Tuesday, July 25, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
Can you believe it has been 10 years since these design trends took the housing market by storm? It seems like everyone wanted at least one of these features in their home during that time! Do any of these grace your home? Or did you switch these out for something more fitting with today's trends?
Enjoy this blast from the past!
1- Use bolder, deeper colors for trim
Realtor Mark Nash, who follows home design trends through by surveying more than 900 real estate agents and brokers, says that professional color forecasters predict the use of bolder colors for shutters, doors, window frames and other trim will be big in 2007.
According to Doty Horn, director of color and design for Benjamin Moore, Americans have gotten progressively comfortable with the bold look.
"Before we would use more neutral colors," she says. "We didn't want to offend anyone."
Now, a more self-assured public is asserting itself by using color to make dramatic statements. Color ...
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Monday, July 24, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
It's that time again! Time for another exciting year of learning and growing! Whether you are starting your first year in school, or your last, one thing remains the same...
Back to school shopping!
We here at CityScape love helping our fans any way we can, below are some links to ongoing sales around you, as well as some information on the upcoming Tax-Free weekend and what is included/not included!
Sale Links:
JC Penny
L.L. Bean
Walmart
Office Depot
Staples
Old Navy
Target
More Information:
The state of Virginia is offering a single tax-free shopping event during 2017. Get the dates, find out what items qualify, and more:
Changes to Virginia's Tax-Free Weekend for 2017
In the past, the Virginia offered separate sales tax holidays for back-to-school shopping, hurricane-preparedness, and Energy Star products. For the first time, the events will be combined into one tax-free weekend, scheduled for August 4-6, 2017.
3 Ways to Save . ...
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Wednesday, July 19, 2017 / by Brittini Martinez
HVAC... those four little words that control the status of comfort in our homes!
What do they mean? HVAC is a shortened word for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. As you know, heating and cooling are HUGE when the weather turns hot and frigid during the summer and winter months. Being up to date on how to keep your unit running efficiently and in good working order is key to avoiding a huge bill/repair cost during those busy seasons when systems tend to fail, and repairs are common! Read on, and you will probably find something out you didn’t know before!
1. Factors such as rightsizing, system updating, and types of refrigerant used can significantly affect HVAC efficiency.
2. An electronic air cleaner is 40x more efficient than a standard throwaway filter in removing unwanted particles from your home.
3. A variable speed heat pump can trim energy costs by as much as 40%.
4. You; ...
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dc, dc metro area, real estate
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
It seems like just about everyone these days fantasizes about how to flip a house. The reality? Doing it successfully largely hinges on picking the right place at the right time—which is why veteran flippers keep a mental checklist to help steer them toward homes that are primed to gush cash.
Curious about those signs that indicate all systems go? Let's check out those qualities deemed by real estate investors as signs a house flip will pay off big-time.
Sign No. 1: It's in a neighborhood where homes sell fast
One of the first clues that a house is flip-worthy is that it's in an area where homes sell quickly, says Larry Friedman of SDF Capital in New York and Connecticut. After all, in this game time is money—every extra month you own the house means you're on the hook for more mortgage payments and maintenance costs. Fast-moving markets generally mean these overheads won't last long.
Realtor.com data show tha ...
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Monday, June 5, 2017 / by John Murdock -- CityScapeMetroGroup
One of the most common conditions that can slow down a real estate transaction is known as a lien. So what exactly is a lien? In general, it's a legal notice that's put on file as a consequence of an unpaid debt. When creditors want you to know they mean business, they may choose to take legal action by placing a lien on your biggest asset, your home.
A lien, or debt, can feel like a huge black spot on your record, but there's no need to panic. In the real estate world, they're much more common than most buyers and sellers realize. Read on for your must-know guide to resolving the issue and moving forward with the sale.
What is a lien?
"A lien usually comes from either unpaid taxes, a judgment made in court, or from unpaid bills," explains Jocelyn Nager, a lawyer who specializes in debt collection.
Liens filed against a property could include things like missed mortgage payments or any payments owed to contractors for work done on the home.
Types of ...
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