TLC Premieres 'HOPE FOR YOUR HOME', Hosted by Kirsten Kemp Becker
New series helps homeowners tackle the national mortgage crisis
LOS ANGELES, July 31 -- TLC will premiere the new series
HOPE FOR YOUR HOME on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 8:30PM ET/PT, adding a
timely take on the property genre to the network's slate of real life
reality programming. The series, hosted by real estate expert Kirsten Kemp
Becker (PROPERTY LADDER), will take on the tough circumstances so many
homeowners in this country are facing today.
In each of the half hour episodes, Kirsten will work with one family in
financial need, by giving them critical resources to make improvements to
their property. Kirsten advises the homeowners on what improvements will
actually increase a home's value, while a contractor ensures that all
projects are done properly and safely. Once the improvements are complete,
a real estate agent and a mortgage broker tour the home, examine the
upgrades, and determine a market value. In the end, the homeowners have the
option to refinance and stay in their newly renovated home, or sell their
home and find something more affordable.
"In a slow, or dare I say declining real estate market, it is important
to set yourself apart from other homes on the market when yours is listed
for sale. If you need to refinance, the same holds true," explains Kirsten.
"Fortunately, there are high impact low cost improvements homeowners can
achieve over a weekend with help from friends and family, which we'll share
with our viewers each week on this new series."
Kirsten, a veteran realtor, author and real estate expert, and owner of
a successful design company, offers these five tips for all homeowners to
consider that can increase the value of their property, especially in the
current economic climate:
1. Plants on the outside:
The best bang for your buck results from curb appeal and a fresh
interior. The most economic way to achieve curb appeal is by refining your
landscaping at the front of your house and by making sure the front door is
a focal point. Guests, buyers and appraisers will take notice of the entry
experience and homeowners/sellers need to establish that emotional
connection from the moment they pull up to your home.
Get them out of the car it doesn't matter how nice your house is on the
inside.
Also remember the details: trim weeds, fix broken screens, hide the
trash cans from view and plant some fresh flowers in prominent planters.
2. Paint on the inside
The biggest transformation in the shortest period of time results from
paint. It can lighten a room, create an accent wall and provide flow from
one space to another. If you can't afford new lighting or higher ceilings
try painting a neutral color on the walls and a shade lighter on the
ceiling. To give a room a focal point or create more drama around one wall,
try your hand at some color by painting it a shade of chocolate or charcoal
to achieve a designer's touch.
If you can't afford to remodel the entire house and change your floor
plan to make each room transition smoothly, try using the same shade of
paint in all the public areas and down hallways - consistency of tone adds
a feeling of congruency and openness. Paint is inexpensive, labor intensive
but instantly gratifying and the whole family can help contribute towards a
successful makeover.
Wall color and freshly painted trim are one of the most effective ways
to completely change an area from old and dated to fresh and inviting. It
is an effective way to create added value in your home.
3. Kitchens and Baths
Invest time and money into updating kitchens and bathrooms, but it
doesn't mean ripping it all out and starting over - you can enhance what is
already there. For example, maybe the kitchen cabinets and need refinishing
or a fresh coat of paint but their lay out and function still work. Learn
to distract buyers' eyes from that which is not perfect by directing them
towards areas that have been completely updated. A coat of paint and new
hardware on existing cabinets and bathroom vanities can instantly update
dated countertops tiles and fixtures. Take it one step further by using
epoxy over existing tile or re-grout to avoid demolishing and installing
new tile, which saves time and money.
4. Declutter
Furnishings and decor catalogs (free!) and architectural home
improvement magazines (not free) are a great way to stay on top of current
paint colors, room layouts and fixture finishes. It's important to be
careful not to over decorate or purchase anything too trendy. Stick with
the timeless tried and true paint colors, accessories and furniture in
order to maximize the length of time and enjoyment out of your investment.
Paramount to this is how you maintain your home. There is nothing like
clutter to bury a home's value. If a professional can't see the space,
appreciate the finishes or easily navigate around personal belongings and
oversized furniture, they can't appraise it or sell it for top dollar.
5. Clean clean then clean again
Even if a house has a poor floor plan, limited landscaping or outdated
bathrooms and kitchens, everything looks more valuable when it is well-
maintained and dust-free. Pride of ownership shines through in a house that
is clean and well cared for which translates into higher profits in a sale
and more attractive loan options for a refinance.
About TLC
TLC's innovative docu-series and reality-based programming include
favorites What Not to Wear, Jon & Kate Plus 8, Little People Big World and
LA Ink. The channel introduced Miss America Reality Check in 2007, which
helped drive the Miss America Pageant to its highest rating in years. TLC
defined home design with Trading Spaces and continues to renovate the genre
with series such as Holmes on Homes. TLC's daytime lineup includes the Emmy
Award- winning A Baby Story as well as Take Home Chef, featuring one of
People Magazine's Sexiest Men, Curtis Stone. The channel is available in
more than 96 million homes in the US, nearly 8 million homes in Canada and
through the website at http://www.tlc.com. TLC is part of Discovery Communications
which is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB),
Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder
and chairman.
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