While homes have been increasing in size, lots have been decreasing. The median lot size has shrunk by about 10 percent since the late 1990s, from about 9,600 square feet in 1999 to about 8,600 square feet at the end of 2014, leaving less yard space left over.

New single-family homes had three feet of yard space for every one foot of finished indoor space in the early 2000s. Fast forward to the end of 2014 and there is just under two feet of yard space for every one foot of finished indoor space.

"The idea that Americans increasingly prefer smaller homes is simply not supported by the most recent construction data. We still want our big homes with ample bedrooms and bathrooms, but increasingly, we're having to make a tradeoff to keep those kinds of homes accessible – namely, smaller lots," said Zillow Chief Economist Svenja Gudell. "Americans want both space and convenience, but the land available relatively close to job centers is expensive. This trend of larger homes and smaller lots represents the compromise between what builders can profitably build and what consumers will actually buy."

It takes an average of almost five months to complete construction of a new single-family home, but it usually sells just about one month after construction begins. In a hot U.S. housing market, high density and small lot sizes aren't going to hold back buyers; they're eager to nail down a place to live, gaining a larger home in the process.

To learn more about our findings, check out the post on Zillow Research.

Orman is asking $4.5 million for the 1,279-square-foot unit, as Curbed New York first reported.

She got a deal on it in 2007, when she paid $3.68 million. The same apartment with Central Park views was going for $3 million more, the talk-show host told The Wall Street Journal.

Real estate investing isn’t her thing, Orman said, adding that she pays cash for homes. “If I can’t write a check for it, I can’t afford it,” she said.

Like a grown-up version of Eloise, the 1950s children’s book character who lived in The Plaza, Orman enjoys the apartment’s location and perks, including room service, housekeeping and an upscale food court, she told the Journal.

She and her wife, Kathy Travis, thought the white-gloved butlers are a little over the top, and their unit needed a year-long remodel to pull it out of Motel 6 territory.

Now it’s a luxurious 1-bedroom, 2-bath apartment with herringbone hardwood floors, silver-leaf crown moldings and a chandelier in the bedroom. It comes furnished with designer furniture and window treatments.

Living at The Plaza also means in-building access to some of New York’s storied hangouts, including The Palm Court, The Oak Room, The Champagne Bar, The Rose Club, and The Grand Ballroom.

The listing agent is Corcoran‘s Charlie Attias.

Related:

• Tyra Banks’ Next Top Home Hits the Market
• Rock Like Neil Young on His Big Island Estate for $24.5M
• It’s No Hogwarts: Daniel Radcliffe Asks $19K a Month for Sleek Soho Rental

Home away from home

If you and your family and friends spend most of your evenings outdoors, consider bringing the inside, outside. Add homey details like a mantle, shelving, and outdoor furniture around the fireplace unit for a cozy space to curl up on a cool night.

This type of area, with its rustic vibe and comfortable ambiance, is ideal for treating the kids to s’mores or sharing a glass of wine with friends at the end of the evening.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Totally transparent

For a luxe look, consider installing a double-sided outdoor fireplace. Not only does this style open up your entire backyard area, but it also allows for better ventilation throughout the space.

Add a uniquely fashioned grate to one side to protect plants and guests from sparks or ash.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Chimney charm

Every outdoor landscape needs a great focal point, and in the case of a fireplace, it's a beautifully crafted chimney. While you have the option to choose a minimalist fire pit or simple bowl feature, why not highlight your outdoor fireplace by utilizing unique texture, an interesting shape, or robust color?

This chimney is a standout feature in this hidden backyard area. The cool gray stone plays well with the bold brick walls and overall dark color palette. By using two textures and two colors, the chimney adds dimension and interest to this carved out cove.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Modern minimalism

Outdoor fireplaces don't always have to be made of brick or stone. Try a minimalist approach to the outdoor fireside by mixing up its color and shape.

In this outdoor area, the hearth is long and lean, boasting an open flame that flickers safely because of the smaller flames emitted. With this type of look, keep a safe distance between the fireplace and flammable furniture and textiles, and situate it near brick or stone to reduce the risk of overheating and burning anything in close proximity.

Add outdoor furniture that matches your contemporary fireplace to complement the look.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

See more outdoor fireplace inspiration.

Related:

• Homemade Hack for DIY Backyard Tabletop S’mores
• Getting Your Garden Ready for Fall
• Mad About Plaid

Daniel Radcliffe, after all these years still everyone’s favorite warlock, is looking for renters for his modern high-rise apartment in Soho.

The listing promises “Mercer Street Magic,” with a wink at the ownership of this 1,843-square-foot pad in a glass-walled building with a large gym plus swimming pool.

The 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath apartment features hardwood floors, high ceilings, lots of light, and a contemporary kitchen.

The master bath is the showstopper, with a walk-in shower, dual sinks with stylized lights and shelves, and a giant tub suitable for a Quidditch player in need of a long muscle soak.

Radcliffe paid $4.29 million for these digs in 2007 but “The Boy Who Lived” didn’t live here long - the actor quickly rented it out, according to The New York Times.

The rental listing agent is Chris Pomeroy and Jane Greenberg of Halstead Property.

Related:

• Jessica Chastain Seeks Renters for Greenwich Village Apartment
• Serena and Venus Williams Serve Up a Manhattan Loft
• Alec Baldwin Sells Small But Plush Greenwich Village Apartment

Here are nine reasons you should be combining your houseplants, and how to do it in nine easy steps.

9 reasons to combine houseplants

• Less watering. Watering an assortment of potted plants can be a pain. With a combo, however, you just water once.
• Living flower arrangements. Flower arrangements are great, but there's just something so captivating about a living ecosystem in your home. In addition, living arrangements are more economical than cut flowers over time, because they last a lot longer.
• Fits your decor. Going for a traditional look? Use cast iron plant, parlor palm, and ferns in an urn or terra-cotta pot. More modern? Plant snake plant, Haworthia and Gasteria in a sleek container. Primitive tropical? Fill a rattan basket with an exuberant pot of rainforest plants.
• Stays alive. Even if a plant or two dies, the others will quickly fill in the gap. If you're impatient, all you have to do is tuck another one in its place.
• It's therapeutic. Successfully cultivating life just feels good. You'd be amazed by how relaxing and rewarding an occasional trim or topdressing of soil can be.
• It's a garden, indoors. A well-planted arrangement truly feels like a little piece of garden in the middle of your home - minus the creepy-crawlies and hard work.
• Ideal for small spaces. Everyone has room for an indoor garden. These arrangements can range from just a few inches wide to taking up as much space as a dining chair. No matter the size, the impact is huge.
• A creative outlet. If you get your kicks from cooking, crafting, drawing or writing, then just look at an indoor arrangement as an extension of your craft. It's a recipe of plants; a craft that hot-glues itself in place; a masterpiece in four dimensions; an adventure in your mind's eye.
• Year-round gardening. Throughout most of the country, winter puts the garden on hold for a few months. In the Deep South and Southwest, summer keeps you in the air-conditioned comfort of your home. Your indoor garden will keep you company until nicer weather.

How to combine houseplants

Now that you're ready to plant your own indoor living arrangement of plants, here's how you do it. Note that it's almost exactly like planting an outdoor container combo.

1. Gather materials. Choose a pot with a drainage hole and potting mix. The drainage hole is important because it keeps the water from stagnating and rotting the plants' roots.
2. Pick your plants. Select a few plants that tolerate the same conditions. For example, don't put a sun-loving cactus in a pot with a shade- and moisture-loving fern.
3. Add potting mix. Fill the pot almost all the way, leaving enough room for the plants.
4. Add plants. Slip the plants out of their pots and place in the big pot.
5. Arrange plants. Situate plants so that the tall ones are in the rear. This ensures that each plant gets light. Put trailing plants like pothos along the edge so they can cascade over the rim.
6. Add more potting mix. Add enough potting mix to sit level with the tops of the plants' root balls (the pot-shaped mass of dirt and roots).
7. Water. Water thoroughly to level out the potting mix and eliminate any air gaps. Where the potting mix has sunk, add more.
8. Fertilize. Feed the plants according to your product's label instructions. Authentic Haven Compost Tea is a good choice, since it’s organic and effective, and the nutrients stay in the potting mix.
9. Properly place. Place your container combo where it gets bright indirect light, meaning that it's bright enough to read comfortably without flipping a light switch. Some plants, such as cacti, succulents and some plants grown for flowers, prefer direct light. This means that your plants get a clear view of the sun for at least a few hours a day.

If you'd like to know more about combining houseplants, check out my book Plant by Numbers. It offers comprehensive plant listings to help you choose and combine your own designs, 50 sample combos, and everything you need to know about keeping your houseplants happy and healthy.

Related:

• Troubleshooting Houseplant Woes
• Keeping Pets Safe Around Plants
• Air Plants and Succulents: A Perfect Pair

It’s easy to picture the builder, late artist Johnny Knight, sitting with a dog-eared copy of “The Hobbit” and coming up with this enchanted dwelling.

Back in 1971, he set massive cypress stumps in a clearing and erected an octagonal 1-bedroom, 1-bath house atop them.

The current owner bought the treehouse after Johnny died, bolstered the structure and added flourishes like a tongue-and-groove ceiling, a stacked stone fireplace, hand-crafted doors, and a redwood bar and countertops.

The treehouse includes a walkway to a platform overlooking the 4.5-acre property, which features two creeks and a zipline.

“We do have two fairies that have already moved into the treehouse, and if you look closely you will notice two fairy doors,” according to a listing posted last week by Sue Humphreys of Re/Max.

Asking price: $135,000.

The home is already under contract, Humphreys said.

“We had 60 people through at an open house on Sunday, and I could’ve written about 12 contracts,” she added.

People just keep calling. “I’ve never had a property get this much attention. … I can’t get dressed. I can’t eat,” Humphreys said.

She doubts the buyer will accept offers to buy out her contract. It’s a cousin of Johnny Knight’s.

“It’s going to stay in the family, which is as it should be, because of the local history,” she said.

Related:

• Could You Live ‘Tiny’? See How a Seattle Couple Found Room for Their Dreams
• Putting Down Roots 40 Feet Up: Life in a Fire Lookout
• Have a Yabba Dabba Doo Time in This Flintstone Home

ORIGINAL POST 11/26/14: The legacy of incomparable actor and comedian Robin Williams — from "Mork & Mindy" to classics like "Good Will Hunting" and "Mrs. Doubtfire" — will live on forever. And now a piece of his personal history is hitting the market again — a venerable Napa, CA estate worthy of the man whose death this year came far too early.

Williams' longtime vineyard residence, called the "crown jewel of Napa" in the listing, is currently available for $25.9 million. One of the Valley's most notable estates, Williams called it Villa Sorriso — or "Villa of Smiles" — and there’s no doubt the luxurious property prompts smiles.

The main residence was commissioned by Williams and built in 2003 by David Gast and Associates. Inspired by the Palladian philosophy of dramatic architectural statements grounded with harmony and balance inside, the home manages to be at once extravagant and welcoming.

Perfectly suited for relaxing and entertaining, the elegant villa has 5 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms in 20,000 square feet. From the classic exterior of Portuguese limestone and oak-paneled rooms to a 12-seat indoor theater and climate-controlled wine and art storage, the estate lacks nothing. There is even the thrill of a private tower accessible via a bridge from the master suite.

For the outdoor enthusiast, a 9-stall horse barn, tennis court, hiking trails and a spring-fed pond for bass fishing provide endless opportunities. The home’s blue-tiled roof melts into the sky, and the infinity and lap pools overlook the mountains and nearby Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.

The 639-acre property is a working vineyard with more than 18 acres producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc varietals. The grapes are bought by Robert Craig Winery, a highly-rated vintner, says listing agent Cyd Greer of Coldwell Banker. Over 100 fruit-producing olive trees also dot the property, with plenty more acreage that could be cultivated.

Williams did try to sell the estate a few years back, and it was unofficially available earlier this year. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were in the market, but opted for a much smaller property, purchasing a 3-acre estate with a vineyard this summer.

Related:

• Sofia Vergara Buys Ornate Beverly Hills Villa
• ‘Blue Sky Home’ in Wine Country
• Report Says ‘Saint George’ Lopez Living Large in Los Feliz

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose on Friday, then hovered around 3.76 percent before falling to the current rate Tuesday.

"Mortgage rates are almost unchanged from last week despite some volatility in response to mixed messages from incoming data and Fed commentary," said Erin Lantz, vice president of mortgages at Zillow. "Despite a number of important speeches and data releases this week, expectations for the first Fed rate hike are firmly focused on December. We expect rates will remain roughly flat in the absence of exceptional global events."

