Selling a home is more difficult right now that it’s been in quite some time; the market is struggling enough that simply keeping the lawn trimmed is not adequate in drawing in prospective buyers. In order to successfully sell a home in a down market, it’s absolutely imperative to boost your house’s curb appeal as much as possible. These ten tips for improving your home’s curb appeal can have you on the road to a sale in no time.

1. Paint or Replace Shutters – Peeling and dilapidated windows can negatively affect a potential buyer’s first impression, even if the rest of the home’s exterior is impeccable. In addition to replacing any damaged shutters, it’s also a good idea to throw a fresh coat of paint on them. This is a quick and relatively cheap way to give the exterior a good visual boost.
2. Replace or Power-Wash Siding – Dingy and damaged siding is another curb appeal-killer; if power-washing doesn’t do the trick, it might be a good idea to look into replacing your existing siding. If there’s no room in the budget for complete replacement, repairing any damaged sections will help bolster up the appearance.
3. Paint Stucco Exteriors – If the exterior of your home is a stucco coating that’s seen better days, a coat of paint is the equivalent of a face-lift. If you’re thinking of changing the color altogether, it’s best to check with your homeowners’ association before tackling the project; some HOA’s have a list of pre-approved colors that owners are allowed to choose from, and you don’t want to paint the whole house just to have the HOA tell you that color won’t work.
4. Re-Sod Sparse Lawns – A patchy lawn can make even a well-kept home seem a bit forlorn; sowing grass seed or having the area re-sodded is certainly one of the most effective ways of enhancing the desirability of your home.
5. Repave Driveways – Cracked driveways with oil stains and other signs of disrepair will not do you any favors in helping your home sell. Resurfacing driveways can assist in making your house seem almost like a brand new one.
6. Repair or Replace Sidewalks – Just like a cracked or damaged driveway, sidewalks that have fallen into disrepair can affect the way your home is perceived in the minds of potential buyers. Replacing them or having them resurfaced can do wonders for the overall appeal of your home.
7. Plant Shrubs and Flowers – Landscaping is one of the best ways to elevate the appearance of your home, and to make it one of the most desirable ones on the block. For homeowners with a brown thumb, there are dozens of low-maintenance shrub options that look beautiful without requiring the attention that finicky flowers can demand.
8. Take Care of Existing Trees – Mature trees can increase the selling price of a home by thousands of dollars, as long as those trees are properly cared for. While well-maintained trees can be a major plus, those with precarious-looking branches can turn a buyer off. The potential for storm damage from neglected trees can be a deal-breaker.
9. Upgrade the Front Door – The entryway to your home should be as inviting as possible, especially if you’re looking to sell. Replacing or even sprucing up your existing door with a new coat of paint can add to the welcoming quality, as well as positively influence the perceptions of buyers.
10. Keep Kids’ Clutter to a Minimum – While signs of happy and active children send a great message to newlyweds or young families, it’s important to keep the toy clutter to a minimum. Fading plastic playhouses and smaller toys strewn everywhere seem chaotic, rather than charming. On the front lawn especially, homeowners should pay particular attention to keeping things as neat as possible.

Many homebuyers will do a ‘drive-by’ with homes that they’re interested in before scheduling a tour of the interior of the house. If they don’t like what they see on the outside, they may never schedule a look at the inside, which makes creating great curb appeal an essential step in the selling process.

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Homeowners who are looking to sell their homes in this troubling housing market may find themselves facing a very steep challenge; potential buyers are vastly outnumbered by motivated sellers. With more homes on the market than interested buyers, sellers are forced to do everything within their power to get their home sold. Here are ten ways to boost your home’s desirability and help it sell.

