Real Estate Information

      Working through financial jargon with a mortgage lender can be confusing, but you can make the process easier if you clarify queries up front. Real Estate ABC and About.com offer a few tips for talking to your lender and finding what home loan best fits your needs.

     Don’t be afraid to ask about the pros and cons of each type of loan — fixed-rate loans are good if you are likely to have a lower interest rate and can pay it off quickly, while an adjustable rate mortgage will fluctuate during the term of the loan. And keep in mind that the total cost of a loan includes many fees, such as the appraisal, request for credit report, inspection reports and recording fees. Sometimes these fees are negotiable, so be sure to ask your lender if there’s room for more savings.

     Ask about the lender’s relationship with the financial institution they represent. The closing process moves quickly, and it’s important to have a lender who feels comfortable getting in touch with the financial institution and making changes for his or her client as often as needed. When determining a closing date on the property, it’s best to work with a lender who can guarantee funding and turnaround of the loan within 48 hours of signing the necessary paperwork to avoid delays.

     The most important tip? Trust your gut when choosing a lender. If at any time you’re not comfortable with the answers given, or if the lender is vague or defensive, consider looking elsewhere.

By Barbara Thau

Source:  AOL Wallet Pop

     Could your kitchen use a facelift? According to Remodeling magazine’s latest Cost vs. Value Report, the average minor kitchen remodel costs $21,695. And considering the amount of time people spend in their kitchens, it could be well worth the investment: Homeowners typically recoup about 73 percent of the cost, according to the report.

     If you’re hiring contractors to do the work, make sure you do your research. Estimate how much the down payment will be (usually about a quarter of the total project cost) and be sure to discuss a schedule for the payments. Walk through and make a list of what (if anything) in the kitchen won’t be replaced during the remodel. Keep in mind that you can save thousands if your remodel allows you to keep existing wiring and plumbing in place. Still, unexpected costs do pop up, so experts recommend keeping about 20 percent more cash on hand to cover unforeseen cost overruns.

     When it comes to the details, costs can certainly add up. But there are ways to get the luxe look for less. Kitchen counter materials range in price, from a top-of-the-line expensive granite surface to a wallet-friendly durable quartz countertop that has the look and feel of granite. If you do go for a luxurious countertop, consider installing a less expensive backsplash (beadboard, DIY mosaic tiles, or faux pressed tin are some options). Refacing cabinets, painting them or just replacing the knobs for a fresh look might be a more viable option than replacing the entire set.

William has a vision to bring ultimate curb appeal to this quaint home.

Source:  HGTV.com

Make quick and easy work of it with these 9 tips. 

No matter what kind of blinds you have—wooden, fabric and vertical are the three basic types—these tips will make their cleaning and maintenance easy:

1. Vacuum blinds often with the brush attachment. Vacuum across the slats, not up and down.

2. Use a lamb's-wool duster, again working across the slats and starting at the top. Do not use plastic dusters.

3. When dusting or vacuuming vertical blinds, brush downward only, as the slats often become unhooked if you brush upward.

4. Use a rubber sponge, also known as a dry sponge (found at hardware and paint stores), to remove dust and residue from both fabric and vinyl blinds. Simply wipe the dry sponge firmly across the blinds.

5. For spot cleaning, spray an all-purpose cleaner onto a clean dry cloth and wipe the soiled area of the blind. Never spray the cleaner directly onto the blind.

6. You can wet wooden blinds when cleaning, but don't soak them. Clean them in place instead of removing them as you would for other types of blinds.

7. If fabric blinds become very dirty, take them to a dry cleaner.

8. Do not try cleaning blinds by spraying them with a car-wash hose, dunking them in the tub or one slat at a time.

9. To clean metal and vinyl blinds, follow this method: Take the blinds outside to your patio or driveway and lay them on a small rug or piece of carpet. Put a few drops of dishwashing soap in a bucket of water. Wet a car-washing brush and brush the blinds from side to side, and then turn them over and brush the other side. Rinse the blinds gently with a garden hose while tilting them so that the water runs off. To prevent water spots from forming, quickly run your finger down the slats a couple of times to remove excess water. When done, drape the blinds over a fence or a couch to dry.

Source:  HGTV.com

Fabulous ideas to take your formal dining room and transform it into casual chic!  Enjoy!

Source:  HGTV.com

Design your own dream kitchen with ideas from a Chef, Kitchen Designer, and mother of two!  Enjoy!

Source:  HGTV.com

     With so many homes on the market these days, buyers may find it difficult to decide which style of home is right for them. HGTV’s Frontdoor.com outlines several factors to consider when choosing a home style, including the region of the country, personal tastes, lifestyle and budget.

     First, think about what part of the country you plan to live in and the type of neighborhood that appeals to you. Some home styles are more prevalent in certain parts of the country and in certain communities. For example, bungalows are more common in the Midwest, while Colonials are more prevalent in the Northeast.

     Budget is also a consideration. For first-time homebuyers on a budget, certain home styles may be out of their price range. Meanwhile, move-up buyers with more cash available can consider a more spacious home with luxury amenities.

