White Can Be the Key to a Dramatic Room

White Can Be the Key to a Dramatic Room

Interior designer Vicente Wolf’s new book, Lifting the Curtain on Design, says simply, "White can do everything. Painting a room white simplifies the environment. It brings it to its essence."


Wolf, who has spent most of his career trying to expand small places in New York City, relies on white strategically throughout an apartment. His approach could work in properties elsewhere.


"I almost always use different shades, different finishes. That's what gives it depth. Even if you were to use the same color, it would read differently in different light," Wolf says.


The color white emphasizes the furniture and the art in a room. "Let's say you have 81/2-foot ceilings, flat walls and no detail at all," Wolf says. "You put an 18th century chest in the room, and suddenly you have a different sense of architecture."


Source: Orlando Sentinel, Shaila Wunderlich (09/18/2010)



Emily Lee
The Realty Group II
Cell Phone: (606)499-7836
Home Office Phone: (423)869-2442
Main Office Phone: (423)869-5111 (Ask for Emily)
Email: Emily@harrogatetnhomes.com
Email: EmilyLeeRealty@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.HarrogateTnHomes.com
Website: http://www.EmilyLeeRealty.com

Current Home Owners: Check Out HouseLogic

HouseLogic Offers Smart Advice to Owners

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® this week launched HouseLogic, a new, comprehensive consumer Web site designed to help home owners make smart decisions to maintain, protect, and increase the value of their homes. HouseLogic will help consumers take responsible actions pertaining to what is likely the largest investment of their lives.



“Backed by the resources and industry insights of NAR and its REALTOR® members, HouseLogic will engage and involve consumers throughout the lifecycle of homeownership,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder. “It makes sense that, as the first, best source for real estate information, NAR should collaborate with today’s consumers to help them make the most out of owning a home. HouseLogic will help us do that.”



The free Web site helps home owners plan and organize their home projects and provides timely articles and news; home improvement advice and how-to’s; and information about taxes, home finances and insurance.



“Unlike other homeownership Web sites, HouseLogic helps consumers view their home through a financial lens and make smart, informed home improvement investment decisions,” said Golder. “Families can set goals for saving money on their home or increasing its value, and easily track the progress they are making on those goals.”



Registered users can save relevant information, create to-do lists, and set project reminders. The Web site can also be customized for individual owners depending on how handy or ambitious they are regarding home projects; how much money they want to spend or save; where they live; and their priorities, such as increasing the value of their home or improving their neighborhood.



HouseLogic also empowers home owners who want to get more actively engaged in shaping community life, advocating on neighborhood and homeownership issues that matter most to them. The site provides users with the tools and know-how to effect change, such as establishing a neighborhood watch program, building a community playground, or participating in city or county planning efforts.



“For more than 100 years REALTORS® have been bringing America home,” said Golder. “HouseLogic takes owning a home to the next level, partnering with consumers to truly help people build their futures through homeownership.”



Visit HouseLogic at www.houselogic.com


— NAR

Emily Lee, REALTOR®

606-499-7836

http://www.emilyleerealty.com/

Romantic Valentine's Day at Home

Pamper your Sweetheart without Spending a Lot of Money.

By Nina Callaway, About.com Guide

Why would you want to spend Valentine's Day at home? Perhaps the real question is why wouldn't you! You can do something romantic and special for your sweetheart this February 14th, without spending a lot of money. Most engaged couples are watching their pennies and need to celebrate in a romantic way without breaking the bank. And since many restaurants and theaters are overcrowded and overpriced because of celebrating couples, you'll avoid the crowds, and increase the intimacy at home. Here are some ideas for celebrating Valentine's Day at home where your sweetheart will feel truly special.