1. Shop the Competition – Before listing your home, look around at comparable homes in your neighborhood that are currently on the market. Be sure to look at them objectively; if there are things you think that those sellers are doing wrong, take note so you can avoid repeating it.
2. Don’t Price Yourself Out of the Market – It can be very difficult for homeowners to realize that the sentimental value of their home doesn’t necessarily translate to a higher selling price. Pricing your home fairly and being realistic is very important in securing a buyer.
3. Upgrade as Much as Possible – Research the upgrades that can translate into a higher selling price in your area, and make any improvements that your budget will allow. Be sure to look into what upgrades help a home in your area sell, though; you want to avoid spending money that ultimately won’t increase the value of your house.
4. Offer to Pay Closing Costs – Letting your seller’s agent know that you’d consider paying the closing costs can help a deal go through more easily, and can also motivate a buyer to pay a bit more than they would have if these perks were not included.
5. Court First-Time Buyers – First-time buyers are often persuaded by the inclusion of appliances, such as refrigerators or washers and dryers; most young buyers don’t yet own these items and may not have room for them in their purchasing budget.
6. Don’t Neglect the Curb Appeal – The first impression that potential buyers will have of your home is its exterior; be sure that you make all of the improvements you can, both with the exterior of the house and with the landscaping, to boost your curb appeal. It often doesn’t matter how beautiful a home is inside if the exterior is neglected; potential buyers will carry their perceptions throughout the tour of your house.
7. Make Cosmetic Allowances – If part of your reason for selling is to help ease a financial burden, it may not be feasible to make expensive home improvements. Making cosmetic allowances for things like new paint or flooring can help sway buyers who are on the fence.
8. De-Personalize Your Home – Though it can be very difficult, it’s important to strip your home of as many personalized touches as possible when you’re trying to sell. Potential buyers need to be able to project their own lives into the home, which is difficult to do when there are pictures of your family scattered throughout; neutral color palettes and minimal personalization help them do see themselves living there more easily.
9. Eliminate Pet Problems – For sellers with indoor pets, it’s absolutely necessary to keep any litter boxes odor free and surfaces clear of pet hair. Those with possessive or territorial dogs should look into boarding during viewings. Potential buyers who are intimidated by pets aren’t likely to stick around long enough to give your home the consideration it deserves.
10. Be Patient, But Not Unrealistic – While you may not want to accept the first offer that comes along if it’s far below your asking price, it’s very important to be reasonable. Counter-offers should be fair and realistic, taking into account the poor market and unstable economy.

Understanding the current market is important when deciding to list your home for sale. Patience can be a key factor as well. It may take a while for the right buyer to discover your home in the midst of a flooded home market.

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Getting a home signifies financial security and an investment for the future. Owning a home is part of the American Dream. There are some surprising reasons why you can’t get a home.

