When buying a new home real estate experts say you shouldn’t let minor aesthetic differences sway you from making an offer.  If appliances or the decorative theme are not up to your expectations, keep in mind that most of these things can be easily modified over time. What is important when viewing the interior of the home is to check for overall structural soundness and try to focus on potential rather than current appearance. A good strategy is to hire a licensed home inspector before you close the deal. The inspector will provide a detailed analysis and cost breakdown on actual required repairs.

Buyers should not get discouraged when their potential dream home requires some old-fashioned manual labor to get it up to their standards. Realtors refer to this as “sweat equity.” Sweat equity is a time investment by the potential buyer to clean, redo and repair the potential property once the purchase is complete. Right now we are in a poor real-estate market which is littered with short sales and foreclosures – many of which are neglected, vacant properties. Also, many purchases are older properties with excellent construction characteristics but needing some “elbow grease.”

So don’t let aesthetics stop you from making an offer on what could be your dream home. However, don’t feel pressured to sign on the dotted line if the inspection shows larger problems. For example,  if the inspection shows that the roof needs to be replaced. If this is the case, ask the homeowner  to put a new roof on or give you a substantial credit towards a new roof. In this market, sellers want to make their deals work because they don’t know when another offer is going to come through. A metal roof is another option that many homeowners are turning to. It lasts three times as long as a traditional roof and is extremely durable during extreme weather conditions. Erie Constructionof Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and can show you some of the reasons metal makes sense for your home and your pocketbook.

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.

When it comes to a new roof, we all want the same thing. A roof that’s not too expensive, requires no maintenance, and lasts forever. But when it comes to residential roofing, most roofs are replaced, or at least repaired, every ten years. Most asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.

Slate, aluminum, steel, and clay roofs all have life spans of 50-plus years, some lasting up to 200! Because of this, many homeowners are switching to metal and never looking back. Local realtors say, buyers know metal lasts a long time and are attracted to homes with these types of roofs. Even though another asphalt shingle roof may seem like a steal per-square foot, when you account for energy inefficiency and the replacement costs in another 15 years, going with a more durable, longer-lasting roof can be a better financial decision as well as more environmentally sound.

Metal roofs are fast becoming a popular option both in commercial and residential roofing properties. They are durable, fire retardant and almost maintenance-free. They are also energy efficient; metal reflects heat and blocks its transfer into the attic. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center in 1985 showed that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles, and homeowners switching to metal roofing reported saving up to 20 percent on their energy bills.

As with any larger roofing project, finding a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor for the job is essential. Whatever you do, make sure you find a pre-screened, certified roofer today. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love a chance to come out, give you a free estimate and show you why many homeowners are switching to metal and loving their decision.

Before you start house hunting , home improvement experts say you really need to understand what exterior style of home you love. Knowing this, will definitely help you when it comes time to purchase your next home. No matter what style appeals to you, make sure the home is an energy efficient home. If not, plan on shelling out big bucks on heating and cooling bills. Two big areas to watch for are updated windows and a newer roof. There are many styles to choose from.

First up, the Colonial. Some of the first homes were built by English colonists. They feature a step roof line; wood clapboard siding or wood shingled siding and multi pane double hung windows.

The Cape Cod is definitely a favorite of many. The Georgian Colonial is the one that is most common today. They have a very rectangular, symmetrical and formal style to them. Typically, they are made of brick, but up north, wood siding is popular.

Bungalows are also popular. They have one and half stories, low pitched roofs and a horizontal shape. They’re known for having an extremely efficient floor plan.

Ranch styles became *the* style around 1945 when World War 11 ended and the soldiers came home. Developers bought huge tracts of land because soldiers needed homes. They built them very simplistically and very affordable.

If none of these styles work for you, you may want to take a look at modern contemporary homes. Or “neo-eclectic” homes. These are large homes that borrow styles from many different styles of homes. No matter which style of home you pick, choosing an energy efficient home is always an appealing style. Look for an energy efficient roof. Many homeowners are even going metal, and choosing a metal roof. They last three times as long as a traditional asphalt roof, and they are known for being green and extremely energy efficient. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to come out and show you why metal will save you energy dollars!

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.