Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

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  • Ask a Pro Q&A – When It Rains, It Pours: Exploring title coverage for runoff

    When a challenge arises, insurance should be there to help. Learn the ins and outs of title insurance to deal with water runoff from outdoor pro Carson Arthur.

    Question: A house was built on the property behind me. The land had been raised so that the ground around the house is now higher than mine. Whenever it rains, the water from the property behind me washes into my yard and causes a river each time. Does title insurance cover this?

    Unfortunately, it does not. Title insurance only covers liens on a property from debtors to the former owners. The easiest solution is to create a raised planter along the shared property line. By raising the soil, the water should stop running into your yard!

    -Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – To Stop a Leak: Learn how to investigate a metal roof properly

    Including damaging your home and threatening your family’s safety, roof leaks pose great dangers. Learn how to seek these hazards out with tips from outdoor pro Carson Arthur.

    Question: How can I identify a leak entry spot on a metal roof? My cabin has a 45 percent pitch.

    There is no easy answer here, especially with a metal roof. If I were to start hunting, I’d be looking at the joints and flashing around the edges. The trouble with roof leaks is water’s ability to travel: the hole may not be where the water is coming in. Best of luck to you!

    -Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Copy Thy Neighbor: Learn how to take inspiration from the Joneses for an ideal yard

    Neighbors can inspire exteriors and landscaping. They may also help decipher growing conditions that will make your yard thrive. Outdoor pro Carson Arthur shares how to seamlessly change outdoor plants with help from the Joneses.

    Question: We are about to change some of the plants in the front of our home. Fifteen were planted about 28 years ago, but are now dying. We have nine plants left that are grouped in threes.  We are planning an 8′ x 15′ stone patio in front of a bay window for morning coffee with neighbors. We currently have a mini-Japanese maple in the front corner and various bushes scattered around the yard.  We plan to take drawings to our local nursery for advice on filler pieces. Do you have any suggestions?

    Bringing drawings of your garden to a local garden center is an excellent plan. In addition, present pictures of plants you like that are growing in your neighbor’s yard. This will give workers an idea of growing conditions. Ideally, if the plants you like thrive in their yard, they should do the same in yours. Happy growing!

    -Carson Arthur

  • Ask A Pro Q&A – How to Create an Oasis of Style: Matching brick and wood

    From the walls, floor and ceiling, texture is key to creating a visually interesting home. Interior designer Jennifer Adams shares how to select wood tile that enhances existing red brick.

    Question: I am buying a home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that was built in 1986. The living room and sunroom floors are red brick. The rest of the house has an old and stained Berber carpet. We want to put new wood tile throughout the rest of the house, but I am not sure which color. I am thinking a light, almost creamy white like bleached barn wood. The trim around baseboards and windows is a natural wood. The walls will be a Navajo white. Would love your thoughts on the color of wood tile to choose.

    If the walls, floor and ceiling of most of the house are white, that red brick will be an exciting departure. If you’re planning to keep the original wood trim, consider going with a flooring color that is close to, but a bit darker than that. In tile, your choices might be limited. Go closer to the wood trim color, not the brick. And in the living room, add a natural fiber area rug in jute or sisal that will coordinate with the wood trim. Good luck and send in a photo when you’re done!

    -Jennifer Adams

  • Ask A Pro Q&A – Ceramic Tile or Wood: The best choice for your home

    With so many stylish flooring options, choosing the right one to fit your budget and goals can be a challenge. Interior designer Jennifer Adams shares whether ceramic tile or wood is best for your home with these considerations and tips.

    Question: Should I install ceramic tile that looks like wood floors?

    It depends on your budget and goals for the space! There are a lot of gorgeous tile products that look like wood and can be more durable if you have pets or live in a sandy or wet environment. Even though there are amazing finishes for hardwood flooring these days, if you truly love the look of wood but can’t deal with the floor getting even a little scratched or worn-looking, perhaps ceramic tile that looks like wood is for you.

    -Jennifer Adams

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Plant a Stunning Yard: Explore options to halt soil erosion

    Soil erosion increases work for homeowners. Good ground cover helps your yard thrive.  Outdoor pro Carson Arthur shares how to preserve the integrity of your soil, in and out of shade.

    Question: What can I do with a hill that has a tree but zero grass? It’s too expensive to cut the tree, and the dirt is eroding.

    It sounds like you need to get a good ground cover in place that will survive living under a tree AND hold soil in place. I would check out a sweet woodruff or a periwinkle. Both thrive in dry shade and solve erosion with their roots.

    -Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Don’t Pale at Picking Colors: How to play around with seasonal hues

    Don’t underestimate the classic sophistication of white or other neutrals to celebrate the season. Interior designer Jennifer Adams reviews which hues make your home a holiday destination.