Additionally, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate was 2.92 percent, and for 5/1 ARMs, the rate was 2.74 percent.

Check Zillow Mortgages for mortgage rate trends and up-to-the-minute mortgage rates for your state, or use the mortgage calculator to calculate monthly payments at the current rates.

*The weekly mortgage rate chart illustrates the average 30-year fixed interest rate in six-hour intervals.

Here’s what you need to know about this rapidly growing alternative mode of lending that removes the bank as the middleman.

What is peer-to-peer lending?

Also known as P2P lending, peer-to-peer lending is the large-scale lending of money between people - online.

Thousands of borrowers and lenders work together in a relationship that is secured by a lending company such as industry leader Lending Club and its main competitor, Prosper.

While peer-to-peer marketplaces are still relatively new, they are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and are required to register in individual states, too. Lending activities must comply with federal and state consumer lending laws.

How does peer-to-peer lending work?

Unlike traditional lending in which borrowers apply for money from the bank itself, P2P lending connects borrowers with investors - those who have agreed to lend out their money (incentivized by an attractive return) - directly.

The person doing the lending checks out the borrower's credit history and decides whether or not they're going to lend him/her money.

How much can you borrow?

Loan amounts vary by P2P lending site. Lending Club offers loans between $1,000 and $35,000. Prosper offers loans between $2,000 and $35,000.

Pros of P2P lending

Many borrowers like P2P lending for its low loan rates, which means low monthly payments and a low total cost of borrowing.

Interest rates at Lending Club and Prosper range from about six percent to 30 percent. The average loan is about $13,000, and the average FICO score of a borrower at both lenders is about 700, according to Consumer Reports.

Other benefits include:

• A simple application process
• Loan approval is relatively easy compared to a traditional bank
• You can qualify for smaller loans than most traditional banks are willing to make
• Loans are term-based with monthly payments
• You can receive your funds in a matter of days

Cons of P2P lending

Prosper and Lending Club both charge fees for new loans: one to five percent of the total loan amount.

They also charge fees for late payments, which are assessed if your payment is more than 15 days late.

And if you're a credit risk, you'll be rejected. You must have a solid credit history, with a minimum credit score in the mid-600s.

Finally, you must live in a state that allows this type of borrowing.

To learn more about P2P lending, go to LendAcademy.com.

Related:

• 5 Ways to (Really) Save for a Down Payment
• How to Budget for Home Renovations
• Choosing (and Using) the Most Rewarding Credit Card

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

The 6,040-square-foot, renovated home has charm up to here.

Built in 1926, it retains that era’s tiled fountains, French doors and clerestory windows overlooking a loggia and expansive lawn. The floors are clad throughout with travertine stone and maple planks.

The master suite, which boasts city views, includes a sitting room, walk-in closet and safe room.

Entertaining is a breeze inside and out, with a chef’s kitchen and formal living and dining rooms, plus an outdoor living room and kitchen, the latter with a fire pit and seating for 12 beside the pool in a walled garden.

"I was not looking for another home until I discovered a property in the Malibu hills through a friend," the “America’s Next Top Model” and “FABLife” host told the Wall Street Journal.

Banks also owns other homes in New York City and Southern California.

The listing agent is Heidi Lake of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Photos courtesy of Sotheby’s International Realty

As a result, many sellers have held off listing their homes near the holidays and in the winter, favoring the warm spring months to showcase their landscaping and outdoor spaces.

These cycles worked well for decades because families were the most common buyers. But many of today's buyers are young millennials or empty nesters. School schedules and seasons don’t typically dictate their home purchase time frame. These buyers are active in the fall and even into the winter months, including the holidays.

If you have a home to sell, fall is a great time to list it, despite conventional wisdom. With less competition than in the spring, it may even turn out to be better financially. Here’s how to appeal to the two types of home shoppers that are particularly active in the fall.

Marketing to millennials

For millennials, the market is always on. As long as their smartphone or tablet is within reach, they are active buyers.

Fully connected and attached, millennials will look at listings and analyze data 24/7. Sellers must keep their home in tip-top shape and showing-ready at all times.

Don't expect millennial buyers to wait around for an open house. Many prefer to see homes they like on their timeframe. Be ready to accommodate them.

Have great listing photos online the minute the home hits the market. Nothing is more frustrating to young buyers than to be notified via text or email about a property in an awesome location, only to find that the listing doesn’t include any photos.

Millennials are visual. Spend extra time on the photo shoot, and make sure your agent hires a professional photographer. Good photos get your buyers in the door. Give them what they want.

Attracting empty nesters

Empty nesters tend to be more old school than millennials. They can be slower and more methodical about a purchase. Don't rush them.

Many older buyers are looking to downsize, which means they either need to sell their existing home before they buy, or they will need to take a loan against their current home to purchase. Juggling finances means they come to the table with an incredible amount of stress. Give them time to process decisions.

Empty nesters may not be as responsive as other buyers, and may not communicate quickly via text, or even check email during off hours. If possible, accommodate their response times. If they feel rushed or under the gun, no matter how hot your home or how competitive the market, they will walk away.

Don't forget, someone with five or six decades of life experience comes to the table more informed. Having been through a couple of financial and housing crises, they may be more cautious as they approach retirement and life on a fixed income.

The best salesperson knows and understands his or her buyers. The same holds true for real estate sales. As a seller, prepare to meet a buyer that may be very different from you. Plan in advance to give them what they want. Once you have a buyer on board, learn as much as you can about who they are, and work with them. What works for some buyers may not work for others.

Related:

• What to Do If Your Home Isn’t Selling
• Is ‘For Sale By Owner’ Right for You?
• 3 Secrets to Holding a Painless Open House

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

ORIGINAL POST 4/7/15: Tom Cruise is done living on the edge of the Hollywood Hills.

The celeb top gun is asking almost $13 million for a villa compound on 2.75 acres overlooking the city, Variety reports.

The main house features walls of glass that offer breathtaking views and an Italian farm-style kitchen with chef-quality appliances. Wide-plank oak floors and Venetian plaster walls lend warmth to the home, which has three bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms.

The guest house boasts four bedrooms, 4 baths and a kitchen, and the yard includes a patio, bridge, lagoon-style heated pool, a spa and a waterfall. There’s also a stone-clad craft building that can be used as a wine cellar and tasting room.

The listing, by Michael Eisenberg of Keller Williams, calls the estate “virtually irreplaceable” - mission impossible, indeed.

Related:

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• Rent Like a Winklevoss: Just $110,000 a Month
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The classic colonial on 1.5 acres in the heart of Greenwich features a grand-scale, three-exposure family room and a kitchen and breakfast area that opens onto terraces overlooking the pool.

The home’s 7,605 square feet encompasses seven bedrooms, six of them with en-suite bathrooms. The master suite boasts a fireplace, sitting room and two walk-in closets.

For families with small children, there’s a third-floor playroom with guest quarters suitable for an au pair.

The listing agent is Ellen Mosher of Houlihan Lawrence.

Related:

• Rosie O’Donnell Buys Vacation-Ready Manse in West Palm Beach
• Queen Elizabeth Scores a Chicago Condo Fit for a Canadian Consul
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The 2,100-square-foot home - owned by Katherine Power, founder of Who What Wear, Byrdie and MyDomaine, and her husband, celebrity photographer Justin Coit - offers two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and fireplaces in almost every room. The exterior features a red-brick paved walkway, a blue door and matching shutters, and fig ivy adorning the front of the home.

The home makes a powerful impression, says Power. "It's a very emotional house when you walk in,” she explains. “You feel the character. I was attracted to the European feel.”

Leaded- and stained-glass windows, intricate moldings, and hardwood floors contribute to the home’s allure. The first-floor powder room is outfitted with the signature Beverly Hills Hotel palm leaf wallpaper for a touch of glamour.

Since purchasing the home in 2013, Power has given the bathrooms a cosmetic update, and installed a pool and built-in grill in the backyard, but has tried to stay true to the details of the 1937 home. Power also used the services of one of L.A.'s most famous interior designers, Estee Stanley, to style the home.

"The home is the perfect amount of everything,” Powers says. “Everything is spatially well laid out and has a lot of beautiful character.”

The listing agent for Power's home is Alex Brunkhorst at The Agency.

Read more about Power’s thoughts on the home.

Related:

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• Before & After: Cottage Curb Appeal Makeover
• Tour a Designer’s Brooklyn Live/Work Space

Nothing’s worse than finding unwanted visitors in your home. A surprise appearance by a spider is enough to make you want to move out altogether. However, some house guests are even worse - you can’t crush them or spray them to get rid of them. Two chief culprits: mold and termites.

Silent intruders such as these can be costly to fix - not to mention a major headache to deal with. Even though standard home insurance policies cover a wide variety of perils, you may not have adequate protection for damage from certain pests.

While you should review your specific policy, here's a quick breakdown of how mold, termites and other pests typically are covered (or not covered) by standard home insurance policies.

When mold moves in

It goes without saying that mold is not something you want in your home. Even in the most well-kept home, there's often a little bit of mold somewhere. The problem is when mold is allowed to grow and spread unnoticed. Severe indoor mold infestations can lead to serious health problems, and should be addressed immediately.

Because it costs so much to get rid of mold and repair the damage it causes, some homeowners may hope to rely on their home insurance policy for help. This is where things get tricky. First, it's important to know what causes mold.

Mold thrives on moisture, which means humid and damp areas are vulnerable. Mold spores can enter your home through doors and windows or can grow after a leak occurs. If the mold in your home is caused by a covered peril such as a burst pipe or leaky roof, repairing the damage it creates could be covered through your home insurance policy.

There’s a ‘but’ coming, of course: Most policies include certain mold exclusions. Many standard policies won't offer coverage for mold that arises from poor maintenance, chronic or repeated water leaks, or failure to properly ventilate rooms.

There’s another circumstance in which damage from mold is not covered: when it’s caused by flooding from rising waters such as lakes, rivers or oceans. Flooding isn’t covered by standard home insurance, and neither is mold caused by flooding. For that, you’ll need a separate flood policy. Learn more at FloodSmart.gov, the website for the National Flood Insurance Program.

Curious about your level of mold coverage? Call your home insurance company and find out what your policy says. Many carriers offer add-on coverage for extra protection.

The truth about termites

Every homeowner, at one point or another, has wondered if termites are quietly eating away at the unseen parts of his or her home. It's a very real fear. Termites can destroy the structural integrity of your home, if they go unnoticed. Unfortunately, termite infestation is something that isn't often covered by standard home insurance policies.

Each year, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage, according to the National Pest Management Association. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to prevent a termite takeover from happening to you.

Termite barriers, bait and monitoring systems, and soil treatment are all effective methods of preventing termites on your property. If you're serious about prevention, you may even want to consider hiring a professional to check your property annually - many mortgage lenders will require this, in fact.

In addition to mold and termites, other unwanted visitors can wreak havoc on your home, including bed bugs and rodents. Most of the time, damage caused by or removal of these pests is not covered by standard home and renters insurance policies. The best way to avoid a costly run-in with a pest is by maintaining your home and conducting regular home maintenance checks. If you see a problem, deal with it before it gets out of control.

Termite damage typically isn’t covered, while mold can be, but only under specific circumstances. Home insurance, in general, is no substitute for proper home maintenance.

All homeowners should familiarize themselves with their insurance policy. If you have questions about your coverage or policy limits, a licensed agent is the best resource.

Related:

• Are There Monsters in Your Closet? How to Banish Moths Forever
• Think You’re Covered? 6 Problems Your Home Insurance May Not Help With
• Hurricane Insurance: What Homeowners and Renters Should Know

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

The subterranean luxury begins with a 10,000-square-foot, Moroccan-style spa that offers more opulence than many 5-star hotels: a sauna, meditation rooms, baths and an indoor pool surrounded by archways that were constructed by 300 nomadic Moroccan tribesmen and assembled at the home’s location just outside Los Angeles.

“It’s literally the most extraordinary work of art I’ve ever seen,” said listing agent Marcie Hartley of Hilton & Hyland.

An actual artist lived in the home for 10 years doing gold-leaf work, from religious figures in the chapel to faux shelves in the library that conceal a powder room.

Beneath ground with the grand spa is a five-story tennis court where Pete Sampras played.

It transforms into a banquet hall that seats 350 people, has an adjacent catering kitchen and opens to an outdoor clay tennis court, an outdoor pool and a large lawn with a pizza oven.

The yard also features a bocce court flanked by citrus trees, 70-year-old carob trees along the driveway and herb gardens overlooking the city.

The owner, shrimp importing CEO John Blazevich, took 17 years to build the mansion, finishing in 2002.

It’s on the market for $53 million, making it one of the most expensive homes in the West.

