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When it comes to interior design, it’s easy to get caught up in trends. Here are four timeless pieces that will be just as stylish years from now as they are today.

Windsor Chair

For a country cottage style, the Windsor chair is a perfect addition to any dining room. Pair this piece with almost any style of table, lavish or quaint, for a classic look.

Oriental Rug

Oriental rugs are one of the most classic pieces you can add to your home. These colorful and authentic rugs exude timelessness and can help pull a color scheme together.

Tufted Headboard

Create a cozy bedroom and add a level of classic sophistication with a tufted headboard that can conform to any design style you choose.

Leather Club Chair

If you’re looking to add some comfort and inspire relaxation and elegance in your workspace, a leather club chair might be the choice for you.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Many people struggle to come up with tens of thousands of dollars for a down payment on a house. Permanent life insurance covers a policyholder for life, as long as premiums are paid on time. The more paid in premiums, the more cash value accumulates.

If you have a whole life, variable life or universal life insurance policy with a substantial cash value, you can access money through a loan, partial surrender (withdrawal), or full surrender and use it for a down payment to buy a house. Youll have to choose how to access funds based on whether you want to repay the money and whether you need to provide death benefits to your beneficiaries.

Loan
Life insurance companies often limit the percentage of a policys cash value that can be taken as a loan. If you borrow money from your insurance policy, itll still have some cash value and remain in effect.

The loan will have interest, but you can take as much or as little time as you want to pay it back. The amount of your death benefit will be reduced by the value of the loan. If you want to leave money to your loved ones after you are gone, you should repay the loan as quickly as possible to make sure your beneficiaries still receive death benefits.

You wont have to pay taxes on a loan from an insurance policy if the policy remains in force. If you surrender the policy or cant afford the premiums and interest, and the amount of the loan is greater than the amount of the premiums you paid, you may be taxed.

Withdrawal
If you take a withdrawal, youll partially surrender your life insurance policy. The amount of your death benefit will be reduced by the amount of the withdrawal. The insurance company will probably require you to keep at least a small percentage of cash value in the policy. You may have to pay surrender fees in the early years of the policy. If you withdraw more than you have paid in premiums, youll have to pay taxes.

Full Surrender
If you want to withdraw all your life insurance policys cash value and you dont need to leave insurance for your family after your death, you can choose a full surrender. You may have to pay surrender charges, plus taxes if the cash value of the policy is higher than the amount you paid in premiums.

Should You Use Life Insurance to Buy a House?
If you have a permanent life insurance policy, you may be able to use the cash value youve built up to achieve your dream of homeownership. Talk to your insurance agent or financial planner to make sure you understand the potential benefits, costs and risks.

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

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

In a typical real estate transaction, a warranty deed is used to transfer ownership. That means that the person selling the property owns it and has a right to sell it and that no third party has a lien against the property. A title search is conducted, and title insurance is purchased to protect the buyer.

A quitclaim deed transfers ownership of a property, but only what a person actually owns, if anything at all. If two people jointly own a property, one individual can transfer his or her ownership stake without affecting the co-owners stake. A quitclaim deed does not affect a mortgage on the property or the previous owners responsibility to pay it.

The document must include the location and description of the property, the names of the grantor and grantee, and the date of transfer. It needs to be signed by the appropriate parties and may need to be filed with the county clerk, depending on state law.

When Is a Quitclaim Deed Appropriate?
A quitclaim deed is an easy way to transfer property thats not being sold. For example, parents may want to transfer ownership of a house to a child or put the property in a living trust. A quitclaim deed can be used if someone owns a house, gets married, and wants to add the new spouses name to the deed, or if a couple who jointly own a home get divorced and one person will keep the house.

A quitclaim deed can also be used to correct a defect in the title. For example, a misspelled name, a missing signature, or a document that doesnt have information worded in a way required by state law can be amended using a quitclaim deed.

Why a Quitclaim Deed Should Not Be Used for a Sale
When property ownership is transferred with a quitclaim deed, no title search is performed and no title insurance is purchased. This is fine when property is being transferred between family members who know and trust each other and when no money is changing hands. A quitclaim deed is not appropriate for a sale because the buyer wouldnt know for sure that the seller even owned the property because no title search would be conducted. Someone could claim to own a house and sell it with a quitclaim deed, and the buyer could find out after handing over money that the seller didnt own the house in the first place.

Ask Questions Before You Sign Documents
A quitclaim deed is generally used to transfer property between family members without an exchange of funds or to correct a defect in the title. It should not be used in a real estate sale because of the risk to the buyer. Before you sign a quitclaim deed or any other document related to a real estate transaction, make sure you understand how it could affect your rights and interests. Consult a real estate attorney if you have any questions or concerns.

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

Published with permission from RISMedia.

These four home materials will look better with age.

Copper

Eventually, copper will oxidize, and its shiny dark orange appearance will develop a distinguished look with shades of blue and green.

Terracotta

When you decide to splurge on beautiful handmade terracotta for your home, you can rest assured that it will endure.

Reclaimed Wood

Scuffs and scratches that developed over time tell the story of its past life and eventually turn into an inimitable patina.

Natural Stone

When your stone takes on a weathered look, the texture will become smoother and develop a soft luster that many people find desirable.

Published with permission from RISMedia.