5 Tips to Make Summer Home Renovations Pay Off

NEW YORK (MainStreet)—Younger homeowners are likely planning renovations this summer, according to a new study, with some improvements benefiting property values more than others.

The Zillow Digs Summer Home Improvement Trend and Spending survey found that 71% of those aged 18 to 34 plan a home improvement or addition compared to 51% of homeowners 55 and older.

The survey found that 40% plan to work on their outdoor spaces while 17 percent plan to improve their bathrooms.

"As we head into the long days of summer, we are seeing increased interest in outdoor spaces with very natural elements such as stone fireplaces as well as bringing more light into bathrooms with clear glass on the walls and shower enclosures," said Cynthia Nowak, a trend expert with Zillow Digs.

Overall, 60% of American homeowners plan renovations and expect to spend $1,200 with 65% of homes housing children planning three or more home improvements compared to 57% of homes without children.

But not all home improvements pay off and positively impact property values, according to the Appraisal Institute, a professional association of real estate appraisers.

Siding replacement, entry door replacement, attic bedroom addition, minor kitchen remodel and garage door replacement rank among the projects with the highest expected return on investment, according to Remodeling magazine's most recent Cost vs. Value report.

"Projects that take a home significantly beyond community norms are often not worth the cost when the owner sells the home," said Appraisal Institute President Richard L. Borges. "If they don't match what's standard in a community, they're considered excessive."

Other renovations with high expected pay-offs include basement remodel, deck addition and window replacement.

"Consumers should be aware that cost does not necessarily equal value," Borges said.

Below are 5 tips to consider before launching home renovations:

• 1. Arrange a feasibility study for an unbiased evaluation. "During a feasibility study, a professional real estate appraiser will analyze the homeowner's property, weigh the cost of rehabilitation and provide an estimate of the property's value before and after the improvement," said Borges.
• 2. Add green and energy-efficient renovations. "Adding Energy Star appliances and extra insulation are likely to pay the homeowner back in lowered utility bills relatively quickly. Lower utility costs also are a draw for potential homebuyers," said Borges.
• 3. The longer a homeowner stays in a property, the greater the opportunity for a return on investment As a result, Borges advises holding off on big renovations when a homeowner isn't sure how long they will be in their home.
• 4. Check online for home renovation ideas. About 37 percent of homeowners look to the internet for home improvement ideas and inspiration, according to the Zillow Digs survey. HGTV.com, Pinterest and Zillow Digs were among the most common online sources for inspiration.
• 5. Download the Appraisal Institute's free Remodeling & Rehabbing brochure at www.appraisalinstitute.org

--Written by Juliette Fairley for MainStreet

How To Master Social Media

Social media isn’t going anywhere. Oh wait, yes it is… it’s going everywhere! Social media is one of the fastest and most cost effective ways to share your brand with a large audience. Data suggests that a rising number of real estate agents are leveraging the power of social media to connect with their clients and
expand their professional networks.

In fact, the California Association of REALTORS® found that agents cited the following reasons for using social media in an effort to grow their real estate businesses:
67 percent staying in touch with clients
54 percent be more accessible to myclients
50 percent respond to clients faster
44 percent market my business to a younger demographic
The study also found that while 66 percent of California REALTORS® consider social media an “integral tool in a marketing plan,” a full 62 percent of respondents deem themselves social media beginners. So let’s change that, shall we? Today we’ve rounded up a handful
of social media dos and don’ts for real estate that will have you socializing (and building
your brand) like a pro in no time at all.

DO

Pick Your Poison
Be wary of spreading yourself too thin. There are literally hundreds of social media
platforms out there. It’s better to be good at a few than to be bad at all, so choose one or
two places to start and focus on posting consistently. You can always expand your presence
later. Facebook, Google+, Twitter and LinkedIn are great options for real estate because
they have a critical mass of users and a good mind share of the general public.
Stay Positive
No one wants to follow a Negative Nancy. We all have bad days and tricky clients from time
to time, but it’s important to project a positive image of yourself and your business. Instead
of sharing what’s going wrong for you, focus on what’s working in your favor. Share good
news, inspiring photos and helpful tips. And never miss an opportunity to publicly say ‘thank
you’ via social.
Interact
Interaction is key to creating a social media personality that attracts connections and
referrals. If someone tweets you, reply promptly. If you like a post, let the author know by
taking the time to share it or leave a thoughtful comment. What goes around comes around
in the world of social media. The more you reach out to others now, the more likely they are
to reach out to you in the future.

