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These key features will enhance your kitchen in more ways than one.

Two Ovens

Multiple ovens provide you with flexibility and functionality, especially when making a multi-course meal for large groups.

Pot Filler

A faucet mounted right above the stove lets you skip the heavy lifting and get right down to cooking.

Professional-Grade Range

Whether youre making family breakfast or hosting dinner parties, a professional-grade range is a kitchen essential.

Dishwasher Drawers

Rather than having one large dishwasher, two dishwasher drawers give you the ability to clean smaller loads without sacrificing space.

Smart Appliances

Smart ovens, touchless faucets and refrigerators that notify you when ingredients are about to go bad are the new normal in luxury kitchens.

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Taxes are an unfortunate fact of life. However, the tax code includes several provisions that can help homeowners save money when it’s time to file their returns. Making improvements to your home could potentially save you a significant amount of money, both now and when you eventually sell your house.

Tax Deductions Now

If you need to make home improvements for medical reasons, those costs could be tax-deductible. Upgrades such as adding a wheelchair ramp, widening doors to accommodate a wheelchair and adding handrails can be tax-deductible if they’re deemed medically necessary.

You can also get federal tax credits if you make improvements to increase the energy efficiency of your house. Installing solar panels, a geothermal heat pump, a solar water heater or other eco-appliances can lower your tax liability for the year that those items were installed.

If you know when you buy your house that you want to make some improvements, you might be able to have extra money for those projects included in your mortgage. Then you can deduct the interest for the entire mortgage when you file your income taxes.

Reducing Taxes When You Sell Your House

If you’re thinking about selling your house in the future, taxes may eat into the profit you make from the sale. Making improvements to your house when you own it might be able to reduce your tax liability.

When you sell your house, your profit will be calculated by adding the amount you paid for the house, including fees, plus all improvements you made over the years. That total is the adjusted basis. That number is compared to the sale price to calculate your profit.

The lower your profit margin, the less you’ll have to pay in taxes. If you’re single, the first $250,000 in profit from the sale of your primary residence is tax-free. For a married couple filing taxes jointly, the first $500,000 is tax-free.

It’s important to keep receipts for all home improvements, particularly if you’re planning to live in your house for many years and do a lot of work. Having all those records when you sell your house can help you reduce or avoid paying taxes on your profit.

Upgrades Could Help You at Tax Time

Home improvements can make your house more comfortable and energy-efficient when you live there. They could also save you money, either when you file your annual income taxes or when you eventually sell your house. It’s important to keep records of all the money you spend on home improvements and check with your accountant to find out how those upgrades will affect your individual taxes.

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Whether you just moved into a new place or are looking to freshen up for important company, getting rid of musty odors can be difficult. Below are five helpful ways to freshen up the smell of your spot.

Include house plants. Even the subtlest-smelling house plant will help clean the air through natural filtration. In addition to potted varieties, add cut flowers in vases for a sweet floral scent.

Wash walls. Odors can often become trapped on your actual walls. Once a year, remove pictures and art and give the walls a good scrub down with a natural solution, like diluted vinegar. Be sure to test the solution in an unseen corner first to make sure no discoloring will occur.

Air out drapes. Heavy window hangings are a prime culprit of trapped smells. Drag them outside to hang on a breezy line for a day to return them to their natural smelling state.

Clean rugs. If you have area rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting, it’s important to give them annual washings to keep them smelling fresh, especially if you’re a pet owner. You can air out area rugs outside, and steam clean installed carpeting.

Throw open windows. Opening all the windows in your home can do wonders for the smell state of your space. This is especially helpful in winter, when windows tend to stay closed for months on end as heat pumps inside. On a clear day where rain is not on the forecast, throw on a sweater and open your windows to refresh the air inside.

Interested in more housing tips? Feel free to contact me directly.

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Use these tips to achieve an eclectic setting that maintains a sense of balance…

Look to the Pros

This will help identify what really speaks to you and form the foundation of your aesthetic.

Pick a Color Scheme

Eclectic rooms tend to have dramatic color schemes, but make sure its a palette you can add details to.

Dramatic Textures

Juxtaposing multiple textures is at the heart of this style”and can often be a way of creating contrast.

Introduce Layers

Throw pillows, area rugs and window treatments are the perfect way to accent the look with layers.

Curate the Objects

Filling the room with a careful selection of objects will help bring it all together.

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