Friday, April 18, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Decorating the Modern-Day Laundry Room
Gone are the days when sterile white was an unspoken mainstay. In the modern laundry room, anything goes! From color selections to wall décor, go bold to show off individuality and personality. Cover the basics in terms of appliances, organization and functionality, and then let creativity rule to help build a workable space that's also enjoyable to be in.
Cover the Basics
There are a few obvious features that should be included in every laundry room. A washer and dryer, ironing board and utility sink are obvious "musts." Consider functional placement of these items to ensure ease of work. Washer and dryer units can be stacked or placed on pedestals for added under-unit storage when space is limited. Ironing boards can be built into or attached to the wall (only being lowered when in use) to again preserve valuable space. If possible, cabinetry and shelving should be included for storage of laundry soaps or additional cleaning supplies. Adequate counter space should also be considered to allow for folding clothes or sorting laundry, and closet space is handy for additional storage or air-drying delicates.
There are a few obvious features that should be included in every laundry room. A washer and dryer, ironing board and utility sink are obvious "musts." Consider functional placement of these items to ensure ease of work. Washer and dryer units can be stacked or placed on pedestals for added under-unit storage when space is limited. Ironing boards can be built into or attached to the wall (only being lowered when in use) to again preserve valuable space. If possible, cabinetry and shelving should be included for storage of laundry soaps or additional cleaning supplies. Adequate counter space should also be considered to allow for folding clothes or sorting laundry, and closet space is handy for additional storage or air-drying delicates.
Building Off of Bold, Beautiful Color
Think of this room as your blank canvas to do with what you'd like. Classic laundry room color selections typically include clean, crisp whites or shades of pale blue. This color palette pairs perfectly with the feel and smell of warm, clean sheets and freshly folded towels.
Don't be afraid to choose bold wall colors such as red, green, yellow and even pink to liven up your space and make it more playful and fun. Add throw rugs and accessorize with complimentary colors. Have a utility sink skirt designed with a color or pattern that pairs well to add more flair and conceal added storage space underneath. Consider covering an accent wall with a patterned wallpaper and add a jeweled chandelier to create a shabby chic look. If your home has an overall established theme such as Tuscan, rustic or maybe even Southwest, consider maintaining this consistency in your laundry room.
Think of this room as your blank canvas to do with what you'd like. Classic laundry room color selections typically include clean, crisp whites or shades of pale blue. This color palette pairs perfectly with the feel and smell of warm, clean sheets and freshly folded towels.
Don't be afraid to choose bold wall colors such as red, green, yellow and even pink to liven up your space and make it more playful and fun. Add throw rugs and accessorize with complimentary colors. Have a utility sink skirt designed with a color or pattern that pairs well to add more flair and conceal added storage space underneath. Consider covering an accent wall with a patterned wallpaper and add a jeweled chandelier to create a shabby chic look. If your home has an overall established theme such as Tuscan, rustic or maybe even Southwest, consider maintaining this consistency in your laundry room.
Miscellaneous Décor
In addition to the fun décor items already mentioned above, this is where you can add personality to your laundry room. Consider a custom-made patterned valence for a window to enhance the room's theme while inviting an abundance of natural sunlight into your working space.
To create a rustic feel, consider adding vintage laundry accessories into your space, such as old washboards and irons or weathered metal buckets. Add vintage wall signage in wood or metal, and consider an old accordion wooden peg rack, which can be functional in addition to rustic.
Create a more contemporary feel with an appropriate light fixture and minimal wall décor. Keep your space tidy, clean and simple, adding only a classic vase with fresh flowers for a splash of color. Decorative wall tile such as subway tiles establish a more refined, modern environment.
A modern-day laundry room can include anything from classic framed prints that coincide with your chosen theme to wooden laundry signs or even wall decals and stencils. Block letters spelling "laundry" can also be fun and, depending upon space, can be either hung on a wall or sit on a shelf.
A Functional Space With Style
Bearing in mind that the laundry room serves a very specific purpose, there are still countless ways to maintain a very functional, organized workspace "with style." It can be fun and easy to accessorize while being practical.
Instead of leaving exposed laundry soaps or fabric softeners on your counters or shelves, use decorative wire or wicker baskets to conceal them while adding some charm. Decorative jars, including apothecary or mason jars, make great storage for anything from laundry soaps and loose dryer sheets to clothespins. Creative labeling can be a neat way to add additional detail and personality.
Think creatively. Let your personality be your inspiration. Use the decorative tips mentioned above to design your own unique laundry room.
