Spring Home Maintenance

Spring Home Maintenance

March is quickly approaching and with it - spring!

Once the chill is out of the air it's time to get back up and outside for some home maintenance.

Here are some items for your list of must-do spring sprucing.

• Change your air filters - do this monthly for best use
• Check for leaky faucets and clogged drains
• Look for signs of pests and take preventative measures before it gets too warm
• Refresh outdoor furniture
• Repair or replace window screens
• Declutter

What are we missing? What will you do to freshen your home for spring?

See us at the Home Show!

 The 47th Annual Carolina Classic Home and Garden Show will be here March 8-10th at the State Fairgrounds and Paradime is excited to be participating again in this great event!

This year the show features over 300 exhibitors in home building, home improvement, gardening and landscaping.  The show includes free educational seminars, a Senior Expo on Friday and special guest Jenny Martin from Southern Savers.

Southern Savers is a couponing blog that has received national attention. Founder Jenny Martin will present three seminars on how to save money through coupons.

For more information on the show visit ColumbiaBuilders.com.

Home Prices On the Rise!

The map above shows the change in house prices by state from the past four quarters. The latest map was released at the end of the 3rd Quarter 2012.  What you'll find is that home prices in South Carolina are increasing.  This is great news for home owners and good motivation for potential buyers to act now before prices go even higher!


The housing recovery is vital to our country's economic rebound and we are excited to see some good news on the state of the housing market in our area.

Game Time!

We're down to the wire now with only two more days until the Super Bowl.

Whether you've been planning your get-together for weeks or just decided to invite over some friends, here are some tips to make your party a hit!

1. Plan for your guests:  Some will be there for the game, some for the commercials, and some for the chance to catch up with friends.  Have an area with seating available for those not interested in watching the game. This will make the talkers comfortable and keep the serious game watchers from getting upset.

2. Keep the food simple and portable. You'll want to have finger foods that can easily be eaten while sitting on the couch cheering on your favorite team.  Make plenty of space on coffee and end tables with coasters and napkins readily available.

3. Enjoy your own party. The Super Bowl is not a formal event. Keep your decorations low-key, the food easy, and the mood light. Ask friends to bring a dish or beverages. Don't get trapped in the kitchen!

Benefits to Building with Paradime - Part 1

Not all builders are created equal.  Building with Paradime Construction has its benefits and our goal here is to highlight those benefits before you make your building decision.

Today's focus will be on the interior aesthetics of your home. There are techniques and materials that will drastically improve the quality and look of your new home.  Here are a few of those processes employed by Paradime.

1. All homes include smooth ceilings, crown mouldings and casing to create a finished and polished look to the rooms.

2. Windows are trimmed with wood to create a frame along the window.

3. The front door is a fiberglass door that will withstand the elements and years longer than wood or metal doors. It also allows for the option to paint or stain the door.

4. All paint is rolled, not sprayed.  This allows for a smoother finish that is easier to touch up and repair in the future.

If that isn't enough, Paradime guarantees a one year visit with one of their painters to make any touch ups that could occur as the house settles and adjusts to the various seasons.

Finding a builder who understands the subtle importance of these details is rare.  Choose Paradime to build your brand new home.

Time to prepare

It's that time of year again...tax time.

While it's not necessarily worthy of a Hallmark card, tax time for homeowners has its benefits.

Homeownership allows for certain tax breaks that can make visiting your accountant a little more bearable.

For information on how these tax breaks apply to you and how to best utilize them we've collected a list of articles that we hope will be educational.

6 Tax Breaks Every Homeowner Should Know

Homeowner Tax Breaks

Deductions for Homeowners

What are some of your biggest questions about taxes for new homeowners?

Why Buy?

Home ownership has long been part of the American Dream.  But why?

What are the actual benefits to owning a home?

We've compiled some here. Let us know what you think!

• Stability: No yearly rent increases here. What you see is what you get and you call the shots.
• Tax Deductions: Homeowners can deduct some or all of their mortgage interest from their taxes.
• Equity: Owning a home builds equity and can help your credit score for future borrowing needs.
• Appreciation: Although the housing market is cyclical, over time most homes appreciate in value.
• Freedom: Make your home your own! There is no landlord to answer to and no restrictions on what you can do to make your home unique!