Tips for Lighting up the Holidays

by Maegan Wyrzykowski on November 17, 2016 Home Decorating

Before Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb, candles were used to light up trees during the holiday season. Can you imagine having candles burning on a tree inside your house? As I’m betting you can imagine, this led to many house fires. Thanks to Edison and his friend Edward Johnson, the first-ever string of electric lights was put together in 1882.

Holiday lights aren’t just used for trees anymore; they’re used in many different ways. From decorating stairs to lighting up the outside of your house, string lights have become a necessity when the holiday season rolls around. If you’re anything like me, you’re busting out the lights and decorations on November 1 every year.

Here are some safety tips, tools and trends for lights during the 2016 holiday season.

Safety Tips from Mr. Electric

• Read labels. When hanging lights outside, read the back of the packaging to make sure they’re safe for the outdoors.
• Don’t use metal. When hanging lights outside, using a plastic or wooden ladder helps prevent electrical shocks.
• Don’t overload extension cords. Having more than three strings of lights on one extension cord can cause overheating and could potentially start a fire.
• Don’t leave lights on. Always remember to turn your holiday lights off whenever you’re leaving the house or going to bed. If you’re forgetful like me, opt for an electric timer and program it to turn your lights on and off at specific times.
• Examine all wires. Whether they’re new or old, always examine your wires before plugging them in since frayed wires are a fire and shock hazard.
• Buy new lights regularly. Older lights are a fire hazard. Buying new lights every year may be expensive, so wait until the end of the season when lights are on sale and save them for the following holiday season.

Holiday Light Tools

• Command Brand hooks and clips are something to consider if you don’t use them already. They’re a great way to hang up lights indoors and outdoors, with no damage to your house. Command Outdoor Light Clips stick to siding, windows or gutters, and they are specifically designed for outdoor use, so you don’t have to worry about your decorations falling down.
• Twist and Seal products are a great solution for protecting plugs outside from shocks and shortages. They’re weather resistant and come in green so that they can be easily hidden by trees and bushes. Twist and Seal also has a new cord protector made for protecting extension cords.
• There’s nothing worse than untangling your lights, only to find out that a bulb is dead. The LightKeeper Pro is a great tool for this situation. This device sends a pulse through the entire string of lights, finds the dead bulb and fixes the shunt.

2016 Trends

• According to the DIY Network, LED lights are better than incandescent. They might cost more than incandescent lights, but they last longer. They can also save you around 80% on energy costs.
• The debate over colorful lights versus white lights is still ongoing. Personally, I love when I drive past houses with strings of colorful bulbs wrapped around the façade and in the bushes because it reminds me of a gingerbread house. Both types of lights have their proponents, so use whichever suits your fancy.
• I’m sure you’ve seen the videos of houses with Christmas lights that turn on and off to the beat of songs. This has become increasingly popular over the years. With the help of GE holiday lighting products, you, too, can have a spectacular show on your front lawn! GE Color Effects products come with a remote control, allowing you to choose from six colors and 40 functions.

Federal Reserve Press Release in Plain English

by Bob Walters of Mortgage News

It’s Christmas for economic analysts. OK, suspend disbelief and pretend Christmas comes eight times per year. The important thing to remember is that all eyes were on the Federal Open Market Committee recently to see what it would do with short-term interest rates.

The Fed decided that it should keep rates exactly where they are for now. Although there has been progress in the overall growth of the economy, stagnating job gains have convinced the Fed to wait and see before making any further rate hikes.

This is good for those in the market for a mortgage because when short-term interest rates stay low, mortgage rates also tend to stay low. This is a great time to lock in your rate if you’re looking to purchase or refinance.

I’ve broken down all the complicated economic mumbo-jumbo from the Fed’s press release into the simplest terms below. My comments are in bold.

“Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in April indicates that the pace of improvement in the labor market has slowed while growth in economic activity appears to have picked up. Although the unemployment rate has declined, job gains have diminished. Growth in household spending has strengthened. Since the beginning of the year, the housing sector has continued to improve and the drag from net exports appears to have lessened, but business fixed investment has been soft. Inflation has continued to run below the Committee’s 2 percent longer-run objective, partly reflecting earlier declines in energy prices and in prices of non-energy imports. Market-based measures of inflation compensation declined; most survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance, in recent months.

