Coit Group Fine Homes

  Home improvement projects don't have to be large-scale to return a big value at the time of sale. In fact, the 2015 Cost vs. Value report points out that even something as simple and cheap as replacing a steel door returns, on average, 101.8 percent nationally. If homeowners want to save more money and get a great return on a home improvement investment, some relatively easy do-it-yourself (DIY) projects pack the most punch. "Going DIY is the ultimate money-saving tool," says John Riha, editorial director of the Black & Decker Home Improvement Library. "You'll also get tons of satisfaction and enjoyment from creating a better home environment, and from learning home improvement skills that'll last a lifetime." Before deciding to try DIY, owners should keep some things to keep in mind. Some projects are worth the cost of hiring a contractor, including fixing electrical work, or big home exterior improvements, like replacing roofing and sid...

June 3, 2015 – A neighborhood's cell phone reception quality is very important to Americans looking to purchase a home. RootMetrics surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults and found that 76 percent ranked mobile service as important. By comparison, 60 percent identified good schools as important. U.S. adults in all age groups ranked mobile phone service higher than schools. Hospitals ranked as high as cell phone service when averaging all age groups, but healthcare was overwhelming favored by older adults. Overall, most Americans looking for homes care about the crime rate (96 percent); local taxes (90 percent); and amenities like shops, parks and restaurants (84 percent), according to RootMetrics. Source: Time (06/02/15) Poppick, Susie