gnomes and flamingos is going to offer little in the way of curb appeal. That koi pond you love so much may be just a headache for a new owner.

"Swimming pools and landscaping can both backfire," says Brendon DeSimone, a Realtor in California and New York and blog contributor for online real estate database Zillow(Z_) who has been featured on the HGTV television shows Curb Appeal, Bang for Your Buck and My House is Worth What?

"They are nice to have because they show really well and will lure buyers in," he explains. "But when buyers are assessing pros and cons of the home or comparing it to other homes, the upkeep -- or safety, in the case of the pool -- will factor in. Some people just may not want to sign up for having to do landscaping or pay the landscaper. So while a swimming pool or beautiful manicured lawn might reel in potential buyers, eventually those things could turn them off. Gardening and over-the-top landscaping is for a very specific buyer."

There are always exceptions to be had if the right buyer comes along. A pool in warm-weather Arizona or Southern California is certainly more attractive than one at a home in Maine where it gets only a fraction of the annual use.

Jacuzzis and whirlpools are other luxuries that can be a hit or a miss for sellers. A young couple may love the additions; a family with small children may see them as a waste of space and potential hazard.

Renovating your basement, attic or garage into an additional room? That man cave or spare bedroom may fit your lifestyle, but buyers may lament the lack of storage space and place to park their car. A basement or dormer apartment may run contrary to local zoning and be a red flag during a home inspection. Converting a bedroom into an office may appeal to a work-at-home buyer, but eliminating that bedroom in the eyes of local assessors will decrease your home's value.

External additions can be problematic if your bigger and better house is out of character with the surrounding neighborhood in size and style. It can be even worse if your do-it-yourself project lacks professional polish. Even more modest improvements -- such as doors, windows or awnings -- can hurt if they don't match your home's architectural style.

The National Association of Realtors and Remodeling magazine publisher Hanley Wood surveys remodeling and exterior replacement projects as part of its annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value report.

Original post:
Beware Of Home Improvements That Could Wreck Your Selling Price

Who: Lois Campbell, 104, Forest Grove; 5 feet 5 inches (though she remembers when she was nearly 5 feet 9,) 128 pounds

At 104, Campbell is entitled to impart some wisdom. She suggests we keep music in our lives and stay in close touch with our collective sense of humor. That, of course, is in addition to good nutrition and regular exercise.

Born in Berkeley in 1907, she grew up moving a lot as the family followed her father to jobs as teacher, principal and professor. She remembers growing up singing, too. In 1931, she married Don Campbell, who later was superintendent of Parkrose public schools. He died in 1980. She taught music, English and drama before her children were born and continued to give piano lessons. Their daughter and two sons, 71, 73 and 76, produced five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Campbell has lived in Forest Grove for 30 years and, with the help of caregivers, resides in her own home. She goes to church every Sunday and was driving until last fall. Her main caregiver, Diane Lillywhite, says she's "a pleasant person who doesn't sweat the small stuff." Campbell doesn't read much anymore, and she misses gardening. But she's a longtime amateur birdwatcher and member of the Audubon Society. A sunroom stretching across the back of her house looks out on a small but nicely landscaped backyard crowded with birdhouses, bird feeders and birds.

One of her sons spends the day with her once a week. Campbell says they always read a chapter or two of something by Patrick McManus, such as "A Fine and Pleasant Misery," and "we just howl." She plays piano when she has the energy: "It's not quite what it used to be, but I like to play for singalongs." The family comes to her house for holidays. Campbell no longer does the cooking, but they still gather around the piano to harmonize on Christmas carols.

She takes an exercise class for seniors three days a week at Forest Grove Health & Fitness. They work on strength, including core strength, balance and grip using hand weights, bars, chairs and stretch bands. Walking and stretching are part of the class too. Campbell has exercised regularly for 35 to 40 years and knows that stronger muscles support aging joints.

She takes many more vitamins than she does prescription medications. The list includes the usual: B12, C, D, calcium and the supplement MSM. She isn't much of a coffee or tea drinker, preferring fruit juice and a lot of water. She says she's had alcohol "maybe twice" in her life. Her caregiver says she's easy to cook for because there's little she doesn't like. She eats meat, fish, fowl, whole grains, lots of fruit and "huge quantities" of vegetables. She consumes very little sugar because it makes her arthritis worse, and she says no to dill pickles.