1. Down Payment – You may have the required 10%-25% on the asking price of the home you are interested in but how you acquired it and how long you’ve had it could keep you from getting the home. Many times relatives offer young couples the down payment. Lending institutions take this into consideration when looking at the ability of a homeowner to keep up with mortgage payments. Saving the down payment over time lends to the credibility of money management.
2. Credit – Credit history is an ongoing process. Student loans are one of the first obligations a person may have as an adult. Late payments may have a bearing on your ability to acquire a home later in life. Credit scores are also affected by utility payments. Any recurring bill that is paid late may come back to haunt you even though your financial situation is now more sound. Your debt to income ratio ideally needs to be under 45%. Less than a 3 month asset reserve in a bank account will generally keep you from getting a home. Check your credit score with all 3 agencies and make sure there is nothing being reported incorrectly. You need to aim for a score of 660 or better.
3. Job Security – Your job history may be why you can’t get a home. Lenders look for stability. If you jump from job to job, regardless of monetary or career improvement, lenders see you as a financial risk. When the economy takes a downward turn, employers tend to retain employees with seniority. Also taken into consideration is the risk of the job.
4. Parent History – If your parents have a questionable credit history, you may be dealing under their shadow. If parents foreclosed, you may be affected. If they were late with mortgage or credit card payments, you may be looked upon as having the same traits. If you are asked information on parent particulars, you may need to look elsewhere for home financing.
5. Location – The location of a home may affect whether or not a lender is willing to risk mortgaging it. LNG routes, Super Site areas, fault lines, destructive weather patterns all have bearings on mortgage risks lenders are willing to take on.
6. Inspection – More and more, home inspections are being required to seal the closing deal. Hopes have been dashed to learn major expenses must be incurred to pass inspection for the approval of the sale.
7. Condition – Fixer-uppers may offer pricing that appears affordable. If you have no background of construction or home improvement projects completed, lenders are leery to finance such undertakings. They may require a lump sum amount be in an account to cover the improvements necessary to ensure the property does not result in a loss to the lender.
8. Liens – If you owned property before and were subject to liens for unacceptable reasons such as credit card debt or unpaid taxes, you may not get the home you desire. A current homeowner may also have substantial liens that need to be satisfied at closing either from the sale itself or as additional costs to the buyer.
9. History – The history of the home may be the deciding factor that keeps a lender from financing in your behalf. A murder, haunting, nearby sinkhole, or other less favorable activity, bear upon the lender’s willingness to finance such a home.
10. The Bank – Economic conditions and bank lending history may be the reason you can’t get a home. Banks may be leaning toward only very secure clients to up their lending credibility. If a bank turns you down, look to other options before you decide to settle on thinking you can’t get a home. FHA, VHA, or a first time buyer program offer other alternatives for which you may qualify.

If you can’t get a home loan with one lender, chances are good that another institution will also turn you down. You should take some time and work at increasing the good points that will work in your favor. Try again when your situation has improved.

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We all want our spaces to fit our personalities, but how can you do that without sacrificing your security deposit? Here are ten tips on making the most of your space without draining your wallet or risking your deposit.

1. Floor Lamps – Additional light is always welcome and brightens up a dull space. Creative and unusual floor lamps allow your personality to shine through.
2. Removable adhesive strips – Great for light items, removable adhesive strips and hooks make decorating easy. Just make sure to remove them at least once a year or they start to become permanent.
3. Nie Wieder Bohren – This German innovation is great for large or heavy items, especially on tile. Meaning “no more drilling”, the removable epoxy comes with tons of accessories. Everything from towel racks to doorstops is available in shiny stainless steel.
4. Fabric – Used as a wall hanging or a throw, fabric can do almost anything. Create a closet door or ‘paint’ a wall with eclectic patterned material. Hide that ugly hand-me-down sofa with soft cushions, and feel free to change it up!
5. Plants – Add a bit of life to your place by bringing in live plants. Indoor plants come in all shapes and sizes, from tall and thin to short and fat- even some that require almost no attention. If you don’t want to worry about watering, silk flora are a great alternative. Keep them out of direct sunlight, though, they have a tendency to fade.
6. Sculptures or Pottery- Going along with the plant theme, the pottery should complement your décor. Modern pots have sleek lines and unusual shapes, where classic pottery can bring a cozy feel. Sculptures and other objets d’art catch the eye and brighten up plain countertops.
7. Rugs – Adding a rug can create an entirely new space. Even if your place has wall-to-wall carpeting, a new rug can turn a confused area into a calm reading space.
8. Posters – The go-to guy of dorms everywhere, posters don’t have to be tacky. Tasteful art prints are available economically online, and landscapes open up a room. If your space is lacking a window, try putting up a poster that gives you the view you really want.
9. Furniture – Sometimes you’re stuck with whatever furniture you have, but you can revitalize a room by making just a few small changes. A room divider is a creative way of separating a space without building a wall, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Adding a nice tablecloth or piece of stone to a table can hide imperfections, and an unusually shaped chair can pop a boring room.
10. Wall Stickers- Relatively new and inexpensive, wall stickers are huge pieces of art for your wall. Easily removable, these modern artworks take up no space, but provide tons of ambiance. Look on Blik.com or other sites for fun ideas.

