The 20K House is an ongoing research project that seeks to address the pressing need for decent and affordable housing in Hale County, Alabama. Nearly 30% of individuals here live in poverty. The lack of conventional credit for people with this level of income, and insufficient knowledge about alternative sources of funding, mean that for many people trailers offer the only chance for home ownership. Unlike a house, which is an asset for its owner, trailers deteriorate very quickly and depreciate in value over time. The 20K House project intends to produce a model home that could be reproduced on a large scale, and thereby become a viable alternative to the trailer in this area. The challenge is to build a house for $20,000, $10-12 of which will go towards materials, and the remainder on contracted labor. The project began in 2005, and there have been 9 iterations of the house so far. The pictured model, "Mac's House", is the second model considered to be a viable model, based on its cost and constructability. The team (one Swede, one Brit, and a Baltimorean) focused on potential expandability within the model - creating a core house that can be extended over time to meet the needs of the occupants. PROJECT TEAM Clem Blakemore, Pernilla Hagbert, Will Holman Photo by Timothy Hursley.

Mark LaRosa
Example of a mid-sized trendy enclosed dark wood floor family room design in New York with multicolored walls, no fireplace and no tv

Kingsman 42" Wide Zero Clearance Direct Vent Fireplace with 8 Piece Split Oak Log Set Enjoy the elegance and warmth of glowing embers and dancing flames around your choice of log sets. It is sure to be the focal point of your home. Choose from a variety of decorative options to create your own distinctive appearance and be assured of complete safety, comfort and long lasting value from a manufacturer of wood and gas fireplaces with more than 30 years of experience. Here is a fireplace that has a fully sealed combustion chamber with no pollution spillage to depreciate the indoor air quality of your home.

Newer Homes Need Makeovers Too Yes, it’s true. The new home that you purchased not that long ago needs a makeover. It feels like just yesterday that you just moved in and are still settling into your new space. But the fact is, it’s already time to remodel. Homes that were built in the early 2000’s and even later are depreciating in value, aesthetically speaking. Kitchens and Baths are the top two culprits. When our clients decided to move back to the New England area in 2012, they chose East Greenwich, RI as their destination. A quaint, centered town with an excellent school system that’s just 45 minutes to Boston and 3 hours to Manhattan (or a quick 40min direct flight). The 5-bedroom colonial they purchased was originally built in 1997, which at the time was only 15 years old. But they knew going into it that, eventually, they would have to make necessary updates for a higher return on investment. In 2017, our clients came to Red House to help them reach their remodeling goals. The two focus areas were the outdated kitchen and a double entry full bathroom located on the second floor. The Red House design team got to work and presented a few design concepts that met our clients’ needs. After a bit of tweaking and refining of details, a fabulous yet functional space was created. In the kitchen, traditional maple cabinets were replaced with linen white shaker style cabinets, making the space feel open and airy. An extra-large island was designed with added seating at one end, ideal for entertaining while the cooktop was replaced with a range and was relocated to a perimeter wall for ease of use. Complimenting the linen white cabinetry, cherry cabinets were used in bar area creating a nice contrast. Taking advantage of the soaring cathedral ceilings, outdated light fixtures were swapped out with 3 large hanging glass pendants by Kichler giving off more light. Granite countertops in River White were installed throughout and venetian bronze hardware by Baldwin was added to support uniformity and consistency. The wall color used was Sherman Williams Agreeable Gray. Upstairs, the full bathroom is accessed from two separate entries, similar to that of a Jack and Jill layout. New custom white vanities with Quartz countertops in Calcutta Classique were installed at each of the two entrances. A glass shower was installed with white Carrara marble tile and natural slate floors. Polished nickel fixtures and hardware were used creating a classic look. The wall color used was Benjamin Moore Oyster Shell. Visit our website for more information! Photo Credit: Aaron Usher Photography Instagram: @redhousedesignbuild

