DIY and How to get to your personal home decor style

So, I opened my email after a long weekend to find probably ten versions of (basically) the same “Weekly Inspiration” email from Better Homes and Gardens- and I was immediately engrossed in DIY tips for around the house! What was most interesting was their article “21 tips for using wall paper”- anywhere EXCEPT the walls! Using your favorite wallpapers to cover the top of a scarred end table, framing bold patterns and using it for art pieces, covering those huge monogram letters from the craft stores, on the backing of a bookcase for a pop of interesting and, a personal favorite, putting it on the front of the stair risers to have a little fun.

All of these ideas got me thinking- Why should we stick to “the norm” when decorating our spaces? Your style should convey your personality, whether it’s your clothes or your home/office decorations! Also, why would you spend tons of money on new items when, with a little bit of planning and elbow grease, you can dress up used items for much less money?

Here are a few of my favorite (and I think very simple) ways to “upcycle” everyday items for your home:
1) Plates and mugs- go to the local thrift store or Goodwill and buy some mismatched serving plates (or if you are a coffee drinker, some mugs) and write on them with a sharpie! You can write quotes, bible verses, your kids names, draw pictures- anything that you can think of that makes you smile- and when you’re done, pop them in the oven (google the specific directions) and it’s as good as glazing them! Display these pieces in your kitchen or dining area or actually use them to serve from- it makes eating and drinking just a little more interesting!
2) While you’re at the thrift store, find some outdated or mismatched lamps- be sure they work or you know an electrician who can make them work- and take them home! Find a spray paint that will take to the surface (either a professional at Home Depot or Lowes can explain which paint is right or you can usually find the information right on the paint can) and remove the shade and bulb. Paint the base and reattach the shade and bulb. Voila! A like new, personalized lamp! If you’re feeling really creative, cover the existing shade with fabric or let the kids draw on it with sharpies- this would be the ultimate upcycle!

3) There is a ridiculous number of uses for all things relating to wine- the cork, bottle and even (or especially) the crate!
a. Bottles- cover it in a cool fabric, run twine or another rope around it, spray paint- you have yourself a great candle or flower holder! I have also seen where people have crafted them into tiki torches for outside- I don’t have the instructions but it seems like a really nifty idea and all it takes is a Google or Pinterest search!
b. Corks- useful for everything from fishing bobbers, wall art, a real cork board for the kitchen to daily uses like a floor mat, or a coaster! Corks are so fun!! Unless they fall into the wine bottle and then they are not.
c. The wine crate- not the flimsy cardboard ones, but the legitimate wooden crate. Not only do they add an element of class to the wine itself, they can also be beautiful when used around the home. You can use them as towel storage under open vanities. You could get a few brackets and mount them on the walls as storage- either with the side on the wall (making a drawer basically) or with the bottom on the wall- making it a double shelf. Both options are great in the kitchen and bathrooms- plenty of storage for small things like cooking oils and cookbooks as well as hair care items!

4) When you go back to the thrift store (because you are now ALL ABOUT THE DIY PROJECTS) find some mismatched china with pretty prints on them. An old teapot makes for a beautiful candle centerpiece! You could get some small teacups and use them for tiny flower arrangements. The saucers, when attached to candlesticks and made into tiers, make a wonderful cupcake or cookie tower!
5) Pickle jars- whether large or small- are great for storing small items in the bathroom. With a pickle jar, spray paint, a drawer knob and a candle stick, you get great apothecary jars that are perfect for Q tips, cotton balls, etc. It adds a touch of elegance to any décor!

6) Drawers from old dressers are one of life’s best kept secrets. Generally speaking, drawers are sturdy. The supports in the actual dresser might give out, but the drawer itself is usually in pretty good condition. That being said, it makes sense why this is a perfect way to start almost any project. A drawer can be turned into mounted wall storage (just like the crates above) and used like it was meant to be. However, life becomes more interesting if you get creative. Use it as a pet bed- add 4 short legs, paint (or go for the wallpaper that your husband says it too girly) and a fluffy pillow, and you have a bed fit for a king or queen! Following the same idea, add the legs, paint, and a top with hinges! Upholster the hinged top and you now have a personalized storage ottoman! Set a serving tray on top and NOW you have a small coffee or side table!

Really, if you can be creative, understand Pinterest, and have a little time- you can create a home with your style and flair on a fairly cheap budget- PLUS you get the pride of saying “I made that!” when guests compliment you!

Go forth and be creative!

Yesterday was Mother’s Day. There were hundreds of thousands of flowers bought yesterday and, if your Mother’s Day was anything like mine, most of those were planted in the yard or in clay pots on the back porch. It was somewhere near 90 degrees with a ridiculous humidity… it was good back porch weather compared to the mostly frigid winter we had. This got me thinking how nice it would be to have a better back yard entertaining area. The ones with an inviting fire pit for fall nights or a big shade umbrella for hot summer days.

A great backyard with high entertaining potential has three things:
1) Copious amounts of seating. No one wants to come to your house and eat standing up.
2) A nice view- whether it’s great DIY projects that you have done or a view of the mountains, people want something pretty to look at. It’s relaxing to your brain.
3) Space to move around. This means all of the aforementioned seating shouldn’t be wedged into corners or awkward places- your guests should be able to move around easily and still continue the conversation.

Having this type of backyard will not only make you happy when you have guests, it will make you happy when you sell your home. Potential buyers will try and pictures themselves working in your kitchen, hanging their clothes in your closet, living in your home- why not help them with that vision and have a great entertaining area ready for them?
Check out the pictures below for inspiration or simply surf the web for a variety of ideas!! HGTV.com and other sites like that usually have an entire page dedicated to outdoor living! If you're not into DIY and don't mind spending more money, call a few local home improvement stores or contractors to get quotes for the work. Good Luck!