In addition to the fun décor items already mentioned above, this is where you can add personality to your laundry room. Consider a custom-made patterned valence for a window to enhance the room's theme while inviting an abundance of natural sunlight into your working space.
To create a rustic feel, consider adding vintage laundry accessories into your space, such as old washboards and irons or weathered metal buckets. Add vintage wall signage in wood or metal, and consider an old accordion wooden peg rack, which can be functional in addition to rustic.
Create a more contemporary feel with an appropriate light fixture and minimal wall décor. Keep your space tidy, clean and simple, adding only a classic vase with fresh flowers for a splash of color. Decorative wall tile such as subway tiles establish a more refined, modern environment.
A modern-day laundry room can include anything from classic framed prints that coincide with your chosen theme to wooden laundry signs or even wall decals and stencils. Block letters spelling "laundry" can also be fun and, depending upon space, can be either hung on a wall or sit on a shelf.
A Functional Space With Style
Bearing in mind that the laundry room serves a very specific purpose, there are still countless ways to maintain a very functional, organized workspace "with style." It can be fun and easy to accessorize while being practical.
Instead of leaving exposed laundry soaps or fabric softeners on your counters or shelves, use decorative wire or wicker baskets to conceal them while adding some charm. Decorative jars, including apothecary or mason jars, make great storage for anything from laundry soaps and loose dryer sheets to clothespins. Creative labeling can be a neat way to add additional detail and personality.
Think creatively. Let your personality be your inspiration. Use the decorative tips mentioned above to design your own unique laundry room.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Decorating a Spare Room
Invite Inspiration When Decorating the Spare Room
Whether you have company arriving for a visit or want to design a room that offers more space to relax in your home, the spare bedroom is an excellent opportunity to explore trending design elements. The room is there, waiting for you to try a few simple but creative ideas to make everyone feel at home.
Color
It all starts with deciding on your color base. Use the guest bedroom as a place to test new colors in your home. A bold gray-and-yellow combo makes a statement, or use lighter wall colors, such as aqua, to create a soothing atmosphere. Select a clean, white-walled bedroom to provide an open and refreshing space for guests, or try a vibrant hue, such as orange, to create a fun, bold space in your home.
It all starts with deciding on your color base. Use the guest bedroom as a place to test new colors in your home. A bold gray-and-yellow combo makes a statement, or use lighter wall colors, such as aqua, to create a soothing atmosphere. Select a clean, white-walled bedroom to provide an open and refreshing space for guests, or try a vibrant hue, such as orange, to create a fun, bold space in your home.
Flooring
Whether the room has hardwood flooring and area rugs or you choose new carpeting, keep it neutral to provide a strong base for furniture and accents. If you have a hardwood floor, select a dark or light stain to add depth to the natural coloring. Remember to keep your wall color in mind when deciding on the color of flooring, especially if you want the colors to play off each other. Use area rugs for texture, pattern and an additional pull to draw your guests in. The flooring is the foundation on which to build your room design, so take time to explore different possibilities.
Whether the room has hardwood flooring and area rugs or you choose new carpeting, keep it neutral to provide a strong base for furniture and accents. If you have a hardwood floor, select a dark or light stain to add depth to the natural coloring. Remember to keep your wall color in mind when deciding on the color of flooring, especially if you want the colors to play off each other. Use area rugs for texture, pattern and an additional pull to draw your guests in. The flooring is the foundation on which to build your room design, so take time to explore different possibilities.
Furniture
After your room is painted and ready, keep the color of your flooring and walls in mind when deciding on the furniture. Turn to magazines or online searches for inspiration. Use furniture you have in the home in new ways, or find new, one-of-a-kind pieces. Imagine a light, airy guest room with a dose of vintage charm and an antique iron bed. Custom-painted furniture and plush fabrics to contrast with your new wall colors can add to a relaxed ambiance. You'll want to curl up in your own guest room for reading and an escape during the day. If you have a pair of twin beds, cover them in the same fabrics and add a charming armchair to unify the room and offer seating. The possibilities and combinations are endless; have fun with it!
After your room is painted and ready, keep the color of your flooring and walls in mind when deciding on the furniture. Turn to magazines or online searches for inspiration. Use furniture you have in the home in new ways, or find new, one-of-a-kind pieces. Imagine a light, airy guest room with a dose of vintage charm and an antique iron bed. Custom-painted furniture and plush fabrics to contrast with your new wall colors can add to a relaxed ambiance. You'll want to curl up in your own guest room for reading and an escape during the day. If you have a pair of twin beds, cover them in the same fabrics and add a charming armchair to unify the room and offer seating. The possibilities and combinations are endless; have fun with it!
