How to Update a Backyard Pond

Update your backyard pond with a simple color palette.

Updating a backyard pond can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you have a limited budget or no knowledge of landscaping. Luckily, it doesn't have to cost a small fortune or require an army of expensive landscapers to transform an outdated pond. The combination of the right materials, including pavers, plants, exterior lighting and water features, can transform your backyard pond from a tired eyesore to the envy of your neighborhood.

1

Clean up any overgrown foliage around the backyard pond. Pull weeds, and remove dead or dying plants that cannot be salvaged.

2

Replace broken or worn out pavers with modern materials. Use several different landscaping materials -- including flagstone, quartz pavers and decomposed granite -- to create a more updated feel.

3

Incorporate more updated geometrical patterns. In the past, round and oval pavers were used to create water features or hardscape a backyard pond. Replace your outdated oval or round pavers with rectangular, square or triangular materials.

4

Replace your three-tiered garden fountain with a more modern water feature. For instance, a stainless steel or fiberglass pitcher fountain creates a rustic garden scene. If you cannot afford to replace your outdated water feature, cover it with moss to create a more organic, modern display.

5

Draw attention to your water feature or landscaping with outdoor lighting. Only purchase fixtures labeled “waterproof.” When in doubt, hire a professional lighting designer to safely and properly install the equipment.

6

Transform your backyard pond into a fashionable outdoor living space. Set up a concrete-top table and benches, and line the pavers with candles to create a Tuscan-inspired seating area. Or keep it simple by adding a sleek, modern chair and table for your cocktail and novel.

12 Features in a Kid-Friendly Home

Incorporate these elements to create a stylish and worry-free environment for you and your family

A child’s laughter can permeate a home and warm the coldest of hearts. Kids can also create lots of messes, from the living room to the bathroom and everywhere in between. Here are 12 features that can help you create a kid-friendly home that’s clean, organized, safe — and fun for all.

David Howell Design

1. Fixed-cushion sofas. Kids love pulling cushions off the sofa. One of the best things that I can recommend so that your formal living spaces look orderly, even with little ones jumping on your furniture, is to buy sofas with fixed cushions. There won’t be any fort building with this sofa.

FloorsFirst Canada

2. Vinyl flooring. If you’re renovating your home, and you don’t want to see your new hardwood flooring get destroyed by furniture being dragged across it, you may want to consider a good-quality vinyl floor. Vinyl floors are virtually impossible to destroy and look incredibly realistic these days. They’re almost guaranteed to last through the better part of your child’s stay at your house without your having to replace them.

Poss Architecture + Planning + Interior Design

3. Semigloss paint. Having a chalkboard for kids is really great, but you don’t need to create one with chalkboard paint. I like to use semigloss paint when painting kids’ areas. You can choose any color, and it washes up beautifully. Marker, crayon and chalk all wash off easily when a semigloss paint is used. Don’t be afraid to use semigloss on all of your kids’ walls.

Madison Taylor

4. Carpet tiles. We all know that children and carpet don’t go well together. But if you really want carpet, you should consider using carpet tiles instead of broadloom. If something spills on a carpet tile, it’s easy to lift up the 18-by-18-inch square and bring it to the dry cleaner for a proper cleaning. If the stain doesn’t come out, then you need to replace only that one little square.

SHED Architecture & Design

5. Area rugs. Generally speaking, I would recommend not using carpet under the dining table if you have children. But if you really want a rug under your table, then use carpet tiles to create an area rug.

Vujovich Design Build, Inc.

6. Tiled walls. If you live with children, it’s best to go with tiles for your bathroom walls. For some mysterious reason, toothpaste gets everywhere when kids brush their teeth. Not to mention, they’re not always so great at locating the toilet in the middle of the night either.

Jenny Baines, Jennifer Baines Interiors

7. Rounded furniture. Even if you live in a house with lots of space, your child will find a corner to bump into. Try to mitigate the damage to your children’s heads, sides and legs by choosing furniture that is rounded, with no sharp corners. There are so many great-looking pieces today that will let you live worry-free for a long time.

Modern Weave

8. Closed storage. You can never have enough storage when you have children, but the best way to keep toys and stuff from taking over is to create ample closed storage. Make sure you have a mix of drawer and door storage to accommodate all the different types of toys.

