Material Monster

Do you want to improve the look of your home? Have you thought of adding value to your home with a brand new kitchen?

The thought of home improvements, like a new kitchen, can be lingering thoughts. Projects like these can be expensive endeavors when most of us do not have the additional funds sitting in a bank account screaming for you to spend.

Maybe it’s time you consider a Home Improvement Loan. You may have heard different terms like Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or Line of Credit. A HELOC could be the easiest and cheapest way to make improvements to your home and have your dreams become a reality.

A HELOC offers a low interest rate, usually tied to the prime rate and a low monthly payment, secured by your home. As the home owner, it frees you up to do whatever improvements you want on your home or property.

With a HELOC, you can have up to 100% of your home’s value available to you for improvements, rehabbing and life’s unplanned emergencies. You only pay for what you spend leaving funds available for other projects and/or emergencies. The loans are typically repaid over a 10 year amortization schedule.

A mortgage lender can better provide details and current rate information. Your available income, credit score and equity in your home will play a part in determining your rate and ability to qualify for different program options. Your lender will also be able to explain to you any tax savings and other advantages the loan may have for you.

A HELOC can help you with: getting that new kitchen, remodeling a bathroom, building a home addition, buying new furniture, landscaping in the Spring, and so on. What you spend your money on is entirely up to you.

Remember, financing shouldn’t be the most difficult part of getting that new kitchen you’re dreaming of! With a simple Home Improvement Loan, you’ll be on your way to harder decisions- like picking out the new cabinets and light fixtures!

About The Author

Kimberly Shallenberger-Cameron currently manages the STLagent Team of Real Estate Consultants in St Louis, MO. Her website is http://www.stlagent.com, where she publishes the St Louis Real Estate Blog.

Kimberly also moderates the St Louis Community Forum Message Board at: http://www.stlagent.com/forum

© STLagent.com 2005

One of the mistakes most do-it-yourself homeowners makes during significant home improvement projects is in trying to complete the job without the right tools. How many times have you tried to use a flat-head screwdriver instead of the right wood chisel, for example? You get the picture, right? All of us are guilty of trying to take shortcuts or save money and opt to inventing what I call “poor-boy” methods and ways to perform a home improvement task using the wrong tool.

It’s not that we don’t know better. For we almost always know when we’re not working with the right tools. But, we either can’t afford the right tool at the time, or we’re in a hurry and don’t want to take the time that it takes to run to Home Depot, Lowe’s or the local hardware store to buy the correct tool to do the job.

This is particularly the cases when we’re being asked to do what I call “honey-do” projects. You know what I’m talking about, right? That’s when your spouse (notice I didn’t say wife) is sweet to you for no apparent reason and after buttering you up tells you (notice I didn’t say “asks you”)”Honey, this weekend when you have some time I would like for you to do [insert task here] for me.” Then before you can respond you hear, “Oh, and while you’re at it honey can you also do [task 2], and [task 3] and [task 4] and …….” You get the picture — that’s what I can “honey do projects” and almost all of them will require tools to perform.

Notice to that honey-do projects around the house never come one at a time, they usually come in bunches. And if you’re not willing to create a check-off list to note the ones you’ve completed, trust me, you spouse will gladly create the check-off list for you. In fact, my spouse typically gives a hug, a kiss, a nibble on the ear — then slides the check-off list in my shirt pocket and says “Honey, here’s a short list of just a few things I would like for you to do around the house this weekend.” That list usually laps around to the backside of the page.

I’ve found that you just can’t say “no” to honey-do projects. It doesn’t pay. And excuses like “I had planned on watching the Masters golf tournament, or the Superbowl is this weekend, don’t go over well.” So it’s best to learn how to do things quickly. And to perform projects quickly, saving you time to watch the NBA playoffs or that next round of Jeopardy is having the right tools for the job.

But as I said, most of us will procrastinate forever and try to build skyscrapers using nothing but a hammer and a putty knife. Take my word; the best investment a man can make in his life is in the contents of his toolbox and workshop. Sure, that investment can cost you a fortune over a lifetime, but not if you shop wisely. And that’s the point of this article, for the best deals you’ll find on tools is not at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love both stores and would rather be browsing their shelves than visiting my local sports bar (sounds corny but true). But when I shop for tools I go online. The savings can be enormous on many items.

A great place to get started when shopping for tools is 1-Tools.com, at http://www.1-tools.com — your central resource center for tools of all kinds. This excellent information hub for tools, hardware and home improvement provides links to the best tool sites online, articles about tools, tool auctions, books about tools and much more. Do yourself a big favor and check out 1-Tools.com before you make your next tool purchase.

About the Author

Craig Whitley is a jack-of-all-trades, ranging from author to web entrepreneur. He created 1-Tools.com for guys just like himself that treasure time with the sofa and remote control more than the time it takes to build a picnic table using nothing but a ball ping hammer, nails and a hacksaw. His message - “Buy the right tools for the job online and save money.”