Published By Realty Times
Written By Carla Hill
The goal of homeowners everywhere should be to have not only functional, but beautiful entryways.
The reasoning is simple. For most families, entryways see a lot of traffic. And it can easily become a dumping ground. They house shoes, coats, purses, and keys, as well as often used toys and tools.
And for every home, the entryway is the very spot where guests and buyers will form their first impression. This means disorganized is out and clean is in. Let's look at a few simple design and organization tips that can take your entryway from shab to fab.
The key to a clutter-free entry is storage. Option one would be built-in cabinetry. Pick materials and colors that follow the design ascetic of your home. Traditional homes look great with clean, white cabinetry and simple pulls. A more eclectic home can dare to use colorful patterns and bold hardware. Hang and fold your items and then shut away the clutter.
If you don't have room for built-ins, then consider a free-standing shelving unit with cubbies. Baskets are an attractive way to keep everything from mittens and hats to ball gloves and racquets organized. And use smaller cubbies for shoes!
Have even less space? Even simple hooks can have a great organizing effect.
The next tip is to have some sort of seating. Make an inviting spot for children to sit while removing winter boots. Bench seating with storage underneath can be a perfect combination of functionality and looks, and you can add a pop of color with a colorful cushion.
Pay careful attention to flooring choices in your entryway. You want something that is durable and hides dirt easily. A popular trend in today's home is slate tile, with its dark hues doing wonders for masking dirt.
If your entryway is more formal and you choose not to have any cabinets, then be sure to hide away coats and clutter in the nearest closet. A simple console table with drawers can be used to hold keys and phones. Consider installing a docking station in the drawers of the table to hide chargers and cables for iPods and phones.
These simple tips can make a big difference in keeping your entry organized.
Looking for more simple tips and tricks to organize your home? Give us a call at 972-772-7000 or email us at rockwall@kw.com.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
What is it like to live in Rockwall?
Provided By Nelida Spurell
Source YouTube
Are you looking for your perfect Rockwall home? Give us a call at 972-772-7000 or email us at rockwall@kw.com.
Source YouTube
Are you looking for your perfect Rockwall home? Give us a call at 972-772-7000 or email us at rockwall@kw.com.
Monday, September 6, 2010
10 Tips to Help You Save $1,000 By The Holidays
Written By Stacy Johnson of Money Talks News
Provided By Shelley Dudley
If you're like many people, at the beginning of every year you resolve to get your finances in better shape by paying off debt and adding to your savings. But like many resolutions, the reality often doesn't meet the goal.
All is not lost. There are still five full months left in the year -- time for a quick review of simple ways to save. The goal? To set aside at least an extra thousand dollars by Christmas, without sacrificing your quality of life. Going on a "dollar-diet" is no way to get the job done -- painless savings are the only kind you should attempt because they're the only kind that work.
Simple Savings
Lower your cell phone bill. Potential savings: $100. If you're not using minutes you're paying for, switch to a cheaper plan. That could save you $20 a month, or $100 by Christmas.
Lose your land line. Potential savings: $140. If you find that your land line is gathering dust, lose it. And even if you want to keep your land line, if you have a broadband internet connection, get your phone service through it rather the phone company. A service like Magic Jack will give you unlimited calling for $2/month rather than the $30 you might be paying for traditional phone service providers.
Staycation instead of vacation. Potential savings: $1,000+. The savings from staying home vs. traveling for vacation are obvious. The trick is to maintain your quality of life while you do it. No working allowed. Turn off the computer and the phone. Relax, have fun, and take day trips exploring your local area.
Raise your insurance deductibles. Potential savings: $250. Raising your car and home insurance deductibles could have zero impact on your quality of life, but it could have a big impact on your savings. Decide what you can afford to pay out of pocket, spend a few minutes on the phone and see what you can save. Another way to save: shop your insurance and see if you can get a better deal.
