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4 Tricks to simplify outdoor entertaining Real Estate
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Some of summer’s favorite moments happen right in your backyard: the sounds of children running around, the smells of fresh-cut grass and newly planted flowers, and the gathering of family and friends. Here are a few simple tricks to make your next soiree the best one yet: Build Atmosphere Your patio and backyard are an extension of your home, so don’t limit your creativity to indoors. Avoid harsh overhead lighting and create an inviting summer atmosphere by stringing paper lanterns or lightbulbs across your deck or around the railings. While you want outdoor furniture to be stylish, you also want to make sure it provides comfort. Many outdoor furniture cushions are made from rough material, so consider bringing indoor cushions outside. You can always take them inside if a summer rain hits. Rather than keeping an out-
door cooler sitting in the corner, consider making a DIY picnic table with cooler storage or building a wooden crate for your existing cooler. Create space and balance by utilizing the corners of your deck, as well, with an accent plant, side table or a rustic bar cart. Keep Guests Full and Happy Create a simple and refreshing summer appetizer and drink menu to keep guests content. When you’re ready to get started
on your menu, a high-performance blender, such as the Vitamix 780, is a must-have kitchen appliance. The sleek silhouette, touch-screen panel and lowprofile container makes large batches quickly and clean-up easy. Easily whip up a batch of smoothies for unexpected visitors. To make a cucumber melon smoothie, blend chunks of cucumber, grapes, cantaloupe and honeydew for a delicious summer treat for both kids and
adults. For kids’ summer sleepovers, try an easy no-nut butter recipe – perfect for dipping apples and carrots and refueling after an intense backyard game of flag football. Simply blend sunflower, flaxseed and sesame seeds, and you won’t need to worry about any gluten or nut allergies. For the perfect happy hour, incorporate refreshing pineapple into your menu and treat your guests to a summer combination of piña coladas and fruity
avocado salsa. Prep, Don’t Stress By preparing for guests ahead of time, you’ll be relaxed and ready to entertain if a neighbor comes knocking on your door to chat. Keep a decorative, weatherproof crate or wooden bin with a secure lid on the edge of your deck. That way, kids can keep all of their toys in one place and clean them up quickly when guests arrive. You can even use multiple crates and have them handy for extra bench seating. Create a grocery list so you’re not overwhelmed in the store. Dividing your list by appetizers, main courses and desserts will help you navigate. Make fresh produce last longer by storing it in the fridge rather than a fruit bowl, or by creating ready-to-use plastic bags of frozen fruits for your smoothies. So, call up your family and friends and let the summer fun begin! -StatePoint
Home-hunting tips in a seller’s market 5 Are you on a serious hunt for a new home? Whether it’s your first time as a real estate buyer or you’ve done this many times before, you may experience a learning curve. After all, the market is forever in-flux, and experts advise that, these days, there are some distinctive challenges involved in becoming a homeowner. “If you want to snag your dream home in a seller’s market, then you’d better be on your game,” says Grant Simmons, who drives the consumer marketing strategy for Homes.com, a leading online real estate resources site, with close to three million real estate listings for sale or for rent. Simmons is offering expert tips to give buyers a leg up in today’s competitive marketplace. Know what you want: Make a list of the features you desire in your next home, and then separate them into wants and needs.
Having your priorities in order will help you better determine whether a house truly suits your needs and where you’re willing to compromise. Use your imagination: Buying a live-in ready home offers convenience, but you can potentially save thousands of dollars on the front end on an ugly or tired home with great bones or personality. Choose a real estate agent with vision who can help you find the diamond in the rough in your desired location. Remember, there can be large return on small, affordable updates. Know the deal-breakers: In a seller’s market, you may feel pressured to sign on the dotted line as soon as you find that home you really like. Before committing to a mortgage, do your due diligence. A shoddy roof, bad plumbing, foundation issues, outdated wiring and water damage are costly headaches you may not want to take on in a
new home. Do smart research: The Internet is your friend. So rather than cast a wide net, conduct smart searches. Sites like Homes.com make real estate searches easier by connecting buyers with timely and accurate listing information, as well as the listing agent. The site also features comprehensive, valuable data on the quality of life in local neighborhoods, including market reports, commute calculators, school scores and cost-of-living analyses. For more information, as well as such free resources as downloadable house-hunting checklists, tips and mortgage calculators, visit www.Homes.com. Get serious: Busy real estate agents with a tight schedule prioritize serious prospective buyers. Be first on their list. Before you discover your dream home, get your financial ducks in a row,
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because when competition is fierce, you can’t afford to wait for mortgage approval. It may be a seller’s market,
but with smart research, foresight and planning, you can make a wise purchase. -StatePoint
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How to make your dream home a reality 7 Spring is peak home-buying season, but for some, a low credit score may make it difficult for their dream home to become a reality. Nearly a third of millennials (ages 18 to 34) hope to purchase a home within the next year, but more than 40 percent may not have the credit to do so, according to a survey from TransUnion, a leading credit bureau. In contrast, the survey found older people’s intent to purchase a home better aligns with their financial standing. For example, 17 percent of those ages 35 to 54 said they plan to buy a home within the next year -- the same percent that has a super prime credit score -- an attractive trait for mortgage lenders. As you start house hunting this spring, what markets are heating up? The Northeast is a hot market, according to TransUnion findings, with 25 percent of respondents indicating intent to purchase a home in the region.
