The phrase “do it yourself” came into common usage in the 1950s in reference to various jobs that people could do in and around their houses without the help of professionals. A very active community of people continues to use the term DIY to refer to fabricating or repairing things for home needs, on one’s own rather than purchasing them or paying for professional repair. In other words, home improvement done by the householder without the aid of paid professionals.

The home improvement DIY scene we know today is actually a re-introduction (often to city and suburb dwellers) of the old pattern of personal involvement in home or apartment upkeep, or the making of clothing, or maintaining of cars, computers, websites, or any material aspect of living.

Without having a decorating plan for your living room or kitchen or master bedroom or whatever room, you are basically out there twisting in the wind. You must know where you are heading (design-wise), you need to know what you will need to purchase, you need to know what you are looking for, you need to know how much money you have to spend, and the list goes on and on.

The first question that must be answered when making decisions about home decor is what your individual decorating style is. Do you like traditional designs, clean lines, Art Deco or Mission style? Or do you prefer a more contemporary feel, with metal and glass, bold colors and simple designs?

Another important thing to consider before you begin picking furniture or working on a room design is the color scheme you might use. Do you prefer neutral colors like beige, cream and navy, or does your palate run to brighter colors? If you don’t know, take a look at your wardrobe. What colors do you wear over and over? These are the colors you will most likely want to use in your home décor because they are the hues you are most comfortable around. Don’t paint your living room purple if you never wear that color, for instance.

This brings us to the issue of harmony, which should be the ideal in any room design. Harmony simply means that you want everything in each room to look like it belongs together. An example of a non-harmonious design would be a traditional leather chair with tufted buttons in a room with brass-and-glass tables. The tables are too modern for the chair. If brass-and-glass is your preference, you can buy a more modern-looking leather chair or couch to bring harmony back to your room. If you love the look of the traditional chair, try a wooden coffee table.

Once you.ve decided the tone or theme of a room and the color scheme you would like to use, it is time to go shopping. Take your time to shop around and collect pieces you really love. It may take some time to be able to afford everything you want for a particular room, but don’t be tempted to buy something cheap just because that’s all you can afford. If you can’t buy a whole room at once, start with whatever the centerpiece of the room is: a really great couch, dining room set or bed. Then you can add accessories and other pieces as you can afford them, remembering to keep the new furniture in harmony with the first pieces you bought.

The Kitchen

Some people may not know it but the kitchen is considered as the heart and soul of every home. Given the most popular room in the house, the kitchen can be enhanced and improved through remodeling ideas without having to spend more than what you can afford. Cheap ideas on remodeling kitchen are matters of giving a breath of fresh air with stylish shelving and design ideas.

If you want your kitchen to have a view, then coming up with cheap ideas on remodeling kitchen is the best solution. Open storage makes a cramped space feel more spacious. Plus, it is easy to do. You can either tear down cabinet doors, or install shelves on empty walls. Cheap ideas on remodeling kitchen are projects you can do in one afternoon.

Any kitchen can benefit from a little extra attention to detail to something that’s not quite right — a wasted space, awkward access to a frequently used cupboard or shelf, a worn-out countertop in an otherwise beautiful kitchen. Taking care of these details can turn into productive and interesting projects, and can make your kitchen a more pleasant place to work and spend time.

You can learn how to do it yourself or hire outside help. Most home improvement centers have a design center where customers can get help designing a kitchen with the exact configuration of stock cabinets they will need to meet their own specifications. If this is not available from the home improvement center, it is possible to get custom assistance from many cabinet manufacturers.

Living Room / Hall

Living rooms, family rooms or halls are no longer rooms that are solely for the purpose of entertaining company. The “new living room” is the hub of your home, so it’s increasing in popularity as a spot that sees remodeling projects. Small living rooms can present a challenge however.In a flat or small home, your living room may very well have to act as a dining room, study, playroom or even bedroom, which means that it needs to be adaptable, practical, and comfortable.