Romantic Valentine's Day at Home


•A Fireside Picnic Have the sofa pulled up in front of a roaring fire, with some champagne on ice. For an added touch, serve strawberries to bring out the champagne's flavor, or drop pomegranate seeds into the glass to tinge the bubbly pink. If you're the cooking type, make a homecooked Valentine's Day meal. If not, order out from your favorite place, but be sure to ditch the containers and replate the meal elegantly on nice plates. Don't forget great music playing on the stereo!










•Spa Night. When your sweetie gets home, draw a hot bath filled with rose petals. (Since roses are so expensive around Valentines Day, you can ask your florist for a package of plain rose petals, short stemmed roses, or for "seconds" -- ones that are slightly bruised since you won't be giving them in a traditional way.) Have a glass of wine and some chocolates to nibble on by the side of the bathtub.






Meanwhile, prepare the bedroom. Line the bed with towels fresh out of the dryer so that they're warm. Get a basin full of warm water near the bed, several washcloths and some great spa products. Start off with an exfoliating rub like the Bliss Hot Salt Scrub. Wash that away, then massage in a great moisturizer like Panhandle Girl's Bettie Spice. You might also want to throw in a foot rub for extra brownie points. (Many people have creams and exfoliating rubs at home already; you don't have to spend extra money on this step.) Afterwards the two of you can enjoy takeout in bed while you watch a romantic movie.

Emily Lee, Realtor®

606-499-7836

EmilyLeeRealty.com

Decorate for Valentine's Day!!

Do you want to give your beloved a surprise this Valentine's Day? What can be a better idea than to decorate your home especially for him/her? We are here to help you in this task. The romantic home decor ideas given below will tell you how to decorate your home on Valentine's Day…

• First of all, clean up your home thoroughly. Remove unnecessary clutter and make it look inviting.

• Buy aroma candles of all shapes and sizes and just before your partner is about to comer home, light every one of them, throughout the house.

• Now is the turn to buy some balloons, heart shaped ones, that to in red color. Write a small message on each of them and spread them in different rooms of your home.

• Flower decorations are an all time favorite and continue to be so, even today. But the flowers should be of your partner's liking and need not be red roses only.

• Make a carpet of red rose petals for your partner, leading from the door to the place in your home, you wish to take him/her first.

• Set a table for just the two of you and keep a lighted candle in the middle, along with a bottle of wine.

• Have soft romantic music playing in the background.

Follow all these tips for decorating your home on Valentine's Day and relax. Your job is complete, now the rest of the work will be done by your partner.

Click here to view the source

 
 
 
 
 

Emily Lee

with

Realty Group II

 

5 Feng Shui Concepts to Help a Home Sell

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To put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui principles, keep these tips in mind.

1. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the “mouth of chi” (chi is the “life force” of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune enter through the front door. It’s also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the rest of the property. Make sure the area around the front door is swept clean, free of cobwebs and clutter. Make sure all lighting is straight and properly hung. Better yet, light the path leading up to the front door to create an inviting atmosphere.



2. Chi energy can be flushed away wherever there are drains in the home. To keep the good forces of a home in, always keep the toilet seats down and close the doors to bathrooms.



3. The master bed should be in a place of honor, power, and protection, which is farthest from and facing toward the entryway of the room. It’s even better if you can place the bed diagonally in the farthest corner. Paint the room in colors that promote serenity, relaxation, and romance, such as soft tones of green, blue, and lavender.



4. The dining room symbolizes the energy and power of family togetherness. Make sure the table is clear and uncluttered during showings. Use an attractive tablecloth to enhance the look of the table while also softening sharp corners.



5. The windows are considered to be the eyes of the home. Getting the windows professionally cleaned will make the home sparkle and ensure that the view will be optimally displayed.



Source: Sell Your Home Faster With Feng Shuiby Holly Ziegler (Dragon Chi Publications, 2001)

Emily Lee, REALTOR®

606-499-7836

EmilyLeeRealty.com

HarrogateTnHomes.com

Realty Group II

423-869-5111

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4 Reasons to Sell Now

Selling a property in this tough market can seem like a challenge. Here are four factors that actually make this a good time to post a For-Sale sign.