The West was a close second, with 24 percent, followed by the South with 21 percent and 15 percent of people in the Midwest. If you’re planning to purchase a home this year, TransUnion offers several important tips to consider to help make your dream home a reality: Check your credit report: Applying for a mortgage? Mortgage lenders will look at your credit score and report when
you apply for a mortgage, so make sure your information is up to date. It’s best to check your report three months before you start looking at new homes to make sure your score is in a healthy range. Start planning early: Your credit score is built over a lifetime of spending. Keep an eye on your score and track how your spending habits affect it.
Build credit: Consumers with low or no credit should take steps to build a healthy credit score. How? Paying bills on time, making sure you’re keeping a low credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you’re using out of your available credit), and even asking your landlord to report rent payments to a credit bureau such as TransUnion are all ways you can build credit. Shop around: Research mortgages and interest rates to
receive a competitive offer. Your credit score is of the utmost importance since lenders will check your score and report to make sure you will be able to responsible pay back the mortgage loan. Make a financial plan: Putting down a larger down payment will lower your monthly mortgage payment, but don’t put down more than you can afford. Also keep in mind that you will need funds for closing costs, including a home inspection, before you can purchase your home. Keep an open mind: It may take time to build credit and save enough money for a down payment. Even if your finances aren’t in shape for a home now, it doesn’t mean homeownership isn’t a realistic possibility for the future. More home-buying tips can be found at www.transunion.com Happy hunting! -StatePoint
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8 Simple solutions to streamline your move Real Estate
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Whether it’s your first move or your tenth, the process can be overwhelming. In fact, in a recent survey, commissioned by Duck brand, conducted online by Harris Poll, over half of Americans (56 percent) say packing to move is extremely/ very stressful. Some easy ideas can help you pack and unpack like a pro. Purge before Packing: Before loading boxes, get rid of items you haven’t used in a year or more. Make piles to sell, donate or toss. Sell valuable pieces online or to a consignment store, and donate other items in good condition to charity -- some organizations even pick things up at your home. Tap into Apps: Nearly half of Americans (48 percent) describe their moving style as “organized chaos” -- stating they have it all under control, even though it may not look like it. To help you truly organize the chaos, download a free app like Move Advisor or MyMove to
create moving day checklists and timelines. Be Picture Perfect: Create a catalogue of photos before you move. Snap pictures of how your furniture was arranged, favorite knick-knacks were displayed and complex electronics were installed to make set-up easier in your new place. Box it Up: Over one quarter of Americans (26 percent) say finding enough boxes is frustrating when packing to move. While many are searching the local grocer or a friend’s base-
ment for containers to reuse, it’s better to use new boxes, as secondhand boxes have often lost their strength. New, sturdy boxes, like those from Duck brand, are easy to find and available in a variety of sizes and levels of durability. Then, seal your boxes with a strong packaging tape, such as EZ Start packaging tape. It won’t split or tear, and features “Frustration Free” special release technology, so you never lose the tape end. Disassemble a Day Ahead: Taking apart large fur-
niture is time-consuming. Disassemble items before moving day, so your crew isn’t bogged down unbolting beds. Keep screws and other small parts together in sandwich bags taped to the furniture to which it belongs. Wrap with Care: It’s no surprise that one third of Americans (34 percent) say worrying about items breaking is the most frustrating part when packing to move. Wrap fragile belongings with a reputable cushioning material, like Bubble Wrap cushioning.
