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Lets say youre about to host an open house or potential buyers are scheduled to visit your for-sale home. You go to open a door to a closet or bedroom and you discover the door is loose, or even off a hinge.

Dont despair, this is actually an easy fix that even the least handy of people can repair in just a few minutes, and heres how to do it.

The Tools for the Job:
All you need are a screwdriver (a powered screwdriver will make this chore a bit easier), screws, carpenters glue and wooden matches.

Remove the Screws:
If just one hinge plate is loose, you may be able to make the repair without taking the door down. Having someone hold the door in place for you as you make the repair will be a big help. Use the screwdriver to remove the screws from their base. They may be so loose that you can just pull them out without a tool. Also, consider buying new screws, theyre not expensive at all. Be sure to buy wood screws.

Fill the Hole:
Start by putting carpenters glue in the hole. Now heres where the wooden matches are put to use. Cut the tips off the matches, the part you strike to light them, and put one match in each screw hole. Break off the parts of the matches that stick out of the hole so that theyre flat. If you dont have wooden matches you can also use wooden toothpicks or a wood-filling product.

Put the Screws Back:
Position the door hinge in the correct spot and use the screwdriver to secure the screws. When youre done, tug on the hinge to make sure its secure. Then give it a final test by closing and opening the door to make sure its aligned.

And when people tour your home, theyll have no idea there was ever a problem with that door.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Theres nothing like walking into a home that defies any particular style or period of design. When the right elements come together to truly make a living space feel timeless and luxurious, the result is transcendent. Additionally, for homeowners who may not want to update their interiors every few years as fads come and go, there is much to be said about interior design that endures. If you happen to fall into this category, here are a few rules to help you create a home that feels timeless.

Avoid Trends
Have you ever looked at pictures of your home dcor from just a few short years ago and wondered what you were thinking? Well, it was most likely trendy at the time. Rather than buying into styles that are all the rage right now, its wise to stick with design elements that have held their appeal over time.

Mix and Match
Feel free to create an eclectic mix of items that span a variety of different styles, like pairing contemporary furniture beside an antique painting. Iconic patterns, classic fabrics and natural textures are all in play, but the one common characteristic is that everything should be high quality.

Mostly Neutral Colors
For a timeless look, you certainly dont want to go painting each room in the latest color of the year. Rather, stick with neutral colors ” beige, gray, white, etc. ” that will always be in style. If you feel that a splash of color is in order, darker shades like navy blue, burgundy or olive green will maintain the classic feel.

Conceal Electronics
Hiding technology is a key component. When possible, everything should be wireless so as not to detract from the ambience. If you have a television in your living room, you may want to conceal it in a cabinet or behind a sliding panel. In-wall speakers are a great way to keep them out of sight or you can incorporate them into the design with stylish wood-panel speakers.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Flipping a house can be extremely profitable, or it can be disastrous. To buy a house, make improvements and sell it at a profit, you must choose the right property and make the right renovations. Its easy to make costly mistakes, so getting professional advice is crucial.

Choose the Right House
You dont want to find a house that you think you can flip and earn a profit on, then wind up overwhelmed by the costs. Have a house inspected before you buy so youll know how much work it needs. A real estate agent with a thorough understanding of the local market can help you get a good deal on a house to renovate and resell.

Make the Right Upgrades
If a house needs major repairs to make it safe or inhabitable, such as a new roof or plumbing or electrical work, youll have to make those improvements, and they can be expensive. That means you might not have much room left in your budget for other projects.

Flippers often spend so much money on improvements that they earn little or no profit. Redoing the kitchen and bathrooms can cost a lot but may not add nearly as much to the sale price. Less expensive improvements can lead to a higher profit margin. Also, fixing up a house too much can make it worth significantly more than the rest in the neighborhood, and you may wind up struggling to sell it.

Be Realistic About Costs
Figure out your budget in advance. Be realistic, and keep in mind that renovation projects often go over budget or get delayed and that workers frequently find additional problems after work begins. Also consider the cost of utilities while youre working on the house, as well as real estate taxes.

If you pay contractors, thatll reduce your potential profit. Youll also have to spend time communicating with them and supervising the work.

If you have construction experience, you may be able to make some or all of the repairs yourself. That can keep costs down and maximize your profit, but it may extend the amount of time required to flip the house if youre also working full time.