The mansion delves downward because of a community rule that homes have only a single story above ground, according to the Los Angeles Times. All 9 bedrooms and many of the 25 bathrooms are on the 20,000-square-foot, above-ground level.

Related:

• A $1 Million Listing in Every State
• The Most Expensive Streets in America
• House of the Week: A Family-Fun Compound in California

Cap the season with five DIY projects that will ready your house for colder weather, and have significant payoff in the months ahead. Plus, with these pro tips, you'll make short work of your to-do list so you can get back to soaking up those last rays of sunshine.

Put on a fresh coat

If you've been meaning to paint a room in your home, now's the perfect time. Heat and humidity are down, yet it's still pleasant enough outdoors to keep the windows open while you work, helping your new look dry faster.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

First, cover your floors, then prep by sanding and filling any holes in your walls. For flawless results, you'll want to start by cutting in a clean line at the corners and along the edges where wall meets trim before coating the rest of the wall with paint. Dip a brush about a third of the way into the paint, and tap off the excess - don’t wipe!

When the brushwork is done and you’re ready to roll, apply paint in short, overlapping strokes. Wait until the paint is completely dry (two to four hours for latex, 24 hours for oil-based paint) before adding a second coat, otherwise your refreshed room may be marred by streaks, peeling, or uneven color.

Wake up your windows

The days are getting shorter, so to maximize your home’s natural light through the end of the year, give your windows a thorough washing. Start by banishing dirt and dust.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Indoors, use a moistened microfiber cloth; outdoors, where windows are bound to be dirtier, start by spraying them down well with the hose. Next, go at the glass with a vinegar-and-water solution or a commercial cleaner, using a squeegee for professional-quality results.

While you're at it, survey your screens and repair or replace where necessary. Now that you’ve switched off the air conditioner and haven’t yet turned on the heat, you’ll want to keep your windows open - and you’ll enjoy those fresh breezes more if they’re not accompanied by bugs.

This is also a good time to check that your window locks are working so your home will be secure.

Retire your patio gear

Your outdoor furniture and grill work hard all summer, so give them the TLC they deserve before packing them away for the winter. Wipe tables and chairs with a dry cloth to get rid of surface grime, pollen and bugs, then follow up with a good hosing.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Fabric cushions may need a bit more attention to deter mold and mildew (check labels for cleaning instructions). Be sure all items are completely dry before covering them loosely or moving them into storage. A little care after each season of use will preserve your furniture and cushions, ultimately increasing their lifespan.

Similarly, when you're closing up the grill for the season, degrease it with a warm, soapy cloth, then treat any moving parts to a light application of lubricating oil.

If your grill is gas powered, make sure the tank’s valve is closed, then detach the tank and store it outside, standing upright, in a well-ventilated area.

Rig up a mudroom

Not all homes are built with a spot to collect wet outerwear and footwear, but most could use one, especially once nasty weather sets in.

To make your entryway more functional and encourage both family and guests to kick off their shoes at the door, consider adding a large, standalone piece of furniture with a bench seat, cubbies, and hooks that can handle everyone's gear. If space is limited, slide a slim, sturdy console table into the hall, place baskets beneath for shoes and boots, and station a coat rack nearby.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

This mud area should be as close to the front door as possible to prevent slushy, muddy tracks throughout your house. You may have to remind family members (kids, especially) to stow their stuff before they come charging through. Chalkboard nameplates to designate hooks and shelf space can help.

Get a grip on the garage

Only 30 percent of homeowners actually keep a car in the garage - there’s just not enough room with all the clutter in there. Even if you don't intend to store the family vehicle in your garage, it could no doubt use a little tidying up.

Sort through all you've amassed and obey the golden rule of tossing everything you haven't used in two years. Show no mercy to the outgrown, expired, and irreparable.

Arrange keepers by type - tools, sporting goods, and so on - and consider upgrading the shelves and adding see-through stackable bins to maintain order.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Once it’s organized, give the garage a serious sweeping and, for a real makeover, coat the floor with an epoxy paint. Just two coats later, the floor will be easier to clean and shielded against grease and oil stains, both common offenders in the garage. It's best to get this paint job out of the way now, while you can still empty the garage out into the driveway or porch for an afternoon while you work.

Replace your garage's fixtures and stored items, and you’ll hardly recognize the space.

Finally, ensure that your garage-door opener has a U.L.–listed motor as well as an auto-stop feature, an important safety precaution should a child or pet try to slip in underneath.

Related:

• Regain Your Garage: Simple Tricks for Getting Organized
• Getting Your Garden Ready for Fall
• Light It Up: 4 Solutions for Illuminating Your Closet

You can bring a little warmth into your home with this stately pattern that will last you from fall through winter. Whether you're looking for a major statement like a plaid chair or a small accessory that will bring in the pattern, you have endless affordable and stylish options.

1. Gray and White Throw, Target, $20 | 2.  Wingback Chair, Bed Bath & Beyond, $310 | 3. Fire Screen, Crate & Barrel, $269 | 4. Ottoman, Overstock, $198 | 5. Throw Pillow, Target, $20 | 6. Rug, West Elm, $30-$200  | 7. Pillow, Pottery Barn, $30 | 8. Armchair, Wayfair, $300  | 9. Pillow, West Elm, $79

The best thing about this versatile pattern is how it allows you to mix and match. Pair a large-scale tartan plaid chair with a smaller checked plaid pillow with a tighter pattern, for example.

Classic plaid patterns have stood the test of time. Bringing some plaid into your home is an investment that you'll enjoy for years to come.

Related:

• 7 Ways to Achieve Classic Farmhouse Style
• Fashion-Inspired Home Decor for Fall
• Glam Geometric Patterns for Your Home Decor

Duxbury, MA

106 Powder Point Ave, Duxbury, MA
For sale: $1.325 million

This restored 1800 farmhouse combines bygone-era moldings, exposed beams and wide-plank pine floors with modern touches such as a sunroom and a renovated master suite with a vaulted ceiling and private bath with walk-in shower.

See more homes for sale in Duxbury.

Granville, OH

4048 Goose Ln, Granville, OH
For sale: $850,000

In a college town outside Ohio’s capital sits this 10.5-acre gated horse farm with a replica of a 1760 farmhouse. The main floor boasts a library with cherry built-ins, and the sunroom offers picture-window views over the deck. The property comes with a six-stall stable and fenced-in pastures.

Check out more homes on the market in Granville.

Springfield, VT

730 Parker Hill Rd, Springfield, VT
For sale: $349,000

Farmhouse style is often about the interior, and this modern farmhouse reproduction expertly captures that aspect of farm living, from the pine floors to the brick fireplace and the classic front porch.

Check out more homes for sale in Springfield.

Rock Hall, MD

6201 Swan Creek Rd, Rock Hall, MD
For sale: $5.995 million

This 178-acre farm comes with a 5,500-square-foot farmhouse built in 1875. Its 8 bedrooms and 8 baths offer ample room for guests and farm hands. There’s also a widow’s walk for sea gazing, a pool and hot tub, a dry boat house, ponds and a barn.

Check out more listings in Rock Hall.

Chepachet, RI

45 Pray Hill Rd, Chepachet, RI
For sale: $575,000

Here’s a modern-day farmhouse, built in 1998. Its 4 acres encompass a four-stall horse barn with a tack room. A tractor and farm truck are included.

View more homes for sale in the Glocester area.

Lexington, VA

1137 Mountain View Rd, Lexington, VA
For sale: $304,000

Sit on the porch and take in the views from this farmhouse just minutes from town. It sits on 25 acres with an orchard, pasture, forest and outbuildings for a small farm.

Check out what else is on the market in Lexington.

Indianola, IA

7282 155th Ave, Indianola, IA
For sale: $450,000

Sometimes a farmhouse takes a turn for the — castle? That’s what happened in real-farm-country Iowa, where this traditional red farmhouse met a castle with a stone turret. The result: 2,405 square feet of farmhouse fit for a chess lover.

See more homes for sale in Indianola.

Cockeysville, MD

1000 Western Run Rd, Cockeysville, MD
For sale: $1.925 million

This renovated 1866 stone farmhouse comes with all the fixings, from vintage hardwood floors to a vaulted master suite with a fireplace and spa. Outside are an ice house, spring house and a barn.

See more listings in Cockeysville.

Wagontown, PA

361 Wagontown Road, Wagontown, PA
For sale: $475,000

Nothing says farmhouse like a plate of biscuits and the kitchen where they were made. Unless it’s the long, farmhouse table where people reach for them. This historic farmhouse nails it.

See more listings in West Brandywine Township.

Brooklyn, NY

85 N 3rd St # 408, Brooklyn, NY
For sale: $2.45 million

Even city slickers appreciate the trappings of a farmhouse kitchen, as the rustic design in this Williamsburg loft demonstrates.

View more homes for sale in Brooklyn.

Related:

• Actor Rainn Wilson on Life Inside His Modern Farmhouse
• 7 Ways to Achieve Classic Farmhouse Style
• Classic New England Farm Turned Weekend Retreat

This classic look never goes out of style, so here are seven ways you can bring a farmhouse feel to your own home.

Exposed beams

Typical farmhouse kitchens combine several unique finishes. Exposed beams are one classic detail that adds texture.

While they are generally part of the foundation of your house, exposed beams radiate Southern charm by contributing a rustic, woodsy look. Beams also create more visual height, especially in crowded spaces like the kitchen.

If your home wasn't blessed with this type of bone structure, you can always talk to a contractor about a faux beam solution.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Rustic finishes

One lovely aspect of farmhouse style is how it makes a home look lived-in. Unlike other interiors styles, farmhouse design is meant to be comfortable and charming.

Choose rustic details and finishes to create this type of vibe in your own home. Try freshening an antique rustic wood hutch with a coat of white paint. Heavy metal hardware with unique designs are great finishing details, too.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Butcher block

Butcher block accents and countertops have long been used in the kitchen for meal preparation and chopping. This detail is critical to creating a farmhouse style kitchen because it shows age and patina so well.

The soft wooden look of a butcher block countertop contrasts beautifully with white cabinetry and a cool marble farmhouse sink.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

White cabinetry

White Shaker-style cabinetry is ideal in a farmhouse space because of its simple, traditional look. Used in the kitchen, white cabinets and cupboards create a light and bright setting.

Consider white paint for your bathroom cabinets as well for a clean and crisp look.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Farmhouse sink

Deep, wide farmhouse sinks were originally used for heavy-duty washing and cleaning. Although we now have the help of dishwashers, this design remains popular. Copper and stainless steel farmhouse sinks add balance to this traditional style.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Weathered pine or white oak

Nothing says "home" more than weathered and distressed wide plank flooring. With the popularity of clean, contemporary design, this degree of warmth in hardwood flooring is less common, so incorporating it into your home is both classic and unique.

Balance this type of wood with clean, neutral finishes throughout the home, like crisp white tile and a blue and gray color palette.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Clawfoot tub

If you have the room and the means, consider installing a clawfoot tub. Rustic, antique metal on the faucets and feet lend an authentic touch to your farmhouse-style bathroom.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

See more home design inspiration.

Related:

• 10 Homes That’ll Make You Wish You Lived Down on the Farm
• Farmhouses Seed a Modern Style of Living
• 3 Home Improvements Even a Beginner DIYer Can Tackle

If that album is “a love letter to the history of American music,” as Grohl puts it, then his house by the waves between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara is a love letter to surfers.

The 3,088-square-foot heap of heavenly ocean views sits right on the beach, with windows surveying the Pacific Ocean from a wide-open living space and an expansive master suite, including its soaking tub.

With four bedrooms and four baths, the home offers dramatic, high-beamed ceilings, a private balcony off the master suite and fireplaces for staying toasty in the evenings. The garage fits up to four cars.

The listing agent is Buki Burke of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. Hat tip to the Los Angeles Times for getting the story first.

Related:

• Rainn Wilson Dishes About Hanging at Home, With His Zonkey
• Sela Ward Exits California, Lists Gracious Estate in Her Wake
• Report: Tobey Maguire Buys Artist’s Bungalow and Studio

Even the Carlos Ott Penthouse, currently the talk of the town in Miami, promises expansive views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean when construction is complete.

To see for yourself, check out the South’s 10 most expensive single-family homes on Zillow.

$68 million

3100 Gordon Dr, Naples, FL

With 4.8 beachfront acres on the Gulf of Mexico, a 93-foot terrace, 66-foot pool and spa, this property was made for a tropical staycation. Bill Earls of John R. Wood Properties holds the listing.

See more Naples listings.

$67 million

1 Casuarina Concourse, Coral Gables, FL

This Mediterranean-inspired estate is an entertainer’s dream with a pool, gym, tennis court, private boat dock and more. The property also affords privacy with a corner double lot boasting views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. The listing agent is Jill Hertzberg with The Jills at Coldwell Banker.

