With the exception of some areas in the Northeast, the lead issue is new to most people. Most consumers know little about lead poisoning. However, this will change over the new few years, and create a demand for housing that is free of lead hazards. The change is expected to come: when lawsuits increase across the United States. Interestingly, as public awareness about lead increases, so do the number of lawsuits.

a year round conditioned space, the sunroom increases the value and appreciates in value just like any room would. In fact, a US News and World report indicated that a well-designed and installed sunroom is one of the highest returning improvements you can buy (98% in 6 months compared to 78% for a conventional addition).

Today, the number one desired home improvement in America is a water feature. The money spent on a professionally installed water feature enhances the landscape dramatically, increasing the home's value.

Yes, improved aesthetics and functionality are key elements in today's market and our decorative Surface texture overlays will definitely improve any home or project, adding significant economic and aesthetic value.

A spiral staircase increases the Market Value of the home by making it much more distinctive and faster selling than homes with standard foyer layouts. Realtors across America agree that a spiral staircase creates a dramatic "First Impression" that truly helps sell a home faster and for a higher price.

Answer: It depends on a few things. First of all, adding living space increases the value the most. Three and Four season additions and decks will be your largest value. However, finishing basements is also a great asset. Siding is a strong second behind these, because people desire less maintenance. Roofing is very important as well, it can become a more popular asset with all the new, innovative products that enhance curb appeal.

Definitely! Your new windows, siding, roof and other exterior home improvements accentuate your home and all will add value during the selling process. In fact, it has been shown that the following increases in value in the Chicagoland area have been published in the 2005 Realtor’s Magazine: Siding: 132% and Windows: 125%. Plus, you get the combined benefits of comfort, safety and security every minute you enjoy your home, even if you never sell it.

After the trademark registration, a regular monitoring of your trademark is required, in order to ascertain the existence of trademarks with less senior priority and to prevent trademark infringements. If this monitoring of the trademark is not done, then dilution and obsolescence threatens the trademark through unauthorized use by a third party.

A solar electric system can increase your home's value by reducing operating costs. The Appraisal institute published a study in their Appraisal Journal that stated that if a home's operating costs can be reduced through an energy efficiency measure, those savings have a tangible connection to increasing the home's value. The rationale is that instead of paying the utility, a future buyer could take a larger mortgage and instead pay the bank and their operating costs would be unchanged.

Pretty simple. Just consider for yourself. Given a choice between two properties, the potential buyer will naturally choose the more secure home or expect to pay less for the seismically deficient home.

It depends. After you have invested much money in a home improvement, it is tempting to believe that your house is worth more than it really is. Reality can sink in when a home is appraised for sale or refinancing. Improvements can help increase property value, but prices are more strongly influenced by market conditions.

appraisal is a professional estimate of a property's market value, based on recent sales of comparable properties, location, square footage and construction quality. This service varies in cost depending on the price of the home. On average, an appraisal costs about $300 for a $250,000 house. A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate of market value performed by a real estate agent based on similar sales and property attributes.

The appraisal district compares a home to similar homes that have sold recently and determines the value accordingly.

No. You can never owe more than what your home is worth. What's more, since the reverse mortgage is what is known as a "non-recourse" loan, the lender cannot seek repayment from your income, your other assets, or your estate. In other words, the house stands for the debt.

Waterproofing products are designed to "prevent" water penetration even under wet conditions such as hydrostatic pressure in the soil after heavy rain storms or spring thaws. Aquaseal's products contain rubber which provides superior waterproofing protection and allows the product to remain flexible even when it dries. This flexibility allows the waterproofing membrane to stretch as the foundation settles and bridge small hairline settlement cracks that can occur in the concrete or block.

It is impossible to waterproof your home completely, but there are ways to keep your home relatively free from excessive moisture. One way is to make sure

Alaska State law does not provide for any limit on the amount a property value can increase in order to bring the value current with today's market. Property should be valued at or near 100% of market value.

Market value changes over time even if no improvements are made to the property. For example, many people sell their homes for more money than they originally paid years earlier. The statutes require that property be periodically reassessed to maintain realistic market values and treat all taxpayers fairly.

Yes. The medium of the piece is sometimes a factor. One-of-a-kind sculptures are often more valuable than limited editions or large editions. The artist’s signature as well as the number that it is in a limited edition affect the value of a piece. Example: Number one in an addition of 700 (1/700) would be more valuable than 600/700 because it would hold more detail being one of the first pieces coming from a mold.

Real estate values are established by buyers and sellers acting independently. If sale prices in your area increase, the market value of your property may increase. This is basic supply and demand of the marketplace. Your neighbor may have owned the property for a long time and have a homestead exemption. Parcels that have an approved homestead exemption are also entitled to a Save Our Homes Differential (SOHD) which limits increases in property evaluations. Click here for an explanation.