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Game rooms are all about fun, but creating the perfectspace for recreationin your new house is serious business. In this digital age,a lot of parents are opting to feature a game room in their homes in order to promote family time that doesnt involve a screen. Its also ideal for social occasions, as guests will love relaxing and enjoying some friendly competition.

Rack Em Up
Pool is perhaps the most popular table game around. Its not only fun, but it also takes real skill, making it a game you can really dive into. It can take years to master the game, but playing as a novice is also enjoyable, and there are many books and videos devoted to games like 8-ball, 9-ball and Bank Pool. There also are options in terms of cost and quality.

Other Table Games:
f youre interested in something thats a bit easier to play and is more kid-friendly, there are other games to consider. Foosball is a popular table version of soccer that is fast and fun, and kids love it.Other options includetable shuffleboards games, high-end air hockey and dome hockey setups.

Arcade Action, No Quarters Necessary
Many like to go retro with their game rooms by featuring a pinball machine or classic video games. Used pinball machines can be found on eBay at various price points. Also available are video games, such as Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Asteroids and Donkey Kong, and some arcade units offer multiple games. Put some thought into your choice; these arent cheap so you want to be sure the machine will be used often.

Bulls Eye
Darts isa great option for a game room because quality boards can be found at reasonable prices. And if you become passionate about the game, you can buy pricier, more precise darts and other equipment. There are even digital and electronic dart boards that keep score for various dart games.

Pick a Theme
One of the fun things about creating a game room is choosing how to decorate it. Sports is a popular theme that allows you to hang posters, signage and photos of your favorite team. You can also make your game room a shrine to movies, music, games or your favorite travel destination.

Thats Entertainment
Games and entertainment go hand in hand, which is why many game room retailers also sell theater-style seats. If your game room is sizable enough, consider adding a TV with comfortable seats. And for music, how about a jukebox filled with everyones favorite hits?

The right game room could turn out to be the most popular space in your house, because the family that plays together, stays together.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Add a touch of luxury to your dressing room with these tips.

Motorized Closet System

A motorized closet system allows you to sift through your wardrobe with the touch of a button.

Secure Your Valuables

Installing a biometric safe that requires your fingerprint to unlock will keep your valuables safe and deliver ultimate peace of mind.

Add a Steamer

If you want to skip having to constantly iron or go to the dry cleaners, then a steam cleaner might be your new best friend.

Smart Mirror

A smart mirror can help you get caught up on the news, check your emails and make sure youre dressed appropriately for the weather.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre looking for ways to revamp your sunroom, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Separate Seating

Consider incorporating a dining area and a separate, more casual seating area that meets a variety of needs.

UV Resistance

When picking out a new rug or upholstery for furniture, remember that all of the decor should be UV-resistant to avoid fading over time.

Maximize Views

Make sure outdoor views are on full display in order to give your sunroom a true connection to the outside world.

Muted Colors

Keep the room feeling crisp and bright with muted tones of beige or gray.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Homeownership is a dream for many people, but some take on more debt than they should. If you’re thinking about buying a house, consider your income and current and potential expenses.

How Mortgage Lenders Decide How Much Applicants Can Afford
Lenders look at the total gross income of all individuals applying for a mortgage. This can include income from work, alimony, child support, disability benefits and Social Security.

Lenders typically allow borrowers to devote 28 percent of gross income to pay for a mortgage and associated costs, including taxes and insurance. Some lenders accept higher percentages. Where you live and your credit score will affect your interest rate, taxes and insurance premiums.

Lenders also consider applicants’ debt-to-income ratios. Debt can include loans, credit card balances, child support and other recurring monthly bills. Mortgage lenders generally want applicants to have a debt-to-income ratio at or below 36 percent of their monthly gross income.

The amount of a down payment affects the total amount borrowed. Many lenders require 20 percent, but some accept much lower down payments.

Don’t Borrow Too Much
A lender may approve you for a large mortgage because your situation looks good on paper, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should borrow the full amount. You could face other expenses and lifestyle changes in the future.

Companies can lay off workers, restructure or go out of business at any time. Ask yourself if you would be able to find another job in your field with a comparable or higher salary in your area in a short period of time.

If you buy an older home or one that has not been well maintained, you might encounter a host of expensive problems. Appliances can break, a roof can leak, a foundation can crumble and pipes can burst. It would be better to borrow less than the lender approves you for and set aside money each month to cover repairs that will inevitably be needed.

If you have or plan to have children, consider all the potential expenses associated with raising and educating them. Even in the best of circumstances, raising kids is expensive. If a child has medical needs, you could face high bills and might be unable to continue working full-time. If you want to contribute to your children’s college education, factor that into your budget.

Don’t devote so much of your monthly income to your mortgage that you can’t afford to save for retirement. That could leave you with a big house that is paid off, but not enough money to cover food, medical expenses, maintenance and utilities when you are a senior citizen.

Proceed With Caution
When going through the exciting process of searching for a home, it’s easy to get carried away. You might fall in love with a house, but you need to keep a firm grip on reality. Consider possible future expenses and life changes and play it safe to avoid getting in over your head.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.