Smart Ways to Invest your Tax Refund

Smart Ways to Invest your Tax Refund

Well, it is that time of year as many of us impatiently wait for one of the millions of refund checks that will be delivered to Americans over the next few months.

If you are like me, you will check the mailbox everyday from now to end of April, looking for that envelope that puts a smile on everyone’s face.

Like many of us, I will tackle a few bills and the rest will go quickly. I’ll pay a cell phone bill for both of my daughters, buy a pair of jeans and Mom gets some spending money for a shopping spree.

But is that really smart?

Depending on whether you believe opinion polls or retail sales figures, the average taxpayer will use their refund money to pay down a debt or go on a shopping spree, but many home improvements combine a solid financial investment with personal pleasure.

Here are some ideas as you decide on the best way(s) to spend your tax refund:

Exterior projects such as residing your home: For five years straight, fiber cement replacement siding is the number one home improvement project for return on investment according to Remodeling Magazine.

Kitchen/Bathroom Remodel: One of the strongest returns on your investment for interior remodeling is a kitchen renovation or bathroom remodel. Transform your kitchen into brand new! Our interior remodel consultants can work magic with your budget.

Kitchens are becoming more multifunctional and spacious, open to other areas of the home and making their own design statements.

Upgrading your bathroom’s wiring, plumbing and fixtures can also substantially improve your home’s efficiency and safety.

Build a Deck or Porch: More and more families are looking outdoors for home improvement projects. Including custom screened-in porches, multi-leveled decks, outdoor patios and fireplaces.

What if your tax refund doesn’t cover the cost of the full project?

Even in today’s lending economy, there are still excellent zero interest, zero payment home improvement loans available.

The smart choice is to invest your refund in your home and your lifestyle.
 
Mark Whitlock
SouthEnd, Inc.
http://www.sehomeimprovement.com/

Top 10 destinations for 4th of July!

Here we are on the eve of the summer's best holiday weekend.

Streets are deserted and co-workers are slipping out for beach vacations, fireworks on the lake, family reunions. I am watching fireworks at the lake with my daughters and going to neighborhood cook-out.

Some of my closest friends will spend the entire weekend on the deck and by the pool. One grill, two coolers, Charlie the lab, two kids and six neighbors. Laughter, music, food, and swimming- Good times! 

Here at SouthEnd Home Improvement we have completed a number of deck/porch projects that customers are planning to use this 4th of July. Projects from the simple 12 X 20 design to the wrap around deck with cedar pergola (see photo).

We are a full service company that specializes in a number of projects that will make your home a destination for a wonderful  summer weekend!

Kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations, James Hardie siding, sunrooms, basements, additions, decks/porches, roofing. Turnkey projects for Charlotte's residents from your trusted contractor, SouthEnd Home Improvement.

http://www.sehomeimprovement.com/  

 

Don't always pick the lowest bidder!

OK. Deep breath.

You've got a home renovation that is out of the realm of "diy" projects, so where do you go?

My sister always calls me to see if I can swing by the house and look at this water spot on her kitchen ceiling or fix the bathroom floor. 

Or, mom will ask if she needs to replace or repair her deck out back. Then, my neighbor will ask me to climb on his roof and see if he has hail damage.

In a perfect world, we can handle all of these chores for mom or sis. But, let's be honest, this world ain't perfect and I am not capable of performing some of these projects. Some big and some small. I am not qualified or experienced to handle some of these remodeling chores.

So, where do you go?

Many of my friends will start looking for reliable sources on google's search engine. It is a habit. They do the same for pizza, hotel deals at the beach and lyrics to a song by OK GO.

Some of my friends go on Facebook and ask one of their 321 friends if they know of a "good" plumber or home remodeler that can help with a kitchen rennovation or build a pergola. Surely, one of our high school classmates or sorority sisters will know someone! Surely, right?

Nope. Not always.

So, where do you go? 

Your home is one of the biggest assets you will own in this lifetime, so you need to do a little research.  

Well, you ask your neighbors, your co-workers, your buddy from college and sometimes, we'll ask the preacher if he can recommend a general contractor.

