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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.

Here are four reasons you need an air purifier.

Air Pollution

Air purifiers can significantly reduce airborne pollutants that find their way into your living space and are unsafe to breathe in.

Pets

We love our furry friends, but their fur and dander can cause allergies and odor. Air purifiers remove these and keep the air fresh.

Pollen and Dust

State-of-the-art systems are an effective solution for eliminating pollen and dust particles.

Viruses and Bacteria

An air purifier is the perfect way to combat germs that cause colds and viruses and circulate fresh air into your home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Home insurance may be one of the last things youll think about when buying a home, but in some situations, insuring your biggest asset isnt so easy. And without insurance, you wont be able to qualify for a home loan.

Here are five things that can make getting home insurance difficult, or at least more expensive:

A lot of claims: A long list of insurance claims at an address by previous owners can increase insurance rates. For an insurer, too many claims can mean theres an underlying maintenance problem that needs to be fixed, and its likely a big one. You can find out how many insurance claims were filed at the home in the last five years by buying a Home Sellers Disclosure Report from the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange.

Natural disasters: If the home is in an area where natural disasters strike, then youll probably need to buy extra insurance because the basic homeowners policy wont cover it. That extra insurance may be expensive, though you might be able to mitigate it by taking certain precautions, such as installing storm shutters in a hurricane zone, for example.

Old homes: Just like us, homes wear out with age. Old pipes and electrical systems can break, and an insurer may deny coverage until such things are updated. Or they may charge more for homes where some items may not be up to current building codes.

Backyard fun: A pool or trampoline in the backyard can be listed by an insurance company as an attractive nuisance for neighborhood children to get into while youre away. An injury or death in that situation would be horrible enough, and you could also be held liable in a lawsuit, meaning your insurer would likely have to pay up. Putting a fence and other precautions around them can help protect you, but insurers may still be wary and charge higher rates.

Vacant homes: If you buy a foreclosed or vacant home, theres a chance that pipes and other parts of the home can fall apart faster or be destroyed by vandals or evicted owners. This could lead to repairs being done before you can move in, possibly requiring extra insurance to cover vandalism, fire or other risks that can occur when a home remains empty.

If youre faced with any of these issues, remember that you can probably still find an insurance company that will cover you if you cant resolve them. The rates may be higher than normal, but at least youll be covered.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assists active-duty military members, veterans and surviving spouses who wish to buy a house. The VA offers loans with fewer fees and competitive interest rates that can help military families afford to buy homes in a variety of financial circumstances.

Eligibility
Active-duty military members, reservists, National Guard and veterans are eligible for VA loans. Spouses of military members who died on active duty or as a result of a service-related disability are also eligible.

Active-duty members of the military usually qualify after they have served for six months. Reservists and members of the National Guard are typically eligible to apply after six years, but they become eligible after 181 days of service if they’re called to active duty. If they serve during a war, active-duty members, reservists and National Guard members become eligible after 90 days of service.

To apply for a VA loan, the borrower needs to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). In many cases, a lender can obtain the COE on behalf of the borrower.

Loan Terms
A VA loan is issued by a private lender and is guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since the loan is guaranteed, the borrower is not required to obtain mortgage insurance. This can save military members and veterans hundreds or thousands of dollars every year. A borrower doesn’t need to make a down payment to qualify for a VA loan.

VA loans do require a one-time funding fee for applicants. The fee amount depends on the type of veteran and whether he or she is making a down payment. Fees for reservists and members of the National Guard are slightly higher than those for active-duty members of the military. The fee is lower if the borrower makes a down payment.

Although the VA doesn’t require a minimum credit score to qualify for a loan, individual lenders do have requirements. Borrowers must also prove that they have enough income to cover the mortgage payments, and they shouldn’t have too much debt. The guidelines are, however, more flexible than they’re for private loans. Lenders will consider a borrowers overall financial circumstances.

The amount an eligible veteran can borrow depends on the location of the house. A VA loan can only be used to purchase a primary residence, not to buy or refinance a vacation or investment property.

The VA offers assistance to borrowers who are having trouble making their mortgage payments. It can negotiate with lenders directly to help struggling borrowers. Veterans may be able to work out alternate payment plans or modify the terms of the loan to avoid foreclosure.

Valuable Assistance for Military Families
Veterans who have served their country are eligible for many benefits, including assistance with buying a home. The VA offers loans with many attractive features”such as no down payment, no mortgage insurance and competitive rates”that can save veterans thousands of dollars compared to traditional loans so they can realize their dreams of homeownership.

Published with permission from RISMedia.