Home Improvement for Women

They say it’s the year of the rat but I think it should more like the year of the frog.  Everything in my “book” should be GREEN!  Not only is green one of my favorite colors but I’ve instilled effective methods in my home that makes it easy and fun for my son and I to practice what we preach and take part in doing everything we can to be kind to our enviornment.

I send Zach to school with reusable sandwich “boxes” instead of wrapping them in plastic bags- they are plastic and fit a sandwich perfectly. He also takes a drink in a thermos-so retro but so green! No more juice boxes and no more waste and expense. I can also control what I give him for lunch this way.- no pre packaged food. Homemade is better. I try to pack just one napkin and utensils that can be washed and reused to further minimize waste. And Zach has a sturdy knapsack made out of recycled materials- Green Earth and Office Supply and www.worldofgood.com sell good ones in kid friendly colors and styles- and they last for years. Now we stretch computer paper by using both sides of it instead of tossing it in the recycle bin after just one side is used…teachers understand and appreciate this. And we shred some of our paper to use as packing material (we just used it during our last move) and even mulch in the garden. I also now buy “processed chlorine free” (PCF) paper, and the highest percentage of post-consumer recycled (PCR) or post consumer waste (PCW) content. Staples and Office Max both sell good versions of this greener paper. I also look for school notebooks with the same paper- Earth Friendly Second Nature Brand makes good ones. And of course Zach gets very involved in the household recycling, which we are committed to. He knows where to put bottles, cans and paper and helps keep our home recycling center, organized neat and also ready with a hammer and nails in case he needs to fix something! Go Green and Stay Green At Home! My top 10 for energy and cost saving tips that are easy in your home. 1. Change standard bulbs to fluorescent models – they last longer, use less electricity. According to energystar.gov: “If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.” Wow! 2. Lower your thermostat by 1 to 5 degrees and you will save a bundle of money and home heating fuel. 3. Install low flow toilets, showerheads and faucets to save on water – and water bills. 4. Don’t let faucets leak – that wastes water too. It’s easy to replace a leaky faucet yourself! Check out www.barbarak.com for more information. 5. When replacing floorings – choose natural fibers in rugs such as wool,see grass, cotton and silk over synthetics which create more pollution in production and can emit bothersome fumes, especially to those of you who have allergies or who have children with allergies. 6. Putting in a hardwood floor? Consider bamboo instead. It is sustainable,meaning bamboo trees grow fast and easily replace those that are cut down for wood – or use reclaimed wood taken from old houses and barns. 7. Take recycling a step further and consider buying vintage fixtures for renovation projects. Beautiful sinks, tubs, doors, and windows can be found at salvage shops – you get something original and totally one of a kind, and you stop perfectly good stuff (sometimes made even better than new) from ending up in a land fill. 8. Recycle newspaper by shredding it and adding it to your compost pile. 9. If you have a small lawn, try mowing it with a push mower instead of one that uses gasoline or electricity. You get a good workout and it’s free and has no environmental impact. Clippings can go into your garden compost. 10. Buy and use biodegradable cleaning products or make your own. Fume free,and with no dangerous chemicals (for you and the earth) means cleaning is safe and healthy. For example, avoid products that contain chlorine bleach and ammonia, phospahtes, diethylene glycol, nonylphenol ethxylate, and butyl cellosolve, and instead opt for fume free products (read labels) or make your own with pantry items most everyone has on hand, such as baking soda (with a little water it makes a great bathroom cleaner); vinegar and water kills mold; sodium carbonate (washing soda like Borax) cleans clothes and a host of other household surfaces.

Thanks for visitng my blog, hope you got some great information and remember to log on every week for more fix-it advice and tips on saving money and time for easy care-free living in your home.

“If I Can Do It , So Can You”!

Love , Peace & Tools,

Barbara K

Go retro with your decor this spring — think sea-foam green, salmon pink, sexy silver, crisp Lucite — but do it with a modern twist! Use color to wake up your stark modern pieces or breathe new life into grandma’s heirlooms.

And don’t worry so much about a particular decade; I say mix old Hollywood glamour with ’60s Palm Beach chic and add a touch of ’70s grooviness.

Here are some great retro ideas for every room of your home.

KITCHEN

The standard retro kitchen floor was black-and-white checkered, but with linoleum-tile squares, you can design a brightly colored custom pattern that fits your personal style. Choose from a single-color floor — pale pink, red and yellow were some popular ’50s and ’60s colors — or alternate squares for a fresher look. Best of all, linoleum is durable, eco-friendly, hypoallergenic and biodegradable. To install, you must have a smooth, straight sub-floor. Don’t attempt to lay the tiles over any existing floor; they will not stay secure. Some manufacturers suggest hiring a pro for installation, but with a notched trowel, quality adhesive and careful thought on your pattern and layout, it can be a DIY project you can do on a weekend. (Tiles cost from $1 to $5 per square foot.) Complete the retro look with a colorful bread box, blender and toaster.

BEDROOM

A quilted headboard screams old-school glam. Sears.com sells upholstered headboards starting at about $200. Add a shag rug and a Lucite dressing table for a playful yet chic look. Amazon.com sells shag rugs starting at about $200. Check 1stdibs.com for retro tables, including Lucite and mirrored ones, starting at about $1,000.

BATHROOM

How about a claw-foot bathtub and an antique mirror to evoke the charm of the Victorian era? New claw-foot tubs made from lightweight fiberglass look like the real thing, but you don’t need to hire an army to haul them into your house. Overstock.com sells them starting at about $1,400. If your bathroom is small, add a pop of color on the walls — Clark+Kensington makes a great primer and paint in one. Tie it all together with a bright shower curtain; try the Melooni curtain, about $70 from Marimekko.

LIVING ROOM

Having a land line creates an old-school charm all its own, so why not add a retro phone to really take you back in time? Oldphoneworks.com sells authentic refurbished phones starting at about $300. Try one in avocado green to really make a statement. Think of yours as a piece of art, and display it like a showpiece on an end table. Other retro accents include pillows — Jonathan Adler sells fun Pop Art pillows that start at $110 each — and drapes: IKEA has retro-inspired Mali Figur multicolor curtain panels for about $70 a set.

OUTDOORS

Add some vintage punch (and a place to sit) on your patio or terrace with reproduction vintage-style tulip chairs in a range of bright colors. Seventhavenue.com sells lawn chairs, two-seaters and gliders in a variety of yummy red and bright blue, from $99. If your budget’s a bit bigger, spring for mid-century modern piece at Furniture.com, which sells fabulous Knoll chairs, French metal garden seats and metal side tables that will get you in the mood for a mai tai.

