ConstructionDeal.com Update

You're finally ready to buy an HDTV system and set up a home theater? Well, before you run off to Costco or Sam's Club to buy a new plasma TV, you might want to plan out what you want from your setup.

I would suggest talking with a home theater specialist. The kid with the braces at the local Best Buy is nice and all, but he's no expert. And you're making what will amount to a very large investment in your home theatre system -- so you're going to want to get it right.

A home theater installer has a lot of knowledge and expertise to be able to evaluate your needs to give you what you want. You can schedule a consultant to come to your house and talk about your plans and expectations, review your room size, the viewing distance, and your budget. Then he or she can let you know what the best equipment for you will be. No guessing, no problems, no returns.

Here is what you need to think about before your home theater installation consultant shows up:

• What type of TV do you want? HDTV, of course. But do you want LCD, DLP, Plasma? Do you want rear projection, flat screen, front projection? Of course, these are some things the consultant will be able to help you with. For example, a brightly lit room is not the perfect fit for a front projection TV.
  

• Where do you want your Speakers? You have options - you can set them on speaker stands, mount them on the wall, or even hide them in the walls. Also, what are your plans for the wires? Taping them down... Not a good idea. Under the carpet? Mmm. No. You might need to run wiring through walls or ceiling. You might be able to go wireless, as well.
  

• Where will the television go? Will you have a flat screen hanging on the wall? Will the projection TV sit on a console or a piece of furniture? One big trend are flat screens that can rise up and drop down - very stylish but can be very expensive setups.
  

• Think about your equipment location - if you put the receiver, DVD player, DVR system and others into a cabinet or other furniture, you will be limiting your access to it. Do you have a separate room for a/v access, like a spare closet, to house everything?
  

• Plan for Lighting: you'll want more than just great equipment. You need to be able to set the home theater mood with dimmable lighting options. Just turning off all the lights is not a great option for watching high-def television because it can cause eye strain.
  

• Also, consider the room usage when it's not your home theater. If you don't have a room completely dedicated for home theater use, you'll need to plan how all your new equipment will fit in the room.
  

Before talking with a consultant, draw up a plan of your room and play around with the possibilities. Plan for furniture placement, TV location, power outlet availability, lighting, and window treatment options. Doing a little research and hard work before you buy can make sure you're totally satisfied with your high definition entertainment system.

If you need to find a local home theater installation pro, post your request on our website and receive multiple bids from several experts - this can save you tons of time and a better bid can save you money. The kid with the braces at Best Buy will understand...

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Labels: home theater, tv installation

From the folks at Washington State University, in the Department of Mathematics of all places, has a listing of real estate terminology. I thought with the current state of the housing market, it might be time to inject a little humor into the situation:

"It took me a considerable amount of time to learn the true meaning of phrases used in real estate ads. I offer the following dictionary for the benefit of those who search for a house and want to save their precious time.

• Old charmer - an old and ugly house
• Stunning house - the house is not ugly
• Tudor - two bedrooms are in the attic which is not insulated; very hot in summer and very cold in winter
• Cape Cod - styled after Third World slum dwellings
• Sunny corner lot - noisy intersection of two busy streets
• Easy freeway access - noisy arterial street close to freeway
• Low maintenance lot - no yard; the kids will have to play in the street
• Meticulously maintained in the original condition - the appliances are 50 years old
• Ready to remodel - the house is about to collapse; you will have to invest twice the asking price in remodel before you can move in
• Newly remodeled kitchen - 50-year old cabinetry and faucets have been replaced with cheap modern equivalents
• Ready to move in - the interior has been painted with one coat of cheap paint
• Desirable neighborhood - this little house is extravagantly overpriced because the neighborhood has a snobbish reputation
• 1 car garage - you can drive your Ford Escort into the garage but there is no room to open the door
• In-city living - it is not safe to walk in this neighborhood after dark
• Recreation room with wet bar - basement has been painted and has a faucet
• Large family room - large basement
• Bedroom in basement - basement has a 1' by 2' window
• Lots of storage space - basement too small to be called a family room
• Partial mountain view - you can see the tip of Mt. Olympus if you climb the roof
• Territorial view - good view of your neighbor's bedroom window
• Build sweat equity - the house is not inhabitable
• Storybook - the house is old and the roof is not flat
• Efficiently designed kitchen - the kitchen is too small to fit two people at the same time"

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Labels: Housing Bubble, Humor, Real Estate