I have seen people chase contractors out in the parking lot of the local Lowe's or Home Depot. We  know nothing about these men with 12 tools and wheelbarrow in the back of their pickup trucks, but we need someone.

Always check references, always as for photos of similar jobs, visit BBB's website and gather information for local contractors. And, ask someone. Always ask.

Regardless of the scope of work or size of project, you must be reluctant to go with the lowest bid. Never a good decision, even when we are trying to save money initially. It will cost you in the long run.

Quality products and experienced, licensed crews. You choose a contractor for their experience and their skills.   

Peace of mind comes with hiring a professional for home renovations to handle the project start to finish.  

In this world, you get what you pay for.

http://www.sehomeimprovement.com/

Where will you spend over 200 hours this summer?

Now that we are in the middle of May, life begins to slow down to a summer's pace.

Kids have less than three weeks of school before the break and families look at ways to enjoy this summer both at home and the traditional week at the beach/mountains vacation for many of us here in the Carolinas.

What are your plans? Did you know that the average family will spend nearly 200 hours on their decks, enjoying their outdoor living area this summer?

As my 15-year daugther puts it, "Grilling and Chilling" in the backyard!

Grill masters get ready! Mom dust off the blender! Kids grab your bathing suits!

Homeowners are looking at ideas to enjoy their outdoor living area. We are building decks, patios, outdoor fireplaces and screened-in porches. SouthEnd has ten projects for homeowners creating the ultimate "backyard" for their families.

Folks are coming to us with ideas and looking for suggestions to maximize their backyards. I met with a couple in south Charlotte that had an existing deck that was 18 years old and boards were rotting. The husband wanted to look at replacing the existing deck with a new one with stronger railing and bench seats from end to end.

The wife asked if we could screen-in half of the deck. Or, maybe build a covered area for part of the deck.

"We spend so much time out here with the kids and neighbors in the summer. We will cook three to four meals a week on the grill. We move from the living room to the deck each year at this time. And, we stay out here until the end of September." noted homeowner, Maria M.

After spending an hour with the family, we came up with the perfect solution, a well-constructed deck with a pergola.

Both were happy with the design and concept and we hope to begin the project next week!

This summer families will truly bond and spend the most quality time of the year with love ones on their decks and porches.

And, SouthEnd wants to help you create that outdoor living area. 

http://www.sehomeimprovement.com/
     

Anyone Have Problems with Hardboard Masonite Siding?

When looking at homes this past summer, I realized that a lot of houses in my price range (160-260K) that were built in the 1990's had hardboard masonite siding.

But, I have since seen some more expensive homes that have the same kind of siding. I have heard bad things about this type of siding and how it could require additional maintenance, especially if it was installed improperly by the builder.

Over the past year, SouthEnd has answered a number of questions from our clients regarding their homes and the type of siding.

What year was your house built?

What type of siding do you have on your house?

If it is masonite, please give me a call and we'll provide a free in-home consultation.
Masonite siding is still used on exterior of homes and businesses, but it has been through growing pains and has lost popularity in recent years as fiber cement and vinyl siding have become more common.
If a person is purchasing an older home that needs exterior refurbishing, or if he is remodeling the outside of his present home and doesn't want to use vinyl, it is possible he is working with masonite. Before doing so, he should be sure to learn about the problems that masonite siding can have so he can make an informed decision about using it, and so he can care for it properly.


Is this type of siding still used by home builders in the Charlotte area? Not as many new homes are being constructed with masonite, but there are so many houses that were built in the 80's and 90's that have masonite.
Has anyone here had any good/bad experience with it? The biggest concern with masonite is bowing and water damage.
James Hardie has a fiber cement product that is popular and highly rated. Residing with fiber cement gives a 31% better return than adding a bathroom and cost thousands less to complete. A minor kitchen remodel give you a 10% less return on investment than re-siding with fiber cement.

Homeowners take note, if you have a house built in the 80's and 90's, you are in the market to replace your siding. If you do, we recommend fiber cement.