Campbell says her doctors "seem satisfied." She works with both a naturopath and an osteopath for the best of both worlds. "If I'm going to live this long, I better have as few pains as possible," she says. Her mother lived to be 95, and she has a brother who is 101.

If you'd like to share your workout with readers -- or know someone whose workout you'd like to read about -- send name, age, daytime phone number and workout details to Nancy Dow, My Workout, The Oregonian, 1320 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 or by email to ndow@oregonian.com. We encourage one or two recent, high-quality digital photos sent as JPEG attachments.

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My Workout: 104-year-old doesn't sweat small stuff

Consumers in the market for a sunroom or room addition should prepare to eat their words if they think once they've seen a sunroom, they've seen them all.The new Hybrid Sunroom from Four Seasons Sunrooms is like nothing else seen before!

(PRWEB) February 21, 2012

Consumers in the market for a sunroom or room addition should prepare to eat their words if they think once they've seen a sunroom, they've seen them all.The new Hybrid Sunroom from Four Seasons Sunrooms is like nothing else seen before!

Unlike the average conservatory or patio enclosure from other companies, the Four Seasons Hybrid Sunroom delivers new state-of-the-art engineering and a range of modern and classical designs, along with super energy-efficiency that is equaled by no other sunroom company.

What really sets the Four Seasons Hybrid Sunroom apart is the traditional style of construction, which means it immediately becomes an integral part of the home, and visitors will assume the addition has always been there.

Available as a studio, cathedral-roof or conservatory design, with solid or glass roof and with a choice of double-hung, casement or sliding windows, the homeowner can create a beautiful sunroom that is architecturally pleasing, matching the look of the existing home, and offering year-round comfort.

Four Seasons Sunrooms have described their new Hybrid Sunroom as where, "The world's finest sunrooms meets the world's finest windows." And, in truth, it's hard to argue with that. The company has been a market-leader in sunroom building and design for the past 35 years and has continued to invest in leading-edge technology that puts them miles ahead of the rest.

With its structural grade aluminium framing system, the Four Seasons Hybrid Sunroom has the strength and integrity to withstand whatever the weather cares to throw at it. Homeowners can relax comfortably inside their sunroom or conservatory, safe and secure, while Mother Nature moves through all four seasons.

The Hybrid Sunroom's vinyl windows use the thickest, heaviest extrusions and the maximum concentration of Titanium Dioxide that provides strength and durability, as well as a pure white UPVC with superior, long-lasting UV protection. For additional security, the sashes are reinforced with galvanised steel with the option to extend this extra safety feature to the window frames too.

All Four Seasons Sunrooms, including their new Hybrid Sunroom and conservatories, feature the company's CONSERVAGLASS SELECT™ glazing technology. Using a combination of microscopically thin coatings of exotic metals and compounds, the Hybrid Sunroom lets beneficial natural light into the room, while helping to keep out oppressive heat and preventing UV light from damaging furnishings or upholstery. In the cold winter months, this exclusive technology helps reflects winter heat back into the addition, so the family inside can enjoy year-round comfort.

Combine the state-of-the art technology of the Four Seasons Hybrid Sunroom with its exceptional style and design, and the end results is a unique room addition that is thermally superior to any other sunroom available today.

Whether the homeowner is thinking of an elegant dining room, a spacious living room or even a home office or den that's flooded with light, it's worth taking a closer look at the Four Seasons Hybrid Sunroom. It could be the energy-efficient room addition they've always dreamed of!

###

Marketing Director
Four Seasons Sunrooms and Windows
631-563-4000
Email Information

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Four Seasons New Hybrid Sunroom: A Modern Addition with Classic Style

The Master’s Design Build Group, formerly Master’s Craft Construction, has been honored with three Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards by the Bucks-Mont Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and two Northeast Regional Contractor of the Year Awards by NARI National.

Hatfield, PA (PRWEB) February 19, 2012

The Master’s Design Build Group, formerly Master’s Craft Construction, has been honored with three Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards by the Bucks-Mont Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and two Northeast Regional Contractor of the Year Awards by NARI National.

