Posts Tagged Local Business
Posted by Laura Nelson on November 20, 2009
Remodeling projects need plenty of planning for a successful outcome
By Steve Purduski, Owner, Case Handyman & Remodeling
As fall transitions to the holiday season, homeowners are occupied with all sorts of activities, the last thing on their minds is working on a home remodeling project. People usually perceive remodeling as a spring or summer activity, and to some extent, they’re right–a LOT of remodeling projects, particularly the ones visible from the street, are done in the warmer weather months. However, there are some VERY good reasons for not waiting and starting your home improvement planning process now, including:
1. First, and foremost, adequate planning for a home remodel takes time. Even a relatively simple cosmetic makeover of a bath or kitchen involves selections of cabinets, fixtures, tile, flooring, and other components of the project. Settling on a design might take several iterations. If the homeowners’ intent is to actually get started on the project in the spring, then the planning should start before the first of the year.
2. Order and delivery of special-order items such as cabinetry can take four to six weeks, or even longer in some cases. Allocate plenty of lead time to make sure that all materials are available and inspected. This also applies to exterior projects.
3. Larger projects requiring permits may take a number of weeks for approval and processing and may require several iterations with the municipality. In some cases, where new additions are being built, you may need to seek variances and go through City Council votes for approval. This could add months to a project.
4. Prices have a tendency to increase in the beginning of the year. By working on design, selection, and ordering in the November / December timeframe, homeowners can avoid potential price increases and may even be able to take advantage of year end sales.
5. Planning your project adequately in advance allows your contractor to help you zero in on exactly what you desire and allows them to line up all the resources needed–approvals, materials, and labor–and produce the most pleasing remodeling project.
For help with planing your project, contact Case Remodeling services at (630) 357-7171.
Posted by Laura Nelson on November 20, 2009
Chana Bernstein, Founder, Saret Charitable Fund
For the person on your shopping list who loves jewelry, be sure to visit Saret, Treasures of Hope, in Glen Ellyn’s Baker Hill Shopping Center. The shop is chock full of work from artisans in Italy, India, Nepal, Israel, Peru, China, and the United States.
Italian art glass necklaces and pendants sparkle in a rainbow of colors. Semi-precious stones in unique designs are abundant. The jewelry sales, along with natural body and home care products, all support the Saret Charitable Fund.
Saret is a grassroots, not for profit, philanthropic organization that assists DuPage residents in need of immediate assistance. Saret helps homeless families secure housing, offers financial assistance to people who are desperately ill and unable to work, makes temporary loans to those in need, and helps people find work to support themselves.
Chana Bernstein is the founder and president of Saret Charitable Fund, and has guided the group for 24 years. The organization’s name comes from a two year old Cambodian girl living in Wheaton. While Saret Yann was being treated for a liver disease that took her life, volunteers assisted the family and later founded the charity in her name.
Today, the retail store is just one part of the fundraising effort that helps local residents. Other programs include an Adopt a Family Project, and Car Donation. Volunteers are always welcome.
To learn more about Saret Charitable Fund, contact Chana Bernstein at (630) 842-8876 and visit www.saretcharitablefund.org.
Saret Treasures of Hope is at 866 Roosevelt Rd. in Baker Hill Shopping Center, (4 doors down from Chicks N Salsa), Glen Ellyn. (630) 790-4600
Posted by Laura Nelson on November 20, 2009
Go ahead, peek into that tiny drawer in your jewelry box or the corner of your dresser where you keep all the broken and mismatched jewelry. If you are like most women, you have: 1) a single stud earring whose twin went down the drain; 2) a pearl or beaded necklace with a broken string; 3) a cocktail ring with a stone missing; and / or 4) a long, karat-gold chain that is hopelessly tangled.
Steve Woodworth, of Matthew Erickson Jewelers, Aurora (Fox Valley), says “The best thing about fine jewelry–aside from its beauty–is that it can be recycled, restyled and redesigned by our experts to produce a piece that will give you years of wearing pleasure.”
Gold and platinum can be melted down; diamonds and gemstones can be reset into stylish pieces. It’s time to gather all those damaged pieces and have them recycled into something you can enjoy.
In addition to damaged and broken jewelry, how about that old diamond stick pin you inherited from your aunt? Or that ring from Grandma that is several sizes too small? Keep the sentiment, but change the design.
For example, some clients have turned a single stud earring into a modern, bezel-set pendant. Others have popped the diamonds out of the ring and used them to create a scintillating pendant or to frame a sparkling colored gemstone in a contemporary ring.
A single gold earring? Change the ear wire into a bale and wear it on your favorite chain. Finally, any pearls, gold or gemstone beads can easily be matched to recreate a longer version of the original necklace or reworked into a fashionable bracelet.
A current Holiday special allows customers to double the cash back in store credit on gold sales. Visit Matthew Erickson Jewelers at 4421 Fox Valley Center Drive (located in the outer ring of Westfield / Fox Valley mall), Aurora, (630) 820-0300, www.matthewericksonjewelers.com
Posted by Laura Nelson on November 20, 2009
Linda Scott, VA Loan Specialist
November is a month to reflect and give thanks. On Veteran’s Day, November 11th, we thanked our Veterans for their sacrifices which have kept our country free.
Our Veterans receive home loan benefits through the GI Bill originally passed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1944. Through the GI Bill, Veterans are able to secure federally guaranteed mortgage loans with no down payment. This feature has helped many Veterans and their families turn the dream of home ownership into a reality.
VA loans will guarantee a maximum of 25% of a home loan amount up to $104,250 to the lender, which limits the maximum loan amount to $417,000. Generally the reasonable value of the property, or the purchase price, whichever is less, plus the funding fee may be borrowed. Veterans are not automatically eligible, so they must meet the program’s qualifications.
VA guaranteed loans are made by private lenders, such as banks and mortgage companies, to eligible veterans for the purchase of a home, which must be used for their own personal occupancy. Banks and mortgage companies will pre-qualify the veteran and determine his/her eligibility for the program.
Some of the highlights of the program are:
• No down payment
• VA funding fee can be financed
• Seller can contribute up to 4% towards closing costs
• Competitive interest rates / 30 year fixed rates
Glen Ellyn Bank and Trust participates in the VA Home Loan Programs. Interested Veterans please call Linda Scott, VA Loan Specialist, at (630) 588-4079. Glen Ellyn Bank and Trust is located at 500 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn.
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