Review of Backyard Dog (Paperback)

This book gave me a feeling of connection to the characters (puppies)while at the same time it taught me a lot about how people don't really understand how deeply their pets feel.As a proverbial optimist, I wantto believe in the best in people.After reading this book, I came to realize that some people really are not very sensitive nor kind.In fact, there were times when I wanted to reach into the page and grab a character to say, "You're dog is in trouble."I know that any animal lover will have a hard time putting this book down - it's a true grabber.

Product Description
When Risa receives a mysterious book from the Rainbow Bridge committee, the shelter worker is thrust into the life stories of ten German shepherd puppies through their journey from birth, their home lives and to the Rainbow Bridge, where all loved dogs wait for their owners to join them. Read about the lives of Helga's ten puppies as they share each personal story. Filled with humorous adventures, courageous acts and love, every pet lover will enjoy this book. About the author: 15+ years volunteer for rescue orgs and shelters; 5 yrs animal control officer. 2 Chapters: http://members.aol.com/wolfalpha9/newBYD.htm

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Review of Homing Instinct: Using Your Lifestyle to Design & Build Your Home (Paperback)

If you are going to build your own home, then reading this book is aninvestment in your future. It will take you step-by-step thru the processof tailoring the building and site to fit you and your family for years tocome. From where the building will sit on the site, to deciding how tocreate living spaces that fit your living both now, and in the future.



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Review of Simple Home Repairs: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-28 (Paperback)

Where was this years ago? It has a lot of good help with around the house repairs with illustrations. I just wish it had more. This publisher never lets me down.

Product Description
Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

From the Back Cover
Since the 1973 publication of Storey's first Country Wisdom Bulletin, our commitment to preserving the arts, crafts, and skills of country life has never wavered. We now have more than 200 titles in this series of 32-page publications, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins contain practical, hands-on instructions designed to help you master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. From traditional skills to the newest techniques, Storey's Bulletins provide a foundation of earth-friendly information for the way you want to live today.



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Review of Home Book: The Ultimate Guide to Repairs & Improvements (Hardcover)

I regretably returned this book since it did not describe how home improvements should be done but instead it just describes what needs to be done.The book read more like an encylopedia than a "do-it-yourself" manual - lots of information but not very helpful.I much prefer Standley's home repair manual which describes, for instance, how to caulk or different techniques for sanding.



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Review of Logs, Wind and Sun: Handcraft Your Own Log Home ... Then Power It with Nature [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

When I started reading Logs Wind and Sun, I imagined I would skim the more detailed parts about construction since I don't plan to build a log home. I bought the book because I was interested in solar and wind generated electricity. But in the end, I read everything. Whenever I tried to skim, I soon came across something that caught my interest and, before I realized it, I was totally entranced with the story. The framed inserts break up the flow of the text and add little tid bits of information just when some variety is necessary. Rex's Maxims and LaVonne's Verities are a novel way of introducing light humor while at the same time making an important point. The illustrations were very concise, attractive and easily understandable. The photography was out of this world and the photos very appropriately located within the text. Every photo enhanced the message on the page where it was found. Logs Wind and Sunis clearly a product of team work, the story of a couple who, working together, accomplished their dream. I loved it, and also learned what I wanted to know about solar and wind power.



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Review of Making Bentwood Trellises, Arbors, Gates & Fences (Rustic Home Series) (Paperback)

This book gives good directions and shows many attractive ideas. I am going to try a living fence and some supports for pole beans in the garden-that should be much prettier than the metal posts and twine I used last year.



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Review of How to Build Your Own Greenhouse (Paperback)

I originally bought this because I am thinking about making a greenhouse.The book is very comprehensive with lots of drawings and pictures.It was well worth the investment.

Product Description
For avid gardeners, the biggest downside of the hobby is the limited growing season in much of the country. Gardening during the winter is often reduced to tending houseplants and browsing seed catalogs for next summer's tomato choices.

