The Romans are on the march in home decor.

There was a time when one would confine roman shades to the important rooms of the house – the dining room and the master bedroom, perhaps. But that’s all changing as the traditional roman shade – hobbled – is joined by the modern flat version with its well-tailored look. Now, you can indulge in roman shades in any room in the house, choosing from an exciting and growing range of fabrics to carry your room style though to the windows.
 

“I felt like a kid in a candy store when I opened our new sample book,” says Mary Dobson, spokesperson for Levolor Window Fashions in Canada and also a guest expert on CityLine. “There is so much to choose from, and it’s all beautiful. The stripes in particular set my imagination reeling with the possibilities.”
 

In the past, when creating a traditional roman shade you required traditional sewing skills. But Mike Muyal, director of marketing for Levolor, assures that this is no longer the case. “Levolor has always offered a custom shade making service, and it applies to all the types of shades we offer, including Romans,” he explains.

“Homeowners can select their preferred combination of face and lining fabric, hobbled or flat style, cordless or standard operation, and many other details of trim and installation, and have the finished shade delivered to their home. It’s a popular service that is helping to bring the well-tailored look of Romans to windows throughout the home.”
 

Although it is possible to review new products and colors and options on line, Mary Dobson strongly recommends working through an independent retailer, or selected home-improvement retailers, whose experienced decorators will help ensure a perfect fit and hassle-free installation.

By finishing your basement, you can gain more living space while reducing the amount of energy loss from downstairs. Basements that are not fully finished typically do not have insulated walls or covered flooring, which can result in heat loss and cause your furnace to work overtime

A renovated basement offers more than additional storage space. It can provide a lot of extra room for a growing family, such as space for a gym, home theater, office, guest suite, or a playroom for the kids.

To ensure a comfortable and inviting basement, there are a few project components to consider:

•Insulation will ensure your space is warm and comfortable. For the best results, install a ‘stone wool batt’ insulation product with the Roxul ComfortBoard IS. This combo is mechanically fastened or adhered to the concrete foundation wall, offering you a higher R-value and better acoustics.

• Drywall will help define the space and make it feel like a part of your home. If you haven’t tackled drywall before, consider hiring a pro to ensure your walls are seamless.

• Flooring should be water sealed and covered with an insulated material. There are many products on the market, but consider laying padding before carpet or in-floor heating before tiles.

• Personalize it with finishing touches. Select furniture that can fit down a typically steep staircase and choose items that compliment the rest of your home’s décor, making your basement feel like an extension of your living space.

(BPT) – Saying goodbye to summer doesn’t have to be a sentimental ending when you consider it’s also a beginning – the kick off to autumn and the holiday season. The promise of fall is in the air. It’s a great time to dress up your home for fall entertaining; whether that means friends gathered around the television rooting for your favorite team or the ultimate traditional Thanksgiving feast.

“Decorating trends for this fall are really fun and functional,” says visual merchandiser John Griffith. “Colors that evoke a sense of nostalgia and family are a really big part of the visual design message for autumn. Reds, golds and oranges are trending this fall. These hues are not only warm and comforting; they’re reflective of the season.”

Griffith and teammate Julie Robbins add their own unique spin on the latest trends to create seasonal design vignettes for Replacements, Ltd., the world’s largest retailer of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles. Whether you are planning a casual family gathering or an elegant dinner party, Robbins suggests easy ways to mix in great fall colors. This can be as simple as adding a charger plate or colorful serving pieces.

“Using colored glass is fantastic way of infusing autumn colors to create a seasonal feel,” says Robbins. “Amber colored glass is really popular this fall because the rich, warm color goes with so many patterns and designs. I’m big on the pressed vintage patterns; depression glass, coin glass and sandwich glass are all very lovely and nostalgic. We’re actually mixing and matching patterns from historic American glassmakers including Federal, Indiana Glass and Fostoria on our tables. It looks great to mix designs which share the same colors or combine an array of colors within a place setting.”

Metal serveware is another popular trend this fall.

“We’re incorporating metal serveware into many of our displays because you can do so much with it from a design standpoint,” says Griffith. “These are great accent pieces you can dress up or down, plus it is family- and football-season friendly. Metal serveware is also very functional. Once heated, the alloy retains warmth to keep food warmer longer or cooler if you chill these pieces. Plus it is easy to clean and doesn’t have to be polished. We’re using a lot of fun shapes, like leaf-shaped pieces and turkey platters.”

Fall’s bountiful harvest translates into the home this season. Robbins is using natural elements in her table designs that evoke a sense of the first Thanksgiving.

“I suggest filling vases, glasses or serving bowls with dried beans, acorns or even kernels of dried deer corn. Not only does this look pretty, you can also mix in candles or flowers and use these natural elements to hold those items in place.”

