Sometimes it is hard to keep your home refreshed or up to date in the today's market. We showcase some home tips we think could be helpful before you choose to sell, or if you would just like to keep your home maintained.

There are a number of myths floating around regarding the home buying process. Such misconceptions have kept many would-be homeowners from realizing the personal and financial rewards of owning a property.

To clear things up, here are a few myths about buying your first home that simply aren't true.

Myth #1 - "It's Cheaper To Rent Instead Of Own"

If you buy a property that is within your budget and your mortgage terms allow you to make comfortable monthly payments, the cost of rent can often be higher than mortgage payments. Sure, there are other expenses associated with owning a property that you wouldn't be responsible for if you were renting, but one thing that many people forget is the fact that renting does not allow you to build equity. The…

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The number one reason children under three years old visit the emergency room is accidental household injury. This can be avoided with supervision and a lot of baby-proofing. Follow these guidelines to make sure your little ones stay safe:

Think Like A Toddler

The first step is to your home is to think like your child. Numerous parents say: get down on your baby's level and crawl around. You’ll see just how dangerous it can be. Take note of exactly which countertops, cabinets, and tables are reachable from your child’s level. This establishes what needs to be protected.

Identify The Enemy

Kids bump their heads, that’s a fact of life. But there are bigger threats lurking in your house. Think of the first thing your child does when he or she…

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It is not a foreign fact that Staten Island has numerous homes that have historic background. These homes may also seem like a good opportunity for a fixer-upper. Before you do, you need to learn the three R’s of fixing up historic homes and their differences.

The three R’s are restoration, renovation and repair.  Some of the differences are minor, but they can make all the difference in cost, time and problems.

Restoration

“Restoration” literally means returning something to its original state. 

Restoring historic homes on Staten Island that are for sale may involve city and state programs.  It’s essential that you check to see if the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or if it’s located in a historic district. …

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In order to keep your home decor looking fresh and up to date, it’s important to pay attention to the trends as they shift and change. 

Planning to redecorate this year? Consider these trends to pay attention to.

Getting Personal

Social media has made a big bang in 2013, and it is following into 2014. People are able to share their interests through pictures and inspire others with DIY ideas.

Printstagram turns your Instagram pictures into prints for frames, posters, calendars, and more.

Hang these pictures of family and friends or even scenery on the walls. Postcards or letters you may have collected and saved over the years will also add a personal touch. 

If you're looking for more pop culture rather than personal, an amazing website…

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When it comes to selling your home, curb appeal refers to the “first impression” that your house gives when a buyer approaches it from the driveway or the street. First impressions are important and even if the inside of the home is perfect, the outer appearance can really affect a buyer’s perception.

If you are trying to sell your property, look out for these common curb appeal mistakes:

Garden Decorations

You might think that your decorative lawn ornaments are cute, but your potential buyers don’t necessarily have the same taste. If you have a few gnomes living in your garden, you might want to hide them away for a while when your home goes on the market.

Dying Flowers

Adding flowers to your front yard can improve your curb appeal, until…

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Taking care of your roof is an important part of home maintenance and you don’t want to suffer a leak or any other problem during the cold months.

Here are some tips that every homeowner should know:

Check Out Your Gutters

Your gutters are an important part of your roof, because they allow water to flow away from the roof surface before it causes rot and damage. During the winter, your gutters will be more likely to get clogged with fallen leaves, snow and ice and can get blocked if they are not cleared out.

Get yourself a ladder and a friend to hold it for you and clean any leaves, debris and dirt from the gutters.Flush the gutters outwith a hose afterward to ensure they are clean. If your gutters have become damaged or leaky, you can use…

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Whether you are purchasing a new home or you are considering applying to refinance your home, chances are the lender will require an escrow account. These accounts are often a source of confusion for homeowners. In reality, these accounts benefit the homeowner and help protect the lender.

What Is An Escrow Account?

Escrow accounts are sometimes called "impound" accounts. These accounts are set up to help manage payments of property taxes and homeowner's insurance. Depending on the individual requirements of the lender, you may be asked to pay as much as one-quarter of these upfront and they will be put into the account for the purposes of making payments.

Who Controls Escrow Accounts?

Lenders have complete control over escrow accounts.…

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Selling a home in this economy can be very stressful. This list is a must do to assist in the sale transaction.

The most important thing to remember is "don't spend money." If you need to spend some don't spend a lot and make sure to spend it wisely!

  1. Clean clutter! - Clutter hurts the sale of the home. It make the rooms appear smaller. It is a complete turnoff! Some times people perceive clutter as uncleanliness. Another idea is too have a yard or garage sale. 
  2. If you decide to have a garage sale combine it with an open house. Yes chances are you will have same nosy bargain hunters but you never know. Bargain hunters may have relative or friends that are looking just be certain to have enough help around for obvious security reasons. Don't…

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Not only do fall weekends leave you with a little more indoor time, which means it’s time to get ready for colder weather. So put some extra love into your home by creating a cozy hideaway that your family can retreat to once it becomes too chilly, or rent it out to a potential buyer.

Whether your lowest level needs a facelift or is completely unfinished, now is the perfect time to make a game plan and get started on remodeling your basement.

Step 1 – Obtain A Permit

Before you can just slap up insulation and drywall, you need to make sure your basement is even fit to dwell in. Check with your city to ensure there aren’t any permits you need to obtain and that the space is up to code. If you don’t do it right, then this update could haunt you…

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Every year families go pumpkin picking in search for the right jack-o'-lantern to ornate their porch. You take the time to carve the best face and cross your fingers hoping it won't rot and mold.

Let's first identify why Jack's scary face turns into a frown after a week or two. The pumpkin guts that you throw out actually keep the vegetable from rotting; without those guts, the pumpkin becomes dehydrated and fungus attacks the inside. It's important when you pick your pumpkin that there are no gouges or bumps, and avoid soft spots! Imperfections can make Jack different from the others, but he will also become the first to be invaded by bacteria.

Try To Buy Fresh

Choosing a pumpkin from the local grocery store is convenient, but not the best…

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