Master Gardener and builder Roger Marshall enthusiastically presents his case for home greenhouses with a thorough examination of everything the potential builder needs to know. Marshall's coverage of the subject begins with a careful consideration of the various purposes served by greenhouses. Will the structure be used as a damp, warm hothouse for rare orchids? A tropical paradise for banana and citrus trees? A friendlier environment in which to get a jump on a summer vegetable garden is the goal for many gardeners, while an inviting setting for a year-round hot tub surrounded by lush greenery has an undeniable appeal. Whatever its eventual use will be, Marshall helps the reader examine every option and make an informed choice.

After determining the type and style of the structure, Marshall progresses, chapter by chapter, through the construction elements of the greenhouse - from choosing a site, to laying the foundation and determining which glazing material will work best. Plumbing, heating, supplemental lighting, misting, and automatic venting systems are also covered for the truly committed reader/gardener.

The final section of the book includes detailed plans for nine actual greenhouses, from a simple cold frame to an elaborately detailed framed, detached structure. Whatever the greenhouse goal, Marshall opens the way to longer growing seasons, abundant organically grown fruits and vegetables, and many more happy months playing in the dirt!

About the Author
Roger Marshall is a Master Gardener who has written widely on gardening and home improvement. At his home in Jamestown, Rhode Island, he has built a greenhouse, cold frames, a hot bed, and several hoop houses in which he grows vegetables, flowers, and a wide range of exotic fruit trees and vines.

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Review of Ortho's All About Wiring Basics (Ortho's All About Home Improvement) (Paperback)

Five stars should be saved for fiction which moves you.. and a four star cap for non-fiction. So the casual reader of reviews knows where I stand on this 'how-to' book..I loved it, used it and reccomend it.The first page breaks the ice..."If you do it wrong..it won't catch on fire, it just won't light up".. It was all I needed to read.. Armed with this book I've rewired my house.The Electrical inspector said the quality of work exceeded that of a professional. I of course was just following the advice of "ORTHO'S ALL ABOUT WIRING BASICS". The wiring diagrams are excellent, the text clear. Should you hesitate taking advice about electricity from a name known for gardening, please let this review be your guid and give it a try.

Product Description
Guides readers through common residential wiring projects, ensuring technical accuracy and electrical safety.

Helpful tip boxes give practical, expert advice.

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Review of Log Homes Made Easy: Contracting and Building Your Own Log Home (Paperback)

Just what it says in his description of why he wrote the book. It is NOT for the owner/builder, however it will make you think. After reading this book any subcontractor or supplier will have to earn his money. I now knowwhat to look for in my future dealings with log home businesses. Hiscontributions to Log Home Living Magazine are invaluable to owners andfuture owners and dreamers.

Product Description
6 x 925 b/w photos40 drawings Complete, inexpensive guide to building log homes Kits, financing, and construction How to be your own general contractor"For enthusiasts and would-be inhabitants of log homes, Cooper provides concise and sensible information . . . Recommended." -Library JournalThe revised and updated edition of this best-selling guide (first edition, 0-8117-2422-0) outlines what every owner-contractor needs to know before beginning a dream log home-getting started; comparing price quotes; researching on the Internet; choosing an architect; planning the site, road, well, and septic systems; finding and managing subcontractors; and scheduling and controlling costs. The author also explores the myths and realities of log home life, including maintenance and energy efficiency.Jim Cooper owns Oak Ridge Log Homes in Frederick, Maryland.



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Review of The Smart Approach to Home Renovation (Paperback)

I like the opening sentence of this book, 'Before you take a single step toward fulfilling your remodeling dreams, do a thorough reality check.' Having been through a serious remodel (after a fire) I can assure you that the advice she gives is well founded. Her ideas on working with contractors are very good, but I'd add one more thing to check - contractors are bonded. Find out how big the bond is. If it's say $20,000 and he defaults on four projects, you're only covered to $5,000, max.