The general skinny is that the Fed thinks the economy is growing nicely, but the increase in jobs being created is slowing down. They also would like prices to rise a bit more (because inflation is like salt – none makes for a bland dish, a little makes it tasty and too much is gross).

“Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee currently expects that, with gradual adjustments in the stance of monetary policy, economic activity will expand at a moderate pace and labor market indicators will strengthen. Inflation is expected to remain low in the near term, in part because of earlier declines in energy prices, but to rise to 2 percent over the medium term as the transitory effects of past declines in energy and import prices dissipate and the labor market strengthens further. The Committee continues to closely monitor inflation indicators and global economic and financial developments.

They just pretty much cut and paste this paragraph every time. The Fed continues to think the economy will continue to grow and more jobs will be created. And yes, they will continue to monitor economic conditions “closely.” Thanks, Fed!

“Against this backdrop, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 1/4 to 1/2 percent. The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting further improvement in labor market conditions and a return to 2 percent inflation.

This is the paragraph traders around the world went to the instant this release came out. The Fed is leaving short-term rates where they were. When they say, “The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative,” what they mean is they think the low rates are continuing to stimulate the economy. In other words, the Fed still has its foot on the gas pedal.

“In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its objectives of maximum employment and 2 percent inflation. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments. In light of the current shortfall of inflation from 2 percent, the Committee will carefully monitor actual and expected progress toward its inflation goal. The Committee expects that economic conditions will evolve in a manner that will warrant only gradual increases in the federal funds rate; the federal funds rate is likely to remain, for some time, below levels that are expected to prevail in the longer run. However, the actual path of the federal funds rate will depend on the economic outlook as informed by incoming data.

That’s a lot of words to say, “We the Fed think short-term rates will remain low for a long time, and when we do increase short-term rates, we’ll do so in little, tiny increments.” But, of course, they leave themselves an out with the last sentence. That’s how economists roll.

“The Committee is maintaining its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and of rolling over maturing Treasury securities at auction, and it anticipates doing so until normalization of the level of the federal funds rate is well under way. This policy, by keeping the Committee’s holdings of longer-term securities at sizable levels, should help maintain accommodative financial conditions.

The Fed owns trillions of dollars of Treasury and mortgage bonds. As those bonds pay back principal, the Fed is continuing to reinvest that principal into more Treasury and mortgage bonds. That makes mortgage bankers very happy because it keeps mortgage rates lower than they would be if the Fed didn’t do this. 

“Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Janet L. Yellen, Chair; William C. Dudley, Vice Chairman; Lael Brainard; James Bullard; Stanley Fischer; Esther L. George; Loretta J. Mester; Jerome H. Powell; Eric Rosengren; and Daniel K. Tarullo.”

All the Fed agreed and voted to support keeping short-term rates where they are.

What did the Federal Reserve say and what did it mean? We offer a translation

By Claes Bell, CFA • Bankrate.com

Federal Reserve officials ended their September meeting by leaving an interest rate hike on hold -- which may seem straightforward. But policymakers announced their decision in typically complicated fashion. Here, we show you what their statement says, and translate -- so you can understand what it means.

What the Fed said:

Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in July indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and growth of economic activity has picked up from the modest pace seen in the first half of this year.

What the Fed meant:

The economy is doing pretty good, really. Yes, we know that it was growing at an annual rate of only 1.1% last quarter, but this quarter will get better, we promise. And have you even seen how the other central banks are doing? Japan's GDP still hasn't caught up to where it was in 1996!

What the Fed said:

Although the unemployment rate is little changed in recent months, job gains have been solid, on average.

What the Fed meant:

The latest jobs report showed an OK-but-not-great total of 151,000 jobs added to the economy, but we've averaged 232,000 new jobs a month since the beginning of June -- not too shabby. The growing tightness in the labor market is paying off for U.S. households, finally.

What the Fed said:

Household spending has been growing strongly but business fixed investment has remained soft.

What the Fed meant:

Unlike you bunch of spendthrifts, corporations are still hoarding cash and refusing to put money into their businesses. But as wages rise, it wouldn't surprise us to see companies start investing on labor-saving technology so they can get back to laying people off and lowballing them on raises.

What the Fed said:

Inflation has continued to run below the Committee's 2 percent longer-run objective, partly reflecting earlier declines in energy prices and in prices of non-energy imports. Market-based measures of inflation compensation remain low; most survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance, in recent months.

