No, this isn't a renovation gone awry but a clever DIY costume by Mindy of Fixer-Upper. It's her reaction/mocking of a recent WSJ article The Three-Martini Renovation. There is a trend among some homeowners to bundle cocktail parties with their friends and families into remodeling gigs that can have disastrous results. There are plenty of opinions about this article on Houseblogs.net and feel free to add your own.
We are bombarded with droll real estate news ad nauseam. Now its reported that folks are not only not able to sell or refinance their homes but they are also not investing in their homes by remodeling at the rate they have been. This is understandable considering the financial situation many homeowners are facing but its not good news for the remodeling industry and the business that are counting on homeowners who try to build up their home equity by improving their residences.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Southern California who are fighting the wildfires as well as the people who have lost their homes and possessions. Here is a listing of emergency wildfire contact information including evacuation sites for people and animals as well as all government agencies that are doing their best to help those effected.
The New York Times wrote an interesting article on The Allure of the Tool Belt. We're not so sure we agree with everything that's been said. If a relationship is in trouble, the contractor isn't more likely to be involved in an affair anymore than a co-worker or anyone else. We understand the reasoning behind the allure of the capable and "fix-it" man but it also takes a contractor willing to risk losing his job and possibly more by getting involved with his client. Like any work situation it's best to keep it professional.
At the University of Arizona (our Alma Mater), a group of 24 architecture students are attempting the task of designing and building 5 energy-efficient homes that are "affordable". According to Mary Hardin, project manager for the Civano Demonstration Project, the goal of this project is to prove that the cost of conservation strategies needn't be the bane of the green-building movement. Each house will work towards achieving the same goal but through different strategies. We'll post a follow-up on the results of their work.
Toolmonger tipped us to a home depot online coupon of 10% off through October, 24th by entering FALLSAVINGS221 at checkout. It seems like the Christmas decor options keep coming earlier each year so why not get a jump and save some cash.
Today we join Houseblogs.net and many others in Blog Action Day, to bring attention to our environment and what we can do to improve it. Check out our latest green building posts as well as a little tip we posted on ReadyMade.
Taunton Press not only produces great home improvement books and magazines but their website is a tremendous resource as well. Unfortunately the majority of the content on the Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking websites are only available to online members. But their blogs also contain great content that is free, we only wish they'd post more often.
The editor of Fine Homebuilding, Kevin Ireton, contributes to his own blog and reviews the new book by David Owen, Sheetrock & Shellac - A Thinking Person's Guide to the Art and Science of Home Improvement
. It sounds like an interesting and humorous read that brings a touch of lightheartedness to what can be a world of heart-ache when it comes to home renovation. As Kevin puts it "If, like me, you're addicted to working on your house, but sometimes think you need a 12-step program to help you get over it, you should read this book. It provides some welcome reassurance"
Most of the real estate news we've been sharing has been negative so we thought we'd lighten the mood with a profile of the realtor and dog relationship which is much more complicated than you realize.
Of course this is a farce but this agent does a great job selling it.
"Everyone knows two heads are better than one, and in real estate, it's especially true that
two species are better than one."
October 31, 2007 | Comments (1)