Kitchens, this book, and most other books on remodeling show kitchens that have commercial grade gas stovetops. They're really neat, but wait until you see the price of new ones. However, restaurants go out of business and the stoves last forever, you might get a really good price on a used unit. Or in my kitchen I got one that had been used by the restaurant supply company at a trade show. It wasn't new, but the price was less than half.

Tile floor in the kitchen? It looks great. Don't drop anything. A jar of mayo that falls on a carpet is usually OK. On tile, it's a mess.

All in all, lots of good words here that if heeded can save you a bundle of money, of aggravation.

Product Description
Thinking about remodeling but perhaps a little unsure of what to expect? The Smart Approach to® Home Renovation is the latest title in the best-selling series of Smart Approach books. The Smart Approach to® Home Renovation counsels would-be remodelers about the process, from planning and budgeting through completion. Included are the stories of real-life homeowners and their makeovers that include kitchens, baths, additions, exterior updates, and outdoor living spaces. These "Case Studies" are followed by picture-driven Design Workbooks that illustrate important design features within the projects. In all, the book contains hundreds of photographs that include both before and after shots of remodelings, plus plenty of inspirational photos. Like all of the books in this popular series, The Smart Approach to® Home Renovation contains Smart Steps in each chapter that take the homeowner through the process of planning and design. Smart Tips throughout provide special condensed but important pieces of information. An extensive Resource Guide in the back of the book offers information regarding related manufacturers and associations.

Book Description
The Smart Approach to Home Renovation is the latest title in the best-selling series of Smart Approach books. Author Susan Boyle Hillstrom counsels would-be remodelers about the process, from planning and budgeting through completion. She also tells the stories of real-life homeowners and their makeovers that include kitchens, baths, additions, exterior updates, and outdoor living spaces. These "Case Studies" are followed by picture-driven Design Workbooks that illustrate important design features within the projects. In all, the book contains hundred of photographs that include both before and after shots of remodelings, plus plenty of inspirational photos. Like all of the books in this popular series, The Smart Approach to Home Renovation contains Smart Steps in each chapter that take the homeowner through the process of planning and design. Smart Tips throughout provide special condensed but important pieces of information that will prove invaluable to the homeowner.
An extensive Resource Guide at the back of the book offers information regarding related manufacturers and associations.




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Review of Home Machinists Handbook (Paperback)

The Home Machinist's Handbook is a wonderful first book for anyoneinterested in learning how to create parts in metal at home with small (orlarge) machine tools. The book covers all of the essentials in a clearreadable style and includes plenty of helpful illustrations and photos. Ican't recommend this book highly enough if you're just starting out in thehobby.

Product Description
Here's everything the do-it-yourselfer needs to set up, and operate a handy-man's machine shop. Areas covered range from shop requirements and proper lighting to buying, using, and storing tools.

About the Author
McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

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Review of The Naturally Clean Home (Paperback)

This book has a lot of recipes that use essential oils in the mixtures. It is up to date(2008).I will refer to it often to create new cleaning recipes.It also makes a great gift book especially when one becomes aware of all the toxins in cleaning items now on the market.

Product Description
It's time to "green" that cleaning routine! Millions of Americans are replacing harsh chemical cleansers with ecofriendly alternatives. Unfortunately, most commercial green cleaners are expensive, and they often come with dubious environmental claims.

Effective, nontoxic alternatives can be mixed up easily from kitchen staples - baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, herbs, and borax - plus a handful of easy-to-find essential oils. In the second edition of The Naturally Clean Home, Karyn Siegel-Maier offers 150 all-natural recipes for cleaning every area of the home - from bathrooms to bedding, and from carpets to cabinetry.

Siegel-Maier, a writer specializing in complementary therapies whose work is featured in such publications as Mother Earth News and Natural Living Today, presents quick recipes for cleansers that are nontoxic, biodegradable, and freshsmelling. Formulas are so simple that even a novice can make them, yet they are as effective as the commercial options. Best of all, these recipes are much less expensive than commercial cleaners; most can be made for mere pennies per use.

