60% of Homeowners Are Installing Window Film—And It’s Not to Save on Utilities

Natural light ranks high on many people’s home must-have lists, but we forget that sun-filled spaces come with a cost: faded furniture.

That doesn’t mean you have to relent to life in the dark to have a nice velvet sofa. According to a recent study by the International Window Film Association, there’s another way. The survey found 63 percent of homeowners would consider professionally installed window film to help reduce the fading impact. Another perk? The extra layer of protection can boost your home’s energy-saving performance (in other words, lower your utility bill) at a fraction of the cost of replacing the window. 

Still, if hiring a pro isn’t in the budget, if you’re a renter, or if you simply want something with more personality, you don’t have to go the film-coating route. Here are a few tried-and-true projects to upgrade your panels or refresh that armchair that has seen better days. 

Give Your Glass a Stain

A do-it-yourself stained-glass project is just as effective as the real deal. Interior stylist Gillian Lawlee found a rainbow of film for only $15 with an anti-UV treatment that easily roll on (and peel off) windows and shares how to get the look in just three steps.

Give Your Furniture a New Look

Reupholstering doesn’t have to be a DIY drag—Jordan Ferney makes it look fun. In her cheat sheet for re-covering everything from folding chairs to bed frames, she demonstrates how being resourceful (Etsy vendors for the win!) and playful (Vans-like checks on a vintage chair, why not?) can make the process incredibly rewarding. 

Give Your Cushion Covers an Upgrade

Designer and founder of Surrounded by Color Robin Heller has kept her nine-year-old IKEA sofa feeling fresh by swapping out the cover every few years. Her latest iteration? A custom tie-dyed creation (with matching curtains) from her friends at Upstate. She swears it’s impossible for her three boys to destroy, so the sun doesn’t stand a chance.  

Get all the tips on Domino.com

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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21 Outdoor Fireplace Ideas to Light Up Your Backyard

Humans have convened around outdoor fires since…too long ago to count. The allure of flickering flames is timeless and there are plenty of outdoor fireplace ideas to fit your needs and wants.

For a truly bewitching experience, consider echoing your architecture or juxtaposing against it. “I love to use masonry—such as stone or brick—that matches the exterior of the home, or something totally different, like a sculptural metal that matches any accessories for fences and really becomes a focal point in the landscape,” says Robert Bell, landscape architect behind the Washington, DC, firm Bell Design.

We got intel from top designers to suss out everything you need to know for your backyard fireplace, whether you’re hoping to create an outdoor living area or a Tuscan fire feature. Just add marshmallows.

Is it expensive to build an outdoor fireplace?

We get it: Not everyone has the duckets to install a covered patio with a woodburning brick fireplace, or a Mediterranean-inspired outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven. But there are plenty of more affordable options, especially if you’re willing to DIY or opt for a fire pit instead. Fire is fire…and can supply instant ambiance.

Although it’s (hopefully) obvious, safety is paramount. Whatever outdoor fireplace ideas you end up going with, it’s vital to ensure proper placement, Bell says. You’ll want an outdoor fireplace or fire pit “far enough from the house so sparks won't catch anything on fire, but not so far they're inconvenient to get to,” he says. Typically that means 20 feet minimum to 60 feet maximum from your home itself. “Consider maintenance: gas fireplaces are far easier to deal with than wood, but less charming, as nothing beats the smell of wood!” Bell says. And there are other aesthetic considerations, like lighting—especially to create a focal point al fresco. “Usually you want the fire to be the center of attention, so low-level lighting is key,” he says. “You shouldn't put anything bright at eye level to compete with the flames. Movable lanterns or subtle uplighting around the fireplace is usually best.”

What is the best material to use for an outdoor fireplace?

