Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

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  • 5 Tips for a Hassle-free Home Purchase

    You will often hear how exciting it is to buy a home, but it’s rarely discussed that the entire experience can sometimes feel overwhelming; you’re making a large investment up front for the down payment, with a lifetime commitment attached. However, buying a home is a fantastic step, and when you’re prepared, it can be exciting and fruitful. The good news is that an experienced real estate agent will inform and advise you as you go through the process. There are also many additional tips you can take in advance to further ensure a hassle-free home purchase.

    5 Tips for a Hassle-free Home Purchase - bhgrelife.com1. Determine Your Wants and Needs

    Before you start looking at homes for sale, you need to determine your wants and needs. Start a list and carefully assess the kind of home you’re interested in, features it must have, and additional amenities that you could live without if the budget calls for cutting. Be as specific as you can so you can find homes for sale that meet your particular requirements.

  • How to Organize Your Linen Closet

    If you’ve ever tried to organize the linen closet, you know it can be quite the task! Finding a place for towels, bedding, and occasional odds and ends can easily create chaos. That’s not to mention the challenge of keeping everyday essentials accessible as well. Never fear, because we have the storage-savvy secrets you need to organize your linen closet.

    Here’s how to organize your linen closet:

  • 10 Quick Kitchen Storage Updates

    Your kitchen is the hub of your home. It’s not just the room where meals are prepared, and as such, it deserves some fresh design ideas. Great kitchens also have the potential to bring more value to your property if you decide to sell in the future. A great way to start is by enhancing your kitchen storage capabilities and layout visibility for ease of use!

    Here are the best kitchen storage options that can instantly bring value, appeal, and practicality into the space, regardless of how small the dimensions and budget may be.

    10 Quick Kitchens Storage Upates - bhgrelife.com

    Install Pull-Out Shelves

    A kitchen update that has taken the interior design industry by storm is pull-out shelves, placed inside your cabinets, so you don’t always have to reach far inside for materials. This little addition to your cabinets can even be done without a contractor if need be. With one little tug, you’ll be able to reach all the items in your cabinets. Talk about smart storage!

  • Tropical Guacamole Bites Recipe

    Just about everyone loves a refreshing bowl of guacamole—so whether you’re hosting, or simply hungry, consider upping the ante with a seasonally thrilling twist, including lime crema and a little kick! Use your favorite sliced bread, from wheat to rye and more. You can even add a sprinkle of paprika, celery seed, or black sesame, to enhance flavor and presentation. Follow the simple recipe below, and you’ll be serving stunning guacamole with style in no time!

    Tropical Guacamole Bites with Lime Crema

    Yield: about 24 bites

    Ingredients

    6 slices multigrain bread

    Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing on bread

    3 ripe avocados

    1/2 cup diced red onion

    3 tablespoons lime juice, add more if desired

    3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

    1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra for sprinkle for bread

    Pinch of cayenne, optional

    1 cup diced mangoes

    Chopped cilantro, garnish

    Refreshing Crema

    1 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream

    1 tablespoon lime zest

    2 tablespoon lime juice

    1/4 teaspoon salt

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    1. Cut the crust off the edge of all the bread slices and use a rolling pin to roll flat the bread slices, one at a time and in both directions, until very thin. Place flattened slices on a baking sheet, lightly brush the top surface with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
    1. Remove and cool. Cut each slice into 4 squares.
    1. To make the guacamole, remove the pits and scoop the meat of the avocados into a medium bowl. Add red onion, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and cayenne. Use a wooden spoon to mash the ingredients together until combined, but still a bit chunky. Add mango to the bowl and gently combine. Taste to see if more seasoning is needed.
    1. To make the crema, combine the yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, and salt in a bowl.
    1. To assemble, put about 1 tablespoon of guacamole in the center of each toast crisp. Top with crema and garnish with cilantro. Serve immediately.

  • How to Downsize Your Home

    It’s not unusual to downsize to a smaller home at one point or another; a smaller home is something that many people look forward to and take advantage of as they get older.

    You may be wondering if it’s time for you to start downsizing and start a new chapter in a smaller space. Whether you’re an empty nester looking for fewer maintenance requirements or simply interested in a smaller space, there is one thing that is inevitable: You will have to get rid of some of your stuff. This is somewhat bittersweet, but you get a chance to go through all of your belongings and determine what truly needs to make the trip to your new destination in life. Follow these tips to make the downsizing process significantly easier.

    How to Downsize Your Home - bhgrelife.comList it or Leave it

    The first step to downsizing is to make a list of the things you absolutely need. Items that don’t make the cut shouldn’t come to your new house. It’s important to do this at least three months prior to the move to ensure you have an ample amount of time to go through your items and think about whether or not you need them.