As the CotY Winner in the category of Kitchens from $40,000 to $80,000, Master’s Design Build partnered with Lifestyles Design of Perkiomenville, PA in transforming a dated, builder grade kitchen in Quakertown, PA, into an entertainer’s showcase. The client tasked the team with creating an open, interactive kitchen, to serve as the heart of the home. By incorporating a cooking station in the peninsula and extending it into a granite-topped floating table for guest seating, Master’s Design Build was able to create the entertaining hub the homeowners longed for. Removing the soffits and installing recessed lighting opened up the space. A thoughtful and creative design, using semi-custom Talora cabinetry by Décor, created the additional storage the homeowners needed. Well placed lighting is controlled by Lutron’s Spacer system giving the client convenient lighting control.

The CotY award-winning kitchen in the $80,001 to $120,000 category was located in Green Lane, PA. Master’s Design Build was challenged with bringing order and light to a dark, poorly designed kitchen. Mindful of the homeowner’s seasonal affective tendencies, Master’s Design Build designed a space which optimizes natural light and incorporates energy efficient LED lighting. The design provides ample, thoughtfully placed, semi-custom Talora Cabinetry, including a large center island featuring a stainless steel farmhouse sink and an area for seating. Completing the transformation are Cambria Blackstone Quartz countertops, a peninsula between the kitchen and family room with cabinetry accessible from both sides, a coffee prep center and sink and a bonus closet for added storage. The new expanded kitchen is brightly lit, has a purposeful flow, extensive storage and most importantly, happy owners. This project also won its CotY category in the Northeast Regional competition and is in consideration for the National award.

The CotY award winning project in the Residential Addition Under $100,000 category was for a sunroom renovation in Hatfield, PA. In preparation for retirement, the homeowners wanted to convert their existing three season sunroom into a space they could relax in year round. The existing sunroom had a low ceiling and low windows which kept the adjoining family room quite dark. The Master’s Design Build Group’s design incorporated a gable end roof with a cathedral ceiling and a half circle window, casement windows which were 16” higher than the existing windows, an 8’ Jeld Wen sliding door between rooms, recessed lighting and exterior sconces for accent lighting. Sometimes, it’s the details that matter, like the wide window stool featured throughout the sunroom where the homeowner now displays plants and decorative items. In the end, the homeowners were thrilled with the transformation and are looking forward to retirement. This project also won its CotY category in the Northeast Regional competition and is in consideration for the National award.

Judging for the 2012 Bucks Mont CotY competition was conducted by an impartial panel of 6 Bucks Mont NARI associates. The National judges panel is made up of industry experts from around the country who judge over 350 entries according to 7 Geographical Regions. The winners in each region are then judged against each other to determine the national winner in each category. Winners are selected based the complexity of the project, how problems were solved along the way, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, degree of difficulty and the entry presentation which includes “before and after” photography. It is a very competitive process. Regardless of the number of entries, CotY's are only awarded to companies whose work is deemed to be of the highest caliber.

Brian Martin, owner of The Master’s Design Build Group, also received the Spirit of NARI Achievement Award which is given to a NARI member who embodies: strong leadership, a passion for NARI, dedication, a commitment to good works for both the local Chapter and NARI organization and the highest standards of ethics. Bucks-Mont NARI Chapter President, Mark Glidden, shares, “Brian stands out for his incredibly positive attitude and dedication to our chapter. He oversees our Programming Committee and willingly takes on whatever is asked of him”.

For more information on Master’s Design Build Group and additional photos of these projects, visit http://www.mastersdesignbuild.com or contact Brian Martin at: (215) 723-6162.

###

Brian Martin
Master's Design Build Group
(215) 723-6162
Email Information

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Master’s Craft Construction Named Local and Regional Contractor of the Year

DESIGN NOTEBOOK When a couple marries, merging styles presents an opportunity to create separate suites. BY DANIE DUNN Special to The Star

BY DANIE DUNN

Updated: 2012-02-19T01:16:07Z

When a couple get married, both tastes can be merged into a cohesive and cozy whole.

This Country Club Plaza estate has been a favorite design project of mine. When my client came into my studio a decade ago, we began our relationship with re-upholstery work for her home, containing charming Victorian furniture.