If you ever read “The Three Little Pigs” fable as a child, you know sometimes it’s worth it to splurge on materials that will last. A stone fireplace or brick fireplace may cost more upfront than a fire pit, but if you’re planning on making this your forever home, try to think of it as an investment that will reap benefits al fresco for decades to come. “The best materials for an outdoor fireplace ultimately depend on the architecture and materiality of the house itself, and this also drives the cost,” says designer Benjamin Johnston of Houston’s Benjamin Johnston Design. One major factor in what you choose is if you’re going for woodburning or gas, Johnston says. “Do you want to generate heat or is your outdoor fireplace going to serve as simply a focal point, like most do in Houston?”

How much does it cost to build an outdoor fireplace?

As with anything, you can go high or low when it comes to outdoor fireplace ideas. Some landscaping would benefit from a gas fireplace flickering beside intricate pavers, but even a small patio can get summer-ready with an outdoor fire pit that doubles as a BBQ. “It depends on the specifics,” says Eddie Maestri, principal architect, creative director, and owner of Maestri Studio in Dallas. “A general estimate is about $12,000.”

What is the most cost effective outdoor fireplace?

For an outdoor fireplace, “the most cost-effective option would be a prefab insert,” Maestri says. But if you’re hoping to save even more money, consider a fire pit or even DIY—it will be well worth the effort. “If you want to create a cozy, year-round gathering space, fire pits are a low-cost way to add functionality and comfort to your outdoor entertaining space,” says Kevin Lenhart, Design Director at Yardzen, an online landscape company who says fire pits and fireplaces are included in 70% of their designs.

Find all the best outdoor fireplace options on Architectural Digest.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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How to Check Your Roof for Hail Damage

Hailstorms are a common occurrence in many parts of the world. While the impact may seem minor at first, the effects of hail on your roof can accumulate over time and eventually lead to significant damage.

If you've recently experienced a hailstorm, it's essential to inspect your roof to ensure there is no damage. This blog post is going to walk you through the steps on how to check your roof for hail damage.

Start With a Visual Inspection
The first step towards checking your roof for hail damage is by conducting a visual inspection. Visually inspect your roof for any obvious damage such as missing shingles, dents, or cracks on the roof surface. It is crucial to conduct this inspection from the ground level since climbing on your roof can be dangerous. You can use a pair of binoculars to inspect all areas of your roof.

Inspect the Gutters and Downspouts
The next step towards checking for hail damage is to inspect the gutters and downspouts. Look for any dirt and debris that has accumulated in your gutters. If you see any dents, dings, or scratches on your gutters or downspouts, there's a high chance that your roof has hail damage.

Check the Shingles
The shingles are the most susceptible part of your roofing system during a hailstorm. When inspecting for hail damage, start by checking the shingles. Look for any missing or cracked shingles or granules that are knocked off the surface. If you find any of these signs, the likelihood is that your roof has been damaged by hail, and you should have it inspected by a roofing professional.

Inspect the Flashing
The flashing on your roof provides a watertight seal to your roof. If your roof is subjected to hail damage, the flashing may weaken and become loose, which can lead to further damage. Look for any damage to the flashing and ensure that it is secured in place.

Call for Professional Inspection
If you've gone through the steps above and found any damage on your roof, it's wise to schedule a professional roof inspection. A roofing contractor has the expertise and specialized equipment to inspect your roof for any hail damage and provide the best course of action to take.

Hailstorms can cause a great deal of damage to your roofing system. Checking for hail damage is essential, and as explained above, you can do it yourself without climbing on your roof. Starting with a visual inspection, then checking gutters, shingles, and flashing, you can identify if there is any damage. If you do find any damage, contact a roofing professional immediately before it gets worse.

Get more like this on RISMedia.

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Owning a Home Helps Protect Against Inflation

You’re probably feeling the impact of high inflation every day as prices have gone up on groceries, gas, and more.

If you’re a renter, you’re likely experiencing it a lot as your rent continues to rise. Between all of those elevated costs and uncertainty about a potential recession, you may be wondering if it still makes sense to buy a home today. The short answer is – it does. Here’s why. 

Homeownership actually shields you from the rising costs inflation brings.

Freddie Mac explains how: 

“Not only will buying today help you begin to build equity, a fixed-rate mortgage can stabilize your monthly housing costs for the long-term even while other life expenses continue to rise – as has been the case the past few years.”

