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These five eye-catching natural stones will make for an unforgettable living space.

Amazonite Extra Granite

With shades of teal and gray infused with white crystals, this makes a design statement in any room.

Pink Onyx

Swirls of pink and white make this mesmerizing surface feel simultaneously relaxing and energizing.

Nero Antico Marble

The contrast of black and white Nero Antico marble gives your home a sleek and modern feel.

Fusion Wow Quartzite

A range of colors including shades of gold, orange, blue and peach make it one of the most unique stones around.

Earth Glitter Granite

Black with shimmering swirls of gray, pink and orange, this stone brings a room to life with its stunning appearance.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Whether you’re scoping out a vacation property or looking into becoming a homeowner for the first time, applying for a mortgage is a lengthy and complicated process. While your real estate agent and lender will be there to walk you through the details, knowing what possible errors could lay in waiting will help you make the best decision. Let’s review some of the most common mortgage mistakes so you can avoid making them.

1. Weak credit history
Loans are all about credit history ” it’s hard to land a mortgage without one. But having a credit history doesnt mean you have a lot of credit; it simply means you have been given credit in some form and have a documented history of repaying it. How much credit? Lenders often like to see at least three lines of credit with a minimum two-year history on each.

And of course, you don’t just need a credit history; you need a good one. Pay down credit cards and loans regularly to heighten your score.

Pro tip: Paid off that credit card? Don’t cancel the account. Keeping the account active, even if it’s unused, helps build a strong credit history.

2. Weak work history
You’re less likely to get a loan if you can’t prove you’re able to hold down a job. And even if you do get approved with a weak work history, you may not be able to qualify for a good interest rate. What is a strong work history? Aim for at least two current, consecutive years of employment in the same occupation.

Of course, certain circumstances may provide an exception to this rule. If you are a recent graduate with proof of future income, or someone who is coming back out of retirement, some lenders may not hold a lack of recent employment history against you.

3. Opening new credit accounts
Maybe you got a big raise and are applying for a mortgage and leasing a brand new car all in the same month ” bad idea. If you’re thinking of applying for a loan, avoid opening brand spanking new credit lines. Lenders like to see solid, stable credit histories, and a brand new line of credit can’t offer that. Unfortunately, some people make this mistake thinking that it will help their credit score, when in truth it can hinder it.

4. Making big purchases
Slow down there, big spender. Just like lenders want to see stable credit history and employment, they want to see stable spending. If you make large charges to your existing credit accounts around the time youre shopping for a mortgage, you can increase your debt-to-income ratio. So hold off on that new furniture set or big screen TV until after you’ve purchased your home.

5. Not reviewing your credit report
When is the last time you checked your credit? Often, credit reports have errors, and you want to right these before it’s time to apply for your mortgage.

6. Not knowing what you can afford
These days, it’s very easy to figure out how much home you can afford. Simply find a mortgage calculator online, take a look at how much you can pay each month, and plug in the numbers. This will give you a solid idea of how much house you can afford, which can help you avoid disappointment down the road. It’s also important to get pre-approved for a loan before you begin your home search. There have been many instances where a home sale falls through because the buyers made an offer that they couldnt back up with a mortgage. By showing that pre-approval letter, the buyers are showing the sellers they can afford to make good on their offer, and may also be in a better position to negotiate. And these days, many real estate professionals won’t work with a buyer who isn’t pre-approved.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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.

Published with permission from RISMedia.