Today we feature an infographic about the importance of curb appeal created by Door Emporium:
Author: Benchmark
5 Ways to Remodel a Kitchen on a Shoestring Budget
When the time comes to make changes to a kitchen, some people may not be aware of all their options. This is especially the case when a homeowner has a small shoestring budget.
Here are a few ways to remodel a kitchen on a shoestring budget:
1. Paint The Cabinets
If a person wishes to make a change to a kitchen without spending a lot of money, it is a good idea to consider painting the cabinets. If your cabinets are decades old; they may cause you to feel frustrated or outdated. A person can add a coat of paint over the cabinets in one weekend. This is really easy to do if the cabinets have never been painted before. However, it may be necessary to provide several coats in order to cover an older color. A person should think about the overall theme of the kitchen when selecting a color.
2. Add Decorative Tiles
It may not be enough to change the color of the cabinets. If this is the case, a person may wish to add some decorative tiles as a backsplash in the kitchen. This is an excellent way to add a touch of color or personality to the room. It may also make it easier to clean the wall after a messy cooking session. There are many tiles to choose from, and a person does not have to look far to find something suitable.
3. Add A Few Accessories
Many people make changes to a kitchen by adding new accessories. This does not take up a lot of time, and a person does not have to spend a lot of money in order to make a dramatic change in the room. For example, a person may choose to add a vase of flowers or a bowl of fruit to the kitchen table. If this is not what a person wants, he or she may wish to add some colorful pictures to the wall. Buying a couple nice accessories will help you keep the space current as your tastes change.
4. Change Drawer Pulls
If you still have brass drawer pulls it me be time to upgrade them to something like stainless steel or brushed aluminum. This is one of the fastest ways to get an updated feeling into the kitchen. Stores like IKEA or Restoration Hardware have tons of different drawer pulls to choose from.
5. Change Out The Appliances
New appliances add a sense of freshness to a kitchen. While this can be one of the pricier ways to update your space, these changes last for years and years. Look for a scratch and dent place near you for some of the best deals.
The information above should give you some ideas on how to remodel a kitchen on a shoestring budget.
How Will Latinos Affect the Future Real Estate Market? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Today we feature an infographic about how the current Latin population trends could affect the future real estate market.
Discover These Unique Holidays During November
November is considered a big holiday month because of Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. Many people also look forward to Black Friday sales that signal the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. What you may not realize is that November is chock full of unique celebratory days.
These amusing, thoughtful and wacky days deserve special attention too:
Book Lovers Day – 11/2Celebrate your bookish ways on this day.
Deviled Egg Day – 11/2
Got a hankering for deviled eggs? This is the day to enjoy as many as you can eat.
Look for Circles Day – 11/2
Anyone looking for circles on this day is sure to find plenty!
Housewife Day – 11/3
Celebrate the housewife, or househusband, that makes coming home worthwhile.
Sandwich Day – 11/3
This is the day to enjoy your most favorite sandwiches.
Saxophone Day – 11/6
Listen to music performed by great jazz saxophone players such as John Coltrane, Stan Getz and Charlie Parker.
Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day – 11/7
As if anyone needs an excuse to indulge in chocolate.
USMC Day – 11/10
This is the day the United States Marine Corps was created back in 1775. Thank a Marine for their service.
Young Readers Day – Second Tuesday
Encourage a child to read a book.
World Kindness Day – 11/13
Take a moment to show kindness to someone.
Operating Room Nurse Day – 11/14
This day recognizes the dedication and contributions of hard working nurses.
Clean Your Refrigerator Day – 11/15
Roll up your sleeves and clear out old food, spills and mold.
America Recycles Day – 11/15
Go green and recycle.
Button Day – 11/16
Proudly wear your message button.
Have a Party with Your Bear Day – 11/16
It’s a great day for a Teddy bear party.
Homemade Bread Day – 11/17
Bake or eat fresh homemade bread.
Take a Hike Day – 11/17
Go for a relaxing hike.
World Peace Day – 11/17
Make the world a better place by promoting peace and harmony.
Beautiful Day – 11/20
Find something beautiful to appreciate.
National Parfait Day – 11/25
Spoil yourself with a delicious ice cream treat.
Make Your Own Head Day – 11/28
Draw, paint or sculpt your head.
Buy Nothing Day – 11/29
Blissfully enjoy not spending money.
7 Fall Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
Fall is the perfect time to get all of your home maintenance and winter preparation projects done. It is the time of year when things cool off and it gives you the best opportunity for accomplishing all you need to before the cold winter months.
Help get your home ready for winter with these fall maintenance tips:
1. Check windows and doors.
This is one of the easiest ways to save on winter energy bills and keep your house from getting cold. Make sure there are not cracks, leaks or air coming through the window sills or door frames.
2. Clean you heating and air conditioning.
Having your air conditioner and heater units cleaned twice a year- spring and fall- will help your family stay healthier and expand the life of your units. A professional cleaning is inexpensive and takes a very short amount of time.
