Your Valuable Home - podcast cover

Your Valuable Home

After years on the radio, host Ron Melk has flipped the switch to podcasting! The Home Improvement Replays can spark ideas about projects for your home. The Horror Stories can help you avoid one and my Featured Segment draws in experts from across the country on everything from new building products, maintaining a healthy home and leveraging home equity, to choosing the right contractor, adding value to communities and so much more. Your Valuable Home is not about DIY or flipping. It is about building wealth with real estate, choosing the right contractor to do the right job at the right price…improving communities. The show is packed with valuable education for homeowners and landlords who believe that knowledge is the path to wise decisions.

Episodes

Real Estate Commissions are Changing. What’s the Impact on Buyers, Sellers and Agents.

In the Replay, this homeowner can’t wait to get started on a whole new exterior featuring ProVia products. It’s again time for The Bad Guy Bulletin. We’re joined by both Marc Furber from the Bucks County DA’s Office and Mike Bannon from Bucks County Consumer Protection Weights and Measures. Both report on the latest scams, and Mike has great news for Pennsylvania residents: home title surveillance is now available from your local recorder of deeds for FREE. In our Feature today...in case you hav...

Apr 19, 202438 min

Real Estate Commissions are Changing. What’s the Impact on Buyers, Sellers and Agents.

In the Replay, this homeowner can’t wait to get started on a whole new exterior featuring ProVia products. It’s again time for The Bad Guy Bulletin. We’re joined by both Marc Furber from the Bucks County DA’s Office and Mike Bannon from Bucks County Consumer Protection Weights and Measures. Both report on the latest scams, and Mike has great news for Pennsylvania residents: home title surveillance is now available from your local recorder of deeds for FREE. In our Feature today...in case you hav...

Apr 19, 202438 min

Why TREX remains a leader in composite decking and railings

In the Replay today, Kevin reports on a window BOGO that is a definite NOGO. In the Horror Story, Kev spots a contractor scaffolding accident waiting to happen on a siding group’s Facebook page. Hope the contractor had worker’s comp. The subject of our Feature today is spring projects, featuring decks. Steven, a Trex product manager, explains the many reasons why Trex remains a leader in composite decking and railings. It all comes down to great appearance, durability, value for the money, incre...

Apr 11, 202437 min

Why TREX remains a leader in composite decking and railings

In the Replay today, Kevin reports on a window BOGO that is a definite NOGO. In the Horror Story, Kev spots a contractor scaffolding accident waiting to happen on a siding group’s Facebook page. Hope the contractor had worker’s comp. The subject of our Feature today is spring projects, featuring decks. Steven, a Trex product manager, explains the many reasons why Trex remains a leader in composite decking and railings. It all comes down to great appearance, durability, value for the money, incre...

Apr 11, 202437 min

Professor Kennedy teaches on the importance of ventilation.

In the Replay today, Ron questions Kevin about the appeal of ProVia® products including windows, doors, and siding, among his customers. Three factors stand out: the ProVia warranty, appearance, and durability. Our Horror Story today deals with the replacement of a window that failed to meet HOA standards. As you can imagine, this caused much needless aggravation. The subject of our Feature today is ventilation and Professor Kennedy schools us on the importance of it....

Apr 05, 202442 min

Professor Kennedy teaches on the importance of ventilation.

In the Replay today, Ron questions Kevin about the appeal of ProVia® products including windows, doors, and siding, among his customers. Three factors stand out: the ProVia warranty, appearance, and durability. Our Horror Story today deals with the replacement of a window that failed to meet HOA standards. As you can imagine, this caused much needless aggravation. The subject of our Feature today is ventilation and Professor Kennedy schools us on the importance of it....

Apr 05, 202442 min

How to make a rental property more desirable, an aging home more saleable and the home of a couple who are aging in place more livable

In the Replay today, Caroline walks us through the many updates Kevin and crew have brought about in her house, one of the oldest in America. In today’s Horror Story, Kevin shares on bad window installations. In the Feature, our frequent guest, the multiple award-winning interior designer, Donna Hoffman easily shifts gears to suggest modestly priced decorating updates to heighten the appeal of a rental property, a boomer couple’s home that they’ve finally put on the market and the home of a coup...

