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A luxury home is way more than just the house itself… it’s the entire property, and especially that coveted backyard space. Now with outdoor living being more important than ever with buyers, that space between the house and property line truly packs a punch in today’s luxury home market. Here’s a rundown of the most sought after outdoor features for luxury buyers:

Outdoor Living

A true outdoor living space, with emphasis on the living part, is a beloved feature that truly brings the inside, out. Spaces that allow for all the comforts of a cozy living room, that flows perfectly from the inside of the home (typically off a main living space or kitchen) to the outdoors are a favorite. To keep the comfort level up, outdoor living spaces usually have…

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It’s a truism that renovations are always delayed and over budget. In fact, homeowners may be more anxious about the budgeting aspect of a renovation than they are about living through the construction itself. Despite the inherent unpredictability of any type of construction, it’s possible to learn how to set a home renovation budget that will protect your savings account.

Practice Frugality

While there’s nothing wrong with splurging on a few items during your renovation, it’s unwise to choose the very best you can afford in every category. Stretching a budget too thin by packing in too many splurges is, in fact, the most common reason that remodeling efforts are shelved before they’re completed.

Include 20% for Overages

It’s important to…

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Major home renovations are often intended to benefit the homeowners directly. When it comes time to sell your home, however, the scale and intent of upgrades can be much different. The good news is, you don’t have to stretch your budget to the limit to create impactful changes. In this article, we’ll outline easy updates to quickly sell your home. Whether your home needs work on the interior or exterior, we’ve got the projects that will give you an excellent ROI.

Updates to Your Home’s Exterior

The impact of your home’s curb appeal cannot be overstated. Buyers will often judge your home before they have even stepped out of their car; updates to your home’s exterior may encourage buyers to approach the rest of your home with confidence and…

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There are three numbers that matter the most when it comes to a home loan application. They are your credit score, your debt-to-income ratio, and your loan-to-value ratio. These specific numbers matter because they affect your ability to qualify for a home loan as well as your interest rate for the loan.

This article will give you a quick overview of those numbers and how they affect your mortgage!

Your Credit Score

You’re likely familiar with this number. A credit score, also sometimes called your FICO score, is a three-digit number between 300-850. This number scores your borrowing history. It’s independently calculated by each of the three main credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) using your payment history, your current debt,…

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Many Americans will put plenty of hours into beautifying their lawns and gardens. However, it’s not always easy to do so, and it’s certainly not always cheap. With that in mind, here are 12 tips that will help you save money while still making sure your yard looks its best all summer long, without breaking the bank:

1.) Stay on the lookout for weeds

Weeds are a problem for your lawn or garden simply because they consume nutrients your preferred plants also need, according to Wisebread. Consequently, you will need to be vigilant about what you planted and if anything growing on your lawn or in your garden shouldn’t be there. As long as you pull the weeds out roots and all, you should be safe from the issue, but if some are being particularly…

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When it comes to energy -saving, planet-helping home changes; little things add up. Not only do the little things add up in energy savings for your own home, but for the environment, as well. Let’s all do our part (and save some money in the meantime!), and think about implementing some of the energy tactics below:

Filters, and More Filters

Not only does changing filters mean healthier air and water, but changing air filters can reduce the energy it takes to heat and cool your house, as well. A win-win.

Lighting

Check each light bulb to make sure they are the correct wattage for the fixture, replace burned out bulbs, and think about converting to LED for reduced energy and heat. Bonus: Don’t forget to use natural light when possible – no…

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When your home is short on square footage, decorating can be challenging. It may seem more practical to focus on making your home fully functional, but in the long run, you’ll be happier living in your home if it’s cleverly decorated. Our 10 tips for making a small space feel big will transform your small home.

1.) Choose light, neutral hues.

It is a generally accepted rule that lighter colors contribute to an open, airy feel. By contrast, dark colors tend to absorb light, creating a close, cozy feel.

To fully benefit from this wizardry, decorate in soft, off-white and neutral hues. Lighter, brighter walls will recede from the contrast of your furnishings, making your room feel instantly larger.

Installing soft, light flooring will further…

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The countdown has ended, the planning is done, and thoughts of sweet, sweet vacation time is the only thing filling your mind. But wait … what about the house? It’s important, even in pre-vacation bliss, to prep your house for your time away, so that while you’re gone you know you don’t have anything to worry about. We’ve made it easy with this quick checklist. Have any must-do’s that you recommend? Leave a comment!

1.) Clean Out Fridge

Avoid spoiled food and everything else that comes along by cleaning out your fridge before you leave. Bonus? Wipe down the shelves, and do a little organizing while there is less food in the fridge for a little post-vacation joy.

2.) Remove Spare Keys

No matter how tricky you think you are with your key…

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While most of us have seen countless home improvement shows over the years, fewer people realize that there are also podcasts tailored to every aspect of home ownership. Whether you’re in the early stages of planning out your project or are renovating on a budget, today’s best podcasts for current or future homeowners have the answers to all of your questions.

Each podcast is free to download for Android and iOS, including links to extensive, information-packed archives.

Home Repair Tutor

Intended for the new or struggling DIY homeowner, Home Repair Tutor aims to educate and inspire. This weekly podcast is crammed with tips on buying the right tools and supplies, proper preparation, and guidelines to help you decide whether or not you can…

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Is it worth moving to shorten your work commute? It certainly sounds reasonable but let’s break it down and see if it makes sense for your situation.

But first, is commuting all that bad? Unfortunately, yes! Some say that long work commutes add unnecessary stress to their lives and may even impact health. Studies have shown that long commutes may be the same as adding an additional 800 calories to your diet! Plus there’s the financial impact. More gas and wear on your car can add up quickly.

Yet, there are others that appreciate a long drive after work. They say that it helps them to “decompress” before getting home.

Is a long commute right for you? Should you move to shorten it? Ask yourself these questions to which way you lean!

Should You…

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