Before you get started you need a plan. What details are you going to tackle first? The answer to this question is different for every homeowner. For instance, you may need to do nothing more than trim some bushes and plant some flowers. On the other hand, you may be in for a bigger job which includes pulling weeds, getting rid of dead trees, carving mulch beds, etc. As long as you have a plan you can move from one detail to the next without getting off track.

Now that you have a plan you need a budget. How much money are you willing to spend on this project? Since you are doing the work on your own you will save a lot of money on labor. Now, you have to decide how much you are going to spend on supplies. This can include: shrubs, trees, flowers, mulch, and gardening supplies. What do you already have? How much can you spend on what you need?

In one weekend you can take your yard from total embarrassment to the envy of the neighborhood.

photo credit: bossco

Eiffel Tower

Honestly… if anyone is surprised that this is the most photographed site in Paris then they need to climb out from under the rock where they’ve been living.  In fact, all on it’s own, the Eiffel Tower is the most photographed location in the entire world.  Heck, when Hitler conquered France, what did he want to be photographed with?  You got it.  Small wonder why it’s so popular (not because of Hitler).  The structure is breathtaking.  Other buildings might be taller, but the Eiffel Tower has a massive, romantic, awe inspiring feel to it when seen in person.  It makes sense that people would try to capture that feeling and bring it home with them.

Notre Dame

It took over 180 years to build, so yes, it better as heck be toward the top of this list.  180 years… Let’s stop and think about that for a second.  If the Notre Dame cathedral were started the year the United States was created… it would have been completed in the 1950’s.  Construction began in 1163 and was finished in 1345.  With such a history, you’d think the site was universally revered, yet throughout the ages numerous zealots have attempted to burn it down.  In modern times, the cathedral is most famous for the story of the fictional hunchback who lived there.  The cathedral is currently being put through an in-depth restoration that has been going on for almost 20 years.

Louvre

It is the most visited museum in the world.  The Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa both find their homes there.  15,000 people visit the museum everyday, 65% of which are tourists.  The Louvre began as a fortress in the middle ages, but has since been altered extensively throughout the centuries.  The museum itself was established in 1793, shortly after the French Revolution.  Today, the museum contains over 380,000 pieces of art, with about 35,000 on display.  So yes, as amazing as this museum is, what one sees is less than 10% of what the museum is actually holding.

Basilique du Sacre Coeur

Or… as it’s known in English, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Paris.  No, “basilique” does not translate to Basilisk, and if you thought it did, you’re reading too much Harry Potter.  After the French Revolution, a number of opposing factions emerged.  One of them was the Paris Commune (and it actually ruled the city for a couple months).  The first insurrection by this commune happened on a hill.  When the Army of Versailles showed up, these “communards” retreated into an old gypsum mine beneath the hill.  The army promptly blew up the entrance, permanently trapping everyone inside.  Done deal.  So why is this relevant?  The Basilique du Sacre Coeur is a Roman Catholic minor basilica built upon that same hill, above the mine.  It’s spiritual purpose?  To expiate the crimes of the communards.  Oh, and it’s also very photogenic.

Arc de Triomphe

Alright, let’s just cut to it.  Yes, for the rest of us it’s almost humorous that the French should have an Arch of Triumph.  What, being as they spent most of the 20^th Century waving white flags at the Germans.  But can you fault them?  Look at the Americans who love pointing at World War II as a high point of their nation’s might.  And in that same vein, the Parisian Arc de Triomphe (finished in the 1830’s) honors those who fought for France, especially during the Napoleonic Wars when the French were the ones everybody was afraid of.  That said, the landmark pretty much serves as something for invading or liberating armies to march under when they take Paris (the Germans in 1871, the French in 1918, the Germans in 1940, the Allies in 1944/1945 with the French riding up front during that one to save face).

