@bQuick leaky Bathroom Shower Repair Sunshine RemodelingVideo, Barry Hicks,RemodelGuruDFW ^http://ping.fm/kycPc

Texas Assoc of Realtors recommendations for prop 2,3,5,11 Nov 3rd http://ping.fm/W6tRK

Vote Yes on Propositions 2,3,5,and 11 Tues Nov 3 in Dallas

Reprinted from an article by Robyn Carafiol, SRES,  Virginia Cook Realtors.

On Tuesday, November 3^rd, we will have the opportunity to go to the polls and vote on several important issues.  Early voting is already underway.  The Texas Association of Realtors recommends that we vote “YES” on Propositions 2, 3, 5 and 11.  These measures represent significant appraisal reform and protection of private-property rights.

Propositions 2, 3, and 5 have been targeted by a malicious misinformation campaign meant to prey on the fears of uninformed voters who may not read the ballot language.  Don’t fall victim to this campaign.  Here’s what Propositions 2, 3, 5, and 11 will do:

• Proposition 2
  Homeowners in Texas are well aware of astronomical increases in appraised values. These increases can be made ever worse when chief appraisers choose to bypass appraising a property as homestead, and base their appraisal on the “highest and best use” of the property.  Proposition 2 protects homeowners who happen to live in or near commercial areas by mandating that their residences be appraised only as a residence, regardless of what the highest and best use of the property might be.
• Proposition 3
  Current law requires that standards and procedures for the appraisal of property to originate in the county where the tax is imposed. As a result property owners are often victimized by a hodgepodge of inconsistent rules and standards throughout the state. This constitutional amendment corrects this problem by simply requiring an appraisal district to follow standard appraisal methods and procedures.
• Proposition 5
  Appraisal review boards have the responsibility to resolve disputes between property owners and county appraisal districts when the taxable value of a property is being challenged. The property owner is always best served when the review boards are comprised of members who understand the issues and complexities of property valuations.  Some rural counties have difficulty finding board members to meet these standards. This constitutional amendment will give these counties the option to pool together their qualified applicants to better ensure the property owner that their appraisal appeal is being handled professionally and timely.
• Proposition 11
  The U.S. and Texas constitutions authorize the power of eminent domain. This power allows a governmental entity to take private property as long as it is for a “public use” and the owner is adequately compensated. This amendment would narrow the scope under which private property could be taken by eminent domain. It essentially would eliminate the taking of private property for either private economic development (e.g., a shopping mall) or to boost tax revenues. It also provides that the power of eminent domain could be granted only by a two-thirds vote of the Texas Legislature.

Please vote YES on these well-intentioned propositions.

And please call or email me with your real estate questions or concerns.  If you are thinking about buying or selling a house this year or next year, I would like to speak to you about the current market conditions and the excellent service I provide.  Thank you!

Robyn Carafiol, SRES

Virginia Cook Realtors

robyn@robynhomes.com

214.460.8016

http://www.virginiacook.com/robyn-carafiol

Join me on: Twitter at Robyn Carafiol

Facebook at Robyn Carafiol’s Dallas Real Estate

Barbara Husel Goodlife Pathways and Ageing in Place

Barbara Husel held an important event today for Seniors at the Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas.  I was able to speak to the large group about Ageing in Place.  Ageing in place means that if a Senior chooses, I can remodel or modify their living space that they can continue to safely live at home.  Avoiding having to move out of the house they have lived in most of their lives.  I took a Halloween basket made by Judy Creiner, our Gift Diva,as a gift for one lucky senior attendee.  It was a huge hit!  Thanks Barbara!  Thanks Judy!

Remodel GuruDFW, Barry Hicks talks Remodeling.
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Contractors Guide to Remodeling for the Elderly DFW

Demographic Facts about the Maturing of our Nation:

In 2009, one in every four people in the USA is over the age of 50

• The net worth of seniors is five times greater than the average worth of all US Citizens.
• Seniors average $24,000 per year in disposable income
• 60% of seniors purchase remodeling services, they are less likely to attempt to di it themselves.
• From the year 2000 to 2030 the US population of people over the age of 65 will double.
• By 2050…79 Million people in the US will be age 65 and over.
• Baby Boomers own 48% of all homes
• Boomers have the highest median household income in the US
• Boomers have the highest earnings and the highest inheritances in the US.

Is a nursing home in the future of all of these Americans?  I don’t think so!

Seniors and their Care Givers  will be contacting a CAPS certified contractor to remodel their homes to make their lives safer and more comfortable.  The NAHB offers a certification class called CAPS .  Which stands for Certified Aging in Place.

As a contractor who is experienced in this field.  I want to share some basic etiquette when working with seniors on Remodeling their home.  I wish someone had told me this when I was new to CAPS.

