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When it comes to having our dream house, a garden can play a huge role; after all, it adds to the overall look and feel to the exterior of your house. However, creating your dream garden can be a huge task in itself; because of that many people don't know where to start. While everyone has their own ideas and designs, there are thousands of different things you can do to make your garden stand out. That being said, it doesn't have to be as difficult as you might think; with a little inspiration ...

Most every industry has its own internal mix of acronyms, and the mortgage biz is no different. Your everyday consumer won’t ever use these terms, but mortgage companies use them throughout the course of a regular business day. What do these industry acronyms stand for? A VOD stands for ‘verification of deposit.’ It makes sense that lenders want to ensure you have enough available funds for a down payment and closing costs, but there needs to be a little dough left over after the dust sett...

Many homeowners view their garage simply as a place to store their car when it is not in use. However, other homeowners look at their garage with much grander expectations. Garages have been used as a place to perform work or to provide additional living space in the home. More and more homeowners have also become conscious of the fact garage upgrades and renovations are a great way to add value to the price of a home. A Functional Garage Door Heavy garage doors that must be opened manually are ...

Diamonds in the Rough Many homeowner associations find it difficult to hold the line on expenses. Inflation erodes endlessly increasing budgets and members scream for relief. But help is on the way. There are practical ways to reduce costs without cutting services. The HOA's budget is like a collection of uncut gems of different type, size and quality. Some of them are diamonds in the rough just waiting to be set free. And like diamonds, your budget, with a bit of cut and polish, can sparkle. He...

We have talked about dorm essentials—those must-have items to keep your college warm, cozy, safe, and ready to study. Now, let’s talk design.  Dorm rooms are ugly and often old, which means that, while they may be built for function, they’re definitely lacking in style. With a few easy and inexpensive tricks, you can jazz up the space so they don’t feel like they’re living in a jail cell. Curtains There will likely be one window in your child’s dorm, and it will probably be ...

Moving is a tough process because of the different elements you have to think about that affect how much you’ll enjoy your new home. One of these factors is the neighborhood that your prospective houses or apartments reside, as it can play a role in how much you are able to relax, advance in your career, and keep yourself and your loved ones safe. That’s why you need to review certain necessities that your neighborhood must have to ensure a comfortable living experience. These factors will a...

With mortgage rates low and home prices coming down in some key areas across the country, more and more people are considering making the transition to homeownership. But while they may be ready emotionally and circumstantially, how about financially?  Being able to buy a home now or having to hit pause often comes down to how much money you have saved for a down payment and closing costs. If your savings account is a little light, there are several easy ways* you can pump it up to get ...

When you host a dinner party or a backyard barbecue, you want your guests to show up and feel warm and fuzzy right away. What do you do when you walk in the door and your house lacks that appeal? We talk about five ways you can make your house feel comfortable and inviting below. Front door curb appeal HGTV tells readers a few simple changes to the outside of the house are inexpensive and easy to do. Adding new hardware, fresh pots of flowers, and a good coat of paint can create a dramatic chang...

Don’t just take someone’s opinion about the health of an HOA. There are specific areas to investigate in order to determine whether or not a community has a good homeowner association or not. Those who are thinking of buying a condominium may be unfortunate enough to have to lay out for a large special assessment after closing due to neglected capital improvements that may require professional help. This may be a relatively large surprise expense for new community members. This is only one i...

With technology developing, we now have so many gadgets and appliances which we can call ‘smart.’ The next step is to modernize our homes in the same style, and make our lives that much easier. A smart home is a place where appliances, lights, gadgets, security, - and pretty much whatever else you want - are all connected to one another.  You can also control them remotely using a simple app. This kind of a home gives owners comfort, security, and convenience. It may sound confusing...