     How much space do you need? For growing families, the typical American ranch home usually offers plenty of space and a large yard for kids to play, while a smaller ranch home may be a better option for empty nesters and older singles.

     When selecting a home style, think carefully about the upkeep. How much home maintenance are you willing to do? Older homes may have more history and character but they sometimes require more maintenance, while newer homes may only require some minor touch-ups and may be more move-in ready.

     Modern home styles with open, free-flowing floor plans and outdoor living spaces will likely appeal to those who love to entertain or have families. But smaller, cozy spaces may be better suited to older couples or single homeowners who enjoy their privacy.

     The best part about finding the best home style to fit your lifestyle is decorating it to make it all your own.

A simple HGTV project using unique containers that can even be taken indoors for colder climates.  Enjoy!

Source:  HGTV.com

You know you’ve had it with drab days of winter when you find yourself out in the dark with a flashlight scanning the beds, in search of the first dabs of green pushing through the thawing crust of old Mama Earth.

You know you are making the most of the bursting of spring when you never leave home without your trusted garden clippers—the better to bring home the beauty.

Well then, no wonder you’re breathless to learn the tricks of the trade for keeping those long-awaited stems fresh as a, er, daffodil.

We checked in with a bevy of folks who make it their business to keep blooms perky as long as possible. A favorite place to turn is Suzy Bales’ Garden Bouquets and Beyond (Rodale, $35). The headline here is that these vernal beauties—built to withstand sleet, snow, raging winds and whatever springtime hurls their way—are sturdy fellows, and don’t require too much primping and fussing.

Except for that odd exception (narcissus will do best with a bit of a presoak, and branches never mind a quick vertical snip to soak up extra-big gulps of water), spring bulbs are happy to get a simple dunk in a vase filled with cool water, kept fresh with a teaspoon of household bleach and a pinch or two of sugar.

Change the water every few days—or sooner if the water looks murky. (Rather than pulling the bouquet from the vase to change the water, simply hold the vase and flowers under the tap and flush till the water in the vase is clear.)

A few all-purpose pointers: Use clippers—not scissors, which will crush the stems and impede the uptake of water. Always strip away all foliage below the water line. Warm water perks up wilted flowers; hot water (110 degrees Fahrenheit) stands up floppy stems. And if you want to triple the shelf life of your bouquet, tuck the flowers in the fridge or a cool corner of the cellar (40 degrees Fahrenheit) for a good six hours before putting out to preen.

Here’s a handy chart to clip and store under your kitchen sink, when the urge to bring in the springtime simply cannot be quelled. It doesn’t matter whether you pluck ‘em straight from the garden or pick up a bunch at the supermarket or your favorite flower shop. However, if you do snip from the garden, it’s wisest to cut in the morning, once the dew has dried. That’s when the stems are at their sturdiest, and filled with moisture, giving you the best chance for a protracted star turn.

Hyacinth
When to harvest: When most of the flowers on the stem are open.
Vase life: 7 to 10 days.
Special attention: These beauties need nothing but a quick snip and time to inhale their olfactory glory.

Grape hyacinth (Muscari)
When to harvest: When blooms are half open.
Vase life: 5 to 7 days.
Special attention: None.

Narcissus
When to harvest: When fully open is best, though it’s lovely to have a spectrum of buds to blooms.
Vase life: 6 to 9 days—if you precondition (see below).
Special attention: Narcissi ooze a toxic sap; to keep from knocking off other blooms, presoak in cool water about six hours before adding to your mixed bouquet. If you have room, tuck in the fridge for the presoak. You don’t need floral preservative but be vigilant about changing the water.

Tulip
When to harvest: When entire bud is flush with color.
Vase life: 6 to 10 days.
Special attention: Curious fellows, tulips will grow one to two inches even after they’re cut. So keep that in mind if you’re designing an arrangement and scale matters. Also, tulips will bend toward the sunlight, so be sure to twirl unless you want listing blooms.

Ranunculus
When to harvest: As soon as buds show color.
Vase life: 5 to 7 days.
Special attention: None.

Ixia
When to harvest: As soon as you can see a touch of color on some buds.
Vase life: 10 days to two weeks, even longer.
Special attention: None.

Peony
When to harvest: Once the bud is showing bright color, and petals can be seen.
Vase life: 5 to 8 days.
Special attention: As soon as you cut, place stems in warm water to increase water uptake. Be sure to shake off ants before bringing these perfumed clouds inside.

Stock
When to harvest: When half the flowers on the stem are open.
Vase life: 7 to 10 days.
Special attention: If you remember to keep recutting the stems, you can add an extra three days to the vase life.

Virginia bluebells
When to harvest: As soon as a few bells are open.
Vase life: 2 to 4 days, at best.
Special attention: A six-hour fridge visit is essential if you want these beauties to last past the next morning. They’ll do best if you trim either all the leaves, or all the flowers, going with one or the other per stem.

For more information visit www.chicagotribune.com ^[2].

Source:  RISMedia