When it comes to residential roofing, there is a lot to keep in mind. There are various types of roofing shingles available for your home. Some better than others.  Let’s talk about the most popular option, asphalt.

Asphalt shingles come in many styles and price point and are appropriate for any climate, wind-resistant and easy to maintain. The basic asphalt shingle is a 3-tab shingle; it’s available in many colors, but offers no textural interest. The other main issue with asphalt is that it doesn’t last forever. It will need to be replaced after 15 or so years.

Another option that is definitely picking up steam in the residential arena is metal. If you truly want a worry free roof that will withstand any weather condition, metal is for you. Metal Roofing is  no longer just for commercial buildings, but is available as a panel or shingle for residential roofs . Shingles are made to look like other materials and panels provide clean lines which are suitable on a farmhouse and on urban applications.

Metal roofs offer durability and are ideal for areas with harsh weather conditions. It is resistant to fire, hail, moisture and fungal growth and is very low-maintenance. It is fully recyclable and can be made of recycled materials. Local realtors say, buyers love when they see metal because they know that means they won’t have to give the roof any attention. Erie Construction, of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to show you why metal is the last roof you’ll ever need.

We all have a “to do” list when it comes to home renovation projects. The key to investing in your home is doing it wisely, making sure you recoup at least some of the cost upon the sale of your home. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Remodeling Magazine recently released their 2012 Remodeling Cost Vs. Value Report, and the findings show you don’t have to spend a ton of money to add to your home’s resale value.

Exterior renovations dominated the list of cost-effective projects. This year’s Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report shows the value of putting your home’s best facade forward. Exterior replacement projects are not only crucial to a home’s regular upkeep, but are also expected to recoup close to 70 percent of costs.

If you want to recoup about 78% of your investment, high quality siding is the way to go. Siding replacement is already part of long-term home maintenance, so go for the good stuff and reap the rewards upon the sale of your home.

Replacing your current entry door with a strong steel door pays for itself in more than one way. You see more than 70 percent of your cost returned, and you will know you and your family are safer than you would be with a flimsy wooden exterior door.

Next up, replace your garage door. You can expect a good return when you replace your old garage door with an upscale or mid-range model. Also, you can’t ignore your old, leaky windows forever. As with many of the projects on this list, window replacement is part of long-term home maintenance for many people. By replacing your old windows with newer vinyl models, you’ll recoup some of your cost and save yourself money on utility bills over time.

Lastly, local realtors say, nothing turns a buyers off more than an old, falling apart, asphalt roof. More and more homeowners are making the switch to a metal roof because they last three times as long, and they are energy efficient. Erie Construction, of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and can show you why many homeowners are reaping the rewards of metal.

We’ve all been there. You know, the moment your heart falls in love with the most perfect house you’ve ever seen. Of course, in your head your already rearranging the furniture and deciding which bedrooms would be perfect for your kids. Local real estate experts say, you really should try not to fall head over heels in love with a house until after the inspection. Whether you think you’ve found the perfect house, the classiest neighborhood or the friendliest neighbors, be sure to step back and look at the big picture when you’re shopping for a new home. Was there something you missed along the way because of your enthusiasm?

Real estate experts say, a lot of first-time homebuyers fall in love way too fast, and then look for reasons to fall even more in love instead of the other way around. Once you’ve narrowed your search to a few neighborhoods, don’t fall for the first bargain that sweeps you off your feet. Some people are blinded by just the value and are not stopping to consider whether or not they have the money to fix it up. Just because the price is right doesn’t mean the home is. Even if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, remodeling costs add up quickly. If the home you’ve fallen for has flaws that you can fix down the road, you can hope you’ll have enough equity in the home within a few years to take out a home-equity line of credit. Even experienced homebuyers aren’t immune from love at first sight, but they might be more aware of signs that could signal a deal breaker.

Local realtors say, the biggest problems with a home that causes the most buyers to back out are foundation issues and bad roofs. Both of these problems are costly and most homeowners do not want to deal with them right when they move in. Because asphalt roofs have such a short shelf life, more and more homeowners are choosing to invest in a metal roof. They are incredibly strong and will last four times the length of a traditional asphalt roof. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and can show you why many are going metal, and not looking back!

If you are really serious about trying to sell your home, local real estate experts whatever you do don’t rush to hire the first realtor you meet. Talk to at least three neighborhood specialists. Ask each listing agent to give you a marketing plan that explains what they will do to market and sell your home. In addition, ask the agents to prepare a comparative market analysis for you.

Next up, you will want to move out bulky and excess furniture. Now, you need to start thinking about making repairs and possibly some updating. Not all resale repairs will pay off. Old, outdated, bathrooms and kitchens are major deal breakers. Buyers nowadays don’t want to think about having to tackle these areas. Not only because of the money involved but the inconvenience as well. Realtors say, potential buyers are also turned off, by a roof that is past its prime. If you really want to impress, a metal roof is sure to do that. Metal Roofs are durable, reliable and are becoming more popular that traditional asphalt roofs. Buyers are sick of replacing traditional asphalt roofs every ten to twenty years. With new metal roofing materials, they can relax because they know it will hold up for years and years to come.   Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and will come out for free and give you a price you won’t be able to beat anywhere.

Now that you’ve done some updating, you need to make sure your home looks the part. You can hire a professional stager, ask your agent to help stage or stage it yourself. You will get more for your home if it is staged.
Lastly, do not select an agent based on suggested sales price. Some will overbid each other to get the listing. But do not overprice. Homes that are overpriced often sell for less than market value. Good luck!

For more information about metal roofs take a look at this article : “Why Asphalt Roofs are losing the popularity contest.”