Robbins adds apples, gourds, pumpkins and green pears are among fruits and vegetables you can use on your table or anywhere in your home to create a brilliant splash of color. She says you can find more decorating ideas at Replacements’ YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Your home is your paradise, and if you are planning to renovate your home, go for the changes that not only catch your eye, but that they are also comfortable for you and your family. Remodeling is associated with adjustments in every nook and cranny of the home. If you are going to change the flooring of your home, there are some tips for flooring different parts of your house.

Bedroom flooring:

There are plenty of options when it comes to flooring in your bedroom. Being the most private and personalized part of your home, your bedroom is the place which uses a big part of your budget whenever you are remodeling your home; you can use carpet, tile, hardwood, bamboo, cork or laminate. Play with different materials in different rooms; you can opt for striped light and dark shades in your boy’s room so that if your son is going to create mess ( which is unavoidable), the flooring can withstand the burden, and also the flooring can bear heavy traffic of the folks coming in the bedroom. For more powerful scratch and water resistant flooring, you can choose laminate.

Living room flooring:

Most of the traffic in a home happens in the living room, with people coming in and out of the house. It is highly recommended that the flooring should be strong enough that it can endure all such wear and tear done with your furniture, or to the increasing and decreasing ratio of visitors. For this purpose you can opt for hardwood flooring. Being classy and sophisticated in look it is the perfect choice for your living room whenever you are remodeling your home.

Kitchen flooring:

Design the floor of your kitchen in such a way that it not only looks pretty, but also gives a practical impression. You can choose from vinyl, tile, natural stone, wood, cork or laminate. A floor covering that is water resistant and durable such as tile, is the best choice to protect against potential water damage. Make sure when you choose your floor to order a little extra of the product, in the event that you drop something like a pot on your floor. If the flooring material is damaged, you will be sure to have enough to repair the floor because often, floor manufacturers have high turnover of their products, to insure a continual buying cycle. Most flooring contractors add 5-10% additional square footage of the flooring product to their purchase order to insure they have enough for the project and to provide the client with a little extra flooring for future use.

This question is kind of like another question where people can’t seem to agree on the answer; “Which came first; the chicken or the egg”? Real estate investors all have a different opinion when they are asked whether you should find a deal first or start a buyer’s list and then find a deal.  For me, the answer has always been “the deal.” If you have a great deal, you can always find a buyer for it.

I had someone email me recently that said they had wanted to begin wholesaling houses for a couple of years, but he just couldn’t bring himself to buy that first investment property. He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to sell it. This man had spent a number of years learning the business, but had become paralyzed with fear over this prospect of putting a house under contract that he wouldn’t be able to sell.

If you are just getting started and you find yourself having the same problem, here are 4 tips for you.

1. Know What a Good Deal Looks Like

This is no doubt the hardest part when you are brand new. You almost always pay too much for your first couple of deals. Before you sign on the dotted line, run your potential deal by someone that is an experienced investor. Marginal deals are hard to sell.  If you have any doubt about the numbers or the area where the house is located, just walk away and find another deal. There’s always another one around the corner.

2. Know Where Investors Like to Buy

It won’t do you any good to get a house under contract at a great price if it is in an area where investors don’t like to buy.  Ask experienced rehabbers and landlords where they like to buy. Be sure to find out what types of properties they like, and the price range they prefer. In general, you will be pretty safe in bread and butter neighborhoods; the kinds of neighborhoods for first time homebuyers.  In my area there is a market for more expensive houses, but there are fewer investors in this group.  Buy houses that would work for either a rehab that would be sold to a retail buyer, or a home that would make a great rental and they will always be in demand.

3. Put an Escape Clause in Your Contract

This is vital especially when you are brand new.  Make the deal subject to inspection or partner approval. This is your safety net. It will make it easier for you make offers with confidence.

4. Begin Immediately to Build Your Buyer’s List

There is nothing like having a good buyer’s list to call or email when you have a property you want to sell quickly. It is truly a wholesaler’s secret weapon.  These folks will be loyal repeat buyers if you always have great deals for them, and if you conduct your business with them in an ethical manner 100% of the time.

Implementing these 4 tips will make it easier to make those first offers and get your first few houses under your belt.

Finding a Buyer for Your Deal

There are a number of ways you can quickly find a buyer for the property you have under contract even if you don’t have a buyer’s list.

You can take the deal to your local REIA group where you will find a group of people that are looking for their next house.  At my monthly meeting, we have a table set up for vendors and for folks that want to put out fliers about properties they have to sell. This is usually the first place people head after signing in.

