Current web design trends forecast exciting changes on the web in the year 2018. We can expect the arrival of a new visual language with bold colors and powerful...
The post Web Design Trends for 2018 Predict Interesting Changes appeared first on Onextrapixel.
I received a “pitch” from a Keller Williams agent to download their app this morning…
Customized tools to bring you the best experience in real estate search.
Are you curious about what’s for sale in your community? Would you like to peek inside that house for sale down the street? My app is loaded with helpful features customized for your phone or tablet.Features:
Easily connect with me and send property inquiries instantly.
Draw a circle on the map or drop a pinpoint to search any area.
See property details and full-screen photos, get driving directions, mark your favorites, create notes about what you liked, or share it with family and friends.
Estimate your home loans with a free mortgage calculator.
View open houses in any area.
View rental properties in any area.Download my app now to check out these customized tools that will bring you the best experience in a mobile real estate search.
I am still confused about WHY consumers would ever click download? How many buyers are there who don’t already have the Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, or Realtor.com app on their phone? And, even if they did download the app, what would get them to USE the app?
PS: Remember, Apple may be yanking all these KW agent apps this year as a result of enforcement of its 4.2.6 and 4.3 guidelines announcement.
The post The “Pitch” to Download an Agent App appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
Navigating the purchase of a home can be overwhelming for first-time buyers. Lenders require documentation of seemingly every detail of your life before granting a loan. And of course, they will require a credit check.
A question many buyers have is whether a lender pulls your credit more than once during the purchase process. The answer is yes. Lenders pull borrowers' credit in the beginning of the approval process, and then again just prior to closing.
In the first phase of acquiring a loan, pre-qualification, you'll self-report financial information. Lenders want to know details such as your credit score, social security number, marital status, history of your residence, employment and income, account balances, debt payments and balances, confirmation of any foreclosures or bankruptcies in the last seven years and sourcing of a down payment. This is only a portion of the total information needed for your mortgage application.
Once you're ready to get pre-approved for a loan, lenders will verify your financial information. During this phase, lenders require documentation to confirm the information in your application and pull your credit history for the first time. You may be required to submit a letter of explanation for each credit inquiry in recent years, such as opening a new credit card, and for any derogatory information in your history, like a missed payment.
Once you find a home within budget and make an offer, additional or updated documentation may be required. Underwriters then analyze the risk of offering you a loan based on the information in your application, credit history and the property's value.
It can take time for your offer to be accepted, and for your loan to pass underwriting. During this period from the initial credit check to closing, new credit incidents may occur on your history. Many lenders pull borrowers' credit a second time just prior to closing to verify your credit score remains the same, and therefore the risk to the lender hasn't changed. If you were late on a payment and were sent to collections, it can affect your loan. Or, if you acquired any new loans or lines of credit and used those credit lines, your debt-to-income ratio would change, which can also affect your loan eligibility.
If the second credit check results match the first, closing should occur on schedule. If the new report is lower or concerning to the lender, you could lose the loan. Alternatively, the lender may send your application back through underwriting for a second review.
As a buyer, it's important to be aware that most lenders run a final credit check before closing, so the home buying window is a time to prudently mind your credit.
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Here’s an easy way to get on top of your home maintenance checklist in the new year: Take it one small chunk at a time!
Little steps add up to big results. And if you dedicate some time to home maintenance - two hours a week, an afternoon per month and a couple of days a year - your home will remain in tiptop shape this year.
Here’s our easy-to-follow checklist:
Your weekly home maintenance ritual will be largely determined by the features of your home, but may include some of the following tasks:
These are the projects we all know we should do regularly but often don’t get to. Just pick an afternoon, and go for it!
Schedule these tasks in a way that makes sense to you. You can do them on a seasonal basis or just schedule one or two days per year to knock everything out.
Here are some bigger tasks to take on once a year:
By following this easy checklist, you can have a wonderfully maintained home with a minimal investment of time and energy.
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Sunshine, island breezes, grass skirts and surfing are just some of the things that this summer-camp-inspired home brings to mind. Surrounded by mountain and sea views, it’s located at the foot of Pu’u Ku’ili, the Big Island's old cinder cone that’s known for being a good place for spotting whales.
