How to Introduce Yourself to New Neighbors After Moving
Just because you have an opportunity to meet your new neighbors after you move into the neighborhood doesn't necessarily make it easier to do. But getting to know your neighbors will help you feel like your at home and settled into your new space. Careful Observation Check out your neighborhood. Note those who seem to have kids, (toys out front, loud screams from the backyard, and parents frantically trying to get small people into a van along with sports equipment.) Those wh
How To Choose A Neighborhood
If houses are like spouses, a neighborhood is like the extended family. But while you can have a good marriage and still dread holidays with the in-laws, you'll never love a house if you don't like your neighborhood. How can you choose the right community? Become a neighborhood detective. Figure out what you're looking for, do research and find a neighborhood that fits your description. You don't even have to wear a trench coat -- but it probably wouldn't hurt. Step 1: Profil
The Essentials Checklist for Newly Married Homeowners
After a beautiful wedding celebration and exotic honeymoon, you and your loved one are ready to settle in and enjoy your newly married bliss, especially in a new home. Although putting together a house can seem like an everlasting project, you can make it your home right away with the following new-home essentials. Drapes Create a color scheme for your home by starting with your window treatments. The interior-design theme of your home can be a long-term project, and hanging
The Best Must-Have Smart Home Gadgets Available Today
Have you ever been grocery shopping only to find yourself wondering if you still have butter in your fridge? This conundrum might be a thing of the past in the smart home of the future. Smart refrigerators allow you to check out the contents of your fridge by viewing it from your phone no matter where you are. Smart refrigerators and other smart devices are showing us the possibilities of a smart home. And analysts predict the smart home devices industry will reach $107.4 bil
7 Simple Steps to Creating a Room Just for Your Dog
Leaving your dog home alone is hard on both of you. It’s tough to leave that sweet face behind! But the truth is, your dog can handle short periods of alone time just fine, especially if you set up a “dog-safe zone” to keep them comfortable and entertained. Whether it’s a well-appointed crate or an entire spare room, read on to learn everything you need to create the perfect dog zone for your best friend. 1. The room itself A dog zone doesn’t have to be huge. In fact, many do
8 Unbeatable Benefits of VA Home Loans
The VA home loan program is more important today than ever before and is one of the most powerful loan options on the market for active military and veterans. It’s increasingly difficult for many military borrowers to build the credit and assets necessary to move forward with conventional home financing. The VA loan program’s advantages over other loan types are a big reason why VA loan volume has continually grown over the last five years. VA financing comes with significant
10 Quick Tips To Create A Home Office You’ll Actually Want To Work In
Working from home has a lot of upsides— better work-life balance, no commute, but the ability to design an office you love is an upside too. We reached out to Linda Varone, author of The Smarter Home Office, and Michael Chauliac, VP of Marketing at Poppin, the online office supply and furniture retailer, for advice on creating the ultimate home office: one that makes you crazy productive, and happy too. 1. USE PINTEREST RESPONSIBLY. Browse for inspiration, but remember that o
14 Reasons to Stage Your House
Staging a house for sale can be a time-consuming process. According to some experts, it may cost you anywhere from $200 – $2,000, depending on how much work is needed. But is it really worth the time and expense? Does it really make a difference? In a word … yes! Here are 14 reasons why you should stage your house before you try to sell it. 1. You’ll Increase the Likelihood of a Sale When selling your home, the goal is to sell it fast and for the highest possible price. You c
Preparing Your Child For A Move
Sooner or later, many families face the prospect of moving. Disruptive as moving can be for parents, the experience can be even more traumatic for kids, who may not be a part of the decision to move and might not understand it. Kids can need some time and special attention during the transition. Try these tips to make the process less stressful for everyone. Making the Decision to Move Many kids thrive on familiarity and routine. So as you consider a move, weigh the benefits
4 Signs You’re a Great VA Loan Candidate
VA loans offer a host of huge benefits, from $0 down payment and no mortgage insurance to limits on what buyers can pay in closing costs. It’s part of a benefit program that’s helped millions of veterans and military members purchase a home since World War II. But this is also a specialized mortgage option with some unique requirements: VA loans may not be the right fit for every military buyer. Here’s a look at four signs you’re a good candidate: 1. You’re eligible Veterans