Providing enough storage to separate and keep track of the items associated with each of its functions is the key to keeping your life clutter free. The living room is probably your favorite room. The living room is big, light and airy. It is where you want to be in order to feel that you have your finger on the pulse of things. As a result, it becomes a multipurpose room whether that was the original intention or not.

You can approach your small living room remodeling by either allotting different parts of the room for different activities, or by leaving it open-ended and furnishing it with dual-purpose furniture. Dividing a room into multiple areas can be done using contrast and color, as well as using furniture to form boundaries between different areas. Screens, shelving, storage units, or the sofa can create effective lines of demarcation. On the other hand, if you are really cramped for space, you will want to select furniture that can play a dual role.

Fortunately sofas and chairs come in all shapes and sizes these days so that a three piece sectional and winged chairs do not have to dominate your room. You can supplement your smaller sofa with foot stools or out-sized floor cushions if you do not have enough space for multiple chairs.

Bedrooms

Your bedroom should be a pleasurable place to go and unwind at the end of a stressful day. A refuge from the outside world that makes you feel tranquil and relaxed. When designing a bedroom, remember that the finished design should create a positive and lasting impression. Furniture, space, lighting, fabrics and paint colors all set a bedroom’s mood and ambiance.

The bed is the focal point of any bedroom. The bed size should be in proportion to the size of the available space. Relaxation matters the most. Therefore, a bed should offer quality, style and a feeling of rest. There are wide selection of beds available in various styles, including: simple frame; sleigh beds; four-poster beds; canopies beds; iron or brass beds and upholstered beds. Sizes include: Twin-Single; Twin X-Long; Double-Full; Queen, Standard-Eastern King (widest); California-Western King (longest). The bed is the most important feature in a bedroom The right style and size can unquestionably make your bedroom into a inviting space.

Don’t make your bedroom look cramped and untidy by over crowding it with too many pieces. The bedroom is your personal space and should be open and not claustrophobic. Some questions to ask to keep a bedroom uncluttered. Is a dressing table essential if a bathroom has a vanity? Do all your clothes have to be stored in the bedroom? Clothes that are seldom worn could be stored elsewhere, minimizing the need for wardrobes. Are bedside tables needed or will a shelf do? Must a computer desk be kept in the bedroom? Some sleep therapists indicate that the presence of a computer in bedroom can lead to sleep disturbance.

Sparingly, add a few special touches should be added to your bedroom that echo your unique style and interests. End tables or nightstands should be on either side of the bed for books, photographs, mementos and possibly a phone.

Lighting should be soothing and peaceful. For added impression, use valence lighting and colored lights for effects. Delicate light gives a romantic feeling to the bedroom, but a few spot lights are beneficial for detail work like reading. Mirrors can also help to reflect light and give the room a larger feeling.

Certain color hues are soothing — green for instance, the color of nature and is relaxing. Others colors are stimulating — yellow, the color of sunbeams, is associated with joy. Being conscious of the emotional effects of color can be beneficial, but don’t let it curb your enthusiasm. If purple is your favorite color, don’t be shy to use it in your bed room. It may not suit other people’s taste, but if you get pleasure from it and it enhances your mood, that’s what really counts.

Air Conditioning

Room air conditioner is an enclosed cooling unit that can be mounted in a window, through a wall or in a portable cabinet on a floor near a window. Its job is to cool the air in a small, confined area as directed by the unit’s controls. Some room air conditioners have other functions as well. For example, reverse intake air conditioners also work as heaters, making them a home appliance that is useful nearly year-round.

An air conditioner unit’s cooling power is measured in British Thermal Units or Btu per hour. One Btu can raise or lower the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit. All room air conditioners are rated by the maximum Btu/hr. Keep in mind that even the smallest room air conditioners may have thousands of Btu per hour. To keep these numbers is the proper perspective, remember to compare the Btu between systems. Generally, the more Btu, the larger an area the air conditioner can cool.