Western red cedar, oversized sliding doors, board-formed concrete, operable wood louvers and rope lashing contribute to the home’s laid-back, camp-like feel.
Designed by San Francisco-based practice Walker Warner Architects with interiors by Philpotts Interiors and landscaping by David Y Tamura Associates, the home follows the layout of traditional Hawaiian architecture and is composed of multiple structures.
Upon passing an entry bridge, one enters a massive green compound with six separate buildings.
The main building features an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area that boasts high ceilings and is surrounded by a generous covered deck.
Thanks to a short corridor with a seating area, this living space is connected to the master bedroom in one wing, and a studio space in another wing.
In the expansive backyard, a large overhang of western red cedar shelters a tiki bar, outdoor seating lounge and an elongated pool.
Next to the bar and lounge area is a barbecue/luau spot where family and friends can enjoy outdoor cooking and feasting under the shade of a Kiawe tree.
Other buildings on the property include a large bathhouse with a wooden bathtub and a parking garage.
Marion Philpotts-Miller, who designed the interiors, used retro elements, rattan chairs, metal bed frames and summery colors including olive green and flamingo pink to create a stylish, surf-shack-inspired look.
With its open design and alfresco chill zones, this home is set up perfectly to enjoy the best of Hawaii's stunning landscape and pleasantly warm weather.
This article was written by Michele Koh Morollo and originally appeared on Dwell. Check out more of their content on Dwell.com.
Photos by Matthew Millman Photography.
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Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com
Giving your bathroom a new look for the upcoming new year is a great way to indulge yourself after the busy schedule you’ve had during the holidays. But before you proceed on your plans, here are some pointers to consider:
Image Source: Flickr
Consider how long you won’t be able to use the bathroom
“How long does a bathroom renovation take?” Many people are surprised when they hear that a quality bathroom renovation takes about four weeks. Renovation shows are not reality!
Many people don’t have a spare bathroom they can use while the renovation takes place. If that’s the case for you, plan ahead. Hire a portable toilet or shower from a reputable builder, join a nearby gym (there are often free trials you can take advantage of) or consider renting elsewhere for a month while the job is done. None of these are ideal, but if you’re going to build a bathroom to last 20 to 30 years, that month of inconvenience will quickly be forgotten when you step inside Source: Houzz
Don’t forget to update the fixtures
No renovation is complete without remodeling or repairing fixtures and features, which could very well make a separate checklist themselves: shower, bathtub, toilet, bidet, sink, faucets and shower heads. You should also update or repair your mirrors and shower doors. You can also change the look of your bathroom very easily by changing out door handles, drawer pulls and the hardware for your shower doors. If you have the budget a new set of shower doors can completely change the look of your room. Source: Freshome
Order fixtures ahead of time
Regardless of whether you are buying from a high-street store or a high-end brand, factor in delivery times. Big name manufacturers might take three or four weeks to deliver, while luxury brands can take around eight weeks. Any custom products will take longer so give yourself plenty of wriggle room to avoid having contractors twiddling their thumbs on site. Source: IdealHome
Check out the latest trends in bathroom fixtures when you visit our site today!
Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com
The post 3 Things to Know About Before Remodeling Your Bathroom appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.
In addition to giving everyone gifts this holiday season, you shouldn’t forget giving yourself one, too. Why not update your home this new year? Take a look at these trends:
Image Source: Flickr
Metallic mixes
Brass has been trendy for a while now, and rose gold recently rose in the ranks, so it’s no surprise that 2018 will not only see lots of metallics, but a mix of various metals within the same room. Forget the old rule that all the hardware in a home should match—this year, silver shines even brighter when set beside gold and copper. Source: RealSimple
Add some greens
While houseplants never go out of style, décor featuring plants will be big in 2018 home design. And plants are an easy way to design on a budget and can add pops of color to the space. Try putting plants in colorful planters or hanging them in front of a large window. Source: FamilyHandyman
Oversized furniture
New homeowners have taken space into consideration more than actually the design of the furniture pieces. The vast spaces have become more significant in the trendiest interior designs, however; having oversized pieces of furniture are not actually something that you should be getting rid of anytime soon, because, thanks to the trendsetters, a lot, if not all, of the outdated trends of interior designs, are expected to come big in the following year. Besides, they create that elegantly antique atmosphere that is perfectly right for all of the people who are fond of the classical themes. Source: Pouted
Jewel tones
Fall and winter were all about dark, cozy colors, and 2018 is set to make a similarly bold entrance. Pantone just named Ultra Violet its Color of the Year, while Sherwin-Williams selected Oceanside SW 6496 (think emerald green meets sapphire). Both shades are said to be especially invigorating—just the motivation we need as we head into the new year. Source: CountryLiving
Thinking about doing a major remodel? We can help you out. Call us today!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114
We wanted to know which fictional TV characters Americans would most like to have as a neighbor and which ones they’d avoid.
