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Quick Answer Look for a licensed, insured contractor with a solid local track record, verifiable references, and a clear written contract. Review their portfolio for work similar to yours, confirm ...

Contractors
What to Look for When Hiring a Custom Home Contractor

August 17, 2026

Aug 17, 2026

Not all aluminum cabinet door frame manufacturers are built the same, and anyone who’s sourced frames at scale already knows that. The gap between a supplier who gets dimensional tolerances ...

Cabinets
Top Aluminum Cabinet Door Frame Manufacturers in the USA

August 14, 2026

Aug 14, 2026

The process of renovating a rental home is always a lot to handle. Renovations aren’t easy. Regardless, as a property owner, it’s important for you to know the right season ...

Construction
When is the Best Season to Renovate a Rental Home

August 13, 2026

Aug 13, 2026

Property taxes represent one of the highest ongoing carrying costs of homeownership. In 2026, as municipalities adjust tax rates to meet municipal budget shortfalls, an inflated assessment can cost you ...

Real estate
Over-Assessed? How to Use Infrastructure Data to Slash Your Property Taxes in 2026

August 11, 2026

Aug 11, 2026

The traditional path to adding a rental property involved hunting for off-market multi-family deals or spending over a year managing a custom site-built construction site. In 2026, “Backyard Density” has ...

Real estate
Why Modular ADUs Are the #1 Suburban Income Play of 2026

August 10, 2026

Aug 10, 2026

When selling a house with unpermitted work in 2026, many homeowners assume that if a finished space looks professional, the buyer’s lender will finance it. However, under strict ANSI Z765 ...

Real estate
The Hidden Appraisal Killer: How Unpermitted Work Wipes Out 2026 Equity

August 07, 2026

Aug 7, 2026


Business

Every month, hundreds of thousands of building permits quietly record something property insurers spend a fortune trying to see: the moment the risk on a home changes. A new roof. ...

Where the risk on your book changed in July

August 03, 2026

Aug 3, 2026

Kukun Property Signal · July 2026 Property Signal · July 2026 The monthly read from Kukun built on the property knowledge graph (permits, condition, contractor, renovation cost). This month: where ...

Where Your Next HELOC Borrowers Are Renovating: The July Read

July 06, 2026

Jul 6, 2026

Monthly property intelligence for finance and insurance — built on the Kukun property state graph. Across the Kukun Regular-Cadence Panel, renovation activity rises in lockstep with home value. In the ...

Renovation is Concentrating Where Home Equity is Deepest

June 21, 2026

Jun 21, 2026

Homeowners and lenders alike know that a property’s condition has a material impact on its market value and lending risk. Yet “condition” often remains opaque in public records or automated ...

Elevating Home Value with the PICO™ Home Condition Score

June 25, 2025

Jun 25, 2025

Current market data shows homeowners are sitting on record equity and increasingly using it to renovate rather than move. According to a TD Bank survey, 83% of owners feel their ...

Driving HELOC Conversions through Home Renovation Tools

June 18, 2025

Jun 18, 2025

Building permits data for January 2025 show a mixed picture across major U.S. metros. Some markets saw robust growth in permit activity, while others cooled year-over-year. For example, Houston, TX ...

January 2025 U.S. Building Permits: Mixed Metro Trends in a Tight Market

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025



Home remodeling guides
I want to renovate my house - where do I start?

The thought of starting a home renovation can be overwhelming. Let’s face it, there are a lot of factors to consider and countless sources of information telling you how to manage all the details. At Kukun, our personal mission is to create a sanctuary of knowledge to guide you through every step of the process. Construction, layout, materials, budget, contractors, design and decor. This is home remodeling education at its finest!

The remodeling knowledge we place at your fingertips includes:

  • Layout ideas for each part of your house so you can find inspiration before any work begins

  • Cost guides to prepare you for unexpected situations

  • Remodeling guides so you can plan every step of your projects

  • Decor guides to help you plan the look, feel and final touches of your remodel

  • How to hire great contractors and other pros and effectively manage your relationships with them

  • Real estate information if you are thinking about buying a property or selling yours

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Recent loan articles

You’ve used the Kukun Bathroom Renovation Cost Estimator, you’ve picked out the antimicrobial quartz, and you’ve even found a vetted contractor. The vision is clear. But then comes the reality ...

Lending and mortgage
Financing the “Dream”: Comparing HELOCs, Cash-Out Refis, and Reno Loans in 2026

January 30, 2026

Jan 30, 2026

Buying a house requires careful financial planning. Finding the right balance between your home aspirations and the practicality of your monthly mortgage payment can pose challenges. One good way to ...

Lending and mortgage
Useful tips on how to increase mortgage preapproval amount

October 08, 2025

Oct 8, 2025

Building your dream home from the ground up is an exciting opportunity, and if you’re a veteran or active-duty service member, a VA construction loan can make it possible, often ...

Lending and mortgage
Can You Build a House with a VA Loan? Complete Construction Guide [2026]

October 01, 2025

Oct 1, 2025

If you’re finally thinking of that long-awaited home improvement project – whether a bathroom remodel or a kitchen renovation – or want to consolidate outstanding debt, a home equity line of ...

loans
How long does the HELOC application process take?

December 13, 2022

Dec 13, 2022

Homeownership is regarded as a smart financial move as it helps build a considerable amount of wealth. According to a new Bankrate.com survey, although most homeowners have good home equity, ...

Lending and mortgage
Why is using HELOC for home renovations a smart idea

February 19, 2022

Feb 19, 2022

If you’re over the age of 62, getting a loan isn’t always an easy thing to do. And if you do find a willing lender, paying it back is going ...

Lending and mortgage
Reverse mortgages: Senior citizen loans

August 29, 2021

Aug 29, 2021

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