Dear Friend,

Its not just your house.
Its your home.

And although we sometimes use house and home interchangeably, there really is a world of difference between the two.

Sure, they have a lot in common. Both have walls, ceilings, yards, doors, plumbing and roofs. They both provide shelter. The nails in the frame of a house are identical to those found at the core of a home.

But theres a deep difference.

A house is a place. Its an address on a street somewhere. Its where your neighbor lives. Its what that guy you know from work is trying to sell. A house is a listing in the classified or the subject for a home renovation television program.

A home is yours. Its your castle, your retreat, your sanctuary. Its proof of hard work and responsibility, a symbol of your personal progress. A home is where you spend time with your loved ones. Its where you recharge your batteries, relax, eat, sleep and raise your children.

A home is important in a way that a house simply isnt. Thats true whether youre planning to stay in that home until your golden years or if its just a stop before you move onto the next home. A home is part of you. Its not just a place. Its a complete state of being.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR HOME?

Think about that question for a moment. Are you really happy in your home? Is it comfortable? Does it communicate your personal message? Does it help you to experience an optimal quality of life? Has it reached its maximum value?

Or could it be better?

If youre completely and honestly convinced that theres nothing you can do to improve your home, feel free to skip the rest of this letter. It isnt for you.

If, on the other hand, you realize that things could be better, I invite you to keep reading. I think we understand one another.

Your home might be just fine. It might be the best joint on the block. But that doesnt mean its right. It doesnt mean that it meets your needs or that it fulfills your expectations. Theres always room for improvement.

Some might be almost there. Others may have a great deal to do before their homes really measure up.

But unless youre one of the very, very rare few who just dont care about their homes or who have somehow stumbled into perfection, theres work to be done.

WORK ISNT A FOUR-LETTER WORD!

Work. Just the sound of the word is a little disheartening. The idea that your home, the very place you go to experience something better than the workplace, might require more work can be a little unattractive.

Who wants to work, after all?

You do.

Yes, you want to work. Because the kind of work were talking about has advantages that are nearly incomparable.

Good home improvement projects can...

*

Improve the quality of your life, turning your home into the kind of place in which youve always wanted to live.
*

Cut your bills. Trimming energy use and improving efficiency can put money in your pocket month after month.
*

Increase the value of your property. Smart home improvement increases the value of homes in excess of the price associated with the efforts involved.
*

Attract buyers. Its a tough market out there. Old-fashioned curb appeal isnt enough to move a property these days. You want your home to have that something extra that will magnetically attract buyers.
*

Be enjoyable. When you know what youre doing and what it can mean to your home and your life, the work associated with home improvement is fulfilling and rewarding

Thats why I wrote Home Improvement: From Garage Door Openers to Feng-Shui. Its an informative, fun guide to adding a little extra sugar to your home, sweet home.

Home Improvement: From Garage Door Openers to Feng-Shui is a one-of-a-kind collection of information, guidance, tips and ideas that can provide direction to your urge for a better home.

Its not a collection of diagrams and plans. It does have step by step instructions for some projects, but it also contains background information about the most popular home improvement techniques.