Tips - Real Estate, Updates, News & Tips

Top 5 Questions Real Estate Investors Want Answers to

Whether a you're looking to purchase a vacation home, multifamily apartment building, or primary residence with the purpose of renting out space, you will surely have questions about the process. 1. What are the rules for doing a 1031 exchange? A 1031 exchange is a way to sell an investment property and defer the capital gains tax by purchasing another property of “like-kind.” Here are the main rules all real estate professionals sh

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Buyer Turns $123K Wire Fraud Loss into Teachable Moment

Falling prey to a wire fraud scheme, he lost the down payment that took his family years to save. Now he’s helping real estate pros protect their clients against cyber scams.Aaron Cole and his wife and two children stand in front of the home they nearly lost in Canby, Ore., after Cole was swindled out of the family's $123,000 down payment in a wire fraud scheme.After a yearlong search, Aaron Cole and his family finally found their dream home in

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10 Ways to Create Inspiring Interiors for Less

Create stylish and functional spaces on a budget with these Ikea room ideas These Ikea room ideas provide the perfect inspiration for those looking to create a stylish and functional home on a budget.Offering everything from modular, self-assembly kitchen cabinets and storage systems to beds, sofas, lighting and soft furnishings, Ikea is a one-stop-shop for affordable and flexible decorating ideas for every room. Renowned for its s

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Major Causes of House Fires and How to Prevent Them

Homeowners have only three to four minutes to evacuate in the event of a fire, research shows. Share the dangers with your clients to help them prepare and stay safe.Deadly house fires are growing in frequency—and many homeowners have less time to get to safety. Newer homes and furnishings are burning faster(link is external), research shows, giving owners just three to four minutes to evacuate when a fire breaks out. Thirty years ago, whe

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What Homeowners should Know About Rain Barrels

Sustainability is trending, especially among young buyers, and an aesthetically pleasing rain barrel offers cost savings and curb appeal. Outfitting a house with a rain barrel does more than collect and conserve rainwater: It saves money, too. Well-placed rain barrels help cut utility costs by collecting free water for gardening, lawn watering or even washing the car. And homeowners are taking note.“There has absolutely been an increa

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Lighting Design can Make or Break the Living Room

Interior designers and lighting experts aim to include at least this many light sources when designing a living room How many lights is enough for a living room to feel relaxing and cozy? You're not the only one wondering. It's a fine line to walk - while you don't want your space to be overly bright, neither do you want a space that is poorly lit. Building a richly layered lighting scheme gives you the options to get it right, whatever you'

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Low-Income Housing and Affordable Housing, What’s the Difference?

Lack of firm definitions creates confusion, VHA’s CEO says The terms low-income housing and affordable housing are often used interchangeably, causing confusion for many.So, what is the distinction? The answer is complicated.As defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, affordable housing is any housing that costs an owner or renter no more than 30 percent of gross household income, including utilities.Low-income, on

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How to Choose the Best Window Treatments for your Home

Accent the windows to bring extra design to a space. Find out what’s trending in window coverings. You’re looking at your room, and although furnished, it just feels bare. Your windows may be begging for some extra treatment. A room can be transformed with customized blinds, shades and drapery. But with growing options, how do you choose which one is right for your space?Design experts at Stoneside Blinds & Shades(link is external)&n

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13 Essentials to Protect your Most Important Investment

Moved in the last few years? Smart features and a few tried-and-true essentials provide the options you need to protect your new home. Your home is a major investment. If you are one of the many Americans who moved over the last several years or are planning to buy a new home soon, you might be wondering how you can protect your asset. Luckily, smart-home features offer many layers of protection for your home and your family.New Locks It doesn’

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Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Reveals the Floor Colour to Avoid in Small Rooms

Trying to work out how to make a small room look calm and curated rather than cramped and cluttered can quickly bring on decorating fatigue, and it's all too tempting to throw in the towel. From small living rooms to narrow hallways and pokey downstairs loos, a lack of space brings many a design dilemma. So we asked Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen for his top tips, and the flamboyant interior designer surprised us with his response. LLB ex

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