See more Coral Gables homes for sale.

$59 million

89 Middle Rd, Palm Beach, FL

Source: Robert Brantley

Described in the listing as an “unparalleled trophy compound,” this property comprises 4 parcels in the heart of Palm Beach. Light-filled living spaces, park-like grounds and 150 feet of oceanfront are a few of the home’s highlights. Corcoran‘s Paulette and Dana Koch hold the listing.

See more homes listed in Palm Beach.

$58 million

2750 Gordon Dr, Naples, FL

Walls of glass show off ocean views, an infinity pool and cabana on this Naples property. Additional features include a 500-bottle wine room, home automation system and an interactive fountain with LED lighting. Bill Earls of John R. Wood Properties holds the listing.

See more homes for sale in Port Royal.

$55 million

3551 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL

Built in 1920, La Brisa mixes original woodwork, overhead beams and other architectural details with contemporary updates. The property features mature landscaping, an oceanfront viewing deck and spring-fed pond. The listing agent is William P.D. Pierce of Coldwell Banker Miami Beach.

See more Miami listings.

$55 million

775 S Mashta Dr, Key Biscayne, FL

Located on a private peninsula overlooking Biscayne Bay, the 11,588-square-foot estate is primed for life at the beach with 2,000 feet of waterfront and a private harbor. Sotheby‘s Jorge Uribe holds the listing.

See more Key Biscayne homes for sale.

$49 million

1832 Galleon Dr, Naples, FL

This home’s size, 12,781 square feet, is felt in every room - even the bathrooms. From a massive shower to his-and-her vanities and a soaking tub, no amenity has been overlooked. The listing agent is Thomas L. Campbell Jr. of Campbell & Prebish, LLC.

See more Naples homes for sale.

$47 million

100 Casa Bendita, Palm Beach, FL

Mediterranean-style architecture feels at home with the ocean in the background. This 6-bedroom home is no exception with beautiful arches overlooking 203 feet of private oceanfront property. Corcoran‘s Paulette and Dana Koch hold the listing.

See more Palm Beach real estate.

$40 million

1 Star Island Dr, Miami Beach, FL

Located on the highly exclusive Star Island, this Miami Beach home is all about the location. The estate is surrounded by tropical foliage, a resort-style pool, private dock and views of the bay. The listing agent is Jill Eber with The Jills at Coldwell Banker.

See more Miami Beach listings.

$37.9 million

390 N Lake Way, Palm Beach, FL

According to the listing, this is the only brand new, designer-furnished home currently for sale in Palm Beach. The 2-story Georgian features Lake Worth views from nearly every room, multiple terraces, a billiard room and more. Corcoran‘s James McCann is the seller’s agent.

See more Palm Beach homes on the market.

$37.5 million

(Undisclosed Address), Atlanta, GA

Straddling Atlanta’s Buckhead and Sandy Springs neighborhoods, Chestnut Hall is Georgia’s most expensive listing. The mansion is being offered furnished with many luxury touches including a massive walk-in closet, walls upholstered in silk and manicured gardens. Coldwell Banker Atlanta‘s Marc Castillo holds the listing.

See more Sandy Springs homes for sale.

Related:

• Most Expensive Homes in the Midwest
• Most Expensive Homes in the East
• Most Expensive Homes in the West

Each of the 20 home designs received the most digs, or popularity votes, on Zillow Digs during the month of August. Your top selections made it to this regional polling round. Did your favorite home designs from the West prevail?

All five winners advance to the national competition in late October. These winners will battle head-to-head against your favorite southern designs, voted on earlier this month. Be sure to return to vote in the regional rounds for the Northeast and Midwest throughout October.

Kitchen

If you're wondering whether you’re ready to live on your own, check out these five perks of solo renting.

1. You have control over your bills

No more fighting over the thermostat, who's hogging the internet, or shower time limits. Keep the temperature set at your ideal 67 degrees while streaming your favorite show sans-buffering, and take all the bubble baths you want.

When you live alone, you have (almost) complete control over what you see on your billing statements at the end of the month.

2. Those passive aggressive days are over

That note on your fridge telling you to keep your music down? Gone.

And you know those dishes that pile up in the sink while everyone waits for that one roommate to get the hint and finally wash her own pots and pans? You can kiss those days goodbye.

Blast that new Taylor Swift tune, and keep your dishes in the sink as long as you'd like.

3. Your home, your style

Trying to mesh a number of decorating styles into one home can be tough. Sure, it's normal to deal with the plaid couch from your uncle, a roommate's grandmother's vintage gold lamps, another roommate's sister's animal-print rug, and the floral wallpaper you got stuck with.

But once you rent alone, you get to choose your own place and plan the decor your way. Your landlord may even let you paint.

4. Give your creativity and productivity a boost

Being alone actually helps enhance your creativity and increases productivity, which makes sense as you no longer have roommates dragging you away from your computer for movie night in the living room.

5. It's a chance to get serious about budgeting

You may pay more in rent, but there are ways to keep costs low. Try negotiating a lower monthly rent with your potential landlord, and look for a place with extras included, such as an on-site gym, a covered parking spot, and cable or Internet.

Not paying extra for these perks will make a difference to your monthly budget.

Making the leap

If those five reasons aren't enough to convince you to strike out on your own, science has some compelling evidence as to why living alone may be a wise move.

Research shows "living alone seems to encourage more, not less, social interaction," according to Eric Klinenberg, author of "Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone."

Fortunately, when you're ready to make the leap to living solo, finding a place is easier than you may think. You won't have to worry about getting your roommates' opinions before putting down the deposit. If you want it, go for it.

From how to break your existing lease to what you need to know about rental pricing and your rights as a renter, the Zillow Renter's Guide will get you on your way to a home you can call your own.

Related:

• Sleek Rentals for the Price of a New Laptop
• 6 Ways to Personalize Your Rental Without Painting
• How to Make Your Small Space Work for You

What’s less likely is that Cannavale and Byrne, best known for her role in “Bridesmaids,” would buy the 2,000-square-foot home - but, as The Real Deal first reported, that’s what happened. Earlier this month, they paid $2.15 million for the 3-bedroom, 3-bath gem with hardwood floors and exposed-beam ceilings.

The couple is relocating from Manhattan to this sunlit abode on a quiet street in Brooklyn’s popular Boerum Hill neighborhood, where Michelle Williams, Ethan Hawke, Sandra Oh and Keri Russell have lived.

Built in 1899, the home retains a parlor floor with original details and boasts modern amenities such as an open, renovated kitchen, a renovated bathroom, and an upstairs landing with a skylight to complement the home’s many windows.

The garden level has a full-floor apartment that can be used as a rental or a family room, office and guest room.

The listing agent was Cyrus Greenspon of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Related:

• Jessica Chastain Seeks Renters for Greenwich Village Apartment
• Norah Jones Nabs “Eat, Pray, Love” Home
• Alec Baldwin Sells Small But Plush Greenwich Village Apartment

For $11,500 a month, her tenant will enjoy a renovated and furnished 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment with an extravagantly appointed master bath, including a full-length soaking tub fit for a Golden Globe winner.

The first floor boasts high ceilings, an open chef’s kitchen with high-end appliances and a living room with a wood-burning fireplace.

Follow the wide, circular staircase to a skylit landing, a master bedroom with city views, a dressing area and a cedar, walk-in closet.

It’s “the perfect place to call home without needing to bring anything more than your toothbrush and favorite clothing,” according to the listing by Chris Pomeroy of Halsted Property.

Related:

• Jessica Chastain Reportedly Buys Leonard Bernstein’s Former NYC Condo
• Alec Baldwin Sells Small But Plush Greenwich Village Apartment
• Exclusive Q&A: Actor Rainn Wilson Dishes About Hanging at Home, With His Zonkey

These federally required consumer disclosures, which go by the name TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures (or TRID), will make it easier for you to understand rate and fee quotes from lenders. However, they will also slow down your home-buying process.

Lenders must not only deliver these new rate and fee disclosures to you twice during the home loans process - after application and before closing - but also must comply with disclosure timing rules in the beginning and end of the loan process.

Speed wins when writing home purchase offers, and this extra time can mean the difference between a seller accepting and rejecting your offer. Here’s how to optimize your timing so you can write offers that will close faster than competing buyers.

Loan estimate disclosure and timing rules

The first new disclosure is called the Loan Estimate. This document clearly shows your rate quote, loan term, line-item fees, and cash needed to close.

Before the lender can collect fees for critical next steps in the loan process - like ordering an appraisal, which your loan can’t close without - the lender must also obtain your intent to proceed based on the quoted terms.

The Loan Estimate must be given to you within three days of applying for a mortgage. The federal agency that made and enforces the TRID rules - the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - allows for mail or electronic delivery of the Loan Estimate.

If you applied with a lender who’s using mail delivery late on a Wednesday, they would mail your Loan Estimate and intent-to-proceed disclosures Thursday, you might get it Saturday, and they couldn’t collect fees and order your appraisal until they received your consent Monday, which is already day six into the process.

If you applied with a lender who’s using electronic delivery late on a Wednesday, they could deliver your Loan Estimate and intent-to-proceed disclosures for you to consent to online that evening, and they could collect fees and order appraisal that same evening - all on the first day of the process.

Closing disclosure and timing rules

The second new disclosure, called the Closing Disclosure, looks almost exactly the same as the Loan Estimate, which makes it easy for buyers to review the closing terms and compare them to the originally quoted terms. It also provides further clarity on closing costs by showing which line item costs are paid by buyer, seller, and third parties.

The lender must provide this document to you at least three days before closing.

The new CFPB disclosure rules don’t allow Sundays and holidays to count in this three-day waiting period, and day one is the day after you get the Closing Disclosure.

For example, if a lender sent your Closing Disclosure on a Wednesday, the three-day waiting period is Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Then they can fund your loan and close your home purchase on Monday, which is day six from the time you received the disclosure.

What is the fastest timing for the new disclosure process?

Prior to October 3, 2015, you could fund the same day you got final disclosures, and real estate agents are accustomed to writing purchase contracts based on this old timing.

As of October 3, your agent and lender must coordinate closely when writing purchase contracts to make sure your agent accounts for these new TRID timelines to write the fastest contract possible.

• Shortest timeline post-application: If your lender is mailing disclosures, the CFPB’s new TRID rules add about six days in the beginning of the process from application to appraisal order. If your lender is using electronic disclosures, they can go from application to appraisal order in one day.
• Shortest timeline pre-closing: All lenders must comply with the three-day waiting period after the Closing Disclosure is ready. But as the example above illustrates, the pre-closing waiting period is actually more than three days.

So here’s the key to making sure your mortgage process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible: When you find a lender in your current home shopping journey, ask them about their process for the new TRID rules, and have them clarify closing timelines for your real estate agent before you write any offers.

Related:

• New Mortgage Disclosure Rules Arm Home Buyers With Information
• 5 Mistakes That Delay Mortgage Approvals (and How to Avoid Them)
• The 3 Most Important Mortgage Documents You’ll Sign

However, a few metros haven't seen the same growth as the rest of the country. Baltimore home values have been declining over the past four months, to a Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) of $240,400. August 2015 data shows 48.1 percent of homes in Baltimore decreasing in value. Other metros with a high percentage of homes decreasing in value include Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

In contrast, 97.8 percent of homes in Denver are increasing in value and have been consistently rising since August 2011. Over the past year, Denver homes have appreciated by 16.3 percent; 13 percentage points more than the nation as a whole.

Here are the top metros with the highest percentage of homes decreasing and increasing in value.

Highest Percentage of Homes Decreasing in Value

1. Baltimore: 48.1 percent of homes in Baltimore are decreasing in value. The current ZHVI is $240,400, which has gone down 0.9 percent over the past year.
2. Philadelphia: In Philadelphia, 43.4 percent of homes are decreasing in value, and over the past year, the ZHVI has gone up by 0.3 percent. It now sits at $202,200.
3. Washington, DC: 41.2 percent of homes in Washington, DC are decreasing in value. Currently, the ZHVI is $358,000, down 0.3 percent from a year ago.
4. New York:  In New York, 38.6 percent of homes are decreasing in value. The ZHVI has gone up over the past year by 1.3 percent, and is now $384,100.
5. Virginia Beach: 37.3 percent of homes in Virginia Beach are decreasing in value. The ZHVI is $210,300, which has gone up 1.1 percent from a year ago.