DON’T

Only Post Listings
Many agents see Twitter and Facebook as exciting new avenues for sharing listings – and
they’re right to a degree – but don’t forget the bigger picture. If you only post listings, you’re
not being social, you’re being a salesman, or even worse, a bulletin board. And, like all
other obvious advertising, it won’t be long before your intended audience tunes you out.
Overshare
On the other end of the social media spectrum is the agent who overshares – broadcasting
every moment of his or her day, whether it’s real estate related or not. Remember that you
are communicating with potential clients every time you post. The topics of your public
posts, and the language you use, should be similar to what you would say in the workplace.
Give Up
Even if you follow all of these pointers, if you’re charming and consistent and you share
useful content, you probably won’t gain thousands of followers in the first week. But don’t
quit! Slow and steady growth builds a strong and loyal network. Review your history to see
which posts on which platforms created the most engagement and tweak your future social
media actions accordingly.
Geneva Ives is the marketing writer for Point2

The Top 5 Mistakes Sellers Make

There are so many things that need to be done before listing your home for sale.  Unfortunately, many sellers are making the same costly mistakes.  Mistakes that could have saved them thousands if they had only known "what not to do".  Let's talk about the top five mistakes that cost sellers thousands.

1.  Do not put your home on the market before it is ready.  Make sure that the painting is done, the carpet has been replaced and everything is clean and organized.  If you show your home to potential buyers while you are in the middle of renovating, this will lower the perceived value of your home in the minds of your buyers. Presentation is everything- so get the work done before marketing the property.

2.  Do not over improve your home versus the norm for your neighborhood - you will not recoup this money .  Do not spend money on something that you think your buyers will insist on.  Every buyer is different and has different wants and needs.  So you will only be throwing your money into the wind. Don't start adding absurd renovations, not every buyer wants/needs these upgrades, plus it will most likely not increase the value of your home.

3.  Do not over price your home because of what you "need" to get for it - otherwise it will sit and then become an aged listing in the minds of your potential buyers.  Your market should always control the sale price. Never price your home based on what you want to net, this strategy will always end in failure. Although you can control the asking price the market should always control the sales price. The price should be determined by the black and white, matter of fact reality of the market.

4.  This one should probably be number one - don't get emotionally involved in the sale of your home.  Most sellers have lived in their homes for years and have become quite attached.  What you like about the home is not necessarily what your buyers will like about it.  So don't get offended if your buyer wants to change something or says something negative about your home.  Once you sell it - it is not your home anymore.  Think about your new home and all of the potential it has to offer.

5.  Don't try to cover up or hide the homes problems.  Most states have and require a property disclosure form.  You must disclose the homes problems to your potential buyers.  If you don't, that does not mean that you cannot be sued for it later on down the line when that problem surfaces for the new owner.

6. Do not hire just any Realtor, based on non-business factors. Make sure you hire a professional with a proven track record. Check there website, read reviews, have a meeting to see if you and the Realtor are on the same page. Make sure you both have the same ideas and expectations.


Before listing your home, talk to your Realtor about the pitfalls that can occur when selling your home. Take advantage of your Realtors years of knowledge and the next thing you know you will be moved and enjoying your new home!

A Diamond In The Rough

Searching for your new home can be very exciting.  But exactly how do you go about finding that "diamond in the rough"?

The number one thing to remember is that cosmetic issues are easy to fix.   So is the home you are considering a diamond in the rough or a nightmare that should cause you to turn and run?

