Monday, April 06, 2009

Spring revitalization, remodeling, renovation - you and your home or business!

Spring is Here!


"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies." By Nadine Stair


During this time of new growth and fresh starts, it's a fantastic time to organize and reinvigorate yourself. Spring home cleaning, yard and garden preparation, important document organization and tax filing, winter clothes and decoration changeovers, home repair and remodeling, window replacement and energy-efficient upgrades, personal business coaching- these are all opportunities to nurture your life into a year of fresh opportunity and success!


Both spring and fall are commonly chosen times for devoting extra attention to cleansing and renewal, though any time of year is a good time to reorganize. Spring, however, is a particularly motivating and exciting time of year to fulfill your sense of accomplishment and engage new-found initiatives.


Here's a quick list over at the Northern Virginia and Washington DC Business Blog of recommended home repair, remodeling, renovation and handyman service providers in our extended region, from Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun counties) to the Piedmont areas of western Loudoun, Prince William and counties south and west. The list also includes a few other nuggets of spring revitalization resources - for you or your homeowners/home sellers!

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Monday, March 02, 2009

Northern Virginia Energy Efficient Tax Credits for Home Renovation and Repairs

(From Northern Virginia and Washington DC Businesses)

A “perfect storm” is brewing for all US and Northern Virginia homeowners this spring, interested in saving money on energy costs, saving money on taxes, and promoting a healthy, clean, environmentally-friendly lifestyle for themselves and their families. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. More Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency are available for consumers and home builders, at a much higher percentage of cost (up to 30%), with very few upper limits or exceptions. Tax deductions are available as well for businesses.

The highlights are:

  • The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.

  • The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%, with no upper limit through 2016 (for existing homes only).

  • The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount have been converted to 30% of the cost.

  • The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.

  • The $200 cap on windows has been removed.


These tax credits convert into significant savings for consumers interested in Northern Virginia home renovations and remodeling, or consumers simply interested in lowering energy costs through use of new energy-efficient home features like vinyl windows and HVAC units, solar panels and hot water heaters, or simply additional, updated insulation, roofing or caulking projects. This is the absolute best time of year, as well, to begin planning home renovation, repair and remodeling projects that require warmer weather to implement – and require longer lead times from service providers as the spring orders increase.

Here are some very good examples I know of, of Virginia home improvement, construction or handyman firms capable of handling your energy-efficiency projects this spring.

For large, custom Northern Virginia home renovation and construction projects that include significant home energy improvements or features, Architectural Construction of McLean, VA offers services that easily provide significant return on investment, via these stimulus bill energy efficiency tax credits. Constructive Solutions of Leesburg VA offers many routine home maintenance, repair, remodeling and handyman services including installation or retrofitting home energy features to take advantage of the tax credits. Vinyl-Lite Window Factory of Lorton, VA already provides the very best and most energy-efficient Northern Virginia windows and replacement vinyl windows – acting now to order and install replacement windows takes full advantage of the tax credits, resulting in significant savings in addition to the reduced energy costs. (Don't forget to include window security screens or alarm screens for maximum security and privacy). For “Piedmont” area (including Fauquier, Clarke, Culpeper, Frederick, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Prince William counties) handyman, home repair and renovation services, Handyman Matters will quickly and efficiently replace old, energy-inefficient features of your home with new ones that take complete advantage of the new tax credits.

Contact Ingrid Myers, Prince William realtor, as well to discuss spring home renovation and remodeling plans, especially if the goal is to get a head start on the spring real estate season, fix your home up for resell, or simply find an easy and now very cost-effective way to improve the value of your home.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Northern Virginia Home Renovation - Examples from Leesburg Historic District and Great Falls

Home Sweet Home...Home Improvement is one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make - and is many times overlooked. Yes there is dust, dirt but the end result will be well worth the inconvenience. With real estate in Northern Virginia in such turmoil many are choosing to remodel and renovate Northern Virginia homes - their own homes. Give your home a ”facelift” or makeover that provides an updated or new look, while not uprooting your family to a new location (i.e. no need to move!).

Here's a truly inspiring example of a home renovation in the Leesburg Historic district and Great Falls - both the "before" and "after" pictures. The "Miles Carriage House" in Leesburg received a commendation from the Town of Leesburg for outstanding adherence to historical design standards.

Architectural Construction provides home renovation and remodeling services throughout Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties.
Northern Virginia Home Remodeling - Loudoun County Leesburg Historic District - Before
Northern Virginia Home Remodeling - Loudoun County Leesburg Historic District - After
Northern Virginia Home Remodeling - Fairfax County, Great Falls - Before
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Read more about Virginia Home Renovation at Dulles South Online.

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