Small air conditioners are rated for energy efficiency by EnergyStar.gov, a service of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) is the cooling capacity in Btu divided by the watts of electrical power the unit uses. To earn the Energy Star compliant rating, a unit must have an EER 10 percent higher than conventional models.

A window air conditioner in a bedroom should be extremely quiet so that it does not interfere with sleep cycles. The quieter air conditioners are well insulated to minimize rattling when the fan is running. A window air conditioner that has little support or that is not installed correctly can rattle within a window frame.

Here are five key questions to answer before you purchase an air conditioner:

1. How big is the area you want to cool?
2. Where is the best place to install an air conditioner?
3. Can the air conditioner do more than just cool a room?
4. How important are controls?
5. What is your cooling budget?

Room air conditioners are typically a do-it-yourself project. You will buy it in a box, unpack it and install it yourself. The model you select can be “shopped” among numerous retailers, searching for the best price and after-sale service. At what time of the year you shop also is important. The selling season for air conditioners varies across the United Kingdom and Europe, stretching from June to September. Most units are sold in July and August. Shopping for an air conditioner early or late in your local summer season means you can find reduced prices on units by as much as 25%. An excessively hot local summer can quickly drain the stores of units that won’t be reordered until next year, while a cooler-than-normal summer can leave many units on the shelves that retailers need to sell on clearance, so make sure to plan ahead in order to pay less.

Flooring

The materials you choose for flooring anchor each room’s style and function. Caveat emptor: All materials aren’t suitable for all situations.

Determine what material best suits your style. Solid wood, laminate, cork, vinyl, bamboo, linoleum and stone are but a few options for flooring material. Some might fight your home’s style, some might not. Depending on where you live, some may not be appropriate. Cold environments don’t welcome stone floors unless the floors have a heating system. Talk about walking on ice.

Decide what format is best given the type of material you want, coupled with the style of your home. Wood can come in strips, plank or parquet. Sometimes it’s unfinished, sometimes it’s pre-finished. Sheets, tiles and slabs are common in ceramics, stone, linoleum and vinyl, to name a few. The installation finish is usually optional here, as well.

Choose appropriate features. Flooring does, in fact, have features – it’s more than something you walk on. Some materials can be refinished a number of times, meaning they have a long life. Others are stain and spill resistant. Most types of flooring add value to a home, but in varying degrees. So, the long-term investment, alone, is something to consider as a “feature.”

Figure out a budget. Some floors are cheaper and can be installed by you. Others are a matter of more expensive material. Many times, this also means they have to be professionally installed, which adds to the cost. If you really like that stone flooring, explore all of the monetary commitments before diving in. You may find after purchasing the flooring, that the peripheral costs outweigh the aesthetic benefit.

Bathrooms

How old is your bathroom? How long should it last? Could I change it to make it nicer? Can I add a fan, a plug for my hair dryer, What about clear glass in the shower? Everybody has questions about bathrooms.

How many years can you expect out the products in your bathroom?

Bathtub – 50 years cast iron, fiberglass/acrylic, 15-35 years
Counter top – ceramic tile, 30 years, laminate, 10-15 years
Paint – 5-10 years
Carpet – 11 years
Drywall – 30-70 years

Can you make changes to make it better? Yes you can. A decade ago homeowners stayed in their homes an average of 7 years, now the average is 12.5 years. Many people are staying in their homes and fixing them up the way “they” want it. Remodeling the bathroom is a time when you can get creative in the designs and décor you select.

Direct property investment

Buying your home or a property to let out is a way of investing directly in property. However, although the Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulates most mortgage sales, it doesn’t regulate most buy-to-let mortgages. If you’re thinking of investing directly in property as a way of making money it’s important to be aware of the risks. In particular, beware of ‘get-rich-quick’ promotions.

Indirect property investment

Property Open Ended Investment Companies (OEICs) and Property Unit Trusts are schemes which pool investors’ funds into one fund which invests as much as possible in property. (The fund invests either directly and/or by buying shares in companies that invest in property). A few of these schemes are regulated, so there are safeguards to reduce the risk of financial loss.