Affecting Spaces

9. Kids’ counters. If you want to keep your children from taking over your space, it’s best if you can create a space of their own, close to yours. Children do like to remain close to their parents for a considerable amount of time, so giving them a work and play counter where they can paint and build would be ideal. Try to use a material that is very durable, like quartz, as a countertop, as it will get a lot of use and abuse.

Wentworth, Inc.

10. Coat hooks. Children love coat hooks, and are especially good at hanging up their coats when the hooks are mounted at a height they can reach. When creating a space for coats, don’t forget about creating a space for their backpacks and boots too.

Copper Brook

11. Floating vanities. Not everyone loves the look of a floating vanity, but they really do make sense for many years when your children need to use a stool to reach the faucets. It’s so great to be able to tuck those stools under the vanity and get them out of the way so no one stubs a toe.

Andrew Snow Photography

12. Nothing too precious. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you’re not putting plastic on the furniture. It’s important that you choose durable finishes that are easy to clean and furniture that can be used daily without worrying about spills and stains.

The rental market is going gray

Renters are looking a little older these days.

Rental applicants tend to conjure up images of recent college grads looking to start their life in the real world. But Millennials are facing increased competition from people who have already spent decades in adulthood, and may have better credit and higher income.

Since 2005, there has been an uptick in renters, with people in their 50s and 60s making up the largest chunk of the increase, according to a recent report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.
In fact, the majority of all renters are currently 40 or older.


There are many reasons that the renter population includes a growing number of Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers.

The 2008 housing collapse that led to a wave of foreclosures has turned some people off to homeownership, according to Jon Spader, senior research associate at the Joint Center for Housing Studies. He added that the tight credit market can also hinder renters from securing a home loan.

Plus, not everyone wants to be a homeowner in their golden years, and the decision to trade a mortgage for a lease is about a new lifestyle, especially for empty-nesters.

"They are leaving their homes and renting in a much more urban-type settings from the suburbs to be part of the activities and be mixed in with people of all ages," said Tiffany Curry, a real estate agent in Houston. "It gives them something to do if the kids are gone, or their spouses."

The amenities that come in new rental buildings and their units are appealing to older renters. "They have everything they need in their building," she said.

Renting also gets rid of the responsibilities that comes with home ownership, which can become burdensome as owners age.

"It's about portability. They want to travel and don't want to be burdened by house payments and expenses and upkeep," said Cara Ameer, a real estate agent based in northeast Florida who in the past few years has seen a roughly 15% increase in boomer-aged clients looking to sell their home to become renters.


Some older homeowners are also cashing in on the recent rise in home prices.

"They want to take advantage of getting equity out of their home now, and not wait until they actually retire to move into the city and get a cool apartment," said Curry.

But it's expensive to be a renter right now. Rents have been on a tear recently as inventory remains tight and demand grows.

That reality that has hit home for Sharon Curry, 68, who sold her home in 2013 and started to rent. She accepted an unsolicited offer on her home near Orange County, California, thinking the $200,000 profit she walked away with would beef up her nest egg. Instead, rising rent is eating up her budget.

The rent for her one-bedroom apartment started at $1,670 in 2013. She's now paying $1,962, and she's worried it's going to continue to go up.

While she is currently working, she knows she can't count on having that income forever.
"I don't know how much longer I am going to be working, it's a conundrum."

CNNMoney (New York) First published January 14, 2016: 10:51 AM ET

How to Antique a Door

Mulitple colors of paint, sanded, give a plain door an antique look.

For those who enjoy the look and craftsmanship found in homes from days gone by, even the doors of old homes carry a warmth and quality often not present in standard modern doors. Some modern doors are designed to have the same style as antique doors, but simply look too new. Faux-painting techniques and a little distressing of the wood or finish makes that new door look like an antique. As an added element of fun, apply coats of paint in varying colors, allowing layers to show through as you sand away some of the paint, adding history to your work of art.

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1

Open the door to a position in which both sides can be reached. Place old newspapers beneath the door. Cover windows, if any, handles and other hardware with painter's tape and newspaper to protect them.

