1. Arched furniture shapes Geometric furniture—like those gilded hexagonal tables that have been popular over the past decade—is rapidly going out of style. "You will start to notice plenty of arches in furniture and home design," says interior designer Leanne Ford. From chairs to arched doorways, this trend will be everywhere in 2020. 2. Foyers with a personal touch Your foyer can sometimes be treated as an afterthought, acting as little more than a place to kick off a pair of muddy boots or hang a coat. … [Read more...]
5 New Year’s Resolutions Every Homeowner Should Be Making
December 30, 2019 by
Homeowners can easily get into a comfortable groove year after year: make monthly mortgage payments, auto-renew homeowner’s insurance, and put off upgrading to more efficient technology (such as appliances and lighting), among other things. But that groove can cost you money. Making the minimum loan payments (while putting extra money in a low interest-bearing savings account) or keeping the same policy for years (without shopping around for more competitive rates) is an easy way to save less and spend more than … [Read more...]
The Best 15-Minute Holiday Recipes of All Time
December 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread This festive dip is a snap to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish. Thanks to its hint of sweetness, both kids and adults will gobble it up. —Frankie Robinson, Lockhart, Texas Get Recipe Homemade Irish Cream Add some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash of this alcohol-free version of the Irish favorite. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, Minnesota Get Recipe Holiday Cornflake Cookies I can't seem to make enough of these cornflake wreaths … [Read more...]
Mortgage Rates Hold Steady, but Economists Say Don’t Expect That to Last
December 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Mortgage rates didn’t budge much over the last week amid mixed signals as to the economy’s strength as the holiday season kicked into full drive. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.68% during the week ending Dec. 5, unchanged from the previous week, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Compared to a year ago, mortgage rates were more than a full percentage point lower. During this same week last year, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.75%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped one basis … [Read more...]
Style by Fire: How to Pick the Perfect Fire Pit to Heat Things Up Outside
November 13, 2019 by
good fire pit can take your outdoor space from meh to downright magical with one strike of a match—especially on a crisp autumn night. But finding the perfect fire pit for your backyard can seem like an impossible task, especially considering the crazy-big selection that’s out there. Should you choose something simple and portable, or something more permanent that will become a design element in your home? Do you need space to cook, or are you just hoping to stay warm while stargazing? … [Read more...]
10 Design Trends Coming To A Home Near You
October 29, 2019 by
Design trends flip and flop over time. For example, when bright colors are popular, you can expect darker, moodier colors to take over next. You can probably chalk it up to homeowners getting tired of designs they’re seeing everywhere and wanting something different. Whatever the reason, design trends are always in flux. To get a snapshot of what’s trending now, we asked several designers and home builders what their clients are requesting. Here are 10 design trends they think are on the rise. 1. Warmer … [Read more...]
Where Buyers Are Cashing In! The Top 10 U.S. Markets for Flipping
October 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
These days, it seems like just about everyone is either getting into the real estate game or wistfully dreaming about it. The popularity of HGTV has made many folks believe they can pocket some serious cash renovating an old home and then reselling or renting it out for sweet, sweet profits. Easy! But then there's a pesky little thing we call "reality." To truly make bank in the housing investment game, you need to pick your markets carefully—especially since profits just about everywhere are being squeezed … [Read more...]