Center Georges Pompidou

This site is an unusual entry on this list, because it is so modern.  This complex was built in the 1970’s and houses a vast library, the largest museum of modern art in Europe, and a center for music and acoustic research.  The complex features staggered exterior escalators that have inspired copycats throughout the world, including the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

Trocadero

Across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower, there is a hill.  And on this hill there is a palace, the “Palais de Chaillot”.  So why is there a palace here?  Because what else do you expect the French (especially Parisians) to build when there’s a World’s Fair?  Some people build space needles, others create buildings of ice.  The French?  They erect palaces, which is what they did in 1878.  So what happened in 1937 when they hosted a new international exposition?   Simple.  They tore down the original palace and built a new one.  Why?  Well, apparently because they can.  Today the palace serves as the home for a number of museums.  The structure is obviously very photogenic.  It’s also a great place to have your picture taken with the Eiffel Tower in the background, or at least Hitler thought so, since this is where he was standing in that famous picture of him in France.

With so many beautiful sites, it’s a small wonder that Paris is one of the most photographed cities in the world… or at least home to a lot of people who like to use Flickr.

Photo Credits: Al Lannai, xelcixe, problemkind, zehawk, guilluame, ricardo martin,

Crime Rates

Obviously the first thing you should look at are the crime rates in the areas you’re considering and the types of crimes committed. Realtors often have this information for you so you simply need to ask for it. If possible get several past reports too to see if there’s a pattern.

Schools

Schools may not be an important factor in your immediate life but an area with known quality schools typically has better neighborhoods. Having a good school system nearby also adds to your resale value.

Property Values

Look at the values of homes in the area. You’ll want to make sure the home you’re looking at is in line with the others and that they’re in line with what is expected for a similar home in another part of town. If the property values are a little low then the neighborhood is probably not as good as some others.

Proximity

Then take a look at the other things in the neighborhood that are nearby and how important they are to your personal criteria list. It may be a great neighborhood but if you’re continually traveling across town then it’s not a great neighborhood for you.

Pandora

Hey, if we’re going to start out by discussing “Avatar”, then we might as well begin our list with it.  Pandora, the lush moon of the planet Polyphemus.  So why all the hub-bub?  Simple.  Pandora is mind-bogglingly gorgeous.   There is no hint of “man” (at least until recently), and the native people live in perfect harmony with nature.  In fact, all life on the moon is linked via a neural network.  This affinity among all living things brings further peace and contentment to its inhabitants.  That may be the heart of why people want to live on Pandora so badly.  The inhabitants just seem so gosh darn content with their lives.

Hogwarts

Come on, admit it.  Everyone has wished at some point in their life that a giant would smash down their front door and declare, “You’re a wizard, Harry.”  (insert your own name in there… obviously… doofus)  It’s a theme that has permeated literature and story telling for ages.  It’s the idea that you’re special, that you’re meant for something more.  Heck, look at Luke Skywalker.  He’s bored in his humdrum life, then suddenly this old guy tells him he’s destined to wield a laser sword, battle bad guys, and resist ogling his sister in a slave outfit.  It’s that whole, “There’s a magical unseen world just around the corner, you’re meant to be there.

Middle-earth

Hey kids, do you like high fantasy?   Well, pretty much all high fantasy these days is a rip-off of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.  So, what is Middle-earth?  It is a continent.  Want to impress your friends who like “Lord of the Rings”?  The planet is called “Arda”.  It’s all very vague, but you’re pretty safe viewing Tolkien’s world as a mythological prehistoric earth.  Now granted, at certain points in Middle-earth’s history, you probably wouldn’t want to live there.  But… for the most part, Middle-earth is a beautiful place filled with fantastic places and creatures.  And if you’re an elf, you get to be nigh immortal.  Take that Pandora.

Azeroth

Speaking of Tolkien rip-offs, here’s one that over 11 million people already practically live in.  That’s right, Azeroth, the planet on which “World of WarCraft” takes place.  So, why would you want to live here, in a rip-off, instead of the original?   Well… Tolkien’s more cut and dry.  Monsters = Bad, People = good.  On Azeroth, it’s a bit more gray.  You could be a heroic orc, or one heck of an evil human.  Here’s another way to put it… if you prefer to look “cool” rather than “pretty” Azeroth may be the perfect place for you.  It pushes the envelope a bit.  What, with undead armies marching right along side inter-dimensional floating fortresses, what did you expect?  Good times.