Bedding
Selecting the bedding is the icing on the cake. Be bold and brighten up a room with playful patterns and vivid colors, or stick to a corresponding palette to tie patterns together. Use a variety of pillows and fabrics, like quilts and throw blankets, for plush accents. Try tribal patterns and designs inspired by traditional Asian and African motifs, which are trending. Classic black and white are also hot colors in bedding. Whether you decide on traditional floral patterns or mod stripes, this is the best part - find the perfect look for your bedding to tie your design together.
Selecting the bedding is the icing on the cake. Be bold and brighten up a room with playful patterns and vivid colors, or stick to a corresponding palette to tie patterns together. Use a variety of pillows and fabrics, like quilts and throw blankets, for plush accents. Try tribal patterns and designs inspired by traditional Asian and African motifs, which are trending. Classic black and white are also hot colors in bedding. Whether you decide on traditional floral patterns or mod stripes, this is the best part - find the perfect look for your bedding to tie your design together.
Accessories
This is it: the big finish. But don't go overboard in the guest room with accessories. Even if you go in the direction of more dramatic design versus casual comfort, be sure to choose simple items that have great impact on your overall decor. Traditional accents like colorful table lamps, bookshelves stocked with great reads, beautifully framed mirrors, and useful wicker baskets keep the space feeling cozy and classic. Keep the wicker baskets stocked with adorable new soaps, petite shampoos and conditioners, new toothbrushes, and even new books and magazines to make your guests feel right at home.
This is it: the big finish. But don't go overboard in the guest room with accessories. Even if you go in the direction of more dramatic design versus casual comfort, be sure to choose simple items that have great impact on your overall decor. Traditional accents like colorful table lamps, bookshelves stocked with great reads, beautifully framed mirrors, and useful wicker baskets keep the space feeling cozy and classic. Keep the wicker baskets stocked with adorable new soaps, petite shampoos and conditioners, new toothbrushes, and even new books and magazines to make your guests feel right at home.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Steps in the Mortgage Loan Process
You walk into the local bank and ask to see a mortgage specialist. Palms sweating, heart leaping – you are about to apply for what may be the largest loan in your life. A lot is riding on an approval: the ability to purchase a home, a new start in life, or the first steps toward a life that is moving in a new direction.
You probably don't realize that the lady sitting behind the desk actually wants to help you. Like your real estate agent, she doesn't get paid until the deal is consummated: until you take out a mortgage loan. Naturally, then, your first contact in the mortgage loan process is going to want to put your mortgage application in the best light possible.
Unfortunately, the loan officer doesn't have the final word on approval. To get to that great big "yes" requires work on your part, long before heading out the door to see a lender.
Grab your calculator and that stack of bills off the kitchen counter - you've got some number crunching to do.
What Budget?
If you live within a budget, congratulations – this part of the process will be a cinch for you. If you don't, it's time to determine how much money you have coming in and how much goes out. Once you know this, you can determine the amount of money you can comfortably afford to pay for a house every month. Remember, this amount needs to cover homeowners insurance, property taxes, and HOA fees if you move to a managed community.
You probably don't realize that the lady sitting behind the desk actually wants to help you. Like your real estate agent, she doesn't get paid until the deal is consummated: until you take out a mortgage loan. Naturally, then, your first contact in the mortgage loan process is going to want to put your mortgage application in the best light possible.
Unfortunately, the loan officer doesn't have the final word on approval. To get to that great big "yes" requires work on your part, long before heading out the door to see a lender.
Grab your calculator and that stack of bills off the kitchen counter - you've got some number crunching to do.
What Budget?
If you live within a budget, congratulations – this part of the process will be a cinch for you. If you don't, it's time to determine how much money you have coming in and how much goes out. Once you know this, you can determine the amount of money you can comfortably afford to pay for a house every month. Remember, this amount needs to cover homeowners insurance, property taxes, and HOA fees if you move to a managed community.
Got Credit?
Lenders pull your credit reports as part of the loan process, but the wise mortgage loan pursuer will get out in front of the process and know where he stands with FICO, the corporation that determines consumers' credit worthiness.
By law, you're entitled to one free credit report each year, from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. The Federal Trade Commission recommends that you order the credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only source it authorizes.
Lenders use a score aggregated from all three credit reports and calculated by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). Known as your FICO score, it largely determines whether you will be approved for credit and the interest rate you'll be offered.
Dispute anything on your credit reports that is questionable. Even removing one negative entry can move your credit score in a positive direction.
Lenders pull your credit reports as part of the loan process, but the wise mortgage loan pursuer will get out in front of the process and know where he stands with FICO, the corporation that determines consumers' credit worthiness.