2

Sand the door gently with a medium- to fine-grit sanding block to create a grippable surface for the paint. Sand both sides of the door, as well as the edges, if you intend to paint those areas. Otherwise, only sand the side to be painted. Wipe the dust away with a tack cloth.

3

Stir the all-in-one primer/paint with a stir stick, pouring the liquid into a paint tray. Apply the primer with a wide paintbrush, covering one or all both sides of the door and edges, as desired. Allow the primer/paint to dry completely.

4

Rub a candle over the edges, corners and as much of the door as possible to create a thin wax layer on the door. Brush away excess wax with your hand.

5

Stir the second color of paint and pour it into a paint tray. Coat the primed surfaces of the door with the top paint color, using a paintbrush. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly. Apply a second coat of paint as desired, allowing it to dry as well.

6

Sand the corners, edges and other areas of the door prone to the most handling, such as the areas around the lock or doorknob, using a fine or medium-grit sanding block. Sand enough so the first paint color shows through in some areas, even down to the wood if you like in a few places. Wipe the door down with a tack cloth.

7

Mix half water, half dark brown latex paint in a small disposable container, stirring it with a stir stick. Apply the paint to the door in quick, bold strokes of the paint brush. Rub most of the watery paint away with a clean rag. This enhances the look of age on the door.

Things You Will Need

• Old newspaper
• Painter's tape
• Medium to fine-grit sanding block
• Tack cloth
• Latex all-in-one primer and paint
• Stir stick
• Paint trays
• Wide paintbrushes
• Candle
• Dark brown latex or acrylic paint (optional)
• Water
• Small container

Tip

• Quality paintbrushes shed less hair than inexpensive brushes.
• Antiquing a door can take on any look you'd like -- if you prefer the wood to show rather than be completely covered in paint, rubbing over it with a watered down, dark or white latex paint -- depending if you prefer a dark look or shabby chic look -- also adds the look of age.
• When the door has trim pieces or architectural elements, painting them in an alternate color, sanding away a good bit of the second color once the paint dries, adds to the aged look of the door.
• To create even more wear and tear to the look of the door before painting, file or sand away some of the wood on corners or protrusions, as if the door has been chipped years ago.
• An inexpensive wax candle suffices for the waxing process; the wax simply makes it easier to sand off the top coat of paint.

Warning

• Too much paint on the edge of the door may cause the door not to close properly.

The Most Appealing Aspects of Homeownership

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released their first issue of the Housing Opportunities & Market Experience Survey (HOME). In the report, NAR revealed what Americans believe to be the most appealing aspects of homeownership.

Here is a graph showing the results:

It is interesting to see that the two most appealing aspects had nothing to do with money, but instead, addressed the non-financial benefits of homeownership.

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Real Estate Watch: How to win a bidding war on a house

The bidding war is back. While not every local real estate market is experiencing bidding wars, some homebuyers find themselves competing for houses because there aren't many for sale in their neighborhood. For example, in Phoenix, it would take just 2.3 months to sell all the homes currently on the market, says Susan Paul, owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Move Time Realty in Scottsdale, Ariz. The result? Many homes have 10 to 15 offers the day they go on the market, she says. 

To compete in a bidding war, buyers need to prepare financially for the home purchase. They have to familiarize themselves with property values in their target neighborhoods. And they must know what they want.

While offering the most money might seem the best way to win a bidding war, sellers don't always choose the highest offer. Instead, sellers often prefer offers that are most likely to go through and that meet their conditions.

"Too many buyers talk to a lender and start looking at homes at the same time," says Eldad Moraru, a Realtor with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. in Bethesda, Md. "You need to have everything (financial) done before you begin to look." Then you are more likely to win a bidding war.

He suggests selecting a lender and loan product, completing everything the lender requires and having a preapproval letter in hand -- all before submitting an offer.

"You need to make sure your lender is ready to issue an approval letter specific to the property at the drop of a dime," Moraru says.

Paul recommends keeping a file folder constantly updated with your most recent pay stubs, all pages (even blank pages) of recent bank statements and any other documentation the lender may need to make a quick loan approval. Then you are ready to make an offer.