3. Check your fireplace.
Many people still use wood burning or gas fireplaces in the winter. Do a visual inspection of your fireplace to make sure that it is in good working order. Give it a test run at some point in the fall, before it gets too cold, to make sure that it will be functioning in the winter.
4. Clean your water heater.
You can clean your water heater by simply draining it. Allow all of the water in the tank to come out. This will get rid of any buildup that is in the heater due to sediment and will help prevent it from building up during the winter.
5. Protect your hose.
To keep your garden hose from freezing and cracking empty it completely and disconnect it from the spigot. Moving it inside is also a good idea to help prevent your hose from freezing and getting destroyed.
6. Check your roof.
When prepping maintaining your home it is important to start from the bottom up. Take a look at your roof- even from the ground- and see if there are any missing shingles or holes in the roof. Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves, sticks and debris.
7. Clean out the garage.
Make sure that any unused gas in equipment is removed and stored properly. Allowing the gas to sit in the fuel tanks can cause sediment in the tank and can potentially ruin the equipment. Since it may be out of use for months, fall is a good time to do this.
Easy and Free Pumpkin Carving Stencils for the Whole Family
Fall weather is setting in, the leaves are turning into vibrant shades of orange, red and yellow and the pumpkins are ready for picking. Carving pumpkins is a fun, time-honored family tradition celebrated across the country. It’s a great way to mark harvest time by spending quality time together. Even the youngest of family members can participate with a little help from their elders.
Get Everyone Involved
Include little ones by letting them choose a pumpkin. Set up your carving area in advance to avoid potential messes. Cover a counter or table with a vinyl tablecloth or old newspapers for easy clean-up. Place one pumpkin for each family member around the table, leaving plenty of elbow room. If you have young children, consider gutting the pumpkins beforehand so they will not lose interest five minutes into the project.
Print several stencils from the list below, letting each family member choose a unique design. Attach stencils to the pumpkin using tape or small thumbtacks. A pumpkin carving kit can provide helpful tools for everyone and usually includes specialty carving items that help with those finely etched designs. You can even get these kits at the dollar store.
Provide support to little ones so they are safe and feel like they are part of the project. Consider pairing siblings together based on age or matching an adult with kids younger than five years old. Remember to focus on the process rather than the end result. Praise your child often and let him or her make design decisions too.
Free Pumpkin Stencils Will Help
Stencils and patterns provide easy lines to follow to create pumpkins that look like they were professionally done. The more complex the stencil, the more difficult it will be to create. First-timers and elementary school kids should opt for simple lines to begin with. You can always go back and add more complexity to the design once its finished.
Complete your family pumpkin carving evening with roasted pumpkin seeds and hot cider, chili or another cozy, home-cooked treat. Your whole family will remember the event for the rest of the year. When next October rolls around, don’t be surprised when your family demands another carving event.
Check out the following websites to download FREE stencils and patterns:
Benchmark To Sponsor Boot’n & Shoot’n 2014 Supporting Boot Campaign
Benchmark is proud to announce they’ve teamed up with The Boot Girls and Boot Campaign to sponsor the Boot’n & Shoot’n 2014 charity event that will be held at the Dallas Gun Club on Friday, April 11, 2014. Benchmark is dedicated to helping wounded warriors receive the assistance they require upon returning from overseas. Another recipient of Operation Home Giveaway will be honored at this annual event.
About Boot Campaign
Started by five Texan women known as The Boot Girls, the Boot Campaign strives to thank and support the troops by encouraging everyone to join in and “Get YOUR Boots On™!”
By sporting combat boots with everyday clothing, the Boot Girls have created an open discussion about patriotism and ways to support the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting America.
All proceeds are used to help over 50,000 wounded soldiers and their families by providing them with assistance for job placement, PTSD counseling, mortgage free homes, and other benefits they need in order to recover and live the life they deserve.
About Boot’n & Shoot’n
The Boot’n & Shoot’n is a fun filled charity event designed to raise the funds the Boot Campaign needs to continue bringing help to soldiers in need of assistance. There will be an auction, team shooting events, and Boots for sale! Don’t miss this opportunity to show tangible support for American troops who have sacrificed their own safety in order to ensure the safety of Americans everywhere.
Why Choose Benchmark
As the nation’s premier boutique mortgage company, Benchmark is proud to serve active duty military and veterans with VA Loans, and the civilian community with over 250 loan programs available. It’s only natural that they would further lend their support by sponsoring this event which benefits such a great cause.
The goal is to turn heroes into homeowners and improve the lives of those who have given so much to the American people.
By happily sponsoring the Boot’n & Shoot’n 2014 charity event, Benchmark is preserving their commitment to excellence and building great relationships within the communities they serve. When customers obtain a loan from Benchmark, the can feel confident knowing that they’ll be supporting a company dedicated to giving back to those in need while receiving the best in customer service and competitive loan rates.
Connect with Operation Home Giveaway at http://operationhomegiveaway.com.
What is a Real Estate Appraisal?
A real estate appraisal is the process of determining the value of a newly build property, the resale value of a residential property, or evaluating properties for investment purposes. The appraisal is a report of many crucial details about the subject property and creates comparisons to similar ones in the neighborhood.
