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5 Amazing Homes in Mexico

on May 1, 2013

Whether you are looking to buy, rent or invest, why settle when it comes to a vacation home? With mountain, forest and beach front properties available, Mexico is the new spot for top vacation homes.Beauty and affordability, Mexico should be at the top of your list for vacation home locations. Get inspired and make your dream getaway a reality. Here are five of the most amazing homes in Mexico to encourage your creativity.

  1. Beachfront Villa – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: An inspiring home focused on natural beauty. A large terrace with infinity pool will allow you to enjoy obstruction free beach views and the cool ocean breeze any time of day. A shaded area complete with an elegant outdoor kitchen is perfect for outdoor entertaining.
  2. House In The Woods – Valle de Bravo, Mexico: A conceptual home focused on nature. Construct and decorate while paying attention to the natural surroundings. Main focal points and unique beauty can come from incorporating surrounding elements into your home’s foundation. Consider focusing on sustainability andecology.                                             
  3. Home with Mountain Views – San Miguel, Mexico: A mountain home focused on the vast, awe-inspiring landscape. Built into a mountain side, be pleasantly surprised with limitless views of surrounding mountains and terrain. Consider large floor to ceiling windows to enjoy these views year round. With moderate weather, enhance your home with lush gardens and water features. 
  4. A Colorful and Whimsical Cabana – Zihuatanejo, Mexico: A vivacious and fun home focused on the vibrant colors of Mexican culture. Incorporate lively shades, local textiles, decor and native building materials found locally. Incorporate indigenous culture into your design and instantly escape to the home away from home you’ve always wanted. 
  5. City Casita – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: A beautiful home in the city focused on providing non-stop entertainment options. Any popular tourist destination will provide you with all the comforts of home with the lively culture and cuisine of Mexico. Consider multiple bedrooms and large living space for group getaways and accommodating your friends and family. Chic, contemporary designs can be incorporated to give your home a luxurious atmosphere. Options with a city homes are limitless and will provide you with all the conveniences of city living.  

When considering a vacation home, these five amazing homes in Mexico have the top features everyone should consider when designing and decorating. Use these top five picks as inspiration to highlight and enhance your design aesthetic and to create the ultimate vacation experience.

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5 Tax Tips All Home Owners Should Know

on April 10, 2013

With the 2013 tax season coming to an end on April 15, there is very little time left to finish your taxes and hopefully reap the reward of a hefty tax refund check. There are certain tips that homeowners can do to increase their refund amount. Below are five useful tax tips that all homeowners should know.

  1. Deductions for mortgage interest: This allows homeowners to reduce their taxable income by the amount of interest paid on their loan. If you recently bought a home or refinanced, this is definitely not something to overlook since the majority of mortgage payments go towards interest in the beginning.
  2. Deductions for mortgage insurance premiums: Insurance premiums are still deductible which helps homeowners since insurance is normally required for loans with a balance of more than 78 percent of the home’s value.
  3. Deductions for home office use: If you have a home office that is used exclusively for a small business, chances are you are able to claim a deduction for any office related expenses such as repairs and depreciation.
  4. Credit for qualified home improvements: The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 allowed homeowners a credit of up to $500 for making improvements that increase a home’s energy efficiency. This would include improving insulation, windows, roofs and other energy efficient upgrades.
  5. Unqualified home improvements when selling home: Although not all home improvements and renovation projects would qualify as energy efficient, these unqualified home improvements play an important role when selling your home. Homeowners are able to deduct any renovations that helped boost your home’s value from your total profit.
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6 Ways to Redecorate Your Bathroom on a Budget

on March 28, 2012

Few people have the cash for a full bathroom remodel, which can reduce your bank balance by up to $10,000. Instead of living off Ramen noodles for years, use these quick fixes for fabulous updates under $500.

 

1. Add Some Color

 

The easiest way to add glamour to your bathroom is to introduce some color. Paint, wallpaper, and accessories are inexpensive options for adding visual pop. Try some of these color combinations:

  • For a serene bathroom, choose sage green or light blue with accents of lavender.
  • For an earthy feel, stick with rich shades of brown, green, or blue.
  • For a morning wake-up call, select sunshine yellow accented with white.
  • To look beautiful every day, highlight the bathroom with peach tones, which complement skin tones.
  • To make a guest bathroom stand out, try dark colors, metallic paints, or bold patterns.

Even the tiniest change, such as installing a new shower curtain or adding cloth storage bins, can make a big difference.

2. Replace Your Hardware


 Changing out cabinet hardware is a common trick for kitchen remodels, but this simple action brings benefits to the bathroom as well. Switch out your dated drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, towel racks, and toilet paper holders for their modern equivalents. Shop at clearance events, second-hand shops, and charity warehouse stores to keep your costs down.

If your budget can handle it, also invest in a new faucet and different shower fixtures. Home improvement stores and online retailers offer several matching options that are perfect for showers, soaking tubs, and walk-in bathtubs. Be sure to coordinate metal colors, such as brushed nickel, stainless steel, chrome, or brass.