Highest Percentage of Homes Increasing in Value

1. Denver: 97.8 percent of homes in Denver are increasing in value, with a current ZHVI of $308,600. This has gone up by 16.3 percent over the past year.
2. Dallas-Fort Worth: In Dallas-Fort Worth, 94.1 percent of homes are increasing in value. Over the past year, the ZHVI has gone up 13.8 percent and now sits at $168,000.
3. San Francisco: San Francisco is seeing 92.2 percent of its homes increasing in value. The current ZHVI is $764,600, up 11.8 percent over the past year.
4. San Jose: In San Jose, 90.7 percent of homes are increasing in value. The ZHVI is $904,000, which has gone up 12.5 percent over the past year.
5. Portland, OR: 89.3 percent of homes in Portland are increasing in value, with a ZHVI of $295,600. This has gone up by 9.1 percent over the past year.

Despite hints last year that he might exit the city, the actor still owns at least one other unit in the same building, plus a place in the Hamptons.

The apartment Baldwin sold has 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and a host of upscale features, from 4-inch oak flooring to a windowed eat-in kitchen and high-end appliances.

The bathroom boasts a Kohler “Tea for Two” tub and a Thassos basketweave floor with radiant heat.

The apartment is in Devonshire House, a historic building with Italianate and English detailing. It boasts an English courtyard garden and a landscaped rooftop terrace.

The listing agents were John Gomes, Kajsa Ringlow Hutton and Fredrik Eklund at Douglas Elliman.

Related:

• Exclusive Q&A: Actor Rainn Wilson Dishes About Hanging at Home, With His Zonkey
• Sela Ward Exits California, Lists Gracious Estate in Her Wake
• Julianne Moore Lists Montauk Cottage for $3.495M

Is the neighborhood walkable?

The best homes for aging in place are centrally located and allow you to either walk or take public transit wherever you need to go.

A walkable neighborhood is safe for pedestrians, with well-maintained and well-lit sidewalks. It is close to retail stores, restaurants and grocery stores. Bonus points if it is near your doctor and pharmacy. As you age, you will love not having to drive everywhere.

Are there local social opportunities?

A strong community makes aging in place fun. You will want your new community to offer plenty of things to do and people to meet.

Look for a home near community centers and other places that offer enjoyable activities and a chance to meet new people.

Look for parks, libraries, museums and places of worship. Keep an eye out for community centers with interesting classes and volunteer opportunities.

As you get older, these resources will become even more important. You will want access to fun things to do no matter what your age.

Is it the right size?

Embrace the opportunity to downsize when you move.

You may love the looks of that big house with its sprawling green lawn, but are you prepared to maintain it? The bigger the house, the more upkeep it needs.

If you become unable to take care of the home yourself, are you able to hire a landscape or home maintenance company?

Moving can be the perfect time to downsize so you have less space to manage.

Is it accessible?

You want your new home to be easy to live in both now and during your retirement. That means you will need to check the accessibility of the property you are considering. You will want your new home to have:

• A single-story layout, with no entry stairs
• No random steps in the house to trip over
• Thresholds that are flush with the floor
• Wide walkways
• Plenty of lighting
• Extra floor space for easy maneuverability
• A walk-in shower with a seat
• Storage space that is not difficult to reach
• Counters that are neither too low or too high

If you struggle with the house now, it will only get worse as you age. You can renovate the home, but it’s not worth fighting against a house that is simply too tight and small. Find a home that you’re comfortable in.

Can you modify it for aging in place?

House hunting can make you feel like Goldilocks trying to find a house that is just right. What if you have found a house you love, but it isn't designed with accessibility in mind?

If that’s the case, some easy renovations can transform your new home into the perfect setting to age in place:

• Add handrails to both outdoor and indoor stairs to help you keep your balance.
• Replace round doorknobs with lever handles that are easier to open.
• Add non-slip surfaces in the bathtub and shower to prevent falls.
• Install handrails in the bathroom next to the toilet and bathtub for extra support.
• Choose chairs and sofas with back support and sturdy armrests.
• Install more lighting for better visibility, both outdoors and indoors.
• Choose countertops and tables with rounded edges.

Keep your plan in mind

Make life easier for yourself: Choose a home that will support you as you age. That means a place that is comfortable now and that will continue to be comfortable when you are older.

Keep your aging in place plan in mind as you house hunt, and you are sure to find a house that can be your home for years to come.

Related:

• The Best Place for You to Retire Is…
• How to Find Your Dream Home
• 5 Things You Absolutely Must Do Before Buying a Home

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

Check the contract

Most contracts provide a process to deal with damage when and if it happens. Typically if there is damage, and it is less than five percent of the total value of the contract, both parties agree to move forward with the transaction. But the seller will need to remedy the damage prior to closing.

If your contract doesn't include a provision that covers this, you need to consider having one added before you sign. Such a clause typically provides coverage for things like appliances, boilers or central air conditioning systems that might break.

For damage over five percent, most buyers will have the opportunity to cancel the agreement and move on, without losing any of their deposit money.

Get the bank involved

If the buyer has arranged to take out a mortgage, most lenders will approve a credit up to three percent without incident. Anything more than that and the bank will want to know about the damage, have a new appraisal, and may even cancel the loan.

What's most common is for the lender to want to re-do the loan, adjust the purchase price and put it back through underwriting. Going back to the beginning takes time and may require another appraisal. Both parties will have to extend the contract’s time frames.

It’s smart practice to keep your lender in the loop - and remember, it’s fraudulent to hide credits or serious damage.

Get the property inspected

It’s so important to have a property inspection before closing. It would be very easy for a seller to argue that the damage was pre-existing, and if the buyer did not inspect, there is no way of proving otherwise.

After the inspection, if there are any problems, either negotiate a credit or require that the seller repair prior to closing. No matter how much pressure you feel or how long you've been in the market, waiving a property inspection to be competitive can get you into deep trouble.

Leverage the walk-through

As a buyer, you will have the opportunity to walk through the home prior to the closing. Do this. If something is not working or there is damage, you should delay the closing. A buyer has leverage because the seller wants to close, get their money and move on. It’s in their best interest to cooperate and remedy any issues.

Be sure to schedule the walk-through the day before or the day of the closing. A lot can happen, even in just a few hours.

Most real estate transactions go smoothly. Buyers and sellers make a deal, sign a contract, inspect, get a loan and close. While every purchase or sale can cause stress and anxiety, encountering damage during escrow will really up the ante.

Related:

• Hurricane Insurance: What Homeowners and Renters Should Know
• Contingencies: A Home Buyer’s BFF
• 5 Reasons to Keep Your Lender in the Loop When You Make an Offer

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

Jobs and rising home values drive traffic, which can push people to live farther and farther from the office.

The resulting commutes are a burden for more than just the road warriors.

“When parents are taking an hour and a half out of their day to commute, that’s less time with their children,” Mel Martinez, a former U.S. senator and former secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, said at a recent Housing Roadmap event in Miami. “How good is that for the community?”

Miami is not the worst place in the country for rush hour: The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates the average (mean) in Miami-Dade County is 29 minutes.

That’s not Skagway, AK (4.4 minutes), but it’s also not parts of New York City and Washington, DC (40 minutes and up).

But it’s getting worse. As people with thick wallets, including overseas investors, snatch up housing near Miami’s urban core, working-class families are surprised at how far they have to travel to find something affordable.

‘Nothing happily habitable in my price range’

Ana Maria Szolodko remembers her dismay upon realizing how much time she would have to spend in the car — at least an hour each way — to afford her own home.

“There was nothing I’d consider happily habitable in my price range within a short driving distance from work,” said the Miami-area history teacher. “Anything in my price range, I was looking at 25 or 30 grand in repairs.”

Two years ago, Szolodko landed an end-unit townhouse on a green belt in a community with 24-hour security. She loves it despite the road jockeying.

“I’m not suggesting that living in a 600-square-foot apartment closer to work wouldn’t work for some people. It just isn’t for me,” she said.

Avoiding rush hour helps, according to Rebekah Monson, who can shave 30 minutes off her commute by waiting until later in the morning to leave home. That brings the drive time down to 40 minutes.

“If I didn’t love our house, I don’t know that it would be worth it,” Monson says of hours spent in the car. But home means “avocado trees, a mango tree, I get to have my dogs.”

Buying a house she and her wife could afford also means being able to remodel and make it theirs. They’ve tackled the kitchen, bathrooms, new paint and a couple of windows. “The only thing left is the floors.”

Trading money for time

Christian Duque drives 42.6 miles each way for work. Not that he’s counting.

“I left the office at 6 p.m., and it’s 7:08 now, so I probably have another seven minutes tonight, and that’s on a good day,” the hospital supervisor said during a recent slog home.

But he and his wife don’t cry much over not being able to afford Miami. They don’t like the place.

“It’s overpriced, overcrowded and has a lot of traffic,” said the guy well versed in that last part. “You don’t have the same quality of life as you have here in Broward County.”

Still, 15 years of a grueling commute can wear on a person, even if he likes his condo — and his mortgage being under $700 a month.

Duque talks about moving closer to town like it’s a foregone, forlorn conclusion.

“We know we’re going to end up paying at least $2,000 [a month] for something similar in Miami, and it’s going to be an older property, and we’ll have to spend a lot of money fixing it up,” Duque said. “We’re always in this dilemma.”

Related:

• Hyper-Gentrification Comes to Miami
• Before & After: 4 Millennials Rescue a Detroit Home From Decay
• Sarah’s Story: College Debt Keeps Affordable Housing Pro From Buying a Home

Like many people, the homeowners were making do with a strictly functional closet.

While functionality is important in any closet space, the homeowners wanted to make their closet a design statement and a personal oasis by adding touches of their own individual style and creating defined spaces. Designating areas for getting ready, storing accessories, and even relaxing turned a mundane closet into a haven that gives mornings an extra boost.

Here are some tips for improving your own closet space, with examples from the homeowners’ renovation project.

Reforming the framework

Starting with the bones of the closet, you can begin to up the style factor. If your budget allows, replace unsightly dowel rods and builder-basic wire shelving with whatever speaks to you, be it luxe wood built-ins, industrial pipe rods, or something in between.

Replacing the single wooden dowel rod with two industrial-style closet rods uncovered a window in the closet and opened up floor space.

Use styled bookcases for storage, or bring in a wardrobe cabinet to keep things neat and pretty. Switch out mismatched wire and plastic hangers for chic wood ones to give off a boutique feel.

Even if you’re on a budget, you can get the dream closet you’ve always wanted by slapping on a fresh coat of paint or switching up where you hang your clothes.

Streamline prep time

If your bathroom is short on space and you’re constantly running into your significant other during the morning rush, create a getting-ready station in the closet. By adding a mirror and keeping your jewelry and makeup nearby, you can try different looks and outfits without having to leave the closet.

Pretty up this station by using beautiful hooks, jewelry trees and dishes for storing bracelets, necklaces and rings.

Decorative hooks display favorite jewelry pieces and provide visual interest.

You can even amp up your routine by adding a radio so you can rock out while putting on your pumps. Channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and make your closet a fun place to get ready.

Get set to accessorize

Give your accessories the love they deserve. Use stylish hooks to showcase a favorite necklace or scarf, or as a place to hang your outfit and accessories for the next day.

Hanging scarves on the wall softens the space and keeps accessories at the homeowners’ fingertips.

Sort items like belts, hats, and extra scarves into wire bins to both keep them organized and make a visual statement. Or separate accessories into color categories and make a beautiful rainbow or ombre display on a wall. The possibilities are endless.

Making the most of the space

Keep shoes from looking cluttered by investing in a shoe cabinet, or let them shine by placing your favorite pairs in prominent positions. Show off your personality by highlighting your favorite accessories.

A handy cabinet keeps shoes tidy and tucked away out of sight.

Your closet isn’t just a storage space - it’s where you start your preparations to take on the day! Make mornings more relaxing by creating a calming corner. Pop in a chair or stool, if there’s space, for sipping coffee before the day gets started. Throw down a cozy rug to warm your toes on cold mornings.

A convenient chair provides a spot for slipping on shoes or just taking a quiet moment to gaze out the window.

Your personalized retreat

Create your own personal gallery by adding some interest to your walls. Hang family photos, a favorite piece of artwork, or some inspirational quotes to boost your confidence.

Well-organized and tidy, the homeowners’ renovated closet reflects their personal tastes and interests.

Add in things that make you smile - whether it’s a bouquet of flowers, a stack of magazines, or your favorite candle. By incorporating elements that are uniquely you, you’ll make a personal retreat and start your day off on the right foot.

No matter what size closet you have, personalizing it will make it more than just a closet. As these homeowners proved with their closet renovation, adding stylistic design touches, designated areas, and personal elements will create a custom space that fits your needs and acts as a personal sanctuary.

See more closet design inspiration.

