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If you’re shopping for a home, you most likely want a house with a garage. During your search, you’ll come across houses with attached or detached garages. You’ll need to decide which is the right choice based on your familys needs and preferences.

Pros and Cons of an Attached Garage
The most common reason why people choose a house with an attached garage is convenience. You could simply pull your car into the garage and walk into your house. That could make things easier if you have young children and need to carry their backpacks, musical instruments or sports equipment, as well as groceries, into the house on a regular basis. An attached garage also means you wouldnt need to walk through rain or snow to get to your house.

There are some downsides to an attached garage, however. The biggest concern is security. If you used an electronic garage door opener and forgot to close the door, someone could enter your house. It’s also possible that the garage door opener could malfunction or be hacked. Another concern is fire. If your car caught fire in the garage or fluid leaked and ignited, the fire could quickly spread and engulf your entire house.

Depending on the size and shape of the lot, an attached garage could be limited in size. It might be difficult or impossible to fit two cars, and you might be forced to park one or more vehicles in the driveway or on the street.

Reasons to Consider a Detached Garage
If you dont have young kids and dont mind getting wet on a rainy day, a detached garage might be a better choice. Since a detached garage can be built anywhere on the property (provided it doesnt violate local building codes), there’s more flexibility in terms of size and design. If you have several vehicles, you might be able to find a house with a large detached garage or build one after you move in.

If you plan to use your garage for a hobby, a detached garage could be better for both you and your family. Since the garage would be separated from the house, you would have more privacy. You wouldnt need to worry about the noise from power tools or the odors from chemicals that you used for painting or working on your car bothering your family.

A detached garage can also be safer. If you plan to store flammable chemicals, having the garage separated from the house could contain the damage if something accidentally caught fire. In addition, someone who entered your detached garage wouldn’t be able to enter your house.

Which Is Right for You?
For some homebuyers, an attached garage is extremely important, while a detached garage is an acceptable or even preferable alternative for others. Think about your familys circumstances and preferences and how you would like to use your garage to make a decision.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are a few stand-out ways to add a statement ceiling to your home!

Add a Pop of Color

Try a simple splash from the rooms existing color scheme or go bold with a hand-painted pattern.

Get Creative With Textures

From exposed wood to custom plaster ceiling treatments, textures add a new layer of depth.

Incorporate Unique Lighting

Dramatic chandeliers or pendants will take it to the next level while illuminating colors and textures more vividly.

Hang Wallpaper

Wallpaper doesnt just belong on the wall! Traditional patterns and custom-made designs can be added to any ceiling.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

In today’s day and age, choosing the right lighting for your space can be an overwhelming proposition. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are three out-of-the-box ideas you can”and should”put into play.

Light unexpected spaces. There’s no need to settle for simple overhead lighting. Up ambiance and interest in a room by lighting a strip along the floor or beneath a kitchen counter. Place rope or strip lights along the edge of your staircase for easy navigation in the dark, or add indirect lighting under or above cabinets in the kitchen.

Light in layers. When planning lighting design for a room, think lighting in three main layers: overhead lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Think a chandelier or ceiling fixture to cover overhead, table lamps for task lighting, and a few specialty spots for accent lighting”frame lighting around the bed frame in your bedroom, for example, or light a few of your favorite pieces of art to draw attention to them.

Dont forget to dim. Considering that dimmer switches run a scant $25, there’s no reason not to have them in your home. Control your space’s mood and ambience for a small cost, and enjoy a slightly smaller utility bill ” the American Lighting Association sites that a dimmer switch saves an average of $30 a year.

Interested in real estate and housing tips? Feel free to contact me directly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Mortgage brokers and other real estate experts can often help homebuyers find the best interest rate on a mortgage that fits their needs, but that doesnt mean borrowers shouldnt shop around so that they’re well informed before talking to an expert.

Here are a few things consumers can do to get the best interest rate on a mortgage:

Fixed vs. Adjustable
Fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages are the two most common forms of mortgages. A fixed-rate is set for the life of a loan, usually 30 years, and the mortgage payment is the same every month.

An adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, has an interest rate that changes after a certain number of years. It can remain at one rate for a year, then change based on an interest rate index chosen by your bank. An ARM can also be steady for five to 10 years, and then adjust annually.

ARMs usually have lower interest rates than fixed mortgages, and can help people afford homes if they only plan to live in them for a few years.

Pay points
Paying whats called a point through an upfront fee can lower the interest rate on a home loan. One point equals 1 percent of the total mortgage amount, lowering the interest rate by a fixed amount, usually 0.125 percent.

If you plan on staying in a home for a long time, paying points can save you money. You just need to do the math and determine how many months or years in savings it will take you to recoup the amount you paid in points.

Qualify for loan programs
Some loan programs have lower interest rates for eligible borrowers. These include VA loans for military veterans, FHA loans approved by the federal government, USDA loans and other government programs for first-time homebuyers.

If the interest rates arent as low as youre hoping for, these programs can still offer savings with low down payment requirements, protections if you fall behind on a mortgage, and allow low credit scores to qualify.

Improve your credit
Having a high credit score is one of the best things you can do to qualify for a better interest rate.

In the months before applying for a home loan, pay your bills on time and pay your credit card balances in full. Also, be sure to check your credit report for errors and dispute them.

Published with permission from RISMedia.