With the second edition of this popular book comes a host of hard-working new recipes, including Rosemary-Geranium Floor Wipes for electrostatic floor mops, Thyme to Make Your Own Carpet Steamer, Weekend Warrior Wicker Wash, Telephone Dirty Talk Tamer, Clear the Air Room Spritzer, and Lavender Lift Automatic Dishwasher Soap.

Siegel-Maier also offers recipes for outdoor spaces - like Shoo-Fly Shake to keep flies away from your backyard barbecue - and covers areas less commonly considered in the cleaning routine: garden, houseplants, computer, even the septic tank!

Whether scrubbing or scouring, degreasing or dusting, The Naturally Clean Home makes it fun to mix up chemical-free products that are easy on home and planet!

About the Author
Karyn Siegel-Maier is a freelance writer specializing in herbs, alternative medicine, and health. She has written for many magazines, including Let's Live, Natural Living Today, Real Woman, Mother Earth News, Delicious!, and Better Nutrition. Visit her at www.herbmusings.com.

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Review of Creating the Not So Big House: Insights and Ideas for the New American Home (Paperback)

It's rare that a sequel is better than the original.This was one of them.Where The Not So Big House was pretty and pretty much content-free, this book provided real floorplans, and real houses, which I feel helped to communicate Susanka's ideas more clearly.

I also found this book far less irritating than the first, and therefore more useful, in no small part because some of her hard -- and alienating -- positions have been considerably softened.No longer does she claim that dining rooms are obsolete because "nobody uses them" (I do).She seems much more willing to accept that there are lots of different lifestyles out there, and a house should be built to work with the lifestyle of its owners.

If you are in the planning phases for a new house, or are just looking for ideas on how to make your current house more liveable, this is an excellent resource.In fact, I would suggest that you skip the first book altogether.



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Review of Feather Your Nest: The Complete Guide to Outfitting, Cleaning, Organizing, and Caring for Your Home (Paperback)

I know the title may not sound that exciting but this is a really useful book. Ever had a stain on a favorite piece of clothing you didn't know how to get rid of? This book will help. Ever spilt red wine on the carpet and frantically worried what to do? This book will help.

Two parts old fashioned remedies (your grandparents will be impressed with some of the solutions here) and two parts modern career woman sensibility, this book would make an ideal leaving home gift for son or daughter or a great engagement present.

Product Description
Keeping house is an art that many of us have lost. With more of us working long hours outside the home and spending less time within it-mainly chasing after kids or crashing out on the couch-we don't have time to make the bed, let alone polish the silver. And yet we love our homes and want them to be comfortable, clean, and safe-we just need someone to tell us how.

Cerentha Harris, herself a harried working mom, offers practical, stylish strategies for cleaning and caring for the home. She understands the concerns of today's readers. Her tips are time saving and easy to follow, and whenever possible they're environmentally sound: Instead of relying on expensive, and perhaps harmful, chemicals, Harris shows us how to tackle the toughest of home tasks with earth-friendly cleansers and a bit of ingenuity and elbow grease.

For anyone who has ever wondered how to decorate on a budget; wash a feather-filled duvet; baby-proof, pet-proof, or burglarproof; sanitize the kitchen and deter pests; clean textured wallpaper (bread works best); or otherwise make their home stylish, cozy, and truly their own, Feather Your Nest is an indispensable, delightful companion.

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Review of John Deere 52 Backyard Landscaping Projects: Designing, Planting, and Building the Yard of Your Dreams One Weekend at a Time (Paperback)

I love this book. A little of everything if you're looking for new ideas...even if you have an idea on what you want to do, i'm sure you'll find a cool way to do it in this book. Has a lot of pictures or diagrams. Easy reading and colorful.

Product Description
The second in a series of John Deere books published by Quayside, John Deere 52 Backyard Landscaping Projects is the perfect companion and follow-up to John Deere Landscaping and Lawn Care. Once homeowners have a handle on what they need to do to their yard and when the need to do it in order to keep their lawn and landscape green and healthy, they will want to learn how to improve upon it.John Deere 52 Backyard Landscaping Projects provides simple projects that are relevant to today's homeowners. While most books cover, design, building, planting with an extensive gardening section devoted to plant care, types, etc. this book is unique in that it offers simple weekend landscaping projects and it carried the John Deere stamp of approval.