Here are a few things to consider:

1.  Don't look at things like:  bad decorating, dirty walls and floors, no grass or no landscaping.  Not everyone is a good housekeeper so don't let cleanliness get in the way of a potentially good home.
2.  Don't look at minor repair items such as:  bent mini blinds, ripped carpets or linoleum, drippy faucets,  broken light fixtures or holes in the walls (unless they have been opened to complete some type of major maintenance issue) etc.
3.   Do look at the floorplan.  If the floorplan does not suit you, look a little closer and see if the space can be reworked or if you can add on a room addition.
4.  Remember that all surface issues are usually cosmetic.  A little paint, carpet and linoleum can go a long way to making a home look as good as new.  You can even ask the homeowner for a carpet allowance as a condition of the sale.  Most homeowners realize that the carpet will need to be changed and are more than happy to accommodate you just to get the deal.
5.  If the home lacks storage due to a converted garage, ask yourself if that space can be easily converted back to its original use.
6.  If you don't like the kitchen, don't let that stop you from buying the home if you like everything but the kitchen.  You can spruce up the kitchen later by adding new cabinets, countertops, flooring and some new appliances.  These things will do wonders for the appearance of a kitchen.
7.  If you want a pool, but the home you are looking at has a pool that needs repairs, the cost of a new pool will far exceed the cost of repairing an existing pool.  So buy the house with a pool versus one without a pool.  This will save you money in the long run.  A pool is something that will not bring you a good return on your investment when you go to sell.

The very best advice we can give you is this - unless you build your dream home from scratch, you are probably not going to find everything you want.  So make a list of the things that are the most important to you and make an offer on a home that has those qualities.

How To Recognize A Home That Will Hold Its Resale Value

Buyers who are looking for a new home are often very excited.  It is that excitement that can sometimes cloud their judgment when it comes to buying a home that will retain its resale value.  So what can you do to make sure that your excitement does not overcome your good judgment and common sense?

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are trying to buy a home that will retain its resale value.

1.  Location, location, location!  Is this home on a busy street or does it have some other undesirable factor about it?  If so, make sure the price is adjusted accordingly.

2.  Consider all defects that are not correctable.  Things like location, traffic, floor plan etc. Then make sure the selling price reflects these non -correctable items.  Remember, you may have to sell this home with these same defects in the future.  So you don't want to be left holding the bag.

3.  Does this home suit your long term needs.  If so and you plan on living in the house for a very long time, then resale value may not be as big of a determining factor for you.

4.  Don't be bullied.  If you are looking in a hot market, don't overlook the issues that could cause you to lose money if you have to sell in a future market downturn.

5.  Look for a home that has a broad appeal.  A home that is suitable for most people.  One that has a good floor plan and amenities that the majority of people are looking for is important.

6.  Think about the size and the space.  Is this home going to be very expensive to maintain due to its home or yard?  Are there any other factors that could influence someone's decision to buy.

7.  It is best to buy a home that is in good condition -one that someone clearly took the time to maintain over the years.  Routine maintenance is a huge factor when it comes to future repairs.

8.  Convenience - how convenient is this home to schools, banks, day care centers, shopping, gas and restaurants.

9.  Look for an easy commute - is this home located in an area where the major thoroughfares are easily accessible.  Is there a bus line nearby etc.

10.  Find a home that has a good resale value and not one that is just a good deal.

Talk to your realtor about buying a home that has a good resale value and they will be able to help keep you on the right track.  Resale value should be one of the major deciding factors when buying a home.  Remember, most people do not live in the same house their entire lives.  So plan accordingly!

Things To Consider When Designing Your New Construction Home

t is very exciting to have a new home built.  But in all of that excitement there are things you should consider before finalizing your plans.  You will need to look to the future needs of your home and family then plan accordingly; rather than just thinking about your current lifestyle and how you want your home to perform for you now - in the present.

Here are a few things that you may not have thought about when starting the beginning phases of building your new home.

1.  When deciding whether to go with the large open spaces, less walls etc.  Think about your life now and in the future.  Currently you may have a toddler and need those wide open spaces to keep an eye on them.  However, remember that they don't stay toddlers for long.  Before you know it that toddler will be a teenager and you will then need as many separate rooms / spaces as you can get.  Because once you have some teenagers on your hands, you will quickly learn that everyone is going to want their own space.

2.  Don't downsize a room or a closet to make a space for a newborn or toddler.  Once again, they do not stay newborns for long and you will be left with little or no space.  Downsizing a room or eliminating a closet just doesn't make sense in the whole scheme of things.  Remember, your newborn is only going to be a newborn for a little while.  But you will more than likely live in your home much longer than that.

