Five DIY Projects to Make Your Home Trendier

Updating your home to be more chic – without looking cheap – is completely doable on a budget.

If you’re looking to add more class to your home, taking on a DIY project can give your house that extra sense of style while saving you money. No need to cringe at those three little words: “do it yourself.” There really are fast, easy and affordable projects you can do on your own. Here are five relatively easy ways to enhance your home.

1. Replace Your Light Fixtures
Switching out an old or basic light fixture for a more elegant one is an easy way to shift the ambiance of a room. By adding a sophisticated light fixture, you can control the intensity of the light and character of your room. And you don’t need to pay a pretty penny for expensive new fixtures – you can buy used fixtures online.

2. Add Floating Shelves
Installing floating shelves in your home combines the functionality of extra storage space with a bit of style and personal flair. Floating shelves can be mounted on walls in many different patterns, and they come in various materials to give your rooms a unique touch. For a small room choose shallow shelves to display framed photos; for a larger room you can afford to use deeper shelves to hold vases, books and unique trinkets.

3. Paint an Accent Wall
Painting an accent wall can add a pop of color and showcase your personality. Usually a low-risk project, a homeowner of any skill level can tackle this project in a day. You just need some painter’s tape, a brush and the color that suits you! Just make sure the color you choose is complementary with the other colors in the room. Stay consistent between warm and cool tones.

4. Install Decorative Molding
Adding decorative molding around your home can add an extra touch of elegance. Install molding to the ceiling by capping walls, columns and cabinets, or add chair molding lower to the ground. With detailed molding you can add character to your rooms while also making them feel taller and more finished.

5. Build a Stone Fire Pit

Take your sophisticated style outside by building a stone fire pit in your backyard. Completed in only a few hours, take uniquely shaped rocks or large stones and put them together to create a functional and stylish fire pit. Before starting the project, be sure to check your local fire codes or homeowners association to ensure you are safe and allowed to start building.

Adding a touch of class to your home doesn’t have to break the bank! Just be sure to start with one project at a time, allowing yourself to complete one before starting the next. Otherwise, you’ll fall victim to chronic project incompleteness syndrome – not a good look!

Now that you know about these five inexpensive DIY projects, which will you try?

Online Lending: Pros and Cons

You’ve seen the commercials–very cool people using online lending services to save time or to get an instant pre-approval. Is online lending for you? Here are the pros and cons.

Pros:

1. Great deals abound. Online lenders know that to attract business they must make a good offer, so they usually have competitive interest rates.

2. Less chance of being charmed. Without slick salesmanship, the numbers have to speak for themselves. If terms and conditions are lacking, you won’t feel obligated to go with someone just because he has become your buddy.

3. User friendly. If your credit profile is good, you are a perfect candidate for online financing. Spending a few hours in front of your PC can lead to multiple email offers. Let mortgage bankers and brokers outbid each other to win your business.

4. A loan is a loan is a loan. Most companies on the Internet stick with traditional methods for application approval and funding. Regardless of where they originate, all mortgage loans are protected by state and federal regulations.

5. Simplistic rate comparisons. When you’re checking only the facts, loans are easy to compare. Double-talk doesn’t transmit via the Internet.

6. Easy access to providers. Online, borrowers can skip the middleman.

 

Cons:

1. Lack of accountability. Local lenders rely heavily on referrals and repeat business, so when loans go bad, it reflects poorly on the company. Online lenders face less accountability.

2. A new breed. Since online lenders are a recent addition to the scene, they haven’t earned the reputations of their off-line competitors.

3. License requirements vary by state. It’s possible that you could select an online lender who isn’t licensed in your jurisdiction. If an online company is placing mortgage loans in your area, make sure they have the legal authority to do so.

4. No face-to-face contact. Some online lenders are bad apples, as are some traditional lenders. Though consumer confidence in Internet purchases is rising, Internet suspicion may still be too big a deterrent for you.

 

Tips

If you are ready to surf for online lenders, take the following precautions:

1. Expect a professional site. A good website doesn’t guarantee a good company, but a poor site is a bad sign.

2. Do research. Many lender sites offer the company’s history and business practices. If you can’t learn anything about the company, try another one.

3. Ask your Realtor to suggest reputable online lenders.

 

I’m always available to share referrals to mortgage professionals or for any other information or service you require.  Give me a call.

I do estates and probate cases gladly

When I first began working with probate clients I realized this community of people was commonly under-served. People often felt lost as they navigated a very stressful and emotional process on their own, and often for the first time.

I quickly learned as much as I could about probate and the specific type of assistance that it takes to walk a client through the probate process with honesty, integrity, and guidance.

Think of me as your probate project manager who will create & execute a complete plan to meet your needs.

Once we formulate a plan, my team of expert service providers can handle or facilitate many things related to the probate process, such as:

  • Attorney representation for legal guidance
  • Estate Sales from Start to Finish
  • Clean out teams to prepare the property for sale
  • Facilitating repairs or improvements
  • Listing, marketing, and selling your property for peak current market price as a traditional list and sell transaction
  • Providing a cash offer for your property from one of our investors to purchase and close quickly on the property in it’s ‘As-Is’ condition
  • Future Estate planning to avoid the probate process in the future for other family members
  • Financial advisors to heirs receiving inheritance
  • Senior Care placement
  • and more!

I would love the opportunity to serve you and help you navigate the often stressful and emotional process of probate.

27 King St, Dobbs Ferry, NY – Just Listed

27 King St, Dobbs Ferry, NY

Just Listed

$ Click for current price
3 BEDROOMS | 1 (1 full ) BATHROOMS | 1000 SQUARE FEET

Call listing agent at (914) 915-8310

Come and see this adorable starter home. 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, in the Ardsley school district, with a great location for shopping and commuting. Full basement with lots of room to finish and customize–not CO’d as living space, but an easy fix for an eager buyer.  Great for an all-cash or rehab loan buyer.