Mythological Ancient Greece

Forget that uber-green harmony with nature.  Forget wizards in flashy robes and warriors wielding six-foot long swords with one hand.  Give us the age when gods walked among us, when magic existed but was still special… still rare.  Monsters?  Yep.  We’ve got those too.  But unlike “high-fantasy” where you’ve got a monster hiding under every bridge, “low-fantasy” settings like mythological ancient Greece hold monsters, heck, hold everything “fantastic” in a much higher regard.  If it’s “fantastic”, it’s rare, it’s story worthy, and you’re a hero for even encountering it.  Conan the Barbarian’s “Hyborian Age” is another example of low fantasy.

Star Trek Milky Way

A lot of those who pine for the world of Pandora do so because they consider it a utopia.  A perfect society.  Well, although the franchise tends to glaze over the subject, the fact of the matter is in the time of Star Trek, Earth itself has become a veritable utopia.  All problems are external (Klingons, Romulans, The Borg, etc).  Life on Earth itself?  It’s a paradise.  Hunger and disease have been eradicated.  The people of Earth spend all of their time pursuing whatever endeavors satisfy them.  Some take to the stars, but many more become artisans, scholars, etc, and lead a perfect life.  Sounds pretty gosh darn good.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away…

– Yeah, well… how would you describe the place where Star Wars took place?  The location is simply known as “The Galaxy” among fans.  And honestly, did you think we’d mention “Star Trek” without mentioning “Star Wars”?  So what’s there to say?  The Star Wars galaxy is the perfect marriage of fantasy and sci-fi.  Where else could you be a knight who flies a space-ship?  Now sure, the galaxy is embroiled in war at certain points, and the Jedi Knights have been all but eradicated at times, but that’s a small price to pay in order to use the force.

Post Apocalyptic Earth

What’s that you say?  Earth… after a nuclear apocalypse?  Well… not necessarily nuclear, but yeah.  Wipe out most of humanity and give it a century or two for the dust to settle.  Love the middle ages, but don’t like the idea of losing all of our technological progress?  A post apocalyptic earth might be the place for you!  Cities would retract back to city-states.  Communities would be closer knit.  Raiders would pray on the weak and destroy or enslave anyone who stood in their way—okay so it’s not all good.  But it still has something going for it.  After all, the utopian Earth of Star Trek is also a Post Apocalyptic earth, with World War 3 having happened a few centuries before.  So there you go.  Go watch “Mad Max” if you’re skeptical.

So…  Stop sobbing that you can’t live on Pandora.  There are plenty of other worlds cry about.  And hey, if you’re really that desperate to live on one of these worlds, go cultivate a nice healthy MMORPG addiction.  It’s almost as good.  God bless the 21^st century.

If you can convince them to tour the local assisted living facilities years before they need them they will at least be prepared for what the living situations are like, rather than being afraid of the unknown. In fact they may want to sign up if there is a waiting list as most facilities let you decline openings if you don’t feel you need them at the time. This way you get on the list and move up to the top so when assisted living is necessary you won’t have to wait as long for an opening.

Be aware of safety issues and inconveniences around their current home. By being aware of things that may become hazardous or difficult in the future and sharing that awareness with the older adult you can help prevent accidents in the current home and raise their understanding of the dangers associated with their current living situation.

And when the time nears you can get support from the assisted living center you’ve selected, clergy members, social workers, family and friends. Let people know that you’re working in their best interest and don’t attack them with an intervention but get positive support from others to help ease the transition.

Which one looks better? This is a matter of personal opinion. Some prefer look of hardwood, whereas others think that ceramic tile brings a “richer” appearance to the home. Don’t listen to anybody else on this point – you have to make up your own mind.