For additional DIY tips, visit me on twitter @barbarasway

I don’t know about you but I live on the 4th floor of an apartment building; In total solitude and immune to the motor yanking bottle clanking of a garbage truck picking up trash. Yeah right, in my dreams! Actually it sounds like the sound is amplified by each floor up.

Ah but wait I have just the solution.  SOUNDPROOFING! Bet you don’t know about it or know how easy it is.  Well I’m just the person to tell you , that you can soundproof  your walls and ceilings as if you were living on top of a mountain. Here’s how to do it yourself!

Turn Up the Volume!

Got neighbors? Me too and unfortunately, I can hear them. Maybe it’s the kids discovering how to push their stereo speakers to the limit or that garbage truck that shows up at 7am on a Sunday morning! Even if you don’t have people right next door you may want to create a home theatre or music room where you will not be disturbed by the rest of the family and they will not be disturbed by you. Whatever the reason there is a cure and it all boils down to one thing, sound proofing. Here is my sure fire quite cure. My favorite tricks for sleeping late and blasting the guitar are:

Soundproof A Wall

The crucial trick when soundproofing a wall is to make sure that your new layer of soundproofing does not transmit reverberations from the old wall. If you want to go the quick route, you can add another layer of sheetrock onto the wall. Make sure the sheetrock joins along seams that are different or staggered from those of the original wall this avoids creating a new channel for sound.  Use heavy adhesive to keep the sheetrock in place as you nail it in along the studs.  Be sure you locate the studs with a stud finder or tape measure (studs are typically found every 16″ on center from the start of the wall) before slapping up the soundproofing wall. Finish the wall with seam tape and joint compound. For a thicker layer of sound absorbency, you’ll want to create a stagger-studded second wall. Strip the sheetrock, or plaster from the original wall.  Then, frame out a second stud wall with a sole plate and top plate that do not touch the original stud wall’s framework.  In placing the studs between the sole plate and top plate, line the studs up so as not to echo the placement of the original studs.  Now you can lay insulation between the studs, put up the sheetrock wall and finish it with seam tape and joint compound. Finally, pad your walls with fabric. Not only does this custom designer treatment look gorgeous, it does help cut down even more on sound traveling between rooms and apartments. Use luaun, staplegun batting and fabric to the sheets. Then, apply to your walls with industrial strength Velcro and a couple of discreet tack nails.

Soundproof A Ceiling

A dropped ceiling also creates a sound barrier, because they are specially designed to soak up noise and they are easy to install.  If your ceiling is flat, you can do the job quickly by simply gluing the acoustical tiles to the ceiling with a strong adhesive.If your ceiling is wavy, or if you need particularly strong sound proofing,  consider adding a dropped ceiling.  This creates a level plane with frames in which the tiles rest.  Although be aware that you will lose ceiling height of about 5 inches. Before installing the dropped ceiling frame, you can also staple batts of insulation to the original ceiling to create yet another layer of noise-reducing material.  This will even increase the room’s energy efficiency. Also, dropped ceilings come in so many styles these days, and are not as institutional looking as they used to be.

Change Doors And Add Carpeting

Replace hollow-core doors with heavier solid-core doors to minimize sound transmission between rooms. Install wall-to-wall carpeting with extra-thick carpet pads underneath. If you do not like or cannot install wall-to-wall carpeting, place room sized rugs down, with extra thick carpet pads underneath. Double up by placing a carpet pad on the floor, a sisel rug on top of that, and then another, more colorful rung on top of that. Triple padding cuts down on noise, and is stylish-looking. A very exciting product on the market is called Green Glue (www.greengluecompany.com). In terms of soundproofing products, it’s fairly  inexpensive and easy to work with, although I recommend hiring a contractor to apply it unless you are a confident DIY’er. Green Glue is slathered between two rigid surfaces (your wall, and another sheet of drywall, for example). It takes about 10 days to cure and for you to begin to notice a difference in the sound, and nearly a month before it reaches its peak capabilities. You can also use Green Glue on your ceiling studios.

So go on and invite your relatives over to the guest bedroom without worrying about overhearing them or turn your spare bedroom into a home office!

If I can do it (quietly), so can you!

I know I might sound like a broken skill saw, but if it takes one of my power drills and a big fat hole in someone’s head to get them to realize that there’s no time like the present to buy a home than at least I’ve accomplished my mission!  My mission of course is to empower and give power to the weak, the strong and everyone in between.

I will say it again and now even more so.  With interest rates lower than they’ve been in years now it’s time to stake your claim.  The following will offer you my real world advice on almost everything you will need to know when buying a new home.

So what are you waiting for? No cute studs here…go out and get one! (and save one for me!)

Invest In a Nest!

Buying my first home was very exciting and one of the best investments I have ever made.  It’s a true home and a place where I love inviting my friends and families. Many people, and women in particular, think about buying a house but don’t quite know how to begin. However, you can do it, and why not do it now? Buying a condo or house is always a wise investment, whether it’s your primary residence or a property you plan to rent or sell. You can use your investment to upgrade to another bigger, better home, or take the equity you have earned and turn it into money for education, entrepreneurial pursuits, renovation projects, or retirement. Owning your own place opens the door to endless possibilities. Buying a house is probably the biggest purchase you will ever make, but it’s not out of your reach, here are my top tips to get you on the right road.

Know your Credit Score

The most important part of qualifying for a mortgage isn’t how much of a down payment you can make, it’s how good your credit score is. The better your credit, the more easily you can secure a mortgage loan (even more so in today’s real estate climate) even without a fat bank account or a high-paying job. The first and most important action you should take is to get your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union.  You have to get all three reports because the companies and utilities that extend you credit don’t report to all three bureaus.  You can access the reports for free at least once a year and checking your own credit does not count as an inquiry

Your credit score is based on the information in the credit report. In the simplest terms, the score indicates how likely you will be to pay back a loan in full and on time; it reflects your credit history, how much debt you currently carry and how much debt you’re already approved to carry in the future (add up the credit limits on your credit cards for the answer), how long your credit history is, and how timely you are in paying bills. The higher the number, the better your credit is, ranging from a low of 300 to a perfect score of 850. Do everything you can to improve your score—it’s even more important than saving money, in my opinion! Why? Because the higher your score, the better the interest rate you will get, although gone are the days of “no money down”!

