How Is The Rental Market Faring After The Credit Crunch?

There is no doubt that we have seen a lot of changes in the economy and in life in general. The housing market in particular has suffered a great deal, over the last few years with fewer mortgages being granted and fewer people in a position to buy anything. But how are things progressing in the rental market?

In actual fact you might be surprised at the answer. It seems the rental market has been heading in the opposite direction – and that is very positive news indeed.

If you are thinking about renting a property (with options to buy or otherwise) there has rarely been a better time to do it. When a seller cannot successfully sell their home they tend to do the next best thing by renting it out instead. That means there are more rental properties for tenants to choose from than there were before the credit crunch took place.

And just as those trying to sell their homes are reducing the prices to make a sale possible, so those who are renting them will be doing the same. This creates a promising market for those who are looking to rent a property, so it is worth shopping around to find the best deal.

There are also more tenants in the market. Since the banks are reluctant to lend any money to anyone, many people who would previously have been able to get a mortgage have been refused by lenders.

Given the lack of other options in many cases, these people are now looking to rent (with options to buy). At least this means there are more possibilities for those who have the money with which to rent a property.

The benefit of renting is obvious. Although you have to find a deposit, it normally amounts to a month’s rent plus a month of the actual rent in advance. This is far less than you would be expected to find to put money down to buy a house. And of course you don’t have to convince a bank or mortgage company to lend you thousands of dollars for a mortgage either.

The housing market is beginning to improve to some extent, but it has a long way to go before it bounces back to the heights it was at previously. As such if you are looking for rentals anywhere else for that matter, you can expect to find plenty of possibilities; there is very likely to be more choice in the rental market for some time to come, thanks to the effects of the credit crunch.
www.InteriorsRefinedNow.com

joie de vivre: Kimberly Applegate's Calendar

Kimberly Applegate has put her gorgeous prints on a calendar for 2010. Take a look at them here You'll never look at a chair the same again.

Check out the calender.

Gotta love em.

www.InteriorsRefinedNow.com

Decorating for Christmas

While the holiday season is busy and hectic, there is no doubt that part of your holiday season will start with Christmas decorating. Once again it is Christmas, whether you realized it was upon you or not, it is here.

The fact is that the holiday season is one of the most profitable for businesses and in such they are more than willing to get the Christmas decorations out and up as soon as possible even before the Thanksgiving holiday has even been planned for. Regardless of the reasons, it is likely to put you in the mood for Christmas decorating.

As you watch your neighbors climb to the top of their homes to decorate for Christmas you may wonder if they know why they are decorating. After all, it is a holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ, but in effect it has become much more about decorations. The fact is there is no need to compete with the neighbors regarding your decorations. Definitely do your Christmas decorating, but do so tastefully.

The fact is that the holiday season is all about providing time for your friends and family to be together. When you decorate your home for Christmas, you are doing just that. Instead of getting so wrapped up in gifts (no pun intended) and the overwhelming competition with your neighbors, sit back and enjoy spending time with your friends and family talking about life, love and all that Christmas has to offer. Christmas should not be about cash and gifts, but about family and time together.
Merry Christmas from Interiors Refined by Paula

Decorating to Give Thanks

For most people, Thanksgiving decorating involves turkeys, gourds, and a few well placed Fall items such as reeds and even feathers. However, for others the allure of Thanksgiving decorating has gone out of style and replaced with the desire to create something unique, eye catching, and of course, filled with grace and splendor. The right home accents can give a home that Thanksgiving charm without pulling out the Styrofoam turkey.

Follow these tried and true tips and your holiday decorations for Thanksgiving can be taken to the next level.

These days, people are decorating their homes with more subtle hues. That means a few simple changes to the dining room can call out "Thanksgiving" without having to plant the ten year old stuffed turkey scene on the table as a centerpiece. Starting with an array of muted browns and oranges for your table setting will be enough to remind everyone why they are gathered around the table. This year, try a simple but elegant fall flower arrangement as your centerpiece. Using off-colored hues throughout the remainder of your home accents will give the home that autumn glazed look with an especially subtle appearance that can be appreciated by everyone. Brass home accents can set off the orange hues and the browns with a little flair. Of course, don't overdue the drab colors. Adding red and burgundy will help tie it all in together.

When choosing home accents, remember to keep it simple. If you're going to use coverings on your end tables, and you choose a typically fall color, adding a brass or even a bronze statue, bells, or other decorative pieces that whisper the holiday season rather than screaming it, you can usually draw it all together with the color red.

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season for most people. About 30% of all Americans use Thanksgiving Day to ready themselves for the Christmas season. However, people are paying more attention to fall décor before blending their Thanksgiving decorating with Christmas decorating. Using auburns and reds make an excellent lead in for the blended look.

Using home accents in brass and gold, even bronze, can ease into any holiday décor. By adding just a few new brass or gold wall hangings, almost any room in the house can become a myriad of Thanksgiving and Christmas blend, which can be perfect for the anxious holiday individual who marks their season's start with the culmination of Thanksgiving. With a little preplanning, the holiday décor from Thanksgiving can blend right into the Christmas season with only a few minor changes.