You could list the house on Craigslist. I have sold several properties there, but I would rather much sell to someone at my REIA group; they are usually more experienced investors.  But even if they are brand new, they will almost always be educated to some degree if you find them at this meeting. Most investors are more than willing to help them if they can close the deal.

Concentrate on getting a great deal, and you can be sure you will find a buyer.

Author: Sharon Vornholt

Sharon’s Website: http://LouisvilleGalsRealEstateBlog.com

Many people turn to surveillance cameras as a way to make their home and office more secure. There are so many different types of security measures on offer, however, that it can be hard to know which is the right type of equipment for your needs. This article explores the different security measures and tools available and what the advantages and disadvantages of each of them are.

CCTV cameras can be attached to the outside of the building, can be placed over the door step, can be placed inside or can be entirely hidden from view. There are even dummy cameras available that provide a good deterrent aspect but don’t actually incur any additional cost of filming. All cameras that can be seen work well as a deterrent. A burglar is far less likely to break into a home when there is the chance they will shown doing so on video surveillance footage. CCTV cameras don’t necessarily sound an alarm however if security is breached in some way. In this respect they may be able to film a crime being committed but they won’t necessarily be able to put a stop to it. Having the footage available however does mean there is more chance of getting your things back if they have been stolen.

Burglar alarms are another way that people add security to their homes. These have a large number of problems however. First of all burglaries are usually very quick and the perpetrator can be long gone by the time the police or a security firm have arrived on the scene. Secondly the alarm can in some cases be stopped by simply locating the control panel and breaking it. Cats and other animals can also sometimes trip the alarm when they jump through an open window, which can cause problems for everyone.

The ideal solution is to have both surveillance monitoring of some kind as well as a motion sensor, this way you get the best of all worlds. If this stretches the budget too far however then it is better to simply go with some kind of camera equipment. This provides the best value for money in terms of security. In the past it was just the wealthiest members of society who were able to afford security equipment such as cameras, but these days the prices have come down and now everyone can benefit. Nanny cameras and hidden indoor cameras are another very popular type of security surveillance. Camouflaged cameras can allow you to see things that you would otherwise not be privy to. Parents like to be able to check their nannies are caring for their children well, employers like to be able to check everything is just as it should be in the workplace.

Another scenario in which hidden cameras are ideal is for the use of gathering evidence. If you are being targeted or victimized, having hard evidence to show the police can mean something can be done. Without the proof however the police may be hesitant to take any real action. There is no doubt that cameras are a valuable and versatile security tool. Surveillance can assist in a number of different ways to keep everyone safe and free from harm. If you are unsure of what type you need the first step is to define what exactly you want the security camera for and then decide how much you are willing to spend.

When you search online you will find a host of companies offering surveillance camera equipment and monitoring devices. Make sure you buy from a reputable company with a good website. There is more choice online than in high street shops so it is best to buy your equipment here. From a wildlife camera to tracking devices, go online to find out what is available and get the best prices.

 

Radiant hydronic heating may be the stylish solution to this, especially in frigid family rooms or brisk basements. Instead of forced air, hydronic heating uses water, which has a very high capacity for transferring heat to deliver consistent warmth throughout your house. According to the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating, a not-for-profit trade association representing Canada’s manufacturers and wholesaler-distributors of plumbing and hydronic heating products, there are other advantages of this kind of heating:

• Distributed by wall-to-wall pipes, under-floor radiant heating delivers consistent, even warmth that reaches all corners of a home, not just where there’s a vent or duct with good airflow
• Using water as the heat-transfer medium reduces the need to move around air with its dirt, dust, pollutants and allergens, improving indoor air quality when the windows are closed to keep winter weather out
• Floor and wall radiant heating delivers consistent and even warming over a greater surface area. This is known as the radiant effect and it allows you to heat your home at a lower thermostat setting, requiring less energy for lower bills
• The main heating conduit is pipe, which means less duct work, so it can be installed almost anywhere, including lower levels, basements, and garages. Use it to heat your whole home or just the new addition;
• Hydronic heating allows you to use your whole living space without the worry of obstructing vents and intakes. And with fewer unsightly grills, hydronic heating contributes to the esthetic appeal of your house
• Hydronic heating uses boilers, not a furnace. One boiler can be used for both hydronic heating and producing hot water;

Hydronic heating is easy to install and not expensive.
 

 

First impressions are everything when it comes to selling a home, and peeling paint, stained carpets and unpleasant odors can be an instant turn-off for buyers. Fortunately, you can take simple and inexpensive steps to prep your home for a quick, top-dollar sale.

Freshen up:

Paint is an easy, cost-effective way to improve any interior, and a new coat can make all the difference in selling your home. Cracked or peeling paint will repel potential buyers, and faded or boring walls can create a lackluster overall appearance.