When she married and moved into a home with her husband, we had the opportunity to merge two distinct styles. We started the process by delegating his large brown leather “bachelor” furniture to the lower level for his man cave with a poker area, pool area and cigar room. Her antique furnishings, being more delicate, went to a bedroom suite for his daughters.Then we began the transformation of the master suite. The bedroom contains a mix of their tastes. The furniture contains deep walnut tones and is more masculine. More feminine design elements include silk draperies that frame the bed, tapestry pillows, an accordion-pleated dust skirt and damask-covered bench. The addition of a crystal chandelier adds to the splendor of the space. Other highlights include intricate parquetry, neoclassical pediments and flowing serpentine fronts combined with cabriole legs. The suite also contains a marble fireplace with a chaise lounge and a lamp to create a cozy place to read.But the other four rooms in the suite, not pictured, reflect the pair’s separate tastes and interests. I find that when married couples have the space in their home to do so, separate bathrooms and dressing rooms can be a blessing. The halves will most certainly get along better to create a happier whole.We converted a seldom-used sunroom into a gentleman’s area, a combination office and closet. The built-in closets resemble furniture. A leather chair and desk complete the room.Her bath includes the original opulent hardware, decorative molding and sconces . She personalized her dressing area space by adding wallpaper and window treatments.

Reach Danie Dunn, owner of Danie Dunn Designs, 1801 Westport Road, at daniedunndesign@yahoo.com.

View post:
Design Notebook | Married life is easier with separate suite spaces

2/16/2012 - West Side Leader
     

By Maria Lindsay BARBERTON — The Village at Anna Dean is a one-and-a-half-year-old senior lifestyle community set on the historic site of Anna Dean Farm at 33 Third St. S.E.

According to Manager Diane Miller, the independent living facility is designed for ages 55 years and older. There is no on-site medical staff.

Miller said the complex has 36 one-bedroom apartments measuring 680 to 756 square feet and 24 two-bedroom apartments measuring 870 to 1,135 square feet. They include individually controlled furnaces, air-conditioners and hot water heaters, she said. Each also has a full kitchen with a refrigerator, electric stove, dishwasher and garbage disposal. The bathrooms have walk-in showers and grab bars, and each unit comes with a free emergency response system.

The Village at Anna Dean also has six common areas that include: a fitness room; game room; computer/library/craft room; great room with a fireplace and large-screen TV; a greenhouse; and a bocce court. In addition, there is a sunroom and outdoor patio. A private dining room also is available, but there is no on-site meal service, she said.

There is also a laundry room on each floor, elevators and controlled-access entry doors and keyless entry system entrances, Miller said. The facility offers van transportation for groups of residents wishing to travel to stores or restaurants, according to Miller.

Miller added that rent fees for the apartments range from $425 to $875 per month, which includes all utilities except for phones, cable and Internet service.

“Our office staff is happy to assist residents with finding local services for meals and home health agencies,” said Miller. “It addition, we schedule health and educational talks and social activities.”

Social activities include bingo, movie and game days, Saturday morning coffee talks and potluck meals, she said.

For information about available apartments or a tour, call 330-745-7040 or email info@annadeanonline.com.

For more information about the Village at Anna Dean, visit http://www.annadeanonline.com.

The rest is here:
Village at Anna Dean offering senior lifestyle living

With sun-drenched rooms and open spaces, the home at 8905 Transue Drive in Bethesda’s Charred Oak Estates community is not your typical 1960s split level.

The four-bedroom, three bath house, which sits on a quiet cul-de-sac, underwent a major makeover that included removing interior walls, adding state-of-the-art appliances and repainting its brick exterior white.

It is on the market for $999,999.

This home’s exterior can be deceiving, as it is much larger on the inside than it appears at first glance. A long driveway past the well-manicured lawn leads to the home’s entrance.

An eye-catching mahogany-and-glass front entry door was custom-designed by Art in Glass and lets guests know they are entering a richly unique residence.

The door opens to reveal a large, dramatic open space that combines the kitchen, dining room and living room. Thanks to the removal of interior walls in this portion of the home, these three spaces blend together, creating an open, inviting main level.

To the right of the entry is an impressive gourmet kitchen that features high-end appliances, including a Viking professional range and stainless steel hood, and a side-by-side refrigerator, dishwasher and wine chiller.