How Do Real Estate Appraisals Work?
When an individual applies for a mortgage, the lender will require the property to be appraised by one of their certified appraisers. The cost, normally around $300 or higher depending on the property, is usually paid by the buyer outside of closing.
The appraiser will start the appraisal with a thorough physical inspection of the property inside and out. Also, they will look at courthouse records, recent real estate reports, and other numerous sources for more information on the subject property.
There are two different methods for conducting appraisals for residences:
The sales comparison approach is based upon comparing the subject property with a few similar homes that have been recently sold in the neighborhood. These are often referred to as the comparables. Analysis will focus on comparing specific bits of information, such as the square footage, style, age, lot size, and various other features of the homes.
The cost approach is mostly used for homes that have just been built and based upon the reproduction costs. This analysis will involve the appraiser estimating the cost to cover replacement of the property if it were to be destroyed. Land value and depreciation can also be added in to determine the value.
What is Included in an Appraisal Report?
The real estate appraisal report will contain:
- An explanation of the method through which the appraiser ended up with the property’s value
- Description of the size and condition of the house, along with any improvements that have been made recently and permanent fixtures
- Accounts of any serious structural problems that were found through the inspection
- Information about the surrounding neighborhood and recent market trends in the area
- Comparisons with other residences surrounding the subject property that will support the market value appraised
- Photographs, maps, or sketches of the subject property and its land
Overall, a real estate appraisal is more than just another cost or hassle added to the buying process. It is protection that will help everyone make informed decisions, so that a fair and reasonable price for market value can be formed.
Creative Ways to Workout at Home for Busy People
A lot of people don’t exercise because they choose not to pay fancy gym memberships, but that shouldn’t be an excuse to avoid working out. The benefits of daily exercise are numerous, and believe it or not, you can get more than enough exercise right from your own home. You don’t need pricey exercise equipment either; all you really need is enough space to move around. Here you’ll find a few creative ways to workout at home:
Try Yoga
Yoga offers numerous benefits like strengthening your core and lowering your stress levels. Practicing yoga will also help you lengthen and strengthen your limbs. Some types of yoga, like power yoga, are also helpful for toning up and losing weight. All you need to start practicing yoga is a mat and an exercise video. YouTube has a good selection of yoga exercise videos, or you can buy different programs on DVD. Another benefit of yoga is that you don’t need too much space to do it, which makes it one of the easiest ways to workout at home.
Just Dance
Another way you can exercise at home is to blast some tunes and dance. Dancing is a great cardiovascular activity that can really help you shed some weight. You don’t need to purchase any equipment to exercise this way, but you will need some music to set the mood. Also, you can wear a heart rate monitor to see if you can keep your heart rate up.y
Jump Rope
Jumping rope is a popular way to workout at home. Jumping rope is a great way to get the body of your dreams because in a single hour, you can burn up to 1,000 calories. Skipping rope also strengthens legs, flattens abs, tones arms and melts fat quickly. You don’t need a lot of space to skip rope, nor do you have to purchase expensive equipment. Jumping rope is such an effective workout that even professional athletes do it for conditioning.
Hula Hoop
The hula hoop is the ideal tool for whittling your waist. In a single hour, you can expect to burn up to 400 calories. Not only will it help you minimize the circumference of your waist, hula hooping also flattens the tummy and tones the legs. The hip movements also help you lift and tone your bum and rid yourself of saddlebags.
7 Summer Home Maintenance Tips
Summer home maintenance tips to keep your home in top condition:
1. The laundry room
These summer home maintenance tips are often neglected and skipping them leads to increased power usage from dirty filters and possible damage from water or fire.
– Washer
- Check hoses for cracks or bubbles
- Clean filters and door gaskets
- Look for any signs of leakage around the base of the washer
– Dryer
- Clean accumulated lint from duct
- Remove lint from under and around dryer
- Clean vent
- Remove filter and wash with dish soap to remove build up
2. Gas Grills
- Check for damaged lines or fittings
- Ensure there are no leaks
- Examine the burners for rust or damage
3. Exterior surfaces
– Driveway and patio
- Look for signs of deterioration
- Clean and fill in any cracks in concrete or asphalt
– Deck and porch
- Check for rot or damage
- Replace or repair any damaged wood
- Tighten loose planks
- Check for loose or missing screws or bolts
- Stain or seal exposed wood
4. Security
- Examine locks on windows and doors for proper functioning
- Replace missing or damaged keys
5. Roof
- Inspect from ground
- Look for branches or other debris that need removal
- If necessary, contact a professional to inspect or repair
6. Weatherproofing
- Inspect and clean caulk around doors and windows
- Repair or replace as necessary
7. Gutters
These summer home maintenance tips protect your roof and walls from water damage caused by overflowing gutters.
- Inspect from ground for damage
- Remove accumulated debris
- Check downspouts for blockages
- Be sure water moves freely through gutters and downspouts, check for leaks
Use these summer home maintenance tips to keep your home safe and in good condition all year round.