Improve Your Credit Rating

The first time many people see their credit report is when they are about to purchase a home or a car. Because it can take about 3 months (and sometimes much longer) to change a credit score, if the score is wrong or low at that time, it could be too late to fix it. You could lose that fabulous apartment! Don’t let that happen—start changing your score today. Here are six proven ways to improve your score:

1. Check and correct your credit history

Thirty-five percent of your score comes from your credit history. Unfortunately, 70 percent of credit reports contain errors—mistakes that can adversely impact your score! Mistakes range from the misspelling of names, to reporting wrong addresses or places of employment, to confusing the accounts of people with the same name, to including outdated information. You can and should report errors to each of the credit bureaus since they do not share information. You can file disputes by phone or by mail, but you may find that it is most convenient to dispute errors online. Once the credit bureaus receive a dispute they have 30 days to investigate. If they cannot verify the information in that time, it is deleted or corrected by default. Once you dispute information, the onus is on them to prove it. If your payment was late once or twice and the creditor reported it to the credit bureau, you can ask the retailer or credit card company to issue a letter of correction. For example, many retail stores would prefer to keep your business by issuing a correction than lose it by refusing to. Always follow up on promised corrections by rechecking your credit report.  Even when some of the accounts are closed, having dozens of them may make lenders assume that you are not a stable credit risk.

2. Pay down high balances

The amounts you owe on revolving credit accounts are responsible for 30 percent of your score.  Pay down balances, your credit score can go up by reducing your balance.

3. Make history with your credit

It’s good to have some activity and history on the account.

4. Think twice about new credit

When you open a new credit card account, the creditor makes an inquiry to one of the credit bureaus to evaluate your history. The number of recently opened accounts and credit inquiries accounts for 10 percent of your score. (Note that checking your own credit report doesn’t count as an inquiry, however.)

5. Pay with cash

Using debit cards and cash is a good way to control your debt (and therefore maintain a great credit score).

6. Pay all your bills on time

Late payments can have a substantial negative impact on your score. For example, you can raise your score by as much as 20 points simply by paying bills on time for 1 month!

Define What You Want

Make a list of things that are important to you…this will keep you focused.

1. What’s your lifestyle?

2. What’s important to you?

3. What about house style? (modern, traditional?)

4. Location is important?

You might get a good deal on a house in a neighborhood that’s “up and coming,” meaning that the boundaries of a better neighborhood or town are being pushed farther out to include other streets, sections, or towns. An indication that a neighborhood is on the upswing is when you see a lot of home improvement activity and new construction.

If you simply must have a house in an established and popular location, it will cost more. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that if a location is really desirable you may have to make serious concessions on your wish list or be ready to roll up your sleeves and put sweat equity into a fixer-upper. I happen to love fixer-uppers and would buy one any day of the week. I always say, buy the least expensive house in the most expensive neighborhood!

Fixer-Uppers

When I see a house that needs help I immediately get excited and see dollar signs. A house that needs work is like money in your pocket, because as soon as you make even one improvement on a needy house, your equity in it—as well as its resale value—increases. In fact, unlike most people, I stay away from renovated houses. Why pay someone else for work you can do to your exact specifications yourself? Don’t be afraid of work, which can you money at the same time.

Pre-construction

Condos and houses have a financial advantage,  because the time it takes to build them and that’s time during which your deposit is working for you in escrow. Historically in the past 5 years once an apartment house or development is completed, the price almost without exception goes up. Look at it this way: You have not done a thing and yet the value of your house and your equity has increased!

Raw Land

Often raw land can be converted into a construction loan, which then can be converted into a mortgage when the house is built. The advantage of these convertible loans is that there’s one loan application and one loan closing. The lender finances the construction of the home and, when it’s ready for occupancy, the loan converts into a mortgage.

Understand the Language of Mortgages

Once you have found the land, house, or condo of your “dreams,” you will most likely need to apply for a mortgage. There are different kinds of mortgages, each representing a different way of financing the purchase of a house. Talk to your mortgage broker or lender to figure out which one is best for you. Here are the two most common types:

Fixed rate: This type has both a fixed term (usually 15 or 30 years) and a fixed interest rate, both determined at the start of the mortgage. The monthly payment of principal and interest doesn’t change during the term of the mortgage. A fixed-rate mortgage is a good idea if you plan to live in the house for more than 5 years and interest rates are predicted to go up.

Adjustable rate: The interest rate on your mortgage will be raised or lowered according to the current interest rate. The monthly amount for your principal and interest payment will go up or down with these rate changes. If rates go down, you win. If they go up, you can lose. This type of mortgage is best if rates are low and you don’t expect to stay in the house for more than a few years.

Get Preapproved

Pre-approval gives you a lot of leverage when buying a house. The seller sees it as an advantage because he or she knows you are a serious buyer able to close the deal very quickly because you’ve already secured the loan. To get pre -approved, you provide the same information to the lender that you would if you applied for a mortgage after making an offer. Your income, credit history (and credit score), debts, and assets will be verified. The lender then issues a letter stating that your mortgage is approved for up to a certain dollar amount for a certain period of time. Once you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage, avoid taking on any substantial new debt and make timely payments on all of your existing debts.

Go to the Pros

Hire (the right) Real Estate Attorney-  There are many attorneys out there (believe me I’ve dealt with the very good ones and the very bad ones).  Make sure he specializes in residential real estate transactions and just like hiring a contractor ask for 3 references of transactions he has completed.

Select a Mortgage Broker

You can get a mortgage directly from a bank, a mortgage company, or a credit union, but I believe you can get the best deal on a mortgage through a mortgage broker.

First ask for details on each potential loan:

Is the rate fixed or adjustable? What is the loan’s annual percentage rate (APR)? Expressed as a yearly rate, this includes the interest rate, points, broker fees, and any credit charges you may have to pay.

How do the points translate into dollars? A point is a fee paid to the lender or broker for the loan. Ask each potential lender for a quote in dollars (rather than just the number of points) so you’ll know how much you will have to pay at the closing.

Is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) required? If you put down less then 20 percent, lenders generally require you to purchase PMI to protect them in case you fail to repay the loan. Find out the exact monthly cost of PMI and how long you will be required to carry it.

Once you find the best possible terms, ask the broker for a written rate lock. It should stipulate the interest rate, how long the lock-in will last, and the number of points to be paid. Locking in protects you from a rate increase if interest rates go up while your loan is being processed.