• Easy to follow step-by-step instructions
• All projects can be completed in a weekend's time

About the Author
Kristen Hampshire is an award-winning writer. Her work has been published in a wide range of nationally recognized magazines. She has also served as an editor for two green industry publications, Commercial Dealer and Bayer Environmental ScienceÆs Lawn Care Professional. Her most recent book is John DeereÆs Landscaping and Lawn Care.

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Review of Crafting With Copper: 27 Creative Projects for Home & Garden (Paperback)

It was okay but I really am looking for much harder project information. I am wanting to make a rainchain and the example in the book was much too simple. I'm looking for harder 'how to' examples.

Product Description
Artistic Metal Work Made Simple

Fabulous works of metal art don't require expensive materials, dangerous tools, or special safety gear. Ordinary copper tubing and rolls of sheet copper are available at any hardware store or home center, and can be used for an infinite number of clever and creative craft items. Crafting with Copper gives readers complete plans and directions for 27 easy-to-build projects they'll be proud to display in home and garden, or give away as gifts.

Working with copper is a remarkably easy craft-one that will introduce readers to the wonderful world ofcreative metal work and build confidence in their skills. Soft and bendable yet rigid enough to hold its shape, copper pieces can be fashioned with simple cuttings tools and cheap propane torches, or put together with screws or glue.

About the Author
Jana Freiband is an award-winning artist who has studied and taught photography and design at several prominent institutions in the U.S. and abroad. She has published numerous articles on fine art and travel.Jana lives in Minneapolis, MN

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Review of The Modular Home (Paperback)

If you are considering the purchase of a modular home, I highly recommend this book. Every page is bursting with great information, and the amount of detail is tremendous. The author doesn't gloss over important topics. The only complaint I have is that after reading the book, you get the impression, that modular homes are the greatest thing since the Hoover Dam. Modular homes are like cars. Some are great, and some are awful. I think the author's main goal is to promote the entire industry, rather than share unbiased information on the topic. You have to be very careful with an investment of this magnitude. I've heard a lot of bad things about Modulars in my area. Is that the dealer or manufacturers fault? It could be both. The author warns you about this, but it's very difficult to separate fact from fiction in this business. There is no Consumer Reports for Modular homes. If there is such a publication, I'd love to know about it. I think you can tell a lot about a dealer by who he uses as a manufacturer. If you could determine the good and bad manufacturers, I think you would be half way there. Of course, the same could be said of stick builders, I guess. But most stick builders are not using open faced floor joists and glued drywall. Is that a better way of building or a huge savings in material and labor costs? My feeling is that it's merely a cost savings, and not really a revolutionary way to build. But most, if not all, modular manufacturers use these building techniques. Unless you see visit a home that's been in place for more than 10 years, how can you really know if these techniques are a problem? And since dealers will tell you that the manufacturing continues to improve each year, if you do see problems in some of these older homes, you might be led to believe that your home won't have the same issues because the technology is so much better. The author does not go into such details. Nor can he, because he would be raising questions about the very business he is in.

Product Description
Home buyers and house architects agree: the most exciting things on the housing market today are modular homes. They can be built and reach move-in condition in just a few weeks, and they offer a host of customizing possibilities.

Now Andy Gianino, founder and president of The Home Store, the largest dealer of modular homes in the Northeast, has written a comprehensive handbook for prospective modular home buyers. The book is packed with everything you need to know about buying and building a modular home--or a modular addition to your existing home.

Gianino dispels the misconceptions about the limitations of modular homes and shows potential buyers that a modular home can be as good as, if not better than, houses built with traditional stick-frame construction. Then he gets down to the nitty-gritty: choosing a dealer, working with a general contractor, selecting a floor plan, choosing the customized details, even planning the landscaping around the house. Throughout the book the emphasis is on top-quality materials and cost-effective measures to ensure that the buyer gets their dream home at a great price. What's more, this book is equally useful for anyone already in the modular business or looking to get in as a dealer, manufacturer, designer, or specialized general contractor.

