4 Tips to Warm Up Your Bathroom

Winter can be a brutal season of frigid air, icy water, and teeth-chattering numbness - none of which are conditions that should describe your bathroom.

Tile, marble and porcelain - some of the main components of lavatory design - aren't exactly known for their warmth. But with a little rejiggering, a small installation or two, and maybe some minor renovations, any WC can become a cozy, well-heated respite. Here are four ways to warm up your bathroom and chase the chill away.

Heated flooring

A warm bathroom begins from the ground up - literally. A heated floor is one of the best ways to not only keep toes toasty, but also maintain an ideal temperature throughout the room. And it's a luxurious selling point that adds overall value to a home.

Courtesy of Besch Design.

This level of human comfort doesn't come without a few sacrifices, however. Installing radiant floor heating will require tearing up the floor to put down electric cables or hydronic tubing, so the best time to embark on the project is when you're already making a change. But once installed, radiant floor heating is practically guaranteed to leave you, well, radiant.

In a small space like a bathroom, the electric route is usually ideal. Hydronic heating is pricier to install, and requires a boiler or hot water heater - a high initial cost that is worth it only if heating an entire house, which would be expensive to do electrically.

Towel warmer

Why face the cold, hard world the moment you turn off the shower? Towel warmers, also called heated towel racks, put an end to the abrupt shock and bitter disappointment of leaving the cozy sauna you created while sudsing up.

The fixtures themselves generally look like small ladders with heat-emitting rungs, and are often large enough to accommodate several towels or a robe.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Adding a towel warmer to your bathroom can be as easy or complex as you'd like. Freestanding models can be plugged in, simple as that - and can pull double-duty in a mudroom or laundry room for drying wet coats or damp clothing.

For a more permanent solution, racks can be mounted to the wall or fixed to the floor. While electric models tap into a home's electric system, a hydronic towel heater connects directly to the house's plumbing.

A wide variety of models creates multiple style and functionality options. Do you want temperature control? A timer? How many rungs would you like? It’s all up to you.

Last but not least, a towel heater helps fight the mildew that loves your towel almost as much as you do.

Heated toilet seat

For decades, Japanese households have considered washlets - fancy heated toilet seats that have warm water sprays plus a variety of other functions - practically de rigueur, while America has dragged its feet.

Courtesy of FORMA Design.

Winter is the perfect time to end decades of misunderstanding and embrace the warm comfort of high-tech toilets. Not only are the seats toasty, but upon completion of business, a bidet-like function squirts warm water to clean one's nether regions. Before leaving, the occupant is treated to a blast of (often temperature-adjustable) hot air, ensuring a dry bum that is ready to face even the coldest of days.

While those who appreciate the washlet tend to swear by it, the system may strike some as simply too much - or at least too much to explain to houseguests. In this case, simple heated toilet seats are also available.

Installing such a feature can be as easy as buying the seat, attaching it to the toilet, and plugging it in nearby, or as difficult as integrating an entire high-tech toilet with no attached power cords into your restroom. The price varies greatly, but the underlying satisfaction is generally constant.

Shower timer

One of winter's most frigid experiences often occurs when least expected: in the shower. Being the last person to get ready in the morning can be a position of great risk, with the hot water subject to wane any moment. Using a shower timer, however, can keep a whole houseful of bathing beauties in line, and help prevent any painful teeth-chattering.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

From a simple showerproof hourglass that suctions to the side tile to a device that attaches to the showerhead and reduces, then shuts off water at a preset interval, limiting the time others spend using hot water ultimately results in fewer freezing-cold showers. Installing a more water-efficient showerhead also works.

In the end, all of these devices reduce water usage, to boot. It's something both Mother Nature and the last person in the shower can be thankful for.

Related:

• 8 DIY Ways to Redo Your Bathroom (Without Remodeling)
• A Budget Guide to Bathroom Remodels
• 5 Bathroom Organization Tips for Renters

from Zillow Porchlight | Real Estate News, Advice and Inspiration http://www.zillow.com/blog/tips-to-warm-up-bathroom-192576/
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Open Shelving Solutions for Every Room

You've sought out all types of storage solutions for your home. You've used hooks and bookshelves, storage containers, etageres, and even the tried-and-true tension rod.