Credit Resources Credit Agencies

Experian

Mailing addresses:475 Anton Boulevard Costa Mesa, CA 92626or955 American Lane Schaumburg, IL 60173Telephone: 888-397-3742 Web site: www.experian.com

Equifax Information Services, LLC

Mailing address:Disclosure DepartmentP.O. Box 740241Atlanta, GA 30374Telephone: 800-685-1111Web site: www.equifax.com

TransUnion LLC

Mailing address:P.O. Box 1000Chester, PA 19022Telephone: 800-888-4213 Web site: www.transunion.com

Annual Credit Report Request Service

Annualcreditreport.com is the official site that helps consumers obtain the free credit report they are entitled to annually, as required by law.Mailing address:Annual Credit Report Request ServiceP.O. Box 105281Atlanta, GA 30348-5281Telephone: 1-877-322-8228 Web site: www.annualcreditreport.com Credit Repair

Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s credit repair page at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/repair.htm for information.

Make an Offer!

Congratulations! You’ve found a home you love. But hold on! Before you submit an offer, visit the property at night and on weekends. Walk around the neighborhood. Make sure it’s comfortable and quiet (or lively and loud, if that’s what you’re after). Take a close look at the adjacent houses. Do the neighbors maintain their homes?  If everything checks out, don’t show your enthusiasm to the seller or the seller’s agent. They can and will use that information to get more money from you.

Before making an offer, ask your agent for a comparative market analysis (CMA). This informal report lists the addresses of recently sold homes in the same neighborhood, along with the date of the sale, the price, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. You can find similar information on websites that list recent sales in your area offer should be comparable to those selling prices, which may not be the same as the seller’s asking price.

If you make an offer and the seller accepts it, insist that the contract include two escape clauses: a financing (or mortgage) contingency and an inspection contingency. If for some reason you can’t get a mortgage, the financing contingency releases you from the contract and guarantees that you will get back any deposit money you put down on the house (called earnest money).

The inspection contingency will release you from the contract and ensure the return of your deposit if a licensed professional inspector finds any damage or structural flaws in the house during a thorough inspection.

Who are these people?

An inspector is someone who looks at a home’s basic structural features and reports on them to you in writing. They usually charge a flat fee for the service, typically from $500 to $1,000.

What kind of training and certification do they need?

An inspector should have several years of experience and be certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors. Ask the inspector if he or she has errors and omissions insurance, too. This gives you some level of protection should the inspector overlook or forget to mention something important.

How long does an inspection take and what should happen?

Depending on the size of the property, an inspection should take 2 to 4 hours. Carve out some time to accompany him or her on the inspection. The inspector will look at all the basic structural features of the house, including:

Foundation: Is there evidence of cracks, shifting, or excessive moisture?

General Construction: How good is the quality of the general construction?

Exterior: If the property is a house, does it need exterior repairs or maintenance? What is the approximate age of the roof? What is the estimated remaining life of the roof? Is the condition good? What about landscaping? Have mature trees or shrubs close to the house caused damage to the home’s foundation?

Pests: Is there any indication of pests, such as rodents, termites, carpenter ants, or other insects?

Attached Structures: What is the condition of any attached structure ?

Plumbing: What is the overall condition of the plumbing system? Is there evidence of leaks or water pressure problems?

Electrical: Do any dangerous electrical situations or code violations exist? What is the electrical output capacity?

Heating and Cooling Systems: What are the ages of these systems?

Interior: Do doors and windows open and close properly? Are floors firm and level?

Kitchen: Are appliances functioning properly? Is the plumbing, including the dishwasher connection, in good repair?

Baths: Is the floor solid? Is there evidence of old or new water leaks?

Attic and Basement: Are the floor and ceiling joists solid? Is there any indication of water damage or mold?Radon testing: Is there an unacceptably high level of radon in the home? Homes all over the United States have been found to have some level of radon according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An elevated rate is considered to be 4pCi/L or higher. Check the EPA Web site (www.epa.gov) for more information.

Purchasing Home-Owner’s Insurance

You’re almost done, but before you seal the deal you need to show proof of insurance on the property. An independent insurance agent sells policies from a variety of insurers and can help you find the best policy. The best policies cover the cost of replacing the home and its contents in case of fire, theft, or other disasters—even terrorist attacks (in New York City, for example, many insurers now offer terrorism riders). You can also purchase riders for flood and hurricane damage, which may be especially important if you live in a region of the country that is prone to these events.

Close the Deal

Closing is the process you go through to finalize the deal you made to buy the house, assume ownership, and take possession of the property. Closing procedures vary from region to region. In some areas, the buyer, seller, and real estate agents all attend. In other areas, only the buyer and his or her agent attend, along with the closing agent. The closing happens in a lawyer’s, title companies, or escrow company’s office. The seller’s attorney prepares the deed and coordinates all the other paperwork with the buyer’s attorney or closing agent.

There is a lot of paperwork involved in a real estate transaction. Get your pen ready! Here is a list of the common documents that are prepared for a closing:

Settlement statement

Contract

Loan papers (for the buyer) giving the monthly payment amount, which includes real estate taxes

Title insurance (from the buyer)

Proof of home-owner’s insurance (from the buyer)

Title or deed

Down payment and closing costs (from the buyer)

Payoff for any existing mortgage

Funds available to the seller upon recording the new deed

Beyond the Down Payment: Closing Costs

Closing costs are expenses associated with the loan you take out to buy property. Most but not all of these costs must be paid on the day you finalize your purchase. Luckily, you will have a fairly good idea of how much you will have to set aside for closing costs because the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires that lenders and mortgage brokers give you what is called a good faith estimate of the loan-related expenses due at the closing. Here is a list of the fees most commonly included in closing costs:

Loan origination covers the lender’s costs of processing the loan. Measured in “points,” each one of which represents 1 percent of the loan amount, the fee varies among lenders.

A loan discount or “discount point” is a charge imposed by the lender or broker in exchange for lowering the interest rate on the loan. Each point costs 1 percent of the loan amount and lowers the rate by 0.125 percent.

Appraisal fees pay for an appraisal report, which the bank or lender requires to establish the property’s worth before issuing you a loan to buy it.

Credit report fee pays for the reports the lender uses to check your credit history.

Title search and title insurance fees ensure that the property is not subject to liens or other problems. Some states require you to hire a lawyer to conduct a title search; others allow you to hire a title search company to do this work.

Notary and recording fees may be charged by the closing agent to have loan documents notarized and the new deed recorded in your community’s public record.

A lender’s inspection fee is charged when you build a home or buy a house or apartment that is under construction. The fee covers the cost of the routine inspections the lender requires to monitor construction and then release funds as work progresses.

Home inspection is considered a closing cost, even though you pay for it before the actual closing date. Specialized inspection costs, such as radon tests and pest inspections, also fall into this category.

Wow, you’re ready to go…if I can do it so can you!!

