Blue Ridge Properties
4 Quick Tips for Prepping a Home for Sale
Real estate pro and stager Barb Schwarz, founder of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, recommends some of the following general staging tips in prepping homes for sale. See More »
Fixed-Rate Mortgages Preferred
Fixed-rate loans accounted for more than 95 percent of all refinance loans in the fourth quarter, regardless of whether the original loan was an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or a fixed-rate, according to a report by Freddie Mac. See More »
The Truth About Property Taxes
Even as home values have fallen in many areas of the country, property taxes are on the rise. According to the National Taxpayers Union, a nonprofit group that promotes lower taxes, as many as 60 percent of properties are over-assessed. Could you be paying too much? See More »
Kitchen Slim Down
For many Americans, maintaining a healthy weight takes work; sometimes a lot of work. There are many reasons for this - not enough time to exercise, eating on the go, etc... But there may be a hidden reason for unwanted weight gain - your kitchen. See More »
On The Fence
Love sitting in your big backyard, but don't like sharing your view with the neighborhood? Installing a fence can provide privacy and visual appeal. See More »
Flowers and Allergies
Flowers can brighten a room and bring a smile to your face - unless you suffer from allergies. But even if you do have allergies you may be able to enjoy the beauty of fragrant blooms without itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and other symptoms. See More »
Aspirin
Old Use: Used to alleviate minor aches and pains and to reduce fever and swelling. Low doses of aspirin help in the prevention of strokes and heart attacks. See More »
A Lesson In Ladder Safety
Whether you're cleaning windows, applying a fresh coat of paint, removing leaves and other debris from your gutters or hanging decorations, it's wise to use caution when working on a ladder. See More »
A Cozy Place for Guest
If you enjoy entertaining, but are limited on space you may be concerned about the comfort of your guests. See More »
Step by Stepping Stones
Stepping stones are a decorative way to provide walking paths through your garden and prevent dirt, mulch and other debris from being tracked into your home. Plus, you can easily make your own stepping stones. Here are some tips for creating custom stepping stones: See More »
Room for Improvement
If you're getting ready to sell your house, you may not have extra cash to spend on home improvements. But some basic improvement can be inexpensive, and the results are worth it. See More »
It's A Breeze
A ceiling fan is an energy-efficient way to cool your home (and reversible fans will also help circulate heat in the winter).* There are many types, sizes and styles of ceiling fans available, but when shopping keep these tips in mind: See More »
Fast Fact
Appliances and electronics account for 30 percent of a household's energy consumption. See More »
Suggestions for Measuring Square Footage of Homes
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) offers these suggestions for measuring square footage. See More »
Pet Owners
If you are a pet owner, no matter how valiant your housekeeping efforts, sometimes pet odors can affect your home. See More »
Double Duty
Coffee Filters
OLD USE: These sturdy paper cones allow your favorite morning brew to flow through while blocking coffee grounds.
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Your Dream Dining Room
The dining room has undergone a lot of changes in recent years. It is no longer reserved just for dining or used only when company is expected for dinner. See More »
Choosing the Right Office Chair
Choosing the wrong office chair can literally be a pain in the neck. Working in an office often involves sitting for a good deal of the time which can put stress on your spine and lead to back pain, fatigue, varicose veins, stress, and even digestive problems.
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Center Stage
Want to step up your staging efforts? Consider these tried-and-true strategies. See More »
Save on Your Move
Moving can strain both your muscles and your budget, but think twice before deciding to handle the entire move on your own. Licensed movers are required to carry insurance which can lesson any risk involved in your move. That peace of mind may be well worth the cost. See More »
A Yummy Cure for Hiccups
A Yummy Cure for Hiccups
When you've had a case of the hiccups, you know how frustrating it can be to get rid of them. If holding your breath, drinking a large glass of water and other folk cures haven't helped, try this tasty remedy.
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Cash is Still King.
This may be a buyer's market, but not all buyers are on equal footing in the homebuying process. Cash is still king, and those who have it are taking full advantage of the comparatively speedy and reliable closings they offer sellers. See More »
Home Decor is Looking Up
What is spacious, flat and takes up a large portion of any room, yet is often overlooked?
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Graduate with Less Debt
According to statistics from the U. S. Department of Education, the amount of federal student loans in the 2008-2009 academic year grew about 25 percent, to $75 billion. While there is no substitute for a quality education, but with spiraling college costs, many graduates find themselves heavily in debt. Here are some ways to lesson college expenses:
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Centenarians Top 10 Tips for Healthy Aging
Centenarians Top 10 Tips for Healthy Aging
In a recent poll for Evercare, a health care coordination program for the elderly, the following are the key points for living to 100 and beyond:
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What's Hot and What's Not
It wasn't that long ago when avocado-hued kitchen appliances were all the rage; shortly following, you could find a Papasan chair in practically every room in the country. Thankfully, these trends have come and gone. What's hot today may be a "I can't believe we did that" memory tomorrow.
