By: Leandra Beabout | Realtor Magazine
Infinitely recyclable glass is going mainstream in core building and design materials.
These days, you don’t have to look far to see upcycled glass. Caterers and restaurants use Mason jars for cocktails and lemonade. DIYers repurpose wine bottles into candle holders or melt them down to create coasters or spoon rests. Glass can also be recycled for large-scale home products like countertops, wall panels and sculptured art.
By some measures, glass is one of the most sustainable materials on the planet. According to the National Institutes of Health’s Chemical Waste Services(link is external) (CWS), it can be recycled infinitely without losing its purity or durability. That...
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Buying your first home can be a daunting process, but with the right preparation and guidance, it can also be an incredibly exciting and rewarding venture. To help you navigate this new terrain, we've put together a list of 5 essential tips for first-time home buyers: ✨🏡
1. Draw up a hard budget and stick to it – One of the biggest mistakes many first-time homebuyers make is not having a budget. Make sure you have a clear understanding of your finances, including your current income, expenses, and savings. Be realistic about what you can afford, and stick to your budget.💰
2. Make a short list of your non-negotiables...
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By: KCM
If you’re a homeowner ready to make a move, you may be thinking about using your current house as a short-term rental property instead of selling it. A short-term rental (STR) is typically offered as an alternative to a hotel, and they’re an investment that’s gained popularity in recent years.
While a short-term rental can be a tempting idea, you may find the reality of being responsible for one difficult to take on. Here are some of the challenges you could face if you rent out your house instead of selling it.
A Short-Term Rental Comes with Responsibilities
Successfully managing your house as a short-term rental takes a lot of time and effort....
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Written by : Erik J. Martin
Mortgage rates remain high, home sales — and in some areas, home prices as well — are hitting the brakes, and uncertainty is permeating the market. It’s no wonder many homeowners, prospective sellers and hopeful buyers are feeling nervous.
As of July 5, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was once again flirting with 7 percent (6.95 percent to be exact, according to Bankrate’s survey of large lenders). The Federal Reserve raised rates for 10 meetings in a row in an effort to curb inflation, before taking a pause at its recent June meeting. And sales of previously owned homes are down more than 20...
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From our friends in KCM
Today’s higher mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and concerns about a potential recession have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to think about the long-term benefits of homeownership when making your decision.
Consider this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how home values grow with time and how, by extension, that grows your own wealth. That may be why, in a recent Fannie Mae survey, 70% of respondents...
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MARKETWATCH | By Taylor Getler
Overwhelmingly, home buyers view finding the right home as the hardest part of the buying process. There’s so much to consider: What can I afford? How much space do I need? And the most harrowing question of all — what am I willing to give up?
This question is even more loaded for LGBTQ+ buyers, who may face the added pressure of evaluating a new community for safety and comfort.
Social attitudes have dramatically shifted from the days where queer and transgender buyers were concentrated in just one or two neighborhoods, points out Barbara Stone, a Realtor in Dallas, Texas. Today, the community is made up...
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REALTOR® Magazine
As inflation decelerates, the potential for lower mortgage rates is becoming a greater possibility.
Mortgage rates decreased for the second consecutive week but still remain above 6.5%, a far cry from a year ago, muting any celebration from borrowers. Freddie Mac reports the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69% this week.
The weekly drop comes on the heels of better economic news: The Federal Reserve on Wednesday voted to pause hikes to its benchmark interest rate in June—here’s how that could affect mortgage rates—and inflation dropped to 4%, the lowest level in two years.
“As inflation continues to decelerate, economic growth is slowing and the tightening cycle of monetary policy...
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710 Montecillo Rd, San Rafael
Serenity and Mid-Century Style in the Heart of Terra Linda
The Best of California Living
This beautiful & expanded Eichler is light and airy and has a large, level backyard with views of the surrounding hills and a very flexible floor plan with bonus rooms that can be used for additional bedrooms, offices, workout rooms or dens. The kitchen is upgraded with quartz counters & stainless appliances. There is a remodeled primary suite w/ generously-sized bathroom with oversized jetted tub & separate shower. The floor plan allows for multi-generational or multi-situational living –a large light-filled bedroom with an area that could be a kitchenette, as...
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The Spruce|By TAI MASSIMILIAN
Have you ever cleaned every inch of a room only to come back 10 minutes later and see a fine layer of dust settled everywhere? No, it's not your ineffective cleaning skills—the most likely culprit? Your ceiling fan. Ceiling fans are a great, low-cost way to keep your home cool during the summer months, but if they are not cleaned regularly, they can ruin all your hard work.
Picture this: your room is pristine and smelling fresh right after a good deep clean. You believe you covered every inch, but then, you switch on your ceiling fan, and the dust monster returns. If you are...
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There was a point, not too long ago, when buying a house was fairly straightforward: You’d schedule some tours, make an offer, and boom, you’re in the house before you know it.🏡
Today, though, the housing market is a very different animal—fast, ferocious, and ever-changing. In such an environment, it’s no longer a given that all homebuyers will easily find a house and seal the deal. And even more surprisingly, those lucky folks who do succeed aren’t just sitting on piles of cash. On the contrary, real estate agents and other experts we spoke to say that successful homebuyers today simply possess a particular mindset and behaviors that...
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