Tammy Gordon, Real Estate Consultant
Interested in adding some spring decor to your home without spending tons of money? All you really need is to head to your local dollar store, where bargains await that can be refashioned in all kinds of ways. Try a few of these ideas to brighten up your space. The best part: They barely cost a thing!
The six additional weeks of winter predicted by Punxsutawney Phil have come and gone—and aside from a few cold snaps here and there, it’s safe to say that spring is most definitely here. And we couldn’t be more excited to head out into the fresh air and prep our backyards for enjoying the warmer weather.
But after spending what felt like the longest-ever winter indoors, you probably need to show your interiors a little love, too. If you’re ready to spruce things up inside as well as out, then you’re in luck,
Have a junk drawer that’s starting to overflow into other places? We know the feeling. Fortunately, your home life doesn’t need to be controlled by junk anymore.
This installment of “Decluttering for Dummies” is all about getting your junk drawer in check, and transforming it from a burial ground for crap into a storage space that’s actually functional.
So whether you have one problem drawer or several, we’re here to help you tackle your junk with help from the organization pros. Here’s everything you need to know about decluttering your junk drawer once and for all.
What is an interest-only mortgage? It’s a type of home loan where you start off paying only the interest for a certain time period, followed by a time where you pay back both the interest and principal.
Most interest-only home loans are adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, says Scott Sheldon, a senior loan officer and consumer advocate in Sonoma County, CA.
An ARM, also known as a variable-rate mortgage, is a loan that starts out at a fixed, predetermined interest rate that’s likely lower than what you would get with a comparable fixed-rate mortgage. However, the rate adjusts after a specified initial period—usually three, five, seven, or 10 years—based on market indexes.
If you’re thinking of buying a home and you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone.
Here’s a guide with 10 simple steps to follow in the homebuying process.
Be sure to work with a trusted real estate professional to find out the specifics of what to do in your local area.
Saving up for a down payment usually takes time—a lot of time. But when the market is moving fast, sometimes you need to speed that up. Here are five strategies.
Closing costs are often a mystery to first-time home buyers—and even first-time sellers. Here’s a breakdown of what they are, and who’s going to shell out for which.
Countertops can make or break a kitchen. Over time, any well-used work surface for meal prep, dining, and cleanup endures normal wear and tear. But if your countertops have seen better days and you’re feeling stuck in a kitchen design rut, it might be time for an upgrade.
“Countertops play an integral part in a kitchen’s aesthetic and functionality,” says Young Huh, a New York City–based interior designer. “It’s an update that instantly modernizes the look of the room and can truly change how you cook and enjoy the space.”
Think you’re the only one mulling over a kitchen countertop revamp? Think again. In a recent kitchen trends survey by Houzz, countertops came in as the most popular feature renovating homeowners plan to upgrade.
If you’re ready to upgrade your kitchen countertops but have no idea where to start, the following must-know tips will point you in the right direction.
Chip and Joanna Gaines are home renovation royalty. They’ve gone from the debut of their smash hit, HGTV show “Fixer Upper,” in 2013 to running their own network, Magnolia.
A large part of their success (aside from their adorableness as a couple) is their keen sense of design, which they’ve honed into a highly marketable style known as modern farmhouse. And while the tenets of their signature style have endured (think: reclaimed wood, white paint, comfortable no-frills furniture), their aesthetic hasn’t remained static by any means, and has evolved over time.
Curious to see how Chip and Joanna’s decor style has changed over the years? Here’s a look at some of their early fads that have since faded from their repertoire, and the new styles that have taken their place.
If you watch a lot of shows on HGTV, the idea of buying a home in need of some TLC for a bargain and sprucing it up sure can sound appealing. Many among us fantasize about embracing their inner interior designer, taking a rundown home and giving it the Chip and Joanna Gaines treatment.
Smaller-scale home-improvement projects might have a better return on investment. For instance, a can of paint or two costs hardly anything, and research shows that painting the rooms in your house the right color can add as much as $3,000 to the home’s sale price.
With anything bigger than that, you’re unlikely to recoup your investment. Read more HERE.