Design Tips for Your Children's Playroom

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Design Tips for Your Children's Playroom

Posted on March 5, 2015

When designing a Phoenix AZ Home's playroom for your children, there are some key factors to consider. This is a room where your children will learn, grow and flourish both physically and socially. It's important to craft an inspirational, fun and safe environment. Combine these elements to create a playful, carefree environment in your Phoenix AZ home.

Color & Theme
Consider your child's personality and preferences – and embrace them! Use vivid and bold colors such as red, blue, green, pink or yellow. Use them as your primary wall color, or go with a more neutral shade and accent with these hues. Consider decorative wallpapers as another option, displaying numbers, letters or other child-friendly patterns.

Themed playrooms are another popular option. This is where you really need to unleash your imagination. Consider a sports theme or even a Western ­or race car theme. Choose a garden or princess theme, or consider replicating a favorite fairy tale. Have murals painted on the walls or purchase themed decals that can be easily changed or removed.

Safety First
Creating a safe environment for your children is a top priority. Keep electrical sockets covered and consider using curtains as opposed to blinds. The loosely hanging strings on blinds can present a strangulation hazard if not properly secured. Choose age-appropriate toys and furnishing to help prevent accidents.

Organizing Tips
Don't let the playroom overwhelm you. Strategize in advance how to store books, toys and art supplies in order to avoid unwanted chaos. Keeping it organized not only helps maintain your sanity, but also creates a more enjoyable experience for your child.

One option is to separate the playroom into sections, each with a designated purpose. There might be a section for making art with an easel or table and chairs. A comfy seating area gives your child a place to enjoy books and quiet time. And a carpeted, open area makes it easy to play with toys or make up imaginative games.

Colorful baskets, buckets or labeled plastic bins in varying sizes make wonderful storage options. They are also a great way for your children to learn their colors and necessary sorting skills.

Shelving or cubbies in assorted sizes are a must. They are great for storing just about anything. Keep items such as plush animals, books and puzzles organized loosely on a shelf, or neatly stack your bins and baskets to hold things like toy cars, Legos, play dough and art supplies. Keeping storage bins organized will help your child remember where things go, making cleanup easier.

For oversized items, large toy boxes work great and keep floor space free. Consider hanging organizers with individual sleeves for items such as CDs or card games that require added protection.

Have fun with your playroom design. Use your creativity to fashion a captivating environment that inspires your children to have fun while learning.

Get more tips at SweeEastValleyHomes.com

Swee Ng, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Phoenix specializing in win-win real estate transaction through great communication and fighting for his clients' best interest. After all, this is more than real estates, this is about your life and your dreams.

If you are looking to buy or sell your home in Phoenix AZ area, we hope you will consider us.

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Creating an Eco-Friendly Landscape Design

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Creating an Eco-Friendly Landscape Design

Is Your Garden Really Green? Creating an Eco-Friendly Landscape Design
You may have the greenest lawn on the block, but is your garden really "green," meaning ecologically friendly? Often the answer is a resounding "NO."

Just the fact that you have a lawn at all can be an indicator that your landscape is not as green as it could be. Lawns generally need more water and fertilizers than other plantings. Plus, they need to be mowed approximately once per week in the summertime, and if you don't have an electric or reel mower, you're burning fossil fuels every time you mow.

What are some ways you can create a garden that is really green? How can you create an eco-friendly landscape design?

Be Water-Wise
When it comes to an eco-friendly landscape, being water-wise means not only reducing the amount of water you use, but also managing stormwater - water that falls during a rainstorm, on site. Stormwater often gets directed to a pipe as soon as possible and then directed to a river, pond, or sewer. But, it is possible to capture it, store it, and redistribute it to be used again. For example, direct the downspout from your rain gutters to a rain barrel and then use the captured water to irrigate your landscape.

Reduce Impervious Surfaces
Another way to create an eco-friendly landscape design is to reduce the amount of impervious surfaces on your property. Impervious surfaces are areas like concrete, asphalt, and stone pavers where water cannot penetrate the surface. The water that used to soak into the soil has to go somewhere. When water can't infiltrate the soil surface, it causes problems downstream and has detrimental effects on rivers and streams. Pervious concrete and asphalt have come on the market and offer an alternative to impervious surfaces.

Use Drought-Tolerant Plants
This tip is related to being water-wise. If you want to create an eco-friendly landscape design, use drought tolerant plants.

Go Native
Native plants are well-adapted to live in the area in which you live. Plus, they typically will provide a food source or some sort of ecological input that supports local insect and animal species.

Build and Protect the Soil
In most suburban and urban areas, the soil is terribly depleted of minerals and nutrients. By amending the soil with organic fertilizers, cover crops, and compost, you can support an eco-friendly landscape design and help protect the soil structure. This creates a more nutrient-rich soil in which your plants can grow.

Grow Your Own Food
From farming methods to transporting food, we rely on fossil fuels to feed everyone in the United States. You can do your part to reduce the use of fossil fuels, reduce food miles, and provide nutrient-rich vegetables to your family by growing your own food. You can grow a surprising amount of food in a small space, and wouldn't it be nice if you could simply walk out your back door and harvest some lettuce for dinner?

Get to Know Beneficial Insects
Many gardeners mistakenly think all insects are bad. If they don't recognize a particular insect, they go get the sprayer and shoot the insect with a chemical pesticide until it dies. This is one of the worst things you can do. Why? There are many insects in the garden that help keep the "bad bugs" in check.

Have you ever noticed a rose bush covered in ladybugs? They're probably there because they're eating the aphids. If you look closely you'll see them. However, if you see the ladybugs, mistakenly think they are hurting your roses, and decide to kill them with pesticides, you're actually creating more work for yourself. The next time the aphids come, and they will, there will not be ladybugs there to defend your roses. You have just inherited the ladybugs' job. To create an eco-friendly landscape design, you must understand your ecosystem. That means getting to know the beneficial insects in your garden and learning how to support them in their work of defending your garden.

These are just a few of the many ways in which you can create an eco-friendly landscape design. The bottom line is that you must work with nature, not against it.

Posted on June 13, 2014

Swee Ng, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who live, work and play in Gilbert AZ, specialty in Residential Resale, First Time Home Buyer and Investment Homes. Call 480.721.6253 today for complementary consultation.

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Home Seller Tips: 5 Tips For The Best Home Showings

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5 Tips For The Best Home Showings

Home routines tend to come to a standstill while your home is on the market. The need to keep the house clean  - and not scare potential homebuyers away - means that kids can't throw their school books on the dining room table, Dad has to pick up his stinky socks, and even the pets need to toe the line.
Keeping the house clean is a good first step toward presenting the home in the best light. But it isn't the only step.

1. Odors
Have you ever walked into a home and been immediately assaulted by nasty odors? Cigarettes, grease, cooking odors, diapers and pets all leave their mark on the way a home smells. While it's almost impossible to rid the home of cigarette smoke without painting, there are ways to get rid of other odors.

• Have the carpets professionally cleaned and deodorized
• Launder or dry-clean all curtains and drapes
• Consider having your upholstered furniture professionally cleaned
• Clean the grease from the range hood
• Keep the dog bathed and groomed to keep doggy smells at bay
• Place dishes of potpourri or scented candles in random areas throughout the home.

2. Sounds
Like the smell of a favorite perfume, we become habituated to certain things, including sounds. If you've ever lived under a flight path or next to railroad tracks, you understand how quickly one can get used to annoying sounds and not even hear them after a while. Strangers in your home, such as potential buyers, will hear the yappy dog next door, however, so here are some tips to mask the noises in your home.

• Play some music, softly, while the home is being shown
• Invest in a white noise machine
• Play a sound-effects CD softly in the background.

3. Sights
Light and bright are the operative words when considering the ideal way to present your home to buyers.
Change all the light bulbs in the home to higher wattage bulbs. Leave the lights on for showings, including closet lights.

• Paint the walls. If you can't paint, clean the walls
• Remove heavy drapes and replace them with lightweight fabric that allows natural light into the home
• Don't neglect the outside of the house. Before a showing, make sure that the planting beds look clean and attractive and that the lawn is mowed.

4. Set the Scene
If you've ever toured model homes, you are familiar with the concept of staging – the art of carefully crafting interiors that appeal to homebuyers. If you're on a tight budget and can't afford a professional designer, make some simple changes that appeal to buyers.

• Create vignettes throughout the home. Set the dining room table with attractive dinnerware or create a cozy nook in the bedroom with a small table and chairs. Group items in threes, use different heights, and keep it simple
• Fresh flowers add so much to a home, from masking odors to adding pops of color and texture. A gorgeous bouquet on the dining room table can take the place of a fussy centerpiece. Night stands are ideal places to set small vases of flowers
• Bathrooms are important, so pay close attention to how you stage yours. Get rid of the countertop clutter and add fluffy towels and a new shower curtain

5. Security
Since sellers should make themselves scarce when the home is being shown, it's important to take security measures. Lock up or remove valuables, weapons, prescription drugs and money.

