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Here are three different types of workspaces that youre likely to find in luxury homes.

Traditional Study

A traditional study will always be appealing to luxury homeowners who want a secluded area where they can get work done without being distracted.

Work Station

All it takes is a quiet alcove in the living room with enough space for an adequate desk. If you prefer to have some activity around you while working, this is an excellent option.

Separate Studio

Whether its a guesthouse, annex or in-law suite above the garage, youll have a work area with enough space for everything youll need throughout the day.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Those considering purchasing a new home may want to consider becoming a condo owner. Popular with every homeowner”from first-time buyers to retirees”condos offer many advantages over a traditional stand-alone property. Below are the top three.

Affordability: If you’re looking for a newly built home, a condo is likely to be less expensive than a stand-alone property. Why? Condos are often smaller in size than homes containing comparable numbers of bedrooms and baths. In addition, condos often share many building elements such as walls and roofing, so the cost of construction is often lower, resulting in lower pricing.

Low Maintenance: Condo life is a low maintenance life, as living in a condo means you’re likely paying Property Owners Association dues (POA), which cover many maintenance items such as landscaping, pest services, roofing, painting, and driveway repairs. Having so many services covered is appealing to busy professionals, parents of young children and retirees who may not feel up to mowing and raking. POA fees are typically relatively inexpensive, and for those too busy or tired to take on tasks alone, they are well worth the cost.

Amenities: Condos are all about top-notch amenities. From swimming pools and restaurants to golf courses and clubhouses with workout centers, many of today’s condo developments are filled with fantastic features. Expenses for building and maintaining these amenities are typically shared among condo owners, so you can enjoy these lux amenities at a very minimal cost.

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A word that anyone who is going through a house sale should know is contingency.

And along with that, understand that just because a bid is accepted, doesnt mean that the deal is going to go through.

How it works: A bid is made with the understanding that it is contingent on having the house inspected, with the buyer needing to approve the results.Contingencies are part of any standard contract and define the efforts that must be done before a deal is finalized in addition to the inspection, such as financing, insurance and agreed-upon repairs.

All of this is necessary because if something that was agreed upon is not done as stated, the potential buyer has an out. For instance, suppose the sale was contingent upon the seller taking out the living room carpet or fixing a crack in the chimney, and those werent done by closing time, well then, the buyer is not required to go through with the deal.

Theres also something called a financing contingency, which is on the onus of the buyer, and states that they must secure an acceptable mortgage or obtain other means of financing to buy the home. This becomes a safety net for the seller that ensures the sale will go through. If not, an agreed-upon fine will be imposed, and the seller can re-list the home.

Then, theres an insurance contingency that ensures the house and new buyers will be able to get insured. This isnt as prevalent, but for those buying in areas with a history of toxic mold, earthquakes or floods, insurance carriers no longer automatically issue a policy, so the contract can be contingent on applying for and receiving an insurance commitment in writing.

Other popular contingencies include the seller asking that the deal be made contingent on him or her successfully buying another home, or the buyer making the deal contingent on selling his or her own home.

A home sale contingency can be riskyto sellers as theres no guarantee that the other home will eventually sell. Even if the contract allows the seller to continue to market the property and accept offers, the house may be listed under contract, making it less attractive to other potential buyers.

Obviously, the most significant part of any contingency is putting it all in writing. Your REALTOR will be able to lead you through what needs to be done.

A home transaction is one of the most important things you may ever do, so make sure you take all the proper steps to ensure you get what you pay for.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are five different ways you can put table salt to use in and out of your kitchen.

Scrub Your Tub

Sprinkling some table salt over a halved piece of grapefruit can help to dissolve and scrub off gunk, leaving your tub feeling shower fresh.

Rid a Red Wine Stain

As soon as a spill occurs, pour salt on the entire area. Once the liquid is absorbed, vacuum it up and reveal a clean surface.

Remove Sweat Stains

With a clean sponge, dissolve three tablespoons of salt into one quart of hot water. Dip your sponge and dab onto clothing to remove the stains.

Clean a Cast Iron Pan

Pour in a handful of coarse salt directly into your pan. Add a small amount of water and scrub using a clean rag. Rinse and dry.

Remove Rust

Pour a small amount of salt on a halved lemon and lightly scrub each piece until the rust has been removed.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Home renovations can be expensive, especially if you want to make changes to several rooms or alter the floorplan. You probably want to keep the costs down as much as possible, but sometimes its better to spend more money to install items thatll last a long time, have a major impact on the overall appearance of a room, and help you attract a buyer and sell your home for a good price in the future.

Wood Flooring
Nothing beats the warm appeal of wood floors. While itll cost a lot more to install than other flooring materials, wood flooring can last decades. If the floor gets scratched or scuffed, youll be able to sand and refinish it to restore it to its original beauty. Wood floors can often be refinished several times, if necessary. If you decide to sell your house in the future, youll have no trouble attracting plenty of buyers who also recognize the advantages of wood flooring.

Appliances
You probably use appliances such as the stove, oven, refrigerator and dishwasher nearly every day, and the washer and dryer at least once or twice a week. Spending money for quality appliances is a good investment. You dont have to purchase the most expensive models, but you should read reviews to find out which brands tend to last the longest and compare prices and warranties.

Cabinets
If your family uses the kitchen to prepare meals each day, you most likely open and close the cabinets a lot, which can cause wear and tear that can detract from the appearance of the entire room. If youre going to replace the cabinets, it makes sense to pay more for quality. You dont need to go all out for top-of-the-line cabinets, but you can get ones made from strong wood at a reasonable price.

Countertops
Kitchen countertops can look beat up after years of daily use. If you cook a lot, its worth investing in durable countertops that wont scratch, chip or stain easily. You have many options when it comes to materials and colors. Visit a local home improvement store, and talk to an employee about how you use your kitchen so you can get advice on the best material.

Statement Lighting
A bold lighting fixture can be the focal point of a room. If youve cut corners in other areas to save money, allow yourself to splurge on a lighting fixture thatll add style and sophistication to the room.

Spend More for Quality
The cost to renovate a house, or even a single room, often gives homeowners sticker shock. Its understandable to want to save wherever you can, but sometimes splurging now on quality products thatll last, beautify your home and add to its value is the best move in the long run.

Published with permission from RISMedia.