Related:

• Light It Up: 4 Solutions for Illuminating Your Closet
• The 5 Must-Haves of a Luxury Closet
• 9 Inspiring Ideas for Customizing Your Closet

These days, the average household has multiple users using multiple devices to get online for everything from paying the bills to playing "Call of Duty." If you and your roomies simultaneously use Wi-Fi for gaming, video chats, or watching movies, your bandwidth could get clogged.

Sharing Wi-Fi with roommates can be aggravating - but you don't have to put up with it anymore.

How much Internet speed is enough?

The first step to solving your Wi-Fi woes is determining how fast your Internet connection should be to support all the online activity in your home. The number of devices using Wi-Fi, and what they're using it for, will determine the appropriate speed to accommodate everyone's online activity.

For a household of three people who regularly stream video and audio, constantly check in on social media via smartphone, and frequently download large files, a speed of about 30 Mbps will get the job done. If gaming is added into the mix, you might need faster speeds.

Getting the right Internet speed is the first step to solving your bandwidth blues. But sometimes, no matter how much bandwidth you have, there never seems to be enough. If your bandwidth doesn't go as far as it used to, you may have a roommate who's hogging it all.

But before you launch into what could well become the roomie equivalent of World War III, you need to make sure your suspicions are warranted.

How do I know if my roommate is hogging bandwidth?

To keep your living arrangement pleasant, you don't want to accuse your roommate without evidence. But it can be tricky to determine who is using your Wi-Fi and how much they're using. The most straightforward solution is to talk to your roommate about your concerns.

If right now all you have is a hunch, getting some solid facts will be helpful. Luckily, there are some fairly simple ways to take a peek at your Internet usage to discover who the culprit is. You can monitor your Internet access right from your PC or laptop.

Start with a bandwidth monitoring app that tells you your current Internet speeds and how much bandwidth you're using. However, many of those apps don't help you track down individual usage that can help you identify the true Wi-Fi hog.

To get specific usage data, try an online tool like NetWorx, a free program that helps you monitor all your network connections. You can narrow it down to just Wi-Fi connections, and set up alerts that let you know when the network is down or experiencing unusual activity (like really high usage). The tool even lets you automatically shut down all connections and reboot the system.

If you want to bring visual aids to your sit-down with your roommate, NetWorx will generate charts and reports that can help you show how their incessant gaming is sucking all the life out of your high-speed Internet connection.

How can I make sure we all have enough bandwidth?

Have a heart-to-heart with your roommate. Let her know your concerns and frustrations, and ask what kind of solution she thinks is fair.

It can be touchy when you split the wireless bill evenly but one of you is using all the bandwidth or data. Acknowledge that her online activities are important, but the current setup is interfering with your ability to equitably use the Wi-Fi.

Hopefully your roommate is reasonable and you can come up with a solution that involves closer monitoring, a schedule for activities that eat up a lot of bandwidth, or each of you arranging your own online access.

If talking it out doesn’t work, you may have to take more drastic measures. You can block software that uses a ton of bandwidth or lowers the threshold for download speeds. There are also ways to block your roommate's usage of ports for specific remote servers that are not common ones like HTTPS, SMTP, and those used for email.

There's definitely a risk to going covert with your Wi-Fi hogging resolution, as your roomie may feel sabotaged and wonder why you didn't just talk to her in the first place. Either way, you're going to end up having a conversation, so be prepared to tone down your emotions and focus on a solution that won't end with one of you moving out.

Solving roommate issues is never easy, but taking an informed approach that addresses the problem instead of  assigning blame will get you queuing up for that weekend watch-a-thon in no time.

Related:

• The Inside Scoop on Renters Insurance and Roommates
• Lease Agreements: 5 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Negotiate
• How to Rent Your Next Home

It's the best time to plant trees and shrubs, it's cool enough to do all of the digging and other strenuous labor you've been putting off all summer, and you can still plant cold-tolerant veggies and flowers. By the time you're done with this list, maybe fall will become your other favorite time to garden.

Bring in tender plants

Instead of thinking of this as a chore, look at it this way: You'll soon get to enjoy plants indoors all winter. The moment nights start to get chilly, it's time to bring in any houseplants, tropicals and succulents. Remove any dead leaves or branches, as well as any insects. While you're at it, now is also a good time to repot them with fresh potting mix.

Plants that will be grown as houseplants should be placed in bright light and kept lightly moist throughout winter, while other tropical plants should be kept in a cool, dark place and remain barely moist so that they enter dormancy. Fig trees and bananas are prime candidates for this method.

Dig up summer bulbs

Tropical summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas and colocasias should be dug up before the first frost, unless you live in zones 8-11. After lifting them from the soil, lightly brush the bulbs to remove any dirt and inspect for any hitchhiking pests. Store bulbs in paper bags filled with sawdust or shredded newspaper, and put them in a dark, dry and cool place until spring.

Plant spring bulbs

Spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils require a cold winter to bloom their hearts out, so plant them now so they get all the cold they need. Plant tulips eight inches deep, daffodils and narcissus nine inches deep, crocus four inches deep and hyacinths five inches deep. Plant them in clumps and drifts as they would appear in nature, rather than in straight and unnatural rows.

Plant cold-tolerant annuals

Just because cold weather is on the way doesn't mean that flowers are not an option. Many - like violas, petunias, violets and alyssum - continue to bloom through frosts.

Plant purple flowers to contrast with the warm colors of fall foliage, or choose white and yellow ones to brighten up the darkening days. Be sure to plant some in a container combination as well so that you can enjoy them at your doorstep.

Plant cold-tolerant veggies

That's right: Fall is a great time to plant cold-tolerant vegetables, and some can even be harvested before a deep freeze. Plant garlic, onions and shallots now for a spring harvest, or if you're too hungry to wait that long, plant fast-growing radishes and peas, or leafy greens that can be picked at any size, such as lettuce, kale, spinach and collards.

Add plants with winter interest

A well-planned winter garden can feel like a bit of warm weather on a cold day. Evergreens such as cedars, hollies and Euonymus are useful for bringing much-needed greenery and privacy to the landscape, but a plant doesn't necessarily need evergreen leaves to look interesting. Trees and shrubs with attractive trunks, limbs and bark can look quite striking against the backdrop of snow or straw-colored grass.

Remove damaged branches

That said, shearing shrubs in fall is a bad idea. Some, such as azaleas and rhododendrons, bloom in early spring and can't be pruned without damaging buds and ruining spring's flowering display. However, it's always a good time to remove limbs that are diseased, damaged or otherwise detrimental to the plant's form or structure.

Make decorations from the garden

Some of the best seasonal decorations can be grown right in your own backyard. Pumpkins, gourds and squashes are obvious choices for fall decorating, but don't forget to consider other plants. Woody okra pods and cotton bolls can be used to great effect for a Southern look.

If the first frost is in the forecast, make good use of any remaining blooms or foliage by turning them into an impromptu flower arrangement. Then when you have friends over, they'll think you just throw these things together on a regular basis.

Plant trees and shrubs

Fall really is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. The best part is that instead of keeping them watered through the warm, dry days of spring, you can soon forget about them when they start going dormant for winter. When spring arrives, your plant will have a head start and established roots.

Dig new beds

Another thing to get out of the way now is digging and preparing new garden beds. The weather is pleasant enough to knock it all out in a day, and you can even plant winter vegetables there as benchwarmers until spring. By the time spring finally does roll around, just mix in some more compost or aged manure. Your garden bed will be good to go.

Related:

• How to Grow a Spectacular Container Garden
• Keeping Pets Safe Around Plants
• Secrets to a Thriving Indoor Herb Garden

Although rates didn't climb today, an eventual increase will occur in the next couple of months.

"The federal funds rate, and in turn mortgage rates, remain low and will likely end the year roughly where they started it. For most markets and buyers around the country, the effects of any eventual interest rate hikes should be pretty small in the near term, but in some unaffordable markets where buyers are already stretching their finances, higher interest payments could more dramatically limit buyers' options," said Zillow Chief Economist Svenja Gudell.

Unaffordable markets include places like San Francisco and New York City, where housing is already very expensive. Buyers in these markets have little wiggle room when it comes to housing they can afford, and higher interest rates will limit their options even more.

On the flip side, higher rates will have little impact on markets such as Cleveland, where home values aren't nearly as high.

To give you an idea of how a potential rate increase would impact home buyers, we took the current rate on Zillow Mortgages of 3.81 percent and did some calculations, using Zillow's Mortgage Calculator, on homes valued at $150,000, $250,000 and $350,000. The goal was to see how monthly mortgage payments would be affected if the rate rose to 4 percent and 5 percent, assuming a 20-percent down payment.

                                          Monthly Mortgage Payment

As shown above, the higher the purchase price, the greater impact a rate increase will have on your monthly mortgage payment.

When this anticipated rate hike does occur, the majority of markets around the country will see little impact, which is great news for the housing market.

$24 million

1400 Bracketts Point Rd, Wayzata, MN

Source: Landmark Photography

Built in 1918 for the Pillsbury family, this brick manor has seen its share of history. The greater Minneapolis estate is located on Bracketts Point with 360-degree water views. Meredith Howell of Coldwell Banker Burnet holds the listing.

See more Orono homes for sale.

$18.775 million

7 Fox Hunt Rd, Barrington, IL

With several idyllic ponds, a lake and 70 horse-country acres, Hidden Ponds estate is straight out of a storybook. Inside, the story continues with a full-size English pub, wine cellar, gentleman’s library, sun room and more. Sotheby‘s Connie Antoniou holds the listing.

See more Barrington Hills listings.

$16 million

700 Arbor Dr, Lake Bluff, IL

Source: VHT Studios’ Gene Schnar

Nearly 30,000 square feet, this massive estate is filled with grand living spaces, 7 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. The home, which dropped in price by $2 million this week, spans three floors with a finished basement and attached 8,000-square-foot studio. The listing agent is Andra O’Neill with @properties.

See more Lake Bluff homes for sale.

$15 million

924 N Clark St, Chicago, IL

Courtesy of Chezi Rafaeli

A former prairie substation, this 1916 property has been renovated and expanded for a contemporary Gold Coast lifestyle. Each room is striking, but the master bathroom takes the cake with a walk-in shower, soaking tub and a vanity big enough for the whole family. Coldwell Banker‘s Chezi Rafaeli holds the listing.

See more homes listed in Chicago.

$14.9 million

344 Old Sutton Rd, Barrington, IL

With walls of windows facing Goose Lake, this 22,000-square-foot estate is designed for lakefront living. The 14-acre property includes a pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, wine cellar, movie theater and elevator. The listing agent is Bruce Starrenburg with @properties.

See more Barrington Hills homes for sale.

$14.855 million

2700 Point Dr, Highland Park, IL

Space to play hoops is one thing, but Michael Jordan’s regulation-size basketball court takes this home to another level. The legend’s Highland Park residence is now listed for nearly half the original price. Kofi Natei Nartey is co-listing the property with Mauricio Umansky, both of The Agency, and Katherine Malkin of Baird & Warner.

See more homes listed in Highland Park.

$14.5 million

590 Dubuar St, Northville, MI

An iron gate flanked by stone lions sets the stage for this southeast Michigan home. Inside, the dramatic flair continues with a great room spanning two stories, crystal chandeliers in nearly every room and a vintage movie theater with a ticket booth and red-velvet seats. Coldwell Banker‘s Teri Spiro holds the listing.

See more Northville Township listings.

$14.5 million

1336 N State Pkwy, Chicago, IL

An historic Georgian brownstone on Chicago’s Gold Coast, this 1914 estate has 5 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, multiple sitting rooms and outdoor terraces. According to the listing description, the home has been lovingly renovated for a sophisticated buyer who enjoys both beauty and function. The listing agent is Katherine Malkin of Baird & Warner.

See more Chicago homes for sale.

$14 million

18555 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS

Located on 103 wooded acres, this Shawnee residence features soaring ceilings, 6 fireplaces, a wine cellar and home theater with a 120-inch screen. Crown Realty‘s Teresa Dunn is the listing agent.

See more Shawnee real estate.

$13 million

45 Lakeview Ln, Barrington, IL

This European-country home is located between two lakes in Barrington Hills. The 20,000-square-foot estate has 5 bedrooms, 11 baths, an elegant library, pool and over 8 manicure acres. Baird & Warner‘s Thomas Gorman is the listing agent.

See more North Barrington homes for sale.

$12.999 million

68 Locust Rd, Winnetka, IL

Described in the listing as a “perfect limestone masterpiece,” this 27,000-square-foot home boasts a two-story rotunda, massage room, 11 fireplaces, a 10-car garage and more. The listing agent is Kim Kelley with @properties.

See more Winnetka real estate.

Related:

• Most Expensive Homes in the West
• Most Expensive Homes in the East
• Vince Vaughn Drops Chicago Penthouse Price to $13.9 Million

Whether they live in large or small homes, most people wish they could find a little "extra space." This is especially true of those whose closets, cabinets or rooms are on the small side.

