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Adding a well-designed skylight to your home comes with a multitude of perks”not just style and value, but possibly energy savings and health benefits, as well. Heres a look at some of the rewards skylights can offer:

Letting Natural Light In
It isnt easy to fill your home with natural lighting. Some rooms have limited (or no) exterior walls for windows. In the rooms that do have windows, you likely use curtains or blinds for privacy. Skylights are an excellent way to bathe your home in sunlight without giving your neighbors a view.

Saving on Heating and Cooling
A poorly planned skylight can wreak havoc on your energy bills, but with proper positioning and design, you can save money on heating and cooling costs. South-facing skylights will increase the temperature of your home year-round because they’ll pick up more of the suns rays than a skylight facing in any other direction.

In the winter, you can use this to your advantage”let the sun shine and heat your home so you can shave money off your heating costs. In the summer, however, uncovered skylights can make rooms uncomfortably hot. The solution to this is to choose a skylight design that features built-in shades so you can block the sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. If your skylight opens, thats a bonus. Heat rises, which means you can open your skylights on summer nights to vent the heat from the day out of your home.

Adding Architectural Interest
Skylights are one of the few home improvements that can upgrade both the interior and the exterior. As such, it can help make your home more attractive to potential buyers. To get beauty and value from a skylight, however, it needs to be an architectural asset. That means balancing it with your homes architectural theme and features. In traditional homes, youre better off installing skylights to the rear of the home or in an area where theyll be out of sight from the street. This is because skylights have a modern aesthetic that contrasts with traditional styles. Prominent placement may take something away from your homes traditional charm.

On the inside, make sure the skylight coordinates with the rest of the room. Rather than placing the skylight wherever it’s most convenient to install, align it with a door or a window, or think of another way to place the skylight so that it makes sense from a geometric standpoint. Lastly, ensure that the skylight is large enough to stand out”smaller skylights tend to be more of a distraction than an asset.

Preventing Seasonal Affective Disorder
According to the Mayo Clinic, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) causes depression, fatigue and irritability. SAD typically occurs during the fall and winter, when youre not exposed to as much sunlight. This not only throws your natural circadian rhythm out of balance, but also causes a decrease in serotonin and melatonin levels. Skylights, because they add so much natural sunlight to a home, are one of the recommended treatments to help you prevent and recover from this disorder.

Because of these advantages and others, skylights are a worthwhile home improvement to consider.

Source: Donald A. Gardner Architects, Inc.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Owning a tiny home can leave you debt-free, but it can still have some big costs.

Buying a tiny home can be a way to get out from under the burden of a home loan”or at least lead to a smaller mortgage”but there are other costs buyers should know about before they find the tiny house of their dreams. Here are some:

Zoning laws: Laws vary by local, county and state zoning regulations, so start by looking up the regulations in your state thats offered by the American Tiny House Association.

Some laws have a minimum square foot requirement for new houses on foundations, may not allow a tiny house in the back yard of an existing home, and have a time limit for camping on private land.

If the land you want to settle on doesnt meet all of the zoning requirements, you may not be approved for a loan.

Building costs: A tiny house may not cost as little as you imagine it will. A tiny house can cost $15,000 to $80,000 or more, depending on if youre buying it yourself or paying a builder for a custom-built tiny home. And if you want extras added or high-end materials, expect to pay more.

Financing options: Tiny homes may not qualify for traditional mortgages if they dont meet minimum loan amounts. Instead, borrowers can use recreational vehicle, or RV, loans that are unsecured, fixed-rate mortgages with payoffs in two to seven years.

While these loans dont have application fees or closing costs, then can have higher interest rates that traditional home loans and can be capped at $100,000. Theyre also not tax deductible.

Another option is to find a lender that specializes in tiny home loans and is willing to fund a loan for less than $100,000 for a home that isnt built on a permanent foundation.

Extra costs: Building a tiny home can include such costs as buying a parcel of land, construction costs, solar panels, furniture, landscaping and ongoing maintenance.

The good news is that if youre using an RV loan, the money can be spent however you choose and not just on purchasing a tiny home. The money can be used to buy smaller furniture to fit in the tiny home, special building materials you may want to make the home more energy efficient, and to start a maintenance fund.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

All too often, powder rooms are an afterthought in home design. Being small and utilitarian, they just dont get the same attention as the rest of the house. For some designers, however, thats exactly why you shouldnt be afraid to take a chance and be bold in the powder room. Its the perfect way to introduce some surprising flair to your home and make it more memorable!

Here are five tips for designing a powder room thats worth getting excited about:

Tactile Textures and Bold Patterns
The walls are going to define the ambiance in such a small space, making them a good area to focus on first. Ornate patterns that would be too overbearing anywhere else in the house can be fun to use here and provide an unexpected visual pop. A fabric wallpaper, like velvet or linen, will make it a tactile experience thats far from the ordinary.

Sinks That Inspire
Go with an exciting design for the sink and vanity, like a stone vessel or a marble under-mount. Metallic fittings, such as nickel and brass, are another way to mix it up. And dont forget about the mirror, which is an opportunity to bring in an artistic or antique focal point.