Don't leave personal items - especially paperwork with your financial information - lying around in plain sight.

Whatever you can do to make your home appear move-in ready will appeal to buyers. Tour some new home communities for more ideas and inspiration so that your home shows like a model.


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A Cheap and Fast Way to Transform Your Kitchen

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A Cheap and Fast Way to Transform Your Kitchen

Your dingy, dinged-up, and outdated kitchen cabinets need to go. Refacing (rather than replacing) them could save you more than just time and money.

You watch all those home renovation shows that inspire you to transform your kitchen into something modern, sleek, and sexy. As it is right now, sexy definitely doesn't describe your marred-up and pitiful cabinets.

And sure, you could get all new cabinets, but that might cost you a lot of money. Another more cost-effective option, however, is to reface them. When you reface cabinets, you're essentially keeping the existing boxes while replacing the doors and drawer fronts. And if your kitchen cabinets are structurally sound, this could be a viable option for you.

In addition to costs, here some reasons why refacing cabinets - instead of replacing them - is smart.

#1 - It's a Cost-Effective Option
"Refacing gives you the biggest bang for your buck because you get to repurpose your existing cabinets which save a lot of money," says Kathe Russell, general manager and co-owner of Cabinet Makeovers & More in El Dorado Hills, CA.

As a result, "Your kitchen really needs to be evaluated by a professional before you sink any money into a kitchen cabinet redo," says Russell. If your cabinet structure is in good shape, salvaging your current cabinets could save you lot of money.

How much money, you ask? Michael Marusak, a licensed contractor and owner of CabinetReface Kitchens & Bath in Overland Park, Kan., says he can reface cabinets in an average-size kitchen (a 10 ft. by 12 ft. room) for $4,000 to $9,000 depending on the style of wood drawer fronts, doors chosen, and how many cabinets are present.

On the other hand, new cabinets and a new countertop could cost five to six times as much, says Marusak.

"It can cost up to $30,000 for new cabinets and a granite countertop," he says. The reason it's so pricey? "You have to have a new countertop once you put in new cabinets because everything needs to be torn out."
So, if you're looking for a cost-effective remodel, cabinet rafacing is the way to go.

#2 - It Takes Less Time than Replacing Cabinets
Another perk that comes with refacing cabinets is the timeframe it could be completed in.

Since refacing only requires contractors to take off the doors and drawer fronts, the demolition process is less time consuming than replacing cabinets entirely.

In fact, when you purchase new cabinets, it's common to also replace the floors, back splashes or countertops to accommodate the new cabinets, Russell says.

"With refacing, it might take anywhere from three to five [weeks] opposed to six to eight weeks or longer if you had new cabinets installed," says Russell. "You can really speed up the process a lot with refacing."

Of course, this is a general time frame, and it will vary depending on how many cabinets you want to reface.

#3 - It's Environmentally Friendly
Have you watched those kitchen makeover shows where a homeowner takes a big whack to a cabinet with a sledge hammer? All that material they demolish has to go somewhere, and that's usually the landfill.

"If you aren't pulling out the whole kitchen, then it's not going to the dump," says Russell.

The majority of the cabinets stay in your own kitchen if you are just refacing. Many times, only the doors are being put in the dump, or the homeowners can try to recycle them. Even if you are just doing a simple bathroom cabinet refacing, most everything stays where it is so you're not only saving money, but the environment as well.

"This is a huge reason for many to reface. When refacing, we hardly have to put anything in the landfill," says Russell.

Many designers and contractors like Russell donate the doors and drawer fronts from a refacing job to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. ReStores sell these surplus building and renovation materials to people who refinish them or use them as part of their creative furniture.

"Someone else's junk can be just what someone else is looking for," Russell says.

#4 - You'll be able to Use Your Kitchen during the Remodel
Night after night of pizza delivery, Chinese carryout and drive-through hamburgers could be your culinary scenario if you decide to replace your cabinets. You won't be able to use your appliances or counter because everything must be completely cleared away to make room for your dream cabinets.

However, if you choose to reface your cabinets, you'll likely still be able to utilize your kitchen.

"During a refacing job, workers should clean up at the end of the day. That allows you to use your sink, stove and refrigerator even during the process," says Marusak. "When you do a complete remodel, you can't cook or use your sink until it's done, which can sometimes be months."

And while every refacing job is different, for the most part, there isn't a lot of demolition to cause too much disruption.

For example, if you aren't putting in a new countertop, you'll also have space to prepare meals, says Russell. But check with your contractor to figure out how much mess will be made and how long the process will take.

#5 - You Like Your Current Cabinet Layout
The configuration of your kitchen is good. The stove is handy, and the sink is under the big window where you can watch your kids play outside. But the cabinets just aren't pretty anymore.

"If you don't need any layout changes, refacing is perfect for this type of situation," Russell says. "We keep the existing boxes, and everything stays the same. We don't have to move gas or water lines. That makes things go much quicker with no added on expenses."

Even if you want to add an island or make simple changes to the layout, it shouldn't add too much time or fuss, she says. In fact, many islands are pre-made, and all you have to do it pick out a countertop.

By calling a contractor soon, you can find out how refacing can give you the kitchen cabinets you've always wanted without too much hassle, cost, or time.

via yahoo homes

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8 kitchen remodeling ideas for under $500

Frugal ideas to remodel the kitchen
Remodeling a kitchen may sound like a big, expensive project. But the truth is that there are ways to breathe new life into an old kitchen without spending much money.

"A kitchen remodel can be done on any budget," says Lowe's spokeswoman Jaclyn Pardini. "The secret to success lies in careful planning. Conduct research ahead of time, find your inspirations, and know which projects you can complete yourself and which ones you'll leave for an expert."

Naturally, there are limits to what you can do on a budget. But many home-remodeling experts stress that moderately handy homeowners with just a little cash to spend can make a big difference in their kitchen. And if the work looks good, you're adding equity to your home, according Erin Davis, lead designer for Mosaik Design & Remodeling in Portland, Ore.

Here are eight kitchen remodeling projects that cost $500 or less.

Spruce up your walls
If your kitchen feels old, there's no better remedy than a coat of paint.

"Paint is by far the best bang for your buck," Davis says. "One of my design teachers once told me that a gallon of paint is worth $500 (in terms of) the value it brings to a space. Not only does it instantly change the feel of a space, but if you do it yourself, it will cost virtually nothing."

For about $100, a less time-consuming upgrade is to add molding to the area where your cabinets meet the ceiling.

"If you're handy with a table saw, it would only take you an afternoon to add a chunky piece of crown molding to the tops of your upper cabinets," says Atlanta-based DIY blogger Kelly Marzka, who runs View Along The Way. "This is an easy way to make inexpensive cabinetry feel like custom pieces."

Freshen up cabinets
New cabinets may sound expensive, but most DIYers know cabinets are one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to revamp a kitchen.

One simple trick is to add or replace the hardware on existing cabinets.

"Hardware is like jewelry for your cabinets," Davis says. "You'll be surprised at how different your cabinetry looks with updated hardware."

Changing hardware is easy, and you can choose from many styles without spending more than a few dollars per piece.

Another, more involved, option is to paint the cabinets, which will make them look new without replacing them.

"All cabinets, even laminate ones, can be painted if you use a strong primer," says Jay Hart, CEO of Sold with Style, a New York home design firm.

Supplies should run less than $100. But before you paint, it's important to prep. Remove the doors from the cabinets, cover the hardware or remove it, and be sure to sand away old paint.

Float a new look for the sink
You don't have to be a plumber to give your kitchen sink a makeover, but you do have to be somewhat handy, according to Jamie Gold, a certified kitchen designer in San Diego and the author of "New Kitchen Ideas That Work."

You can replace the faucet on your sink rather easily in about an hour. But, says Gold, the costs vary dramatically. "Depending on the quality and features of the faucet, you could spend anywhere between $150 and $500."

A more dramatic option, and one that requires a little more muscle, is to replace the whole sink. The project will take a few hours, and it should run you between $250 and $500 for a new sink.

Update the lighting
If you've ever thought your kitchen might look better in a different light, you may be on to something, according to Davis.

"It is amazing what a great light fixture can do to a room," Davis says. "Just swapping out new fixtures in the existing locations is the most affordable way to go. Another good idea is to add recessed can lights to a kitchen to improve the general lighting."

If you're changing fixtures, Davis says most homeowners can do it pretty quickly on their own with some basic instruction. But adding recessed cans might get a little tricky for a novice. Thankfully, each high-quality recessed light installed by an electrician should run about $150, which includes materials and labor. And if you don't feel comfortable doing anything electrical yourself, Davis says it's possible to hire a good electrician for up to $95 an hour.