Mar 29, 202447 min

How to make a rental property more desirable, an aging home more saleable and the home of a couple who are aging in place more livable

In the Replay today, Caroline walks us through the many updates Kevin and crew have brought about in her house, one of the oldest in America. In today’s Horror Story, Kevin shares on bad window installations. In the Feature, our frequent guest, the multiple award-winning interior designer, Donna Hoffman easily shifts gears to suggest modestly priced decorating updates to heighten the appeal of a rental property, a boomer couple’s home that they’ve finally put on the market and the home of a coup...

Mar 29, 202447 min

Central Banks the World Over Are Exploring Digital Currency. Here’s a Primer on What You Need to Know

In the Replay today, we interview Sean about his choice of new ProVia® windows. The look and the limited lifetime warranty, in particular, stood out in Sean’s mind. Also, the Bad Guy Bulletin is this week! In the Feature today, Matt C., one of the two Crypto Matts who keeps adding to our knowledge of the Crypto landscape, is back to facilitate our understanding of the CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency), being studied by the U.S. and already implemented in China and elsewhere. Matt will cover t...

Mar 21, 202437 min

Central Banks the World Over Are Exploring Digital Currency. Here’s a Primer on What You Need to Know

In the Replay today, we interview Sean about his choice of new ProVia® windows. The look and the limited lifetime warranty, in particular, stood out in Sean’s mind. Also, the Bad Guy Bulletin is this week! In the Feature today, Matt C., one of the two Crypto Matts who keeps adding to our knowledge of the Crypto landscape, is back to facilitate our understanding of the CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency), being studied by the U.S. and already implemented in China and elsewhere. Matt will cover t...

Mar 21, 202437 min

Realtor, Joe Bograd is great at branding and that makes his clients in PA, NJ and FL stand out from the crowd

In the Replay today, except for a few finishing touches, it’s a wrap for Dianne’s kitchen, featuring an expansive ProVia® window with built-in blinds. You can pick up pointers in this final interview with Dianne. In today’s Horror Story, a homeowner gets duped with a lie about siding. In the Feature today, Joe Bograd, a Re/Max Elite Realtor makes his client's properties stand out with a branding program second to none. Joe promotes the Bograd Team on YouTube, TV, radio billboards social media, e...

Mar 08, 202444 min

Realtor, Joe Bograd is great at branding and that makes his clients in PA, NJ and FL stand out from the crowd

In the Replay today, except for a few finishing touches, it’s a wrap for Dianne’s kitchen, featuring an expansive ProVia® window with built-in blinds. You can pick up pointers in this final interview with Dianne. In today’s Horror Story, a homeowner gets duped with a lie about siding. In the Feature today, Joe Bograd, a Re/Max Elite Realtor makes his client's properties stand out with a branding program second to none. Joe promotes the Bograd Team on YouTube, TV, radio billboards social media, e...

Mar 08, 202444 min

Which Insurance Companies Don’t Spread the Losses from Hurricanes, Wildland Fires. Etc.

In the Replay today, Kevin’s customer, Dianne, is ecstatic about her expansive, new ProVia kitchen window that provides a lot more light and a view of her beautiful backyard. In the Horror Story, Dianne shines a spotlight on contractors who fail to return homeowner calls. Not a great way to get business!!. In today’s Feature, the answer to the question posed above is: regional insurers who don’t write business in western states are prone to wildland fires, Tornado Ally, and Florida and other sh...

Feb 29, 202445 min

Which Insurance Companies Don’t Spread the Losses from Hurricanes, Wildland Fires. Etc.

In the Replay today, Kevin’s customer, Dianne, is ecstatic about her expansive, new ProVia kitchen window that provides a lot more light and a view of her beautiful backyard. In the Horror Story, Dianne shines a spotlight on contractors who fail to return homeowner calls. Not a great way to get business!!. In today’s Feature, the answer to the question posed above is: regional insurers who don’t write business in western states are prone to wildland fires, Tornado Ally, and Florida and other sh...