Unlike rents, which tend to rise with time, a fixed-rate mortgage payment is predictable over the life of the mortgage (typically 15 to 30 years). And, when the cost of most everything else is rising, keeping your housing payment stable is especially important.

The alternative to homeownership is renting – and rents tend to move alongside inflation. That means as inflation goes up, your monthly rent payments tend to go up, too (see graph below):

A fixed-rate mortgage allows you to protect yourself from future rent hikes. With inflation still high, when your rental agreement comes up for renewal, your property manager may decide to increase your payments to offset the impact of inflation. Maybe that’s why, according to a recent survey, 73% of property managers plan to raise rents over the next two years.

 Having your largest monthly expense remain stable in a time of economic uncertainty is a major perk of homeownership. If you continue to rent, you don’t have that same benefit and aren’t as protected from rising costs.

Bottom Line

A stable housing payment is especially important in times of high inflation. Connect with a real estate agent so you can learn more and start your journey to homeownership today.

Get more like this on Keeping Current Matters.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Here Are America’s 10 Most Affordable Golf Towns for Homebuyers

For some, it’s the smell of freshly cut grass and the brush of leaves in the breeze, creating an escape from daily stressors.

For others, it’s a competitive arena where precision skills are honed. It’s where business is sealed with a handshake, lifelong friendships are forged, wagers are won—and drinking is not only permitted, but encouraged.

It’s been called “a good walk spoiled” (Mark Twain), “the most fun you can have without taking your clothes off” (Chi Chi Rodriguez), and “an endless series of tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle” (many, many folks).

If the allure of golf has you in its grip, as it does for so many, perhaps you’ve entertained the fantasy of living near a golf course. Affordable real estate with great proximity to a course might sound too good to be true, like hitting a hole-in-one with your first swing of the day (or ever). But we’re here to correct that notion.

The data team at Realtor.com® found the places in the U.S. that have the best balance of great access to golf courses, relatively affordable real estate, and weather best suited for days on the greens. Some of these towns you’ve surely heard of and might assume come with a high price. Others are hidden gems you might not have thought of as great golf markets.

Whether you’re a near pro, a weekend duffer, or someone who just likes the idea of living near a course, you might just find your dream home on the green. Even if you’re not a golfer, these cities offer a lot to appreciate, from excellent weather to a high quality of life.

“In most residential golf communities, it’s only about a quarter of residents who are active golfers,” says Brad Klein, a golf course design consultant and golf journalist. “So what that tells you is that a lot of people are drawn to the golf community, even if they don’t play golf.”

Most golf communities draw a highly diverse group of homebuyers who nonetheless share certain bonds: They’re physically active and crave regular social interaction, says Klein.

“If you have golf, you probably also have pickle ball, swimming, platform tennis, a gym, and a social center at the local clubhouse,” he says. “Even if you don’t play, you have all kinds of options living near this sort of community.”

The cities on our list aren’t just golf havens. Many are also places with a high quality of life, where a cost of living below the national average makes them affordable not just in terms of real estate, but also in terms of everyday expenses.

We found these places by first rounding up all the real estate listings on Realtor.com from the past year within a 10-minute drive (in normal conditions) from one or more of the 6,445 public and private golf courses in the nation that we were able to map out. Then we aggregated home price data for those listings by city.

Then we factored in the number of golf courses clustered in those areas and weighed the climate and weather patterns—favoring places with more warm days to hit the links. Finally, we selected just one place per state, to ensure geographic diversity. (Otherwise, the list would be mostly Florida towns, along with some Mississippi locations and a couple of spots in Arizona.)

Let’s tee off into our top 10 locations for finding affordable homes near a golf course.

Get all the details on Realtor.com

Related Links

• Down Payment Amounts Are Shrinking: Can Buyers Put Down Less and Still Compete?

• 7 Easy Tips To Turn Your Garden Into a Bee Sanctuary

• HUD invests $837M in energy, climate renovations for multifamily housing

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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