Drop the gym. Potential savings: $150. Unless you're training for competition, a gym can be expensive overkill. You can buy cheap weights at yard sales or places like Play It Again Sports. Better yet, find them free at sites like craigslist or Freecycle. You can buy cheap workout videos and exercise in front of the TV, or get both exercise and fresh air by walking, jogging or biking in your neighborhood.
Drop premium cable channels -- or drop cable altogether. Potential savings: $50 - $600. One of the most popular stories we've done this year was "You Don't Have to Pay for Cable," a step-by-step guide to bypassing your cable company while still watching your favorite shows. Even if you decide against that, however, consider dropping premium channels. They're expensive and often filled with lousy fare anyway.
Sell Stuff. Potential earnings: $400+. If you're like most people, you've got clothes you don't wear, CDs you don't listen to, books you don't read, DVDs you don't watch, furniture you don't sit in -- you get the picture. Take it to a consignment shop or a swap meet; sell it online at or craigslist; have a yard sale. If nothing else, donate it and create a tax deduction. But don't mess up your quality of life by stressing out and trying to do everything at once. Pick one thing (or room) every month from now until the holidays, clear out the clutter and make some money!
Save on Food. Potential savings: $300+. The web is full of tips to save on food. Some will be obvious (use a list), but some might surprise you. For example, did you know that you might find groceries at 50% off at a salvage grocery store?
Haggle. Potential savings: $500+. According to this survey by Consumer Reports, negotiating a lower price is not only possible, it's likely. What can you negotiate? Pretty much everything. You can call your credit card company and ask for a better interest rate. You can ask for a lower price from your doctor. You can negotiate a lower price on your cable bill. The fact is, you can negotiate a lower price on anything from home electronics to hotel rooms.
Carry only cash: Potential savings: $250+. Try an experiment between now and the holidays. Carry only cash -- no plastic. This simple idea can easily result in major savings. The reasons are simple: If you carry only the cash you need to buy what you went out for, you'll avoid impulse buys. Plus, it's psychologically more difficult to spend actual money than "plastic" money.
Combine those ideas and you'll have at least an extra $1,000 by the time the holidays roll around. And if you need more ideas to make it work, the web is overflowing with hundreds, if not thousands, more.
The key is to carve out a little time, check out some resources, decide what you're willing to try, and get on with it. But remember to avoid anything that might make your life less enjoyable. The key to making it is making it easy on yourself. So if you want an extra grand by the time the holidays roll around, start today!
Are you saving to buy your perfect home? Give us a call at 972-772-7000 or email us at rockwall@kw.com.
Provided By Shelley Dudley
If you're like many people, at the beginning of every year you resolve to get your finances in better shape by paying off debt and adding to your savings. But like many resolutions, the reality often doesn't meet the goal.
All is not lost. There are still five full months left in the year -- time for a quick review of simple ways to save. The goal? To set aside at least an extra thousand dollars by Christmas, without sacrificing your quality of life. Going on a "dollar-diet" is no way to get the job done -- painless savings are the only kind you should attempt because they're the only kind that work.
Simple Savings
Lower your cell phone bill. Potential savings: $100. If you're not using minutes you're paying for, switch to a cheaper plan. That could save you $20 a month, or $100 by Christmas.
Lose your land line. Potential savings: $140. If you find that your land line is gathering dust, lose it. And even if you want to keep your land line, if you have a broadband internet connection, get your phone service through it rather the phone company. A service like Magic Jack will give you unlimited calling for $2/month rather than the $30 you might be paying for traditional phone service providers.
Staycation instead of vacation. Potential savings: $1,000+. The savings from staying home vs. traveling for vacation are obvious. The trick is to maintain your quality of life while you do it. No working allowed. Turn off the computer and the phone. Relax, have fun, and take day trips exploring your local area.
Raise your insurance deductibles. Potential savings: $250. Raising your car and home insurance deductibles could have zero impact on your quality of life, but it could have a big impact on your savings. Decide what you can afford to pay out of pocket, spend a few minutes on the phone and see what you can save. Another way to save: shop your insurance and see if you can get a better deal.