Renew counters and floors
New counters and floors will probably test your kitchen remodel budget and your handiwork. But if you're up for it, either one of these changes can have a dramatic impact on your kitchen's appearance.

At about $2 a square foot, Hart says homeowners shouldn't overlook vinyl flooring, which "has come a long way."

When it comes to countertops, homeowners have even more budget options. Granite tile can give you a granite look without the price of a granite slab, says Gold, who adds that you can tile over existing tile if you rough up the underlying surface with a sander.

Similarly, Davis points out that you can install laminate countertops on top of existing counters. Hardware stores sell countertops for as little as $45 per section. And if you're looking for an installation tutorial, the experts say you can find a lot of quality presentations on YouTube. Just remember to keep a laptop or tablet handy as a reference.

Buy (almost) new appliances
Changing an appliance will push the outer limit of any budget. But if you're willing to accept minor imperfections, it is possible to pick up a new appliance for less than $500.

"You can update appliances by going to a 'scratch-and-dent' store where they sell new appliances at a steep discount due to minor cosmetic flaws," Gold says.

The term refers to cosmetic blemishes that preclude retailers from selling the appliances as new, but when it comes to functionality, the buyer is getting a new product.

Unfortunately for your budget, unless you're talking about a new refrigerator, you may have to hire someone to install the new appliance, which could add a few hundred dollars to the project.

Add a backsplash
You may not think the wall space behind your sink offers a lot of design potential. But the truth is that adding a backsplash is one of those small changes that can have a big impact.

"One of the easiest ways to spruce up a kitchen is to change the backsplash," says Christine Tse, an interior designer in New York City. "This small change will instantly change your kitchen from drab to fab."

The cost will depend on the size of your backsplash and the type of material you choose. Coming from New York, Tse says she's fond of subway tiles, which can run about $350 for 12 square feet. If you want something high-end like white Carrara marble, you should plan on spending about $450. But if you want to keep costs down, you can hunt around for options in the $200 range.

You'll need to block out a day to do the job, or two days if the tiles need grout work. But the good news is you don't have to be a tile expert to put in a backsplash. A lot of hardware stores run free weekend classes that show you how to do these projects.

Install more storage
If you're strapped for storage in your kitchen, you probably aren't doing yourself any favors in the aesthetics department.

"Clear the clutter by moving cookbooks and other clutter off of the countertops and adding some floating shelves to the walls," says Dorothy Myers, a Realtor and interior designer at Sky Real Estate in Washington, D.C. "There are all kinds of wonderful storage solutions to organize kitchen cabinets and to move those often-needed items off of the countertop and into the cabinets or onto the walls that will be functional and beautiful."

The shelves you pick will drive the cost, but Myers says you can pick up thick floating wood or glass shelves for about $40 each. Thinner, less expensive shelves can be had for as little as $5 apiece.

A moderately handy homeowner should be able to do the project in a few hours, according to Myers.

"Just make sure that you anchor the shelves to studs to ensure that the shelves can hold some weight, if your wall is drywall," Myers says.

via bankrate

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How To Design A Kid-Friendly Backyard

image via houselogic

How To Design A Kid-Friendly Backyard

One of the pleasures of having a home is the space that a backyard provides for activities with family and friends. A backyard can be a great place for kids to burn off energy, explore the outdoors, and simply relax.

When children are small, care should also be taken to ensure their safety. The following are things you can do to design a kid-friendly backyard that is both fun and safe.

Maximize Exercise Space

It's tough these days for children to get enough exercise, but an area dedicated to lawn makes a more kid-friendly backyard. Provide enough space to run around, play tag, or throw a ball. The shrubs around this activity area should be tough, thorn-free, and able to withstand occasional abuse from balls or kids running into the beds.

Plant Fruits and Vegetables

Getting kids to eat their fruits and vegetables can also be a challenge. Why not make eating colorful, nutritious food more interesting by letting children grow their own fruits and vegetables? Tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, raspberries, and blueberries are all easy to grow. When children see fruits and vegetables go from seed to plate, they are more likely to eat them.

Create Interesting Garden Spaces

Is there anyone who hasn't played hide-and-seek? Providing a lawn isn't the only way to ignite a child's sense of play and creativity. Gardens can be divided into "garden rooms." Think of the lawn as the living room of the backyard, but you can also create a cozy nook with a bench surrounded by shrubs. This kind of space might provide a great kid-friendly place to read a book or the perfect hiding place for that next game of hide-and-seek.

Provide Protective Fencing

Designing a kid-friendly backyard is also about safety. When young children are present, it's important to provide protective fencing that not only keeps them from wandering off, but also keeps strangers and stray pets from coming into the backyard.

Provide Guardrails on Decks and Site Walls

Generally, building codes call for guardrails on any raised surface, deck, or wall that is 30 inches above the ground or adjacent surface. Handrails are needed on any staircase with four or more steps. The openings on guardrails and handrails must be sized so that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through in any direction. This is also true for fence pickets.

Don't Plant Poisonous Plants

Babies and toddlers are always putting things in their mouths. Leaves, bark, colorful flowers, and berries can all look very enticing to curious, young children. Before planting any plant in your backyard, do a little research. Look the plant up in a plant encyclopedia or online and see if it is poisonous. Some very common plants are poisonous: daffodils, daphne, foxgloves, and rhododendrons, just to name a few.

Don't Allow Unrestricted Access to Pools and Water Features

Babies and small children can drown in a surprisingly small amount of water. Therefore, it's important to supervise children around swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains, and water features. These water-based amenities can provide hours of enjoyment, but their location and access to them should be carefully planned to prevent accidental drowning. Provide locked doors or gates where appropriate to prevent small children from playing in water unsupervised.

Designing a kid-friendly backyard involves finding ways to inspire creativity and play within a safe environment. It's as easy as that. Now go outside and play!

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Adding Art Deco Style to Your Living Room

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Adding Art Deco Style to Your Living Room

Made popular in the 1920s and 1930s, the elegance and glamour of art deco design can be resurrected in your home today. Art deco swept the interior design world in Europe and the United States beginning in the mid-1920s. Signature elements of the design include distinct geometric shapes, shine and a bold reflection of world culture and modernism.

The famous art deco buildings of Miami are standout examples of this design, but there is much more to this style than those structures and pastel colors. The lavishness and sleek glory of the art deco lifestyle highlights contrast and drama at its finest.

Designing your living room in art deco style makes a statement in all areas of the room.

Floors

In many ways the art deco living room begins with the floors. Linoleum tiles, lacquered wood, or polished parquet wood is the base for the rest of the room. Today, linoleum and parquet wood get a bad reputation for being cheap or ugly because of inexpensive peel-and-stick options available at big-box stores. That is not the case with these floors.

The materials that make up the art deco floor are made of high quality products that are durable with a heavy sheen. Linoleum tiles or wood pieces are arranged in patterns to create interest in the room. Checkered or border patterns are good tile options. Classic black-and-white tiles can work well with this style. Wood patterns can be alternating dark and light squares or planks, the traditional herringbone pattern, or any number of other patterns. Large area rugs with outstanding geometric shapes, Egyptian zigzags, or sunbursts often secure the room or delineate areas of the living space. Circular rugs can break up the angles of the rest of the room.

Colors

Although any color can work with this style, there are a couple sure ways to go when choosing a color palette. Choosing a mellow cream or beige as the main color allows for bolder accessories or pops of brighter color throughout the room. Neutral color families also work well with lacquered wood and wood inlaid furniture. Bold wall colors tend to go well with metallic furniture and accessories.

Furniture

A few large pieces of furniture will easily fill an art deco living room. A large, streamlined sofa or loveseat flanked by comfortable yet sleek chairs will provide the seating for the room. A side table or coffee table, also in a glossy design, can be used to enhance the seating area. Glass, metal or unadorned wood make perfect tables for this room. Mirrored armoires can add a little luxury to the room and hide modern televisions and media players.

Accessories

Selecting accessories is easy and fun when you use your floors, color palette and furniture as a guide. Silver and chrome provide the shine that is indicative of the art deco style. Window treatments are downplayed with this type of décor. Simple drapes, cornice boxes or solid colored valances can act as accents for the windows. Leaving windows uncovered also works for this style. Fabrics should be solid colors or include some of the patterns mentioned earlier. Pillows and throws are places to use some of those pops of bold colors. Use framed movie posters, magazine covers, original artwork of the era, or art that channels its heyday to echo historic aspects of art deco design. Mirrored or shiny boxes can top tables or shelves alongside small statues.