Adding Curb Appeal

A few quick tips for adding curb appeal to your home!
Whether you’re getting it ready to sell or just freshening up the look for summer, here are a few quick tips from around the web:
1) Dress up your front door! Paint it a light (but complementary color) to give a cheery vibe! Even if it’s just a fresh coat of neutral paint to cover up wear and tear!

2) When adding potted plants or new lighting- go for symmetry! Historically speaking, symmetry has been a corner stone of design for just about every era. People can understand symmetry and even better- anyone can do it!

3) Speaking of new lighting- updating your fixtures can be one of the simplest ways to go! Home Depot has outdoor lighting fixtures that start at (no joke!) $5.00!!

4) Get those flower beds and yards under control. Mow and edge the grass, weed the flower beds, pull out any dead plants or at least trim them down! If you’re looking to sell- try and make the yard and beds look low maintenance- buyers
will not always share your ideas on a lush tropical garden right by the front door.

5) While you’re playing in the gardens, go ahead and pressure wash or make any repairs necessary to the driveway and walkways. Cracks and stains on concrete are not appealing to anyone, much less potential buyers!

6) Wash the inside AND outside of windows! Not only does this make the house look good, it will also let more light inside which has numerous benefits when listing your home.

7) Update your house numbers- whether they are on the porch or on the mailbox, a new set probably won’t cost you more than $30 total and it is totally DIY.

8) AVOID a messy driveway and walkway. Clear any toys, garden hoses, and trash bins from the driveway. It’s just a good idea.

9) Do your best to organize the garage enough that you can get your car inside- parking in the driveway in front of the garage or on the street will make potential buyers think that there’s not enough room inside of both the garage AND the house. If your garage is full of things that should be inside, consider a yard sale or overhaul of your storage solutions.

That’s it for today! Happy spring sprucing!

How to choose the right Realtor for you!

Every decision you make has the ability to impact your future- the career field you enter, the route you take to work in the morning, what qualities you look for in a new car; you put effort into all of these decisions and realize the significance of them. Shouldn't choosing a Realtor also be a well thought out decision?

A Realtor is similar to an investment banker in that they offer you advice about where to put your money for the best results, whether they be short or long term investments. The title of "real estate agent" belongs to many people- about 340,000 in 2012. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that the field will grow by roughly 11% by the year 2022. That being said, you have ALOT of options when it comes to selecting the right agent for your needs.

According the Realtor.com, the definition of a real estate agent is anyone who has earned a license in real estate- this means that they have attended the classes (how many and what type are determined by individual states) and has passed the state licensing test. A REALTOR is the same BUT is held to a national code of ethics. This designation ranks an agent as highly qualified. After that difference, there are many more specifics such as buyers and sellers agents, closing agents, etc. For today, we will speak in slightly more broad terms.

When you are preparing to venture into real estate- be it buying or selling a home- you should really consider the type of person that you want to do business with and what qualities they should possess. For example:

- Is this their full time job?
- How much experience do they have and do I feel comfortable with them having?
- How much effort will they put into my listing/home search?

When you have your desired qualifications listed, start finding agents in your area. This can be by searching the internet, calling a local real estate office [like a Keller Williams ;)], or asking friends and family for referrals. Go over your list and start weeding out those whose qualifications do not meet your desires. Most agents will have websites that list their achievements AND current listings, some have reviews on local websites- be thorough in your research.

Once this large list is narrowed down, start calling and making in person appointments with whomever is left on your list. An in person interview will likely answer more questions than internet research. A good agent will have no qualms going over what information you need in your search and about how they will assist you in getting that information. You should feel completely comfortable with your agent, so don't be shy or beat around the bush during the interview process. If your personalities and goals do not mesh well then this journey into real estate might be long and miserable.

The end goal is for you to be happy with your agent and the direction of your "real estate journey." Don't just leave your dreams and hopes for the future in the hands of someone that you are unsure about. Don't feel bad about "shopping" for agents- it's your right to be an informed consumer!

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Mortgage Rates Free Fall

Mortgage rates plunge, 15-year rate hits new low

Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program

What is the Section 184 Loan Guarantee Program?

The Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program is a home mortgage specifically designed for American Indian and Alaska Native families, Alaska Villages, Tribes, or Tribally Designated Housing Entities. Section 184 loans can be used, both on and off native lands, for new construction, rehabilitation, purchase of an existing home, or refinance. Because of the unique status of Indian lands being held in Trust, Native American homeownership has historically been an underserved market. Working with an expanding network of private sector and tribal partners, the Section 184 Program endeavors to increase access to capital for Native Americans and provide private funding opportunities for tribal housing agencies with the Section 184 Program.
To help increase Native access to financing, the Office of Loan Guarantee within HUD’s Office of Native American Programs, guarantees the Section 184 home mortgage loans made to Native Borrowers. By guaranteeing these loans 100%, we encourage Lenders to serve the Native Communities. This increases the marketability and value of the Native assets and strengthens the financial standing of Native Communities.
Section 184 is synonymous with home ownership in Indian Country. As of 2010, the Section 184 program has guaranteed over 12,000 loans (almost $2 billion dollars in guaranteed funds) to individuals, Tribes, and TDHEs.

Map of guaranteed loans to date by state

The program has grown to include eligible areas, determined by participating tribes, across the country.

Map of eligible areas by state where the 184 loan can be used

Please visit www.hud.gov  to get futher information.