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Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are four features to look for in a second home to help you feel relaxed.

A Place to Unplug

Ideally, this is a place where you can slow down, unplug and enjoy the simpler side of life.

Favorite Activities

A second home is all about lifestyle and should cater to your hobbies. A house that offers access to your favorite activities is sure to bring joy into your life.

Lounging Areas

If you feel like you could benefit from a little R&R, then look for a home where you can envision the whole family just hanging out together.

Focus on the Feeling

This is where youll go to treat yourself, so it should send a wave of tranquility over you each time you step foot on the property.

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Your family and guests will probably spend a lot of time in the living room, so you want to create a space thats warm, inviting and functional. The furniture you choose will depend on how you plan to utilize the room and the feelings you want to evoke. Some general guidelines can help you make the right choices for your home.

How Will You Use Your Living Room?
When choosing furniture, think about how your family and guests will use it and what kinds of conditions are typical in your home. If you like to entertain large groups of people, make sure you have plenty of seating. Choose a sofa and loveseat or a sectional based on the size and layout of the room. Dont choose a hard-to-clean fabric for your couch if you have young kids who frequently spill things or pets that like to sleep on the furniture.

Where Do You Want People to Focus Their Attention?
Choose a focal point and then plan the rest of the living room decor based on that. If you want peoples eyes to be drawn to a fireplace or picture window, choose furniture that can be arranged around it. If you want a couch or a colorful rug to be the focus, figure out which other pieces you can use to complement it.

Whats Your Style?
Decide whether you want a traditional, modern or minimalist vibe. Choose colors thatll work together to create the atmosphere you want. If you include some bright colors, balance them out with neutrals. Feel free to mix and match patterns. Itll work if theres at least one common color tying everything together.

Which Furniture Should You Choose?
Start with the essentials, such as a sofa, loveseat or armchairs, coffee table, and end tables. Then choose accent pieces, such as lamps, ottomans and bookcases. Invest in quality furniture thatll last a long time.

Think about where youll store books, DVDs, video games, toys, and other things that you plan to keep in your living room or that may wind up there. Tables and ottomans with built-in storage can help you keep the room organized and allow you to tidy up quickly if guests drop by unexpectedly.

How Should You Lay out the Room?
Measure the living room and the furniture, and experiment with floor plans on paper so you can try different arrangements without having to move heavy furniture around several times. Avoid having too much empty space, but dont fill the room with so much furniture that it looks and feels cramped.

Design Your Ideal Living Space
The living room is the heart of your home. Make it comfortable, attractive and functional based on the way your family will use it and the styles you prefer. Look at magazines and websites and visit some furniture stores to explore a wide range of ideas and choose the ones that are best for your lifestyle.

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Saving up for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges for aspiring first-time homebuyers. A typical down payment can range from 5 to 20 percent of a homes purchase price”thats no small chunk of change. Although it might seem overwhelming to rack up thousands of dollars, practicing some discipline and using the right tactics can help you pull it off, making it possible for you to go from renter to proud homeowner.

To help you save for a down payment, consider these tips from the American Bankers Association:

Develop a Budget and Timeline. Start by determining how much youll need for a down payment. Create a budget and calculate how much you can realistically save each month”thatll help you gauge when youll be ready to transition from renter to homeowner.

Establish a Separate Savings Account. Set up a separate savings account exclusively for your down payment, and make your monthly contributions automatic. By keeping this money separate, youll be less likely to tap into it when youre tight on cash.

Shop Around to Reduce Major Monthly Expenses. Its a good idea to check rates for your car insurance, renters insurance, health insurance, cable, internet and cellphone plan. There may be deals or promotions available that allow you to save hundreds of dollars by adjusting your contracts.

Monitor Your Spending. With online banking, keeping an eye on your spending is easier than ever. Track where most of your discretionary income is going. Identify areas where you could cut back (nice meals out, vacations, etc.) and instead put that money into savings.

Look Into State and Local Home-Buying Programs. Many states, counties and local governments operate programs for first-time homebuyers. Some programs offer housing discounts, while others provide down payment loans or grants.

Celebrate Savings Milestones. Saving enough for a down payment can be daunting. To avoid getting discouraged, break it up into smaller goals and reward yourself when you reach each one. If you need to save $30,000 total, consider treating yourself to a nice meal every $5,000 saved. Thisll help you stay motivated throughout the process.

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Trees can beautify your yard and provide privacy and shade. They can also cause problems, such as fallen leaves and fruit that make a mess. Be sure to choose the right species so you dont wind up regretting your decision.

Why Do You Want to Plant Trees?
Hardwoods tend to grow slowly and have a long lifespan. Trees that grow faster are usually smaller and have softwood. They generally dont live as long as hardwood trees.

If your house gets too much direct sunlight and you want to have shade as soon as possible, select a species that grows quickly. Tulip trees, honey locusts and willow oak are popular choices. You should also choose fast-growing trees if youre interested in the flowers or fruit theyll produce.

Conifers can provide privacy, and taller varieties can offer shade and block wind. Pine trees grow well in a variety of climates. Spruce trees are also popular.

How Much Work Are You Willing to Do?
Deciduous trees have leaves that often turn brilliant colors in the autumn before they fall to the ground. The leaves need to be raked or blown and collected, and the branches then remain bare until spring. Only choose deciduous trees if youre prepared to do the work of collecting leaves or to pay someone else to do it.

Evergreen trees may have broad or needlelike leaves. They keep their leaves throughout the year and can provide picturesque views in any season.

How Much Space Do You Have?
Choose trees thatll be an appropriate size for your house and the rest of the property when theyre full-grown. Plant shorter trees near the house and taller ones in other parts of the yard.

If you have a relatively small area available to plant trees, select ornamental species thatll produce fruit, berries or colorful leaves. Japanese maple, crabapple, citrus and Chinese dogwood trees are some good choices.

What Are the Climate and Soil Like?

Consider your regions climate when choosing trees for your yard. The range of temperatures, the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, and the amount of rainfall are all important factors.

If you live in or near a city, the air quality can affect your choice of trees. Pollutants, poor drainage, compacted soil and other urban environmental conditions can make it hard for some species to thrive. Oak, Norway maple, gingko and Washington hawthorn trees may be good choices.

Get Help Choosing the Right Trees
Since trees generally live for decades or even centuries, its important to think carefully about which species to plant. Visit a local nursery or garden center, talk to the professionals about your reasons for wanting to plant trees, and ask for advice specific to your region and needs.

Published with permission from RISMedia.