Sometimes, we spend so much time focusing on interior design that we forget about the outdoor spaces of our homes. Many people with patios neglect that space, which means they’re missing out on beautiful outdoor retreats. If your patio decor is lacking, there are countless ways to add some flair to it.
 






Pillows and rugs
Get floor pillows that you and your guests can use to sit on the ground for more relaxed occasions. You can also cover the ground with an outdoor rug that will bring a little warmth into the space.
 






Creative seating
Hang hammocks if you want to use your patio for a relaxing, quiet place to think or read. If you want to make your patio extra comfortable, throw in a futon or daybed.
 






Plants
Add a few potted plants to bring nature into this indoor-outdoor space. They’ll brighten up the area nicely. Just make sure that the layout of the patio allows your plants or flowers to get enough sunlight.
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According to a recent survey, more and more Americans are concerned about a possible recession. Those concerns were validated when the Federal Reserve met and confirmed they were strongly committed to bringing down inflation. And, in order to do so, they’d use their tools and influence to slow down the economy.

All of this brings up many fears and questions around how it might affect our lives, our jobs, and business overall. And one concern many Americans have is: how will this affect the housing market? We know how economic slowdowns have impacted home prices in the past, but how could this next slowdown affect real estate and the cost of financing a home?

According to Mortgage Specialists: 


“Throughout history, during a recessionary period, interest rates go up at the beginning of the recession. But in order to come out of a recession, interest rates are lowered to stimulate the economy moving forward.”

He ...

If you’re thinking of buying a home in today’s housing market, you may be wondering how strong your investment will be. You might be asking yourself: if I buy a home now, will it lose value? Or will it continue to appreciate going forward? The good news is, according to the experts, home prices are not projected to decline. Here’s why.
With buyers still outweighing sellers, home prices are forecast to continue climbing in 2022, just at a slower or more moderate pace. Why the continued increase? It’s the simple law of supply and demand. When there are fewer items on the market than there are buyers, the competition for that item makes prices naturally rise.
And while the number of homes for sale today is expected to improve with more sellers getting ready to list their houses this winter, we’re certainly not out of the inventory woods yet. Thus, the projections show continued appreciation, but at a more moderate rate than what we&rsqu ...

As a buyer in a sellers’ market, sometimes it can feel like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. When you’re ready to make an offer on a home, remember these five easy tips to help you rise above the competition.

1. Know Your Budget
Knowing your budget and what you can afford is critical to your success as a homebuyer. The best way to understand your numbers is to work with a lender so you can get pre-approved for a loan. As Freddie Mac puts it:

“This pre-approval allows you to look for a home with greater confidence and demonstrates to the seller that you are a serious buyer.”
Showing sellers you’re serious can give you a competitive edge, and it helps you act quickly when you’ve found your perfect home.

2. Be Ready To Move Fast
Homes are selling quickly in today’s competitive housing market. According to the Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Re ...

Many of us set resolutions every New Year’s Day. But if your resolution is too broad or doesn’t have a deadline, it is much easier to abandon or forget it. As the saying goes, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

This year, stick to your resolutions using the SMART goal structure. This method will help you clarify your wishes by turning your goal into actionable items, providing you with an outline for success.







SpecificMake sure your goal is simple and well defined. Setting more focused mini-goals will help you take small steps toward your overall goal.

SET YOUR GOAL: My mini-goal is to incorporate short sprints into every run.CHECK YOURSELF: How will this help me run a faster 5k time?

 







MeasurableMake sure that your goal contains criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of the goal.

SET YOUR GOAL: To reach my goal, I will run for 30 minutes, 4 times a week.CHECK YO ...