Ceramic tile is the better of the two options in bathrooms. Hardwood has the tendency to warp and become discolored in high humidity areas. Of course, getting too much water on hardwood can also lead to many problems.

In living spaces, such as a family room or dining room, hardwood is often times the flooring of choice. This may be preference, but it is the option that most homeowners choose if they are not going to use carpeting.

The cost of hardwood and ceramic tile vary. You can find both for less than $1/square foot. That being said, there are many products that are much more than this. How much you spend depends on your budget, the type of flooring you are buying, and the seller.

If you compare the pros and cons of hardwood and ceramic tile you should be able to decide which one is best for your upcoming project.

photo credit: evelynishere

With February upon us, one very special holiday comes to mind.  No, not Groundhogs Day.  Presidents Day!  And before you argue, keep in mind that some of us get work and school off for Presidents Day.  So yes, Presidents Day.  And how are we going to celebrate Presidents Day here at The Real Estate Home Guide?  By looking at some presidential homes, of course.  Now sure, not every country has a “President”, but they do have a “Prime Minister” or some other equivalent.  So enjoy as we take a look at some of the most esteemed homes in the world.

The White House

photo credit: Scott Ableman

Yep, we’re going to start with a big one.  This is it, the place where arguably the most powerful person in the world lives and conducts their business.  It was completed in 1800, but then promptly burnt to a crisp by the British only twelve years later.  Oh yes.  In the War of 1812 the Brits burnt down all but one government building in Washington D.C. (the Patent Office was spared).  Today it’s hard for an American to imagine a full land invasion of the United States (Red Dawn not withstanding).  The entire interior of the White House was incinerated.  A good portion of the exterior had survived, but it had been so badly weakened that it had to be torn down during reconstruction.  The White House would be gutted again shortly after World War II when it was discovered that the old building was close to collapse.  The interior was torn out, a steel frame installed inside for reinforcement, and then the interior rebuilt.  Today, the White House stands as proud as ever and is one of the most favorite homes in the United States.

Elysee Palace

photo credit: Thomas Faivre-Duboz

When it comes to great buildings, the French have plenty, and for a long period of its history, the Elysee Palace was pretty much just one of those great buildings.  Originally finished in 1722, the building was originally known as the Hotel d’Evreux.  The building would be later bought by Louis XV as a home for his mistress.  In 1773, the house would change hands again to Nicolas Beaujon, one of the wealthiest men in France, who would go on to make substantial changes to the building. Then the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars hit.  Suddenly this grand building found itself being utilized as a furniture warehouse, followed by a print factory, and then a dance hall.  Finally, the building would be put to use for government purposes by a man named Napoleon Bonaparte.  In 1853, Napoleon’s nephew, Napoleon III, had renovations done that gave the building its currently look.  In 1873, the building officially became the residence of the French President.

Kantei

Image via Wikipedia

In 2002 the Japanese completed work on the “Kantei”, the new workplace of the Prime Minister of Japan.  But where would the Prime Minster live?  Next door, in the old Kantei, now known as the Sori Kotei.  The position of “Prime Minister” was not created in Japan until 1885, and the official residence would not be completed until 1929.  The first Kantei was a two story mansion.  At this point you’re probably imagining some exotic building out of samurai movie.  Nope.  The building was Art Deco, and inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.  The new Kantei was built next door when the old Kantei became too cramped to serve the function of both home and executive office.  This mirrors America’s White House, which suffered the same problem during the time of Theodore Roosevelt.  The solution was the same, the creation of the West Wing next door.

