Saturday, October 19, 2013



The Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Roofing

Roof is an essential part of any building. This is because it is the top most covering of a house. Besides being essential, a goodlooking roof also adds beauty to your house.  There are several kinds of roofing available nowadays. These roofs are also made of different materials like metals, woods, asphalt, fiber glass and mud flap. Each material endows a unique look to the roof and is suited for different styles of houses. They also have their set of advantages. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Home Improvements: What Additions Maximize Your ROI?


Deciding which home improvements add the most value to a property remains one of the biggest challenges facing both homeowners and real estate investors. Installing the right home improvements can maximize your return on investment (ROI).
All too often, misconceptions result in terrible remodeling choices. Those implementing poor home improvements may fail to create additional profits for their investment. Furthermore, installing the wrong fixtures can lead to recouped costs and serve to devalue the property as a whole.
So, what home improvements will yield the best returns?
Focusing investment funds on key home improvements will increase your ROI. Particular areas to focus on include: curb appeal, neutral paint applications and key room additions.
According to Inman News, garage doors, adding decks and replacing front doors can result in high yields for an investor. Still, this can often mean seeing just 75% of dollars invested recouped. If this number sounds miserable, or even shocking, then the 2013 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine may be an even bigger eye opener.
The recently published study reveals the average cost of popular home improvement projects in 81 U.S. cities. Of particular concern, however, are reports that suggest average projects witness a 50% return or less on investments. Knowing which home improvements to invest on can mean the difference between success and failure.
However, like everything else in real estate, remodeling project ROI is also highly dependent on “location, location, location.” Depending on where you live, home improvements can greatly affect your ROI in different ways.
Materials and labor costs can vary between locations. In other words, don’t plan on copying investors in New York while you yourself are investing in San Diego.
Recognize the most in demand home features for specific locations. What may be in demand in one region may be disliked in another.
So whether you are flipping houses, want to increase your investment returns, or just make smarter home improvements, consult a professional to get some feedback on your plans. Make sure you get multiple bids on contractor work and are ready for overages. Consult an appraiser and determine what real, tangible difference plans will make to actual appraised value.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Who said you can't be traditionally modern?
DAS HAUS - HARRIS
It combines minimalistic and traditional design. Great for mediterranean-like weather such as in Southern California or even southern belt states as it takes great advantage of the sun withit's number of terraces and patios. This highly customizable design is only available from our designers at dashausdesign.com.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Who said architecture is not therapeutic?


It stands to reason that architectural design should bring peace to the soul and purpose to space. This 3d minimalist animation from youtube illustrates this concept in an almost therapeutic manner. Enjoy.


As you watch you may notice the abundance of long horizontal lines and an abundance of eating spaces which denote a multi-family complex. Also we find interesting how the structure actually blends with the background and does not produce a stark break from nature.

From start to finish, great room addition and remodeling job!




Great video we found online about addition and remodeling through the various from the planing stages until the final product. 

Friday, June 7, 2013

How do I know if I need more insulation to keep cool in the summer?

I live in the desert of southern California so it can get pretty hot in the summer (110°F is not uncommon). I would like to lower my electric bill, but more to the point, I want to ensure that our house is comfortable without the air conditioning running all the time. What can I do?
Insulation is always good, hot or cold. There are a lot of other considerations to save energy and keep cool. Air leaks, unprotected windows, and ventilation are also important factors. Perhaps you can find an energy audit professional that is not in the business of selling you a product, but rather an honest evaluation and recommendations for your specific situation. Also, keep in mind: there are still some Federal energy tax credits available and perhaps some State ones in your area.