Try these tips when shopping for fixtures and appliances for your home

Los Angeles celebrity interior designer Michelle Workman heads down South for a simpler life in Chattanooga, TN. Watch Michelle build her design business in a new setting and completely redesign her southern farmhouse, all while adjusting to the slower-paced life with her once city-dwelling family. New episodes of “Glamour Goes South” will air exclusively on Zillow Blog the first Thursday of every month.Shopping for fixtures (lighting, plumbing, etc.) and appliances can be exhausting and confusing, especially if you have a spouse or significant other to take into consideration when choosing. Often times my husband doesn’t get much say in the overall design choices in our home, but when it comes to certain things like plumbing, fixtures and appliances, he wants his voice heard —loud and clear!

Here are my three biggest tips for homeowners about to embark on a fixture or appliance shopping excursion:

1. FIND A COMMON GROUND

If you and your significant other disagree on style, start by collecting photo examples of what each of you like. I’ve learned when my clients approach style disagreements this way, they often find considerable crossover in their design aesthetics that makes selecting fixtures and appliances as a team much smoother. When there isn’t crossover, I suggest selecting the style that is least objectionable to you both. To get started, try browsing for inspiration online. Zillow Digs is a great resource for design ideas as you can find and save your favorite photos all in one place, and you can easily revisit your favorites when you’re on the go.

2. EXPERIMENT WITH SOMETHING UNUSUAL

I always suggest my clients try at least one design element that is uncommon or out of their comfort zone. I try to do this in my own home as well. One of the best ways to experiment is with fixture and appliance finish colors. Right now I’m very into burnished bronze or copper finishes for both lighting and faucets. I also have a thing for exposed plumbing. It feels very Victorian and “proper” to me, which is always a fun element to add a home.

3. VISIT BOUTIQUE SHOWROOMS VS. BIG-BOX STORES

It can be very challenging and overwhelming starting your search at large warehouse home stores. That’s why I’m a huge fan of the smaller specialized showroom, like Ferguson. I feel that most people are intimidated by boutique showrooms as they think their products will be too expensive or there won’t be enough selection. I often recommend trying these stores first, as boutique showrooms have expert salespeople who can answer your questions, educate you about your options and help you remember your selections for next time. They can help you make the hard decisions with no mistakes. This personal touch coupled with a variety of price points to choose from make this the best and only choice for me as a homeowner and as a designer.

Source: http://bit.ly/1vI6ItJ via zillowkitchen

 

Inexpensive and Simple Decorating Ideas for Thanksgiving

Skip the home goods stores and take decorating into your hands for Thanksgiving. Decorating for Thanksgiving doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg because you can use items around your home or from nature to give it that holiday feel. Check out the following Thanksgiving decoration ideas that take are simple to do, inexpensive, but still have a great look.

Use throws and afghans: Use throws or afghans to toss over tables instead of tablecloths or simply drape them over chair or sofas for a homey feel.

• Put on the fireplace: Light the fireplace and instantly you have a feel for the holidays. Warm, cozy and inviting to all who see and feel it.
• Add candles: Go outside and grab a handful of colorful autumn leaves and place them on a table. Then, place some cool candles p=over them in varying sizes. You can also use small pumpkins, squash or other uncooked vegetables and fruits to decorate the area. Or, carve out their centers and stick in a candle r a tealights or added pizzazz.
• Branches and flower: Place either ha you have collected form the great outdoors in a nice pitcher or vase and set on top of table. You can also weave fresh branches with leaves like ivy in between the staircase banister.

Buying a home? Here are five tips to get you started

Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you make an offer. When you are trying to buy a house in a competitive market, your offer to purchase should contain as few conditions as possible. An offer that is conditional on obtaining financing is often a deal killer. The seller may accept a competing offer for less money rather than take the risk that you won’t be able to raise mortgage money. A pre-approval letter from your lender tells the seller you are ready and able to commit.

Know when to quit. When you act on emotion, rather than reason, you may end up paying too much money. This can happen when you fall in love with a particular house and start fantasizing about how great it will be to live there. Another reason you may be driven to pay too much is that a bidding war triggers your competitive instincts and you must buy the house at all costs which you will regret later.

Set enough money aside to cover closing costs without having to forgo eating for a couple of months. You’ve put together a down payment. Be aware that there is also a long list of expenses you may have to pay at closing, depending on where you live and who your lender is. “Closing costs can add up to between two and six percent of your loan,” says LendingTree’s Chief Consumer Officer, Ed Powell. He advises you to ask your lender or mortgage broker to give you a Good Faith Estimate of the loan-related fees you’ll have to pay. Get your real estate agent to compile a list of other expenses.

Try to coordinate the date you take possession of your new home and your moving date. If possible, avoid a situation where you’ve got to camp out with relatives or find a short-term rental because you must vacate your old house or apartment before you can move into your new digs. Moving once is enough.

Insist on a home inspection. The first really cold day you spend in your new house is way too late to find out that the furnace doesn’t work. The one condition you should always include in an offer to purchase is a home inspection. Find out how much it will cost to fix any defects and have the seller fix them before you agree to buy or deduct the estimated cost from the final price you offer. If the seller won’t help bear the costs and you want to go ahead with the purchase, make sure you can afford the necessary repairs on top of your mortgage.

Read more: http://www.homeadvisor.com/article.show.5-Smart-Tips-for-Home-Buyers.12095.html#ixzz2pl6Qf7Ho

Tips to Winterize Your Home

1. Remove leaves around your outside HVAC unit. This is likely your home’s largest operating system. The compressor part of your air conditioner is located on the exterior of your home and can become inefficient with debris and leaves blocking it.

2. Clean your gutters. Leaves clogging your gutters can cause big problems any time of the year. During cooler months, leaves can potentially cause water to backup into your attic and even your basement.

3. Schedule a furnace tune-up. A furnace tune-up not only includes cleaning that keeps your furnace running efficiently, but it also catches small problems before they turn into big problems.