Illustrated throughout with a 16-page fullcolor insert, plus a host of house plans, The Modular Home shows home buyers how going modular can expand their choices, save time, save money, and prove to be more durable than conventionally-built houses.



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Review of Clean It Fast, Clean It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Making Absolutely Everything You Own Sparkle & Shine (Paperback)

If you have just started your own home and you feel that you are standing at the bottom of a mountain not knowing where to start cleaning from, then you should get this book. I wish I had this book when I first moved to myown house. It would save me time and also I wouldn't be so much stressedeverytime I needed to clean (that's excausting myself twice a week).

Thebook begins with instructions as to how to organize your cleaning schedule,what should your priority be, and what should be the last thing to do.Andclean it like a pro, fast & right! Also, how to get rid of your clutteronce and for all. It gives you advise as to what kind of detergents youshould use,which cleaners are hazardous, which ones you should avoid andwhy. What I liked here, is How to hunt microbes (!)

In part two, it hasan A-Z reference with everything you can find in a house, and how to cleanit, so when you have a problem with a particular item, you don't justscroll up and down to find it, the A-Z makes it so easy.

Part three,again it's an A-Z rundown of everything you will need to know about.Inthis part, it gives further and more detailed information about cleaners aswell as tools for cleaning.

Product Description
This book does for cleaning what Joy of Cooking did for food preparation. More than 250 experts tell you precisely how to clean more than 300 common items in and around your home. Not only will you get your carpets, countertops, windows, dishes, and laundry into pristine shape, you'll also learn how to clean:

CAMERAS from the dean of the New York Institute of Photography

DOLLS from a co-owner of the Denver Doll Hospital

FISHING GEAR from TV's Mark Sosin, host of Mark Sosin's Saltwater Journal

SHOES from the editor of Shoe Service Magazine

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS from top musicians for the New York Philharmonic

BICYCLES from the technical editor for Bicycling magazine

PAINTINGS from a conservator at the Guggenheim Museum

FLOORS from the clean-up crew for the Los Angeles Lakers

EVEN TAXIDERMY from Roy Rogers Jr., who cares for that famous steed Trigger

AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU OWN! from world authorities on fast and effective cleaning

What's more, you'll learn how to: Cut your cleaning time in half with secret shortcuts. Kill millions of germs you never knew were lurking. Conquer clutter. Protect your valuables from aging. Relieve allergies. And make powerful, Earth-friendly cleaning solutions that cost only pennies. A special bonus section tells you everything you need to know about buying and using more than 60 kinds of cleaning tools and chemicals.

Keep Clean It Fast, Clean It Right on an easy-access shelf in your home-- because you'll consult it frequently for decades to come!




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Review of How to Increase the Value of Your Home: Simple, Budget-Conscious Techniques and Ideas That Will Make Your Home Worth Up to $100,000 More! (Paperback)

I'm preparing to sell my house and this book is exactly what I wanted to help me figure out what I needed to do, what I could do, and what I shouldn't bother with. On top of it's rather useful information, it's highly readable. I was afraid it would be overly wordy or bogged down with real estate-y stuff, but it's an easy read for your casual non-DIYer home seller. I wouldn't recommend that you use this as your reference on your first flip or anything, but if you want to sell your house and prepare it as well as possible first, this book suits.

Product Description
The guide to maximizing the value of your most valuable asset

Millions of Americans are investing in home improvements, hoping to increase the long-term value of their most valuable asset. But do you know which home improvements will make your home's value jump, and those that won't? This practical guide covers all of the topics every homeowner must consider before getting started--improvements that add the most value, which should be undertaken first, and how to do it right from the very start. From remodeling the kitchen to landscaping the front yard and everything in between, you'll learn which improvements you should undertake, and which are a waste of your time and money.

