buildsmartblog.blogspot.com
Advice from BuildSmart: August 2013
http://buildsmartblog.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html
Monday, 26 August 2013. What’s your home renovation program? On large commercial or institutional projects, the client spends a lot of time creating what’s called a program or project scope (not to be confused with a government program, like the FHA 203k one we discuss here). This document is given to the architect/design team and acts as kind of a project bible to define the goals of the project. Typically, a program/scope document addresses:. Square footages of all affected areas. For most local home b...
buildsmartblog.blogspot.com
Advice from BuildSmart: September 2012
http://buildsmartblog.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html
Wednesday, 26 September 2012. Renovation - What you should know about your window replacement contractor. If your mailbox looks anything like mine, each week you receive a coupon or special offer from a company offering to replace your windows. Free windows, free sliding doors, trips to Hawaii, etc. Why all the junk mail? A window is only as good as the installation and that is usually left to the field crew. Part of the challenge of getting a good installation with these companies is their focus is ...
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Advice from BuildSmart: October 2013
http://buildsmartblog.blogspot.com/2013_10_01_archive.html
Wednesday, 9 October 2013. Building permits, zoning issues and the design police. Although building permit requirements will vary from place to place, getting a building permits will involve a completed permit application and some form of plans documenting the work. Ultimately, all building departments are interested in two primary issues:. You do this by demonstrating via a site plan and other relevant documents. BuildSmart is prepared to help you organize this type of presentation. They have very speci...
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Advice from BuildSmart: Lenders and mortgage brokers
http://buildsmartblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/lenders-and-mortgage-brokers.html
Wednesday, 19 June 2013. Lenders and mortgage brokers. Since the real estate shake out, the world of lending has changed tremendously. Previously, everyone was a mortgage broker or “mortgage banker” if you were high-falutin. Storefronts for independent mortgage brokers opened faster than Budweiser stand at a NASCAR race - appeared faster than ice cream trucks on a sunny day. Before, the economic reset, having transaction close successfully this was less of an issue, however, with tighter underwriting and...
buildsmartblog.blogspot.com
Advice from BuildSmart: July 2013
http://buildsmartblog.blogspot.com/2013_07_01_archive.html
Friday, 26 July 2013. Home inspectors occupy a strange role in the real estate transaction. Since virtually every lender requires a home inspection before making a loan, you obviously need them for a transaction. The costs of these inspections (typically $300-$400) is paid for by the home owner, so in theory at least, the home inspector is working for the buyer. BuildSmart take away: don't assume a home inspector is working for you. Consider using one who isn't directly tied to your agent.
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Advice from BuildSmart: April 2013
http://buildsmartblog.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html
Monday, 22 April 2013. Putting together the right team for your project. What’s the only thing worse than having no team for your investment, remodelling or rebuilding project? Having the wrong team! The traditional way of finding and connecting with these people was asking friends and relatives to refer you to a real estate agent, contractor, etc. The problem with this approach is two-fold. First, if you’re new to an area you just might not know that many people to ask. There’s also an important e...
buildsmartblog.blogspot.com
Advice from BuildSmart: May 2013
http://buildsmartblog.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.html
Monday, 27 May 2013. Choosing your team the Buildsmart way. Too often, what happens when you're ready to start a renovation project, either through buying and rehabilitating a distressed property, or adding value to an existing one is that you don't take the time to identify the best people for the jobs at hand. Some preliminary pleasantries are exchanged and then they’re retained. Locating the professionals for your team is only the first step in the process. Because you both collect old type writers?
buildsmartblog.blogspot.com
Advice from BuildSmart: September 2013
http://buildsmartblog.blogspot.com/2013_09_01_archive.html
Friday, 13 September 2013. Do you need a permit? Do you need a permit? This is a bit of a “chicken and egg” question. In a perfect world, you’d only take on a renovation project that didn’t require a permit. I think of these projects as a refreshing; interior paint, carpet and floor covering, cabinet re-facing, etc. These are all activities that don’t require a permit. There are some relatively simple projects that usually require a permit, these include:. Moving or removing a non-structural wall.