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Published with permission from RISMedia.

Theres a lot that you must think about when putting your house up for sale, but sometimes a simple thing can help attract people to your home and appeal to buyers.

Take the case of crown molding. While probably not on the top of anyones must-have list, once a potential buyer sees some elegant crown molding throughout the home, it may help boost your house on the top of their list.

True, spending money on crown molding is most likely an upgrade that wont allow you to raise your asking price, but it can separate your home from some of the other houses on the market. If someone is comparing your house to another at a similar price, that crown molding might be the thing that puts your home over the top.

When done properly, crown molding can make ceilings look higher, rooms more interesting and gives the home a more unique feel. Plus, it can be used in virtually any room in the house to create the wow factor that people crave. These little touches can help get a buyer interested.

Crown molding can be used at the base of a wall, but its also used to separate wall and floor and other types of molding on windows, doors, fireplaces and more.

Unless you are truly handy, dont attempt to do the crown molding yourself. It looks simple enough, but it takes precise measuring, special tools and lots of patience. Finding an expert wont cost too much and you will be glad you did when its finished.

Once up, a good tip is to paint the crown molding off-white, instead of white. Crown molding will collect dust and the white color may make it look dingy. Also, you should paint it a different color than the ceiling or wall to really make it stand out. Finally, having all crown molding the same color throughout the house will create a unified look, which is welcomed by homebuyers.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When the spring season hits, it is natural to think about blooming tulips and beginning your vegetable garden. Unfortunately, spring landscaping can become a bit more complicated for some unlucky homeowners. If those spring showers bring along some spring flooding, what can homeowners do? Here is what you need to consider to help you prevent flooding and protect your property.

How do I Know if my Property is at Risk?
Depending on many factors, any property could be at risk for a spring flood. However, those particularly at risk are homes that are located in a low-lying area near a body of water. For example, this can include a stream, river or culvert; along a coast; or downstream from a dam or levee. Check FEMAs Flood Map to determine your propertys flood risk.

FEMA Offers the Basics on Flood Prep
There are a few steps you can take to prep your property for a flood and even reduce your risk of damage. These tips from FEMA can help:

Elevate utilities, electrical panels, switches, sockets, wiring, appliances or heating systems.
Ensure basements and flood-prone areas are waterproofed.
Install a moisture alarm in flood-prone areas like the basement.
Clear all debris from gutters and downspouts to keep water from pooling at the homes foundation.
Anchor fuel tanks.

Double-Check Your Coverage
No one wants to get stuck footing the bill after a flood. In spite of the fact that floods remain the nations most common natural disaster, unfortunately, many homeowners do not have homeowners insurance that covers floods. Evaluate your policy to make sure that you are protected in the event of a flood.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

There’s more to buying a home than your mortgage.

When planning for your purchase, be sure to budget for:

Homeowners insurance
Home maintenance
Property taxes, and
Utilities

When it comes to homeowners insurance, get quotes from more than one provider. This can help maximize savings.

Budgeting for home maintenance can be tricky, so, begin with the expenses you know you’ll have every year, like a furnace tune-up.

Remember that when budgeting for utilities, your costs can fluctuate from season to season, and

when it comes to property taxes, your real estate agent can be a helpful resource.

Ask them what your property taxes are, and how you can financially prepare for them.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Decorating a house can be difficult, especially when rooms are small. Carefully choosing furniture and colors and following some simple strategies can make a tight space feel roomier.

Brighten the Room
Let in as much natural light as possible to make the room feel bigger. One option is to avoid curtains and drapes altogether. If you want privacy, you can choose curtains that are the same color as the walls or sheer or use lightweight blinds.

Light and neutral colors will make the room feel more open. White can reflect light and make a room appear brighter and more spacious. A mirror can also reflect light and a view of the rest of the room, which can make the room feel bigger than it really is.

Leave Some Empty Space
When selecting furniture, focus on proportions and design. Dont push furniture up against the walls, other than a bed. Choose furniture that has legs so empty space will be visible underneath it. Furniture thats low to the ground will leave a large amount of empty space above and give the room an open feeling. Arrange furniture at an angle or leave some space around it. See-through glass tables will add to the sense of openness.

Emphasize the Vertical and/or Horizontal Dimensions of the Room
A tall shelf or bookcase or another vertical piece of furniture or accessory will draw the eye upward and make the room appear more open. Leave some shelves empty to add to the sense of spaciousness. Painting the ceiling a bright color will encourage people to look upward.

Horizontal shiplap will draw peoples eyes around the room and make the space feel larger. A long table or desk can make the room appear bigger by drawing attention from side to side.

Keep Things Simple
If the room has a wood or tile floor, the space will appear larger if you avoid using a rug. If you feel the need to have a rug, choose a small one and avoid a complex pattern.

Keep the room as clutter-free as possible. Incorporate furniture that can serve more than one purpose, such as coffee tables and ottomans with built-in-storage.

Make Your Home Feel Roomier
Choosing furniture and decorations for a small space can be a challenge. The key is to trick the eye into perceiving the room as larger than it really is. Maximizing light, incorporating empty space and drawing the eye around the room, either vertically or horizontally, can make even cramped quarters seem spacious.

Published with permission from RISMedia.