What the Fed meant:

The numbers we're looking at point to inflation still being below 2%, but most signs point to long-term inflation evening out at that level eventually. (Pay no attention to that little pop in core inflation in August, which showed prices rising 2.3% since the same time last year. No one who's anyone uses core inflation anymore.)

What the Fed said:

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The Committee expects that, with gradual adjustments in the stance of monetary policy, economic activity will expand at a moderate pace and labor market conditions will strengthen somewhat further.

What the Fed meant:

We expect to stick to our current plan of gradually bringing interest rates back to normal levels.

What the Fed said:

Inflation is expected to remain low in the near term, in part because of earlier declines in energy prices, but to rise to 2 percent over the medium term as the transitory effects of past declines in energy and import prices dissipate and the labor market strengthens further.

What the Fed meant:

When oil goes back up, so will inflation; rising wages are probably also going to start pushing prices up.

What the Fed said:

Near-term risks to the economic outlook appear roughly balanced. The Committee continues to closely monitor inflation indicators and global economic and financial developments.

What the Fed meant:

We amazingly haven't had an unexpected shock to the financial system since the last meeting, so that's cool. Won't last, though.

What the Fed said:

Against this backdrop, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 1/4 to 1/2 percent.

What the Fed meant:

We're leaving rates alone, for now, but don't get used to it.

What the Fed said:

The Committee judges that the case for an increase in the federal funds rate has strengthened but decided, for the time being, to wait for further evidence of continued progress toward its objectives.

What the Fed meant:

Did we mention we're considering a rate hike?

What the Fed said:

The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative, thereby supporting further improvement in labor market conditions and a return to 2 percent inflation.

What the Fed meant:

The last thing we want is to let inflation get out of control and have to listen to "End the Fed" this and "return to the gold standard" that for the next 10 years. Look, there's a reason why everyone still can't shut up about how great Paul Volcker was and no one says a word about Arthur Burns, and it ain't because Volcker had a better jump shot.

What the Fed said:

In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its objectives of maximum employment and 2 percent inflation. This assessment will take into account a wide range of information, including measures of labor market conditions, indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and readings on financial and international developments.

What the Fed meant:

We're watching all the numbers. Literally every single one.

What the Fed said:

In light of the current shortfall of inflation from 2 percent, the Committee will carefully monitor actual and expected progress toward its inflation goal. The Committee expects that economic conditions will evolve in a manner that will warrant only gradual increases in the federal funds rate; the federal funds rate is likely to remain, for some time, below levels that are expected to prevail in the longer run. However, the actual path of the federal funds rate will depend on the economic outlook as informed by incoming data.

What the Fed meant:

Despite the helpful suggests we get from everyone and their grandma about how to do our jobs (someone needs to empty the trash can, by the way), we're going to keep basing our decisions on the data coming out of the economy.

What the Fed said:

The Committee is maintaining its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and of rolling over maturing Treasury securities at auction, and it anticipates doing so until normalization of the level of the federal funds rate is well under way. This policy, by keeping the Committee's holdings of longer-term securities at sizable levels, should help maintain accommodative financial conditions.

What the Fed meant:

All the boring stuff we do to keep your mortgage rates low? We're going to keep doing it.

 

What the Fed said:

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Janet L. Yellen, Chair; William C. Dudley, Vice Chairman; Lael Brainard; James Bullard; Stanley Fischer; Jerome H. Powell; and Daniel K. Tarullo. Voting against the action were: Esther L. George, Loretta J. Mester, and Eric Rosengren, each of whom preferred at this meeting to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 1/2 to 3/4 percent.

What the Fed meant:

Esther L. George is leading quite the little rebellion over here.

Anyway, we unfortunately lost the invitations for her, Loretta J. Mester and Erig Rosengren to be part of the annual FOMC leaf-peeping field trip. Oops!

Mortgage Pitfalls

In the 1980s, there was this video game called “Pitfall.” To beat the game, you had to traverse various levels while avoiding the big black holes that would lead to your character’s demise. The more you played it, the more you got used to the challenges. You could plan ahead.

The mortgage process is the same way. It’s easier to avoid the pitfalls if you know what to expect. You can have a game plan to avoid them.

Quicken Loans Senior Purchase Banker Patrick O’Connor pointed out the most common challenges clients face and how a little preparedness can help you avoid missteps.

Gift Funds

Normally when we get a gift, we’re not supposed to consciously keep track of its value. That’s not the point. We’re taught to just let friends and family do something nice for us.