By law, you're entitled to one free credit report each year, from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. The Federal Trade Commission recommends that you order the credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only source it authorizes.
Lenders use a score aggregated from all three credit reports and calculated by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). Known as your FICO score, it largely determines whether you will be approved for credit and the interest rate you'll be offered.
Dispute anything on your credit reports that is questionable. Even removing one negative entry can move your credit score in a positive direction.
Piles of Paperwork
Finally, all those piles of paperwork lying around the house will come in handy. Although you'll need to ask your lender exactly what she needs to see, lenders typically want the following:
Copies of tax returns.
Investment information.
Bank account statements.
Your landlord's name and phone number, if you rent. If you currently own a home, bring your mortgage papers.
Your driver's license and social security card.
Paperwork, including the account numbers, pertaining to loans and credit cards.
Pay stubs or other information that verifies your income.
Court papers verifying your responsibility for support payments or bankruptcy, if applicable.
The Mortgage Loan Process
Here's what happens during the mortgage process:
You fill out the application.
Your loan package goes to the processing department where everything is verified.
The underwriter receives your package from the processing department and decides whether or not to give you a loan.
If the underwriter decides in your favor, the lender sends you a commitment letter.
These are the basic steps in the mortgage loan process, and they may vary depending on your situation.
While you wait for word of approval, the lender is required to send you, within three days of application, a Good Faith Estimate – commonly called the GFE. This form discloses the costs of the loan.
Expect a Truth in Lending Disclosure as well, which will let you know your monthly payment, the annual percentage rate of the loan, and a disclosure of all finance charges.
The loan commitment letter repeats the information in the GFE and the Truth in Lending Disclosure. If the terms meet with your approval, sign the letter and return it before the deadline.
While waiting around for loan approval is stressful, and there may be delays while the lender acquires additional paperwork from you, the more you are prepared going into the process the quicker and easier it will be.
Finally, all those piles of paperwork lying around the house will come in handy. Although you'll need to ask your lender exactly what she needs to see, lenders typically want the following:
Copies of tax returns.
Investment information.
Bank account statements.
Your landlord's name and phone number, if you rent. If you currently own a home, bring your mortgage papers.
Your driver's license and social security card.
Paperwork, including the account numbers, pertaining to loans and credit cards.
Pay stubs or other information that verifies your income.
Court papers verifying your responsibility for support payments or bankruptcy, if applicable.
The Mortgage Loan Process
Here's what happens during the mortgage process:
You fill out the application.
Your loan package goes to the processing department where everything is verified.
The underwriter receives your package from the processing department and decides whether or not to give you a loan.
If the underwriter decides in your favor, the lender sends you a commitment letter.
These are the basic steps in the mortgage loan process, and they may vary depending on your situation.
While you wait for word of approval, the lender is required to send you, within three days of application, a Good Faith Estimate – commonly called the GFE. This form discloses the costs of the loan.
Expect a Truth in Lending Disclosure as well, which will let you know your monthly payment, the annual percentage rate of the loan, and a disclosure of all finance charges.
The loan commitment letter repeats the information in the GFE and the Truth in Lending Disclosure. If the terms meet with your approval, sign the letter and return it before the deadline.
While waiting around for loan approval is stressful, and there may be delays while the lender acquires additional paperwork from you, the more you are prepared going into the process the quicker and easier it will be.
I have a network on banking professionals that I highly recommend. If you need a recommendation, I would be happy to help!
Monday, January 13, 2014
How Homes are Valued
Homes are valued a lot like everything else: They are worth what people will pay for them. The Maybach Exelero, the most expensive car in the world, sells for $8 million because that's what people will pay for it. By the same token, you can ask for $8 million for your Hyundai, Ford or Chrysler, but don't count on getting it – you'll get what the market says it's worth.
So, how do we know what a willing buyer will spend for a house? Although we may never be certain, by looking at the recent past, we can come up with a pretty good idea. This is why the market value of a house is based on sold homes that are comparable in various ways.
In other words, it doesn't matter what amount Tom, the next-door neighbor, lists his house for. The only thing that matters is what Jessica, your former neighbor, got for her house. List prices are fantasies while sold prices are reality.
Determining an accurate asking price for your home is vital, and the best way to find that price is by having the home professionally appraised. The second best way is to ask a real estate agent for a comparative market analysis. While both the appraiser and the real estate agent use the prices of sold homes as a basis, the appraisal process is a bit more in-depth.
The Appraiser
Licensed appraisers aren't house experts, but they are analysts, able to pull together myriad facts and statistics to arrive at a home's value.