3.  Don't give up kitchen cabinet space for a pass through bar just so you can keep an eye on your kids.  Your small children will grow quicker than you can blink an eye but once your home is built your kitchen will have to stay that way forever.  And before long your children will be grown and you will no longer need that pass through bar but you sure could use that extra cabinet space.

4.  Consider a downstairs den that could be converted into a bedroom in the future as your family grows.

5.  Think about having your attic roughed-in with plumbing and electric for a future bedroom or living space.

6.  Perhaps adding a bathroom and kitchenette to your basement for possible future living quarters.  This will also add value to your home when it comes time to sell.

7.  Think ahead to when your toddler turns 16 and gets a car.  You will need more garage space.  So consider having a three car garage included with your home building plans.

8.  It is always a good idea to have grab bars installed in all of your bathrooms.  These are not just for seniors.  These are great for kids and for adults who have over extended themselves and need a little assistance getting in and out of the bathtub or shower.

It is hard to know exactly what you are going to need in the future.  But try a little forward thinking and build your house according to what you think you will need.

If you have built a house that is no longer suitable for you and your family.  Call your realtor and ask them to help you find a home that fits your new lifestyle.  Your realtor would be more than happy to assist you in any way they can.

The Future of Mortgages

The current trend in real estate has been quite positive. For an extended period of time, we have seen pretty consistent growth in sales and home prices. After years of dealing with poor market conditions, we are all breathing a sigh of relief. Nevertheless, the industry must be vigilant in ensuring that nothing is done to impede or reverse the housing recovery, particularly by Congress and the regulators in Washington. Despite the improved sales numbers, however, mortgage credit remains tight. Nowhere is this more evident than in the consistently high percentage of cash purchasers in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) monthly existing home sales numbers. While sales are improving overall, it is those with cash who seem to be driving the numbers higher, even though interest rates remain historically low.

We have seen the tightening of credit through higher effective minimum credit scores for FHA and conventional conforming loans. Lenders are already avoiding risk, begging the question: What will happen when numerous Dodd-Frank rules take effect? What will happen if major changes are made to the FHA program? What will happen if the role Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac play in mortgage financing is fundamentally changed or even eliminated? With so much change and potential change on the horizon, it is at times overwhelming, even to industry experts. In talking to many industry experts, one gets the sense they are simply living for today until truly confronted by tomorrow. That is the wrong strategy because bad outcomes tomorrow can be prevented by action today.

Here are some of those actions:
• Tell your Congressman to support HR 1077, The Consumer Mortgage Choice Act, which
will prevent reduced access to Qualified Mortgages (QM) for many consumers.
• Tell them to oppose major changes to FHA, such as reduced loan limits, increased down
payments, limiting to first-time homebuyers, or people of certain income levels.
• Tell them to oppose efforts to do away with the function the Government Sponsored
Enterprises play in establishing a securities market for mortgages.
• Tell them to oppose Basel III capital rules that discriminate against mortgages as secure
instruments.
• Tell them to oppose a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) that establishes a down
payment standard and extremely tight debt-to-income and credit standards.
• Tell them to support equal treatment for condos under the FHA program.
• Tell them to support opening FHA 203K for investors to help rebuild communities one
home at a time.
These are a few of the actions you can take to keep the housing recovery going. While you
are telling Congress these things, you should also weigh in with the regulators, such as the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau (CFPB). HUD plays a key role in the QRM and FHA rules, while CFPB is
responsible for the QM, RESPA, TILA, Loan Officer Compensation, and a host of other
rules. Congress, the regulators, and the administration can all help to ensure a sustained
housing recovery, but only if they do the right things.
This column is brought to you by the NAR Real Estate Services group.

Our Newest Rolling Hills Estates Listing

31 Harbor Sight Dr, Rolling Hills Estates

Beautifully remodeled Rolling Hills Estates Home on quiet cul-de-sac. This home has 3,308 sq ft with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths plus office/4th bedroom. There are beautiful hard wood floors, custom cabinetry throughout and an extra large family room with bonus room attached. This home has been remodeled with a new roof, new heating and air conditioning, remodeled kitchen, bathrooms, windows and doors. There is a large backyard with a sparkling pool and a lower pad for equestrian use. This is a move in ready home with great entertaining space.
$1,695,000

Housing is in Bloom

The nation's housing sector is buzzing like bees in springtime. And indeed, housing has historically boosted the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and job creation, which are key stimulators and indicators of economic health. 

