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This is the year. If you’ve been sitting on home fixes, waiting for the right time, it’s 2010. Lucrative federal tax incentives are set to expire at the end of 2010, meaning these projects will never be more affordable. The government will cover 30% of the costs, in most cases, and investments in energy efficiency generally pay for themselves over time, since you’ll be paying for less wasted energy year after year. (Except where noted, taxpayers can qualify for no more than $1,500, regardless of the total cost of multiple qualifying projects were performed in 2009 and 2010.)
If home is where the heart is, then the kitchen is a home’s soul. If you want to improve the look, style and function of your kitchen, but think the project is too complicated or expensive, DIY’s Kitchen Renovations is for you.
Do you want your old trim to look fresh, smooth and crisp after you’ve painted it? These tips show you how the pros do it. They’re DIY friendly, so you can prep your trim yourself and still get professional-looking results.
We know, we know: The economy’s iffy, jobs are tight, housing values aren’t what they once were. But if there were ever a perfect time to invest in your place by adding more insulation or replacing a creaky old water heater, it’s now. The economic stimulus package passed by Congress last February included a federal tax credit—not just a deduction, but a full-on credit—of 30 percent of the cost of all sorts of energy-saving systems, with a cap of $1,500 per house, if installed by the end of 2010. These upgrades pack the double benefit of slashing your utility bills while increasing your house’s long-term value, too.
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