Inside the Fall issue of Prestige, you’ll visit Trilith, a town designed to promote creativity and a healthy work-life balance, begin daydreaming about the upcoming holiday season and explore centuries-old traditions in places like Europe and Germany. Then, read about how pet accessories and “petfluencers” are taking the world by storm and no longer considered […]
The pandemic caused many people to try to grab more enjoyment from life, as evidenced by the latest vacation home counties report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). In 2020, vacation home sales rose by 16.4%, outpacing the overall growth in existing-home sales of 5.6%, and in 2021, vacation home sales increased 57.2% year-over-year compared to the […]
Working from home during the pandemic allowed jobs to be saved, but posed challenges in terms of productivity, and performance. Now, homeowners are building or buying work sheds to get the privacy they need to work, create, and produce. A work shed can offer physical as well as psychological distance. If you’re at home, you’re […]
Mixing antique and vintage items with your contemporary furnishings can add elegance, character and personality to your decor. They can enhance a modern interior with an interesting eclectic vibe. An antique must be 100 years old or older, while vintage is any item over 20 years old that’s iconic of an identifiable style like Mid-century […]
If you’ve got dead limbs, branches growing into power lines, branches overhanging your house, or tree growth that obstruct visibility for vehicles and pedestrians, it’s time to do some tree trimming. Home insurer Allstate.com says there are three basic reasons for trimming your trees. In order of importance, they are: Falling tree branches are dangerous for anyone […]
A primary or second home by the ocean, lake, mountains, or desert could be heavenly, but hard to obtain in today’s warp-speed real estate climate. So why not build the home of your dreams on your own land? You may already have a favorite vacation spot or a location in mind. Your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices […]
Appraisals establish the value of a given home, making them extremely important to lenders, tax authorities, the housing industry, the economy, builders, buyers, and sellers. They’re integral to building home equity and wealth, giving advantages to some homeowners and disadvantages to others. Many lenders use automated valuation models to save time and money more so than to […]
The April 2021 market report from the National Association of REALTORS had a seeming contradiction. It was the third month in a row that existing home sales declined, yet home prices hit an all-time high of $329,100. Typically, when home sales fall, prices dip as well, signaling a developing softness in the market. But thanks to a […]
If your new home came with a jetted tub in the master bath or you plan to replace the tub with one with jets, here are a few tips to making every bath you take luxurious. Jetted tubs require special care, so before you take that first relaxing dip, read the manufacturer’s guidelines on cleaning […]
With as little as 3% down payment required, Freddie Mac’s Home Possible Mortgage loans are ideal for low to moderate-income borrowers with few savings, first-time homebuyers, borrowers with shallow credit histories or retirees on a limited budget. The benefits to borrowers are more flexible sources of funds for the down payment that can include gifts, grants, employer […]
Energystar.gov offers a treasure chest of goodies and information for homeowners. From tax credits and rebates to referrals to qualified contractors, you’ll learn about Energy Star®-certified products you can purchase and install in your home that save energy, money and the environment. The energy star program was established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to benefit […]
Architects and interior designers strive to improve living spaces so their clients will be happier and more productive. One increasingly popular approach is called biophilic design, which “seeks to connect occupants more closely to nature,” according to Archdaily.com. Biophilia simply describes the affinity and love humans have for the natural world and its life forms. It’s the reason […]
Inside the Summer issue of Prestige, accompany Chef @fabioviviani as he takes us on a journey of how growing up poor in Florence, Italy encouraged him to build a culinary masterpiece. Then, escape to a mountain sanctuary – where retreats offer more than a second home destination and present experiences beyond the winter snow and uncover […]
For 2021, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac raised the maximum conforming loan limit for a single-family property from $510,400 in 2020 to $548,250. In high-cost areas, including parts of California, New York, Washington D.C. and others, the limit for conforming mortgage loan limits is 150% of that limit, or […]
National Homeownership Month is celebrated in June, the kickoff of the summer homebuying season. Homeownership is widely considered the foundation of civil stability and familial happiness – the American Dream. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) believes homeownership gives families more financial security, a better lifestyle, and stronger communities through supporting businesses, schools, and services making it […]
In April 2021, Bitcoin hit an all-time high in the price of its coins, virtual trader Coinbase went public with a valuation of $86 billion, and Venmo, owned by PayPal, announced it’s adding support for cryptocurrencies. All of these give access to customers who can now easily buy, sell and pay for items with cryptocurrencies […]
Home prices are going up, but in some areas of the country, it may be cheaper for you to save money for your own home by renting another year. According to Move.com, renters can save thousands on a lease in the nation’s largest tech hubs, compared to pre-pandemic prices. In February 2021, the U.S. median rent, […]
Moving up to a better neighborhood could mean compromising on space, so you may be tempted to convert the garage. Many older homes come with a two-car garage, approximately 20 by 20 feet, or 400 more square feet of living area. It’s already under the roof and walled on three sides, making it seem inexpensive […]
According to Gilmour.com, weeds “compete with grass and garden plants for space, light, water and soil nutrients.” They germinate quickly and can carry diseases and insects that hurt your plants. Here are six ways to prevent weeds in your lawn and garden: Apply pre-emergent weed killer. Pre-emergent target specific weeds and their families. They’re activated with water, so […]
When you buy a home, plan on staying there for approximately five years. Why? You’ll need equity in order to sell the home without losing money. Equity is your percentage of ownership VS how much the bank owns. With any mortgage loan, the first few years of payments go more toward paying interest than reducing your principal. […]
