Blue. often ranks at the top of surveys exploring favorite colors because it is known to slow pulse rate and lower body temperature. Depending on the shade, blues relax, soothe, and make us feel more spiritual and centered. Blue is typically chosen for bedrooms for that reason alone. This color also improves productivity and is considered to be a clean color. It works well in bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry areas. Blue is less likely to be used in kitchens because when the color is associated with food it tends to suppress appetite, which can be good for those to lose weight.

Red. Red has the opposite effect of blue; generally speaking it increases blood pressure and respiration rate. It can make people lose track of time and also stimulates appetite. This color is powerful so it is best used as an accent. Using red makes a powerful statement!

Yellow. Yellow tends to cause more eye fatigue than any other color. It increases metabolism and upset babies. People tend to lose their temper more often in yellow rooms, but this color can also make people feel cheerful, energetic, and happy. Buttery shades of yellow are much easier to live with for extensive periods of time than bright sunflower shades. The range of yellows is vast and some are better for decorating schemes than others. Yellow is one of those colors that people who like it really like it and those who do not tend to dislike it very intensely.

Green. Greens represent a vast range of natural colors, and for that reason they are seen as very appealing. Much like blues, greens tend to calm and relax, thus it is classified as a healing color. This color is one of the most popular because it is so versatile.

Orange. Oranges are warm, welcoming, and vital. Melon, tangerine, and yellow-orange mango are bright, cheerful, and tend to increase appetite. This color is great to use in kitchens, breakfast nooks, and dining rooms because it is a very comfortable color.

Purple. Historically, purple is the color of kings. This color may arguably be the most opulent of colors and often connotes mystery or spirituality. Saturated purple is a dense, dark color that can provide a potent punch of color with great impact. As a tint, purple tends to lavender and is one of the daintier colors favored by many young girls. Certain shades of purple can be subtle, flexible, and neutral.

Black. Dark colors generally make rooms seem much smaller than they truly are, so unless you enjoy living in a cocoon, black may not be a great choice for a background color. The effect of using black as an accent can be very elegant as well as provide a contemporary twist for a traditional room.

Pink. Pink is an interesting color because it has the cultural associations of being feminine. Research shows that pink rooms reduce angry behavior at least temporarily. It is usually a comfort color and is favored by many for its sweet and childlike appeal.

Grey. Grey tends to enhance creativity, which can make it a good color for offices and studios. Grey is favored as an executive color. It provides a background for countless color combinations. The color grey often is very liveable for extensive periods of time because it provides a flexible neutral background. It can be classified as buttoned down and traditional, modern and contemporary, or beach house friendly.

Brown. Brown is all about credibility, security, and reassurance. It tends to be soothing and comfortable which is a primary reason that it works well in bedrooms or family rooms. Browns work well with spicy or warm colors, but also span a broad range of neutrals. Depending on the shade this color can be appropriate for merely any room.

If you are in the market to purchase a great home and eventually test the science of color, then click here. Find the home of your dreams and start satisfying all your housing needs, wants, and desires.

1. Knock down some walls to add more space and light.
2. Outdoor improvement
3. Fresh coat in the interior area
4. Landscaping
5. Basement remodeling
6. Update or add another bathroom
7. Update kitchen
8. Minimize carbon footprint.  Go green.

Adding value to your home requires you to spend some for improvements or upgrades as well as repairs.  So, does this mean the adding value to your home or making your home green expensive?  Green Bend homes are not that expensive.  What make green homes expensive are the remodeling and the installations involved. So if you think green homes are expensive, think again.  But does green add value to a home?  Read more.

Live with it. It is so important for those on a budget to move slowly because ultimately if they do not they will not have the money in the end to fix the mistakes or the things they do not like. Literally live with the changes made because it will help one to really love the alterations made as well as look back without a single ounce of regret. It may be extremely tempting to finish an entire room at once, but before moving onto the next one, live with the changes already made. Make sure to really love changes made before moving on and making even greater alterations.

Soften the corners. Most things contained within a room are made up of 90 degree angles. One of the ways to make a room more visually interesting is to soften the corners or purely mix in some pieces that have rounded edges. Bring in a round coffee table or a rug in order to mix things up and make the room a little more interesting.

Never buy a set. Do not go into a store and buy every piece of furniture in a set; doing so will make it look like one spent an afternoon finishing everything. People respond best to blended and organic compositions of furniture. Decorating a room is much like putting together an outfit, it is not about the skirt or scarf – it is purely about how the entire thing comes together. Everything bought should blend together visually but should not be too matchy-matchy. Taking time acquiring different elements in a room provides one with the chance to evaluate how each piece fits before adding another.

