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House-flipping can be a great investment for those who have the skills, the money and the wherewithal to complete a labor-intensive renovation, and in areas of the country where real estate is either hot or affordable, it can be tempting to snap up distressed properties with the intention to fix and quickly resell. But while house flippers on TV shows and Instagram may make it seem their endeavor only has upsides, it’s not a decision that should be entered into lightly....

Curb appeal matters to three sets of people. Primarily, you and your family—bringing a smile and sense of pride on a daily basis. Secondly, your neighbors, who may even have a say in your home’s appearance because of homeowners association or historic district rules. Finally, curb appeal is crucial to would-be buyers you may hope to attract someday. According to a Michigan State University study, attention to curb appeal can increase perceived home value by 5 to 11 percent....

To work that fast takes practice and a few specialized tools. But hanging drywall is not just about speed. Doing the job right means using screws of the correct length, off-setting panels so seams don’t line up, and making sure wires and pipes aren’t vulnerable to puncture. Installing drywall is easy enough for a homeowner, as long as there’s someone to help; the heavy sheets are difficult to lift, particularly when doing ceilings....

Resources: Heath installed an Allure 32 Wall Hanging Electric Fireplace Insert, which is manufactured by Napoleon Fireplaces. Since Heath was unable to find an insert that perfectly matched the strange dimensions of the opening at the house, he built up a frame for a “fake hearth” to fill in the rest of the hole. For this, he used regular pocket screws and 2x4” lumber, which can be found at any home center....

DIY Cat Bed Directions: 1. Mark the Basket Size Place the basket onto the plywood. Using a pencil, mark the outline of the basket on the plywood. 2. Cut the Plywood Using a jigsaw, cut just inside the marked outline to allow the panel to find inside the basket. Check for a snug fit inside the basket—trim as needed. Trace the cutout onto a new piece of plywood, and then cut a second circular piece to create two levels....

In the video above, you’ll see a simple box that Tom and Kevin fashioned, fittingly, from pieces of an old salvaged fir door. Doors like this were often made from beautiful knot-free wood with a tight, straight grain. When oiled it turns a warm honey hue. Yet Tom also made sure to leave behind unmistakable clues about this wood’s origins: See the spots where the hinges were attached? How Shadow Boxes Work A shadow box can be made of wood and has a glass-front so you can see the items that you’ll store inside it....

What happens with most stains is that people do the best they can to remove them from the top surface of the mattress. But deeply penetrating stains, especially those from bodily fluids, call for a process that’s a bit more intense. And if you just cover them up, these types of stains often become the source of odors in your bedroom, leading you to replace your mattress well before the recommended seven to ten years....

Steps for Scaling Up an Image Tools

Tips for Storing Yard Tools in the Winter Don’t let oil sit over the winter When a tool sits around unused, the oil inside gets sludgy, making the engine less efficient. Drain oil from a push mower by unscrewing the plug beneath the motor and catching the liquid in a pan. Other lawn power tools can be drained in a similar manner. Drop off the dregs at your town’s haz-waste facility, or visit Earth 911 for a list of recycling centers....

Since the windows are placed at a higher elevation, high-quality hurricane glass was installed to protect the windows during harsh winters and storms. With impressive hardware quality and durability, Shayla and Scott are pleased with the results Marvin provided in their home.

When a family move relocated Jenn and her husband to rural Massachusetts, they finally got to put that knowledge to use on a fixer-upper of their own. To document her woodworking and house projects, Jenn started her blog, Build Basic. Over the next few years, she set out to prove her blog’s motto; “You don’t need expensive tools and advanced training to create high-quality furniture and home goods from scratch—you just have to know the basics....

For basements, you should use a compound that contains Portland cement rather than gypsum because it won’t be affected by moisture. Before you pour, give the existing slab a thorough cleaning with a degreaser to remove any contaminants that might interfere with achieving a strong bond. Step-by-Step Instructions for Leveling a Concrete Floor Tools:

With hundreds of thousands of confirmed cases in the U.S., the CDC recommends that Americans take measures to minimize the chances of contracting and spreading the disease in their homes and communities. While it’s important to remain calm, it is the right time to consider how you can improve cleaning patterns to help protect your home and family. How to Clean Your Home to Prevent Coronavirus Spread Generally, the tactics for preventing the spread of the virus are similar to preventing any cold or flu....

In this episode: Avonlea and Joe’s house is one of the first rebuilds started in Paradise. They are starting to think about finishing touches. Instead of a fireplace, they’ve decided to go with a wood stove. Joe, who works with stone for a living, is fabricating a stone hearth in his shop. Kevin gets a tour of the house from Avonlea before visiting Joe’s shop where the work happens. They return to the house with the hearth and lay it out in the corner....

In this episode: From large scale industry to small town makers, over the years This Old House has explored the places that provide building and finishing materials for our projects. We look back at some fascinating factories we’ve visited. Original Air Date: Oct 11, 2020 Season 42; Ep.2 23:43 Products and Services from this Episode: Side Trips: Interior doors: Baird Brothers Fine HardwoodsWindow glass: Cardinal Glass IndustriesBathtub: KohlerWindow factory: MarvinPrecast concrete walls: Superior Walls; Weaver PrecastDimensional framing lumber: Weyerhaeuser

The 5 Best Saatva Mattress Sales Saatva may be a luxury mattress brand, but that doesn’t mean buyers can’t snag one of their American-made mattresses for a great price. When looking for a new mattress, price is always a consideration, especially if you’re getting a new bed frame or accessories. While Saatva beds can be on the pricier end of the spectrum, each of their mattresses comes with complimentary white glove delivery (meaning they’ll deliver your new mattress and set it up and also remove your old mattress for you), a lifetime warranty, a whole year to test the bed out plus free shipping....