Make your home stand out with a fresh coat in a vibrant color, such as those found in Dutch Boy’s Crayola palette. Perfect for showcasing a finished basement, kids’ room or accent wall anywhere in the home, these bright shades will make any space pop. With 96 colors to choose from – from Marshmallow and Ice Pop, to Wild Strawberry and Inch Worm – you’re sure to find a shade to help make your home memorable. And as you are updating walls with new color, use a paint that not only adds beauty but also reduces odors. Along with the exceptional coverage Dutch Boy is known for, Refresh features Arm & Hammer Odor Eliminating Technology to rid your home of unwanted odors, leaving your home smelling clean and inviting. Available for walls, trim and ceilings, use Refresh throughout the home to create a pleasant walk-through experience. Add a few scented candles or potpourri to make the home even more appealing to buyers’ noses.

Little fixes:

The little things can make a big difference when it comes to the appearance of your home. Many buyers are looking to make as few improvements as possible, and even tiny cosmetic repairs can seem like a huge project. The more move-in-ready your house appears, the faster it will sell, and more likely buyers will be willing to pay the asking price. Some easy fixes include replacing broken counter and floor tiles, patching holes in any surfaces, making sure all lights work properly and doors open and close smoothly.

Organize and de-personalize:

To give your home a spacious showroom feel, take time to remove any superfluous stuff. Show off your kitchen countertops by storing unnecessary appliances, clear the sink and dishwashing machine, and organize refrigerator contents. Keep the bathroom vanity clear of personal items, neatly fold or hang clean towels, and clear or cover clothing hampers. Organize your cupboards, closets and drawers to maximize the appearance of your home’s storage capabilities.

Clearing your home of visible clutter will not only make it seem more spacious but also make it easier for potential buyers to picture it as their own. Minimize family photos and personal items to help visitors more easily see themselves – and their things – in your home.

Curb appeal:

First impressions can make a world of difference, so don’t neglect your home’s exterior as you prepare to sell. The mailbox should be in good condition and the house number easily visible from the street. Keep exterior doors, including garage doors, free of flaking or fading paint and freshen the trim around windows and shutters. A fresh coat of paint on the front door can add to your home’s curb appeal and affixing a seasonal display of flowers or a festive wreath on the front door also makes a warm, welcoming statement.

A few simple projects can vastly improve your home’s overall appearance, and with these tips, your home will be sold in no time.

Hot, sunny summer weekends are picture-perfect for tying the knot. Churches, community halls and public gardens are full of happy bridal parties posing for group shot after group shot. But sometimes when the wedding bells stop, an irreversible distance grows between the couple, which sometimes leads to divorce or separation.

 

Analyzing the financial consequences of separation or divorce

The most recent divorce indicator – which does not measure the break-up of common-law unions – predicted that more than one in three marriages would end in divorce before the 25th year of marriage, according to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. Currently, the divorce rate in Canada is 40%. And the typical time it takes to settle a divorce or separation is 1.5 to 2.5 years, at a cost of $5,000 to $100,000. It’s for this reason that the experts at Desjardins Financial Security suggest that you should be prepared financially and legally.

Here’s how:

 

• Consult a financial advisor or accountant: Similar to getting marriage, divorce or separation results in major changes in a couple’s financial situation. But with some help from a financial advisor, you should be able to analyze the financial consequences of your new situation and make some decisions. Be frank and honest about your finances. You will need to make a new budget to cover your various expenses like rent, groceries, etc. You and your partner will also have to split up the once shared expenses, such as mortgage payments, personal loans, etc. Joint bank accounts, credit cards, investments, etc., will have to be separated and property split up fairly between you. And then there’s the Canada Pension Plan and employer pension plans to consider. Also check your credit rating to ensure you’re not hit with any debt surprises.

 

• Get legal advice: A lawyer or notary can help you prepare a divorce agreement to legally end your marriage. Do you have a will? If not, have one drawn up. If you already have one, is it up to date and do you have a power of attorney? This might be a morbid topic for some people, but clearly defining your final wishes and naming the person who will act on your behalf is a vital part of your financial plan. This information should be updated every five years.

 

• Taking care of yourself and your family: Protecting and maintaining your standard of living is important at every life stage. Do you have a plan for how you’ll manage your obligations if you become ill or injured? Your financial advisor can help you to review your insurance coverage and will make suggestions if your portfolio needs updating. Consider also changing your insurance policies and retirement savings plan beneficiaries. Look over your marriage contract or common-law agreement to determine what clauses apply in this situation.

 

To find more information about dealing with a separation or divorce, visit the Getting divorced or separated section at http://www.desjardinslifeinsurance.com.