Do not over-theme. A lot of people want to create a particular look for a room, but instead go way overboard. It is all well and good to have a nautical room, but when numerous decorations are added things start looking a little too crowded. Simple is best. One can create the particular look they want without filling a room to the brim with decorations.

Choose the right white. If going to use white, make sure to use the right one. There are a million whites out there, hence finding the perfect one can be tough. In order to do so be sure to paint a board and move it around the room at different times with different light. The board is better than painting on the wall, because it allows you to see how the color will look throughout the entire room. The board gives a chance to live with the color without jumping into painting an entire room.

Do not fight the architecture. If the room is full of amazing moldings that is one thing, but the cheap casing from the 70’s and 80’s is another. There is no need to make a room look like something it is not. What one loves about their home is entirely up to them, but much like dressing for your body, only the best assets should be emphasized. One should play down their weakest features and focus entirely on their best. This concept goes hand in hand with decorating a room because the best features should be emphasized and the weak ones should be down played.

Start with the box. Look at every room in stages, only starting with the biggest things first. A room is really a box and when putting it together start big and get increasingly smaller. Focus on the big picture and not necessarily the small features.

Make your home in St. George and Taylorsville one that is decorated purely perfect. Follow these tips and make any one of your homes look simply beautiful!

When it comes to making the decision to change your roof, it can ultimately be difficult. There are so many different roof types which for sure can complicate the decision. Here are among the top ten popular roof types as well as the pros and cons of each and how much each one costs.

1. Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are basically thick paper sheets which are saturated with asphalt to add waterproofing. Initially these shingles were rectangular and gray, but presently they can come in merely any shape or color. These shingles are great for a range of housing types, but they especially complement Victorian Mansions and ranch houses. They also work well on buildings with steel or wooden frames. Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material because of their low production and installation costs. They are great for all kinds of climates, but do tend to last longer in more temperate regions. One bad thing about these kind of shingles is that they can be damaged in wet climates where moss and algae thrive. Asphalt shingles typically cost $3 to $5 per square foot and last for approximately 20 years.

2. Wood Shingles and Shakes
No two pieces of wood look the same on a roof composed of wooden shingles. Usually these shingles are carved from cedar or pine and overtime they tend to gray, therefore giving the roof a very rustic feel. These style shingles look great on ranch houses, cottages, and bungalows. Wood shingles provide an aesthetic appeal of wood which cannot be matched by any other synthetic material. Wood shingles allow for great air circulation which can greatly help reduce cooling costs. Wood shingles are among the highest maintenance roofing material because they are prone to moss and mildew damage. Many wooden shingles do not meet local fire codes, thereby they must be coated with a fire retardant which adds extra cost. Wood shingles cost $7 dollars per square foot and lost 15 to 20 years on the East Coast and about 30 years in drier, more temperate areas.

3. Clay Tiles
Clay tiles are generally a natural red color and come in many different shapes. The most common of these tiles is the Spanish-style, half-barrel shape. These tiles can also be shaped like shingles or slates. Usually this style roofing is used in Mediterranean Revival homes which are prevalent in coastal states such as California and Florida. These tiles are extremely durable and resistant to water, insects, rot, and fire. But they do tend to be heavy and labor intensive and expensive. Clay tiles can cost from $15 to $25 per square foot. With proper care and maintenance a clay-tile roof can last a generation or even longer.

4. Slate
Slate may look like shingles, but it is actually slivers of rock that is arranged in a variety of patterns. Usually, slate comes in grays, gray blust, and rust colors, which can offer a home a very natural look. This style of roofing is often found on homes from the early 1990s. A slate room is very resistant to the elements, can last an extremely long time, and give a building an old world look. But, as with clay tiles, a slate roof may require extra support in the home’s structure. Repairs can be costly and difficult, and due to the fact that slate is a natural material it can be very hard to find a replacement tile. Slate can cost anywhere from $20 to $35 per square foot, but can last more than 100 years, which ultimately can present a great investment.

5. Concrete
Concrete tiles can be manufactured to look like just about any other type of roofing material. This material is by far the most versatile and therefore can work with a wide variety of different homes. Concrete roofs are durable and resistant to inclement weather, water, fungus, insects and fire. Much like clay tiles and slate, concrete tiles can weigh down a structure, thus make sure your home can stand the weight. This material also may be susceptible to cracks due to freezing and thawing. Typically, concrete tiles cost $10 to $15 per square foot and last from anywhere 30 to 50 years.