Seek Out Art Deco Treasures

Making the old new again is the key to this style. Art deco originated at a time when artifacts of exotic cultures were being discovered and brought to Europe and the United States. Archeological finds provided inspiration for this style. Think of those Egyptian zigzags or the South American stucco influence of Miami's buildings. Visit antique stores, collectors or consignment furniture stores for international vintage pieces to add to your living room as focal points. These art and sculptural finds paired with the right furniture will create a perfect art deco setting.

Own It

The art deco style of today is still reminiscent of a certain swagger of times gone by. It's not lacey or romantic. When you incorporate art deco elements into your interior design, the result can be a style that is amazingly bold and sharp-angled, simple yet very sophisticated.

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Red Flag for Homeowner's Insurance

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If you own a home, you have homeowners insurance. What you may not know is that, like your home, your insurance policy needs maintenance and updating. Failing to update your homeowners insurance policy could cost you big bucks in the long run.

But how do you know when it's time to update your insurance policy? Generally speaking, significant upgrades to your home or changes in your life mean it's time to do an audit of your insurance coverage. Here are some situations where taking another look at your insurance policy is necessary:

1. You want to remodel your home.
Think remodeling your 5-by-8-foot powder room is no big deal? Think again. Even a small renovation like this can have a big impact on your homeowners insurance. Consider this: If your contractor and subcontractors don't have worker's compensation policies, they could sue you if they're hurt on your property. That means you could end up footing the bill for medical expenses, any necessary rehabilitation and wages lost while out of work.

Be sure to verify the insurance coverage of any and all contractors working in your home. The folks at Travelers Insurance say you should contact your insurance company if you find your contractors' coverage is insufficient. Ask them about extending the limits of the liability portion of your homeowners' insurance policy to cover you if someone is hurt on the job.

Homeowners insurance liability limits generally start at about $100,000, but some experts recommend that you purchase at least $300,000 worth of protection. If you want even more, consider purchasing an umbrella insurance policy, which provides broader coverage and higher liability limits. In many cases, you'll save money on the coverage by purchasing an umbrella policy, "regular" policy and auto or life insurance from the same agency.

If you're putting on an addition or making significant upgrades to your home, be sure to contact your provider before beginning the project. If that new addition burns to the ground before you've increased your coverage, you could be on the hook for the cost of rebuilding it.

2. You've gotten married – or divorced.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, these are two big life changes that warrant changes in homeowners insurance – albeit for different reasons.

If you're getting married, you'll be combining two households' worth of stuff, including potentially valuable personal belongings. You may also get some pretty expensive wedding gifts, which could necessitate more coverage. Take a detailed home inventory of your belongings, and discuss it with your agent. This inventory will give you an idea of how much coverage you will need as you embark on your new life together. (One thing to consider: The single policy will probably be less expensive than paying for homeowners insurance for two separate homes.)

This inventory is also helpful in the event of a divorce, since you can revisit it to determine the appropriate division of property. If your marriage ends, be sure to contact your provider for help unwinding auto, homeowners and life insurance policies.

A standard homeowners insurance policy includes coverage for your personal belongings, both on and off the premises (unless you've decided against off-premises coverage). Most companies provide coverage for 50 to 70 percent of the amount of insurance you have on the structure of your home, the Insurance Information Institute says. That means that if you have $100,000 worth of insurance on the structure of your home, you have $50,000 to $70,000 worth of coverage for your belongings.

An inventory of your belongings will help you decide if this coverage is enough. Keep in mind that expensive items, like jewelry or high-end heirlooms, might be covered only up to a certain amount. Once you've taken an inventory of your belongings, contact your insurance provider to decide whether or not you need additional personal property coverage based on the cost of your belongings.

3. There's a new (furry) addition to the family.
Bringing a new puppy home is exciting, but Fido could be a financial threat if you're not adequately covered. According to Insurance Information Institute data, dog bites accounted for more than a third of all homeowners liability claim dollars in 2011 – the latest data available – for a total of $479 million.

Typically, homeowners insurance policies cover dog-bite liability as part of the standard coverage. But if your limit is $100,000 and the claim costs you $300,000, you're responsible for that $200,000 – whether it's legal fees or damages.
Since the personal liability coverage available through a standard homeowners policy isn't always enough, the institute advises dog owners to consider purchasing a personal excess liability policy, otherwise known as a personal umbrella policy – or PUP. This policy, which, according to Allstate, can cost as little as $1 per day based on the state you live in, kicks in when your regular insurance hits its coverage ceiling.

If you're bringing home a dog, it's worth it to discuss getting a PUP, too – it could save you thousands of dollars if Fido bites one of the neighbors.

These aren't all the scenarios which should prompt an insurance audit. As a general rule, it's worth looking over your policy once a year – even if you haven't gone through any huge life changes. When in doubt, contact your provider to discuss your coverage options.

via yahoo homes

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The Best Affordable for Countertops

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When you’re remodeling a kitchen on a budget, laminate is the best affordable option for countertops.

Nowadays this tried-and-true material comes in a wider array of designs than ever before, from beautiful solid colors to interesting wood looks with embedded texture to lovely stone patterns with a variety of finish options.

Before selecting laminate as a countertop material, it’s helpful to know the plusses and minuses. We asked Kent Brasloff, principal of New York-based design firm Ask Kent and Co., and vice president of programs for the New York chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, to share his insights on buying laminate countertops. Here’s what he had to say:

What is laminate?
A combination of plastic and paper—interestingly, though, generally not recycled—and sometimes board. These materials are formed into a thin layer and colored or manufactured with naturalistic or textured designs. This layer is then laminated to particleboard or chip board.

What makes laminate a good choice for countertops? 
It's flexible and can be used in a variety of ways and in a variety of spaces: a kitchen, bath, work room or laundry room. Laminate can also be used on a shop table or as a furniture surface. Available in a multitude of colors and textures, it's easy to work with and can be cut into any shape, including forms with sharp corner points or with a smooth radius. It's quite durable.

What is the difference between a low-cost laminate and an expensive one? 
The key difference between high- and low-end laminates is generally the finish of the material. Higher-end products offer greater variety in luster or sheen and texture. They also come in a broader range of colors. The cost of the laminate will be affected by whether or not there is a built-in backsplash and how high or low the backsplash may be.

What are the maintenance requirements for laminate countertops? 
To clean the surface, use a damp cloth or sponge and a mild soap or detergent. To remove difficult stains from coffee or tea, use a mild household cleaner and baking soda mixed into a paste, scrubbing with a stiff nylon bristle brush and being careful not to mar the surface finish.

Stubborn stains may call for gently rubbing the spot with a cotton ball that has been saturated with undiluted household bleach or nail polish remover. Prolonged exposure of the laminate surface to bleach will cause discoloration, so always rinse thoroughly with warm warm water and wipe dry. Do not use steel wool and other abrasive materials or harsh chemicals, such as a rust remover. Also, avoid placing hot pots and pans on the surface, as its level of heat resistance is limited.

What are the pros for choosing laminate? 
Its durability, range of color and design options, flexibility to accommodate unique shapes, and ease of installation.

Its cons? 
On the downside, laminate shows scratches, which usually be cannot filled or repaired. And to some people it can look "cheap" or "papery". It hasn't been popular for quite some time in the US, but it is stilled used extensively in Europe, often in high-end contexts. Also, it gets brittle and chips with age.

How much does it cost? 
A fair range would be between $35 and $40 per linear foot at retail. Of course cost may be affected by the intricacy of the design and whether the counter will have a "self" or "beveled" edge. Cost will also be impacted by countertops with a lot of corners, a wide radius, or a built-in backsplash. Laminates with standard finishes are more affordable than those with upgraded finishes.

What are its installation requirements? 
After the contractor installs your cabinets (or support structure), the countertop area will be templated and made to fit for installation by a professional.

via yahoo homes

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Smells That Sells A House

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Everyone loves the smell of freshly baked cookies, but don't expect that aroma to sell your home, new research suggests.

Homeowners are often coached to create pleasing aromas when potential buyers pay a visit. But complex smells, like baked goods and potpourri, are likely to damp enthusiasm for a fast sale for top dollar, says Eric Spangenberg, dean of the college of business at Washington State University, whose study on the effects of aromas is scheduled to appear in the Journal of Retailing next month.

He and his co-authors studied 402 people in a home-décor store in Switzerland over 18 days in 2010 and found that shoppers spent 31.8% more, on average, when the store was scented with a simple orange scent over a complex blend of orange, basil and green tea. The same principles apply to open houses, Prof. Spangenberg says, because in both cases, the aromas may affect cognitive functions in the same areas of the brain involved in decision-making.

Complex scents, even if they're pleasant, can be a distraction because some people subconsciously dedicate time and energy to figuring out what the aroma is. At open houses, "they are not there to process the smells. They are there to process whether this is a place they want to live," Prof. Spangenberg says. Instead, he recommends simple scents, such as lemon, basil and pine, since they're easier to process and less distracting and thus more conducive to spending.

