The best interior designs don’t happen by accident. One tried and true “rule” that interior designers, artists, craftspeople, and furniture makers rely upon is the 2/3 Rule. The 2/3 Rule can be used when you select anything for your home—a sofa, oil painting, fine rug, or chandelier. If you’re unhappy with something you’ve chosen, it […]

Short-term rentals average 8% to 12% ROI, but it’s getting harder to make a profit. According to a joint report by Airbnb, VRBO, STR, and Datarade, occupancy rates have declined since 2021 while inflation, interest rates, insurance premiums and property management costs are all higher. Municipalities are imposing more regulations on rentals, and many vacation destination markets, like […]

  Since the 1940s, the “working triangle” has been known as the model of efficiency for modern kitchens. But as society changes, so do concepts of how kitchen space is utilized. The kitchen triangle was designed to save steps between the most frequently used appliances—the refrigerator, cooktop/stove/oven, and the sink. This concept worked well for small single-cook […]

How do you choose which homeowner’s policy to buy? There are several levels of protection that cover the structures on your property as well as personal possessions. One of the key distinctions is how the policy defines what’s covered. Named perils coverage is specific to certain catastrophic events. Open perils coverage addresses most events except those excluded by the policy. Ninety […]

As interest rates fluctuate, you may consider refinancing your mortgage to a lower interest rate, shorter loan term, or lower monthly payment. You may want to switch from an adjustable rate to a fixed-rate loan, or get rid of private mortgage insurance, or borrow more money for value-adding renovations to your home. To ensure you’re making the […]

You’re used to living in your home, but homebuyers notice things you may overlook. What you don’t want is for a buyer to ever get the “ick” over something you could easily have fixed. Icky odors: No matter how loveable your pet is, a homebuyer doesn’t want to step over stinky dog beds and slobbery […]

If you’re wondering why mortgage interest rates for consumers don’t follow the Federal Reserve’s fund rates to banks, there’s a good reason. Interest rates are tied to benchmarks based on how long the debt lasts. The federal funds rate applies to overnight lending between banks, while consumer mortgages are typically long-term, as much as 30 years. […]

When you buy a primary residence, you benefit from numerous perks—if you occupy your home long enough. Not only can you get tax breaks for the mortgage interest you pay—up to $750,000 of debt if you bought after 2017—you can avoid paying capital gains on your home when you sell—up to $500,000 for married joint filers and […]

When people picture Smith Mountain Lake, they often imagine a serene escape: smooth waters, mountain views, and luxurious lake homes perfect for unwinding. While this picture is true, there’s so much more to the story. With wide-open spaces, endless adventure, and a close-knit community, Smith Mountain Lake is the kind of place where kids can […]

Every year, Remodeling Magazine ranks the national average costs of various home remodeling projects by the highest resale value and costs recouped. While most projects impact only parts of a home, their resale value is estimated in the sales price when the home is sold. For example, the top project is a garage door replacement that costs […]