Ask The Houston Home Inspector

Save Energy This Winter without Spending a Dime

(ARA) - As fall turns to winter, energy usage turns into higher energy bills and, according to the Department of Energy, 2007 energy costs are increasing. While there are plenty of costly ways to save on your utility bills this winter [Read more →]

Easy New Year’s Resolutions for Home Improvement

(ARA) – A fresh year, a fresh start … a fresh look for your home? As we all try to eat better, watch less TV, and break all our bad habits, why not also resolve to do something you’ve been putting off? Home improvement projects don’t need to be difficult, and with the right tools and attitude, they can be exciting as you watch your house transform. [Read more →]

Quick Bathroom Fixes Add Style and Luxury

(ARA) - Want to increase the value of your property? Update your bathroom. This strategic remodel invariably turns out to be money well spent. [Read more →]

Tips for Maintaining Home Safety

(ARA) - Winter here which means more time spent indoors. Before you become housebound, take some time to conduct a safety check inside and around your home.   [Read more →]

Bachelor Baths That Are Female Friendly

(ARA) - Hearing the phrase “bachelor bath” might conjure up thoughts of a leopard skin rug, mismatched items from college dorm days and open tubes of toothpaste. But, creating a bathroom design that feels masculine, yet warm and inviting enough for the opposite sex, can easily be accomplished. By incorporating some unique elements into your decor, you can produce a space that will be unquestionably male, but equally appealing to both sexes. [Read more →]

Giving Your Home Curb Appeal: From The Inside

(ARA) - According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales have fallen to their lowest level in nearly 10 years. In fact, a recent Wall Street Journal article reported that some people are so desperate to sell that they’re actually burying religious statues in their yards to help generate sales interest. [Read more →]

Hidden Ways to Green-Up Your Home

(ARA) - Building or remodeling a home can be exciting — and nerve wracking. Homeowners face a seemingly endless array of decisions, from paint color to landscaping, and, more recently, how their choices will impact the environment. Fortunately, it is not complicated to build a “green” home — one that is energy efficient, uses renewable materials and is healthy for your family and the environment. [Read more →]

Extreme Kitchen Makeovers on a Tight Budget

(ARA) – If your kitchen needs an extreme makeover, updating it might seem like an impossible task. The existing cabinets largely determine the overall feel of your kitchen, and replacing them can be enormously expensive. Luckily, there are easier, less expensive options for giving one of the most important rooms in your house the new look it deserves. [Read more →]

End the Year with a Weekend Project that Pays You Back

(ARA) - If you’re looking for an easy home improvement project to tackle during your upcoming holiday break, why not choose one that pays you back? Adding insulation in your attic not only helps reduce your heating and cooling bills for years to come, but if you purchase qualifying insulation products before December 31, 2007, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $500. When was the last time one of your weekend projects gave you that kind of return? [Read more →]

Hot New Looks, Green Value Bring Ceramic Tile Out of the Bath


(ARA) – When you think of drama in home design what comes to mind? Is it ceramic tile? A growing number of homeowners and interior designers are tapping tile to create excitement in their decor – in some unusual, surprising ways. [Read more →]