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If you are planning to construct a new home, or if you need more space for vehicles or storage, you may be thinking about building a three-car garage. A three-car garage would cost more to build than a two-car garage, although the extra cost per square foot would most likely be relatively small. A larger garage could increase your homes resale value and help you attract a future buyer.

Reasons to Build a Three-Car Garage
If you have three drivers in your family, or if you have a child who will start driving soon, a three-car garage can be a smart investment. If you decide to sell your home in the future, a three-car garage may be on a wish list for families with teenage drivers.

Even if you dont have three cars in your household, a three-car garage can make sense if you need extra storage or work space. For example, you may decide to park two cars in the garage and designate an area to store lawn and garden equipment or to work on a hobby.

If you currently have items in a storage unit, the monthly fees can quickly add up. Instead of continuing to pay for rental charges, you may save money in the long run by building a larger garage and storing your belongings there.

With a three-car garage, you will be able to keep all your vehicles out of rain, snow and ice, as well as hot summer temperatures. Potential buyers will most likely appreciate not having to clear snow and ice off a car before leaving for work on winter mornings and not having to get into a sweltering vehicle in the summer.

A three-car garage requires a wider driveway than a two-car garage. That means more room for guests to park and more space for your kids to play.

Possible Downsides
Depending on the size and design of the lot, a three-car garage might cause you to lose a significant amount of space in the yard. If you are planning to build a new house from scratch, a three-car garage may limit your design options for the rest of the house.

How Important Would a Three-Car Garage be to Potential Buyers?
Consider other houses in the area. If most have three-car garages, you might have trouble selling your house if it only had a two-car garage. On the other hand, if most houses have two-car garages, a three-car garage may be a bonus for prospective buyers, but not a requirement.

For a potential buyer considering two similar homes, one with a two-car garage and one with a three-car garage, the bigger garage may be the deciding factor. If you have room in your budget, it may be a good idea to spend more for a bigger garage to have the added convenience, raise your homes value and to make it easier to sell in the future.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are 5 features to create the perfect shower area in your home…

Dual Showerheads

Dual showerheads allow for a spacious shower area where couples can go about their routine without having to wait.

Rain Shower

Rain showers create a relaxing and luxurious feeling of water cascading down on you.

Vitamin C-Infused Shower

Vitamin C-infused showers reduce chlorine levels in your water and leave your skin feeling softer and healthier.

Steam Shower

Relax for a few minutes each day and enjoy the restorative benefits of steam heat.

Capture a View

Elevate your shower experience with a breathtaking view.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Barbecue season is upon us, and that means the family is about to be spending a whole lot more time outside. If youre looking to make the most out of your backyard area, lawn games can be the perfect way to have fun together while adding instant appeal to your home. These classic leisure activities are seeing increased popularity among luxury homeowners in recent years, so introducing a little friendly competition to your backyard just might be a sound investment.

Here are a few beloved lawn games that the whole family can enjoy!

Bocce Ball
The laid-back nature of this game makes it ideally suited for playing with a cocktail in hand while the grill is heating up. Though its commonly played on the lawn, traditionally, bocce is played on a court with a fine surface, such as ground oyster shells, that could lend an elegant look to any yard.

Croquet
A manicured lawn thats set up with croquet wickets might look a bit formal, but once the game begins, the gloves come off and all pretense will be out the window. Croquet can provide endless fun in the backyard, but beware: This game is notorious for bringing out the competitive side in everyone.

Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard used to be relegated to retirement homes, but the game has surged in popularity among a younger demographic in recent years. While shuffleboard clubs are now a popular social activity for millennials in cities, some homeowners who have the space are putting courts in their backyards.

Badminton
Be prepared to work up a sweat if you set up badminton court in the backyard. This is a great activity for the family to enjoy together while getting their exercise for the day. Kids especially love badminton, and its easy enough to put away when not in use if you prefer the look of a wide-open lawn.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Are you planning a kitchen remodel? If so, you could save a lot of money by finding and buying cheaper cabinets. The trick, however, is to save without compromising on style or quality. To help you choose the right cabinets for a budget-friendly kitchen project, HomeAdvisor offers the following five tips:

1. Get the Best Kitchen Cabinets for the Money. The most affordable kitchen cabinets can start around $30 per linear foot, with minimal features. Its cheaper to choose standard sizes, like 24 or 30 wide. Custom options take more work, so they can be expensive. Pull-out shelves and drawers cost the most, so you may want to limit them. For the most part, there isnt a big difference in value between $30 and $100 per linear foot. Bargain kitchen cabinets tend to have a thinner frame and shelving, which means they can bow or sag under pressure. If you plan to store heavy tools or appliances, opt for thicker panels made of plywood.

2. Stick With Inexpensive Cabinetry. Solid hardwood cabinets can cost $300 to $350 per linear foot. By comparison, the cheapest kitchen cabinets can cost $30 to $150 per linear foot. These typically contain a plywood frame with a door made of particleboard, also called MDF. Keep in mind that cheap construction often doesnt last as long. Aim for products with 3/4 thick panels and screws thatll go most of the way through the panel. If youre building it yourself, extra nails will help hold it together.

3. Dont Buy More Cheap Cabinets Than You Need. You can save hundreds or thousands of dollars on budget cabinets by buying only what you need. Manufacturers set prices by the unit. Wider sizes tend to have a lower cost per linear foot. For example, selecting two36 wide base modelswill probably run less than three 24 ones. Its tempting to fill the space with cabinets, but youll pay for every empty unit. Sometimes, its easier to thin out kitchen tools you dont use than to build more places to store them.

4. Save on Labor With Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) Cabinets. Assembled cabinets can cost $50 to $150 per linear foot, compared to $30 to $100 per linear foot for RTA units. You might not have as much choice in RTA products, but youll save on shipping or bringing them home from the store. Remember that DIY only saves money if you have the right tools and materials and know what youre doing. Cabinet assembly usually takes a few hours per unit and requires several supplies not provided with the kit.

5. Shop Locally for Used Kitchen Cabinets. Since solid wood cabinets often last longer than the kitchen design, you may find people nearby looking to sell their old ones. Cabinet removal can cost$15 to $30 per linear foot. To avoid this expense, some homeowners will even give them away for free instead of demolition, if youll get them out of the house. Before you choose used products, you should shop around and consider at least a few options, inspect the condition before buying, ask if the price includes removal and make sure you can transport them to your home promptly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you’re a first-time homeowner, you likely have a list of renovations.

Address these three areas in your first year:

Your appliances
Insulation, and
Landscaping

Appliances with the Energy-Star rating can save you on your utilities.

According to one study, one energy-efficient machine can save you $50 a year.

Check your insulation.

If you have an attic, check for gaps, and fill in where needed. This can make you more energy-efficient, leading to more savings.

In most cases, insulation pays for itself.

Lastly, evaluate your landscape.

If you can, plant trees in your yard. This can cut your energy expenses, and boost your home’s value.

Published with permission from RISMedia.