Friday, November 30, 2007
Decoding Real Estate Ads
a "Unique" property
Remodeling New York and real estate go hand in hand, and despite the fact that this surfaced a few months back, we thought super-broker Barbara Corcoran's demystification of real estate terminology was worth posting on this forum...
1. Cozy (too small)
2. Charming (too old)
3. Original condition (appliances are 50 years old)
4. Needs TLC (it's a dump)
5. Conveniently located (noisy)
6. Desirable neighborhood (this little house has been way
overpriced because the neighborhood has some snob appeal)
7. Efficient kitchen (too small to fit two adults)
8. One-car garage (you can drive your Chevy in, but can't get out)
9. Peek at the park/river/mountains (if you angle your mirror just so)
10. Useable land (no trees)
11. Beachfront steal (no hurricane insurance available at any price)
12. Country living (too far from anywhere to drive to work)
13. Must see inside (outside is ugly)
14. Unique (hard to sell)
15. Just available (previous owner just died on the premises, hope you don't mind)
Labels: Ads, Corcoran, Property, Real Estate
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Kitchen Revamp vs. Renovate
copper range hood by mountainsedge.ca
Sometimes, a simple revamping of your kitchen is all that's required rather than a complete overhaul. Many Kitchen and Bath companies are only interested in doing total remodeling jobs, but some of the below simpler tasks can be done yourself, or with a New York handyman:
New paint or wallpaper can make a difference right away, many are using commercial wallpaper to stand up to hand prints and splatters
Switching handles and/or knobs on cupboards and cabinets
A new face on the cabinetry changes everything, your options are endless
Replace the countertop surface, think Butcher Block, Granite, or Quartz Composite
Update appliances, especially the ones at eye level like toasters, microwaves and refrigerators
Make things interesting with some of the newer trends like range hoods that ventilate and become your kitchen's new focal point
For Kitchen and Bath experts in the NY area, click here: Kitchen/ Bath
Labels: Cabinets, Kitchen Revamp, Range Hood, Wallpaper
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Playing Catch-up?
With Thanksgiving behind us, it's time to brace for the next holiday wave to crash over us. If you have been putting off those last-minute home improvement projects, use the next few weeks to your advantage. On cityhammmer.com, we've just updated our Fall Survival Guide with 5 great tasks you can take on to get ready for company, including giving your ducts a good cleaning, freshening your carpet with a professional cleaning and more! Click for Fall Improvement Tips
Labels: Autumn Tips, Carpet Cleaning, Ducts, Fall home improvement
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Diagonal Tile for a Kitchen Illusion
It's one of the oldest tricks in the book, but laying a tile floor on a diagonal, especially in a kitchen, really does create the illusion of more space. In the above example, the illusion is taken a step further with the use of a very light color. This is not complicated stuff, so before you redo your kitchen or lay a new ceramic tile or marble floor, keep this in mind if you're looking for a more spacious aesthetic.
For a list of tile experts in the New York Area, click here: Tile in NY
Labels: kitchen floors, New York tile experts, tile
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Introducing...
cityhammer.com's member of the week is EJB Global Services
EJB Global Services specializes in rehab and restoration of apartments and brown stones, including plumbing and electrical work. They can be found on the web at http://www.boyfriendforhire.com/
EJB has been in business since 2004 and offers everything from carpentry, to countertop repair to temporary walls. To visit their cityhammer.com profile, click here!
Labels: apartment restoration brownstones, carpentry
Monday, November 19, 2007
Keeping Bedroom Closets Fresh
A quick bedroom closet tip to help keep your clothes smelling fresh:
Eliminating must is a must! Be careful with storing your clothing and linens. Having a full-fledged walk-in cedar closet is not always an option in an apartment but piling up your clothes on a painted surface shelf is going to give your duds an unwanted musty odor that you may not even notice. Even sleeping with sheets that have been piled up this way can leave you with material that sticks to your skin. Try a stainless steel shelving unit or clear plastic bins for the top of your closet.
Labels: closet tips, fresh closets, must
Real Estate Transaction? Think Electrician...
Having a licensed inspector or engineer check out a house or apartment is a must, but is it enough? These days, many prospective homeowners are taking additional precautions and bringing a licensed electrician with them when they look at the property for the added assurance that their appliance and lighting needs can be met as well. Here are some thoughts on why this may make sense for you before your next real estate transaction:
Are you buying a new home?
Because electrical work is more complex and critical than ever, more and more home buyers and sellers are insisting on Electrical Surveys before completing a transaction. Obviously, an Engineer who does the regular report is able to report a faulty installation but they are usually not qualified electricians. Don’t be afraid to have a qualified electrician make a walk-through before you purchase a house. That way, you can get an upfront idea of what type of fixes and their associated costs might be involved from the get-go.
Are you selling your home?
If you are trying to sell your home, having an electrical survey available can assure prospective buyers that the house is safe and sound, and get rid of possible sticking points over price. Changing light fittings, switches and sockets might add to the value of your home, just like any other renovation you do preceding a sale.
Labels: Appliance, Electricians, Engineers, Inspectors, Lighting
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Design Tips for Renters
Design Tips for Renters
by Mitch Mayer, staff writer
cityhammer.com
Just because you're currently renting your home, don't be afraid to make it your own. Here are a few design tips that can make a big difference without making any major changes to your place.
• Lighting can make a dramatic difference, try adding spotlights, dangling lights or can lights. Track lights can make your space look like a gallery!
• Switching fixtures is easy and a great personal touch. Whether we're talking doorknobs, light switches or kitchen cabinet pulls, make this subtle change on your own or with the aid of a handyman. Best of all, when your lease is up you can take your new hardware with you.
• Nothing brings life to a room like a fresh coat of paint. Use a different color on moldings to create the perfect hint of contrast. An experienced painter can give your rental's drab walls an immediate shot in the arm without making any structural changes.
• For the look of a built-in without actually building in, a carpenter can build a freestanding bench seat to place under a windowsill. When flanked with bookshelves on either side, you get that built-in look plus some extra storage.
Labels: built-in, design tips, painting, rental apartments
