Choosing a perfect home to settle in is tough on its own. You have to weigh in on very many factors including a house’s price, size, features and amenities, number of bedroom and baths, design, and so on. However, all these factors are not enough to give you a great home ownership experience if you fall into the wrong neighborhood.

Picking the right neighborhood not only guarantees you happiness and comfort, but also helps with home appreciation for the sake of future re-sale. In most cases though, it can be tougher to find the perfect neighborhood than the right house.

Here are some factors that can help you find the right neighborhood:

Schools

If you have kids and definitely care about the quality of their education, consider a neighborhood…

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Once you have decided that you want to put your home up for sale, you should start taking the steps to get it ready to go on the market. While some homes may be almost ready for pictures and a showing, there are others that may need a lot of work. Because of this, it is always a good idea to evaluate the condition of your home as soon as you know you will be selling. Use these steps to not only determine what you need to do but also get started on your home preparation. 

  •         Have a home inspection done. You can definitely take a look around your home to see if any work needs to be done on the cosmetic side but you should consider relying on a professional to tell you if there are any underlying problems that you will need to fix before selling.…

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The Specialized World of Condo Mortgages

Today's prospective home buyers have some compelling reasons to shop for condominiums instead of houses. Condos may come with less square footage, which makes them easier to clean and maintain -- not to mention more affordable. Bankrate points out that condos' proximity to major city amenities can also prove attractive to professionals who wish to live "close to everything."

Unfortunately, a condo mortgage may come with its own special set of complexities. Here are some basic considerations to keep in mind when considering a condo purchase.

Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval

One similarity between condo mortgages and home mortgages is the need for shoppers to get pre-qualified and pre-approved. Condo…

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Are you a renter that has become tired of paying someone else's mortgage and not building any equity? Or a homeowner who has a growing family and is in need of more space? Whatever the case, if you are in the market for a new home there is no time like the present. Let's explore a few tips that will help you to prepare for the home buying experience.

 Tip #1: Prepare For A Busy Spring Season

First, it should be pretty obvious that you aren't the only house hunter on the market. Other local individuals and families alike will be searching for a new house to call their own. As you may know, the spring is generally when the local real estate market starts to heat up. So, if you are looking to buy, you may want to address your needs earlier in the…

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The best addition to many a family is the beloved pet, but beyond the regular treats and pillows, there are plenty of ways to spoil your pet and let them know how much you love them. If you're looking for some neat concepts for your favorite pooch, here are some unique ideas you may want to try out.

A Relaxing, Personal Place

Many animals will gravitate towards your new couch, but by giving them their own special spot, you can make them happy and keep your living room looking great at the same time. Instead of a second-hand pillow, buy them their very own bed for their very own corner of the house so they can feel right at home.

Make It Organized

It's quite likely that your pet will not be cleaning up after themselves, but by creating a…

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Arranging an open house is one of the most important parts of selling your home, but there can be a lot of tricks involved in staging it so you'll get the right offers. While the kitchen and the living room may be a bit more straightforward, here are some tips for staging your bedroom that will be sure to get buyers interested in making an offer on your home.

 Brighten The Bedding

It's one thing to have makeshift bedding when you only have your family to impress, but when it comes to having an open house, you'll need to be prepared to make a statement. Instead of a mish-mash of colors and styles, ensure that you have one style and one look you're going for, and ensure that it's not cluttered with too many pillows and colors. You'll also want to make…

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Sandestin Friends and Neighbors,

I have lived in Sandestin for 16 years. For the last 4.5 years, I have enjoyed working for Sandestin Investments and have been an active member of the SOA board (as a commercial representative) and BWNA (Baytowne Wharf Neighborhood Association, as an owner representative) for the majority of that time.

My husband and I own businesses in the Village and my son goes to school in Walton County.

Long before our move to Sandestin, Todd and I had wonderful careers: Todd as an electrical engineer, allowing us to live and work worldwide, and me as an ICU nurse. Todd and I opened the first ambulatory infusion centers in the USA in the early 1990s.

Upon our move to South Walton, we became developers and I then worked as…

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Fall Decorating Tips and Ideas

   

1.) Display artwork that depicts fall themes/colors:

In your front foyer or located on a predominate wall; fall artwork can change the mood in your home instantly.  Consider nature themes with fall colors in oranges, rusts, and golden yellows. If you prefer more abstract art, oil paintings with browns, reds, and burnt umber will make a statement without being obvious.

2.) Dining room table centerpieces/settings can welcome in fall:

Depending on if you want to go formal or casual for your table, choose colors that reflect your home decor and the season.  Consider using red and yellow apples for an informal organic and edible centerpiece.  Remember, the centerpiece doesn’t have…

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