Creative Lighting
With all the layers and textures that youre adding to the powder room, lighting is an essential component. Decorative sconces that flank the mirror or lavish pendant lights hanging from above can illuminate the room while contributing to the overall aesthetic.

Daring Color Schemes
A unique color palette is integral to the dramatic powder room. Even if you choose to stay away from textures and patterns, you can give the walls an imaginative shade, like a deep, navy blue that complements metallic fixtures or a vibrant burst of orange. If youre going for more of a chic look, another option is all black.

Look Up and Down
Finally, dont overlook the floors and ceilings. A hand-painted ceiling makes a delightful surprise that shows your home has serious attention to detail. For the floors, patterned tile or stone slabs add further appeal and ensure your powder room is a showstopper from top to bottom.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Mortgage lenders used to require a minimum of 20 percent down, but many financial institutions now accept much lower down payments. Nevertheless, homebuyers often still think they should make the largest down payment possible. That could be a mistake.

Why Many Homebuyers Make a Large Down Payment
If a borrower puts down less than 20 percent, a lender requires the borrower to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) until reaching 20 percent equity. PMI is designed to protect a lender if a borrower defaults on a loan, but it can add hundreds of dollars per month to the cost of homeownership. Buyers who put down at least 20 percent usually do so to avoid paying for PMI.

Why You Should Consider Putting Down Less
Many people, particularly first-time buyers, focus on the cost of a house itself but dont plan for closing costs, which can total thousands of dollars. Buyers also tend to underestimate the costs of homeownership. Maintenance, repairs and property taxes can add up quickly. New owners often decide to purchase appliances and furniture or to make renovations. Making a low down payment and setting aside money for necessities and desirable upgrades can give you some breathing room.

When you make a down payment, that money gets tied up in the house in the form of equity. You could access those funds through a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit, but both involve an application and approval process that could take weeks or months. If you make a smaller down payment and have an emergency fund, you wont be stuck if you lose your job or face a surprise medical bill or urgent repair.

Avoiding PMI could lower your monthly payments, but making a large down payment could prevent you from using that money for other things. For example, you could make a smaller down payment and contribute more to a retirement account or college savings plan for your kids. If you havent saved as much as youd like and your retirement age is approaching or your children are in or nearing high school, you might be better off making a smaller down payment and investing in other goals so the money can have as much time as possible to grow.

Choose the Right Down Payment Amount for Your Circumstances
When shopping for a home, think carefully about how much money to put down. A large down payment could help you avoid PMI, but it might leave you strapped for cash in an emergency or unable to invest as much as youd like for retirement and college. Consider your entire financial situation, and talk to your real estate agent and financial advisor.

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

Published with permission from RISMedia.

All the green smoothies and exercise in the world wont keep your body healthy if youre living in a contaminated environment. In order to help keep your body happy and thriving, try these four quick and easy DIY projects to improve your homes health.

Inspect for Mold
Mold spores are everywhere, but when living in your house, they can give you pesky allergies or endanger your life.

To ensure your home doesnt have any dangerous mold growth, do a walk-through and know where to look. Mold loves humid, damp areas. This means your bathroom, washing machine, kitchen, attic and basement are prime real estate for all types of mold.

If you spot a suspicious area, use an at-home mold testing kit to determine if its harmful. Certain types of mold (like black mold) require professional remediation, so dont try to remove it yourself. However, you can treat most molds with a bleach solution, proper drainage and a dehumidifier. Just make sure youre on the lookout to keep your home safe.

Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats do so much for your home. Not only do they help you save money on energy, but they can also monitor your air quality. Smart thermostats like Nests send an alert to your smartphone if it notices air problems. That way, you can make the necessary changes to breathe better. Installation of most smart thermostat models is relatively simple. Just make sure the product is compatible with your home, and follow the instructions carefully.

Change Air Filters
If you have an HVAC unit, you have air filters. These hardworking filters sift out impurities in the air so that they dont wind up in your lungs. If youre super sensitive and live with furry friends, replace your air filters every month or two. If you dont use the heating and cooling system often, you can stretch that to twice per year. You could also purchase air purifiers for your home to keep pollutants down.

Dust and Vacuum
Sorry to add to your chore list, but keeping a clean home is essential to your health. Dust doesnt just look dingy; its made of pet dander, human skin cells, dirt, grime, pollen and a lot more icky stuff that causes all sorts of health issues.

Do your lungs, eyes, sinuses, ears and immune system a favor by getting yourself a wool duster or disposable duster product. Then, run your duster along the backside of appliances, the tops of ceiling fans, under furniture and other places large collections of dust might be hiding. Once you see how dirty your duster gets, youll be glad everything you picked up isnt floating around in the air anymore. Finish by vacuuming all the carpets in your house to remove more dust and other particles.

Staying healthy is a 360-degree endeavor requiring you to mind what you put in, on and around your body. Follow these tips to tackle an essential part of home health and add to your overall well-being.

Source: Fatima Puri/RISMedia’s Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.