3. Upgrade Your Lighting

The right bathroom lights can mean the difference between enjoying your morning routine and dreading even a quick look in the mirror. Every master bath or guest bath in most modern house plans should have a combination of natural or ambient lighting, task lighting, and possibly accent lighting. Sconces to the right and left of the mirror cast the most flattering glow, but overhead mirror lights are the second best option. Avoid having a single overhead fixture, which typically casts hideous shadows.

4. Add Textures

A fabulous bathroom engages a person’s sense of touch as well as sight. Try adding some plush towels, rattan baskets, beadboard, or a woven bath rug. Combine glass, stone, metal, wood, and cloth to match your unique tastes. Keep in mind that outdoor fabrics provide a unique look without the worry of mold and mildew. For an extra splash, use a resurfacing kit to add the look of granite to your single or double bathroom vanities.

5. Change the Mirror


 Over time bathroom mirrors become damaged, scratched, or just ugly. Replace the traditional mirror with a modern framed version or a vintage find from a thrift shop. If removal is not an option, buy a mirror framing kit online.


 6. Personalize Your Space

The least expensive way to update a bathroom is to use items that you already own. Arrange vacation photos or children’s drawings for the look for custom wall art. Hang a favorite houseplant from a ceiling hook or add scented candles to utility shelves. Personalizing a space always makes it feel more homey and comfortable.

By combining these tips, you can make any bathroom look great. Impress your guests, accommodate your kids, or rejuvenate your morning routine with creative remodeling on a budget.

Abby Evans is an avid blogger and recent proud homeowner. She loves studying architecture, home design and decor and plans to one day buy a custom house plan to build her dream home. 

 

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5 Beautiful Bathroom Countertops Every Homeowner Should Know

on February 3, 2012

Double Bathroom Vanity

Photo: Jennifer Worts

The ideal bathroom countertop is affordable, functional and durable. But it should also be beautiful, adding aesthetic appeal to the bathroom for years to come. Fortunately, that last criteria is the easiest to fulfill. In fact, no matter your price point, you can find countertops that will add beauty to this hard-working room.

To help you out, I’ve gathered my top five picks for countertops that, with the right care, will still look amazing down the road. While countertop prices generally range from $10 to $100+ per square foot, installed, they can vary from state to state and from installation to installation. You’ll want to be sure to get detailed cost information from your bathroom contractor.

Here are five countertop materials to get you started.

1. Laminate

The most affordable option for countertops, laminate is formed by bonding paper and melamine resin. At prices starting at $8 per square foot, post-formed laminate is the least expensive. These ready-made counters, however, offer few custom options. High-pressure laminate is available starting at $10 per square foot, and comes in a broad array of colors and styles. If done well, some offer the look of natural stone. While laminate is extremely durable, it is costly to repair.

2. Ceramic Tile

With prices starting at under $25 per square foot, ceramic tiles offer waterproof bathroom countertops at an affordable price. Glazed tiles are non-porous and durable, and are available in a wide range of colors, patterns and textures. A major drawback are the grout lines that divide them. Grout needs frequent attention to keep it looking fresh. Gray grout, however, is growing in popularity. Gray grout not only needs less maintenance, but adds a subtle, decorative touch to tile countertops.

3. Fiber Cement

For both the look and the feel of stone at a reasonable price, fiber cement countertops are a good option. Prices start at $30 per square foot. The material resembles slate, but is far more versatile, as it can be ordered and cut into just about any shape imaginable. Colors are limited, however. Fiber cement usually comes in red, green, light gray and dark gray. Fiber cement’s main drawback for bathroom countertops is that it is porous and must be resealed every few months.

4. Solid Surfacing

Made from polyester or cast-acrylic, solid surfacing prices start at $45 per square foot. These hardened plastics are extremely durable and entirely non-porous. The easy-care material can be cut to any specification. Manufacturers continually release new patterns and colors, including several new ones that resemble quartz, mica or glass.

5. Stone

Stone is considered the most luxurious material for countertops, both for its elegant look and for its price. The most durable stones are often the most expensive. For sheer beauty, it’s hard to match the look of marble. A fine Italian marble starts at about $100 per square foot. Many stones, but not all, can be polished or honed. Most stone materials require periodic sealing.

What type of countertop and vanity are you looking for? Let us know in the comments and we’ll set you up with some feedback.

Brittany Mauriss is editor for CalFinder.com, an awesome free service that connects you with bathroom remodeling contractors for any phase of your project. We’re also good for inspiration, pictures, bathroom remodeling ideas, and one-on-one homeowner talk.

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The Man Bath versus The Woman Bath

on July 12, 2011

It is a historic and monumental debate, I mean argument, between couples. The bathroom that is. What belongs in it, what goes where, and when. If you share a single sink bath vanity with your spouse then I’m sure you can understand the “issues” that arise with that dynamic. We created this infographic to help explain the differences in bathroom etiquette between the sexes.

[CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE]

Bathroom Vanities - Man vs Woman
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