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When it comes to luxury real estate, the right home features can make all the difference. With wellness being a topic thats on everyones mind these days, amenities that cater to a healthy and holistic lifestyle have major appeal to homeowners and affluent buyers. If you want your home to facilitate wellness, these four features will provide the utmost relaxation and are sure to please both you in the present and potential buyers in the future.

Outdoor Sauna
The outdoor sauna is an easy addition to the backyard that brings myriad benefits, such as flushing toxins out of the body and improving cardiovascular performance. Of course, you could design a sauna in your house, but theres just something about braving the elements and being transported to a quiet refuge set in nature. If you have a scenic view on your property, just imagine taking it in while cleansing the mind and body.

Plunge Pool
For those who enjoy the restorative properties of hydrotherapy, a plunge pool will have you feeling fresh and energized each day. People often use these small and shallow pools after being in a hot tub, steam room or sauna for a contrast in temperature that rejuvenates the body. The best part is that they can easily be accommodated in the backyard or master bathroom.

Massage Room
Getting a massage is one of the best ways to let go of your daily stress. While its always a treat to be pampered at the spa, nothing beats having the same experience right in the privacy of your own home. For the ultimate in personal wellness, a tranquil massage room is the perfect way to bring your home spa to the next level.

Meditation Studio
Daily meditation can help to promote both mental and physical well-being. Having a designated place to practice is essential to incorporating it into your routine, whether its a pavilion or garden in the backyard or a room in your house thats complete with soothing lights and aromas.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Anyone who wants to sell their home should get their mind in the gutter because if a houses gutter system isnt working properly, it can lead to many problems.

Gutters serve an extremely important purpose”directing water away from your house. Without gutters, rainwater can damage roofs, enter homes, flood basements, destroy gardens and even damage the houses foundation.

Savvy homebuyers will know if there are issues with your gutters if, for example, they see water pooled near your home. Taking some time to make sure your gutters are in tip-top condition is the right thing to do.

Keep them clean. This is a very simple process that will keep your gutters flowing. All you have to do is climb a ladder and use your hands to remove leaves, twigs, sticks and other debris from your gutter. Safety is the biggest concern, so be sure someone is holding the ladder, and wear work gloves to protect your hands. Also, be sure the downspout openings are clear.

Make sure theyre secure. Gutters that are separated from your home can lead to all sorts of problems, so do an inspection for loose areas. If you do see troublesome spots, tighten the hangers. Be sure to check downspout brackets. If you dont want to make these repairs yourself, call a professional.

Get on guard. Gutter guards can be effective and are a great selling point because the new owner wont have to clean the gutters. They prevent large items like leaves from entering the gutters while still allowing water to flow. However, not all models are full proof. Be sure to do your homework before investing in them.

Is it time for new gutters? This is a drastic and costly process, but if your gutters are beyond repair, it may be worth it to invest in a new system. There are many options, including the material the gutters are made of and whether to buy seamless or less expensive sectional gutters. And if you do go this route, go all-in and choose a color and style that complements your house and enhances its physical appeal.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When a family member is in crisis, its only natural to want to help. If a relative is in danger of losing a home to foreclosure, things are complicated. Even if you want to help by loaning a loved one money, it might not be the best course of action.

Whats the Source of the Problem?
Before you think about giving a relative a loan to avoid foreclosure, be sure that you understand the situation and how your family member got there. If a loved one lost a job, went through a divorce or a spouses death, or had unforeseen medical expenses, it might make sense for you to help financially if you can. Everyone goes through tough times, and often circumstances are out of our control. A loan from you could set your loved one back on solid financial footing.

If, on the other hand, your family member is facing foreclosure because he or she bought a house that was too expensive or spent money frivolously instead of focusing on necessities, loaning that person money would be a bad idea. A loan from you wouldnt solve the real problem, which is irresponsibility. After you bailed out your relative, he or she would likely continue with the same habits that led to financial problems and wind up stuck again. You dont want to get in the habit of rushing in to rescue someone who keeps repeating the same mistakes.

Can You Afford to Help?
Maybe your loved one is in trouble because of circumstances beyond his or her control and you would like to help, but a large sum of money would be required to prevent foreclosure. Perhaps you could come up with the amount needed, but doing so would require you to wipe out your emergency fund, tap into your retirement account, or raid your childrens college savings.

