Home Improvement > Advice & Features > Remodel Smarts

by Broderick Perkins Remodeling projects can be quite daunting. Real Estate expert Broderick Perkins helps you understand the financial implications of your project in his Remodel Smarts column. Broderick can be reached via email at .

Don't Dive In – A backyard pool often won't help you sell your home

Beating Back Burglars – Securing home from foul play when you go fishing.

Seeking Star Status – 'Energy Star' standards help you save a bundle.

Lookin' Good! – Enhancing your home's 'curb appeal' will boost your bottom line.

Two! Two! Two Homes in One! – What you need to know before converting a portion of your home to a "granny flat."

Cover Your Assets – Before you make major home improvements, talk to your insurance agent. You may need to upgrade your insurance coverage.

Home, Smart Home – What if your refrigerator knew when it was running low on milk and ordered more? Suppose your dishwasher called for service when it needed repairs? Far-fetched? Nah. Just smart. Here's how to boost your home's I.Q.

Something Old, Something New: The Art of Renovating a Historic Home – Thinking about bringing a vintage home back to its original splendor? Before you start, read Broderick's essential collection of facts and links.

A Smaller Tax Bill – Investigate the financial impact of your potential remodel before you start.

Before Putting New Roof Over Your Head, Make Sure You're Covered – Before you undertake your remodeling project, make sure you're properly insured.

Building Permits: You Can't Afford Not to Have One – Before you start your project, make sure you have all the right permits.

Condo Remodeling: By the Bylaws – As a condo-owner you need to understand the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs), Master Deed or Rules and Bylaws. These documents from your homeowners' association dictate what you can and can't do to your home.

Dealing with Lead and Asbestos – Read this to make sure you're handling a potentially dangerous situation the right way.

Dealing With Problems That Are, Well, Over Your Head – Old roof giving you trouble? Broderick shows you the ups and downs of inspecting and replacing your roof.

Disaster-Proof Your Home Series:

• Storm-Proof Your Home – Learn about new federal programs designed to help you plan a "safe room" for tornado and hurricane protection.
• Is Your Home Fire-Resistant? – In the latest installment in our "Disaster-Proof Your Home" series, learn how to help your home and family survive a fire with Broderick's invaluable home-upgrade tips.
• Earthquake! – Is your home ready for the next big earthquake? Broderick explores the many ways to help ensure your home rides out the next big one.
• Protecting Your Home From Floods – Nothing can be more devastating than rising waters. Broderick's array of tips will help you guard your home against flood damage.
• Batten Down the Hatches for Hurricanes – Guarding against hurricane and high-wind damage is easy with Broderick's collection of smart tips.

How Much is Too Much? – Are you overimproving your property? Make sure your remodeling job is a good investment. Otherwise, you could be throwing money away.

Making Kids Feel At Home – Remodeling can be disruptive to your family. Here's some advice for helping your kids feel more at home during the transition.

Mechanic's Liens: You Could be in Double Jeopardy – An untold number of homeowners are at the mercy of mechanic's lien laws, a sort of double jeopardy that can cost you your home if you don't pay up – twice.

Move or Improve? – Find out when it makes sense to move and when it makes sense to remodel.

Quality Control During Remodeling – It's your job! Quality issues often top complaints about remodels. But QC is your job, too, as Broderick explains.

Remodeling for Resale – Sometimes it makes sense to fix your home up before you put it on the market. Find out what you can do to help sell your home.

Should You Boost Your Homeowners Coverage? – Shockingly, 70 percent of American homes are underinsured. Is yours among them? Find out now.

User-Friendly Homes for the Disabled – Once considered a threat to the marketability of homes, improvements for people with disabilities are gaining new appeal.