3 Inexpensive Upgrades that can Increase the Value of your Home
Most people take great pride in making their home more appealing, and homeowners can spend hundreds or thousands each year on improvements and alterations. One of the main things to consider when choosing an improvement project is how much value it could potentially add to your residence. You also need to think about the overall cost of the project. Here are some inexpensive improvements that can increase the value of your home:
Emergent Building Trends
The National Association of Home Builders released a study naming the home trends, buyer preferences, and must-have features for 2020, including energy efficiency. Efficient lighting, programmable thermostats, and Energy Star–rated appliances are the green features most likely to be included in new homes this year, according to Rose Quint, the NAHB’s assistant vice president of survey research.
Easy Peanut Butter Whips
Ingredients:
• 8 OZ WHIPPED TOPPING
• 3 TABLESPOONS PEANUT BUTTER
• 3-4 TABLESPOONS SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE SYRUP
St. Patrick's Day Bark
Ingredients:
• 2 4OZ BOXES OF WHITE CHOCOLATE
• 1 BAG GREEN CANDY MELTS
• 1 CUP GREEN M&MS
• GREEN SPRINKLES (OPTIONAL)
Home Improvements with High ROI
If the ultimate goal of your home improvement project is aesthetic, the greatest benefit may come from your personal enjoyment of the new space. However, if you're looking to add true value to your home, it's important to consider which projects are likely to bring the greatest return on your investment.
Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year
The Pantone Color Institute is the business unit within Pantone that highlights the top seasonal design colors, selects the Pantone Color of the Year, forecasts global color trends, and advises companies on color for product and brand visual identity. Through seasonal trend forecasts, color psychology, and color consulting, the Pantone Color Institute partners with global brands to effectively leverage the power, psychology, and emotion of color in their design strategy.
Winter Safety Tips to Keep in Mind
Don't let an accident at home ruin your winter wonderland! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds families to remain vigilant about safety in and around the home this winter. Here are three winter hazards to keep in mind, according to the CPSC:
Dark Chocolate Truffle Tart
Ingredients:
For the crust
1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
4 tbsp butter, melted
For the ganache
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
12 ounces dark chocolate, roughly chopped
4 tbsp butter, room temperature, cut into 1 tablespoon-ish pieces.
1 tbsp flaky sea salt
Why Have a Buyer's Agent When Purchasing a Home?
Buying a house is one of the most significant undertakings you'll make in your entire life. It's not simply about finding the right home for you and your family; more than anything, buying a house is about making the right financial investment on a long-term basis. Before you even put down your earnest money deposit, an exceptional buyer's agent will have been doing several things for you, including searching for the right property and starting the due diligence process when you do.
2020 Housing Market: What the Experts Think
By Suzanne De Vita
Balance.
Everyone felt it at the start of the year—conditions leveling, the market yin and yanging. About half of Power Brokers sensed it, too—that the current cycle's ending, and a different dynamic's emerging. Now, with two months left in 2019, the consensus is similar…but certain factors remain unclear.
Crispy Cheddar Cauli-Tots
Ingredients:
3 CUPS SHREDDED RAW CAULIFLOWER
1 CUP AGED CHEDDAR
1 LARGE EGG
1/4 CUP CORNMEAL
1 TEASPOON SALT
1/2 TEASPOON GROUND MUSTARD
Sweet Potato Honey Cornbread
Ingredients:
1 CUP FLOUR
1 CUP CORNMEAL
1/2 CUP WHITE GRANULATED SUGAR
1/2 TSP CINNAMON
1 TSP BAKING POWDER
1 TSP BAKING SODA
2 EGGS
1 CUP WHOLE MILK
1/2 TSP SALT
1/2 CUP UNSALTED MELTED BUTTER (ONESTICK)
2 CUPS MASHED SWEET POTATOES
1/3 CUP HONEY
How to Spot Real Estate Scams
Scams no longer take place solely on email and by phone. According to Statista, over 2.5 billion people worldwide used social media in 2018. This, unfortunately, provides the perfect grouping of unsuspecting victims for scammers. While many post on social media daily, the majority of users have difficulty spotting scams before they've been compromised—and within the real estate space, users can lose out on more than just data, risking not only their safety but their belongings and money, as well.
What's Driving Home Improvement?
While there are many reasons to embark on a home improvement project, from increasing your home’s value to expanding your living space for your family, for some Americans, the next-door neighbors are the driving force.
Maintaining an Organized Home
This time of year, family life can get a little messy. School schedules and sports activities mix with work commitments and, before long, the house is as cluttered as the calendar.Fall is the perfect time of year to recommit to an organized household so you can keep the chaos contained. With these tips, you can make small changes to help you get organized and stay that way.
What Would You Give Up for the 'American Dream'?
How much would people be willing to sacrifice to obtain their own home? A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Wells Fargo provided some clarity on that concept.
How To Better Invest in Your Home
Many Americans own homes that need a little work. Whether you need to revamp a few fixtures or totally renovate, you want to make sure you're making the smartest decision for your style, and wallet. To help, HGTV host and real estate expert Egypt Sherrod offers the following home improvement insights, in partnership with LightStream.
Lemon Drop Mini Cakes
Try out these delicious lemon drop mini cakes for your next open house!
How Credit Scores Impact Your Interest Rate
We should all make sure we look after our finances, especially when a home purchase is on the horizon. Your financial well-being can have a huge impact on the interest rate you'll end up paying on your mortgage. Most lenders, whether U.S.-based or not, are going to check your financial status before they even start talking about prevailing mortgage interest rates. In other words: Your credit score really matters!