The stainless steel appliances are highlighted by the surrounding maple cabinetry along with marble countertops and a marble backsplash. While recessed lights keep the kitchen and adjoining rooms bright in the evening, two large skylights and ample windows help light up the space during the day.

The cook in the home will appreciate not being left out of conversations because the open floor plan allows for easy interaction among family members and company when entertaining. There’s also a breakfast bar for casual meals.

A long center island is all that divides that kitchen from the nearby living and dining areas. Adding to the sophisticated feel of the home, all of the rooms share new hardwood flooring and have walls painted in a fresh, neutral color.

The kitchen has windows facing the front yard, and the living and dining areas face the rear yard. The private yard is fenced and has a double-sided gate. In the living room, a French door with full-view glass doors opens directly onto a new deck with built-in seating.

There are double French doors in the dining area that lead into a sunroom, which is one of two additions that were built about 12 years ago. This sun-filled room is the ideal retreat and helps bring the outdoors inside year-round.

The sunroom has three walls of windows and sliding glass doors that offer a scenic, panoramic view. Ceramic tile floors and a wood ceiling with skylights add to the outdoorsy feel. The room is made cozy by a fireplace on one of the walls.

On the opposite end of the home is a the second addition, a bright and lavish two-story great room with black tile floors and a wood-burning fireplace. There are several Palladian windows and three sets of French doors in the room that open into the rear yard.

This great room is perfect for entertaining guests or relaxing after a long day’s work. There are two walls of built-ins and a black spiral staircase that leads to the second floor.

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Resale of the week:Opened-up Bethesda split level

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In today's tough economy, home values have plummeted. Our home has suffered the same fate. My wife and I have no intention of moving, so we have found ways to improve our home's comfort and value. Since 2005, we have gradually completed a number of projects that have improved our home's financial value and made it even more comfortable for us to enjoy. In addition, some of the projects have helped us save money on our monthly bills.

Changing back porch to sunroom

We had our first project completed in 2005. We had a run-down screened-in porch in back of the house. The screens had begun to tear, and the floor would flood up to the house level during every heavy rain. In addition, our small house was cluttered and we needed more space. At the time, we could afford only monthly financing, but we had the porch converted into a Florida sunroom with double-insulated glass. We added extra square footage and later had the windows tinted to give extra protection from the summer sun's heat. The room cost us nearly $20,000 thousand, but the new appraisal upon our 2006 refinancing showed that it increased our property value by approximately $40,000 compared to the appraisal we had just before the transformation. We now use that sunroom as much as any other room in the house.

Installing a water conditioner

My parents both passed on in the summer of 2009. We saved some of the inheritance and used some to pay off debt (including the sunroom), but we used part of it to improve our home even more. In 2010 we had an electric water conditioner installed. We paid $1,600 cash for the system, but we do not have monthly payments for the product or the service. The water system removes impurities from our hard water, and it keeps our water-using appliances running more efficiently, saving us on utility bills. Our pipes are cleaner, and they also run more efficiently. We save approximately $5-$10 each month on water use.

Installing new windows and gutters

Later in 2010 I finally decided to replace the worn-out gutters. We now have more attractive gutters that keep the water from leaking onto our front walkway. They look much more attractive, and the backyard gutters go into the ground. The gutters cost us $600, but they are easier to clean and require very little maintenance.

In 2011 we replaced the old windows. Our heating and cooling costs had risen drastically. An analysis showed that our windows had only a single pane of glass, and the seals had worn down. This let cool air out and the heat in during the summer. In winter, our heat escaped, making us run the heater much more. We installed energy-efficient argon-filled windows that block heat far better. The new seals aid in the blocking. We reduced our cooling costs by as much as 25% per month. We spent approximately $2,100 to complete the project, but the savings of $50 per month will continue.

Improvements are investments

We have completed other smaller projects as well. In all, we spent many thousands of dollars. However, the increase in our home's value of over $40,000 has made the investments worthwhile. Should we one day decide to sell, we will receive far more than if we had not made the improvements. Until then, we enjoy the lower monthly utility bills that these projects allow us to have. More importantly, the projects have helped us feel more comfortable and turned our house into a home.

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First Person: We've Added at Least $40,000 Worth of Home Improvement Value in 7 Years