One way to create more space is to practice the new trend called minimalism, which involves a clear and decisive focus on keeping what we most value and eliminating anything that distracts us.

To live like a minimalist demands rigorous review of our purchases, as well as what we create, receive and keep. Because we live in a world of “Free, free, free!” and “Buy, buy, buy!” it is very difficult to avoid collecting more things in our homes.

Some segments of our population have turned to a new kind of "forced" minimalism - living in what are known as tiny homes. Popular television shows on multiple networks cover this new lifestyle where, in some cases, folks are moving into spaces no larger than 300 square feet.

What if you're not moving into a tiny home anytime soon and you don't think the minimalist lifestyle is a fit for you, but still want to make the most of your small closets and storage spaces? Try using these small space organization tips to make the most of what you have.

Think vertical

For all the spaces in your home, think vertical. Tall bookcases and shelving can be the answer to your organizing dreams.

Use this prime real estate to store anything from cleansers to neatly folded clothes, knitting projects, or organized craft bins. You can double your available storage space by going up.

Courtesy of California Closets.

Go behind-the-door

It may not be the trendiest design option, but if you’re pinched for space, install behind-the-door storage with pockets or hooks to hold just about any small items you can think of, from fashion accessories to hair dryers, dog leashes, cosmetics, cleaning supplies and more.

Over-the-Door Organizer, Bed Bath & Beyond, $20

Put it on wheels

Small homes and apartments often provide us with unique storage spaces, like closets located underneath a set of stairs.

Whether you have a normal closet or a unique storage space, using a wheeled moving dolly or storage bins with wheels allows you to store items and access them with ease.

Rather than climbing into a poorly lit closet under the stairs, where you can't even stand up or move freely, you can create a convenient experience by opening the closet or cabinet door and sliding out the rolling storage piece to greet you - at your height, with room to move and view your belongings in plenty of light.

Shower Tote, The Container Store, $10

Adopt the dorm room approach

Bathrooms can be the most difficult space when you have no storage, but one super idea is to implement the use of a shower caddy.

Remember the days when you went to college or camp? You usually had a toilet kit or small shower caddy to carry your toiletries to and from the bathroom. Why not try this at home?

If multiple people use the same bathroom and there’s not a lot of counter space or storage, have everyone take out what they bring in. It allows each person to keep track of their favorite toiletries, and the bathroom stays more organized.

Keep it simple

Finally, you will create more space in your home by simplifying your life. Start by making a quick list of what you value most in life. I call this "organizing by your values."

When you set priorities in your own life, your home and belongings will reflect your choices, allowing you to eliminate the less important or less valued items.

As part of this exercise, you may want to evaluate how you spend your time. Take a look at your commitments, from work to kids' activities, volunteer projects, and friends who need favors.

Evaluating your priorities and possibly eliminating commitments which no longer make you happy may just give you the extra time you need to review and organize the items in your home.

Those small spaces may not be so small after all. They may just need a little focused attention from you to create the optimal space you need.

Related:

• Light It Up: 4 Solutions for Illuminating Your Closet
• How to Make Your Small Space Work for You
• 5 Steps to Better Basement, Attic and Garage Storage

A federal employee in Seattle, he spends just over $1,000 a month to repay loans tied to his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“I think of it as a car payment,” said Dormier, who will soon pay off his bachelor’s degree debt and have a lower payment. “Instead of a stupid car that’s devaluating, it’s a degree that helps me increase my income down the line. It’s a car payment that’s paying me back."

Turns out he's right.

Despite widespread concern that student debt hinders home buying, new research from Zillow shows that as long as people complete at least a four-year degree, the effect of student debt on their chances of owning a home is negligible.

Dormier bought a home after graduating with his bachelor’s degree and swapped it for another one after adding $44,000 in student loans from a master’s degree in design ethnography.

There's a 70-percent chance that people with medical, law and doctoral degrees will own a home. That likelihood is 66 percent with master's degrees, 61 percent with bachelor's degrees, and 56 percent with associate's degrees.

A distant fifth are people with no degree at all; they own their homes just 30 percent of the time. If they have student debt – but never graduated – their chances of owning a home are even lower.

Sensitivity to student debt is considerably higher for people who have only an associate's degree or no college degree at all, according to a Zillow analysis of the 2013 Panel Study of Income Dynamics. (We used average income and wealth figures for each degree profile, and assumed people were 33 years old and married with children.)

“As total student debt continues rising, there is general apprehension that this trend may prevent millennials from buying homes," said Zillow Chief Economist Svenja Gudell.

"But our research helps put these fears to rest to some degree, because as long as accumulating that debt actually does result in getting a degree, debt itself is not quite the obstacle to homeownership that conventional wisdom makes it out to be,” Gudell continues. “Certainly, it's better to accumulate debt and finish your degree than it is to accumulate debt but have nothing to show for it in the end. In other words, if eventually owning a home is a priority for you and you're currently pursuing higher education: Don't be a fool, stay in school.”

The down payment is the tricky part, according to Dormier and others with student debt.

If it weren’t for an inheritance from his partner’s grandmother, “I’d probably still be renting from the awesome landlord I had before 2009,” he said.

Fred Moll, a public defense lawyer in Washington State, knows the feeling.

He knows another defense attorney who’s spending his sabbatical working for a large tech company to get a down payment for a house. Another lawyer he knows moved back home for a year or two to save up.

Someone with a law or doctoral degree and $40,000 in student loans has an 84-percent chance of owning a home. Carrying that same degree but being $100,000 in debt decreases the probability to an 80-percent chance.

Moll falls into the high-debt category, with $100,000 in loans out of law school.

He bought a house five years later - with a down payment he inherited when his mother passed away.

“I like the house a lot,” Moll said. “But it was an unfortunate way to get the money.”

For more about Zillow’s student debt report, check out Zillow Research.

Related:

• Hyper-Gentrification Comes to Miami
• Looking to Buy? Home Values Are Dropping in These Markets
• The Age of Homes in All 50 States

Holiday Reinhorn, Rainn Wilson and their son Walter share their home with zonkey Derek and (next to Reinhorn) mini-horse Riba.

Actor and philanthropist Rainn Wilson grew up not enjoying where he lived.

“It was a dreary, unhappy place,” said Wilson, who revels in the fact that his son, Walter, loves their home so much that he requests staycations.

No wonder. Wilson and his wife, Holiday Reinhorn, fill their Los Angeles home with music and art and guests.

On the eve of the release of his horror-comedy “Cooties,” Wilson takes a moment between acting and volunteering and fundraising for the Mona Foundation and Lidè to chat about his farmhouse in the city.

What do you enjoy most about your home?

Our home is a place you just like to "be." It's not a grand home in any celebrity way, but it's warm and inviting with lots of different places to sit. We have a meditation nook as well as a bench outside for contemplation. When we moved in, we knocked out a couple of walls so the central room is airy, bright and like a big farmhouse. We have people over a lot, and there's music here.

When I was a kid, I never wanted to be at my home as it was a dreary, unhappy place. Our kid, Walter, loves to be at home and in fact asks for 'staycations.' That's when you know you're doing something right.

Do you have a beloved object or objects from your travels?

My wife and I started a nonprofit educational initiative in Haiti called Lidè. On our travels there, we met one of Haiti's premiere painters, Frantz Zephirin. We have been collecting his artwork avidly ever since. His stuff is absolutely incredible. It's like the 3 a.m. fever dream of Haiti.

What's your favorite decorative piece, and why?

We have a giant Pegasus from a dilapidated gas station that we got online at some kind of online gas station collectibles place. It hangs high on the wall above the living room and looks AMAZING. Apparently there is a whole branch of collectibles called "petroliana." Fascinating.

Do you and your family have a creative space, or does that blend into the whole home?

My wife, Holiday Reinhorn, and I have our own offices where we do a great deal of writing. But we try and make every room a creative space in some way. Our TV room is also a music room. Our garage has a home gym and a Ping-Pong table. And we put art in every nook and cranny.

How do you see the relationship between your home and the surrounding environment?

We live in an area of Los Angeles that's zoned for horses, and the homes are on big lots. The area has a California rustic feel, and we designed everything about the remodel on our house to have a rustic, modern farmhouse feel so the house feels right at home in the neighborhood, unlike so many of the insta-mini-mansions that are popping up all over the place in Southern California.

Related:

• New England Farmhouse Turned Weekend Retreat
• Putting Down Roots 40 Feet Up: Life in a Fire Lookout
• Ahoy! It’s a Ship Sticking Out of a Home

Queen Elizabeth II has bought a 2,600-square-foot condo in Chicago - in a building called “The Buckingham.” She paid $1.575 million.

The 26th-floor unit is not meant for Her Majesty, who hasn’t graced the Windy City since 1959, but rather for Canadian consul Roy Norton, Crain’s Chicago Business reports.

Still, the name on the paperwork is “Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada,” which is even more fun than watching Lake Michigan freeze from the condo’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

The 3-bedroom, 3-bath condo next to the Art Institute of Chicago features a master suite with a soaking tub and separate shower, a laundry and storage room, and a large den suitable for a diplomat.

The purchase follows mistaken reports earlier this summer that the Queen had snagged a pied-a-terre in New York City.

The listing agent was Annemarie Stramacchia of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group.

Related:

• Paul McCartney Wings Into Manhattan Penthouse
• Donald Trump Unloads NYC Penthouse He Never Lived In
• Michael Jordan Slashes Price on Chicago-Area Estate

A marvel of architectural whimsy, the 2,730-square-foot home, dubbed “The Flintstone House” by locals, combines a prehistoric vibe with design twists that are more Space Age than Stone Age. It’s listed for $4.2 million.

Cave-like holes on the outside are window and skylight portals into an interior of smooth, white walls with irregular, rounded ceilings and doorways. It looks like stucco but is actually sprayed concrete — or shotcrete — on a steel frame.

The kitchen is filled with shotcrete cubby holes, and its window is adorned with a web of cutout metal gears and curlicues. A spaceship-style stove hangs from the ceiling by cables, and the metallic refrigerator door is a maze of geometric designs.

The home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a game room with a wet bar, and a conversation pit with a fireplace and a view across the highway to a large reservoir where it’s easy to picture a modern Stone Age family hanging out.

The listing agent is Judy Meuschke of Alain Pinel Realtors.

Related:

• Dick Clark’s ‘Flintstones’ House Finally Sells
• The Mushroom House in New York
• A Spaceship Home in Staid New England

When he’s the lead in a tech-themed comedy series, invests in knight-inspired costumes to wear to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire and buys his first (almost) million-dollar home.

It’s a trifecta for Thomas Middleditch, Nerd-in-Chief of HBO’s Emmy-nominated “Silicon Valley,” who just landed a bungalow in the Hollywood Hills for $849,000.

“He’s an incredible guy,” said his real estate agent, Peter Reyes of Keller Williams Realty. “I sold him his first unit and always told him that when he got really rich, not to forget to come back to me and buy a million-dollar house.”

It could be a while before Middleditch and his fiancee, costume designer Mollie Gates, are fully settled into the 1,662-square-foot home, billed as a “fantastic opportunity to re-imagine this expanded split-level 1920 California bungalow on a spacious lot in prime Beachwood Canyon” by listing agents Peter Lavin and Alastair Duncan of the Beachwood Team.

The home has two bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen with skylights and an exposed-beam family room large enough for a Dungeons & Dragons meetup.

Photos by Chad King

Related:

• Tracy Morgan & His New Wife Reportedly Buy New Jersey Manor
• Rosie O’Donnell Buys Vacation-Ready Manse in West Palm Beach
• Sela Ward Exits California, Lists Gracious Estate in Her Wake

Five basic elements go into creating a luxury closet fit for royalty. Follow these tips to create the closet of your dreams.

Light and bright

This is an easy one. Any celebrity or socialite will tell you that the key to a classy closet is to make sure it has lots of light. Nothing is worse than trying on your favorite top only to be spoiled by iridescent lighting or, worse, no lighting at all.

If possible, build your dream wardrobe room near the exterior of your home so you can install windows and doors to bring in some oh-so-luxurious illumination.

Pro tip: Consider white paint and cabinetry to accentuate the brightness.

Wide open spaces

Another key element found in the best closets? Plenty of space. Racks, shelves, rods - they’re all key in displaying your treasures, and only add more sophistication to the space.

Luxurious closets always have plenty of space for old and new, so consider installing a custom closet system for all of the room you could ever need.

Pro tip: Create individual cubbies for shoes. Small cubicles for your favorite kicks create organization and easy stowing, as well as a stylish way to show off your collection.

