Better than moving: Get more space with a basement remodel

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 22 July 2008 14:36

realesatebasement.jpg Finishing a basement is one of the most cost-effective remodeling projects, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value report.


The day you’ve dreaded has finally arrived—your household is bursting at the seams. You need more space, but you’re not keen on the idea of entering the real estate market right now. And eco-conscious consumer that you are, you don’t relish the idea of increasing your home’s environmental impact with a costly addition.

You’re not alone. The bigger is better mentality that defined the “moving up” trend of the past 20 years seems to be the latest casualty of the real estate downturn. As a result, many homeowners are opting to stay put and increase their living...

Read more: Better than moving: Get more space with a basement remodel

Curb appeal: the 'arms' that welcome potential buyers

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 22 July 2008 14:33

realestatedriveway.jpg Edge the driveway with pavers in colors complementary to the home and pavement. Use pavers in different shapes and sizes to create an interesting focal point.


Whether selling a home in today’s tough real estate market or simply trying to beautify and protect your home, curb appeal should be very important to you.

Home selling experts predict that as many as 40 percent of potential buyers reject a home based on their first impression of the front of the home. That makes curb appeal—the general appearance of the front yard—the single largest factor shaping impressions of your home.

After lawns, driveways often make up the largest area of the front yard, and can really affect opinions of your...

Read more: Curb appeal: the 'arms' that welcome potential buyers

Hail events prompt re-roofing boom in Hillsboro

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 24 June 2008 15:21

RoofingP6218436.jpg Workers with Flory Roofing & Construction, based in Halstead, work Saturday on re-roofing the house in the 300 block of South Washington in Hillsboro. Through June 19, 51 building permits for roofing projects had been issued through city hall. Permits and follow-up inspections are required for each job, according to Hillsboro building code. Photo by Don Ratzlaff

Every cloud has a silver lining. For some homeowners, contractors and material suppliers, that includes a hail cloud.

In the aftermath of a couple of hail incidents over the past month and a half, Hillsboro is in the midst of a re-roofing boom.

From May 12 through June 19, 51 building permits had been issued through the city of Hills­boro...

Read more: Hail events prompt re-roofing boom in Hillsboro

Opportunity, need fuel city forays into development

Written by Don Ratzlaff Wednesday, 28 May 2008 07:04

HillsBusinessParkP5268280.jpg Traffic flow along U.S. Highway 56 has been key to the city of Hillsboro’s leadership in developing light commerical business parks along the city’s northern edge. The first one was Hillsboro Heights in 1999, currently home to eight businesses, and now the newly platted Hillsboro Business Park, the acreage shown here.

The recent platting of Hillsboro Business Park continues a model of real-estate development that has become increasing significant for the city over the past 15 years or so.

The city’s most progressive developer is the city itself.

“(The city of) Hillsboro really never intended to get into real-estate development, but that decision was made in order to give Hillsboro a chance to...

Read more: Opportunity, need fuel city forays into development