Tips for contractors:

• Treat older adults like the adults they are, with respect.
• Speak directly to the home owner, even if there are other decision makers present.
• Allow extra time for the information to be processed by your client
• Be patient- and don’t refuse the hospitality of your clients
• Build trust
• Converse at eye level with a person in a wheelchair
• Use familiar terms and expressions so there is no confusion
• Use 12 point or larger font in all bids and proposals
• Use non-glare paper in all bids and proposals

NAHB National Association of Home Builders

CAPS Certified Aging in Place

As your Remodeling Contractor, I need to have a clear understanding:

• Who is my client
• Who lives in the house
• Special concerns (physical limitations) of residents
• Will any medical therapies or medical conditions affect the remodeling project?
• Is there an assessment from a physician or a Transition Counselor like Barbara Husel, Dallas, Texas of Goodlife Pathways, www.goodlifepathways.com that the re-modeler needs to work with?
• author, Barry Hicks, President   Sunshine Remodeling and Sunrooms, Dallas, Texas   www.sunshinesunrooms.com  972-243-5390

$20,000 Home Remodel can keep away the Nursing Home!

$20,000 Smart – Remodeling Budget

Yes!  You can do it with the help of a good remodeling contractor, your transition life counselor and your physician.  Remain living independently in your own home.  As your contractor, I must be able to provide guidance for specific needed modifications in your home.  Good remodeling can make your home safer and more secure as your body changes and matures.

As a Contractor my priority is improving the function and practicality of your home.  But I am also focused on  keeping the beauty of your home intact.  Appearance is so important because the good taste and beauty of your home make even the coldest days and the saddest moments of our lives more bearable.

First, I will explain some of the options available in specific areas of the home.  Areas that can often be the source of injury or fire in the home.

Second,  I will show you an example of what a$20,000 remodel can do for your house.  An example of what $20,000 buys for you in making your home safer and more secure.

Kitchen

• Install sit down height for work surfaces
• No open flames
• Anti scald valves
• Update electrical wiring as needed to prevent blown fuses
• Install easy to operate door knobs and dead bolts
• Install automatic timers and shut offs for appliances
• Install Non-slip flooring
• Replace round door knobs with levers
• Install rocker switches on all lights
• Install automatic light on/off devices in all closets when door is opened and closed

Bathrooms

Three Priorities:  prevent falls, ease of use, and look beautiful!

• Install grab bars
• Install raised toilet seats
• Install bath bench and hand held shower heads
• Install a night light path to the bathroom

General

• Strategic handrails throughout house
• Non-slip surfaces where possible
• Use lots of color and contrast through out the house
• Design large clear hallways, stairways and pathways in the house.

Your CAPS Certified Aging in Place remodeling contractor, will act as YOUR guide and … be the guide for your adult children or whoever else is involved in the remodeling project.  Two thirds of all mature adults make their own remodeling decisions.

The $20,000 Smart – Remodeling Budget

Improvement and Approximate Cost

1. Replacing exterior stairs with landscaped ramp     $3000
2. Low-voltage lighting system on exterior walkways and in the yard     $350
3. Install Electronic video door-answering system with buzzer entry     $2200
4. Replace bathtub with walk-in shower     $6000
5. Electric Bed, adjustable in height and position     $1800
6. Voice Activated home automation system lights and appliances     $4200
7. Automatic fire suppressant system in range hood     $700
8. Motorized units for height adjustable kitchen cabinets     $1750

*  This estimate does not include everything that is listed in the options available section of this article.  For example purposes only and not a special being offered at my company.  All bids and estimates are done on a customized basis. We do offer specials if you call.   My priority here is to be helpful to the homeowner.  Barry Hicks, President   Sunshine Remodeling, Dallas, Texas www.sunshinesunrooms.com  214-243-5390

Nursing Homes Out! Living at Home In!

Nursing Homes Out! – Living at Home In!

Barry Hicks, licensed and insured Texas contractor

www.sunshinesunrooms.com

Re-Designing your home for the transitions in your life.

Demographic Facts about the Maturing of our Nation:

• In 2009, one in every four people in the USA is over the age of 50
• The net worth of seniors is five times greater than the average worth of all US Citizens.
• Seniors average $24,000 per year in disposable income
• 60% of seniors purchase remodeling services, they are less likely to attempt to do it themselves.
• From the year 2000 to 2030 the US population of people over the age of 65 will double.
• By 2050…79 Million people in the US will be age 65 and over.
• Baby Boomers own 48% of all homes
• Boomers have the highest median household income in the US
• Boomers have the highest earnings and the highest inheritances in the US.

Is a nursing home in the future of all of these Americans?  I don’t think so!