    Question: Which are the best colors of the season for now and later? We are going to paint soon.

    White is always right! White gives any space a clean, airy look and blends with every style and taste. Choose a pure white if you prefer cool tones or a warmer off-white. Another option is a very pale gray, sand or tan with brownish undertones—not too pink, not too green and not too yellow. You can easily accent with brighter colors for the time of year or your personal taste.

    -Jennifer Adams

  • Finding Fixer Upper Homes for Sale: Can You Afford the Renovations?

    When considering the purchase of a fixer upper home, it’s important to evaluate how much time and money you will have to spend on renovations. It’s often the case that houses needing a lot of TLC are available at rock bottom prices. However, this can mean excessive costs when it’s time for renovations. Here are a few things to consider before taking the leap.

    How much work can you do?

    Determine how much of the work you are willing and able to do. If you’re a master at hanging drywall and your significant other has a knack for plumbing, it’s very possible to save big. This could be the difference between an inexpensive property that needs a great deal of work, but is ultimately within your budget after renovations, and one that is not.

    Keep in mind when deciding which work you’ll do yourself that safety is key. Anything that you don’t truly know how to do, especially things like electrical work, plumbing or jobs involving power equipment, should be left to a professional.

    Consider how much time you realistically have. If you work, take care of your family or otherwise have engagements that occupy most of the day, don’t take on huge DIY renovations.

    Choose contractors wisely

    Before closing on your fixer upper, speak with a few contractors to get an estimate of the work you plan on handing off to a professional. Without knowing how much you’ll need to spend to make the house look the way you want, you can’t know what the real cost of ownership will be. Once you have quotes from several contractors, work with your real estate agent to come up with an offer that considers how much you’ll be spending to get your new home in top shape. Your agent might suggest putting a clause in the contract to have some of the worst problems repaired by the current owners before the closing.

    Before settling on a specific contractor, talk to friends, family and neighbors to get a sense of the quality of work you can expect from each candidate. Reviews go a long way when choosing the best company for specific needs.

    Hire a home inspector

    In most situations that involve a mortgage or other loan from a bank, you will be required to have the house inspected before the loan is approved. Even if this isn’t the case, hiring a qualified home inspector is a critical aspect of ensuring you know what you’re getting yourself into with a fixer upper. For instance, you might be able to tell that the floors in the kitchen will need to be replaced, but only a skilled professional can say for certain whether the foundation is solid or if asbestos is in the attic.

    When it comes to real estate, knowledge is power. Take any information provided by a home inspector and consult your agent about how to proceed. They might recommend working part of the cost into negotiations.

    Add a cushion

    After you’ve decided which portion of the fixer upper’s remodeling you’ll be able to complete, consulted several contractors and had the home inspected, you may be anxious to close. However, there’s another critical step to ensure you’ll be able to afford the renovations.

    Unforeseen circumstances often arise during the process of remodeling. It is essential to account for these when determining what you can afford. A general rule of thumb is to add between five and 10 percent to the anticipated costs, just in case your contractor discovers pipes that need to be moved or if the price of the materials you choose increases. By adding a cushion to your financial projections, you should be in a great position to realistically determine whether a fixer upper home will truly be worthwhile.

  • Stylish and Space-Saving Small Room Décor Ideas

    Make a small space a place for big living. From tiny houses to studio apartments, these small room décor ideas will maximize any space with both style and storage.

    Less is More

    If you have a small room, keep it simple to make the space feel open and airy. Make sure a room isn’t cluttered with too many decorative items. Pick just one piece to add visual interest instead of multiple items. Embrace a minimalistic mindset by adding only the pieces you love. Adding an oversized painting above the sofa keeps the lines of the room clean and fresh while also giving the room a striking splash of color. Remember, the less clutter, the better!

     

    Paint Walls White

    Two words of advice for wall color: use white. White paint on the walls and floor makes any room feel more expansive. Having a light color scheme also offers the flexibility to play with decorative items, throw pillows and bedding, which can be changed as frequently as you wish.

     

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Choosing a Timeless Kitchen Hue

    Kitchens are the heart of the home. By selecting the right color, you welcome guests and express your style.  Interior designer Jennifer Adams discusses the best options for cabinets and a refreshed look.

    Question: Which are the most classic kitchen cabinets that will not look dated?

    I’m assuming you are talking about the door style. For a truly classic look, simpler is better! A look that never goes out of style and blends with any decor is a solid slab-style door without any panel or embellishment at all. But that look can be a little boring if it’s finished with plain white paint. To add some timeless interest to cabinet doors, choose an inset Shaker panel for the larger doors and drawers, with a slab style for small drawers.

    -Jennifer Adams