Dish and glass kits also provide pouches and dividers to protect delicate goods. Learn to Love Labeling: Avoid having to answer, “Where does this go?” by clearly labeling each box on the sides, so you’ll be able to see its destination when boxes are stacked. Or, color-code them using colored duct tape. Duck Tape brand offers hundreds of colors. Moving Day Must-Haves: Clearly mark one box with immediate essentials, such as tools to re-assemble furniture; plates and utensils for feeding your moving crew; toiletries; and clothes for your first night. And, don’t forget to prepare for inclement weather -- have plastic runners on hand to cover floors if rain strikes, plus towels to wipe up wet spots. With prep and planning, you’ll complete your move in no time, so you can relax and experience life’s next adventure in your new home. -StatePoint
Create the perfect sports viewing set-up at home When it comes to watching the game, the next best thing to the stadium can be your home. And sometimes home viewing can be even better. This season, take your spectating more seriously by bringing your entertainment center to the next level. Whether you’re hosting the whole crew or just watching the game solo, these tips can make you feel like you’re really there: Food and Drink Replicate the ballpark or arena with the right food and drink. Whether you go with classics like peanuts and Cracker Jacks, or you serve the updated gourmet fare found at many stadiums today, give your guests something delicious to snack on while cheering for their favorite team. Serve up frothy drinks and some team spirit in etched glasses with the team logo. Consider creating a satellite kitchen or beverage area in your entertainment room. This way, you don’t have to wait until the commercial break for a refill. Some avid fans even set up
popcorn carts and turnstiles in their viewing rooms to replicate the stadium feel. Upgrade Your View You don’t need to pay through the nose to do better than the nosebleed section. The best seats for never missing a play can be right at home. Replace an ordinary TV with a projector for a larger viewing area. For example, consider Casio’s new lineup of LampFree projectors. A LampFree projector generates high brightness, without compromising color, clarity or performance. It’s a cost-effective solution for sports fans who want to optimize their at-home viewing experience. And since they’re compact, they can be moved easily from room to room or even outdoors. For more information, visit CasioLampFree.com. Big Sound To create surround sound, you will need at least four speakers and a subwoofer. Create an equilateral triangle, with the right and left front speakers as
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two points and your primary seat as the third point. Meaning, if you are seated seven feet away from the screen, your speakers should be seven feet apart from
each other and angled toward you. Place them at the same height as ear level. To enjoy the game like a seasoned fan and host the best
viewing parties around, take steps to improve your entertainment set-up at home and you’ll never miss a play. -StatePoint
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Creative ways to use fresh, summer ingredients
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In summer, the abundance of fresh ingredients can be overwhelming, especially if you stick to the same old recipes. Make more of the fresh produce available to you at the grocer, farmers market and even your own garden, by thinking creatively. To help, the summer food experts at Betty Crocker are offering some great ideas for using fresh, seasonal produce. 1. Save the best berries for later. Berry season is far too short. Make it last longer by freezing berries for the cooler months. Choose fruit at peak freshness, and then store it in high-quality freezer bags that seal tightly, removing as much excess air -fruit’s worst enemy -- as possible before freezing. Label bags with
the freeze date and remember: a full freezer is more efficient, so stock up! 2. Take advantage of fresh tomatoes. If you have more fresh tomatoes than you know what to do with, consider these creative uses: • Caprese Salad. Layer sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella slices and basil. Drizzle with olive oil and a good balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and serve. • Bruschetta. Served on small slices of toasted bread, bruschetta is a perfect appetizer for any dinner party. • No-Cook Pasta Sauce. Marinara sauce can be too heavy for summer, but a raw sauce showcasing fresh tomatoes is perfect. Try Rigatoni and Tomatoes for a great introduction.
3. Add a touch of sweetness to zucchini. Managing the bounty of garden-fresh zucchini is always a challenge, so think beyond the main course. You can make the most out of the humble summer squash with baked treats like pineapple zucchini bread, zucchini bars and chocolate zucchini snack cake. 4. Bake with fresh berries. Baking with fresh berries is one of the highlights of summertime. Favorite desserts that call for freshly picked strawberries, raspberries and blueberries include classics like fresh strawberry pie, but also inventive creations like brownies and berries dessert pizza and blueberry cheesecake bars.
5. Make pickles easy. Preserving the summer bounty of cucumbers doesn’t mean you need to spend days canning. For a tasty shortcut, layer cucumber slices, onions and carrots in a glass container. Mix with sugar, vinegar, salt and dill weed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours, but no longer than two weeks. 6. Make berries last with freezer jam. Freezer jam is a smart way to hold on to summer’s fresh berries without the hassle of traditional jam. Try this recipe for Strawberry Freezer Jam: Mash 4 cups strawberries, until slightly chunky, to make 2 cups. Mix with 4 cups sugar in large bowl. Let stand at room temperature 10 minutes, stirring
occasionally. Mix 3/4 cup water and one package powdered fruit pectin in 1-quart saucepan. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir one minute. Pour hot pectin mixture over strawberry mixture; stir constantly three minutes. Immediately spoon mixture into freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe rims of containers; seal. Let stand at room temperature about 24 hours or until set. Store in freezer up to six months. Thaw and stir before serving. More seasonal recipes and summer cooking tips can be found at BettyCrocker.com/ summerfoods. Summer’s flavors can be fleeting, so make culinary creations count by using the freshest ingredients in new ways. -StatePoint
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