Leonard Hofstadter and Penny from CBS's “The Big Bang Theory” (above) are the top choice for neighbors in 2018, earning 19 percent of the votes. The couple received strong results from voters across different genders, generations and education levels, but were slightly less popular among voters from the West.
Leonard and Penny were neighbors when they first met, and they've remained close friends with their former roommate and current neighbor Sheldon Cooper over the years despite his interesting quirks. Plus, living next door gives Sheldon plenty of opportunities to play video games and watch sci-fi movies with Leonard and Penny's entire group of friends.
“‘The Big Bang Theory’ is one of the most popular shows on TV, so it’s not surprising that American adults chose its leading couple as the most desirable neighbors for 2018,” said Jeremy Wacksman, chief marketing officer at Zillow.
The Dunphys from ABC's “Modern Family” and the Simpson family from FOX's “The Simpsons” tied for the second-most desirable neighbors, with 11 percent of the votes each. Will and Grace from NBC's revitalized sitcom of the same name rounded out the top four, earning 10 percent of the votes, followed by Jack and Rebecca Pearson from NBC's “This Is Us” (9 percent) and the Johnsons from ABC's “Black-ish“ (5 percent).
Despite their popularity, the Simpsons still topped the list of least desirable neighbors with 31 percent of the votes. Adults over the age of 55 were most likely to name the family as the least desirable neighbors on the list, while fewer millennials cited the Simpsons as the least desirable neighbors in the poll.
“It wouldn't be easy to live next to the Simpsons, who have spent nearly 30 seasons causing chaos for neighbor Ned Flanders and the rest of Springfield,” Wacksman said.
The Lannisters from HBO's “Game of Thrones” came in second on the list of worst neighbors with 21 percent of the votes. They ranked much higher than the rest of the competitors, including Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler from “The Big Bang Theory“ (9 percent), Olivia Pope from ABC's “Scandal” (6 percent) and the Jennings from FX's “The Americans” (5 percent).
Related:
Remember the days when you could read a decorating magazine without crying? If parenthood has made a mess out of your home and evening routine, get your sanity back with these simple tips.
It doesn't matter how organized you are - a surplus of toys will always ensure your house is a mess waiting to happen. Fortunately, getting kids on board with the idea of ditching their stuff is a lot easier than it sounds.
The trick is to make it an opportunity for them to define themselves and their interests. Encourage kids to make a pile of "baby toys" to donate, and have them set aside any toys that no longer interest them, such as action figures from a forgotten TV show. Separating these toys will help them appreciate how much they've grown and rediscover the toys they love.
Since you'll probably be stuck with them for a while, it pays to be picky when it comes to buying toys. To make toys more meaningful to your child, only buy them for holidays, special occasions and rewards - don't shy away from asking relatives to do the same.
Avoid toys that are poorly made (cheap), not age-appropriate, unnecessarily large, pointless or anything tied to a movie - unless it's that one you've been playing on repeat every day. The best toys are versatile, encourage creativity and can easily be expanded upon, such as Legos, wooden train tracks and dollhouse sets.
If you're constantly finding play dough and puzzle pieces in the sofa cushions, it's time to put them on the top shelf of the closet. Designating these messy toys as "family toys" will give you more quality time with your child instead of scrubbing pen marks off the curtains.
Also, try to set aside a tote of toys, games and puzzles for rainy days. This ensures you'll always have a trick up your sleeve for sick days or when a boring relative visits.