Whatever you do to decorate, make sure it fits your style and taste. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time, just give it a little thought and do some research and you’ll find the perfect décor for your space without sacrificing your deposit.

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Having mice in your home is definitely a problem. They can make a mess and carry disease. They do not discriminate between a clean or dirty home; they are just searching for food and shelter. Listed below are ten effective ways to rid your home of mice; some are more humane than others, but all have proven affective.

1. Mint. For whatever reason, mice do not like the smell of mint. Soak a cotton ball or rag in peppermint oil and place it where you think the mice are entering your home. Or place fresh mint leaves instead. Just remember that you need to replace the leaves, as soon as they dry out. Another option would be to plant mint around the perimeter of your house to keep them away.
2. Close Up Their Entry Points. If you can tell where the mice are getting into your home, such as a hole in the siding or roof, then you can fix the problem. Seal up these areas with steel wool, since it is harder for them to chew threw than wood. Then you only need to get rid of the ones remaining inside.
3. Get Rid of Their Food Supply. Remove all food sources from lower cabinets and keep them up high in plastic or glass containers, this includes human as well as pet food. If the mice can’t find anything to eat, they will move on.
4. Mothballs. Mothballs are a great way to deter mice from your home as well as the garage. If you have small children, however, you’ll want to make sure that the mothballs are not placed where they might find might them.
5. Set Traps. A good trusty trap may be the solution you are looking for, if you have mice in your home. There are a variety of different traps, some live, some not so live. Purchase a trap depending on your preference, and use peanut butter instead of cheese or other food sources for bait, since it is sticky and they can’t steal it without setting off the trap.
6. Get a Cat. This is probably the best way to keep mice out of your home. Cats are a natural predator for mice and will solve your problem in no time. If you do not have a cat and do not wish to keep one, you can always borrow a good mouser from a friend and set it loose in your attic, basement or garage, depending on where your problem is.
7. Leave Out Some Soda. Leave out a carbonated beverage in a small dish for them to drink. Sounds strange, I know, but mice do not have the ability to expel gas, if you know what I mean. They will get bloated and die.
8. Poison. Poison can be very effective at killing mice. You need to be careful if you have pets or children in the house, as it can poison them as well. Even though it is affective, I personally do not recommend poison, since now you have dead mice somewhere in your house to find.That can create a very unpleasant odor problem.
9. Sound Waves. There are devices you can purchase that you plug into a wall near the source of entry. They make high frequency sounds that keep the mice away. Be mindful if you have other pets, as this can irritate them as well.
10. Call an Exterminator. Because they can be expensive, we saved this one for last. If you are at your wit’s end, and tried everything. Call in the professionals.

Getting rid of mice in your home can be a hassle, but it’s not as bad as leaving them alone. The list above contains both humane ways to rid your home of mice, and some not so humane ways. Try one or a combination of these to solve your mouse problem.

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Different people have different wants and needs when it comes to choosing where you want to live. For some, urban living is a necessity, others prefer to live in the country. If you are up in the air about where you want to live, then check out the list below of ten advantages of buying a home in a rural area.