Scents also need to be congruent with the home. A cedar smell might work with a mountain home, but it could seem out of place at a beach house, he says. "You need to think, 'What scent will buyers associate with this environment?' It must be simple and positive and congruent," he says.

Still, many real-estate agents will continue to fire up the oven or light a few candles on open-house day.

"They always tell you to take a bunch of cookie dough and shove it in the oven, so long as it doesn't burn," says Adorna Occhialini Carroll, a real-estate agent in Berlin, Conn. Ms. Carroll, who is also president of real-estate training and consulting firm Dynamic Directions Inc., is a big believer in baked goods. "I like pumpkin pie, butter cookies, anything that has that combination of spices and gives you the impression of being at home," she says.

Chris McDonnell, a real-estate agent with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties in Vail, Colo., believes his strategy hits it on the nose. Mr. McDonnell spends up to an hour and a half preparing a home for an open house, cutting fresh pine branches or picking fresh lavender and mint from his herb garden. He looks for scents that mimic the outdoor lifestyle he's trying to sell. "I never use artificial scents," he says. "Those candles and sprays are bogus. You want all-natural, all-organic."

via yahoo homes

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What Do Buyers Really Want in a Home?

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What sets one home apart from another as buyers are touring homes? What features do buyers truly need, and which amenities would they merely view as a bonus? The National Association of Realtors has tried to answer those questions (and more) with the recently released 2013 Profile of Buyers' Home Feature Preferences. The survey was completed by buyers who purchased a home between 2010 and 2012.

According to the study:
"The typical buyer bought a home with three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. About half of homes purchased were on a single level, while two-fifths were on two levels. Garages were more popular among buyers of new homes, homes in the Midwest, and homes in the suburbs. Fireplaces were most common in higher priced homes, homes in resort or recreation areas, and in detached single-family homes. Forty-one percent of homes had basements, which could be finished, partially finished or unfinished. Finished basements were more popular among single males, younger home buyers, and buyers in the Northeast and Midwest."

For sellers who are looking at remodeling, and want to make sure their renovation dollars are well spent, this could be a road map of what to update or add to their homes. Some other highlights:

• 78% of buyers chose a home with a garage
• 58% purchased a home with a fireplace
• New kitchen appliances were more important to buyers than granite countertops
• 69% of buyers who didn't buy a home with new appliances would have been willing to pay more for a home that had them
• Among buyers 55 and older, 42% rated a single level home style very important, compared to only 11% of buyers under 35
• Buyers were willing to pay a higher dollar value for an in-law suite and a basement than other extra room types.
• The feature that had the highest dollar value buyers were willing to pay extra for? Waterfront location.
• 53% of buyers started a home improvement project within 3 months of buying, typically in the kitchen.
• The majority of buyers wanted more or larger closets and more storage.

by Heather Elias

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6 Energy-Saving Projects For Your Home

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Save on home energy bills
You've heard the usual energy-saving advice: Buy only Energy Star-rated appliances, replace incandescent light bulbs with those curly fluorescents, shop for cheaper electric providers (if you can in your town). But numerous low-cost, energy-saving strategies escape homeowners' attention.

Energy experts say about 35 percent of heating and cooling is lost through the roof, and more escapes through the walls, windows, doors and by air leaks. "Making your home energy-efficient means starting with the basics, and the most important of these are the proper sealing of air leaks and insulating sufficiently for your climate," says Ronnie Kweller, who was spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy in Washington, D.C., at the time of the interview. "Those steps can cut heating and cooling bills by up to 20 percent."

Here are some of the best bang-for-the-buck ways to save on home energy bills.

Insulation redux?
Unless it's thoroughly water-damaged, fiberglass insulation rarely needs replacing, though that doesn't stop unsavory contractors from recommending changing it out. Go ahead and fluff out those areas that have been compressed from excessive attic tromping because fiberglass insulation needs trapped air to be effective.

You can benefit by adding extra insulation. If yours is less than 9 inches thick (R 30), adding another layer could deliver significant extra savings. However, any thickness beyond 16 inches (R 50), except for those living far north in America, is typically unnecessary.

With a little how-to research, installation is relatively easy, but be sure to wear a mask and gloves, and don't cover any vents -- and don't fall through the ceiling! Fiberglass insulation can range from 50 cents to $1 per square foot, but the blown-in variety can cost nearly double that.

Draft day
"Air infiltration" is fancy lingo for "drafts." One time-tested way to detect air infiltration is to hold a lighted candle a few inches from doors, baseboards, window frames, pipes and vents -- after turning off all fans, heating and air conditioning. If the candle flickers or is blown out, sealing is needed.

Use a caulk gun (sometimes old caulk must be removed first) to seal gaps in walls and windows, and add weatherstripping under gaps in doors. Drafts around vents indicate that the vents might be the wrong size. You can have them replaced or add foam insulation around them. These efforts are best left to pros unless you're exceptionally handy.

Another avoid-the-draft tip: Use heavier drapes over windows in winter.

Tech smarts
A programmable thermostat that adjusts temperatures automatically will set you back between $60 and $120, but save you about $180 a year, according to Energy Star. That's a quick return on investment.

Smart thermostats are pricier, varying from $275 to $400, but they let you change settings remotely anywhere you have an Internet connection. They're handy for folks with fluctuating schedules or who tend to entertain clients, family members and other guests at home on an impromptu basis.

Some smart thermostats have monitoring systems that track energy use in various circuits around the house, so you can make adjustments where needed. Before taking that plunge, consider smartphone apps that allow you to dim lights and control thermostats, power strips and other connected devices from your phone.

"Smartphone apps can put energy efficiency at your fingertips at a reasonable cost," Kweller says.

Slay the 'vampires'
Standby power, also called "vampire" or "phantom" power, is consumed when electrical devices idle in standby mode. These phantoms can suck the life out of your energy budget, accounting for as much as 10 percent of the average home's electricity use.

Most computers, video game consoles and other gizmos with standby connections have settings that you can adjust to power-saving mode. Do so. Older power strips and adapters (typically those warm to the touch) with standby current should be replaced.

Tactical landscaping
Strategically planted trees can literally overshadow home energy waste. The original layouts and tree positioning of most lots were governed by builders' profit models, not energy savings, so it's up to homeowners to position clusters of trees to shade windows and rooftops in summer. These natural insulators can reduce the air temperature surrounding homes by as much as 9 degrees.

Deciduous trees, which provide shade in summer, then shed their leaves to admit sunlight in winter, are the best choice in most climates. Evergreens are more effective in providing windbreaks that reduce chilly northerly winds, as long as they are positioned away from the house at a span that's from two to five times the trees' heights.

What's more, shading your outdoor air-conditioning unit can increase its efficiency by 10 percent. The U.S. Department of Energy says that such energy-efficient landscaping provides a return on investment in about eight years.

Get audited
Consider an energy audit, especially if the energy bills are still high after you have spent a bundle on windows or on a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. Some utility companies offer free audits that aren't as thorough as audits performed by competent private companies, which charge around $400.

A thorough audit will test the integrity of the building using thermographic imaging and air-leakage testers on windows, floors, doors, skylights and walls. The findings will indicate which areas waste the most energy and help determine how to reduce costs. But first, vet the auditor carefully with a Better Business Bureau search and online user reviews.

Certified building analyst Richard Burbank, CEO of Evergreen Home Performance LLC in Rockland, Maine, says energy audits are particularly useful during homebuying due diligence. Enthusiasm over a great price on a distressed home can be quickly dampened when the buyer realizes the house is an energy hog. "We've seen a lot of buyers who are picking from the bottom of the barrel on foreclosures who especially need to pay attention," Burbank says.

via bankrate

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5 Ways To Screw Up A Mortgage Refinance

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A mortgage refinance boom is in full swing, as homeowners take advantage of record low rates by refinancing their home loans.

But a home loan refi is more complicated than it was a few years ago. Home values are lower and paperwork requirements are higher. It's easy to make mistakes while refinancing a mortgage.

To help you avoid some of the most common errors, here is a list of five things you shouldn't do when you refi.

Be unrealistic about your home's value
Deluding yourself about the value of your home is an excellent way to ruin a refi. Too many homeowners ignore falling home values in their neighborhood, convincing themselves their houses are worth at least what they paid for them.

In mortgage refinances today, the most common reason for denial is a home appraisal that comes in too low. The lender won't lend for more than the appraised value. And a lot of homeowners go into denial about the decreased values of their homes.

"Don't overestimate what the value of your home is. Don't kid yourself and think your house is worth $500,000 when it's really only worth $400,000," says Dale Robyn Siegel, author of the book "The New Rules for Mortgages" and owner of Circle Mortgage Group in Harrison, N.Y.