When GDP is referenced in news media, it means the total goods and services produced by labor and property in the U.S. This figure is measured quarterly, and recent figures show that GDP increased impressively at 3.1 percent in the 1st quarter of 2013, up from 0.4 percent in the last quarter of 2012. 

Sales of previously-owned houses increased three straight months in March, rising 0.4 percent to a 5 million annualized rate, its highest level since late 2009, then took a small dip in late April by 0.6 percent to 4.92 million units. During this time, new home sales maintained an upward climb by 1.5 percent within expectations to 416,000. Analysts say housing could provide tailwinds strong enough to realize the improvement to the labor market for which the folks at the Fed are hoping. The Fed (which sets the U.S. monetary policy by monitoring national employment, prices and interest rates) recently noted that inflation also remains in check. 

Homebuilders across the nation have contributed to the increase in Housing Starts, up a whopping 47 percent over the same period last year. At their highest since June 2008, Housing Starts spiked by 7 percent this March to 1.036 million units on an annualized basis, well above the 930,000 expected, though they did decline in April. Gains in home prices and construction will put more Americans to work this year, and that's good news overall for the health of the U.S. economy.

Can You Afford to Buy A House?

To help you understand and realize if you can really afford to buy a house, here are some guidelines to ponder:

1. Annual income: Whether you are alone or you have a partner whose planning to buy a house, it is important to have a breakdown of your income which usually includes the basic salary, bonuses, overtimes, and income that  is coming from investments. Knowing your annual income will determine how much you can afford in the future.

2. Monthly debt: You also need to calculate your monthly debt because you will need it to determine your debt to income ratio which is a very important factor in getting a mortgage.  Monthly debt usually includes car payments, credit card payments, house payments, personal loan payments, or student loan payments.

3. Debt to income ratio: This is used by banks or lenders to determine the financial status of the barrower. Calculating the debt to income ratio is very easy as long as you have your income and debt figures ready. It is advisable to follow the monthly (income and debt) figures. So let us say for example that you have an income or $10,000 a month, and then your total monthly debt is $4000. You just have to divide your total monthly debt ($4000) by your monthly income ($10,000) which will give a ratio of 40%. When it comes to mortgage, lenders usually have two kinds for debt to income ratio which is known as front and back ratio. The front ratio is your debt to income ratio that comprises all housing payments while the back ratio is your debt to income ratio without housing payments.  Higher chance of considerations will be given to those who have a front debt to income ratio of 36% or less and a back debt to income ratio of 28% or less.  Bear in mind that the debt to income ratio is not only the sole factor than lenders consider; however, knowing the ratio can help you see the big picture or how well you do financially.

 4. Down Payment:  A reasonable home down payment has been quite a hot issue in the Congress. Recently, a minimum of 5% is quite reasonable. However, you have to understand that the amount of your down payment can determine the amount of mortgage you can afford. When deciding how much down payment you are willing to pay, consider other expenses including closing costs you will encounter in the future.

5.  Closing Costs:  Never overlooked closing costs because you might end up frustrated to know how much money you have spent over it. Here are some examples of closing costs to take note:

• Home inspection charges – To protect you from underlying issues, home inspection is a must.
• Appraisal Fee – Appraisal determines the property lending value for mortgage reasons.
• Paper works – It includes fees on deeds, titles, and land transfers.

 6. Taxes and Insurances: Both lender and borrower have their designated insurances. We have what we call Hazard insurance to provide damage protection on the property; Private Mortgage insurance which is required for borrowers who paid less 20% down payment. Then, we have income and property taxes to take note too.

Josh writes for Scott Maizlish’s Park City Realtor Blog. Visit their website for Canyons Real Estate news and updates. Or check them out at Scott Maizlish Park City Realtor’s Google + Page.