  • Curb Appeal Mistakes to Avoid

    From neighbors to guests to buyers, people are noticing your home’s curb appeal! Be sure your home exterior is making the right impression by avoiding these common curb appeal mistakes.

    Curb Appeal Mistakes to Avoid - Bhgrelife.com

    Completely Forgetting About Curb Appeal

    When selling your home, it is vital to captivate potential homebuyers as soon as they pull up to your property, and an untended or messy lawn could send the wrong message about the quality of your home. Lack of lawn care may suggest to homebuyers that the house also isn’t properly cared for, which could mean a costly investment for them. Even if you don’t have the means to lay new sod, take the time to clean up your yard to reinforce the impression that everything has been well cared for in and outside of the home. Removing brown leaves, dead branches, and weeds can make a big difference when selling your home or impressing guests.

  • Chilly and Refreshing Iced Coffee Popsicle Recipe

    When you’re in the mood for a jolt of java without the heat, try a homemade iced coffee popsicle. They’re quick to make and even easier to devour! Feel free to change up the recipe to fit your preferred cup of coffee, and if you want a little more sweetness, top your popsicles with a squirt of whipped cream just before they get served.

    Iced Coffee Popsicles Recipe

    Serves: 8

    Ingredients:

    • 3 cups fresh-brewed coffee
    • ¾ cup half-and-half cream (10% cream)
    • ½ cup sugar

    Steps:

    1. Combine all ingredients together in a bowl until everything is completely dissolved.
    2. Carefully pour the coffee mixture into each popsicle mold until full.
    3. Cover with tin foil and insert sticks, or cover with a lid and handle (if provided with your molds).
    4. Freeze until solid, approximately 2 hours.
    5. To unfreeze, add some hot water into your sink and submerge the mold without going over the top of the molds. After 15-30 seconds, your iced coffee popsicles should slide right out.

  • Planning an Affordable Wedding (So You Can Buy Your First Home)

    With many new couples looking to buy a home as soon as possible, knowing how to plan an affordable wedding is a valuable skill. After all, if you’re spending on elaborate centerpieces, expensive venues, and high-end catered food, you won’t have as much left over to put towards a down payment when buying your first home later. The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice your dream day just to have funds for your dream house. You just have to know the amazing wedding planning tips that are finance-friendly. So, start planning your big day with these wedding tips, and don’t forget that you and your partner will also have an incredible future together that you want to be able to invest in.

     

    Planning an Affordable Wedding (So You Can Buy Your First Home) - bhgrelife.comCut the Guest List

    If you have a large family, cutting the guest list may not be a plausible option. However, cutting the list is worth considering, especially if you haven’t seen your great uncle since you were three years old. Be realistic about with whom you truly want to share this special day. A smaller wedding can be much more personable and special.

  • 5 Etiquette Rules Every Seller Should Know

    The process of selling your home can be a tough one. You’ve spent a significant amount of time staging it and even scrubbed every room top to bottom. It’s in immaculate shape, but what may surprise you is that your behavior also plays a vital role in the way potential buyers feel. Here are the 5 etiquette rules every seller should know to ensure that her or his home is showcased in the best possible light.

    1. Le5 Etiquette Rules Every Seller Should Know - bhgrelife.comave your home during showings

    When there is a showing, it is important to leave your home and let your real estate agent do their job. Although you’re dying to see the reaction potential buyers have to your home, remaining there will make them feel uncomfortable. Removing yourself during a showing also allows the buyers to more easily visualize living there themselves, which is a huge selling point.

  • 5 Upgrades Every New Home Should Have

    Congratulations! You’ve just made a new home purchase, and you love everything about it, but it’s lacking a bit of you. It is not unusual to want upgrades once you buy a home, and the right upgrades are excellent ways to customize your new living space to suit your style and needs more precisely. If you’re ready to turn your new house into your new home, here are some upgrades that will increase the quality of the aesthetics, design, and functionality of your new home purchase.

    5 Upgrades Every New Home Should Have - bhgrelife.comStart in the Kitchen

    Within real estate, it is believed the kitchen and the bathroom are the two most important rooms in the home. An outdated kitchen can completely change the entire appeal of your new home for you. For this reason, many people choose to start in the kitchen when it comes to home upgrades. While a new kitchen can be costly, the below suggestions are some thrifty ideas for revamping the space without breaking your budget. In addition, these are also home upgrades that future buyers will focus on and are excellent ways to increase a return on your investment:

    • Swap out old appliances for stainless steel ones
    • Re-stain or paint old cupboards
    • Change the hardware for items more updated and modern