1. Privacy. Not having neighbors living on top of you or right next to you is a great advantage for those who need a little privacy. You can walk around nude or sunbathe in your yard, without worrying about who is going to see you.
2. Less Pollution. Rural areas have less air pollution, because there is not as much congestion from cars, and you don’t have the manufacturing facilities found in urban areas.
3. Less Crime. Rural areas do not have as much crime as a higher populated urban area. This also makes insuring your property cheaper due to a lower crime rate.
4. Enjoy Nature. If you are a nature buff, then purchasing a home in a rural area makes more sense, as you can go out for a nature walk without having to drive to a park.
5. Pet Friendly. If you have pets, then purchasing a home in a rural area makes for more friendly living for them. They have more room to roam, and you can let your dogs outside without having to keep them on a leash. If you do want to walk or run your dog, then you don’t have the traffic to compete with.
6. Cost. When searching for a home in a rural area you can often get a larger home and yard for less, since you are not usually competing with a lot of people for a small area. Taxes & insurance tend to be cheaper in rural areas as well.
7. Garden & Landscape Possibilities. When living in an urban area you can be limited to a small yard, if any, in which to garden or landscape. Some homeowners associations can also dictate how your yard must be maintained. When living in a rural area, you have more freedom, not only with the size of your gardens, but also with how you want your yard landscaped.
8. Peaceful. Rural areas have less traffic and noise pollution than urban areas, so you can live more peacefully. There is generally more distance between your home and neighbors in rural areas too.
9. Water Options. If you are searching for a waterfront property you are very limited in urban areas. However, in rural areas you generally have more options to look at; lake and riverfront property, as well as creeks and ponds.
10. Building codes. Many urban areas have more restrictions in place as far as what is allowed for building or remodeling your home than you find within rural areas. The fees for permits are also generally higher in urban areas than in rural areas.

There are advantages and disadvantages to living in either a rural or urban area. I hope this list helped you to see some of the advantages of living in a rural area, but only you can figure out which area will best suit you and your family’s needs.

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Living in a rural setting can seem very appealing to some people. Quiet surroundings and plenty of space between you and your neighbors are two of the advantages. However, I grew up in an area where the nearest ‘tiny’ town was ten miles away. I can easily list the disadvantages to you.

1. Re-sale – Selling a home in a very rural area can be difficult to do. Many people are moving away from rural areas in order to find work. Finding someone who wants to live in the area and can afford to buy your home, may not be easy to do.
2. Well water – This item can be a plus or a minus. Some well water is great tasting, but even if it tastes great, it may be full of hard mineral deposits. This means installing a water softener and/or an iron filter to prevent the water from ruining your plumbing fixtures.
3. Road maintenance – Rural homeowners often wait longer than urban dwellers to have the road plowed from snow or rough patches fixed. Unpaved roads can mean dealing with mud and dust alternately throughout the year.
4. Internet options – Rural areas often have less options for internet connection. For some areas, dialup or satellite are the only options. One is slow, but inexpensive and the other is expensive and has limits on bandwidth usage.
5. Distant neighbors – Rural areas, especially in farming and ranching areas, can mean that your neighbors are out of sight. This makes for peaceful living or lonely living, depending on your point of view.
6. No convenience store – Some rural situations may have a store within 5 miles, but many do not. This means being very meticulous in your grocery shopping, since you can’t ‘run to the store’ to pick up a gallon of milk, loaf of bread or eggs. You don’t want to ever drive home on a low tank of gas either. You might not make it back to town for the next trip.
7. Insurance rates – One of the determining factors in your home insurance rates is the distance from your home to the local fire department. This can cause higher rates for rural homeowners. Car insurance rates may be higher too, due to the longer commutes to work each day.
8. Vehicle mileage -This is a big factor in rural living. You have a longer drive to EVERYTHING. This means that you will be putting more miles on your vehicles and spending more money gas each month. Vehicle maintenance, including tire replacement, will need to be done more often.
9. Emergency response time – If you need an ambulance, the fire department or law enforcement, it may take them longer to arrive at your home in a rural area. This can be a matter of life or death in some cases.
10. School distance – If you have school age children, the distance to their school can be an issue. It means long bus rides to and from school. It means that attending after school functions require more drive time and are less convenient.

If you’re considering buying a rural home, be sure to factor in all these potential disadvantages. A rural setting that is still close to a municipality is the perfect compromise, giving you the best of both worlds.

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If you are a person that is protective of your dignity, you might want to buy or rent a home without stairways. There are a number of reasons that stairways can put your dignity at risk, and here are 10 of them.