A strong preapproval is essential, especially if you are competing against buyers with a cash offer, says Alan T. Aoyama, vice president of Century 21 M&M Associates in Cupertino, Calif. Any hint that you might have trouble qualifying for financing could eliminate you from competition.

"An all-cash buyer can even waive the appraisal," Aoyama says. "If you're a noncash buyer, you need to have a copy of your proof of funds with your offer along with a strong preapproval. At a minimum, you should offer a down payment of 20 percent if you know you'll be competing against other buyers. You need to show you have the funds to close and the ability to make up the difference if the appraisal comes in too low."

To compete against other buyers in a potential bidding war, make sure you see a potential home the day it goes on the market, so you can move quickly, Paul says.

Moraru says while price is important, sellers want to know the buyer can finance the property and meet any other conditions. If you don't know the date when the sellers want to settle, you can write "will settle on seller's schedule" into the offer.

Aoyama suggests offering 30 days of free rent if the sellers want to stay in their home after settlement.
Most Realtors don't recommend buying a home without an inspection, but making your offer contingent on an inspection can weaken your position if other buyers are waiving an inspection contingency.

"If you're serious about a particular house, you can have a home inspection before you make an offer, and then make a noncontingent offer if you're satisfied with the report," Moraru says. "You'll need to move fast, though, and have a home inspector ready almost the day the home goes on the market."

Paul says you can bring a home inspector along when you first look at the home and say the inspector is a friend, just to get an inspector's feel for the condition of the home without an in-depth checkup.

"If the inspector says the house looks OK, you can feel better about waiving the home inspection contingency," Paul says.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 9 basis points to 3.67 percent. A basis point is one-hundredth of 1 percentage point.

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 4 basis points to 2.92 percent. The average rate for 30-year jumbo mortgages, or generally for those of more than $417,000, rose 2 basis points to 4.1 percent.

The 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage rose 1 basis point to 2.77 percent. With a 5/1 ARM, the rate is fixed for five years and adjusted annually thereafter.

(Contact Donna Fuscaldo at editors@bankrate.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, shns.com.)

Oakland waterfront project jump-started by Chinese investor

OAKLAND -- In a surprising and possibly landmark deal for Bay Area development, a Chinese firm is reviving a $1.5 billion project that would transform 65 industrial acres south of Jack London Square into a new waterfront neighborhood.

Zarsion Holdings Group, a Beijing-based real estate and investment firm, is teaming up with Oakland-based Signature Development Group to build 3,100 homes, 200,000 square feet of shops, 30 acres of park space and a marina with 200 boat slips.

The partnership announced Wednesday by Gov. Jerry Brown during a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, is a huge boost to Oakland's already red hot real estate market and a harbinger of increased Chinese investment in California real estate.

"The massive influx of Chinese investment will put thousands of Californians to work and dramatically improve Oakland's waterfront," Brown said.

Kevin Van Voorhis, a senior vice president with Colliers and a veteran in the commercial property purchases market, called it a "mega deal."

"This is one of the largest investments in Bay Area real estate that I've heard of by a Chinese investor," he said. The project, known for years as Oak-to-Ninth but now dubbed Brooklyn Basin, never got off the ground after the City Council approved it over significant community opposition in 2006.

The financial collapse killed demand for new housing. When the market picked up, domestic banks still were hesitant to provided needed capital to get the project moving, Signature Senior Vice President Paul Nieto said.

Signature recently appeared ready to give up on the project. In 2011, the firm proposed housing a new UC Berkeley laboratory at the site, but the university chose a different locationThe connection with the Chinese firm was made through Bruce Quan, a college friend of Oakland Mayor Jean Quan (no relation) who grew up in Oakland and is also an official with Zarsion.
Mayor Quan said the city is talking to many investment groups in China about Oakland projects, including new sports stadiums, but "this is the first (deal) that we absolutely brought home."
Zarsion will provide an initial investment of $28 million that will allow Signature to complete drawings and begin work on the first phase of the project, which will include 1,300 housing units.
Additional contributions would come "as needed," Nieto said. He added that Zarsion, which is both a real estate developer and investment firm, would be a co-developer and that its financial contribution would be "substantial."
The deal continues a wave of institutional money flooding Oakland's real estate market, Colliers Vice President Scott Greenwood said.
"It's hard to understand why domestic banks weren't interested in this considering the strength of Oakland's residential housing market." he said. "Sometimes it takes something like this for them to realize what they are missing and that they should get in the game as well."