Barbara K

There’s nothing more enticing than a pot of homemade spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove: the smell of garlic, fresh herbs and ripe tomatoes right off the vine. And there’s nothing more satisfying than harvesting these ingredients from your own vegetable garden — right in your apartment.

Urban farming means container gardening, and it works in any kind of space. It’s easy: No digging, tilling or weeding. It’s efficient: Watering and harvesting take only minutes. It’s inexpensive: You can get started with a few plastic containers. You’ll save time and money — all while enjoying organic, pesticide-free fruits and veggies.

Getting started The first thing you need to do is consider the space. Do you have a terrace or back-yard space? A sunny room? Spacious window ledges? Most gardening experts say to aim for six to eight hours per day of direct sunlight. If you don’t get that much sun in any one space, group your containers on rolling platforms and move your “garden” in search of sun! (Learn how to build a plant dolly at barbarasway.com.)

Choose your crops Buy seeds from catalogs or purchase seedlings from your local farmers’ market. If you’re planting indoors, you can grow crops year-round. If your garden will be in a sunny space (with four or more hours of strong, direct sunlight daily), think about planting cherry tomatoes, banana or chili peppers, cucumbers or strawberries. If your light is poor, try beans, root vegetables and leafy greens such as spinach, chard, rhubarb, broccoli, cabbage and kale. Some herbs, onions and garlic also do well in less light.

Choose your containers Use ready-made planters, old milk cartons, plastic buckets and even children’s wading pools. Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom, and place a fine screen or fabric barrier over it so the soil can’t pass through. Or build simple wooden window boxes with instructions from the “Do It Yourself” projects section on my Web site.
Make sure the container has room for the roots to spread out. For tomatoes, cucumbers or carrots, choose containers starting at about a 15-quart capacity. Leave room at the top for future mulching.

* Prepare the land The hardest part of urban gardening is hauling the planting material up to your apartment, especially if you’re in a walkup! Even though you’re going to be “gardening” indoors, don’t use garden soil. It’s heavy and can harbor diseases and insects. Organic, lightweight potting soil mixes are best.

* Tending your crops Water your crops daily or at least every other day. Because frequent watering depletes nutrients from the soil, plan on using a balanced, organic fertilizer every two weeks.

* To grow more, go vertical If you’re placing containers against a wall or fence, the easiest (and cheapest) method of creating a trellis is to string twine or wire. Using screws, attach one end of the twine to the container and the other end to a screw sunk into the wall. (You can do this indoors, too.) Place the container about a quarter inch from the wall so there is room for plants to grow upward. Allow plants to climb on wire pyramid cages, or lash bamboo poles at the top and sink the ends into the container.

After your garden is thriving, you can dream even bigger. Consider hydroponic window systems (windowfarms.org), and look into kitchen composting.

Do it Barbara’s Way!

How Do You Get Young Kids Involved In Gardening?

What kid doesn’t love playing in the dirt? For kids, working in the garden isn’t a chore, it’s simply fun! Gardening with kids of any age encourages an interest in nature and the environment. Allow them to choose what to grow – tempt them with exotic options such purple carrots, bright orange cauliflower, white cucumbers, or giant pumpkins. You don’t even need a yard to raise a tasty crop to harvest. Growing vegetables like tomatoes in containers or strawberries in window boxes is easy and gratifying. On rainy days, you can do garden crafts—paint flowerpots or create garden plant markers. A child’s attention span is short. Make sure tasks in the garden are simple and can be successfully accomplished in a short period of time. If they decide that it is time to take a break, or hunt for worms, let them. Make sure that you have lots of options available for them, so that when they become bored with one task, they can easily move on to their next project.

What Tasks Are Age-Appropriate For Different Ages/Abilities?Pre-school and kindergarten

1. Tiny hands are perfect for picking small seeds out of packets. Show your child how to use a stick to poke shallow holes, drop in a seed, and gently pat soil over it.
2. Pick rocks out of soil and stack in a neat pile.
3. Kiddie-sized watering cans let even the smallest children “give the plants a drink” without drowning them.

Grade-school and older:

1. Set seedlings in place.
2. Define garden rows. Set poles on opposite sides of the garden, tie string around one and spool it out to the second. Using the string as a guide, use a trowel to dig a shallow line underneath.
3. Working together to properly space plants lets kids use basic math skills, like measuring in inches.
4. Watering the garden with the hose. (Be prepared for a water fight on a hot day!)
5. Fill planting holes with compost, planting soil, or–coolest of all–earthworms! Hunt for the earthworms as you turn over the soil in the garden.
6. Weeding requires concentration and attention. Point out the different shaped leaves and characteristics of the weeds and the crops.

Fun For The Whole Family (no matter what age):

Work together, to build the perfect garden resting spot. A shady bean teepee provides a cool hiding spot and provides support for a bumper crop of pole beans.

You will need:  7-9 six-foot bamboo poles or 2×2 beams, twine, pole bean seeds.

1. Find a suitable spot and mark a circular patch of earth (about 4 feet in diameter)
2. Dig a planting trench and add compost and fertilizer
3. Firmly push the ends of the poles into the ground on the outside of the circle. Sink them about 3” deep. Leave a wide gap between two of the poles. This will be the entrance to the teepee.
4. Tie the poles firmly together at the top using the twine. Remember your kids will be running in and out of the teepee, so make sure the poles are firmly tied together.
5. Plant the pole beans about 2” deep. Use two plants per pole and plant them on the inside of the bamboo frame. Water generously
6. In 7 to 10 days, seedlings should appear. With a little training to keep the vines growing in the right direction, the entire frame will soon be covered with thick foliage, followed by flowers, and then, the beans.
7. I like to mix in other plants, like morning glories or nasturtiums for an even more colorful cave!

Enjoy and do it Barbara’s Way!

Now is the perfect time to sit in the house and make simple home repairs to pass the time.  Allowing a small issue that you have been putting off for a rainy day can become a big problem and cost you a lot in the long run.  In fact, there are a handful of home repair and renovation skills you can do yourself.  Especially when you may not want to pay a $100 an hour for a plumber to perform a simple fix, or shell out $1000 to a contractor for a paint job you could complete during a rainy forecast.  So here’s my list of ten “rainy day” home repairs everyone can do with a little inspiration and instruction.  You’ll save money, time and even have some fun in the process !