1. Snap, Crackle, and Groan. As age and the effects of reckless youth begin to set in, ankles and knees start to complain about trips up and down the stairs. Retaining your dignity while your joints mimic a breakfast cereal commercial is unlikely. Of course, it may be that no one will hear your popping joints over the pathetic groans that issue from deep in your chest while climbing.
2. Tripping Up the Stairs. It is nearly impossible to maintain your dignity when you misjudge and catch the toe of your leading foot on the front of a stair riser. You aren’t likely to actually fall and hurt yourself, but you’ll look silly while trying to recover your balance and stop forward momentum.
3. Carpet. I’ll never understand why some folks think carpeted stairways are a good idea. The soles of many bedroom slippers and most dress shoes tend to be flat and frictionless. Put these together with carpeted steps, and you may end up making that downstairs journey much faster than you intended.
4. Toys. Got kids? If so, it’s almost guaranteed that one of your feet will occasionally find a toy with either sharp edges or wheels, while ascending or descending a stairway. Neither squeals of painful outrage or bouncing down the stairs on your backside are going to leave dignified impressions with onlookers.
5. Pets. Got pets? Dogs and cats are especially good at destroying your dignity on stairways. Cats are highly skilled at lurking unseen against stair risers and flipping tails up at the proper moment to be stepped on. Dogs have instincts that tell them exactly the right moment to dash between your feet or to charge up or down the steps from behind if they are of the large variety.
6. Inadequate Light Switches. All stairways should have a light switch at both top and bottom of the flight, especially basement stairways. If the light switch is at the bottom of the basement stairs, you now have to make your way up the steps with a dark and spooky basement at your back. There is nothing dignified about a mad dash to avoid the “things” lurking behind you in the dark.
7. Banisters. If you have an ornately carved and decorated banister, it’s a virtual guarantee that some part is going to come loose in your hand at the precise moment that you need a stable handhold. Non-decorated banisters, such as those along basement steps, always seem to be mounted with at least one loose screw or breakaway bracket.
8. Skirts and Loose Fitting Short Pants. Ascending steps ahead of someone while wearing short skirts or loose fitting shorts is another destroyer of dignity. I’ll leave this one to your imagination. Stop snickering!
9. Laundry Baskets. If you carry baskets full of laundry up or down the stairs on a regular basis, your dignity is doomed. Towels and socks are especially good at leaping unseen from the basket to land on the next step that your foot is destined to meet.
10. Outside Elements. Stairways leading to and from any outside door present their own multitudes of dignity-robbing possibilities. Rain, snow, leaves and twigs, animal droppings, you name it, and it might be there waiting for an opportunity to help you look foolish in front of the neighbors.

Have you decided yet that your next home is going to be a single story without a basement? I’m pretty sure that I have.

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There are almost as many factors that can affect indoor air quality (IAQ) as there are outdoors. Factors such as household chemicals, mold, tobacco products, and even the outdoor air itself all have an impact on the air you breathe at home. Fortunately, there are some solid steps you can take to help keep it clean. Here are 10 ways you can improve the air quality in your home:

1. Vacuum – Many of the allergens and chemicals that attach to household dust will settle into your carpet over time. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter will help to eliminate these pollutants. Better still is to consider going without the carpet altogether.
2. Smoke Out – If you smoke, do it outdoors. There are literally thousands of chemicals in cigarette smoke, which have been shown to increase the risk of respiratory illness in children as well as the smoker.
3. Add Plants – Plant life consumes carbon dioxide and emits oxygen. The addition of plants to the home will provide a natural source of fresh air for everyone.
4. Dehumidify – Humidity is the ally of such things as mold and dust mites. Using a dehumidifier to regulate moisture in the home will make it less hospitable to these allergens.
5. Natural Fragrances – While you’re adding plants, consider including some fragrant flowers or other natural sources of fragrance in your home. Those artificial fragrances you’ve been using contain many potentially harmful chemicals.
6. Launder Bedding Regularly – Pillows sheets, and comforters are a haven for dust mites. You should make a habit of washing them weekly and use the hottest temperature allowed by the manufacturer, per the label.
7. Wipe Your Feet – Yep, Mom was right all along. This simple admonition will not only keep her from having to mop and vacuum the floors, but will minimize the dirt brought into the home. You may even want to make it a policy to remove footwear at the door.
8. Change Filters Regularly – Check your air conditioner’s filter and change as often as necessary. Ensure a proper fit and size, observe the direction of air flow on replacement filters. The arrow should be facing into the return duct. Use filters with a high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating.
9. Exhaust Fans – Make use of exhaust fans in bathrooms when showering. Insufficient ventilation coupled with high moisture are a recipe for mold and mildew. Exhaust fans will vent the excess moisture out of the room – plus help you see yourself in the mirror.
10. Electronic Air Filter – Consider stand-alone air purifier with HEPA filters to augment your home’s HVAC system’s filtration. These can eliminate over 99% of the pollutants and allergens that are in the average home.