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Five Foods that Fight Cholesterol
There's no magic formula that can keep you healthy as you age, but according to the Mayo Clinic the following foods can help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL). See More »
Emerging Kitchen and Bath Design Trends by Stephani L. Miller
When attempting to predict future trends, looking to the recent past often can yield clear signs of what is to come. This holds true even for something as fluid as homeowner style preferences. So when the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) wanted to learn the direction of kitchen and bath styles in 2011, it analyzed the specifications f 100 NKBA members in the last three months of 2010 and compared the report with the previous year's findings. According to kitchen and bath designers, the industry is in for some stylistic shifts during 2011. Here are 11 emerging trends NKBA designers noted at the end of 2010 that are likely to develop further in 2011. See More »
Styled, Staged, & Sold!
Banish the clutter! Trim the bushes! Hide your Star Wars collection! Take down the family pictures! What things can you do to prepare a house for sale? Here are tips, hints, thoughts and ideas for sprucing up, cleaning out, decorating, staging, creating a great first impression and making a house appealing to buyers. See More »
Roomy Kitchen Countertops
Stage a kitchen so that it shows off counter space. Stager Anthea Click of Fresh Perspectives in Nashville offers three tips for countertops. See More »
Top Dogs
Big or small, calm or energetic - dogs come in many shapes, sizes and temperaments. If you are considering adding a canine companion to your life, it's important to consider these traits before selecting a breed; some breeds will be more suited to your home, lifestyle and personality than others. See More »
Kitchen Cosmetics
Could your kitchen use a facelift? According to Remodeling magazine's latest Cost vs. Value Report, the average minor kitchen remodel costs $21,695. And considering the amount of time people spend in their kitchens, it could be well worth the investment. Homeowners typically recoup about 73 percent of the cost, according to the report. See More »
Home Maintenance Basics - Annually
It doesn't matter what time of the year these tasks get done, as long as you do them once and year.
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Looking for the Best Mortgage
Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage--whether it's a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan--is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You'll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars. See More »
Green Ways to Stay Cool
When the summer sun makes you feel like all you want to do is stay indoors with the A/C on high, energy bills can quickly increase. Here are some ideas to help you keep your cool and use less energy: See More »
Double Duty
Tennis Ball
OLD USE: Used to play a competitive racquet game. See More »
Should I Buy or Rent?
Is it better to Buy or Rent? Whether renting is better than buying depends on many factors. The information listed here will assist you in helping answer this question. Included are statistics and studies on homeowners and renters as well as financing options and tips. See More »
Playing House
Moving or renovating your home can be stressful, and it's easy to get caught up in the details. But don't overlook your kids, who may be feeling stressed about the pending move. See More »
Spacious Built-ins
Built-in bookshelves help feed another common buyer craving: the desire for extra storage. Don't let sellers clutter shelves. Stagers Heather Cook and Alana Merritt of Rooms in Bloom offer tips for staging bookshelves and wall units. See More »
Top 5 Things You Should Know To Help Sell Your Home Fast
While many markets around the country continue to experience challenges as the market makes it's slow turnaround, here are the 5 top things to sell your home faster. See More »
Home Maintenance Basics - Spring
When spring comes, you want to get ready to relax in the summer by doing the following things: See More »
From Fatigued to Fabulous
With hectic schedules, many people suffer from fatigue, but there are lots of little tricks that can help pump up your energy levels. See More »
Safe and Sound
The well being of our family is priority all year, but is especially considered during the holidays when statistics about accidents abound. See More »
Money Talks
Working through financial jargon with a mortgage lender can be confusing, but you can make the process easier if you clarify queries up front. Real Estate ABC and About.com offer a few tips for talking to your lender and finding what home loan fits you best. See More »
A Pain Free Lawn
You can't put it off any longer - it's time to mow the lawn. Just be sure to be safe. Every year, around 75,000 people in the United States are injured in lawn mower accidents, and about 10,000 of those accidents involve children. You can avoid serious injury if you take some basic precautions like: See More »
Stylish Pet-Friendly Decor
Simply because you are a pet owner doesn't mean you have to let your home decor go to the dogs! You can have a beautiful, stylish home that is also comfortable and animal friendly. Keep these tips in mind: See More »
Stocking A Linen Closet
The old-fashioned concept of a linen closet is again in vogue. See More »
Banish Back Pain
Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause or worsen back pain; insufficient support can lead to bad posture, muscle strain and spine misalignment. See More »