Whether you have decided on working with one of the Big Box Retail giants, like Lowes or Home Depot, a local contractor, a close friend who is a jack of all trades or a construction company on your future home renovation project, the undertaking of the decision to move forward with a home renovation may be one half of the battle, but paying for it is another. Regardless of what the condition is of your current project, and the pictures of what it could be, the final cost will sway you into 2 categories of “need vs. want”. For the sake of keeping this post simple, you have chosen to move forward regardless. With that said, you have options when it comes to getting what you want, even if it is your dream kitchen, your fantasy master bathroom, etc.

(BPT) - Indoors or outdoors, your home decor needs some TLC to look its best. Replacing worn or dated furniture or flooring inside your home is considered fairly easy. But when outdoor spaces start to appear shabby, do you decide to live with the tired look because you think freshening the space will be too time-consuming or costly?

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) Friday blasted the city’s Department of Environmental Protection for what they saw as a lackluster response to chronic flooding in Fresh Meadows and similar neighborhoods all across the city.

“This is a decades-old problem in neighborhoods like Fresh Meadows. But after the wake-up call Sandy delivered, there’s just no excuse for inaction. We need a water system that matches the extreme weather we face, and policies that treat homeowners fairly when their homes are damaged through no fault of their own,” de Blasio said during a rainy press conference, ironically adding “We can’t keep leaving families high and dry.”

The New York State Court of Appeals has cleared the way for implementation of Mayor Bloomberg’s Outer Borough Taxi Plan.

The ruling, issued by the court on June 6, paves the way for livery car operators to get licenses that will allow them to accept street hails with the exception of Midtown and Downtown Manhattan and the city’s two airports.

Incredulity and perplexity reigned last Friday during a City Council hearing regarding the state of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, with Parks Department staff enduring the brunt of questioning at the hands of a Parks Committee largely made up of Queens lawmakers.

The questioning surrounded the current state of a park accustomed to a fraction of the attention left over from its more famous brethren. Dollar and staffing figures revealed a dearth of resources in the face of escalating need.

(BPT) - When warm weather arrives, does your family head outdoors to enjoy your patio or deck? Do they then turn around and head right back into the air-conditioned comfort when summer sun and temperatures make outdoor living spaces too hot to handle?

(BPT) - Whether you own a cozy cottage or mega mansion, as a homeowner, you likely embrace the outdoor living trend. But when you look at your deck or patio, does it leave something to be desired? By taking a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach, you can affordably create outdoor spaces that enhance the style and functionality of your home, plus add to the overall value of the property.

(BPT) - Nonprofit organizations depend on monetary donations to keep their operations running and support the communities they serve. Many people, however, want to do more than write a check to local organizations they support, so they become volunteers.

(BPT) - The backyard is more than just a lawn to mow or a place for the pooch to run around. Many homeowners are turning their backyards into an extension of their homes, bringing the indoors outside for additional living space.

(BPT) - In this instant-gratification era, instant makeovers – from week-long juice diets to weekend home renovations – are a top 2013 trend. And according to Yahoo! Homes, so are instant kitchen updates achieved by refacing cabinets.

(BPT) - Minor kitchen updates can result in enhanced appearance, enjoyment and increased home value. With a free weekend and a modest budget, you can accomplish some do-it-yourself projects that will give your kitchen a whole new look.

(BPT) - The residential housing market is heating up, but before you post that for-sale sign, consider making upgrades that add style and value to your home. With many buyers seeking wood floors, kitchen upgrades and other add-ons, it’s important for homeowners to highlight these features so their property stands out from the competition in today’s market.

With the memory of Superstorm Sandy only seven months old, and the work to rebuild and recover from this devastating storm ongoing every day in our ravaged community, it’s no surprise that predictions for a very active 2013 hurricane season, which began June 1 in the United States, are a serious cause for great concern. After what we’ve been through and are continuing to experience here in Queens in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy — with so many residents still not in their homes and still attempting to repair the fabric of their lives — the thought of additional dangerous weather activity is almost inconceivable and most certainly unwelcome.

However, while we can’t control the weather, we can take steps to control our level of preparedness. We’ve learned a lot from Sandy, and I would urge my constituents to think ahead and make sure they have detailed emergency plans in place: from knowing how to contact one another in the c

ase of an emergency; to having adequate supplies of canned goods, medicines, batteries, flashlights and water on hand; to knowing what they can do to help secure their homes and properties to minimize risks during a storm. A great deal of useful hurricane preparedness information may be found at this New York State website: dhses.ny.gov/oem/event/hurricane-safety.cfm.

Kathy Hamilton, a Maspeth resident, said she’s sick of waking up to a flooded basement.

“Everybody in the area gets flooded continually,” she said. “And we’ve called up everyone to get this fixed.”

Elected officials and community groups are making moves to improve the quality of life for the homes that line MTA’s Long Island Rail Road freight train tracks.

The tracks that cut through parts of Brooklyn and Queens, used mostly for freight and garbage transportation from Long Island, have been the subject of controversy for some time now as residents complain of excessive noise during late hours and high diesel exhaust emitted from locomotives, which have been known to cause asthma, diabetes and other health problems.

(NAPSI)—America’s rapidly aging population creates a tremendous opportunity to unleash the power of volunteers on some of the nation’s most pressing problems. Consider this: Baby boomers are the largest, healthiest and best-educated generation in history. Volunteering can be their second act, fulfilling their passions and helping them stay active, healthy and engaged.

(BPT) - Few phrases can strike fear into a homeowner’s heart as powerfully as the words “you have a mold problem.” Mold troubles in your home can cause health troubles for your family, and both issues can be notoriously difficult to resolve. It occurs everywhere in nature, but when mold begins growing indoors, it can damage any surface it grows on and cause respiratory problems for those living in the affected house.

If you live in New York, you are no stranger to its brutal heat wave in the summer. We loathe the painful cold winter months, and wish heavily for warmer days. We often forget how hot our summers can get until we step outside into nature's oven in the middle of August.

Homeowners will be spending an average of almost 20% of their annual energy bill on cooling this year. Though this may be 20% well spent for comfort, it can increase if you are not sensitive to your air conditioner's regular, and required maintenance. If you want your air conditioner to run accordingly during its peak usage, and without any unexpected repair costs, you will want to keep these 5 tips in mind for optimal results.

(BPT) - Summer means deck time for many Americans. A deck is an ideal spot for relaxation and entertaining. Imagine a cook-out with friends, snoozing in the sun on a hot day, snuggling with your sweetheart watching shooting stars, or having a backyard camp-out with the kids.

(StatePoint) There is no better place to entertain on a warm sunny day than in your own backyard. But before the parties start, make sure your outdoor space is a place where people want to spend time.

Bigger isn't always better in the real estate world, and what's more, it's not always possible. With more baby boomers downsizing from McMansions to smaller, more manageable houses, and a growing number of people opting to rent rather than buy, many families are looking for new ways to decorate, design and work with smaller spaces.

"Go big or go home." It's a popular sports chant that's found its way into numerous other aspects of American life. But when it comes to home decor, going big at home may not seem like an option, especially if your budget is less than grand.

(StatePoint) Storm season is upon us again, bringing the potential for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and hurricanes through November. Since post-storm cleanup can strain bank accounts, some pre-storm preparation can save homeowners thousands of dollars in damage.