Put Some Color In Your Life—Paint A Room

So simple! You need canvas drop cloths, paint roller, paint tray, paintbrush, screwdriver, a general household cleaner, spackle, a putty knife, and fine grit sandpaper.  Remove small items from the room, and take pictures off the wall. Next, move large pieces of furniture to the center of the room and cover them and the floor with drop cloths. Remove electrical switch plates and outlet covers.  Next, clean the walls thoroughly.  Use the spackling and a putty knife to repair small nail holes and nicks; when it’s dry, lightly sand with using fine grit sand paper. If you are going from a dark to a light color, you may need a coat of primer. Begin painting around all doors, windows, baseboards and the edges where your walls and ceilings meet with a paintbrush.  Then use a roller and tray to paint the walls in a W pattern.  Complete one wall at a time. Allow the first coat of paint to dry before adding a second coat, if you need one. Allow the paint to dry for at least 24 hours before hanging your pictures back on the walls.  I love Benjamin Moore’s new line of low VOC paints, Natura in yummy, soothing colors – which will be available nationwide in Spring 2009.

Furniture Is Good

Every room from time to time needs a little face lift. No need to spend any money on high prices pieces these days (really, who has it).  Instead go  room by room and start moving some pieces around. No need for fancy movers or weird plastic discs to move that armoire or couch from one side of the room to the other   Instead, use an old blanket.  Tilt one end of the piece of furniture up and place the blanket underneath.  Tilt the other end up of the piece up and pull the blanket toward you so that the piece is sitting on the blanket.  Then pull the furniture where you want it. Remove blanket in the same way you place it.  Don’t have an old blanket? Okay – visit your local Goodwill or Salvation Army and pick up an old quilt you can reserve for those Sunday afternoons when you get an itch to rearrange your living room.

Top It Off–Replace A Faucet

Before you can put that new faucet in you have to pull out the old one.  Get a basin wrench or pliers, a bucket and a new faucet. Shut off the water at the two valves under the faucet you are replacing. Open the faucet and allow it to drain and release any pressure.  Disconnect the water supply lines (place a bucket under the sink to catch anydrips).  Remove the old faucet from the sink.  Bottom mount faucets must be removed from above with pliers to loosen the nuts. Top mount faucets are held in place by nuts located underneath the sink using a basin wrench. Clean the sink area with a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water will help dissolve the buildup. Then, follow the manufacturer’s directions to install your new faucet – it should be a snap!  The Dryden line from Delta is modern, chic and affordable.

Feeling Flush-Fix a Toilet Tank Flapper

A running toilet. It’s likely the flapper that’s causing the flap!  Replace it by turning off the water supply to the toilet and then flush to drain the water from the tank. Unclip the flapper from the base of the overflow tube, lift it out of the tank and unhook the chain connecting it to the trip lever.  Use a scrubbing sponge to clean the flush valve.  Reattach the chain to the new flapper and clip it in.  Even easier: use my new toiler repair kit to make the fix. (available in April at mass retailers)  It will include everything you need to get the job done at one low price.

Gouge Be Gone–Fix a Scratch in a Wood Floor

For a small scratch, apply a bit of lip balm to the area to make it disappear – it’s a contractor’s trick that solves many minor scratch problems. (This simple technique can also be used on marble and granite).  If that does not work, or the scratch is a bit longer than ½ an inch, clean the area gently with very fine steel wool then follow with paste wax, both available at any hardware store.  If that fails to hide the damage, get a stain marker that matches the color of your floor – stain markers often come in sets of three or four and are found at most hardware stores. Apply the stain carefully to the scratch and wipe it with a soft cloth. Reapply and wipe until you get the match you desire.

The Walls Around You– Put Up A Wall

Dividing space is much easier and less expensive than you might think.  Walls offer the most opportunity for simple yet dramatic change. Adding a wall will give you immediate results of dividing a room, expressing your style and making a space your own.  Even better wall projects are among the easiest and least expensive of all home improvement projects.  You will need a measuring tape, metal or wood studs (depending on where you live) drywall, corner beads, screws, joint compound , a power drill. Drywall sheets are very heavy so I would recommend enlisting a friend or two to help. (for exact instruction please email me at info@barbarak.com) 

Height of Style-Customize your Drapes for Pennies

Change the look and feel of your room by adding a band of fabric to the hems of any off-the-rack drapes which will give them a custom look.  It’s easy to do!  Measure the width  of your curtains and the amount of fabric length wise you would like to cover.  Then go to a fabric store and choose the fabric that best fits your style.  Sew the fabric panel to the bottom of your drapes to meet the floor for a dramatic look.  Press and hang.

Off With Its Head!

It’s easy to make an old shower look new.  A new showerhead can perk up an old bathroom and even improve the strength of the shower flow.  Why?  Sometimes an old showerhead can get clogged or corroded and that can impact the flow of water through it.  Besides, a bright new showerhead is such an effortless and inexpensive way to transform your bathroom, especially if you want to add a massage feature.  Use pliers or your hand to twist off the old showerhead (counterclockwise) while holding the shower pipe stem.  Wrap the Teflon sealant tape two or three times around the threads at the end of the pipe stem.  Using a cloth under the pliers to protect the new showerhead fitting, screw on the new showerhead (clockwise) until tight. Stand back,  turn on the water and test for leaks.You’ve earned that hot, steamy shower—you installed yourself!

Fan Club!

Ceiling fans are such great, low -energy way to heat and cool your home, everyone should have one!  If your fan is wobbling you can fix the problem with a few simple steps. If you think the fan problem involves a loose screw near the electrical box (located in the ceiling right above the fan’s motor), make sure to turn off the electricity at the service panel before proceeding.  Check the fan blades to see if they are loose. Tighten any and all loose screws with a Phillips head screwdriver.  Measure the distance of the blades from the ceiling.  It is important that all of the blades reside on the same plane. Hold one end of the measuring tape at the ceiling while rotating the blades manually to check the distance. If the blade is not level or an equal distance you must gently bend the blade that is out of place.  It is easier to do this step with an extra pair of hands; one person holds the fan while the other bends the blade.

Knob Appeal

Replace a Doorknob Doorknobs are dual-function jewelry for your door and home.  Doorknobs come in a variety of styles and prices and they instantly spruce up the look and feel of your home.  Lever handles are easier for elderly people and children to grab, and most sets come with clear instructions on how to install them. You will need a Phillips head screwdriver, your new doorknob set with the matching strike plate. Detach the doorknob using the screwdriver by pulling out all screws once they are loose. Remove the metal strike plate.  Insert the new bolt into the door and screw it into place.  The slanted side should face the direction that the door closes.  Place the new knob trim between one new doorknob and the door, and insert the doorknob.  Insert the other knob and trim piece on the other side of the door.  Make sure the two are aligned so that the long screws hold them together.  Tighten the screws gradually, alternating sides so that each comes together uniformly.

Do it Barbara’s Way.  It’s all you need!