If toys are already sprawled out over every available surface of your house, don't worry! You can quickly reclaim order in your household by setting a few ground rules, such as "no toys in the kitchen" or setting limits on the number of toys allowed out overnight.
While that might seem a bit draconian, children are generally happier when they're given clear expectations and few surprises. That's why it's important to follow through and pick up every night, no matter how exhausted you feel at the time.
Picking up toys doesn't have to be boring. Babies, toddlers and big kids alike can have fun organizing and picking up, just as long as it's not a negative experience. This means you should provide enough time for enjoyment without resorting to counting "1, 2, 3" or shouting empty threats.
A great thing about setting aside extra time for picking up is that you and your child can do fun things like scoop up blocks with a blanket or deliver toys across the house via tricycle. If you make it fun enough, your kid will eventually pick up without even being asked.
Without a simple organizational system, picking up can be a major headache. Don't throw everything into one big toybox; there's a better way.
Buy a series of matching plastic bins and line them up along the wall where your child can easily put away and retrieve toys on his own. Designate one box for Legos, one for stuffed animals, one for train tracks … you get the idea.
Use stacking plastic boxes for smaller toys like matchbox cars and dolls. Organize them further by storing puzzle pieces, doll clothes and other annoyances in Ziploc bags.
It's not your imagination. That pile of storybooks by the couch really is getting taller, and if you wait much longer, it will likely turn into a giant heap.
Worse yet, your kid uses those books to stall and push back bedtime a little later with each passing night. That's why it's important to either keep the books in your child's room, or keep a small selection of favorites in a basket for easy retrieval.
Related:
We wanted to know which fictional TV characters Americans would most like to have as a neighbor and which ones they’d avoid.
Leonard Hofstadter and Penny from CBS's “The Big Bang Theory”(above) are the top choice for neighbors in 2018, earning 19 percent of the votes. The couple received strong results from voters across different genders, generations and education levels, but were slightly less popular among voters from the West.
Leonard and Penny were neighbors when they first met, and they've remained close friends with their former roommate and current neighbor Sheldon Cooper over the years despite his interesting quirks. Plus, living next door gives Sheldon plenty of opportunities to play video games and watch sci-fi movies with Leonard and Penny's entire group of friends.
“‘The Big Bang Theory’ is one of the most popular shows on TV, so it’s not surprising that American adults chose its leading couple as the most desirable neighbors for 2018,” said Jeremy Wacksman, chief marketing officer at Zillow.
The Dunphys from ABC's “Modern Family” and the Simpson family from FOX's “The Simpsons” tied for the second-most desirable neighbors, with 11 percent of the votes each. Will and Grace from NBC's revitalized sitcom of the same name rounded out the top four, earning 10 percent of the votes, followed by Jack and Rebecca Pearson from NBC's “This Is Us” (9 percent) and the Johnsons from ABC's “Black-ish“ (5 percent).
Despite their popularity, the Simpsons still topped the list of least desirable neighbors with 31 percent of the votes. Adults over the age of 55 were most likely to name the family as the least desirable neighbors on the list, while fewer millennials cited the Simpsons as the least desirable neighbors in the poll.
“It wouldn't be easy to live next to the Simpsons, who have spent nearly 30 seasons causing chaos for neighbor Ned Flanders and the rest of Springfield,” Wacksman said.
The Lannisters from HBO's “Game of Thrones” came in second on the list of worst neighbors with 21 percent of the votes. They ranked much higher than the rest of the competitors, including Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler from “The Big Bang Theory“ (9 percent), Olivia Pope from ABC's “Scandal” (6 percent) and the Jennings from FX's “The Americans” (5 percent).
Related:
Without further ado…
What do you do?
I run the main production office of ArX Solutions, one of the top 10 architectural visualization companies in the world. We create different tools to provide brokers, developers, planners, architects and interior designers communicate, in a better way, their products.
What problem does your product/service solve?