Feb 29, 202445 min

Amazing - the Number of Dead Trees We Photographed Along Busy Roads in PA and NJ

In the Replay today, Kevin and Ron raise awareness of roofing companies promoting new roofs and citing hail and wind damage. They’ll even represent you in talks with your insurance carrier. Think twice before you fall for this. In today’s Bad Guy Bulletin, we tip you off to scams you need to avoid. In the Feature, as a follow-up to an interview we did on hazards posed by dead ash and other trees in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, this week’s feature is about a drive-around Kevin and Ron did with tw...

Feb 22, 202444 min

Amazing - the Number of Dead Trees We Photographed Along Busy Roads in PA and NJ

In the Replay today, Kevin and Ron raise awareness of roofing companies promoting new roofs and citing hail and wind damage. They’ll even represent you in talks with your insurance carrier. Think twice before you fall for this. In today’s Bad Guy Bulletin, we tip you off to scams you need to avoid. In the Feature, as a follow-up to an interview we did on hazards posed by dead ash and other trees in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, this week’s feature is about a drive-around Kevin and Ron did with tw...

Feb 22, 202444 min

Is 2024 the Year Crypto Takes Off?

In the Replay today, Dianne paints a picture of her new kitchen and its defining characteristic, a ProVia® picture window with built-in blinds. In the Horror Story, if you’re considering an HVAC split system, make sure the installer strings the tubes inside – not outside – the house. Wow!! And in the Feature, Matt C. and Matt P., two Crypto-savvy individuals who we call the CryptoMatts, join us this week for an interview to advance your understanding of Crypto and its many moving parts. We’ll co...

Feb 08, 202440 min

Is 2024 the Year Crypto Takes Off?

In the Replay today, Dianne paints a picture of her new kitchen and its defining characteristic, a ProVia® picture window with built-in blinds. In the Horror Story, if you’re considering an HVAC split system, make sure the installer strings the tubes inside – not outside – the house. Wow!! And in the Feature, Matt C. and Matt P., two Crypto-savvy individuals who we call the CryptoMatts, join us this week for an interview to advance your understanding of Crypto and its many moving parts. We’ll co...

Feb 08, 202440 min

How to Save a Bundle on an Outstanding Kitchen Refresh

In the Replay today, Kevin and Ron reveal the scams, lies, and shaky sales pitches some contractors employ to get jobs. In the Horror Story, we cite a bad roofing job that led to a bad siding job. Today’s feature was prompted by Ron’s visit to his godson’s parent’s home, where he experienced the excellence of their refreshed kitchen. There was no need to change the basic footprint of the cabinets, which were in great shape. So, after weighing the cost of replacing the cabinets, the decision was ...

Feb 01, 202436 min

How to Save a Bundle on an Outstanding Kitchen Refresh

In the Replay today, Kevin and Ron reveal the scams, lies, and shaky sales pitches some contractors employ to get jobs. In the Horror Story, we cite a bad roofing job that led to a bad siding job. Today’s feature was prompted by Ron’s visit to his godson’s parent’s home, where he experienced the excellence of their refreshed kitchen. There was no need to change the basic footprint of the cabinets, which were in great shape. So, after weighing the cost of replacing the cabinets, the decision was ...

Feb 01, 202436 min

Concerned About the Safety and Security of Your Family and Home? Don’t Miss a Second of the Feature in this Episode

In the Replay today, Kevin and Ron explain how a responsible home improvement contractor can make a positive impact on a family. It’s the third week of the month...time for the Bad Guy Bulletin, with contributions from Mike Bannon from Bucks County Consumer Protection, Marc Furber from the Bucks DA’s Office and Ron, whose mortgage holder was hacked by the bad guys. In the Feature today, Rebecca Edwards points out top family and home safety and security products and advice on safewise.com We cove...

Jan 20, 202447 min

Concerned About the Safety and Security of Your Family and Home? Don’t Miss a Second of the Feature in this Episode

In the Replay today, Kevin and Ron explain how a responsible home improvement contractor can make a positive impact on a family. It’s the third week of the month...time for the Bad Guy Bulletin, with contributions from Mike Bannon from Bucks County Consumer Protection, Marc Furber from the Bucks DA’s Office and Ron, whose mortgage holder was hacked by the bad guys. In the Feature today, Rebecca Edwards points out top family and home safety and security products and advice on safewise.com We cove...