Dither about your rate lock
Homeowners who delay locking a good mortgage rate risk making a refi uneconomical.

While floating, you take the risk that mortgage rates will go up. Rates could rise enough so that it's no longer worth the time and expense of refinancing, says Bob Walters, chief economist for Quicken Loans.

Also, rate locks have expiration dates. So, it's a good idea to build a cushion of a few days in case there's a delay in the loan closing, says Dan Green, mortgage planner for Waterstone Mortgage in Cincinnati.

If you have a 30-day rate lock, it's better to set the closing date on the 28th day than the 30th day -- just in case there's a snag that delays the closing by a day or two.

Start renovating your house before the appraiser visits
Taking a sledgehammer to the interior of your home before the appraiser arrives is a good way to get turned down for a refi.

The appraiser delivers an estimate of the home's value on the day of the inspection. The house will be worth less on that day if the upstairs is a shambles or the bathroom fixtures have been ripped out. That's the case even if the renovations, when completed, will enhance the home's value.

"Don't start a renovation before the appraiser gets there," Walters says. "You'll see this sometimes when people are taking cash out and want to do a bunch of stuff. Do not do that, because if you've ripped out half the second floor and it's not in final condition, we can't close your loan."

If you plan to renovate, start after closing the refi.

Disappear and ignore the lender's calls
Want to throw your home loan into limbo?

"Go on vacation and don't tell the lender," Walters says.

Lack of communication will throw a pending mortgage into turmoil. "Remain accessible," Walters says. "Don't disappear. Sometimes people do."

A lengthy disappearance might have been a nonissue a few years ago, but it's not a good idea now. Lenders' paperwork requirements are more stringent than they were three years ago.

Expect the lender to ask for documents sometime between application and closing. It might be a request for your latest pay stub or an explanation of a big deposit into your checking account.

Stay in contact with the lender, and respond sooner rather than later to requests for more documentation.

Start over with another 30-year term
If you want to do long-term damage to your personal finances, start all over again by refinancing for a full, 30-year term. That way, you spend thousands of dollars on interest that you otherwise could have saved.

"The first question I say is, 'How long have you had that mortgage?'" Siegel says. "If they've had it for at least four to six years, I say, 'Look, I know you want to refinance, but at least let's do a 25-year, so you're not back at square one.'"

Then, she explains the monthly payment on a 20-year term, because after hearing the details "(they) might want that.'"

Reducing the term by just five years can yield big savings. On a $200,000 mortgage at 5 percent, you save $35,758 in interest by paying off the loan in 25 years instead of 30.

Pay off that home loan in 20 years instead of 30, and you save $69,733 in interest.

via bankrate

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Now's The Time to Refinance Your Mortgage

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If you've been thinking of refinancing, mortgage experts say now is the time to take action.

Improving economic conditions, potential rate increases, and expected changes to government programs means you may soon find it more difficult and expensive to refinance your mortgage.

"People who are still waiting to refinance will realize that rates might never be this low again in our lifetime," says David Lazowski, branch manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage in Boston, MA.

Still not convinced? Read on to learn why mortgage experts say you should refinance before spring arrives.

Reason 1 - Changes to Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP)
Is your mortgage more than 80 percent of your home's value? If so, upcoming changes by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could increase your refinancing costs if you wait to refinance.

In fact, effective April 1, 2013, the Federal Housing Authority's (FHA) mortgage insurance premiums are set to increase.

Currently, lenders require mortgages greater than 80 percent of the home value to be covered by mortgage insurance, and the homeowner pays the premium cost.

Richard Booth, a certified mortgage banker, explains how the increased premiums affect homeowners:

Borrowers with less than 20 percent equity will pay more, he says, impacting their budgets and ability to borrow funds. "The result will be higher monthly costs and thus borrowers will have their borrowing capacity reduced," Booth adds.

But that's not all: "Included in the many changes is the removal of the provision which permitted borrowers to drop their MIP once they reached a 78 percent Loan-to-Value (LTV), and the five year threshold," says Booth. This means that "many will be required to carry MIP for the life of the loan."

Reason 2 - Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) May Be Ending
If you qualify for a HARP refinance but haven't taken advantage of it yet, you may soon be out of luck. Our experts believe the HARP programs may be discontinued.

"The Home Affordable Refinance Program, designed to help homeowners who have lost value in their homes refinance into lower rates, has been rumored to be coming to an end," advises Booth.

Wade Lovell, a California mortgage broker, agrees that if you feel you are a candidate for a HARP refinance, don't wait to give it a shot.

"HARP 2.0 and other programs make it possible to refinance even if you are underwater by as much as 25 percent and some lenders will go even higher," Lovell says. "Without these programs, homeowners whose houses are now worth less than they owe would be unable to refinance their primary residences. These programs may be short term. Take advantage of them now."

Reason 3 - Benefits to Refinancing During Tax Season
This may come as a bit of surprise, but yes, there are some perks to refinancing during the tax season.

"One benefit of refinancing during tax season is that you will need many of the same documents needed to file your taxes," says Lazowski. "So while in the mind set of doing taxes, it makes good sense to get into the mind set of refinancing."

If you wait until after tax season to refinance, however, you may be in some trouble. For example, if you have a rate lock or guaranteed mortgage rate for a specified period of time, you may have to wait longer for the verification of your paid income tax, which is often required in a mortgage refinance application.

"After April 15th it will take you longer to get an IRS verification of your taxes being filed through a third party because of everyone filing their taxes on the due date," explains Lazowski. As a result, "This backs up the process and can take four to six additional weeks, causing rate locks to be tested."

Reason 4 - Impending Rate Increase
How would you feel if you discovered your decision to delay refinancing cost your family thousands of dollars in interest?

If rates rise, you could face just that situation. And unfortunately, you could be facing this dilemma sooner rather than later. In fact, according to Freddie Mac's "Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey," the interest rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is already on the rise from 3.34 percent on January 3 to 3.56 percent on February 21.

It is data like this that is leading experts to anticipate a continued rate increase.

"Rates have started to move off of all time lows," Lazowski says. "With the economy improving it will come as no surprise that rates will move a bit higher. With that being said, rates moving a bit higher will help to spur both purchase and continued refinance activity."

via yahoo homes

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Replace or Reface Kitchen Cabinets?

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Mary Saunder disliked the cabinets in her kitchen from the moment she moved into her Bowie, Maryland, home. "They were metal, the color of bronze," Saunder says, "but my husband's motto was 'If it ain't broke don't fix it.'" When her husband passed away last February, Mary decided it was time to act. "I couldn't stand it any more," she says. But rather than spend the $25,000 or $30,000 redoing the kitchen with new cabinets would have cost her, she settled on a simpler, cheaper and far less intrusive solution.

Motivated by a newspaper ad for Sears' kitchen-cabinet-refacing service, she scheduled an appointment and signed up. After two visits to take measurements and show her the new finish and hardware options she could choose from, Sears moved in. Two days and 29 cabinets later, Mary's kitchen was transformed. "I'm 100 percent satisfied," she says. Total cost: $9,100.

Mary Saunder is fairly typical of thousands of U.S. homeowners who make the decision each year to reface rather than replace their cabinets. "The truth is," says Gerald Baldner, founder and president of Kitchen Solvers, a refacing franchising firm in La Crosse, Wisconsin, "some of the cabinets built 20 and 30 years ago are more solidly constructed than most modular, prebuilt cabinets today. So when it's time to redo the kitchen, it often doesn't make sense to start from scratch."

The basic refacing project consists of installing new cabinet door and drawer fronts and covering the exposed face frames of the cabinets with a matching wood or plastic veneer. Most jobs take two to four days, depending on kitchen size and extras like replacing counters or adding an extra cabinet.

The work itself is a standardized progression of tasks, generally handled by one or two craftsmen. They begin by removing doors and drawer fronts from cabinets and roughing up the old finish on face frames and side panels to prepare them for the new covering. They then glue and sometimes nail the new finish over the old, the nail holes filled and the seams and edges trimmed to make them unobtrusive.

New panels or molding are used to trim out the exposed undersides of the upper cabinets to give them a finished look, and the base cabinet toekick is replaced. Finally, new cabinet doors and drawer fronts are attached, and new hardware is mounted on each of them.

There generally are three finish options: plastic laminates, rigid thermofoils (RTF) and wood veneer. Refacing laminates come in a wide variety of solid colors and wood-grain looks. Slightly more expensive than RTF, laminates nevertheless lack malleability, which means they're limited to plain cabinet door styles when compared with RTF. RTF can be shaped and molded in a range of styles, including arched and cathedral doors, raised panel and eyebrow raised panels.

