Invest in Your Nest: Add Style, Comfort, and Value to Your Home

Barbara Kavovit

Rodale,  July 2006

In her first book, Room for Improvement, Barbara K provided the tools and the confidence required to tackle basic home repair projects. Now, she takes home improvement to the next level by exploring the various ways you can add not only style and comfort but also property value to your home. From the backyard to the kitchen sink, from open house to closing, with easy projects and tips for every design style and budget, Invest in Your Nest helps you to spend wisely and live comfortably, whether you plan to stay put or sell. Barbara shares her own experiences -- as a former professional contractor and a single woman -- buying, renovating, building, and selling homes and offers a wealth of practical advice on:

• Improving your credit rating

• Working with a mortgage broker

• Finding the right real estate agent

• Staging an open house

• Hiring an architect

• Upgrading electrical, plumbing, and HVAC

• Remodeling the kitchen and bath

• Adding curb appeal

• Plus, a handful of simple do-it-yourself projects, including how to install crown molding, tile a kitchen backsplash, and convert a closet into a cozy home office