Avoid Taking on Debt
Borrowing money to finance improvements can make things even riskier. Youll have to pay interest on a loan, which can eat into your profit margin. If youre struggling to make loan payments, you may be forced to sell the house for a low price and barely break even. If you pay with cash, you may be able to wait longer for housing prices to rise and make more of a profit.

Do Your Research and Get Expert Guidance
Flipping houses can be lucrative, provided you make a series of smart decisions. Ask a real estate agent for help choosing a house to flip, get it inspected, set a budget, and be realistic about the amount of time and money required and your potential profits.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre looking for a new home, you probably already know that a mortgage lender will consider your credit score, percentage of available credit used and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. If your score is too low or your credit utilization or DTI ratio is too high, the lender may charge you a high interest rate or reject your loan application altogether.

Buyers often run into trouble because they dont understand a key fact about how mortgage lenders vet candidates. A lender checks a borrowers credit when an application is submitted, and again shortly before closing. If a borrower uses credit cards to buy furniture and appliances or to pay for moving costs, the persons credit score, utilization ratio and DTI ratio may rise enough to cause the lender to raise the interest rate or decide not to grant a mortgage at all.

How to Protect Your Credit and Get a Mortgage
While youre in the process of house hunting, its important to keep your credit in the best shape it can be and to avoid using credit cards as much as possible. If you normally use credit cards for food, clothing and entertainment, dont. Use cash or a debit card, or dont buy certain things at all. If you must make an important purchase, ask yourself if you can live without it until after youve closed on your home.

If you receive a letter inviting you to apply for a new credit card with a low introductory rate or rewards, it can be tempting, but you shouldnt apply while youre looking for a new home. Too many hard inquiries in a short period of time can hurt your credit score. You shouldnt apply for an auto loan while house hunting for the same reason.

Make Sure You Have Enough Savings
Youll have to save money for a down payment, but you shouldnt put all your savings toward that. If you do, youll be left with no cushion to deal with any unexpected bills for things such as medical treatments or car repairs. You also wont have funds readily available to buy furniture and appliances before you move into your new house. That means you may be tempted or forced to use credit cards, which may jeopardize your ability to obtain a mortgage.

Dont Lose out on Your Dream Home
Even if your mortgage application has been approved, that doesnt mean the decision is final. The lender will check your credit again before you close on the house. A sudden rise in credit card balances and a higher utilization ratio and DTI ratio could cause the lender to change its decision and to reject your mortgage application. Set aside money for any planned or unexpected expenses you may encounter so you can avoid using credit cards as much as possible until youve closed on your new house.

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

Published with permission from RISMedia.

For those who want to spruce up their new home or make their current living space feel a bit more glamorous before putting it on the market, theres no better style to incorporate than Hollywood Regency. Having emerged in the 1930s amidst Hollywoods Golden Era, it was largely influenced by the opulence of the Art Deco movement and the sleek aesthetic of Mid Century Modern. Put the best traits of those two styles together, and youll understand the undeniable appeal of Hollywood Regency.

These days, this look can be found in luxury homes around the world and if youre considering bringing it into yours, following are a few tips to guide you in the right direction!

Bold Patterns and Palettes
At its core, Hollywood Regency is all about being bold. Contrasting color combinations, especially black and white, and rich jewel tones are commonly used to create visual drama throughout the home. Simple patterns, like the iconic Greek key, are another prevalent technique to make a design statement.

Go Big on Lavish Details
From oversized mirrors to marble countertops, this is a style for those who want to put grandeur on full display. You can bring out the lacquered furniture and metallic finishes, like brass, nickel and chrome, to add serious glitz to your home. Lighting is often used to create a focal point in any room, so dont be afraid to go with an extravagant chandelier.

Plush Textures
Of course, it wouldnt be glamorous without a few sumptuous layers, like silk window treatments and velvet throw pillows. For those who love the tactile experience of these textures, youll feel right at home with this style.

Embrace Your Eclectic Side
Drawing inspiration from multiple design movements that came before, its only natural that Hollywood Regency has an eclectic side to it. Juxtaposing modern and traditional elements is a hallmark of this look and keeps it from being confined to one specific period.

Published with permission from RISMedia.