When Refacing Doesn't Make Sense
Refacing isn't for every kitchen. Most important, it doesn't address the issue of a poor kitchen layout. "If you go to the expense of refacing and still end up with a nonfunctional kitchen, you've wasted your money," says Cyndi Cantley, of Cantley & Co., a certified kitchen designer in Birmingham, Alabama.

Other conditions that rule out refacing include existing cabinets that are beginning to fall apart or aren't well built to begin with; metal cabinets that are rusting; and larger structural issues, like floors that have settled and left cabinets out of kilter. If you have any of these problems, you shouldn't consider refacing.

What Refacing Costs
How much you pay for refacing depends on the size of your kitchen, the materials you choose and how many options you elect to include. "Our typical refacing job runs $4,000 to $5,000," says Gerald Baldner of Kitchen Solvers, which has 105 refacing franchises in 30 states. "And that includes countertop, trim, molding, valences, new toekick, shelf and drawer liner, as well as accessories and tax."

According to Carl Hyman, owner of Alure Kitchen Refacing in East Meadow, New York, which serves an upscale clientele and refaces about 150 kitchens a year, his company's average job runs about $8,500 (including countertops). The average refacing job by Sears, which operates its refacing business through its own employees in some states and through licensees in others, costs $4,000 to $6,000. As with any remodeling project, your best bet is to get a number of different quotes.

The bottom line is that it comes down to personal taste. "You can take the same kitchen and do the plain-Jane refacing for $3,000 or, for $8,000 or $9,000, do it with wood, Corian countertops, a new sink and some bells and whistles," says Brian Titus, of Cabinetpak Kitchens, which operates refacing companies in Washington, D.C., and Ohio. Whatever you pay, it's bound to be significantly less than the cost of a new kitchen.

Companies like Alure, Kitchen Tune-Up and Kitchen Solvers, which offer both refacing and full-remodeling services, maintain a complete remodel runs on average twice as much as a high-end refacing job. Kitchen Solvers' Baldner cautions customers who have been told at home centers and other retailers that they can have new cabinets installed for about the same price to calculate carefully. "There are a lot of costs added on that most people don't think about when considering kitchen remodeling," he says. "If you get a quote on new cabinets, make sure it includes handles, molding, installation, sales tax, delivery charges, refinishing your walls if the new cabinets don't line up with the old, any required plumbing or electrical work."

And then there's the prolonged disruption and mess that come with a full-scale remodeling job. "We're selling convenience as much as we are cost savings," says Murray Gross, president and chief executive officer of Dallas-based U.S. Remodelers Inc., the refacing licensee for Century 21.

via yahoo homes

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Top 5 Ways To Give Your Bathroom A Makeover

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You spend a lot of your time in your bathroom. Invest in making it somewhere you actually want to be with these top five tips.

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home, but it's often the most neglected, too.

In fact, "Nine times out of 10, the bathroom isn't up to par with what we wish it would be," says Julie Berchtold of the California-based design firm, Berchtold Harris.

Whether it's a leaky faucet, outdated countertop, or a much-needed facelift, remodeling a bathroom can be one of the most gratifying projects for improving your entire home. That's right - a bathroom remodel goes far beyond just improving your bathroom.

"Maximizing the space you have and creating an environment where you actually want to spend your time can completely change your outlook on the rest of your home," adds Berchtold's design partner, Samantha Harris.

But when you decide to get down to the nitty-gritty, where do you start?

Read on for five projects that will have you ready to ring up the contractor and get started on your own bathroom remodel today.

Get a Shiny New Floor
You should approach your bathroom remodel from the bottom up, if you want a stunning end product. And "from the bottom up," we're talking about the floor.

The floor is the most important and permanent part of any bathroom upgrade, says Matt Wien of Marshall Carpet One in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.

"Because everything will go on top of it, your floor sets the stage for the entire bathroom and is the one element that's the most difficult to change," he says.

So what are some good flooring options? A natural stone or a porcelain tile with a radiant heat system is a great choice if you're looking for durability.

"Because you can't hurt natural stone or porcelain tile, it will last for as long as you want it there," says Wien. "And the radiant heat is nice because it will keep your feet warm and help the floor to dry faster, reducing the likelihood of slipping."

However, natural stone and porcelain are also some of the pricier options, with Wien noting that a heated porcelain or natural stone floor will run you anywhere from $15 to $20 per square foot. An unheated floor? Between $8 and $12 per square foot.

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider going with vinyl.

"Luxury vinyl allows people to put new flooring over their existing floors with minimal prep, saving you a lot of money," says Wien. The downfall is that vinyl floors will need to be replaced in eight to 10 years, unlike the permanency of natural stone or porcelain.

"Vinyl's a great option if you're remodeling to sell. And at $4 to $7 per square foot, you can't beat the price," he adds.

Replace Your Countertops
What's another small change that can make a big difference in your bathroom? Countertops. Because bathrooms are generally smaller than what people want, choosing a light color or a great stone piece is an easy way to make your bathroom feel larger.

"We're big fans of a statuary marble in light white with a thin grey veining," says Berchtold. "It adds a level of luxury while still keeping everything light and fresh."

If you're watching your wallet, Wien says you should pay a visit to a granite or stone scrapyard and pick through the smaller cuts. "For smaller bathrooms, you can often pick up a scrap piece of a gorgeous stone for a whole lot less."

If marble or granite still isn't in your budget, Wien recommends laminates or Formica. "They're great alternatives to stone because they give you a similar look at a lower price point." They may also be easier to maintain because unlike a porous natural stone, a laminate doesn't need to be sealed against stains and water.

Reface or Replace Your Cabinets
Cabinets can be one of the most expensive remodel elements of a bathroom, but don't lose all hope: Berchtold says re-purposing what you already have can do wonders.

"Taking your existing cabinets and giving them a layer of a bright white lacquer is a great way to make a statement and barely makes a dent in the budget," she says.

Another option that won't break the bank? Cabinet refacing, which is the process of replacing or upgrading cabinet doors and drawer fronts while retaining the main cabinet structure. Essentially, you'll be giving your bathroom cabinets a facelift. And it costs anywhere from $150 to $300 per cabinet door, according to "Improve Your Cabinet's Style," by Consumer Reports.

If your old cabinets need more than just a facelift, consider splurging on a serious upgrade, says Jillian Gage of JL Powers Design, who offers this design advice: "Custom-made reclaimed wood cabinets aren't cheap, but they're a great eco-friendly way to add a unique and rustic vibe to the room."

For more modern styles or a beach vibe, Gage suggests that you "Ask for cerused oak panels, which are washed with a preparation of white paint, for a clean and chic look. More contemporary homeowners can opt for metal cabinet drawers with frosted glass panels or mirror-on-mirror treatments."

Add a Window or Skylight
Because bathrooms are often in the middle of the house, you might not immediately think that adding a window is a viable option, but Gage begs to differ.

"Skylights are the perfect solution for flooding the bathroom with natural light," she says.
However, she does note that there is one big hurdle for adding a skylight to a bathroom: finding a licensed contractor who is up to par.

"Any time you're making structural changes, be sure to ask for recommendations from previous clients to ensure that you're getting someone reliable. A good design firm should also have at least a handful of contractors they can suggest," Gage adds.

If you're not looking to use a contractor and already have windows in your bathroom, window treatments can be an inexpensive way to kick things up a notch. Gage advises going outside the realm of traditional shades and looking into a bamboo or natural fiber shade.

"It's a nice way of keeping the room private but still letting light come in," she says.

Upgrade Your Hardware
When it comes to renovating your bathroom, it's all in the details. And that's why upgrading the hardware in your bathroom is key.
W
hat's more, the type of hardware you choose makes an important statement on the style of your bathroom.

For example, "We like to focus on the knobs," says Berchtold. "They're the biggest trick we have to upgrading a bathroom on a budget."

She recommends finding the best hardware, whether it's old and vintage or big and oversized. "Rustic, repurposed hardware is a great juxtaposition in a bright modern bathroom. Or you can opt to go all modern and utilize big, oversized knobs," adds Berchtold.

via yahoo homes

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High-Tech Ways to Save on Home Energy Costs

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My home energy bills keep going up — and I don't imagine I'm alone. But in addition to the usual solutions like "turn down your thermostat" and "switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs — or better yet, LEDs", I've discovered some high-tech tools that help save energy — and money.

The Department of Energy estimates that a home energy audit can cut your bills by as much as 30%. But a professional audit can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. So what can you do on your own?

First, do a visual inspection of your crawl spaces. When I had a professional energy auditor come to my house, the biggest efficiency loss they found was from heating ducts that had separated. In many homes, they find areas in the attic or under the floor that aren't insulated at all. Nothing that you can't discover and fix for yourself.