Drop the gym. Potential savings: $150. Unless you're training for competition, a gym can be expensive overkill. You can buy cheap weights at yard sales or places like Play It Again Sports. Better yet, find them free at sites like craigslist or Freecycle. You can buy cheap workout videos and exercise in front of the TV, or get both exercise and fresh air by walking, jogging or biking in your neighborhood.
Drop premium cable channels -- or drop cable altogether. Potential savings: $50 - $600. One of the most popular stories we've done this year was "You Don't Have to Pay for Cable," a step-by-step guide to bypassing your cable company while still watching your favorite shows. Even if you decide against that, however, consider dropping premium channels. They're expensive and often filled with lousy fare anyway.
Sell Stuff. Potential earnings: $400+. If you're like most people, you've got clothes you don't wear, CDs you don't listen to, books you don't read, DVDs you don't watch, furniture you don't sit in -- you get the picture. Take it to a consignment shop or a swap meet; sell it online at or craigslist; have a yard sale. If nothing else, donate it and create a tax deduction. But don't mess up your quality of life by stressing out and trying to do everything at once. Pick one thing (or room) every month from now until the holidays, clear out the clutter and make some money!
Save on Food. Potential savings: $300+. The web is full of tips to save on food. Some will be obvious (use a list), but some might surprise you. For example, did you know that you might find groceries at 50% off at a salvage grocery store?
Haggle. Potential savings: $500+. According to this survey by Consumer Reports, negotiating a lower price is not only possible, it's likely. What can you negotiate? Pretty much everything. You can call your credit card company and ask for a better interest rate. You can ask for a lower price from your doctor. You can negotiate a lower price on your cable bill. The fact is, you can negotiate a lower price on anything from home electronics to hotel rooms.
Carry only cash: Potential savings: $250+. Try an experiment between now and the holidays. Carry only cash -- no plastic. This simple idea can easily result in major savings. The reasons are simple: If you carry only the cash you need to buy what you went out for, you'll avoid impulse buys. Plus, it's psychologically more difficult to spend actual money than "plastic" money.
Combine those ideas and you'll have at least an extra $1,000 by the time the holidays roll around. And if you need more ideas to make it work, the web is overflowing with hundreds, if not thousands, more.
The key is to carve out a little time, check out some resources, decide what you're willing to try, and get on with it. But remember to avoid anything that might make your life less enjoyable. The key to making it is making it easy on yourself. So if you want an extra grand by the time the holidays roll around, start today!
Are you saving to buy your perfect home? Give us a call at 972-772-7000 or email us at rockwall@kw.com.
Friday, September 3, 2010
TEXANS LESS FINANCIALLY STRESSED THAN OTHERS
Provided By RECON
CredAbility’s recent report gauging the economic security of American households has found Texans are on average slightly less stressed than those in other states.
The report gave Texas a consumer distress index score of 65.89 points out of 100, compared with the national score of 65.23. Any score lower than 70 is considered “financial distress.” Only nine states, primarily in the upper midwest and Great Plains, reported indices higher than 70 points.
The report also showed Texans are more financially stressed now than they were during second quarter 2009. CredAbility attributed the sustained economic stress to continuing high levels of unemployment and families struggling to pay their mortgages.
“The average American remains gripped by financial distress,” CredAbility CEO Mark Cole said. "To use a medical analogy, the patient is still in critical condition. Until housing and employment marketing improve significantly, we cannot expect to see significant recovery in these numbers.”
Are you financially ready to purchase a home? Give us a call at 972-772-7000 or email us at rockwall@kw.com.
CredAbility’s recent report gauging the economic security of American households has found Texans are on average slightly less stressed than those in other states.
The report gave Texas a consumer distress index score of 65.89 points out of 100, compared with the national score of 65.23. Any score lower than 70 is considered “financial distress.” Only nine states, primarily in the upper midwest and Great Plains, reported indices higher than 70 points.