The Pros and Cons of Fix and Flip Real Estate Investment Last week, we covered The Pros and Cons of Buy and Hold Real Estate Investment for rental property investors. This week, we want to talk about the other most common type of real estate investment: “fix and flip.” The Appeal of House Flipping We all love the house flipping shows on HGTV and other reality channels. They’re great and they make the prospect of buying, renovating and flipping homes for big profits seem super sexy and fun. However, any experienced real estate investor will tell you it’s not quite as easy as they make it look. There’s a lot of work that goes into a successful fix and flip investment. The basic premise of a fix and flip investment is pretty simple. You buy a property, usually one that needs some work and is available at a great price. You renovate the property, making the necessary repairs and upgrades to maximize its resale value. Then, you sell the property on the open market for the highest possible price. You get in and out as quickly as possible. Full-time flippers will move from property to property or will have multiple properties being worked on at the same time. Rather than the “buy and hold” strategy where you keep the house while earning rental income and equity over time, you are looking for the quick sale to earn your profits. If you are going to explore house flipping—whether as a full-time career or just a side hustle—you will want to know exactly what you are getting into. That is why we are going to cover the pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment in this article. The Pros of Fix and Flip Here are some of the pros of fix and flip investing: Faster Return on Investment—The biggest appeal of fix and flip investing is that it gives you a quicker return on investment. Buy and hold will take you longer to see your ROI. House flipping allows you to see your full profit (hopefully) as soon as the house sells. The average house flip for an experienced investor is around six months. It may take longer for a first-timer who is just learning how to do certain things. Fairly Safe Investment—As long as you do all your projections and calculations carefully and avoid any major problems along the way, house flipping is a relatively safe investment strategy compared to something as turbulent as the stock market. Real estate markets are generally predictable and the short time frame of a flip helps you avoid losses if the property happens to depreciate over a longer period of time. Exciting—There is a reason why there are so many reality shows based around flipping and none based on buy and hold investing. It’s an exciting process to buy a home, gut it and completely renovate it. Then, you get the ultimate reward of selling it and collecting the profits—as long as you do things right. The Cons of Fix and Flip Here are some of the cons of fix and flip investing: Upfront Expenses—A house flip will require a lot of upfront expenses. We’re not only talking about financing the house itself, but all the renovation costs and other expenses involved in the flip. You are laying out all that money at the beginning and only seeing your returns when the property sells. This can create cash flow issues and stress if you fall being schedule or go above your initial budget. Taxes—House flips will usually create dramatic swings in income year over year, and that can increase your tax bill. You have to pace things correctly to take advantage of specific capital gains tax rules. Capital gains taxes are higher on any property owned less than a year, so you have to find that balance of how long you own any specific investment properties and how long it takes to complete the renovation and sale. Before you get too deep into fix and flip investing, you will want to talk with your tax advisor to make sure you have the right plan in place. Surprises—All real estate investment is susceptible to surprises. You don’t always know what lies behind the walls until you start the renovation process. You cannot plan for everything as a real estate investor, but you have to be prepared for anything. It is a good idea to add some wiggle room in your budget and overestimate your renovation expenses/timeline to cover any surprises that may come up. These are some of the biggest pros and cons of fix and flip real estate investment. Of course, there are other things you need to know as an investor, so be sure and do your homework in order to get the most out of your investment portfolio. Both fix and flip and buy and hold strategies can be highly lucrative if you do things right. There are no wrong answers, but there are wrong ways of doing things if you truly want to be successful in this field. If you are looking for great investment properties to fix and flip, join the exclusive PropertyLark home buyers’ network. If you qualify, you’ll have access to our exclusive off-market deals and analytics tools that will help you identify the best investments and get the highest possible ROI. Fill out the contact form and questionnaire on the PropertyLark buyer’s site to apply!

Large spectacular, chic, completely updated 1-bedroom suite in the popular well-run Lord James Complex! This bright unit has big picture windows that welcome in an abundance of natural light. Recently custom upgraded gourmet kitchen featuring granite countertop & breakfast bar, plus expensive stainless-steel appliances. Newer easy-care wide plank laminate floors, fresh paint, and decor throughout the unit make this place better than brand new. You will be sure to enjoy the spacious deck that faces your beautiful manicured courtyard garden, gazebo & serene koi pond. The pleasant & peaceful surroundings make this one of the best outlooks possible on the quiet side of the complex. The unit includes separate storage locker, plus plenty of in-suite storage with separate utility/laundry room. One parking spot & RV parking available. Professionally managed, smoke-free & fully remediated (with depreciation report) building allowing all ages and pets. Attractive interior halls with many recreation amenities including one right outside your front door, lounge/library set up. Close to marinas, beautiful public beaches, local shopping, restaurants & on major bus routes. Everything you need and more in beautiful Sidney by the Sea! | Karen Love* (250) 727-5868 | www.KarenLove.com RE/MAX Alliance |