March is here, which means it’s time to get your nest ready for warmer weather–without breaking the bank.  I’m an optimist – I’ve already packed away all my long sleeved tops and winter gear and filled my drawers with summer tanks and shorts.  I’m also getting a jump on the season by getting spring projects done so I can go to the beach guilt-free when the thermometer does edge skyward. Here’s my springtime checklist – along with a few wise purchases and affordable ways to help your home spring forward for the season.

“Splurges” That Are Worth the Price

In the spirit of the season, there are five items, none of them are significantly costly (after all, whose spending money like water these days?) you can indulge in to dress up your nest for warmer weather, without breaking the bank.

Window coverings- Heavy drapes and dreary mini blinds getting you down? This is the perfect time to lighten and brighten your shades and curtains. Replace mini blinds with natural bamboo or matchstick blinds, available everywhere from discount stores to big home centers and specialty stores. Switch out heavy velvet drapes (store them until fall) with cotton panels or sexy sheers!

Material change- Change the entire look of your rooms by replacing a drab or broken doorknob.  There are so many styles to choose from and this is a project you can do on a weekend.  Go to any home center or hardware store and pick out the style that best suits your taste.  Make sure you keep all the parts organized.  All you will need is a screwdriver or power screwdriver for quicker action and the appropriate hardware that usually comes with the doorknob. Remove the existing doorknob by loosening the two screws that hold the plate on.  Pull the doorknob apart and remove them and then the two screws holding the bolt. To install place the trim piece between the new doorknob and the door and insert the doorknob into the hole in the door.  Insert the other doorknob with the trim piece on the opposite side of the door making sure the two are aligned. Insert the screws and tighten.

Swap out accessories- Décor is in the details. Switch cranberry and pine candles in crimson and forest green for white and cream floral scented pillars. Hide dark colored pillows with bright, cheerful slipcovers. Get rid of pinecone potpourri and replace with a bowl of lemons or rose petals. Store the furry throw and replace with a light hand woven cotton ethnic style blanket.

Get fresh! Take a look around – does your bedding need refreshing? How about springing for a set of new fluffy white Egyptian cotton towels? A new tablecloth and napkins might be just what your next dinner party needs. Or, a set of margarita or martini glasses, a lemonade pitcher or some new cocktail plates can make your old set of dishes (and your table) seem somehow new and exciting.

New planters- If you have a porch, balcony or desk that could use some color, consider changing terracotta or plastic planters for new and colorful ceramic containers. A few easy care annuals planted inside, and you’ve got yourself a low-maintenance, stress-free Garden of Eden right outside your door.

A place to sit – A bistro table and chairs, or a classic picnic table are two inexpensive ways to create that outdoor room you’ve always heard (and maybe dreamed) about. There is no reason to invest in an outdoor kitchen or giant fire pit – some simple and comfortable seating, decorated with fun colorful pillows from a local (but stylish) discounter is all you really need. Inexpensive, oversized beach towels make perfect and practical, whimsical and washable tablecloths. Or, placed on the floor of your beck or balcony with a few big floor pillows, they come a pretty perch for casual lolling and luxuriating!

My Springtime Checklist!

Scrub-a-dub-dub. It isn’t called “Spring Cleaning” for nothing. Dust bunnies, cobwebs, grim and grit has all got to go.

Wash your windows — Nothing brings in light like washing away winter grit.

Filters- Clean or replace filters in cooling units.

Call in the pros- Spring is the perfect time to get your carpets, rugs and upholstery cleaned.

Declutter- While you’re giving the floors and walls the clean weep, you may as well empty out your closets and drawers, tabletops and cabinets. Get two bins, one marked “keep” the other “get rid of” and go to it. Be cold, he heartless, be unforgiving. And don’t forget to get a receipt when you donate your stuff to the Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Shower Curtain- Replace the shower curtain liner in your bathroom, if you use one. Mold and mildew can build up and exacerbate allergies and asthma.

Let the air in- Open your windows, even if you think it’s a bit chilly outside. Just one hour of fresh air flow creates circulation and improves your home’s air quality (yup, even in the city).

Mirror It-Hang large mirrors in your living room or bedroom instead of art- work. Large mirrors bring sparkle and light into rooms, and give it a chic, modern look.

Barbara’s tip- to locate an exact spot on your wall for the more heavier mirrors use construction paper or newspaper.  Trace the paper over your mirror or picture and u se tape to hang on the wall so you know the exact spot and your not fumbling with the heavy mirror.  I do it all the time!

Rearrange your furniture. Call a friend, put socks on the legs of heavy pieces to avoid scratching the floor, and see if you can come up with a new seating or home office arrangement. It’s the perfect thing to do after you’ve cleaned everything.

Add life- Now is the time to make an early visit to the local nursery or home center for fresh herbs. Plant them in a bowl or urn and place them near a sunny window for fresh foliage and calorie-free flavoring for your food. Later, if you have a place for them, you can pop them in an outdoor bed. This more than anything will remind you that summer is just a moment away.

Complete indoor projects- Are there any home improvement or craft projects you started over the past few months but have not completed? Now is the time to finish them up – reserve a weekend for doing so. Your attention will soon be turned to the out of doors, and if you don’t get those projects finished now (painting your bedroom, refinishing a chair, completing a scrapbook) they will be staring you in the face (accusingly) come September.

Take it outside- If you live in the ‘burbs’ or in a town house, now is the time to clean gutters of leaves left over from last fall. Check to make sure the trim on the exterior of your house needs touching up or total repainting. If so, book painters early as they get super busy in the summer.

Sweep it away- The leaves and other debris from a long winter may have accumulated on your front stoop or on a balcony or backyard. Clean it up now, and remove and replace any dead plants.

Now, have some fun , invite some friends over to help out!

Islands are favorite features in any kitchen. You can create your own custom island from a bureau purchased at an unfinished furniture store or for even more character, an antique or second hand shop. Painted or stained in a contrasting color, this unique island makes a personal statement—and the trend now is toward making built-ins look more like pieces of furniture. Why not use the real thing? The drawers are perfect for storing all sorts of kitchen equipment and pantry items. Backing it with pegboard creates even more storage for small hanging utensils. A beadboard back is a decorative finishing touch.

Top your creation with the same material you used on your countertops for a unified look and a practical workspace. Or, find an old piece of marble or other stone at an architectural salvage shop for more one-of-a-kind charm. No one else will have an island quite like yours and the good news is—you can take it with you when you move or leave it for the next inhabitants to enjoy. Gorgeous personality pieces overflowing with charm are sometime what cinch sales! Just make sure you’re clear about what goes with you and what sells with the house.

