H homes.cjonline.com
Pitfalls: Budget for overruns Continued from 6 Hughes encourages prospective builders to do their homework before they begin the building process to stay within budget and avoid these common construction pitfalls: n Beware of unqualified or inexperienced builders. Hughes recommends meeting and interviewing at least three builders. “Get references, and go see homes they have built. Make sure you have good communication with the builder. This is a big investment that you are trusting to someone. Make sure you complete your due diligence on the builder,” he said. n Plan for cost overruns and contingencies.
Expect to leave room in your budget for unexpected costs that may arise. The general contractor will plan for allowances in bid costs for items such as flooring, cabinets and countertops. If a homebuyer chooses items that exceed the bid allowance, it can cause costs to go up significantly. n Avoid making changes during construction. Major changes to house plans during the construction process can equal major expenses. To avoid upping your costs, be confident in your building plans before you break ground. n Plan with the future in mind. Although it’s hard to imagine that you’ll ever sell your dream home,
keep resale value in mind as you plan. While an indoor swimming pool or one bedroom on the main floor of your home may be perfect for your lifestyle, unique or unusual features can decrease the resale value for future buyers when it’s time to sell. n Keep communication open. Poor communication between the borrower and the contractor can result in unnecessary costs. “Make sure you’re comfortable with the general contractor,” Hughes said. “That person is the ultimate make-or-break in a project.” Shanna Sloyer is a freelance writer from Topeka. You can reach her at ssloyer@yahoo.com.
NO MORE LIPSTICK SMEARS
To remove lipstick or lip balm stains from fabric, scrape off any excess (try a piece of tape to pick up smaller bits), treat with a prewash stain remover and launder. If the stain is still there, try the process again or try sponging the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent and launder again. Always make sure to remove any lipsticks or balms from pockets before tossing a garment into the laundry. WWW.GOODHOUSEKEEPING.COM
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| The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, October 29, 2016 | 9