A good contractor works with your transition needs counselor.  Barbara Husel, a Transition Needs Counselor at Goodlife Pathways in Dallas, Texas, and your remodeling contractor will work together to preserve your ability to live as independently as possible.  As your contractor, I must be able to provide guidance for specific needed modifications in your home.  Good remodeling can make your home safer and more secure as your body changes and matures.

As a Contractor my priority is improving the function and practicality of your home.  But I am also focused on  keeping the beauty of your home intact.  Appearance is so important because the good taste and beauty of your home make even the coldest days and the saddest moments of our lives more bearable.

In Remodeling the home, maturing adults must consider that they have some diminished senses.  This includes Hearing, Sight, Smell, Touch and Taste.

How Diminished Senses Affect Remodeling Choices, Options and Outcomes:

Diminished Hearing

• Remodeling should reduce background noises throughout the house
• Insulate loud appliances
• Use carpeting to reduce ambient sounds
• Use curtains or cloth blinds instead of metal blinds

For severe hearing loss- install flashing lights or vibrating devices in strategic areas of your home.  This alerts you to phone, visitors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Diminished Eyesight

Conditions include cataracts, macular degeneration, and general loss of depth perception.

House faces west – too much glare.

• Install low glare glass in windows
• Use of Shades and Drapes

Depth Perception –

• Provide more lighting
• Strong use of contrasting colors of paint throughout the house

Need for More light in all cases

• Use multiple light sources
• Increase wattage of bulbs
• Install task lighting, like under-counter lighting.

Diminished Capacity to Smell and or Taste

• Put smoke detectors and gas detectors where they can be easily accessed
• Increase ventilation throughout house
• Install tightly locking, but easy to open windows
• Install non-absorbent bathroom surfaces that are easy to clean and don’t acquire odd odors (who wants their house to smell like you haven’t cleaned it?)

Since you may not be able to smell or taste bad food, you need to protect yourself with

• Extra lighting in the food preparation areas
• Easy to clean and non-bacteria absorbing countertops that contrast with the color of meats.
• Install a  separate storage area for cleaning products so they don’t get mixed up with or mistaken for food.

Diminished sense of Touch with very thin skin

Your skin is thinner and more fragile

• Install rounded counter top edges
• Install scald control devices on all water outlets
• Install simple manual controls, that are easy to use and read, whenever possible.
• Eliminate drafts and insulate

Cognitive Changes:

The brain slows with aging.  There can also be issues with oxygen deprivation to the brain with various chronic illnesses.

• Install color in the house to command attention to important exit doors and other important doors
• The color red can mean caution

Chronic Illnesses like

Arthritis, Diabetes, Heart Conditions and Respiratory Problems

Results in problems with:

• Walking (may have to consider a cane, a walker, wheelchair or electric cart in the home when remodeling)
• Bathing
• Negotiating Stairs
• Getting in/out of bed, tub, shower and chairs

Stairs can be a particular challenge.  If you can’t relocate to a one story house…..

• Install adequate stair lighting with on/off switches at top and bottom of stairs
• Install light strips on the stairs
• Install a contrasting color step at the top and bottom step
• Install non-slip strips on stairs
• Remove throw rugs from landings

Specific Areas of the Home:

Kitchen

• Install sit down height for work surfaces
• No open flames
• Anti scald valves
• Update electrical wiring as needed to prevent blown fuses
• Install easy to operate door knobs and dead bolts
• Install automatic timers and shut offs for appliances
• Install Non-slip flooring
• Replace round door knobs with levers
• Install rocker switches on all lights
• Install automatic light on/off devices in all closets when door is opened and closed

Bathrooms

Three Priorities:  prevent falls, ease of use, and look beautiful!

• Install grab bars
• Install raised toilet seats
• Install bath bench and hand held shower heads
• Install a night light path to the bathroom

General

• Strategic handrails throughout house
• Non-slip surfaces where possible
• Use lots of color and contrast through out the house
• Design large clear hallways, stairways and pathways in the house.

As your remodeling contractor, I will act as your guide and …

I can be the guide for your adult children or whoever else is involved in the remodeling project.  Two thirds of all mature adults make their own remodeling decisions.

Nursing Homes Out! – Living at Home In!

Barry Hicks, licensed and insured Texas contractor

www.sunshinesunrooms.com

Re-Designing your home for the transitions in your life.

Demographic Facts about the Maturing of our Nation:

• In 2009, one in every four people in the USA is over the age of 50
• The net worth of seniors is five times greater than the average worth of all US Citizens.
• Seniors average $24,000 per year in disposable income
• 60% of seniors purchase remodeling services, they are less likely to attempt to di it themselves.
• From the year 2000 to 2030 the US population of people over the age of 65 will double.
• By 2050…79 Million people in the US will be age 65 and over.
• Baby Boomers own 48% of all homes
• Boomers have the highest median household income in the US
• Boomers have the highest earnings and the highest inheritances in the US.