What You Need To Know About Your HOA

Does your prospective neighborhood have an HOA?  HOA stands for Home Owners Association and it is usually a group of homeowners that develop and enforce community rules and regulations.  A home owners association can be a very good thing.  However, it can also become an out of control nightmare if those group of people begin to implement seemingly unreasonable rules and regulations. It is best to do your research before getting stuck with it.

Here are some of the pros and cons of a homeowners association

Pros:

• An HOA will develop rules for the neighborhood that will keep the community in good cosmetic condition and keep the community a peaceful place to live
• An HOA collects a monthly fee from all homeowners.  Those fees are used for the upkeep of the community amenities and common areas, as well as, organizing community events etc. 
• An HOA has the ability to assist you with any neighbor disputes or disagreements
• Can protect your property value
• You get to enjoy all the amenities that come along such as pool, tennis courts, gym, etc.

Cons:

• An HOA could fail to budget properly for community repairs and expenses
• An HOA could levy unexpected assessments
• An HOA could increase the dues beyond what you may think is reasonable
• An HOA could neglect to enforce the regulations
• An HOA could become overly restrictive in enforcing regulations.  Such as allowable paint colors, what flooring materials can be used, what pets or pet breeds you are allowed to have and what types of noises they actually consider "noise"

A homeowners association has greater power than you may think when it comes to enforcing the rules.  For example:  if you don't pay your HOA fees,  the HOA can send your past due bills to a collection agency and report your debt to the credit reporting agencies.

 Then if you still don't pay what you owe, they can  actually foreclose and repossess your home.   The same goes for violating the rules.  If you don't abide by the rules, even if you think they are unfair, you could potentially be assessed daily fines for not complying.   It is possible that if you don't comply,  you could find yourself having to abide by a court order to get rid of your pet or to take up the beautiful new flooring you just put in etc.

Your best bet in protecting yourself,  before buying a home in a neighborhood that has an HOA, is by vetting the Association before you buy your home.  You can do this by requesting copies of the HOA budget documents, account statements, insurance certificates, board meeting minutes and transcripts, community newsletters, a copy of all of the rules and regulations documents.  Every homeowners association is required by law to make this information public and available upon request.
Additionally, it is a good idea to talk with some of the residents of the community.  Find out home many homeowners are delinquent in their dues and / or are going into foreclosure.
If you come across a rule or regulation that you do not believe is fair, you can always apply for an exception or contest to the rule.  You will need to do this publicly through the HOA management or make an appeal directly to the board.

Generally, more often than not, a homeowners association is a very good thing for the community as a whole.  However, it is best to do your due diligence before you move into the neighborhood.

If you have found a home in a neighborhood that has a disagreeable HOA, talk to your realtor and let them know of your findings.  They will then help you with any other options  that may be available to you.  Additionally, before  you begin your home search, ask your realtor to help you avoid a neighborhood that has a reputation of bad HOA management.  This  will help you avoid potential problems altogether.

To Buy or Rent

Its a buyers market, therefore we say BUY! Home prices have dropped and will only go up. Minimal interest rates and the cost of rental properties on the rise, now is the time for renters to really consider buying house. HouseSavvy, a premier real estate relocation organization agrees with us.

When housing bubble burst in 2006, the cost of buying a house was higher then renting, but now the tables have turned. Rental cost had remained on the higher side in many communities. If you combine the decrease in home prices, high rental costs and historically low interest rates; the time may be ideal for renters to consider buying.

Deutsche Bank recently did a study that reported the share of income Americans are now paying to own their homes is 9.8% after mortgage, further says that in 28 out of the country's 54 major markets, its now less expensive to pay a mortgage and other major housing costs than to rent the same house.

If you are still on the fence, make your own analysis. Make a list of the total cost to rent a home or apartment, include tenants insurance, and maintenance/association fees. Then make a list to determine the cost of buying a house. You are going to have to do some research, search for houses for sale in your price range and find out the prices of comps or similar homes that have been selling recently. Your Realtor can also help you to do this. Once you figure out a price for the home ask you Realtor to estimate what the real estate taxes and utilities and insurance cost for a home at this price. Then lastly talk to a local bank or mortgage broker to find out the cost and availability of the mortgage needed to buy the home.