6. Metal
Metal roofs can range anywhere from the heavy-duty galvanized steel of barns to ornate cooper details on most federal buildings’ roofs. They are usually found on ranch houses, bungalows, and cottages. Metal roofs are extremely durable and last the longest of any roofing material. Other roofs tend to deteriorate as soon as they are exposed to the elements, but a metal roof can last generations. These kind of roofs are quite light, so many homes can support them. This material is also great because it is known to cut down on heating and cooling costs. Eventually, steel roof will rust if a home is near saltwater and this material can be more expensive than other roofing materials. Metal roofs cost anywhere from $10 to $22 and generally last more than 50 years.

7. Hot Mop
Hot-mop rooming is the process of applying hot liquid asphalt to a flat roof made of concrete or plywood. It dries a matte black, but can also be decorated with stone for a more appealing look. This material looks great on homes with flat rooms as well as commercial buildings. The process of applying liquid asphalt is extremely messy and the pollutants released from the liquid asphalt can be harmful to the environment. This material costs approximately $5 to $6 per square foot and lasts about 10 years.

8. Fiber Cement
Fiber-cement roofing is made of cement which is reinforced with a fiber like cardboard. It can be molded to mimic the look of clay tiles, slate, or wood shakes. This material looks great on any type of home and is fire and moisture resistant. The roof is prone to cracking, delaminating, softening, and discoloring. Usually this material costs $2 to $3 per square foot and lasts about 25 years.

9. Green Roofs
Green or eco roofs feature live plants which growing on top of a home. The plant types can range from low-growing succulents to taller grasses and bushes. A green roof is energy-efficient and can cut air-conditioning costs by 60%. The downside to this style roof is that they do require upkeep as well as expensive, high-quality waterproofing. They usually cost $13 to $65 per square foot and depending on the waterproofing benet the plants can last 25 years.

10. Engineered rubber or plastic
Much like fiber-cement roofs, engineered rubber or plastic roofs are meant to mimic other roofing materials. This kind of roof works for most style home and are extremely low maintenance. They are a low-cost alternative and can be environmentally friendly. This kind of material cost about $2.50 to $4 per square foot and can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years depending upon climate and weather.

Annuals
August is a relatively low-maintenance month for flowers, but regular watering is not the only task that will keep a garden in top shape. Be sure to keep deadheading flowers as they fade, not only will this make plants look better, but it will also allow them to produce and shed their seeds. In areas with mild winters and longer growing seasons, these annuals should be given another round of feeding or fertilizer in this late summer month.

Perennials
Perennials need to be watered not only on a weekly basis but also need to be watered deeply. In order to check the water levels, trowel into the soil and look for moisture to a depth of three or four inches, or deep enough to ensure that water is reaching roots. Much like annuals, deadhead spent blooms before they have a chance to seed. If you happen to be gardening in a mild climate, then make sure to fertilize roses one again this month.

Lawns
Since August is typically the hottest month of the year, watering becomes a top priority in lawn care. To care for your lawn be sure to water it deeply once a week for an hour at a shot. Keep grass longer by raising the cutting height on your mower, thereby conserving water and helping roots stay cool. If water is scarce you may want to consider letting your lawn go dormant and reduce watering to once a month. It may look a little scrappy, but that glowing green hue will return with fall rains.

Watering
April may be the “cruelest month,” but for gardens August is worse if the weather is hot. Even in mild climates, a single heat wave can put the kibosh on your garden if it does not receive enough. Due to the hot temperatures water evaporates quickly on sunny days, therefore water early in the morning to give plants a head start. Make sure to check frequently on flowers and vegetables in order to determine their watering needs. Usually you will want to give them about an inch of water each week. Add a light layer of mulch around young plants to help their roots retain water. Be sure to add an inch of water once a week or slightly more often if looking to keep a green lawn. Also, check hanging baskets and container plants every day in hot weather to be sure that they are getting enough to drink.

Pest Control
Slugs will tend to be more abundant now due to extra watering, therefore be sure to plant saucers of stale beer around the garden, especially around mulched areas.

Weeds
Extra watering and hot weather are a great recipe for weeds. Expect weeds to germinate and drop their seeds significantly faster; pull them out as soon as they pop up.

Harvest
In order to avoid giving pests a free lunch, pick fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ripe. It is time to pick those apples, garlic, onions, raspberries, tomatoes, and melons before pests have a chance to dig in and enjoy.