Island oasis

Fashionistas know a thing or two about interior design. Add an island in the middle of your walk-in wardrobe for a sophisticated focal point, as well as added function.

Islands are great storage units for accessories or smaller items that could get lost in your lustrous space. Add small shelves, buckets, baskets and drawers to your island for savvy storage.

Pro tip: Make your island top out of glass instead of marble or wood. This way you can see your baubles - whether they are watches, cuff links or the Queen's jewels - and are more likely to wear them. If that isn't an option, use jewelry organizer inserts made of velvet within drawers for a plush look and feel.

Glass act

Adding glass or Lucite elements to your closet creates dimension, transparency and elegance all at once. Use crystal knobs and handles, glass door inserts and paneling for instant ooh-la-la.

Installing glass-front doors also helps you see where your most prized possessions are stored, and reinforces organization.

Pro tip: Use Lucite toe-kicks to stop shoes displayed on an angle and to create a boutique-like feel in your closet.

Elegant illumination

Last but certainly not least, you'll need a gasp-inducing light fixture to hang right above your accessory island. Try sparkling chandeliers, glistening globe pendants, or even a modern mixture of both for full-on fabulous.

Don't forget to add lighting elsewhere, like underneath shelving and near side walls for extra glow.

Pro tip: Don't hang your light fixture too low. A 30- to 36-inch margin between the bottom of the light fixture and the top of the surface ensures safety and balanced brilliance.

Creating a luxurious closet doesn't have to be completely out of reach for the common homeowner. With a touch of elegance and some design know-how, you can create a wardrobe room fit for your dressing needs.

See more luxury closet inspiration.

Photos courtesy of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab.

Related:

• 9 Inspiring Ideas for Customizing Your Closet
• Light It Up: 4 Solutions for Illuminating Your Closet
• Pump Up the Glamour with a Personalized Dressing Area

Each of the 20 home designs received the most digs, or popularity votes, on Zillow Digs during the month of August. Your top selections made it to this regional polling round. Did your favorite home designs from the South prevail?

All five winners advance to the national competition in late October. Be sure to return to vote in the regional rounds for the West, Northeast and Midwest throughout September and October.

Kitchen

  

  

In the kitchen, your votes designated style No. 2 the top contender. The timeless design by Heather Scott Home & Design includes crisp white counters and cabinets. The space also incorporates statement tiles on one accent wall, adding a bit of flair to the classic look. You may be surprised to find that the winning design also includes exposed wood beams - a long-trending style.

Living Room

 

More than half the living room design votes favored style No. 1 by Marc-Michaels Interior Design, Inc. The space includes tall ceilings, an open layout and light-toned furnishings. Rather than setting a cool mood, the spacious look appears warm and almost romantic with a candlestick chandelier.

Bedroom

  

 

Again, your landslide votes advance style No. 1 by Studio Ten 25 to the next round. The decorative bedroom includes modern patterns in the wallpaper, curtains, throw pillows and bedside table facades with added texture in the quilted headboard and blanket. All that flair didn't deter you from the chic space.

Bathroom

  

The best bathroom look was a closer race between two predominantly white, polished rooms with soft lighting and several glass and mirrored surfaces. The winning design was style No. 4 from Alana Villanueva of Avid Associates. The space includes an all-glass shower with a built-in glass bench and fully-tiled walls. For an accent, a simple white orchid.

Patio/Deck

  

 

Two opposing designs battled for the win in this final category. In the end, you opted for the modern, pool-centered layout, style No. 3, over the more rustic entertainment-focused design (No. 1). The top design belongs to Alana Villanueva of Avid Associates, with a geometric-styled patio incorporating concrete, pebbles, tile, wood and grass. The dynamic building materials allow for sparse accents of patterned pillows and end tables to finish the desirable look.

Ward, who recently landed the role of President of the United States in next year’s “Independence Day: Resurgence,” bought the sprawling mansion on eight acres in 2003 with her husband, Howard Sherman, so their children could spend more time in nature, she told The Wall Street Journal.

The couple revamped the 7-bedroom, 13-bath estate and intended to flip it, until Ward “greeted me at the door one day and said, ‘Let’s live here!'” Sherman told Traditional Home.

Gracious Southern and French living mix in the five-bedroom main home, where century-old heart pine floors complement reclaimed wood beams from Louisiana and Ward’s native Mississippi, plus antique doors and limestone counters from France.

The home includes a 30-seat theater, a library enveloped in cypress wood, and a small greenhouse off the indoor kitchen that Ward calls “l’orangerie.”

A wall of doors in the living room opens onto a terrace that overlooks a stream lined with rose bushes and Mexican lime trees.

The property encompasses an art studio and guesthouse as well as a vineyard, a covered footbridge and a 100-seat amphitheater.

Residents and guests have two choices for swimming: an infinity pool and a man-made pond with a sandy beach lit by tiki torches.

Listing agents are Branden Williams and Rayni Romito of Williams & Williams at Hilton & Hyland, an affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate, and Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Previews International.

Photos courtesy of Hilton & Hyland.

Related:

• Rock Like Neil Young on His Big Island Estate for $24.5M
• Report: Tobey Maguire Buys Artist’s Bungalow and Studio
• The Real Erin Brockovich Lists Home With Movie-Star Closet

Is it crazy to pump money into a home when you owe more on it than it's worth? Does this strategy ever make sense?

While upgrading the kitchen or dated bathroom could make the difference between a home that sells and one that doesn't, there's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to deciding whether to renovate under these circumstances.

If you’re wondering whether to renovate your underwater home, take the following factors into consideration.

Your situation

What is the current value of your home? How much are the renovations going to cost? And what is the home's expected value after you make these improvements?

Keep in mind that while some home improvements can result in a dollar-for-dollar increase in a home's value, most do not. If, however, there are certain problems or minor issues that are causing your home's value to appear lower than it should - like large overgrown trees in the front yard or chipped paint in the bedrooms - then making improvements may increase the chance of a sale at a more attractive price.

But be careful - you may not get as much value from renovations as you expect. For example, kitchen remodels offer among the lowest return on investments. “Every dollar you spend on a new kitchen only increases the value of your home by 50 cents - regardless of how much the renovation costs,” write Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff and Chief Economist Stan Humphries in Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate.

If you're planning a kitchen renovation, make sure it functions well for you, and you will enjoy it. Don't fixate on the value you are trying to create when it comes time to sell.

Your market

If you live in a market where prices have plunged to such depths that even a renovation that increases your home's value by 20 percent won't cut it, you need to think twice about remodeling.

If, however, you live in a market where buyers have high expectations (and renovations are therefore valued), then you may want to consider doing it.

Your financial condition

If you're taking out a loan to pay for renovations - and yes, there are loan options available despite your situation - that means you will be taking on debt. How much debt do you already have? And are you comfortable assuming more?

Renovating an underwater home can be risky, so be sure to thoroughly research your options before you make any decisions.

Related:

• How to Budget for Home Renovations
• 4 Steps to Take Now for a Faster Home Sale Next Year
• ‘What Are Comps?’: Understanding a Key Real Estate Tool

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

Target the toilet

Dual-flush toilets allow you to use only as much water as necessary. Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Toilets account for nearly 40 percent of all the water used inside the home. If your toilet is more than 20 years old, it’s probably a conventional model that uses 3.5 to 5 or more gallons per flush. Consider replacing your older toilet with a low-flush model that uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

If possible, opt for a dual-flush system that allows you to regulate the amount of water depending on your need. You will see a considerable drop in your water use, and you will recover the investment within a few years.

If a new toilet isn't in your budget, create a water displacement device by filling a plastic container with water or pebbles and dropping it into your toilet tank. Be sure that the device does not interfere with the function of your toilet. With this trick, you can save one gallon of water per flush with minimal cost and installation.

Switch the showerhead

Showers account for 20 percent of the water used in an average home. For less than $10, you can install a low-flow showerhead that halves your water usage during your shower.

As an added bonus, a low-flow showerhead will decrease your electric or gas bill by reducing the amount of hot water you need to heat.

Install aerators for your faucets

Faucet aerators cut the flow of water much like low-flow showerheads. You can install them on kitchen and bathroom sinks to use up to 75 percent less water every time you wash dishes or brush your teeth. Faucet aerators cost only a few dollars and are easy to install.

Get the most from your appliances

Because dishwashers generally use less water than washing by hand, let the machine do the work. Make sure it's full before starting so you don't waste your water on just a few plates. The same applies to the washing machine - especially if your appliance lacks a setting for smaller loads.

Choosing the right appliances can save hundreds of gallons of water annually. Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

When buying your next dishwasher or washing machine, look for Energy Star appliances that use only a fraction of the water used by older models. While an older top-loading washing machine uses up to 40 gallons of water per load, more efficient Energy Star models use as little as 14. Compared to a dishwasher purchased before 1994, an Energy Star model will save an average of 1,600 gallons of water over its lifetime.

Garden intelligently

Find drought-resistant plants such as cacti, flowers, succulents, and even herbs that will bring color to the outside of your home without draining your water supply. Many of these low-maintenance plants will also save you on time and the cost of fertilizer.

If you can't bear to part with your favorite thirsty plants, consider arranging your garden so that plants with similar water needs are planted together. That way you can concentrate the most water on areas that need it while saving on areas that don't.

Growing plants with similar hydration needs together helps make watering more efficient.

Make your irrigation count by watering your garden early in the morning and evening to prevent evaporation. Adding mulch to your garden will slow the evaporation of soil and minimize water runoff. If your soil is particularly parched and hard, using cycle and soak irrigation will maximize the water that is soaked up by the ground.

Skip washing your car at home

Washing your car at home uses anywhere from 40 to 140 gallons of water. Head to a professional car wash that uses up to 65 percent less water thanks to reclamation systems that recycle the water many times over. You'll save on your water bill and help the environment.

If you must wash your car in the comfort of your driveway, turn off the hose when you don't need it.

Cover the pool

Pools are not necessarily a waste of water as long as you cover them to prevent evaporation and keep the water level low to avoid splashing.

Cover swimming pools when not in use to prevent water from evaporating. Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

If your pool is heated, lowering the temperature will also help to minimize evaporation. Once you've implemented all your new water-saving tricks, nothing will feel more luxurious than swimming in a large pool of precious water.

Related:

• Eco-Friendly Home Updates That Save You Green
• Smart Watering Tips for Every Gardener
• Green Luxury Homes on the Market

Grab a few household items, gather some friends and family, and get toasty with this #HomemadeHack for simply delightful tabletop s’mores, right in your own backyard.

1. Take a terra-cotta pot.

2. Line it with foil.

3. Fill the pot with charcoal.

4. Light it up. (But be careful!)

5. Toast marshmallows over the flame. Golden brown or totally charred - it’s up to you!

6. Assemble your s’more.

7. Enjoy!

With this gooey goody, you’ll be the toast of your next block party.

Looking to get organized this fall? Check out the season's biggest closet trends below.

Top closet trends for 2015

1. Transparent storage materials. Transparent storage materials such as frosted doors and see-through drawers will gain popularity among homeowners and in big-box stores this year. "Closets, especially bedroom closets, are becoming more like clothing exhibitions to display purchases more as collections, making transparent materials key," says Nina Magon, Zillow Digs designer and principal of Contour Interior Design.
   

   Courtesy of The Container Store

2. Split or his-and-hers finishes. Split closets with contrasting finishes and color palates will become all the rage, especially in bedrooms. Expect to see a rise in warm white paint tones and metallic accents contrasted with dark wood or leather finishes for a clean, but personalized, look.
   

   Courtesy of Marc-Michaels Interior Design

   

   Courtesy of Marc-Michael Interior Design.

3. Spotlight lighting. Predicted to become the go-to closet lighting solution this year, directed lighting or spotlights are both functional and stylish. Spotlights also help create the boutique-like ambiance that so many homeowners are gravitating to in their closet spaces.
   

   Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Three fads to replace

1. Behind-door storage. Hiding everything behind a small closed door is a thing of the past. Expect to see homeowners experimenting with large sliding doors and curtains, or even expanding closets into a larger space to better showcase and find their favorite items.

2. Basic setups. Homeowners will want to go beyond the "closet in a box" arrangement and add their own custom touches or creative flair to organization spaces. Designers anticipate wire racking mixed with woven baskets or custom wood finishes to grow in popularity this year.

3. Dark closets. Closets with minimal lighting or heavy doors that keep natural light out are quickly headed out of style. With the rise of transparent materials, homeowners will want an accessible closet where they can easily find belongings and enjoy how they're displayed.

Need help getting organized this season? You're in luck! Zillow Digs and The Container Store are teaming up to give one lucky winner a $5,000 closet makeover from The Container Store, as well as a consultation with a closet organizer. Enter now for your chance to win!