Jan 20, 202447 min

A Siding Redo is the Perfect Time to Make Your Home More Resilient with Simpson Strong Tie

In the Replay today, Kevin walks us through the renovation of a 300-year- old farmhouse. In the Horror story, Kevin discovers a new company on Instagram and their improper installation of windows and roofing. In the Feature, Jim Mailey, Senior Technical Training Coordinator from Simpson StrongTie, walks us through the products his company makes to bring about more resilience in the connections between framing members. Something to consider if you re-do your siding....

Jan 11, 202435 min

A Siding Redo is the Perfect Time to Make Your Home More Resilient with Simpson Strong Tie

In the Replay today, Kevin walks us through the renovation of a 300-year- old farmhouse. In the Horror story, Kevin discovers a new company on Instagram and their improper installation of windows and roofing. In the Feature, Jim Mailey, Senior Technical Training Coordinator from Simpson StrongTie, walks us through the products his company makes to bring about more resilience in the connections between framing members. Something to consider if you re-do your siding....

Jan 11, 202435 min

Today, Positive Stories about People Across Generations Helping Each Other

In the Replay today, Mike talks about his kitchen/laundry room project that Kevin is about to begin. Like all homeowners, Mike isn’t immune to contractor Horror Stories. Today, he shares one involving a siding job gone bad. In today’s Feature, Donna Butts, a frequent contributor and great friend to Your Valuable Home, joins us to share inspirational stories of people across generations helping each other live life to the fullest. Donna is the Executive Director of D.C.-based Generations United. ...

Jan 04, 202431 min

Today, Positive Stories about People Across Generations Helping Each Other

In the Replay today, Mike talks about his kitchen/laundry room project that Kevin is about to begin. Like all homeowners, Mike isn’t immune to contractor Horror Stories. Today, he shares one involving a siding job gone bad. In today’s Feature, Donna Butts, a frequent contributor and great friend to Your Valuable Home, joins us to share inspirational stories of people across generations helping each other live life to the fullest. Donna is the Executive Director of D.C.-based Generations United. ...

Jan 04, 202431 min

First-time Home Buyers Can Get Off the Sellers’ Market Merry-Go-Round, Buy Property and Build for Today and Tomorrow

In the Replay, Kevin is referred to a dissatisfied roofing customer to provide advice. In the Horror Story, Nissi explains the roofing nightmare no homeowner should have to deal with. In the Feature today, renowned architect and frequent Your Valuable Home guest, Illya Azaroff explains a scenario whereby a young family can buy and build a modest house that’s resilient, sustainable, and expandable as the family grows. This all proves that home ownership can be within the grasp of those who make w...

Dec 28, 202339 min

First-time Home Buyers Can Get Off the Sellers’ Market Merry-Go-Round, Buy Property and Build for Today and Tomorrow

In the Replay, Kevin is referred to a dissatisfied roofing customer to provide advice. In the Horror Story, Nissi explains the roofing nightmare no homeowner should have to deal with. In the Feature today, renowned architect and frequent Your Valuable Home guest, Illya Azaroff explains a scenario whereby a young family can buy and build a modest house that’s resilient, sustainable, and expandable as the family grows. This all proves that home ownership can be within the grasp of those who make w...

Dec 28, 202339 min

Into Modernist architecture? You’ll love today’s Feature with George Smart, founder and Executive Director of US Modernist

In the Replay today, Kevin provides a progress report on major renovations his company is doing to a 300-year-old farmhouse. It’s again time for the Bad Guy Bulletin is our once-a-month segment devoted to exposing all sorts of scams and scammers. George Smart is on a mission “to document, preserve, and promote residential Modernist architecture.” He’s doing that in myriad ways, including hosting a Modernism podcast and presiding over the world’s largest open mid-century digital archive. We learn...

Dec 21, 202338 min

Into Modernist architecture? You’ll love today’s Feature with George Smart, founder and Executive Director of US Modernist

In the Replay today, Kevin provides a progress report on major renovations his company is doing to a 300-year-old farmhouse. It’s again time for the Bad Guy Bulletin is our once-a-month segment devoted to exposing all sorts of scams and scammers. George Smart is on a mission “to document, preserve, and promote residential Modernist architecture.” He’s doing that in myriad ways, including hosting a Modernism podcast and presiding over the world’s largest open mid-century digital archive. We learn...

Dec 21, 202338 min