How long will it take? Several hours—how about reserving a weekend afternoon?

How much will it cost? A bureau from an unfinished furniture store can cost a few hundred dollars; a sturdy example from an antique or second hand shop could cost as little as $50. Paint and supplies are of minimal cost (and you may already own the right paints, brushes and stains). Prices vary widely for countertops, depending on what kind you install. If you shop wisely you can have yourself a kitchen island for well under $500—compared to several thousand for a readymade version. Plus, you did it yourself!

What do I need? The most important element is the bureau itself. Measure your space to find just the right size. Unfinished furniture stores can build one in any dimension you like, for a very reasonable price. If your heart is set on a vintage piece, it may take you more time to find just the right fit. In addition to the bureau, you need:

Paint or stain in a color you desire. Water based primer is adequate. A kitchen or bath grade water based paint in a gloss finish is appropriate for use because it’s easy to clean. Remember you are topping off the island with counter top material for painting the top is not essential.

Application materials, including brushes and paper towels or clean rags for applying stains

Four to six 6-, 8- or 10-inch legs from a home improvement store, depending on the length and height of your bureau

Power drill

A countertop, which you will have cut to size by the countertop supplier. If you are using a vintage marble top, it can be cut at a stone yard if necessary.

Peg board or beadboard paneling from a home improvement center (optional)

Fine grit sandpaper

Saw

Wood glue

Finishing nails

Hammer

How do I do it?

1. Measure the space where you want to place the island. Make sure you give yourself about two and a half to three feet from the perimeter of the nearest counter to make for easy traffic flow.
2. Measure the top and order a countertop for it in any material you like. You can match it to your existing countertop or find another material that coordinates.
3. If you are ordering the chest of drawers from a store that makes unfinished furniture ask them to make a chest or drawers in the width and depth you want, but request that they make it 35 inches high. A one-inch countertop will then create a 36-inch high island, which is a standard kitchen counter height.
4. If you are buying a vintage model, you will find that the standard height is usually 31-32 inches including existing legs. Depending on the height of the legs, the bureau could be 28 inches high, for example. That means you have to buy six or eight -inch-inch wooden legs to bring it up to the right height. The countertop should add at least another inch in height. If the bureau is longer than 45 inches, you need six legs to create a stable base. (Two will be placed on either end, and two will be placed on either side at the center points).
5. One you have the bureau and legs, examine the back. A new piece from an unfinished furniture store might have a plain plywood or luaun back that can be easily painted or stained. An older piece might not have such an attractive back. Either way, consider applying an inexpensive piece of beadboard paneling or pegboard paneling. The sheets come in 4 X 8 pieces and are easy to cut with a standard wood saw. Measure the back, and cut the piece to size then attach with wood glue and finishing nails. Sand the edges smooth with fine grit sandpaper.
6. If you are using an old bureau take off the existing legs (normally they screw off but if they do not, cut them of with your wood saw). Screw in the new legs to the existing holes. The bureau reaches a height of at least 33 or 34 inches but ideally 35 or 36 inches (the added countertop will compensate for the discrepancy and the island does not have to match the height of your other counters exactly). If you has to cut off the old legs, use a drill to make holes for the new legs.
7. Next, paint or stain the piece (and the legs if necessary) to your liking. If you are painting over an old piece, be sure to sand it lightly first and clean it thoroughly.
8. Position your new kitchen island now, before you top it off with the counter material. Otherwise it will be too heavy to lift. Place the countertop on the top and voila! You have got yourself a countertop!

Have you ever really looked at the doors in your house or condo? What are they made of? What do the knobs look like? Are the hinges attractive and functional? Do doors operate smoothly and close tightly or do they stick or refuse to fit into the doorframe? Doors can be an overlooked element of a home—yet they are so essential for establishing privacy and controlling sound.

Hollow core doors are the least expensive type of door; therefore, many builders use them in tract and development homes. After I switched out the clamshell molding in my house, I replaced the hollow core doors with solid panel doors. Hollow core doors are also ineffective at noise control, and have a tendency to expand and contract. They can also be unattractive. Can you tell I don’t like them?

Solid wood or solid core interior doors add value to a home because they are an appearance upgrade—they add architecture and custom style. They also provide good soundproofing and are sturdy when it comes to wear and tear.

On Your Own

Replace a Door

If your house has unattractive or just-plain-boring-brown interior doors, it’s not that difficult to change them yourself if they are standard sized and if the doorjambs are in good shape. If doorjambs need to be replaced, call in a carpenter unless you are a very experienced handywoman (or man!) or are willing to give a larger project a try (you can find information about replacing a door jamb from home improvement stores, which often offer free lessons and clinics).

How long will it take me? Less than 2 hours.

How much will it cost? A standard solid wood interior paneled door with predrilled holes costs between $50-$75 at a home improvement center.

What do I need? Doors come both blank and pre-bored. A door blank means you have to drill your own holes for doorknob assembly. Pre-bored doors already have the appropriate doorknob and lock assembly drilled. If you are just replacing the door itself, measure the existing door and purchase a pre-bored door sized to fit into the existing doorjamb. The doorframe, jamb, and existing trim remain intact. In addition to the new door, you will also need to gather a few basic tools:

Screwdriver

Hammer

Utility knife

Pencil

Sandpaper block

Wood plane (may not be necessary but have one on hand in case)

Beautiful new door knobs—here’s your chance to really dress things up!

How do I do it?

1.) Remove the old door by pulling or gently tapping out the hinge pins with a hammer and separating them (ILLUSTRATE[JDF1] ). Remove the hinges and doorknob from the door.

2.) Use the old door as a pattern by laying it on top of the new door. Use the hinge edge of the old door to line up the doors. This will let you know if the top, bottom or doorknob edges of the new door need trimming to fit the doorframe. Make a note of how long the original door is. It may have been trimmed at some point. If there is a large space at the bottom of the door you may not have to trim the new door as much to make it fit. If the new door needs to be trimmed slightly, use a wood plane to remove any excess.

3.) Mark any edges that do not match the outline of the old door with a pencil or utility knife. Remove the excess material with a sandpaper block or a wood plane if the amount is small. Trimming should be minor if you bought the same standard sized door as the old one. Go slowly and be conservative, checking the size again after every pass.

4.) Add hinges to the new door, using the old door as a pattern.

5.) Attach the new doorknob, following manufacturer’s instructions.

6.) Re-hang the door. If the door sticks, mark the sticky spot, pull the pins from the hinges out, and sand or plane the spot until the door swings freely. Re-hang.