The report also showed Texans are more financially stressed now than they were during second quarter 2009. CredAbility attributed the sustained economic stress to continuing high levels of unemployment and families struggling to pay their mortgages.
“The average American remains gripped by financial distress,” CredAbility CEO Mark Cole said. "To use a medical analogy, the patient is still in critical condition. Until housing and employment marketing improve significantly, we cannot expect to see significant recovery in these numbers.”
Are you financially ready to purchase a home? Give us a call at 972-772-7000 or email us at rockwall@kw.com.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
How Mortgage Rates Compare
Published By Carla Hill
Provided By Realty Times
You've heard it all across the media. Interest rates are at historic lows. If you are new to the mortgage process, these figures and statements give you little frame of reference.
Let's take a moment to look at where interest rates have been over the last few decades, and what today's rates really mean for homebuyers.
Interest rates are affected by a gamut of factors.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, "Lower interest rates make it easier for people to borrow in order to buy cars and homes. Purchases of homes, in turn, increase the demand for other items, such as furniture and appliances, thus providing an additional boost to the economy. Lower interest rates mean that consumers spend less on interest costs, leaving them with more of their income to spend on goods and services."
And this is, after all, what you want people to do in a down economy. You want them to reinvigorate the economy with spending.
The Fed continues, "If the rates that consumers and businesses have to pay to borrow rise too rapidly, however, spending may decline, leading to an economic slowdown."
So, it is a intricate dance the powers that be must perform in order to steer the economy the best they can. They, namely the Federal Reserve and Banks, are seeking stable prices, high employment rates, and sustainable growth in the economy.
30 years ago, in 1980, when many first-time home buyers parents were making home purchases, Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed rate mortgage hit a staggering 16.32 percent.
Let's compare that in relation to today's interest rate, averaging around 4.5 percent.
•In the most basic terms, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for $100,000 at 16.32 percent, will cost you around $1,450 a month.
•For the same mortgage at a 4.5 percent rate, you'll be paying $580 a month.
The difference is astounding, and this is the main reason the media is shouting news about interest rates. If you are in the position to buy, now could very well be the time.
If you have questions about the 30 year fixed mortgage rate, give us a call at 972-772-7000 or email us at rockwall@kw.com.
Provided By Realty Times
You've heard it all across the media. Interest rates are at historic lows. If you are new to the mortgage process, these figures and statements give you little frame of reference.
Let's take a moment to look at where interest rates have been over the last few decades, and what today's rates really mean for homebuyers.
Interest rates are affected by a gamut of factors.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, "Lower interest rates make it easier for people to borrow in order to buy cars and homes. Purchases of homes, in turn, increase the demand for other items, such as furniture and appliances, thus providing an additional boost to the economy. Lower interest rates mean that consumers spend less on interest costs, leaving them with more of their income to spend on goods and services."
And this is, after all, what you want people to do in a down economy. You want them to reinvigorate the economy with spending.
The Fed continues, "If the rates that consumers and businesses have to pay to borrow rise too rapidly, however, spending may decline, leading to an economic slowdown."
So, it is a intricate dance the powers that be must perform in order to steer the economy the best they can. They, namely the Federal Reserve and Banks, are seeking stable prices, high employment rates, and sustainable growth in the economy.
30 years ago, in 1980, when many first-time home buyers parents were making home purchases, Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed rate mortgage hit a staggering 16.32 percent.
Let's compare that in relation to today's interest rate, averaging around 4.5 percent.
•In the most basic terms, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for $100,000 at 16.32 percent, will cost you around $1,450 a month.
•For the same mortgage at a 4.5 percent rate, you'll be paying $580 a month.
The difference is astounding, and this is the main reason the media is shouting news about interest rates. If you are in the position to buy, now could very well be the time.
If you have questions about the 30 year fixed mortgage rate, give us a call at 972-772-7000 or email us at rockwall@kw.com.
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