In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: If you want a totally new kitchen, you might think it makes sense to do a complete overhaul. However, keeping your current layout can save you a significant amount of money. When possible, try to leave major fixtures and appliances where they are.  For example, you might think it would be nice to have your sink on a different wall. But that would mean ripping out old plumbing and installing new pipes. Instead, ask yourself if you can live with just having a new sink installed in the old spot. Similarly, it can be very expensive to create new spaces for your range or wall oven. Keep the resale value of your home in mind as you make renovations. Many buyers prefer granite counter tops, so if there is a chance you will sell or need home equity in the future, granite is the smart choice. You can choose from a variety of shades, from light to dark.  Make sure to price several different cuts of granite. Oftentimes, a $25 slab will look just as good as one that costs $45. Choose laminate for a more affordable option. If you have an average sized kitchen, you can expect to pay $500-$1200 to have laminate installed. Granite would cost about $3,000-$3500.  Keep in mind that they typically don’t last as long as granite. Laminate likely won't last more than 10 years, while granite can last for over 100 years. Cabinets can quickly become one of the most expensive parts of a remodel. Name brand cabinets cost significantly more than mid-range cabinets, but offer the same quality. What’s most important is that you choose a solid wood front for the doors and drawers. Laminate particle board is cheaper, but won’t hold up well.  You can expect to pay between $100-$300 per square foot for cabinets, depending on the materials you select. Make sure that the shelves are made of at least .5 inches (1.3 cm) thick furniture grade plywood. Talk to your supplier about getting a warranty for your cabinets. Many will offer one. Unless you are a serious chef, you probably don’t need top of the line appliances. Instead, look for mid-range products that have excellent customer reviews and warranties. You can compare models online, but it might be most helpful to go to a store so that you can get a feel for what you want. Most importantly, make sure you have enough space for what you choose. Measure both your space and appliances carefully. You should look at a range of:  Refrigerators Ovens Cooktops Microwaves Dishwashers The features you choose are really up to you. If you want to increase resale value, go for energy efficient appliances. These are typically quiet and cut down on electric bills. Most home buyers are looking for similar features. To make sure that you get the most money out of your remodel, consider adding some or all of the following features:  Extra storage space, such as a pantry or lazy Susan Recessed lighting Tile back-splash Energy efficient appliances
Summary: Keep your current layout for a cost-effective remodel. Choose granite counter tops for the most popular choice. Select non-name brand cabinets to stay within your budget. Look at a variety of appliances to find ones that fit your space and budget. Add special features that will increase resale value.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: If you're new to a community, take the time to call on nearby houses to introduce yourself. Tell your new neighbors what led you to the area, where you live, and say a little about your life.  Walk up to the door and knock or ring the bell. If or when someone answers, smile, greet them, and say you're new to the community. Say something like, “Hi, my name is Mabel. I just moved in across the street to start a new job in the area and wanted to introduce myself.” If the neighbor seems friendly, try to engage in a bit of small talk. “How long have you lived on this street? What's the community like? Is it close-knit?” On the other hand, go out of your way to meet and greet new members of the community. Take a welcome basket to them and introduce yourself. At first, this may seem strange. You might be from a big city or other place where people don't interact on the sidewalk. However, there are lots of places where it's polite or even expected to acknowledge, smile, and say hello to others in public. Do this enough in your neighborhood and chances are you'll start to recognize others, and be recognized.   Make eye contact when you pass someone on the sidewalk. A visual acknowledgement goes a long way. If the other person returns your eye contact, smile or nod your head. You can also add a greeting, like “Hello,” “Good afternoon,” or “How are you?” “Nice weather today” is another good one. Keep in mind that this is really only for one-on-one situations, like when you pass one or two people on the sidewalk or walk past a neighbor's yard. It doesn't work well on busy streets. Neighborhood watches are groups that work together to prevent crime in local communities. The purpose is a serious undertaking and takes lots of cooperation and planning. It's a great venue to get to know your neighbors better.  First of all, try to recruit interested neighbors to form a planning committee. Advertise and hold an initial meeting to canvass your other neighbors' interest. You should also contact your local police department or sheriff's office and invite a representative to attend. Establish the aim of the program. For instance, determine what sort of concerns your community has on crime. Ideally, the watch will look out for each other's families and property and contact police in case of any suspicious activity. If the response is positive, elect block captains who can mediate between the community and police. Work with local authorities so that members get proper training on home security, crime prevention, and crime reporting. Post signs around the area and establish a means of communication, like a phone tree or a regular newsletter. The key thing in getting to know your neighbors is to communicate with them. Try holding a big sale or block party, for example, or anything that will lead to interaction, socialization, and cooperation.  Try a block-wide garage sale. Canvas the community to see who might be interested in contributing items or volunteering to work the sale. Make sure to advertise! Or, ask around to see whether your neighbors would like to hold a block party. Block parties are great for socializing and don't require that much work. You can make it a potluck or BYOF affair. If you're ambitious, ask the local police about temporarily closing your street for the sale or party. That way, you'll have much more room to mingle and chat.
Summary: Introduce yourself. Smile and say hello. Start a neighborhood watch. Organize a garage sale or block party.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: A price guide is a book full of descriptions of specific types of items (antique furniture, baseball cards, stamps, etc.), along with the prices you can expect to get for each item. The best guide to use will depend on the kind of item you want to sell.   Kovel’s, in particular, is a highly respected publisher of price guides.  Many libraries have price guides on their shelves, too. Make sure that your price guide is up-to-date and recent. Because the prices of antiques and collectibles change depending on markets, an outdated price guide will not give you an accurate idea of how much your item is worth. The best price guides will also include plenty of pictures of the items included in its pages. The descriptions and values listed in price guides are general estimates. They cannot account for the wide variations in the quality and condition of specific items, economic conditions, or demand in specific regions.
Summary:
Look for price guides specializing in items like yours. Choose the right price guide. Take pricing from price guides with a grain of salt.