10 Decorating Tips for A Stress-Free Home

Create a Clutter Free Environment-

Most people tend to store stuff they don’t really need such as piles of newspapers or trash bags full of garbage or outgrown clothes. Take a little time to designate a specific area or container for items that need to be taken out of the house and another container for you to place items that you bring home. Do you really need a lot of end tables and clutter in your living room? If you confined, then you most likely will feel stressed. Also, re-arrange areas that limit your walking ability such as a coffee table that fits close up to your couch. You will lessen the chance of stubbing your toes while trying to relax.

Have Less Lighting-
Everyone knows that low lighting can be more relaxing. Rather than have a bright overhead light on in your living room or bedroom, bring in a few lamps to place around the room. You will instantly feel more at ease thanks to the softer glow of lamp lights.

Be Less Bold in Your Color Choice-
If you truly want a relaxing stress-free home to come home to then you should consider keeping bright colors and bold patterns to a minimum. If you want to add a little color that is fine, a bright red throw pillow or something on the couch is fine, but your walls should be painted a more neutral earthy tone. If your eyes are busy focusing on all the bright colors in the room, you will have a harder time relaxing. If painting a room isn’t something you want to do, then focus more on pale colored lamp shades, throw pillows, and other decorative items.

Express the Nature Lover in You-
One very important decorating tip for a stress-free home is nature and incorporating natural elements into your home. House plants, mirrors across from windows and natural landscape artwork will bring a relaxing and fresh feeling to any room inside your house.

Surround Yourself with Home-
You may also want to consider putting a favorite item such as an old cabinet with photos of your family on it, a vase of flowers etc. near your front door or the main area you walk into when you first get home. This will remind you that you are home as soon as you walk in the door and you will instantly feel more relaxed. This idea can also be incorporated into other areas of your home. It is always good to “feel at home”, your photos and other favorite things will emphasize the “home” feeling.

Say Good Night to Electronics-
If you have a TV in your bedroom or a computer that stays on all night or blinks while in standby mode, you are telling yourself to stay awake and not relax. This will increase your stress level throughout the night cause you didn’t get the sleep you should have and the next morning, you will start the day filled with tension.

Create Your Idea of Paradise-
In your bedroom, living room; bathroom, etc. wherever you want to feel at ease, surround yourself by the essence of paradise for yourself. If you love walking on the beach during the summer months, why not surround yourself with things that remind you of those long walks? If your idea of heaven is a mountainous terrain or a cabin in the woods, bring in rustic furniture or paintings of trees and mountains, gentle streams, etc.

Pets Help with Relaxing-
Incorporating a fish tank into your home will also serve to create a stress-free area. You will enjoy sitting back watching your fish swim around their tank and it will calm you. If space allows, other pets can relax you as well. Everyone loves to come home to a welcoming committee and your beloved dog or cat can do as much for you as your spouse and children
A Corner for Yourself-
Create a corner or a special area inside your home for you to go to when you need a moment to unwind. This can be in the bedroom or a spot in the living room. Tell your kids that when you are in this area that you are taking time to relax and ask them to not bother you while you are there.

Natural Lighting Sooths the Soul-
Eliminate the dark window blinds and curtains in your home, even in the bedroom. You will feel more at ease and peaceful waking up to natural light coming in the windows. You will also be more willing to wake up when the alarm clock starts buzzing because your body will see the morning light and take it as a clue to get the day going.

When considering all the tips for decorating stress-free home, it can be as simple or as complicated as you want. Nothing has to cost you a fortune and there is nothing you shouldn’t do while creating your haven as long as you feel relaxed when you’re surrounded by it.

Author Bio- This post has been written by Tresssy Jones. She loves to write about Home Improvement. She is evangelist at Atlanta Ductless Air Conditioning. They provide best heating and air conditioning services.

Celebrating Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!
What does this mean for you and your household. It can simply mean turning off the lights when there not in use, or don't keep the water running when not being used. Today you can make the decision to go a little more green and save money along the way, here are some household tips to achieve that: 

Power off

• The screensaver on your computer uses the same amount of power as when it's on and being used. Switch your PC off if you're going to be away for a while.
• Turn down your water heater. By lowering the temperature on your water heater from 140 to 120 degrees will reduce your water heating costs by 6-10%
• 50-70% of a household energy costs come from heating & cooling according to the Department of Energy.
• Installing a programmable thermostat will save you approximetly $150 a year.
• Aim for 78 degrees of higher when you are at home while reducing your cooling loads 10-20%. When you are away from home make it 85 degrees, and save an additional 5-12%.
• In cold weather for every degree you lower the thermostat you will save between 1 and 3% of your heating bill. 