In that case, as much as youd like to help your loved one, offering a loan would be too risky for you and your immediate family. Using your emergency fund to cover a relatives mortgage could leave you unable to afford an emergency repair to your own home or car or an unexpected medical bill, and withdrawing a large sum from retirement or college savings could jeopardize your or your childrens future plans and financial security. You can suggest that your relative explore other options, such as a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure.

Make the Right Decision
Wanting to help a family member facing financial problems is admirable, but you should consider things carefully. If your relative is at risk of foreclosure because of a one-time hardship and you want to”and can afford to”help, you should. On the other hand, if your family member is irresponsible or needs so much money that providing a loan would put your own financial health at risk, youd be better off advising your relative to consider other options.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When temperatures soar, theres no better way to cool off than taking a dip in the pool. For many high-end homebuyers, a swimming pool is an essential feature that theyre not willing to live without. If youre thinking of adding one to your property, there are tons of different design details to take into consideration. One thats always in-demand is the infinity edge pool, but going beyond that, there are plenty of other exciting features.

Here are just a few fun ideas to design the perfect swimming area for your home:

Walk-In Entry
Also known as a beach entry or zero entry, walk-in swimming pools have a gradual slope so you can ease into the water just like youre at the beach. Ideal for kids who like to splash around or grandparents who might have difficulty on steps, walk-in pools can also include built-in lounge chairs for the perfect spot to soak up rays while staying cool.

Swim-Up Bar
If youre an avid entertainer, a swim-up bar might be in store. All it really takes is a couple of bar stools built into the pool with a raised counter along the edge, but it works best if you can incorporate a sunken barbecue area or outdoor kitchen on the other side of the counter. That way, youll have yourself the ultimate backyard paradise.

Waterfall Feature
Whether its a nature-inspired waterfall or an artistic fountain, having a feature of this sort provides a true spa-like experience. In addition to the dramatic visual appeal, the relaxing sound of cascading water makes your swimming pool a veritable private oasis.

Inset Hot Tub
If youre going to have a swimming pool, why not include a hot tub? Inset hot tubs make for a seamless transition between the two, making it appear as if theyre practically connected. You can easily move between hot and cold with a stunning design that leaves nothing to be desired.

Lights and Music
You and the kids could have fun in the pool at all hours by adding colorful lights and underwater music. Or, if you need a spot to unwind, you can use calming colors and tranquil tunes for a relaxing multi-sensory experience while youre floating.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Military personnel, both current and past service members, have an option for a housing loan that many dont even realize exists.

TheVA loanprogram is a no-money down mortgage option available to these brave men and women, as well as select military spouses.VA loansare issued by private lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Department of VeteransAffairs.

Originally established in 1944 as part of the Servicemens Readjustment Act, VA loans are for anyone who has served in active duty in any branch of the U.S. military for a minimum of 90 days.

In addition to not needing a down payment, the 75-year-old VA loan also doesnt allow mortgage lenders to charge private mortgage insurance, which is another big benefit of the program. However, the borrower is required to pay a one-time funding fee on the home purchase, which can either be paid upfront or financed into the total cost of the loan. The funding fee for regular military members is 2.15 percent of the loan. Reservists pay a fee of 2.40 percent.

Additionally, non-active duty personnel, such as those in the Army Reserves or National Guard, may apply for a VA-backed mortgage as long as they have completed six years of service. The spouses of deceased or missing military members are also eligible if they have not remarried. Borrowers who received a dishonorable discharge from any military branch are not eligible.

Since 1944, the program has backed more than 24 million VA home loans. In Fiscal 2018 alone, it guaranteed over 610,000 home loans totaling more than $161 billion.Still, the Department of Veterans Affairs noted there are about 25 million eligible homeowners and less than 15 percent of them have taken advantage of the opportunity when buying a home.

A chief problem is that many veterans, especially those not so recently discharged, arent entirely sure what the benefit is or do not realize that they actually have such a benefit.With the VA loan, the veteran can literally buy a home with little to no money out of pocket.

Published with permission from RISMedia.