Collective investments that include property

Some unit trusts, OEICs, investment trusts and life assurance policies include property in the range of funds they invest in. But they also include other investments (shares, government bonds, cash etc) to spread the risk. Some of these collective investments are regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Their marketing material will tell you which range of funds they invest in.

Getting financial advice

Property investment carries high risks. It’s a good idea to get financial advice before investing in any property scheme. Buying overseas property can be very different from the UK system in some countries and is full of potential problems. f you’re planning to buy an investment property, then you need to do a lot of your own research. An adviser does not need a licence to provide property advice although a real estate agent needs to be a licensed to represent property vendors.

Real estate agents are representing the owner of the property so take any ‘advice’ they give with a grain of salt. There are decent independent property advisers around who can act on behalf of individuals buying properties, but there are also dubious advisers who may give the impression of providing advice but they are really trying to sell you into a specific development. You may also consider hiring a buyer’s advocate to represent you but most individuals do the hard slog of checking out different properties themselves.

1. Choose a Listing Agent
2. Get Home Ready for Sale
3. Figure Out How Much Your Home is Worth
4. Market Your Home
5. Show Your Home
6. Receive Purchase Offers and Negotiate
7. Open Escrow / Order Title
8. Schedule Appraiser Appointment
9. Cooperate with Home Inspection
10. Obtain Seller-Required Inspections
11. Delivery Seller Disclosures
12. Negotiate Request for Repair
13. Ask Buyer to Release Contingencies
14. Sign Title / Escrow Documents
15. Close Escrow

After finding a home you like, which can take anything from a few days to many months, the process from having your offer accepted to completion of the sale takes about 12 weeks. This is about twice as long as in many other countries – home-buying in Britain is a notoriously drawn-out business.

It is important to have a good understanding of the process as it will help you to avoid some of the most common hazards of home-buying. Home.co.uk has prepared an introduction to the home-buying process to help you to understand how it all works, how to plan it and what to watch out for. After reading this you should have a better idea of what to expect and how to set out to buy a home feeling prepared and ready to go!

The Buying Process:

1. Work Out How Much You Can Afford

   Four main things affect what your monthly mortgage repayment will be. These are:

   • how much you borrow
   • how long you borrow it for
   • the type of mortgage you have (e.g. interest-only or repayment); and
   • the interest-rate deal you choose.

   All these factors can vary, so use a Mortgage Calculator to work out what your repayments might be. Simply enter the information it asks, and see what a particular mortgage will cost you each month. Always check the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and use it to compare mortgages. You pay back more than just the interest on the amount you borrow – other things may also affect the overall cost of the mortgage, such as administration fees, survey fees and insurance charges. The time at which the credit and other charges have to be paid back affects the rate of the charges and the overall cost to you.

2. Get a Mortgage Agreement in Principle

   Once you have decided on the mortgage you require , it’s often worth obtaining a mortgage agreement in principle certificate. This is a certificate from a lender showing how much it is willing to lend you in principle. Mortgage certificates are often called different things, such as a mortgage promise or an agreement in principle but they mean the same thing.

   The advantage of obtaining a mortgage certificate is that it demonstrates to a seller that you are a serious buyer and that a lender has agreed in principle to lend you enough money to purchase the property. It is worth noting that a mortgage certificate is not a guarantee that the lender will give you the money for the property you want to buy. Whether it agrees firmly to lend you the money will depend on the exact details of the property, the accuracy of the information you have supplied about yourself, and the outcome of credit checks.

3. Choose Your Home

   Surveys have found that people generally take longer choosing curtains than they do choosing a house to buy. Whilst hunting for a house to buy, set out a number of things that should be checked out before putting in an offer in.

   First impressions of a housecan generally make people either love it, or hate it! However, first impressions can be very misleading. Never choose to buy a house based on one viewing.If you are interested in buying the house then arrange for a second viewing, and on the second occasion come prepared. Have a think about what you would like to do with each room, how each one would suit you, and then make a list of all the things that you should check, such as:

   • The quality of the decoration
   • Any obvious structural problems (cracks in walls etc)
   • Actual size of each room (think about your furniture, not theirs)
   • The quality of the kitchen units
   • Check that all the taps etc work
   • The list goes on!

