Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Ask a Pro

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Building Your Own Home

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Design pro and Casa Latina’s home improvement expert Marlene Pratt about what’s involved when planning to build your own home.

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    Q: Hola mi nombre es Wendy R. mi pregunta es cuanto me cuesta contruir una casa de concepto abierto, de tres recamaras, dos baños aqui en Goshen, Indiana 46526. Gracias.

    Translation: Hi my name is Wendy R. and my question is: how much would it cost me to build an open-concept home, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, here in Goshen, IN 46526. Thanks.

    -Wendy R.

     

    A: The cost of building a new house in Goshen Indiana or anywhere in the US really depends on how big you want your new home to be, and upon the materials, location, specifications or builders used. Your question is kind of general and there are many variables that go into building a home; so consider first making a spreadsheet with the list of the things you cannot do without. For example, what type of exterior/siding would you like your home to have? Would you like to live in a one level or two levels home? Do you require a certain amount of square footage for you and your family both inside and out? Would you like a basement and if so, finished or unfinished? How many bathrooms do you want and how many do you really need? And for your open concept do you know how big or fancy of a kitchen you really need?

    I made a few phone calls and I was told that the average two bedroom home in Indiana could run you between $180,000 and $240,000 and that cost is based on average quality material. Please keep in mind that a unique home designed to your specifications and built with quality material will considerably change that estimate.

    If you want a better idea of what your wants will cost you consider utilizing a FREE cost estimating software. The software allows you to vary the design, quality, size, and zip code of any house plan to get an approximate cost to build estimate.

    -Marlene P.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Townhouse Backyard Makeover

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur shows us how to transform a small townhouse backyard to a cozy space for dining and entertaining!

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    Q: How would you set up a small townhouse backyard that is approximately 16 feet wide and 11 feet deep? The fence on the far side is wrought iron fence with bushes in 2-foot border (not included in measurement). We would like this area to be cozy and inviting, and have space to eat outside. Lots of squirrels in neighborhood!

    -Marcia A.

     

    A: Pave it or deck it! The whole back space! If you try to section the space into areas, it will be too small to really make any kind of impact. By making the whole backyard into a beautiful patio, you will have lots of useable space. Invest in some big planters to add lots of greenery so that it doesn’t feel like a parking pad. Take advantage of the rod iron fence and put some vines in the planters which will climb on the fence and give you a little privacy. And the best part… useable space is a fantastic way to increase your home’s value! Check out the backyard I did. It was 18×18 and I decked the entire space. Do you miss the grass? Me neither!

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    -Carson A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Furniture Arrangement in a High-Traffic Room

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today Dream Team member and interior design pro Jennifer Adams advises a reader on how to arrange furniture in a high-traffic room.

    Q: My question is about how to arrange furniture in a room where people have to walk through the middle to get to other rooms.

    The room is a rectangle, 16 x 20, with 2 entryways on one of the smaller (16-foot) sides and a big entryway at the end of one bigger sides (20-foot).

    I can’t figure out a good furniture arrangement where the traffic flow goes AROUND the furniture, not through it.

    -Mary Ann L.

     

    A: This one is a challenge! Your room is big enough that you think you’d have enough space for a good arrangement, but, as I’m sure you’ve discovered, it fills up fast!

    I’m assuming this is a living room, but I’ll share a trick that will help with a dining room, too, or even a bedroom! With your imagination, divide the room diagonally, from corner to corner. This will help organize the room.

    Put most of the furniture in an “L” shape inside the triangle without traffic, and reinforce the arrangement with an area rug, so when you walk through the room, you won’t really walk on the area rug at all. It’s OK if the furniture extends into the “traffic” side a little.

    You can create an “L” shape with a sofa and two arm chairs or a big sectional. Place the “L” along the long wall, closer to the far corner than in the middle. A coffee table, end tables and lamps will help fill the space and provide a place for people to set down drinks.

    Lastly, an area rug that isn’t too big will help define the arrangement and reinforce the traffic pattern! A nice armoire or bookcases on the other long wall will balance the seating arrangement and add interest. This could also be the best place for a TV if this is the only room you have for TV watching. Good luck!

    -Jennifer A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Treating Dirty Grout

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Dream Team member and interior design pro Jennifer Adams about the best way to treat dirty grout.

     

    Q: I am at my wits end with the dirty grout on my floor tile. Have tried commercial product cleaners and home remedies – vinegar, baking soda, etc. and nothing really works. I tried a re-coloring product that helped for a little while but now looks like back to square one. I think the grout was never sealed to begin with. I want to sell the property but also need to live with it right now. Help!

     

    -Ruth D.

