Real Estate & DYI Projects For Your Home

How to Landscape on a low budget!

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos Carranza) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:02:00 +0000

        A landscape should'nt take much to make, specially if you have a budget, but when we want it to look nice we think "well how much is this going to cost me?" When you DIY you save yourself so much money because you automatically cut out the landscape contractor which he/she would normally charge maybe not alot, but who are we kidding the more you save the better! It really don't take much out of your time and if it does the fun part of it is that you can always start and leave the rest in to-be-continued sections. Many stores like Home Depot, Lowes, and even some of your old mom and pop shops can help out with some tips on how to do it yourself. Your basic tools would probably be is a shovel, rake, gloves, post hole digger, small tiller, and the rest would just depend on how big the project would be.
        Always remember that when it comes to plants, you always want to research the type of plant with the environment and area that you live in because you wouldnt want to live in a very sunny area and get a plant that needs lots of shade. Another thing is, always get fertilizer and compost for the plants so once planted, it already has food to survive and grow strong from the day that its planted. You never want to forget to put a weed block material to protect the plants from anytype of weeds and grass from growing, and hence ruining your landscape area. Then of course you would put an edger around to keep the grass and weeds from growing inside the landscaped areas as well as for your mulch to keep it from going out in case of rain or when watering the area.
        This should take you a couple of hours to a couple of days depending of the landscape project size but when all else fails then get your landscape contractor to help you do the job. As a landscape contractor myself, I normally get many people come to me for help when they dont have much time on there hands so if this is the case for you then I would also recommend to get help from a landscape contractor. Oh by the way, if for some reason you dont get much help at any of the garden stores you can always turn to your Google and search for many tips on how to DIY Landscape. If for some reason you guys need any more info or help feel free to shoot me a comment or an email, good luck!

How to Set The Mood For A Get Together

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos Carranza) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:09:00 +0000

        Coming from a background where my family is very close we always have to get together every week or weekend and have cookouts watching a boxing match or a football game on a big tv screen in the family room. It made me think about how the surroundings of the home makes a big difference in our emotions. Like the size of the room matters because nobody likes to be in a crowded room as it makes the comfort zone very uncomfortable.
        So normally it takes place in the biggest room of the home, the garage, or outside on the patio. Now to make a room bigger, all you have to do is just clear some things out of the way and put things closer to the walls of the room to make it look more spacious. The next thing that makes a room more comfortable is the way its laid out. Furniture,living room decor, and even carpets/rugs make a difference on how the comfort level will be set just by the lay out of these things. Another way of setting a relaxed mood or setting a vibe where everyone feels in that comfort zone is the way the area smells.
        Different aroma candles work very well with the type of mood you want to set depending on the type of environment you're in. You dont want to put some candles to set a romantic mood if you're inviting the guys over for some beers, or if you're teenage daughter is bringing a date over for the first time! Of course not! Studies have shown that depending on the mood a person is in it will spread the vibe through out the entire room or area you're in.
        So if you're trying to spread a vibe of excitement and fun, then you would want to light an orange candle as it would set a nice relaxed yet fun vibe. In the next party or get together you may have try this out and you'll see how much of a difference you will have. I know that will have people remembering your get togethers and will have them asking for more.

How the House Market Can Benefit the Home Buyer

noreply@blogger.com (Carlos Carranza) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:45:00 +0000

The home market right now is good because of the rates being very low as well as the credit requirements and the percentage for the upfront investment. Not to mention that the government right now is offering $8,000 for first time home buyers and $6,500 for recent home owners. When I say recent I mean within 3 years of today, so if you had a home in the past but more than 3 years, it will qualify you as a first time home buyer.

Many people really dont know this information making them feel that they wouldnt qualify for the first time home buyers credit so they get discouraged to buy a home and wait longer. The only thing is that uncle sam is only giving us until June 30th of this year to close in on your home if not you dont get the tax credit.

It doesnt just stop there though. After that experation date on the tax credit, rates and many other requisites that the FHA had before will change. Such as, instead of a 3.5% down payment the percentage will go up to 5% down minimum with only 3% seller contribution instead of the 6% that it was this year and the past. Also, the interests will be going up to 6-7%!

Credit scores will be required to be above a 680 fico score instead of the 620 fico score it has been in the current past. So now would be the best time to purchase a home regardless if you qualify for a tax credit or not. Considering of course that you want a low interest and a low down payment towards your home investment. Maybe you'll all come to your senses and come out of the shadows to ask for more information on a home or a mortgage. Otherwise you will get left out in the dark and with a higher interest and other things that really might not suite your needs.