Is a nursing home in the future of all of these Americans?  I don’t think so!

Sunshine Remodeling works with your transition needs counselor.  Barbara Husel, a Transition Needs Counselor at Goodlife Pathways, and your remodeling contractor will work together to preserve your ability to live as independently as possible.  As your contractor, I must be able to provide guidance for specific needed modifications in your home.  Good remodeling can make your home safer and more secure as your body changes and matures.

As a Contractor my priority is improving the function and practicality of your home.  But I am also focused on  keeping the beauty of your home intact.  Appearance is so important because the good taste and beauty of your home make even the coldest days and the saddest moments of our lives more bearable.

In Remodeling the home, maturing adults must consider that they have some diminished senses.  This includes Hearing, Sight, Smell, Touch and Taste.

How Diminished Senses Affect Remodeling Choices, Options and Outcomes:

Diminished Hearing

• Remodeling should reduce background noises throughout the house
• Insulate loud appliances
• Use carpeting to reduce ambient sounds
• Use curtains or cloth blinds instead of metal blinds

For severe hearing loss- install flashing lights or vibrating devices in strategic areas of your home.  This alerts you to phone, visitors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Diminished Eyesight

Conditions include cataracts, macular degeneration, and general loss of depth perception.

House faces west – too much glare.

• Install low glare glass in windows
• Use of Shades and Drapes

Depth Perception –

• Provide more lighting
• Strong use of contrasting colors of paint throughout the house

Need for More light in all cases

• Use multiple light sources
• Increase wattage of bulbs
• Install task lighting, like under-counter lighting.

Diminished Capacity to Smell and or Taste

• Put smoke detectors and gas detectors where they can be easily accessed
• Increase ventilation throughout house
• Install tightly locking, but easy to open windows
• Install non-absorbent bathroom surfaces that are easy to clean and don’t acquire odd odors (who wants their house to smell like you haven’t cleaned it?)

Since you may not be able to smell or taste bad food, you need to protect yourself with

• Extra lighting in the food preparation areas
• Easy to clean and non-bacteria absorbing countertops that contrast with the color of meats.
• Install a  separate storage area for cleaning products so they don’t get mixed up with or mistaken for food.

Diminished sense of Touch with very thin skin

Your skin is thinner and more fragile

• Install rounded counter top edges
• Install scald control devices on all water outlets
• Install simple manual controls, that are easy to use and read, whenever possible.
• Eliminate drafts and insulate

Cognitive Changes:

The brain slows with aging.  There can also be issues with oxygen deprivation to the brain with various chronic illnesses.

• Install color in the house to command attention to important exit doors and other important doors
• The color red can mean caution

Chronic Illnesses like

Arthritis, Diabetes, Heart Conditions and Respiratory Problems

Results in problems with:

• Walking (may have to consider a cane, a walker, wheelchair or electric cart in the home when remodeling)
• Bathing
• Negotiating Stairs
• Getting in/out of bed, tub, shower and chairs

Stairs can be a particular challenge.  If you can’t relocate to a one story house…..

• Install adequate stair lighting with on/off switches at top and bottom of stairs
• Install light strips on the stairs
• Install a contrasting color step at the top and bottom step
• Install non-slip strips on stairs
• Remove throw rugs from landings

Specific Areas of the Home:

Kitchen

• Install sit down height for work surfaces
• No open flames
• Anti scald valves
• Update electrical wiring as needed to prevent blown fuses
• Install easy to operate door knobs and dead bolts
• Install automatic timers and shut offs for appliances
• Install Non-slip flooring
• Replace round door knobs with levers
• Install rocker switches on all lights
• Install automatic light on/off devices in all closets when door is opened and closed

Bathrooms

Three Priorities:  prevent falls, ease of use, and look beautiful!

• Install grab bars
• Install raised toilet seats
• Install bath bench and hand held shower heads
• Install a night light path to the bathroom

General

• Strategic handrails throughout house
• Non-slip surfaces where possible
• Use lots of color and contrast through out the house
• Design large clear hallways, stairways and pathways in the house.

As your remodeling contractor, I will act as your guide and …

I can be the guide for your adult children or whoever else is involved in the remodeling project.  Two thirds of all mature adults make their own remodeling decisions.

CASH back for remodels in Richardson

The city of Richardson is offering a home improvement incentive that is phenominal! Have $20K or more remodeling done to your home (by Sunshine, of course) and you have no property tax increase for 10 years! You get the 10 years of tax savings as CASH on April 1, 2010. If your improvement makes your property tax go up $1000 per year, you get a check back for $10K! If you live in Richardson, check out this link.
http://ping.fm/Z603c
Call me and I will help you with the process 214-957-3141