Houseplants
Houseplants will need to be watered more often this month, especially if they are in a window that brings in a lot of sun. Before you leave for your end of the summer vacation move plants out of direct sunlight and give them a nice big drink.

Whether your home is in the city of Taylorsville, Centerville, Clearfield, Utah, or simply anywhere else in this great nation; be sure to finish out the gardening season strong and take care of those plants you planted so many months ago!

photo courtesy by collthings.co.uk

Ever heard this line from a famous movie? I bet you did and as far as celebrities are concerned. most of their body and faces are ‘photoshopped’ or edited to make it flawless and more appealing. Every photo that you see in glossy covers are photoshopped, but you might have probably asked, “Is there anything wrong with using Photoshop?” Of course, there is nothing wrong with it but if the photo looks to good to be true then it’s downright wrong to misled people. But how about photo manipulations in the real estate sector?… Read more.

photo by mirjamkeijnemans.nl

A happy home is a healthy home.  Do you also believe that a healthy home is a major factor in having a healthy lifestyle?

A healthy lifestyle is not just about exercising regularly, eating balanced diet or getting enough sleep.  It is having a healthy home.  A healthy home is a clean and safe home – free from pests, dangerous gases, safe construction, well-ventilated and so on.

Enjoy the benefits of having a healthy home and here are a few inexpensive ways on how to have a healthy home… Read more.

The the economy is tough and the real estate market has intense competition so, home sellers are turning to and taking advantage of home staging to sell their homes quickly and profitably anytime of the year and not just only summer. They know that what makes a home feel inviting is not the furniture, the size or the decorations, but it’s the comfort brought about by the property’s neatness and orderliness.

The saying “first impression lasts” is true when selling a home during summer.  Compared to real estate agents and Realtors, home stagers got the creativity which makes them different from the agents. They know that an unfurnished, cluttered, and disorganized home looks empty, and unappealing, and cold which gives off a negative impression to home buyers.  If the front porch is a mess, making the kitchen, master bedroom and master bath beautiful is useless. So this means that even if you have superb interiors, the kind that potential buyers would like to have, you still cannot change the buyer’s perception they receive from the first impression they get from the outside of your house.

All home staging has to start from having everything in good shape, repaired, neat, clean and free of clutter. Size does not matter in home buying and home selling. A home buyer will consider calling modest Denver Colorado homes their homes where everything is in its place rather than living in a tornado-hit mansion.  Home staging is indeed a critical component in turning a house into a home.  Home staging is an essential marketing tool to help agents sell their listing fast and for top dollar. The goal of is to get the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling California foreclosures and short sales, for instance more quickly and productively. It is where people hire home stagers to prepare their property before putting it on the market.

Make way for the ultra wealthy, because they are becoming the home owners for Americans today. Even Americans who had stable jobs just a few years ago were victims of salary cuts, and had to foreclose their home. Even if their salary’s have since recovered, bad credit prevents them from buying. Now there’s a new scenario to deal with – even if their credit has recovered and their salaries have as well, the home may already be purchased by an investor.

In some neighborhoods in Phoenix over 38% of homes were purchased by investors who are making huge profits on real estate. Why are these investors making so much money and buying up so much real estate (hence, squeezing out home buyers from the purchasing picture), because….

Pop quiz: It is less expensive to ____ in 98% of the country than it is to ____?

Answer: It is less expensive to rent in 98% of the country than it is to rent?

For an investor, it is a no-brainer. Buy a home, rent it out, and you are going to be making much more money than what that home actually would cost – even if it required financing and other expensive fees, it is still more affordable to buy and have a renter; especially because the renter will still have to furnish the home, pay the utilities, and many other fees.

What does this mean for Joe-Shmo who is looking to buy a home?

A bubble is what happens when people believe that a product will continue to rise in value, and essentially will not stop rising – even after it is far beyond the point of its actual value (depending on the metrics of which you determine value). A bubble essentially is something which has value based on speculation. How valuable is speculation? It’s worth its weight in air – which is why a bubble can pop – because once the speculation is gone from the value, it POPS! And when that pop happens, the air doesn’t just slow trickle out like a leak, but it falls FAST! And in the case of areas like Phoenix, Florida, and Las Vegas, perhaps it even collapses on itself below where it was valued before the bubble begins to take off (which is why so many homes are underwater).

Bubbles are not necessarily good or bad for an economy, because in the end it will ultimately stabalize. Bubbles are surrounded on both ends by an abundance of prosperity and then desperation. When all is said, the prosperity which is experienced during the peak of the bubbles are typically equal to the despair experienced afterwards.