One of the biggest investments of your life is your home. Whether it is a renovation, replacement siding or windows, SouthEnd Home Improvement will offer our advice and experience as well as give every homeowner an opportunity for a free home consultation.

Please give us a call here at SouthEnd Home Improvement and we will answer any questions regarding your house. Call us at (704) 527-8553.

http://www.sehomeimprovement.com/  
    

Where is the love?

Wow, what a weekend!
Beautiful weather, neighbors cooking out, little bit of yard work with chores around the house, and .......... a whole lot of watching the Masters.
Even if you don't like Tiger or Phil, the course at Augusta National is breathtaking. Azaleas, well manicured fairways, tall pines, picturesque water features and Amen corner. Majestic!
CBS creates this incredible visual package for the Masters that makes the other golf tournaments look secondary. There is nothing more eloquent than the sights and sounds of Augusta National on Master's weekend. Nothing.
So now what? We hid easter eggs for the little kids, the older ones slipped away for spring break, Mom cooked the big meal (ham, green beans, potato salad and deviled eggs) and we were able to see golf's most magnificent wonder, The Masters.
Where do we go from here?
Well, if you are like me, you spend the next two months working in the yard (God, if I could get my lawn to look like the greens at Augusta, right?)
And, we look at the home repairs and improvements that we know that need to be addressed. Roof is fading, maybe a small leak around the chimmney flashing. The siding needs to be painted or replaced and we always put this project on hold.
Not a priority, not yet.
It can wait. But, can it.
If our home is the biggest investment that we will ever make (unless you have six kids going to Duke or Stanford) then why do we prolong these projects that not only protect our investment, but show a strong return on our investment? Where is the love?
Can you imagine if every homeowner took one project that is on their list to do this spring?
It could be the deck that you have been wanting to build in the backyard. The kitchen needs a makeover or the replacing your windows is a must.
First, we could check it off the list, Mom will be happy and our neighbors will be motivated to fix up their property.
A win-win for everyone and before you know it............there goes the neighborhood!   
So, where is the love?
http://www.sehomeimprovement.com/
               
  

Lunch and an idea, "10,000 Neighbors Program"

Well, just had lunch with one of the top executives from James Hardie at a local BBQ joint here in the SouthEnd. I always like taking visitors to the local bars and eateries. Give them a taste of the neighbor flavor, sights and sounds.
But this was not your ordinary lunch on Friday afternoon. No, far from your blue plate special.
It is not every day that you have the top executive from a billion dollar corporation at your lunch table at Mac's Speed Shop. And, I was going to make sure I made the most out of this opportunity. This is a chance that most people wait 10-15 years for and I had 45 minutes, uninterrupted, with the decision maker at one of world's top brands.
We were brought together because we share a vision. A glimpse into the Charlotte housing market,
specifically the remodeling and renovation industry and the current condition of the average home in our region.
It is always exciting when you can "be on the same page" with today's decision makers. With someone who can make a difference and is willing to take the initiative to create and launch a marketing program that could change our industry. Good stuff.
So, what is our vision. It is simple. Reach 10,000 homeowners in the Charlotte market. Literally, contact ten thousand homeowners with an important message from James Hardie and our friends here at SouthEnd.
Now is time to replace the siding on your house. 
A grassroots campaign targeting 30-50 neighborhoods in the greater Charlotte area.
There are so many homes between Lake Norman and Rock Hill that need residing. So many houses that need to replace the exterior siding. Houses built from the 80's through the earlier part of this decade.
James Hardie has the name and the top brand in residential siding. SouthEnd has 12 crews that have completed over 1,200 siding projects here in Charlotte over the past year and has a great reputation in our community. A great marriage that we want to finalize soon!
Our goal is to bring the best siding product to 10,000 homeowners and let them see the benefits to residing.
The fact reamins that only re-siding your home with fiber cement gives you the best return on your investment, 5 years in a row.* Go with James Hardie.
Good lunch with a great man representing a wonderful brand. Doesn't get any better than that, does it?
*Quality Remodeler
http://www.sehomeimprovement.com/