With a down payment gift, you absolutely need to document everything.

“A lot of times people are getting gift funds to purchase a home,” O’Connor said. “Maybe they’re not initially looking to do that, but a family member finds out they’re buying a home and wants to help out. We have to show a paper trail for all the money that’s gone into their account for the last 60 days.”

You can’t bring recently deposited cash to the closing table. It can sometimes complicate things because the cash used for close has to be documented and in your account for a period of time. If it isn’t, you may not be able to use those funds to finish the loan process.

Avoiding a Sour Gift

So how do you avoid a problem and still let someone help you with your down payment? Start getting everything down on paper in the form of a gift letter.

The gift letter should include, among other things, the amount of money being gifted and who or where it’s coming from, as well as a statement that the funds don’t have to be paid back.

On an FHA loan, lenders also need to see bank statements from the donor showing that they had the funds in their account for at least 30 days prior to the gift.

What do you do if you suddenly come into some money – maybe from your birthday or the holidays – that you would otherwise put toward your down payment, but can’t document on short notice?

O’Connor recommends you spend this money by taking a page out of Destiny’s Child’s book and start paying those “bills, bills, bills.”

While this can be a helpful guideline, you also don’t want to pay off something like your car or student loans in full with that money before closing. Funds used for the purpose of fully paying off accounts have to be documented.

“Avoid cash deposits that are around $400 or $500 or even a series that adds up to that,” he said. “Spend saved up cash on bills so you can have sourced paychecks build up in your account.”

Successful Sales

Another common issue O’Connor said people run into is when they sell assets in order to quickly boost the funds available for a down payment. If it’s your stuff, what’s the problem?

First, you can’t sell that pool table your wife wants you to get rid of for cash. The transfer has to be somehow documentable in the form of a check or other transfer medium that leaves a paper trail.

The second and perhaps more sticky issue is that you have to be able to document that what you’re selling was indeed yours to sell. Otherwise, the lender has to treat it like a loan, which can’t be used for a down payment.

Things like selling your used car are easier than selling something like furniture because you have a title and a bill of sale to which you can point back. Maybe you have the receipt for the pool table and a way of documenting things, but probably not. You also have to be able to show its value.

Reserves

The last important thing we’ll cover around sourced funds here are reserves. Reserves are evidence that you have the money to make your mortgage payment for a while if you lose your job or experience some other hardship.

What’s covered in your reserves and your mortgage payment in general is best remembered by the acronym PITIA. Since I “pity the fool” who doesn’t understand what PITIA stands for, let’s briefly cover it here.

• Principal
• Interest
• Taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Homeowners association dues (if applicable)

Depending on the type of loan you get, reserves may be required. Even if they aren’t, O’Connor said having a couple months of payments can strengthen your case for approval because you look better prepared.

Appraisal Problems

If a client has an appraisal come back lower than expected, it can cause an issue during the buying process because you can’t get a mortgage for more than the value of the house.

If this is the case, O’Connor said clients have some options. The first two may not be preferable: walk away from the deal or bring the difference between the appraisal and the purchase price to closing.

There is a third option, however. You can work to renegotiate the deal with the seller. If they are serious about moving, they probably don’t want to have you back out of the deal. You also have some additional leverage because you can now point to a document that gives the house a definitive value that’s lower than the sale price.

Dodging Credit Conundrums

It’s also important to avoid doing anything that could cause a potential credit hit during the mortgage process. This is particularly important if it takes longer. You could have a bit of trouble finding a house, for instance.

Lenders try not to pull credit more than once. However, one of the more common reasons they might have to do it is if your credit report expires due to a longer loan process.

If it takes a little longer, you don’t really have to worry as long as you don’t take on any new debt that could mess with your credit report or debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. This means not buying a new car and not opening up any new credit accounts until after the loan is closed, no matter how tempting the financing deals may seem when you’re shopping for appliances.

You should also avoid charging more to credit cards and using and using too much of your available credit at any time as this can drop your score. A good guideline is to use no more than 30% of your available credit on a monthly basis. The key is really to try to maintain a status quo in your credit during the buying process.

Hopefully these tips help you get a head start in the mortgage game so you can level up and get into your own home. 

4 Garage Dangers You May Have Overlooked

By Tarsila Wey, First Alert, Allstate Insurance

Do you cringe when you open your garage door? All of that clutter - from gardening tools, old furniture and sports equipment to half-empty paint cans and pesticides - limits the usability of the space and, what's more, it's exposed for all your guests and neighbors to see.