A rendering shows a promenade area for the Oak-to-Ninth shoreline development in Oakland, Calif. ((Signature Development Group)

 

Chinese investors from 2000 to 2011 funded 165 deals in California worth $1.3 billion, according to the research firm Rhodium Group.

Van Voorhis said there is a lot of money in China available for investing in Bay Area real estate, but cautioned that cash won't necessarily flood the nine-county region because of government restrictions placed on the flow of capital outside the country.

Signature obtained development rights to the waterfront property from the Port of Oakland in 2001 and got council approval for a project five years later.

The development is expected to generate about 10,000 jobs over the eight to 15 years it will take to build.
Nieto said the first of four phases should be complete by 2021, with decontamination work beginning next year and construction beginning in 2015.

The housing will be a mix of condos and rental units and the 30-acres of shoreline parkland, including a link to the Bay Trail, will be comparable to San Francisco's Chrissy Field.

The project's location on the waterfront was one of the major reasons for the stiff opposition it faced in Oakland. Although it will add park space and make the shoreline more accessible, critics were concerned that a private development would limit community use of the once public property.

"I do question a sprawl of condos as the wisest use of our waterfront," project critic Naomi Schiff said. "It's the latest step in the privatization of our coast."

George Avalos contributed to this story. Contact Matthew Artz at 510-208-6435.

How to Manage Any Home Renovation Project Like a Pro

If you are making renovations to your home, whether they’re large or small, don’t think you have to leave during the project to avoid the mess and stress. You can maximize efficiency and minimize your family’s discomfort with these project management tips that will guide you through the process.
Before you begin, have your home appraised; this could change your renovation plans. And if you’re thinking of selling, having your real estate professional in on the appraisal may be worth the effort. The appraiser and the Realtor will be assessing your home for different qualities.

1. Define the Purpose.
   Your reason for renovating could guide the entire project. For example, if you’re updating to put your home on the market, you’ll need to research comparable homes to make sure your project doesn’t exceed the return on investment. This might also mean you’ll be working with a smaller budget and firmer deadlines. Defining your purpose will set the tone for all decisions involved.
2. Budget.
   Organize your budget, and determine what the project should cost. Compare this to what you actually have to spend. Price out the project with every desired update included, and then determine which features are realistic and which you are willing to forgo. It would be wise to have an emergency buffer to account for unexpected costs as well.
3. Determine the Decision Maker.
   Decide who will be making all of the decisions and why. If you and your spouse choose to make the decisions jointly, add in deadlines for each decision to keep the project moving. If you have trouble making a decision, measure it against your goals, and the choice will become clear.
4. Define.
   The most important part of the process may be defining the scope of the project. While the purpose aims to fix a problem, the scope defines the ideal results. Having a clear, defined scope (in writing!) will make decisions easier, budgets more accurate, and time frames more realistic.
5. Prioritize.
   Make a list of all updates, with the highest priority item at the top and the lowest at the bottom. Ask yourself, “If this were the last step in the process, what would I be willing to give up to get this feature?”
6. Research.
   Do a little research into which materials are readily available and how much they cost. For big-ticket purchases, you may want to know the life expectancy or durability of the material.
7. Outsource.
   If you don’t already have a working relationship with a contractor, ask your real estate professional, friends, and family for referrals. Make sure you ask for credentials, like licenses, designations, and proof that they’re insured.
8. Define Deadlines.
   At this point, you’ll be able to set a realistic deadline for the entire process, but also consider setting mid-project deadlines. Think of each component as a mini project.
9. Stick to the Schedule.
   The role of the project manager is to oversee all of the work and enforce project deadlines. Make sure that whoever is doing the work understands that they should make the project manager aware of any issues that are not consistent with the agreed-upon timeline so you can adjust accordingly.

It is important to understand (and accept) that, no matter how much planning is involved, not all projects will run smoothly. Be prepared for the worst-case scenario, and choose wisely by using this list of questions to ask when choosing your contractor.
For more renovation planning ideas, visit www.americanlifestylemag.com/onthemove.