To avoid a conflict of interest, most lenders adhere to the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) and use the services of an appraisal management company.
The appraiser makes note of the floor plan and any improvements, and takes measurements of the exterior of the home to determine the square footage.
Step Two
The appraiser uses statistics from the multiple listing service, public records, or a combination of both to find recently closed sales that are similar in age, size, location and features to your home. Typically, the appraiser relies on sales within the last 90 days, but may go back as far as six months. She will also use homes within a 1-mile radius of yours.
The Final Steps
The final steps of the appraisal involve comparing your house, which the appraiser calls the "subject," to the comparable homes. She'll use a list of criteria that includes the age of the homes, size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, location and any improvements made to the homes.
She'll add or subtract value from your home depending on how it stacks up to the comparable houses until she arrives at the market value of your home.
That said, if the appraised value is determined to be lower than what the buyer has agreed to pay, the lender will typically not lend on the property and the buyer and seller have some decisions to make.
The buyer can come up with a larger down payment (which brings down the amount of money he needs to borrow). Most buyers think long and hard about this option – nobody wants to overpay for a house.
The seller and the buyer can agree to split the amount that is over the appraised value, with the buyer bringing half the cash to the deal and the seller lowering the price of the home to meet his half of the deal.
Another option, and the one most commonly used, is that the seller lowers the price of the house to meet the appraiser's evaluation.
Finally, the seller can simply walk away from the deal.
Before any of these steps are taken, however, the buyer and the seller should review the appraisal to ensure that the appraiser used accurate information in his determination. Appraisers are human and do make mistakes. If errors are found, the buyer can notify the lender and ask for another appraisal.
So, how do we know what a willing buyer will spend for a house? Although we may never be certain, by looking at the recent past, we can come up with a pretty good idea. This is why the market value of a house is based on sold homes that are comparable in various ways.
In other words, it doesn't matter what amount Tom, the next-door neighbor, lists his house for. The only thing that matters is what Jessica, your former neighbor, got for her house. List prices are fantasies while sold prices are reality.
Determining an accurate asking price for your home is vital, and the best way to find that price is by having the home professionally appraised. The second best way is to ask a real estate agent for a comparative market analysis. While both the appraiser and the real estate agent use the prices of sold homes as a basis, the appraisal process is a bit more in-depth.
The Appraiser
Licensed appraisers aren't house experts, but they are analysts, able to pull together myriad facts and statistics to arrive at a home's value.
To avoid a conflict of interest, most lenders adhere to the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) and use the services of an appraisal management company.
The First Step in the Appraisal Process
Shortly after you've accepted an offer to purchase, you'll receive a call from the appraiser to set up an appointment to see the home. The time he or she spends inspecting the home varies, depending on the appraiser, but plan on it taking at least 30 minutes.The appraiser makes note of the floor plan and any improvements, and takes measurements of the exterior of the home to determine the square footage.
Step Two
The appraiser uses statistics from the multiple listing service, public records, or a combination of both to find recently closed sales that are similar in age, size, location and features to your home. Typically, the appraiser relies on sales within the last 90 days, but may go back as far as six months. She will also use homes within a 1-mile radius of yours.
The Final Steps
The final steps of the appraisal involve comparing your house, which the appraiser calls the "subject," to the comparable homes. She'll use a list of criteria that includes the age of the homes, size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, location and any improvements made to the homes.
She'll add or subtract value from your home depending on how it stacks up to the comparable houses until she arrives at the market value of your home.
What to Do if You Disagree With the Appraisal
An appraisal obtained by the lender is paid for by, and therefore belongs to, the buyer. So the lender won't send you, as the seller, a copy. It is up to the buyer to supply you with a copy if he or she is willing.That said, if the appraised value is determined to be lower than what the buyer has agreed to pay, the lender will typically not lend on the property and the buyer and seller have some decisions to make.
The buyer can come up with a larger down payment (which brings down the amount of money he needs to borrow). Most buyers think long and hard about this option – nobody wants to overpay for a house.
The seller and the buyer can agree to split the amount that is over the appraised value, with the buyer bringing half the cash to the deal and the seller lowering the price of the home to meet his half of the deal.
Another option, and the one most commonly used, is that the seller lowers the price of the house to meet the appraiser's evaluation.
Finally, the seller can simply walk away from the deal.
Before any of these steps are taken, however, the buyer and the seller should review the appraisal to ensure that the appraiser used accurate information in his determination. Appraisers are human and do make mistakes. If errors are found, the buyer can notify the lender and ask for another appraisal.
For more information about selling your home, contact me today!
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