Rolling down the door won't make that mess, or the potential safety hazards, disappear (trust me, I've tried). So consider devoting some time to making your garage safer and more functional. Here are a few garage organization and safety measures to guide you:

1. Clutter

You don't have to sell your car in order to have super-sized storage capacity. Separate items into categories such as auto supplies, lawn and garden tools, holiday decorations and sports equipment. Then pitch, donate or sell the items you don't need or use. Invest in wall organization and storage solutions such as shelving units, cabinets or peg boards to keep the floor clear of clutter. This can also help reduce the risk of people tripping and falling.

2. Fire Hazards

Garages aren't exempt from the rules of fire safety. Combustible chemicals such as fertilizer, paint thinner, pesticides and gasoline can create especially dangerous fires. Identify, organize and properly store all flammable products (in a well-ventilated area, in their original containers). Follow disposal instructions on product labels and properly dispose of old materials that are collecting dust or have expired. I recommend keeping a fire extinguisher on hand - but make sure you have the right kind. Fire extinguishers are categorized into five general classes; you may want to consider Class B/C extinguishers for the garage because they are able to fight fires involving grease, oil, gasoline, kerosene and flammable liquids, as well as energized electrical equipment.

3. Carbon Monoxide Fumes

In attached garages, fumes from vehicle exhaust can build up quickly and seep inside your home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced through fuel-burning equipment and engine-powered machines, including portable generators and cars.  Having carbon monoxide alarms installed on every level of your home and near sleeping areas can be crucial to ensuring your family's safety in the event that fumes do enter your home. This colorless, odorless gas can only be detected through the use of alarms. But, even with CO alarms in place, remember that it's never safe to leave a vehicle running while parked in the garage, even if the garage door is open.

4. Security Breaches

Garage doors can provide easy entry points for burglars. Never leave your door open after you leave the house. The door leading from the garage into your home should always be locked, too. Installing motion sensor lights above your garage door can also help deter a nighttime break-in through the garage.

Garage safety can be easy to achieve with a few simple steps. So, set aside some time, get organized and reclaim that space.

Homeowners and Appraisers Grew Further Apart in June

by Kevin Graham of Quicken Loans

The gap between homeowners’ expectations and appraisers’ opinions grew slightly in June, as appraised values were 1.93% lower than homeowner expectations. In comparison, the difference was 1.89% in May.

Home values were up 0.84% since last month. This is a 4.47% rise since June of last year.

Home Price Perception Index (HPPI)

Although a 1.93% difference in the opinions of homeowners and appraisers is certainly not a huge gap by any measure, it does represent a widening of the gap month to month, with May coming in at 1.89% lower than expected nationwide.

Quicken Loans Chief Economist Bob Walters said even small differences in opinion potentially have a huge impact by the time buyers and homeowners reach the closing table.

“Perception is everything. It can make or break a home sale or mortgage refinance,” said Walters. “That’s why it’s so important for homeowners to realize how they perceive their home’s value could vary widely from how an appraiser views it. If the estimate is lower by just a few percentage points, the buyer could need to bring as much as another several thousand dollars to the table to avoid having to restructure the loan.”

If you take a look at the regional differences, the West remains closest to equilibrium, with the residents rating their homes just 1.70% higher than appraisers. In the South, the difference was 1.90%, followed by the Midwest at 2.02%. The Northeast brings up the rear, with homeowners overestimating their property values by 2.14%.

If you look at metropolitan areas, homeowners in Denver have the most undervalued homes, with appraisers reading home values 3.23% higher than homeowners. Philadelphia may be the home of the Flyers, but its residents really need to ground their appraisal expectations, as they’re valuing their homes 3.40% higher than appraisers do. Sunny San Diego wins the prize for closest to the bull’s-eye, undervaluing their homes by just 0.11%.

Home Value Index (HVI)

Home values continued their rising trend in June, up 0.84%. In the past year, values have been up 4.47%.

Walters said nationwide value trends are definitely affecting local opinions.

“Nationally, home value increases are well within the healthy range,” said Walters. “Although, the variances across the country can influence owners’ perception. Owners in the West, where appraised values are rising more quickly, tend to underestimate their home’s value. The opposite is true for those in the Northeast, with appraised values showing slower growth.”