Sell low and buy low.
Because all property values are down, the loss on the property a home owner sells is really only a paper loss because the next property he buys also will be a bargain. If he buys smartly, when prices come back up in a few years, he’ll be in better shape.


Down-payment help is widely available.
While nothing-down loans have disappeared, it is easy to find down-payment assistance for lower-income and first-time home buyers. Programs vary all over the country, but one good way to find them is to search online for “down-payment assistance programs” and the name of your region.


Your uncle has money to share.
Besides the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and the $6,500 move-up credit, there are an array of energy tax credits that can make home improvements pay off in cash.



Good help is available.
Really talented real estate practitioners, contractors, and designers are available and eager for business.


Source: McClatchy Tribune, Kate Forgach (02/07/2010)

Ready to Sell???

Click Here For More Information

 

 

 

 

Emily Lee, Realtor®

606-499-7836

Realty Group II

423-869-5111

Cost vs. Value Report

Thinking about doing a remodel???? Check out this article to see if you will be getting your money back!

Cost vs. Value Report

www.EmilyLeeRealty.com

Make Under $30,000 a yr.?

If you make under $30,000 a yr. did you know that you may be eligible for a 100% financed loan? That means no down payment! You may also be able to get a 1% interest rate!!! Stop paying rent and throwing your money away!!

Call or E-mail Me Today for More Information and How to Get Started!!!

EMILY LEE 606-499-7836
www.EmilyLeeRealty.com

Ten Inexpensive Ways to Wow Buyers

Now is the time for home owners contemplating a spring sale to spruce up their properties in anticipation of what Mike Larson of Weiss Research calls a potentially vibrant home-selling season. "If you have been beating your head against a wall, this is going to feel a lot better,” he jokes.Here are 10 cheap ways to make a property more attractive to shoppers.

1.Improve first impressions. Touch up the paint on the front door and other areas that buyers see first.

2.Clean up the landscaping. Trim the hedges and trees and plant some annuals in the flowerbeds.

3.Paint the interior. A coat of light yellow or cream with contrasting white woodwork looks fresh and clean.

4.Refurbish the floors. Buff the hardwoods. Install new carpets – or at least get them professionally cleaned.

5.Take care of the big problems. If the house needs a roof or the front stoop is crumbling, get them fixed.

6.Buy warranties. Putting appliances under warranty gives home buyers a secure feeling.

7.Improve energy efficiency. New windows or improved insulation tell a potential buyer the seller is on top of things plus they come with tax benefits.

8.Replace light fixtures. Updated fixtures, especially at the entrance way and in the foyer, create a good first impression.

9.Buy a stove. Home owners whose kitchen isn’t top of the line can jazz it up for a few hundred dollars by buying a new stove, which gives the room a fresh feel.

10.Tidy up the bathrooms. Get rid of mildew, replace caulking and replace stained sinks.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, Luke Mullins (01/21/2010)

7 Tips for First Time Home Buyers

1. Look up local listings to see what price range houses are going for. Follow this link to Realtor.com.



2. Check to see if you can afford a monthly payment by using a mortgage calculator. Follow this link to a mortgage calculator.



3. To see if you can afford this mortgage payment use an affordability calculator. Follow this link to an affordability calculator.



4. Find a buyers agent to represent you. You will need help you through your home search, the ins and outs of finding something in your budget that suits your needs, going through the offer, inspection and closing steps that are involved. If you don't get a buyers agent to represent you the agent is automatically working for the seller.



5. Get pre-approved!!! Never start out your search not knowing if you can even get a loan or not, this will also make your offer to a seller more appealing.



6. Start saving!!! The more earnest money you can put down on a contract the more serious your offer will seem to a seller.



7. Ask about title insurance fees, survey charges, escrow fees, and loan origination fees, all of this may be due at closing so it’s good to know ahead of time what you’ll be paying for.