   Lots of little things can help gauge whether a house would be a nightmare to turn into what you envisaged it to be, and how much it would cost to maintain the house.

4. Hire a Solicitor

   If you need a solicitor you should choose one who has experience in the appropriate area of law. A local advice agency such as a law centre or Citizens Advice Bureau, should be able to recommend local solicitors who are experienced in the appropriate area of law or will be able to provide information on how to find a suitable solicitor. In some cases, a CAB can refer you to an organisation which can offer free legal help. You can also find details of solicitors on the Law Society website at www.solicitors-online.com, or go to the Community Legal Service Directory for details of solicitors and advice agencies throughout England and Wales.

5. Make an Offer

   Plan ahead before making an offer on a house.The agent acts for the seller. If you ask for guidance on what to offer, they’ll suggest a high figure. Rely on your own research.

   Develop your negotiating techniqueAgents will ask questions which gives them the initiative. It’s a sales technique you can equally well turn to your advantage.Know house prices in your local market.Take time to gather information on both the market and the seller.

   Be confident you know the market, review all your research. Understand the seller’s viewpoint and circumstances.Don’t miss out on a good buy. But don’t overpay. Agents will always ask for more. Be sure you know values. Identify genuine sellers who are keen to find a buyer.

   Know your seller’s needs.It helps judge how tough you can be when negotiating on price. Also, look at the seller’s perspective.Treat the asking price as no more than a guide.In areas where there are plenty of homes for sale, you’re likely to find a buyers’ market. You should be in a strong negotiating position.In other areas property shortages could result in higher asking prices prices.

   Some sellers may be over-confident, with asking prices too optimistic.Your opening offer is an important part of negotiating.Rely on your market research and knowledge of the seller. When you make an offer on a house, strike a balance. Too low. You risk hardening seller’s attitude to price. Too high. You could overpay. Leave room to negotiate.Expect the agent to ask for an increase in your opening offer, maybe a lot. It’s now that negotiating firmly will pay.

6. Have a Survey and Valuation Done

   The contract paperwork that you will be asked to sign will indicate that, as Buyer, you have inspected and surveyed the property and have satisfied yourself regarding its actual state and condition at the date contracts are exchanged, whether or not you actually do this. There is nothing that can be done about any defects that you may discover after exchanging contracts or completing the transaction.

   It is therefore essential that you have the property thoroughly checked out by an expert. There are various types of inspections that you can obtain:

   • Mortgage valuation
     Your Lender (i.e. your bank, building society or other lending institution) will usually obtain a mortgage valuation by its in-house survey department or a local Chartered Surveyor. This report is obtained to satisfy the Lender that the house is good security for the proposed mortgage loan. It is not, in the true sense, a survey.
   • A Home Buyers report and valuation
     This is a “middle” range report, which is more detailed than a mortgage valuation. It will usually extend to several pages which will include a valuation of the property and suggest a re-instatement value for insurance purposes. The Surveyor will inspect the main structure including the roof, if it is accessible, and will usually take moisture level readings in case of damp.
   • A full structural survey
     This is particularly useful for older or larger properties but should not be discounted in other cases. The Surveyor will report on everything that is visible – from the outside of the roof to under the floorboards, where practicable. In addition to looking at the structure of the building and any outbuildings, this type of survey will also include comments on any nearby trees that may be causing damage to the property and will also detail water and drainage services. The surveyor may suggest that you undertake further tests, for example, if damp or dry rot is suspected, or may even suggest a specific structural engineers report is obtained if a structural problem is detected.
7. Do Any Necessary Legal Work
8. Arrange for Life Assurance
9. Finalise Your Mortgage
10. Exchange Contracts
11. Organise Your Move
12. Finalise Your Contract Details
13. Move In