The kind of tools ArX Solutions provides solve a big problem everybody faces today: buyers/clients are not always in the same city, not even in the same country as they are. Remote sharing, collaboration and sales trips are getting more usual. In the particular case of brokers and developers: until a few years ago, when VR and AR started to get steam, there was no way of showing a property without being physically there. Now that changed completely, a person with an Ipad and some VR goggles can take the experience of being in a particular space to anywhere in the world, for example: a buyer from Russia can walk a condo in Manhattan and see the views, spaces, finishes, etc. without leaving his office.
What are you most excited about right now?
The conjunction of VR and AR in our industry. We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg of the new possibilities and the impact they will cause to the Real Estate Marketing business.
What’s next for you?
We are expanding our R&D into a real time cloud based solution for marketing real estate, technology is getting more powerful and cheaper everyday. It’s a matter of time since VR and AR will became as normal as a Smartphone is today.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
At ArX Solutions we like to do creative and unique images and VR because that give us the resources to do something that we do care more: social responsibility. We would like to continue growing to be able to continue supporting the multiple charities our company support, some of them are: St. Jude Hospital to provide cure for Children’s Cancer, Fundacion Maria to help kids to attend school in Argentina, and a foster house for abused children in El Salvador, among st others. We really think children are the future, and we like to give back to the community.
Thanks to Gonzalo for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
The post Meet the Real Estate Tech Exec: Gonzalo Navarro from ArX Solutions appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com
If you’re in the market for an infrared sauna, there are several key considerations to make to ensure you select the perfect sauna for your home
Numerous health gurus, fitness experts and medical doctors all agree – saunas, specifically infrared saunas, can deliver a whole host of important health and wellness benefits for people of all ages. From chronic illness to minimizing stress, improving the effectiveness of a workout to cleansing and purifying the skin, modern saunas combine today’s leading technological innovations with centuries-old wellness principles to deliver real, tangible health benefits for the sauna enthusiast. If you’re considering buying an infrared sauna for your home, make sure you ask the following questions:
Traditionalists will always seek a way to tout the benefits of a “hot-rock-and-steam” sauna, but the majority of new saunas produced today are outfitted with infrared heating elements – not the old-school heaters that create extraordinary amounts of steam within the sauna. Near-infrared and far-infrared only heating elements are available, but saunas that use Full Spectrum Infrared (near, mid and far infrared) are generally considered the best. This heating system promotes sweat and deep-body infrared wave penetration to eliminate toxins as efficiently as possible. One of the biggest benefits of an infrared sauna versus the traditional sauna is the lower operating temperatures afforded by the infrared heating element.
This obviously depends on your intended use. If you will mostly be using the sauna by yourself, a compact sauna model might seem like the logical choice. Many health-minded individuals use their sauna as a contained exercise room. You can add a different dimension to your yoga routine by doing it in a sauna, or add a twist to other exercises in your repertoire. Bottom line? Select a sauna that fits your home and your lifestyle, but make sure to account for future needs when narrowing down the overall dimensions.
Your new infrared sauna will provide a host of tangible health and wellness benefits, with the eight most important sauna health benefits being:
Though a warranty is only one part of the equation, you’ll want to investigate the company and the warranty offered with each sauna. The warranty should cover the heater, electrical system, controls and other peripherals. Better companies will even cover accessories like audio and chromotherapy systems.Also, determine if the warranty will cover the sauna if the unit is used in a commercial location. If you’re looking for a new sauna for your office or commercial building, this is an important consideration. Most warranties are designed for home use and provide coverage in normal operating modes. Spend some time online, and research any consumer’s feedback of the company, including warranty-related issues.
When researching buying an infrared sauna for your home or office, there are various models available for your consideration that will perform admirably and last for years to come. Beauty Saunas Infrared Saunas are wildly popular today and combine several unique benefits for the discerning shopper. Beauty Saunas combine Full Spectrum Infrared heaters with kiln and air-dried wood structures for superior durability and performance. Far Infrared Saunas can also be enhanced with a number of options, such as chroma-therapy lights, custom interiors, sophisticated electronics packages, and more. And it’s all covered by the Limited Lifetime Warranty for residential use. Even commercial-level users enjoy a lifetime warranty.
Contributed by: Aaron Gruenke Foremost expert in Saunas and bathroom fixtures.
The post IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE BUYING AN INFRARED SAUNA appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.