10 Downing Street

10 Downing Street

Sometimes you just have to love British pragmatism.  Where other countries give flamboyant names to the homes of their leaders, the Brits simply call theirs “10 Downing Street”, the building’s address.  Colloquially, the building is known by an even simpler name “Number 10”.  The house was originally three buildings, all built at different times, at least two of which during the 14^th and 15^th centuries.  These two homes eventually ended up in the hands of monarchy.  King George II would then offer the two buildings to then “First Lord of the Treasury” (Prime Minster), Sir Robert Walpole.  Sir Robert accepted only on the condition that the home being given not to him but to the office of “First Lord of the Treasury”.  Sir Robert would then acquire the cottage next door.  The three buildings were then combined into one structure and gutted, the entire interior redone.  It was during this time that the now famous door on Downing Street became the main entrance.  As with the White Horse, shortly after World War II, 10 Downing Street was discovered to be on the verge of collapsee.  The building was rebuilt with as much of the original structure left intact.  That which was replaced was meticulously rebuilt to match the original  home.  One major change was made, however.  It turned out that the famous “black” exterior was actually yellow, just very, very dirty.  The decision was then made to paint the building back so it would look as it has for centuries.

In this modern age, some may protest that the heads of government are awarded too many perks.  Private planes, cars, palaces.  There are two things to keep in mind, however.  For the leader of a large country these “perks” are often necessary for doing their jobs.  Leaders play host to other leaders, and therefore need a nice home.  More importantly, being “Leader of the Nation” is one of the toughest, most stressful jobs in the world.  For anyone who wants to argue , take a look at before and after photos of any man who has served as United States President.  Perhaps that is why we have a day to celebrate them.  Happy Presidents Day!

Price

You have to find a home that you can afford, otherwise you’ll end up in financial ruin, foreclosure, or too strapped for cash to maintain your home and enjoy it. Not only should you follow what the mortgage lender will give you but what you think is a reasonable amount for your budget.

Condition

Learn everything about the home’s condition before you decide to make a purchase. The condition can cause a lot of problems and expenses. Having a home inspection is key to getting a good deal and making a wise home purchase decision.

Location

A beautiful home in a bad location is not going to seem beautiful for long. Take the time to learn as much as you can about the neighborhood and factor this into your decision process.

Features

Make a checklist of the things you need in a home, the things you’d like to have, and the things you don’t want. Then try to find a home that fits all of these requirements or comes very close.

So there’s a few ways we can do this…  When it comes to population density you can boil it down to individual neighborhoods, to cities, to countries, you get the idea.   So we’re going to go the creative route, because, well… do you want a boring list or a fun one?  –Yeah, that’s what we thought.  So what we have here is a list of cities in the United States ranked by which ones have the most densely populated neighborhoods.  Make sense?  No?  Don’t worry it will.  You’re seriously going to want to phone your friends once you’ve read this.  You’ll be that annoying person at dinner parties wanting to spew fun facts about population densities.  Enjoy, and you’re welcome.

New York City

photo credit: nosha

Seriously, when it comes to the US, could it be anywhere else that tops our list?  When you want density you’ve got to go one direction… up.  Well, I suppose you could build down, but since this isn’t a sci-fi Bruce Willis movie set in the future we’ll just ignore that.  Anyway, yes, you have to build up, and if you’re looking for a vertical city in the US (which we all sometimes do) New York is your winner.  The two most densely populated neighborhoods are Guttenberg and Union City with 56,012 and 52,978 people per square mile.  If we wanted to make this list less interesting for everyone except New Yorkers, we could have populated this list entirely with New York City neighborhoods.  The city simply dominates with West New York, Hoboken, and New York City itself taking up positions three, four, and five in terms of the United States’ most densely populated Neighborhoods.

Los Angeles

photo credit: tylerdurden1

One might say, “Big surprise, the United States’ second biggest city is also second on this list.”  Well, one might say that… but they’d also be an ignorant doofus.  Too mean?  Okay, let’s just say they’ve never been to L.A. the City of Angels.  Los Angeles goes on forever; it is a seemingly unending urban sprawl.  Only a city like Tokyo rivals it.  So what does that have to do with anything?  Well think about it.  New York City is geographically tiny and vertical, perfect for winning a population density contest (imagine the trophy).  If a city is spread out, then the people are going to be too.  Fortunately for LA, it has the neighborhood of Maywood.  And what is Maywood?  Well, let’s just cut to it.  It’s a sanctuary for illegal aliens.  Literally.  Yes, we’re not being snide here.  The city has literally declared itself a sanctuary for illegal aliens, especially those from Mexico.  So, as one can imagine, Hispanics who illegally enter the United States flock to the tiny city of Maywood, packing it so tight that it places the endless sprawl of Los Angeles as number two on this list.  As of the last census, the density of Maywood was listed at 23,887 people per square mile.

