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Wood Stoves: Warm Homes & Cheap Heating There are several styles of wood stoves on the market. Consumers can choose from natural cast iron or plate steel, or they can have painted or enamel-coated finishes that match the home's decor. Challenges of Selling a Haunted House The structure appeared innocent enough, until the family moved in. After enduring months of ghostly voices and bloodcurdling screams, the owners enlisted the aid of paranormal investigators. Fall Gardening - Do's & Don'ts DO rake your lawn. Some feel that the leaves will decompose by next spring, so why bother. Raking helps to keep your lawn healthy by improving air circulation and prevent your grass from dying. Long or Short Term Mortgage? The disadvantage to this is if you decide to stay in your home for longer than you expected or can't sell by the time the short-term period runs out. For people in a hot home market who are looking at “flipping” a home – selling it relatively quickly after renovation, a shorter mortgage makes sense, as you know you won't be keeping the house around for long. Will the Home Valuation Code of Conduct Help or Hurt You? In the case of a broker negotiating a deal with a lender for a particular interest percentage rate, the control over the appraisal is all in the lender's favor, putting the buyer at risk for paying more in interest than they originally planned to. Beautifying Your Bathroom for Buyers A fresh coat of paint brightens up the room, even if you paint it the same color as before. Remember to paint the ceiling as well; freshly painted ceilings look clean and reflect the light in a small room better. Refrain from getting too adventurous with stenciled or wallpaper borders; a new owner will likely have different tastes than you. Never Say Die: The Eccentric Architecture of Arakawa + Gins Arakawa and Gins could be onto something. There's been a great deal of discussion in the medical community about brain plasticity, and about how stimulating the brain will help keep neurological problems like Alzheimer's at bay. Major Don'ts for your Website Copy Websites are becoming the norm among progressive realtors around the country. In addition to displaying property listings for the various markets that you serve, it's also important to talk about current happenings in your local housing market, and introduce visitors to your company. Needing Some House Therapy? Call in a Remodeling Coach If you're thinking about doing some renovations or redecorating in your home, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of having to decide which changes to make, and then find a reputable contractor to do the work. Have no fear, as there is a new branch of home improvement specialists whose job it is to assist you with your renovation project. House or Condo? Deciding What to Invest In You will have less outdoor property and less privacy than a home. There is also the matter of the condo strata fees, which can be raised by the condo board. If there isn't enough money in the condo funds, condo owners can be assessed a fee for any repairs and/or replacements that the board decides are in order. Charitable Realtors: Ideas to Improve Karma and Help Those in Need For many of us in the real estate industry, this past year has been a difficult one, with stagnating housing markets and economic ups and downs. You've likely had to overcome many challenges this year, and are feeling grateful for having either survived or thrived in an otherwise gloomy climate. If you're like me, you're not only thankful for your success, but you're now wondering how you can help those in need in your community. As a realtor, there are many things you can do to have a positiv Extraordinary Gifts for the New Homeowner If you think that your friend's new home is a bit small and could use an extra room, why not get them one? The Cloud is a portable nylon room that self-inflates using a fan. The Cloud can house about six adults without claustrophobia setting in, and provides a great space for relaxing and brainstorming. It does indeed look like a cloud, and would be perfect in a loft or house with modern decor. Otherwise it would just look silly. Unique Gift Ideas for the New Homeowner - The Sensible Sort For instance, if your friend's a gardener, the Solar Shed Light will come in handy when the eerie cover of dusk creeps in. Solar Shed Lights can provide nearly 3 hours of light per charge, and run on rechargeable batteries that are powered by solar energy. These lights are very affordable, and make a great gift for someone who needs to tinker in their shed after dark, but is too skittish to do so. Tips for Decorating your New Loft Both a loft's calling card and its stumbling block in terms of decor is the number of industrial components that are visible throughout the apartment. Concrete or wood floors, cement walls, structural beams, exposed pipes and ductwork are all typically seen in today's lofts. These features would make a room seem unfinished and ugly in a traditional detached home, but they're seen as quintessential parts of the minimalist design and industrial flavor in a loft property. The 'Walk Away' Phenomenon As troubles in the housing market continue, homeowners owe much more on their mortgages than their houses are worth. Being upside down means that homeowners have stopped accruing any equity and that they're essentially sinking their funds into a money pit. Ten Natural Cleaners to Make Your House Shine Most of these cleaners are things you may already have at home and in most cases provide a safe non-toxic alternative to bleach or ammonia based cleaners. Note the precautions mentioned where applicable. Once you begin using these natural products, you'll never need or want to buy those expensive cleaners again.