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    A: This is indeed a very frustrating problem, Ruth. I’ve dealt with it in so many ways, my favorite being not using white grout in the first place. But, even colored and gray grout gets dirty. Sealing is the best to help keep grout protected from damage and dirt. But, sealing needs to be re-done yearly or more often, depending on the amount of wear your tile gets.

     

    And, many harsh cleaners, especially acidic ones and bleach may deteriorate the grout further, allowing dirt and stains to get deep inside the grout. If you haven’t tried a non-acidic cleaner yet, try that — they sell them in the tile sections of major home improvement stores.

     

    If you’re happy with the result, let the grout dry thoroughly and re-seal. If you’re not satisfied, you may need to call in a tile contractor to professionally clean, or even re-grout your tile. Good luck and tell us how it goes!

     

    -Jennifer A.

     

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Dinner Table Dress-Up

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Dream Team member and Lifestyle expert Carolina Buia about finding the right placemats to dress up your dinner table!

    Q: I have been trying to find placemats for my table and cannot.  Are they still in fashion?  Where can I find them?

    -Kay C.

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    A: Where have you been looking?

    Placemats are still very much in fashion, especially with all the holiday entertaining. They can dress up a table or keep messes manageable. The latter ones are practical–as they are plastic and messes can be wiped up quickly. They are great for kids, and IKEA and Etsy have a wide selection. For adding pizazz to your dining, my favorite placemats include the modern Chilewich line. Their gilded ovals are one of my go-to table jewels. Also, check out the whimsical selections from ZGallerie, like these silvered corals. These stunning mats are an inexpensive and easy way to elevate your table setting. Yes, these beauties will always have a place at my dinner table.

    -Carolina B.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Choosing a Table Setting That Lasts Beyond The Holidays

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Dream Team member and interior design pro Jennifer Adams about creating a table setting that lasts beyond the holidays!

     

    Q: I have Noritake Platinum edged white dinnerware. What color placemats or tablecloth would be best to use with this china? I would like to be able to use the same setting for Christmas as well as afterward.

    -Sharon L.

     

    A: The beauty of classic dinnerware such as yours – and the challenge – is that it will go with really anything you want! For a stunning and timeless look perfect for any time of year, choose a charcoal gray tablecloth, in either a solid or subtle, low-contrast print. Other rich colors such as dark navy, deep burgundy or spicy pumpkin as well as neutral colors will mix things up a little for the seasons.

    For the holidays and dressy settings, think silver and sparkles! Silver mesh or fabrics woven with silver and white threads will play up the platinum edge and create a wintry feel. Accessorize with shiny or aged silver ornaments to finish the look!

    -Jennifer A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Potted Plants

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! We’ll talk to Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur about potted trees and the right time to plant.

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    Q: Is it now the right time to plant no matter I have to use pots? Can we plant all kind of trees or little plants too? Thanks in advance for your comments.

    -Cony E.

    A: Plants in pots are a tricky subject because each climate is very different. Most times, the answer is yes. This time of year is great for planting. That said, with temperature and light levels both dropping, extra care must be taken to ensure that your plants get what they need. Keep an eye on them and if leaves are yellowing then you may need to make some location changes that are warmer and sunnier.

    -Carson A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Cash Sale

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Karlton Utter, Director of Learning at Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, about the process of a cash sale.

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    Q: Just sold my house, cash sale no conditions. Deal closes Nov13 2014. Packing my stuff up leaving Nov 7th takes a week to drive to Edmonton Alberta. How do I get my equity from my house? Does it automatically go to bank for deposit?

    -Ashlee B.

    A: Great question. Typically the  money would be released by your attorney upon closing; however, you should contact your attorney to confirm this and for information on how it will be paid to you, as the bank or your attorney may have specific policies in place.

    -Karlton U.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: What’s the best finger food to serve?

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today’s pro is Carolina Buia, Dream Team member and Lifestyle pro. She will share with us some of her favorite finger foods to serve at a party!

    Q: Finger food – what’s the best thing to serve?

    -Betty M.

    A: Here are some of my favorite finger foods, ordered from “super easy” to “a little more work”.

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    Thin, rosemary Italian breadsticks wrapped in prosciutto (prep 15 min ahead), you can also roll them in black sesame seeds.


  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Sloped Yard Solution

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur! Let’s see what he has to say about adding a terrace to a sloped backyard!

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    Q: How would you terrace a downsloped back yard?

    -Abigail M.

    A: It all comes down to your budget!  They best way to create a terraced slope is to use a series of retaining walls to add level spaces down the slope for plants and shrubs.  Of course this is the most expensive! If you are on a budget, collect large stones to create planting pockets behind them, working your way down the hill.

    -Carson A.