But I promised high tech tips. So here you go:

Infrared Thermal Leak Detector
An infrared thermal leak detector costs $40 and will find leaky, drafty areas that could use some new caulk or weather stripping, or even identify hidden "soft spots" in your insulation — places where insulation is missing or has settled in your walls or in other hard-to-see areas. Sure, you could walk around and feel for cool spots with you hand, but a good gadget is way more fun — and more accurate. This tool also works for hot spots in the summer; places where a lack of insulation allows air-conditioned cool air to leak out.

The "Kill-A-Watt"
Your electric bill can tell you that your costs are going up, but it can't tell you which appliances are really to blame. Plug the "Kill-A-Watt" in between your appliances and the wall to find out how much each of your devices is really costing you. Then you can compare that number to published numbers for new appliances, to figure out how much you could save by upgrading to a more energy-efficient model.
Using the Kill-A-Watt, I found that my 15 year-old fridge uses about two kWh per day.  A new one would use about half that. If I replaced my fridge today, I could save about 40 bucks a year. For me, that's too long a payback period, but you could easily discover that you'd save 100 bucks a year — then it starts making sense.

Programmable Thermostats
Even more than your refrigerator, heating and cooling probably take the biggest chunk out of your home energy dollar. While better insulation is almost always worth the money, here's a much cheaper idea: With a programmable thermostat, you can set your heater or air conditioner to take a break when you're asleep or out of the house, and turn back on just before you get home. A bare-bones model costs about $25; you can install it yourself; and it could pay for itself in a single month. The new NEST programmable thermostat, designed by the original designer of the iPod, is a bit pricier. But you can control it from a smart phone, and it even programs itself.

Smart Power Strips
Leaving your home entertainment system devices on all the time can add up to $67 a year of wasted energy. The energy-saving Smart Strip senses when you turn off your TV, and will simultaneously shut off your peripherals.
And I know I should turn off the power strip under the desk to thwart the vampire energy suckers, or at Christmas I know I should go out and turn off the lights, but I often don't. Enter the remote control power strip. Click, and it cuts the juice.

via yahoo

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Five Costly Errors You'll Want to Avoid When Refinancing

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Are you thinking of refinancing your mortgage? Here are five things you don't want to do.

Refinancing could save you a lot of money. That is, if it's done right and under the best circumstances.

But do it wrong and it could cost you - a lot.

"Every person's situation is different, so it's a case-by-case question of whether refinancing makes sense. It doesn't make sense for everyone, and people should know the potential costs going in," says Jim Duffy, a mortgage banker with Cole Taylor Mortgage.

For that reason, we thought we'd look into the most common blunders people make when refinancing - and how much each mistake could cost you. Read on to see what blunders you should avoid...

Blunder #1: Not Shopping Around
Shopping is your right. Shopping is American. Shopping is just plain smart. And when refinancing, you should always shop around.

"While there's not a lot of difference in rates right now, that doesn't mean you shouldn't shop around," says Chris Boulter, president of Val-Chris Investments, Inc., a California-based company specializing in residential and commercial loans.

He says one thing that could vary from lender to lender is the mortgage terms, such as closing costs and fees. These can make a difference in the up-front cost of refinancing your loan. For instance, on a $300,000 mortgage, just a quarter of a percent difference in the up-front costs means a difference of $750.

But of course, the biggest contributor to your mortgage costs is the interest rate you pay over the life of the loan. For that reason, says Boulter, it's vital you get the lowest rate you qualify for. In fact, even a quarter of a percent difference between lenders can really add up.

Don't believe us? Let's check the math. Below is a comparison between two $300,000 mortgages. Both are 30-year fixed-rate loans, but Loan A has a 3.5 percent interest rate*, and Loan B has a 3.75 percent interest rate (a quarter of a percent higher).

The Lesson: Shop till you drop! Or at least collapse in a state of money-saving grace. Why? Because negotiating a quarter percent drop in interest rates could result in more than $15,000 in savings over the life of your loan. And you'll be reminded of that monthly with a $42 lower payment.

Blunder #2: Ignoring Closing Costs and Fees
If you thought those nice lenders would refinance your loan for free, well, think again. Refinancing is a service, and you've probably noticed banks (lenders) generally like to charge money for services.

And when it comes to closing costs and fees, ignore them at your own peril. That's because closing costs and fees could outweigh any refinancing savings. To see why, let's take a closer look at some specifics.

In general, closing costs add up to about 1 percent to 1.5 percent of your loan amount, says Jim Duffy. On a $300,000 loan, that's $3,000 to $4,500.

And in case you're wondering, closing costs and fees typically include things like loan origination fees, application fees, appraisal fees, and other charges, according to a refinancing guide published by the Federal Reserve System, which oversees national monetary policy and the banks.

The Lesson: Make sure refinancing your mortgage is worth the cost. Duffy says a rule of thumb is that if you can lower your interest rate by enough to pay for the closing costs and fees within 18 months, it's generally a good idea to pursue refinancing.

Blunder #3: Over-looking Shorter Term Mortgages
Mortgages last for 30 years, right? Right. Unless it's a 15-year mortgage. Yep, it turns out you have a choice, and choosing wisely could either save you a lot of money or lose you a lot of sleep.

"Typically, you'll get a slightly lower rate on a 15-year mortgage than a 30-year one," says Duffy. "But the real savings come in the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan." He explains that because you're paying off your loan in half the time, you could save tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the amount of the loan.

However, there is one thing you need to understand: Even with the lower interest rate on the 15-year mortgage, your monthly payment will be higher. This is because you're paying off the loan in half the time and the principal (the amount you originally borrowed) remains the same, says Duffy. So it takes bigger payments to pay it off sooner.

But enough with the talk; let's move on to another example of why you shouldn't overlook shorter-term mortgages. For this one, we'll compare two mortgages of $300,000. The first will be a 30-year, fixed-rate loan with an interest rate of 3.5 percent*; the second will be a 15-year, fixed-rate loan at 2.75 percent*.

The Lesson: If you can handle the higher monthly payment, consider a shorter-term mortgage. You could save a lot in interest and own your home outright in half the time. That's about as far from a blunder as you can get.

Blunder #4: Not Getting a Fixed-Rate Mortgage
Have you been teased by those adjustable-rate mortgage rates that dip below 3 percent? While they are very attractive, it's good to note that they're likely to adjust upward when they do change, says Duffy.

But before we get to that, let's nail down exactly how an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) differs from a fixed-rate mortgage. For that, we'll turn to the Federal Reserve's handbook on adjustable-rate mortgages.

"An adjustable-rate mortgage differs from a fixed-rate mortgage in many ways," notes the Federal Reserve. "Most importantly, with a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate stays the same during the life of the loan. With an ARM, the interest rate changes periodically, usually in relation to an index, and payments may go up or down accordingly."

The most common ARM stays fixed for five years, then adjusts every year or even six months, says Duffy.

Duffy and Boulter both recommend against ARMs except in very specific cases, such as a borrower being dead certain they will be selling their home within a few years. Otherwise, says Duffy, they're missing out on locking in a historically low interest rate and getting long-term savings, and instead, enjoying only short-lived gains.

"My recommendation is to remind [homeowners] that while that 2 percent rate is attractive now, it will adjust in year 6 and it's probably going to go up, because with rates this low, there's not much room for it to go down," says Duffy.

The Lesson: While no one knows what the future holds, with interest rates so low currently, Duffy says that getting an ARM and giving up the security of a fixed-rate mortgage makes little sense.

Blunder #5: Not Knowing Your Home's Value
Do you know what your home is worth? It's an important question if you're thinking of refinancing your mortgage. Why? Because it could affect many things, from whether you qualify for refinancing to the rate you pay, or if you have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), says Duffy.

The best case scenario, he says, is that your home is worth at least 20 percent more than the mortgage amount. In other words, you are trying to refinance only 80 percent or less of your home's current market value (and yes, the lender will want a professional appraisal).

What if your situation isn't the best case scenario? Don't fret. With other qualifications such as good credit and a stable job history, you still have hope - though you may not be able to get the lowest rates.

What's more, if you don't have 20 percent equity, you'll likely also have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), which is often required by lenders to insure them against you falling behind on your loan payments, according to the Federal Reserve.

In case you're wondering, Duffy says PMI costs range depending on the amount of equity you have, the amount of the loan, your credit score, and possible other factors. As an example, he says, for a $300,000 loan, it could range from $50 to $200 per month.

The Lesson: Before you start down the paper trail of refinancing, have a sober assessment of how much your home is worth. If you have less than 20 percent equity, make sure you can reduce your mortgage interest rate by enough to make up for the added cost of PMI.

*The November 8, 2012 average for 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 3.4 percent and 2.69 percent for a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage, and 2.73 percent for a 5/1 ARM, according to Freddie Mac, an institution established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets.

via yahoo's Homes

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