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The exterior of your home is always a huge factor for potential buyers who will envision themselves enjoying the outside area, entertaining friends and family while kids play in the yard.

Thats why when prepping a home for a showing, its smart to think about the outdoors. That could mean power washing the deck, clearing driveways, or even planting flowers. The one area you definitely wont want to neglect is the lawn itself.

The positives of a well-maintained yard are myriad and its important to get your grass in tip-top shape before showing your home.

When it comes to growing grass, consistent care is key and failure to invest in long-term turf care can open the window to any number of problems in your lawn. Its also important to give your grass the fertilizing lawn care and control treatments it needs based on the season. Lawn care for growing grass in summer, for example, is different than the needs come fall. Make sure to sweep any fertilizer that lands on driveways and sidewalks back on to the lawn.

An important component is to properly water the lawn, and it is better to water deeply”down to at least six inches”and less frequently, than lightly and more often. If your lawn dulls in color or begins to wilt, then your lawn needs water.

The way you mow your lawn can also make a difference. You never want to remove more than one third of the total blade height when mowing, or you could chop off the food-producing parts of the grass blade and end up with a brown lawn instead of a green one. You should also leave grass clippings on the lawn to help recycle important lawn fertilizing nutrients.

Grass also acts like a natural air conditioner that cools the air as it releases water vapor through its blades. The water evaporates and draws heat, cooling the air in the process. As a result, lawns are a safer surface for children to play on and provide the cool comfort we desire on hot days. Those are selling points that can help any home sale.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Heres how to design the perfect wine room…

Wherever you choose to store your wine, the key is to keep the space at 55 degrees Fahrenheit and about 70 percent humidity.

From traditional wooden to contemporary stainless steel racks, there are countless display styles to choose from.

You dont want your wine room to look empty, but youll also need space to make additions as you wait for each bottle to reach its peak.

A tasting area inside or near your wine room is a thoughtful feature that comes in handy when entertaining.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Many people search for a new home without being realistic about all the expenses they could face. Before you start shopping for a house, sit down and figure out how much you can actually afford to spend and leave room in your budget for future changes in your circumstances.

Understand What Mortgage Pre-Approval Does and Doesnt Mean
Getting preapproved for a mortgage can help you demonstrate that you are serious about buying a house and that you can afford to do so. A lender will review your financial information and pre-approve you for an amount, but that is not necessarily the amount you should spend.

A lender may not include significant monthly expenses, such as healthcare and daycare, in its calculations. It also may not factor in savings for retirement, your childrens education and future vacations. Your budget needs to include all your priorities.

Consider All Costs Associated With Buying and Owning a Home
Plan for the numerous expenses you will have before you move into your new home. Closing costs typically total thousands of dollars. You should also factor in moving costs, plus new furniture, carpets, appliances and decorations. All those bills can quickly add up.

If you make a small down payment, you may need to purchase private mortgage insurance, which may cost hundreds of dollars per month. You also have to budget for homeowners insurance, property taxes and possibly homeowners association fees.

If you are currently living in an apartment or a small house and you plan to move to a larger home, your utility costs will most likely increase. You may be shocked when you start receiving much higher bills than youre accustomed to. Budget for higher utility costs so you wont have to stress about them after you move into your new home.

Homeowners are often shocked by the costs for maintenance, repairs and lawncare. Plan to set aside money in a savings account each month to cover those expenses so you dont panic when you receive a bill that you werent expecting or that is higher than you anticipated.

Think About How Your Life May Change
Your circumstances will likely change in the future. For example, you may decide to start a family or to have more children. You may have an elderly parent move in with you. You or your spouse may be laid off. One of you may be unable to work because of an illness or disability. While you cant know what the future will hold, recognize that things can and will change down the line. Leave some breathing room in your budget to deal with those changes when they come.

Dont Get in Over Your Head
Make a list of all the expenses that could be associated with buying and owning a house, as well as your current and future priorities, and figure out how much you could comfortably afford.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A small bathroom can be a major dilemma, especially for families or for anyone who regularly accommodates guests. But making more space in a small bathroom can be like fitting a puzzle together; it takes an eye for design, a little savvy and being open to some outside help.

From bath designers and solution-seeking parents, here are seven ideas for getting maximum use out of small bathroom space:

Redirect the door. A door swinging into a small bathroom makes things seem even tighter. Reposition the door to swing outward or, if thats not feasible, try a sliding pocket door.

Make the most of under-sink storage. If there is no vanity under the sink, install one. If there is one, chances are its a wasteful cavern. Invest in portable, under-sink organizers, available at most hardware or big-box stores, that provide tiered storage bins you can tuck into the vanity to hold bath toys, grooming supplies, cleaning supplies and more.

Install a countertop extension. Expanding the vanity countertop with a banjo-style extension that goes over the toilet provides extra space for guest towels, aerosol containers, tissue boxes, cosmetics and more. If thats not feasible, try hanging a couple of basket shelves on the wall next to the sink.

Capitalize on shelving. Moving the towel bar to behind the door leaves more room on the wall next to the shower for a storage cabinet or shelving. Maximize storage by rolling small towels to fit into small cabinet cubbies.

Keep paper goods in plain sight. Stack toilet paper rolls on an attractive vertical stand tucked in a corner next to the toilet.

Use accessories to your advantage. As space allows, use attractive baskets, bowls, designer hooks and boxes to store a wide variety of bath items.

Trick the eye. A large, well-placed mirror reflects light and adds depth. Give it double duty by positioning it over the sink so that two people can use it at the same time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.