Unplug

• Unplug unused chargers, plugged in cellphones, laptops or anything for that matter. Americans throw away about 8% of our annual electric bill from having objects just simply plugged in.

• The easiest way to save is to buy a surge protector that can plug in multiple units, that way you can turn off more than one charger in one switch.

Light Fixtures

• Install CFL's, the spiral-shaped bulbs known as compact fluorescents use less than a third of the energy regular bulbs use and last 10x longer. 
• If every household in the U.S. replaced just on regular bulb with a CFL, the amount of energy saved could light 2.5 million homes for a year.

Water Fixtures

• Buy low-flow toilets, they use less than a gallon of water, brands such as American Standard, Toto and Kohler. Toilets used to use about 5 gallons per flush, so if your toilet is outdated it may be time to make this change.
• Buy low-flow shower heads, which can decrease water usage by 50-70%. They only cost about $8
•  install low-flow faucets.
• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
• Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.

Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances

• Look for the blue and white label which means the item uses at least 10-50% more efficient than standard models. more than 18,000 products have the Energy Star design.

Other

• Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. It will save you money & help you live a more green lifestyle.
• Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.

By making these small changes you can save money & make for a cleaner earth one household at a time

10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

Here are some great tips for home maintenance by MyBlogGuest

Roof Inspection-
It is very important to make sure that you visit the roof of your house and inspect it to see what needs to be done. If you find yourself uncomfortable with climbing up, you can hire a contractor to carry out the inspection on your behalf. The most critical areas to look for are the places where the roof connects with walls and condition of the shingles. If you see any damage, make an effort to repair those areas.

Inspect downspouts and gutters-
When inspecting these two areas, the most critical places to check are where fasteners have been used as they tend to get lose during winter. Once they get lose, the gutter run sags and this is what you need to repair.

Inspect gates and fences-
The ground becomes too wet during winter, the soil becomes lose and this means that the posts used to support the fence will wiggle. As you go along the fence, shake each individual post to see how firm it is. If weak, wait till the ground dries and add concrete to give more support and all should be well.

Cleaning the yard-
The yard does not sustain so much damage other than dirt accumulation and this is what you need to deal with. If you have trees in the yard, note if there are any broken branches than trim them off. Collect all dirt in the yard and dispose of all the dry leaves fallen from the trees.

Air conditioners and fans-
For the fans, check to make sure that no water leaked to them and it is always wise to uncover them and clean them. For the air conditioners, they should be inspected just to make sure that no debris found its way to their interior as it would damage the delicate machines. Should any be found, immediate removal is recommended.

The sprinklers-
Turn the sprinklers on and let them complete one or two cycles and watch how they are behaving. You will no doubt note that some water is hitting the wrong places and these are the sprinklers that need to be adjusted. In some cases, all they have is a bit of dirt and removing the dirt will set them back to normal working condition. Any damaged ones should be replaced.

Faucet covers and vent blocks-
Once the harsh winter is gone; open up the faucet covers and vent blocks to see if the winter did any damage. The main thing to look for is whether the vent blocks allowed any water to get in and if so, take measures to restore it to its normal state.

Check the yard tools-
There are so many yard tools that need to be inspected and repaired to make sure they are ready for service during the summer. The good news is that not much has to be done and all you need to do is fasten them, sharpen the cutting ones and power the electric ones to confirm they are still working. Any damaged ones should be repaired.

Furnace filters-
During winter, you most likely used a lot of heating and this means that the furnace filters are full of smoke. If you have a centralized air conditioning system; it is also possible to find the filters full of dust. These are the two reasons that make it very necessary to change the filters as summer begins.

Inspect smoke detectors-
It is important to make sure that winter did not freeze your smoke detectors. Take some time and check their covers and batteries, power them on to see that they are working and you are done with getting your home ready for summer.