Wall hangings and home accents can be used in any number of rooms to draw attention to the finer points of a room. If you create a beautiful ensemble in one corner, using an illustrious wall hanging just off to the side or even right above it, their eye will naturally follow the rhythm of the hanging directly to the ensemble.

Thanksgiving decorating is also a great time to delve into candles of all types. Candles in wall scones can accentuate a busy room just as easily as they can stand alone along a hallway or a staircase. Candles create that perfect holiday ambiance that we all want to share in, they light up a room with more than just a pleasant aroma. Contact Interiors Refined by Paula for help decorating your home for the season.

The Truth About Rent To Own

Most of us are very familiar with the term “rent to own”. Places such as Prime Time and Rent A Center have built an empire with rent to own merchandise, although the buyer normally ends up paying double what the merchandise is actually worth. While this may be great for those who have bad credit, most of us prefer to avoid going this route. Homes are no exception, especially if you are buying a home on a rent to own basis.

Even though rent to own may be good for a short period of time, it proves to be an expensive way for someone to buy something they intend to keep. Rent to own merchandise for example, may sound quite compelling at a few dollars a week. The agreement is normally for around 15 - 20 months, which is where the company makes their money. Although you may be paying just a few dollars a week, the total amount quickly adds up to nearly twice the cost of the item.

Along with paying rent, you’ll also have to pay applicable sales tax as well. Like merchandise, rent to own real estate has its disadvantages. Even though it can be great for those with not so good credit, you’ll normally end up paying back a lot more than you would with a mortgage. You’ll still have to pay back your lender with a mortgage, although that amount won’t be nearly as high as it would if you decided to get a house on a rent to own basis.

In most cases, rent to own homes are put on the market by the owner. This way, you’ll deal directly with the owner. It’ll start out as a traditional lease, then proceed to a rent to own basis if you decide you want to keep the home. You and the owner will then work out an arrangement, which will normally be quite a few years. Some owners are very flexible and will work with you just to get the price they want for their home, while others will charge you a bit more in order to make a hefty profit.

If you have bad credit and can’t get approved for a mortgage, then rent to own would be your next best option. Although some don’t like to do it because of the price, for many it’s a better alternative than renting an apartment. With rent to own houses you are paying money towards the home, instead of just paying rent which goes into never-never land. In some cases this is fine, although you should make sure to double check with the owner before you agree or commit to anything. Either way, once you move in, you’ll want your furnishings and accessories just “so” …contact us to make that happen.

Autumn Joy

There’s crispness in the air. Stores are lining their shelves with candy and costumes. Leaves are starting to turn. You know it’s time to break out your fall decorations! Autumn is such a fun time of year to decorate with the rich color schemes. Natural elements fit in nicely with the rustic fall colors, so there are many ways you can inexpensively decorate for the season. When trees are freshly painted with their burnished fall hues, take advantage of their splendor. Gather some leaves and clippings to create wreaths or swags for your gates, doors, or mantels. For a quick update on your porch, fill a pot or window box with the colors of the season. Gather pinecones, seedpods, acorns and fall leaves to put in wicker baskets. Use these on the porch or in entry ways for simple, rustic decorations. You can also use small branches with the pinecones and/or leaves still attached and place them in vases and crocks.

Potted mums this time of year are the same prices as cut flowers, or cheaper, so why not buy several, pot them up and place them around your walks, steps and porch. Tie autumn themed ribbons around the base of the pots. If you have room plant them in the ground after the blooms are gone and lay down some mulch (grass clippings or chopped leaves) for the winter.

Many areas are overflowing with nut trees, and because they are ready for harvest in the fall, these small, tasty beauties make a beautiful autumn display. To add some color and texture to the bunch, pick a few sunflowers a few days before creating your autumn display. You will want to dry them by hanging them upside down for about three days. Once the flowers have dried, remove the bloom of the flower and place it gently atop the pile of nuts. For an interesting base to this display, try using a row of sticks made into a miniature raft or plate to hold the nuts and the flowers on. All of these items can either be used or discarded at the end of the season.

GO TO YOUR (CHILD’S) ROOM

Once your child starts school, several changes are required in his room’s layout. A study place is a must, a place where the little scholar can prepare for school, learn and do his homework.

The study area should be near the window so that his arm won’t place a shadow on the books in front of him. Accordingly to this rule, if we are talking about a right-handed child, the light must be on his left, and if talking about a left-handed child, the light must be on his right. It goes without saying that the furniture must include a desk and small cabinets as well as a small bookcase.

For optimal use of space, the study table or desk should be at least 24x35” with adjustable height and inclination and drawers to deposit books, paper, pens and other school items. For this same purpose, the chair must fit the little scholar NOW and be adjustable for future growth.

Natural lighting must be supplemented or maintained by a local light. The desk should have a lamp with an adjustable arm, placed in such a way that it can focus the light precisely to the point where it is needed.

If your child has a monitor and CPU, an “L” shaped desk allows a good position for the computer, with the monitor on one side in the corner. Be careful because the distance from the monitor and to the eyes of the person using the computer has to be 20– 28 inches. To better respect this distance, some desks are equipped with a special space for the monitor, positioned a little higher than the actual desk. The nice thing about a laptop is that as long as there’s room on a table, no special equipment is necessary. Contact Interiors Refined by Paula to insure your child’s room is redesigned for optimal learning.