The West leads the way again in terms of price appreciation, up to 1.45% for the month and 5.84% on the year. The Midwest played runner-up, rising 0.87% in June and 3.57% annually. The South came next, rising 0.66% month-to-month and 4.62% on the year. Finally the Northeast was up 0.17%, with a modest 2.07% yearly price growth.

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Decorating

by Krystal Beers on July 17, 2015

Decorating doesn’t come easy to everyone, including me. I’ve lived in my home for almost a year now and I’m still working at the whole decorating thing. I’ve read magazines. I’ve watched home decorating shows. I’ve spent countless hours online looking at all the so-called perfect bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens. I so desperately want my home decorated to perfection, but if there’s one thing I’ve realized it’s there is no such thing as perfect (at least not in my house). Perfectly imperfect, yes. Perfect? No.

I know I’m not alone when it comes to my decorating skill set, but I’m working at it. Recently, I reached out to some professionals for advice on decorating dos and don’ts. Here’s what they had to say.

Do Invest in Your Own Comfort and Style

“Expect to invest a minimum of 1% of your home’s value into maintenance and upgrades each year,” says Darla DeMorrow, certified professional organizer at HeartWork Organizing,. “So a home worth $500,000 will need at least $5,000 of upgrades and maintenance to stay in good shape. Don’t wait until you sell to enjoy a lovely, well-maintained home,” she says.

Do Start with What You Love

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Decorating - Quicken Loans Zing Blog
I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with this painting. It was hand painted by my friend Lauren just for my living room! I can’t imagine my living room without it.


“If you have a large-scale painting that really sings to you, emotionally as well as aesthetically, start there. Work your color scheme around it, and choose furnishings that play it up, either reflecting it or contrasting,” suggests Sally Morse, director of creative services at Hunter Douglas.

Do Use Mirrors to Expand Your Space

Amy Bell, of Red Chair Home Interiors, suggests using mirrors to visually expand your space. But, don’t hang them so the only thing they reflect is the ceiling fan. “Adding a mirror can be like adding a window, so it’s important to be mindful of the view that is reflected.”

Do Repurpose

When my friend Kristina found this hutch at Salvation Army, it was a dingy white. It took her about two weeks to transform it into this beautiful turquoise masterpiece.


Professional organizer at ACK! Organizing, Alison Kero, says she’s had pieces of furniture she’s used for a different purpose every time she’s moved. “Don’t be afraid to use a plant holder for your candles, a baker’s rack to hold your plants, or a quirky table as a decorative piece,” she says.

“Painted furniture is definitely a trend these days,” says DeMorrow. “Repurpose treasures from your family or second-hand stores easily and to your taste. Add one painted piece in a bold color like sapphire blue or sunshine yellow, or paint mismatched furniture all white to create a coordinated look.”

Do Focus on the Outside

“When decorating your home, your exterior matters just as much as your interior,” says StrataShops Anna Daugherty. “Changing the look of the outside of your home can be as simple as a new coat of paint, some simple landscaping, or some new walkway lights.”

Don’t Forget to Use a Tape Measure

“Many people tend to gauge the dimensions of an object with their eyes and this could end up being a disaster when you’ve already went to the store and bought all the items,” says Celeste from Live in a Story. “Always write down the dimensions and double check them before heading out
to make your purchases.”

Don’t Pigeonhole Yourself into One Style

“Your home should be a bit eclectic and personal,” says Corinne Von Guenthner, in-house designer at Allen Construction. “A variety of styles will help your home evolve over time, and not be stuck in one style or time period.”

Don’t Rush to Commit to Paint or Wall Décor

“One of the biggest complaints I hear from people in the decorating process is that they painted their walls or installed art first thing and later regretted the results,” says Paula Berberian, creative director of Brewster Home Fashions. “It’s difficult to visualize how an empty space will look after it’s filled with furniture and accessories, and paint is a hefty commitment that can become an unwanted hassle if you change your mind.”

Don’t Buy It Just Because It’s Cheap

“I’ve seen so many clients buy something just because it was cheap. Buy items you absolutely love and are excited to use or at least look at. Buy quality pieces rather than going for cost- you’ll be happier with your decision every time,” says Kero.

Don’t Be Afraid to Move Things Around

“When placing furniture, live with what you have put together for a few days. If it isn’t working, the flow isn’t right or it’s difficult to function properly in the space, then move things around,” says Von Guenthner.

