Posts from July 2024
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22
Homebuying 101: Getting a Preapproval
Welcome back to Homebuying 101! So far we've covered the basics of the homebuying process, how to find a real estate agent and questions to ask once you've found one. Now, we're diving into the next step — finances.
Saving up for a downpayment is a big part of the homebuying process, but obtaining a preapproval is just as important. You wouldn't want to get attached to a home you can't afford, and similarly don't want to sell yours...
21
The Olympics Are Coming: Here's How to Set Up the Ultimate Outdoor Viewing Experience
Summertime is the perfect season to really go all in and turn your backyard into a movie-watching and sporting event oasis. And with the summer Olympics coming up, it's as good a time as any to create a gathering space for you and your crew to come together for some gold medal-worthy gymnastics viewing. Don't have an outdoor TV already set up? Don't stress. Here's how to perfect a festive TV-watching setup outside without a flatscreen.
Step 1: Consider your screen setup options (there's something for all budgets!).
A projector plus a flat surface is the simplest way to enjoy movies and TV outdoors. "There is something so magical about watching a screen under the stars," says designer Alliso...
21
'Twisters' Begs the Question: Can You Truly Tornado-Proof a Home? A Reality Check
Tornadoes are favorite movie fodder—from "Wizard of Oz" to the latest summer hit "Twisters"—but for homeowners who live in tornado-prone areas, there's nothing entertaining about them.
According to the National Weather Service, the U.S. experiences around 1,000 tornadoes each year—and that number is on the rise. The past four years have been the most tornado-heavy on record, and in May 2024, there were 125 tornadoes recorded over a one-week period in the U.S.
Climate change is largely responsible for...
17
How to Make Your Kitchen Feel More Spacious
A spacious kitchen is a dream for many homeowners. It's the heart of the home, where meals are prepared and families gather. However, not all Chicagoland homes for sale come with a large kitchen, and sometimes, we must make the most of the space we have. Whether you're looking to enhance your current kitchen or staging your home for potential buyers, there are several effective strategies to make your kitchen feel more spacious.
Lighten Up the Space
Light Colors: One of the simplest ways to create a sense of space is using light colors. Opt for whites, creams and soft pastels for walls, cabinets and countertops. Light colors reflect light, making the room feel airy and open. Dark colors, while dramatic, can make a room feel smaller and more enclosed.
Natural Light
15
Easy Curb Appeal Updates
Do you ever have a space that could just use a little something? Nothing is necessarily wrong with it, but you just want to make it even better than it is? For us that was our front yard area! I think the front of the house can sometimes be a last priority. I know we are guilty of going for the big interior projects, like the kitchen and laundry room first, but your front yard is what guests first see! Follow along with the step-by-step process of how we transformed our front yard space....
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