Miami

photo credit: [le]doo

Ah, Miami, beautiful Miami… and it’s surprisingly crowded.  Actually, it’s not.  North Bay Village is a bit of an amalgam.  You wouldn’t know it from the sound of it, but the village is actually a small, mostly man made island that was dredged up in 1940.  And it’s tiny, less than a square mile.  So what makes it so densely populated?  The place is vertical.  Most of this tiny island is covered with high-rise condominium complexes.  That which isn’t a high-rise condo is probably either a restaurant or nightclub.   So in other words, the entire island is nothing but tightly packed places to live, coupled with reasons for why you’d want to live there.  Good fun.  The density is 20,267 people per square mile.  As one can see, when it comes to high population density within the United States you’re either talking about a very small, vertical neighborhood, or a place with a gimmick.

Boston

photo credit: Willem van Bergen

New England, crowded?  What?  Well, at least it is in Somerville, a suburb of Massachusetts.  So what is Somerville?  How do we put this nicely?  The natives have often referred to it as “Slumerville”.  A couple decades ago, it was the car theft capital of the United States.  Historically, it has been a blue-collar, industrial town that’s had a few problems along the way.  Despite all this, it is indeed the most densely populated neighborhood in New England, allowing Boston to ride its coattails right onto this list.  Today the neighborhood has changed to some degree, namely due to the removal of rent control in the mid 1990’s which was immediately followed by the internet boom.  Today the city is dealing with tension between its longtime, blue-collar residents, and the newer more well-to-do people who have moved in.  Locally, the financially successful newcomers are known as “barnies”.   Hm.  The density is 18,868 people per square mile.

Louisville

photo credit: The Pug Father

So how does a city like Louisville Kentucky make it onto a list like this?  Simple.  The neighborhood of Poplar Hills.  And this is a good one.  The total population of Poplar Hills is a staggering 396 people.  So how is it dense?  Easy.  It’s tiny.  How tiny?  About the size of your backyard (well, slightly bigger).  Poplar Hills is a whopping .02 square miles in size.  Do the math and you’ve got a town the size of a postage stamp with a population density of 17,036 people per square mile.

San Francisco

photo credit: paulhami

We’ll happily finish this list with San Francisco.  Why happily?  Because it’s the city as a whole, no tiny neighborhoods.  When we say San Francisco, we really mean San Francisco, not just a small portion of it. The city is moderately vertical, and not too large.  There is, however, one gimmick.  The city’s culture.  San Francisco proudly leans to the hard left.  One might even use the term “aggressive” to describe the city’s stance.  This prevalent culture in turn attracts people with liberal ideals who wish live among people who share their views.  Small wonder that this is the city where “hippies” originated from.  The population density is 16,634 people per square mile.

Population densities are surprisingly interesting.  They’re not random.  If an area is densely packed, there’s something going on.  Either a lack of land coupled with vertical architecture, or a special culture that people want to get in on.  That said, all this talk of people packed in by the thousands kind of makes a cabin in the woods sound awfully appealing.

Dated décor can be anything from old carpeting to wallpaper to bland paint colors to poorly cared for furniture. The fact of the matter is that all of these things can and will change once you buy the home. You need to focus on the structure and space of the home, while realizing that you will eventually have the chance to make your own changes and bring in your own furniture.

There is no denying that dated décor can make things difficult on both the buyer and seller. The seller will have a hard time finding interested buyers, especially those who do not have any vision. And the same thing holds true for buyers.

You are not buying the tastes of the past homeowner. What you are buying is the home and the space that it offers. Once you get into your new home you can change the décor, add your own touches, and be proud of the final result.

photo credit: Wonderlane