In the end, decorating should be fun. If it’s causing you grief and frustration, step back and take another look. “The key is to choose what is most important to you and go from there, says Morse. “Remember, there are many designers who say, if you love it, you can make it work.”

10 Ways to Make Your Home Worth More

A home is a huge investment for many people, so why not make it worth even more? HGTV counts down to the No. 1 way to get the most bang for your buck.

Note that HGTV.com has many helpful hints for improving your home.

#10: Refurbish the Basement
Many basements are plain, empty and unused spaces that rarely see any visitors. Why let all that space go to waste? Create an entertainment area that will "wow" your guests! Adding a fabulous bar area, seating and beautiful finishes will add character and value to your home.

#9: Put In a Deck
There's nothing like relaxing on a deck in the summertime with a cool drink in your hand. If you don't already have one, build one! On average, when a homeowner adds a deck to their home, they are likely to recoup approximately 76 percent return on their investment; however, you don't want your deck to be too big or too small -- it shouldn't be more than a third of your house. Most decks cost about $10,000, give or take. An appraiser's No. 1 rule is finding homes that are very similar within a mile away of your home, so matching your improvements to the homes in your neighborhood is very important.

#8: Do a Major Bath Remodel
Transform an ugly duckling into a swan of a master bath by finding more space -- but not with an addition. Stealing space can be a better solution if you can find the extra square footage. Open up a closet to make more room, create separate his-and-her areas with separate sinks, or add a skylight to bring in valuable natural light. Updating tub and tile are also good ideas.

#7: Paint, Paint, Paint
Don't be afraid of paint. It is one of the easiest and inexpensive things to do to dramatically change the look of your home. Here are some tips: If you are not sure about your color sense, bring in a professional color specialist to help. Also, think classic and neutral. A future buyer needs to be able to picture his or her things in the room, and too much personalization can prevent that. If your painting skills are below par, hire someone. In the end, it evens out because nothing is worse then a bad paint job. So fight your fear of commitment, and splash a little color on those walls!

#6: Add On to the Attic
Renovate your attic. The space above a garage is often small, dusty and cramped space and sometimes rarely even used for storage. Why not turn it into a bedroom suite? Add as many windows as possible for that precious natural light. Recessed windows, hardwood flooring, built-ins and custom seating are also great ways to add value.

#5: Build a Second Floor
Adding a second story can do more than just create square footage. It can bring balance to an uneven house. A flat roof over a garage can be an eyesore as well as a huge waste of space. You could solve both problems at the same time by adding on to the top of the garage. Use all that dead space to build a master suite or a reading room. You will not only add space, but you will also add tremendous curb appeal.

#4: Keep Rooms Flexible
Does your home have a unique specialty room? No one's saying you need to give up your "special place," but it's important to hold back a little. Too much customization can be a problem if you ever plan to sell your home, so try not to overdo it. Things like hardwood floors, wiring for cable, phone and DSL, and plenty of windows are good ways to customize while keeping the room versatile. Another idea is to make the space one that can easily be converted into a guest suite, studio, family room or a den.

#3: Revive the Kitchen
If you get creative and think about some small changes you can make in your kitchen, you won't have to spend a ton of money. Take down the rooster wallpaper and paint it a neutral color, for example. More and more buyers are expecting some standard items in a kitchen -- things like stainless-steel appliances and hardware. Throw in new light fixtures and you've got a great-looking, updated space. Also, some people are looking for gourmet kitchens. Whether they can cook or not, a kitchen is a huge prospect for a buyer. Bottom line: kitchens sell houses, so investing in an improvement in this room is the way to go.

#2: Make Minor Bathroom Changes
Minor changes can be advantageous because they cost less and often net a greater return than the investment. If you have old tile or a dated tub, sink and toilet, consider replacing those items. If you keep the same layout there's not a lot of expense that has to go into it. Updating light fixtures, linens and accessories are easy ways to breathe new life into the space.

And the No. 1 way to make your home worth more?

#1: Spruce Up the Siding
It may not be glamorous, but replacing siding is our No. 1 pick for home improvements that add value to your home. Here is your chance to make a great first impression in the real estate world. If your siding is in bad shape, your home is going to earn the title of fixer-upper. You can usually judge a book by its cover, so old siding sets the tone for expectations of what potential buyers will find inside the house. Try adding curb appeal and lower maintenance with composite siding. Cement board siding is efficient, it lasts, and it's no maintenance.

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