How to Improve the Value of Your Home will help you get the most bang for your home-improvement buck--with handy tips on lowering the cost of home maintenance and home improvement projects. If you aren't sure whether now is the right time to remodel, a simple quiz helps you to determine what you can afford to do and what to expect as a long-term payoff.

And there's more:

*Calculate the cost versus the value of improvements
*What homework you need to do before tackling additions
*How to find the resources and information you need
*Where to find the right contractor to do the work
*How to set a home-improvement budget
*Ways to improve home energy efficiency
*Tips on saving on home insurance
*Simple ways to create curb appeal

Vicki Lankarge is a consumer writer and expert in protecting and improving the value of homes. Her works appears on aol.com, CBS Marketwatch, and MSN.com.

Daniel J. Nahorney is a home improvement weekend warrior, a journalist, business writer, and magazine editor.

From the Back Cover

The guide to maximizing the value of your most valuable asset

..

Millions of Americans are investing in home improvements, hoping to increase the long-term value of their most valuable asset. But do you know which home improvements will make your home's value jump, and those that won't? This practical guide covers all of the topics every homeowner must consider before getting started--improvements that add the most value, which should be undertaken first, and how to do it right from the very start. From remodeling the kitchen to landscaping the front yard and everything in between, you'll learn which improvements you should undertake, and which are a waste of your time and money.

..

How to Improve the Value of Your Home will help you get the most bang for your home-improvement buck--with handy tips on lowering the cost of home maintenance and home improvement projects. If you aren't sure whether now is the right time to remodel, a simple quiz helps you to determine what you can afford to do and what to expect as a long-term payoff.

..

And there's more:

.

.
• Calculate the cost versus the value of improvements .
• What homework you need to do before tackling additions .
• How to find the resources and information you need .
• Where to find the right contractor to do the work .
• How to set a home-improvement budget .
• Ways to improve home energy efficiency .
• Tips on saving on home insurance .
• Simple ways to create curb appeal .

.



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Review of Black & Decker Complete Home Repair (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide) [DELUXE EDITION] (Vinyl Bound)

There are certain skills that are "wasted" on no one.Home repair is one such skill.I believe that 5 weeks after purchasing this book - the book has already paid for itself.My parents moved back into mygrandmother's 1960-era house after she passed away last year.The housewas in need of a few repairs, but money was a limiting factor.I had tofind a way to teach myself (and my dad) how to weatherproof the basement,replacing an ancient water heater & dishwasher, replace several outletswith new GFCI (p. 397!) outlets, and finally, how to update the upstair'sfaucets and fixtures.I logged onto Amazon.com and typed-in HOME REPAIR. To be honest, I chose this book because it had 500+ pages and two 5-starreviews.When this book arrived, I instantly felt the weight and qualityof the binding.(think college textbook material)I quickly found DETAILEDdescriptions of the tasks I would soon have to perform.I called my fatherand said "Get ready we're going to Home Depot!"On the phone, myfather expressed concern over our lack of experience.When my father gotin my truck, I handed him the the Black&Decker text.I had putPostIt's on the pages with our projects.He slipped on his glasses andpeered through his bi-focals and didn't say a word on the way to purchasetools & supplies. Once in the parking lot, I could hardly turn-offthe engine before he was pointing to pictures saying "Ours looks justlike this!I want some gloves like that!"And he was making abee-line for the door!(the old man can move!)He was excited and so was I. Now, it has beeen 5 weeks since that first trip to Home Depot.Both myfather and I have the cuts and scrapes and the ever present sore backs toprove that we have done our own home repairs.My father now keeps theBlack&Decker text at his house "for safe keeping."He cleansthe text with a moist cloth after each project.The projects don't seem tohave an end in sight, which I believe is a direct result of my dad readingthe text for "suggestions."My suggestion....don't let anyone"borrow" this text, unless of course - you love him!



Click Here to see more reviews about: Black & Decker Complete Home Repair (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide) [DELUXE EDITION] (Vinyl Bound)