Not too long ago, I visited a house in the town of Fulwood in Preston, Lancashire. My client had a Terracotta tiled floor which had been neglected for many years and in their attempt to improve it had unfortunately been given some very poor advice by tile retailers, all of whom sold him different products, and each of which was unsuitable. Using these different products in succession had resulted in the depreciation of the floor’s texture and smoothness, in turn making the clay difficult to clean and maintain. As per my usual process I ran a small test clean to demonstrate what could be done to improve the floor and I was commissioned to restore the floor back to its former glory. I started by mixing a strong cleaning solution consisting of one part Tile Doctor Pro-Clean to three parts water. The solution was applied to the floor and left it to dwell for a short period. The high alkaline cleaner seeps into the pores of the tile getting underneath and lifting out the ingrained dirt and breaking down the old sealers. Then, I agitated the floor using a scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary floor machine before using a wet vacuum to suck up the resulting soiled solution. There were a few paint marks dotted across the floor, but these were not noticeable until after I had given the Terracotta a deep clean. To remove the paint marks I used Tile Doctor Remove & Go, which is specially formulated to break down paint stains, adhesives and coatings. This product was used in combination with a steamer which, when applied directly to the tiles, helped to lift the paint out. Following this, I rinsed the entire floor a couple of times to remove any trace of cleaning product, and vacuumed up the excess moisture. It’s always best to let the floor dry completely prior to sealing as applying sealer to a damp floor will affect the sealer. I left the house to allow this to take place overnight returning the next day. To get the best out of the Terracotta I sealed the floor using one coat of Tile Doctor Colour Grow, which is an impregnating sealer that soaks into the pores of the tile and acts as both as a bonding sealer enhancing the natural colours and darkening the clay (as requested by my client). After the coat of Colour Grow had dried, I applied a further seven coats of Tile Doctor Seal & Go, which achieves a nice, low sheen Satin finish. Before leaving my happy client to enjoy his newly restored Terracotta floor, I made sure to provide some professional cleaning and long-term maintenance advice. Russell Taylor Lancashire Tile Doctor

Elevating the Field: A Masterclass in Professional Sports Lighting After two decades leading LED product development and global exports, I’ve learned that stadium lighting isn't just about brightness—it’s about precision, player comfort, and long-term economic viability. Our latest installation showcased here represents the perfect synergy between advanced optical engineering and rugged durability. Here is why this project stands as a benchmark for modern sports infrastructure. 1. Professional-Grade Optical Precision For this project, we didn't just "flood" the field with light. We engineered a solution: Asymmetric Beam Control: We utilized custom-engineered lenses to direct light strictly onto the playing surface. This eliminates "sky glow" and light pollution for the surrounding community. Anti-Glare Technology: By controlling the peak intensity angles, we’ve ensured that athletes can track the ball in the air without being blinded, a critical factor for high-speed sports performance. Uniformity Excellence: The lighting distribution achieves a high uniformity ratio, eliminating dark spots and shadows that can lead to player injury. 2. Industrial-Strength Thermal Management The secret to a 10-year lifespan isn't the LED chip; it's the heat dissipation. Aero-Grade Heat Sinks: These fixtures feature high-purity aluminum housing with a vertical thermal flow design. Longevity in Harsh Conditions: Designed to withstand extreme outdoor temperatures, the system ensures that lumen depreciation is kept to a minimum, protecting the client’s investment for years to come. 3. Global Compliance & Export Quality From a trade perspective, we understand that reliability is the only currency that matters in international projects. Certified Durability: The system carries full IP66 waterproof and IK08 impact ratings, making it resilient against heavy storms and physical impact. International Standards: Fully compliant with CE, RoHS, and DLC Premium requirements, ensuring seamless integration into power grids worldwide and eligibility for green-energy subsidies. 4. The ROI: Efficiency Meets Sustainability Switching to this high-efficiency LED system resulted in a 65% reduction in energy consumption compared to the previous metal halide installation. With integrated smart-control compatibility, the facility can now manage lighting levels based on usage, further accelerating the payback period. The Bottom Line: Lighting a sports facility is an investment in the community and the athletes. We don't just provide lamps; we provide a professional environment where the game can be played at its best, long after the sun goes down. Are you looking to upgrade your facility to international standards? Let’s discuss how our 20 years of expertise can illuminate your next project.