Along with the above measures, you should also test your home for radon, an odorless and colorless gas  associated with lung cancer.  In general, reducing the sources and/or emissions of allergens in the home, proper ventilation and effective air cleaning will provide the most effective results in your efforts to improve the air quality in your home.

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If you prefer doing your own home improvements, or simply enjoy the satisfaction derived from completing a house project, then chances are you’ve got a fair amount of money already invested in tools. A few power tools (jigsaw, Skilsaw®, drill, etc.), a ratchet/socket kit, and conventional hand tools can be found in most any do-it-yourselfer’s tool inventory. Aside from the usual complement of tools, there are some versatile and inexpensive additions that you’re going to want to include in your arsenal.

Here’s a list of ten tools for under ten dollars that you need to have in your toolbox:

1. Pocket Laser Level – An indispensable tool. Whether you’re hanging pictures or cabinets, or need a level line for trim work or setting a grade for landscaping, this tool is like having an apprentice along side with a plumb line. From one location, you can find and mark a level line across a wall, even around the entire room.
2. Voltage Detector – For electrical work, a voltage detector gives you the ability to check for live circuits or stray voltage in your home’s wiring and outlets. All you need to do is hold the probe within proximity of your house wiring and it will signal with an LED lamp and a beep if the line is hot.
3. Battery Charger – For all your other tools that are battery-powered, replacing those batteries can not only get expensive, but is almost always necessary at the worst times. You can get yourself a charging unit for rechargeable batteries of any size for cheap.
4. Headlight – Put the light where you need it, hands-free. You can find units that are worn like glasses, with a headband, or that clip to the visor of a ball cap. These are especially useful when working in tight spaces where placing a work light just isn’t practical.
5. Screw Extractor Kit – It happens to the best of us. A bolt or screw head gets stripped, or it’s over-torqued and the head breaks off completely. Now what do you do? Well, you reach for your handy screw extractor kit, of course! You’ve got one, right? Right!?
6. Torque Wrench – You can avoid the above scenario completely if you purchase one of these, available for under ten bucks. Set the torque to spec, and relax.
7. Stud Finder – Used to find wood or metal studs, with some pricier models that also sense voltage in order to avoid electrical wiring. Saves a lot of time – and holes in your walls.
8. Telescoping Magnetic Pick-up Tool – Finding a stud in the wall is one thing; finding a lock washer under the intake manifold of a 2001 Taurus is a whole ‘nother ball game. You want one of these babies handy, trust me.
9. Stubby Ratchet and Socket Set – Sooner or later, you’re bound to find yourself in a tight spot, literally, where using a standard size ratchet wrench just isn’t an option. That’s when one of these kits becomes your best friend.
10. 7-in-1 Multi-Purpose Painter’s Tool – Let us count the ways that this tool is handy: 1) scraper, 2) putty remover, 3) paint roller cleaner, 4) spreader, 5) gouger, 6) nail setter and 7)nail puller. And if that’s not enough, it’ll even open your beer bottle when your project is finished.

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