Now that you're out of storage options for your home, you've turned to the idea of open shelving. What took you so long? It looks fantastic in nearly every room in the house. Yes, even the kitchen. Here are some favorite ways to utilize open shelving as an elegant solution for several rooms in your home.

The kitchen

Kitchens wear this storage solution particularly well. First, remember you don't need to use open shelving everywhere. This type of storage generally looks best when it's complemented by cabinets and drawers. Open shelving can serve as an accent above the sink, or as panels to break up rows of mundane cabinetry.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

Place items you use every day on the open shelves. Storing your morning coffee mug, utensils or dinner plates on open shelving means quicker access for you during your morning rush, and an easier time for your guests to find an extra fork. Make sure to stow the things you reach for more often on the lower shelves, and decorative items toward the top.

If you're worried about dust or dirt, keep the shelving units away from dusty areas like windows or entries, and instead locate them more centrally in the kitchen.

The bathroom

Often a space where extra storage is most valuable, bathrooms are a great place to try out open shelving. Because most bathrooms are designed to be clean, sleek spaces, open shelving helps to reinforce that aesthetic while providing ample storage for your everyday products.

Courtesy of Terracotta Design Build.

While open shelving might not be the best storage solution for everyone (those with kids and curious pets, take heed), it's a fantastic way to open up your bathroom and elevate the room's style.

Use small corners for square shelving to hold apothecary jars full of cotton balls, cotton swabs, and other bathroom necessities. Instead of art or another mirror, install three long shelves on the wall and place accessories like vases, greenery, pictures, or other trinkets to inspire an energetic morning or a calming bedtime wind-down ritual.

The bedroom

When you've run out of closet space and under-the-bed storage options, it's time to look to the bedroom walls. Favorite ways to use open shelving in the bedroom are directly above the bed in lieu of a headboard, above a vanity or desk, and in a reading corner adjacent to a wingback chair or loveseat.

Courtesy of Tommy Chambers.

If you opt for open shelving overhead instead of a headboard, make sure you install it at a comfortable height so as not to go bump in the night. Consider installing lighting right below the shelving to provide extra task lighting for late-night reading.

By placing the open shelving near statement furniture, you eliminate the need for art or wall mirrors, and instead can use that space for extra storage needs. If you're feeling adventurous, rustic wood or industrial metal shelving are stunning options.

The dining room

Think of open shelving as a modern alternative to a china cabinet. If you choose to use open shelving in your dining room, take note of a few points.

Courtesy of Zillow Digs.

First, keep everything uniform. If you are displaying your favorite porcelain, make sure the pieces are similar sizes, shapes, and colors.

Second, don't overcrowd the shelves. Dining rooms are a more formal space than say, the kitchen, so you don't need to overload your shelves with many different pieces. Instead, choose a row of goods you'd like to display and stick with it.

Finally, blend the shelving in with the wall. Making sure the open shelving is flush against the wall keeps the aesthetic clean and streamlined. When in doubt, opt for white shelving.

Find other ways to add storage to your favorite rooms by checking out our kitchen storage guide and bathroom storage guide.

Related:

• Stow Away in Style: Alternative Storage for Any Space
• Before & After: Ditching Desperately Dated Design
• How to Personalize Your Rental Space (Without Losing Your Deposit)

from Zillow Porchlight | Real Estate News, Advice and Inspiration http://www.zillow.com/blog/open-shelving-solutions-192561/
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Undocumented Immigration May Affect the Housing Market

You may not think immigration has an effect on housing prices, but more than half of the experts surveyed by Zillow said if there continues to be a decline in undocumented immigration in the U.S., labor costs will go up, increasing home prices as a result.

The number of undocumented workers in the U.S. has remained flat for more than five years, and the undocumented Mexican immigrant population is now 20 percent smaller than it was in 2007, according to data from Pew Hispanic Center and the most recent Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey.

Immigration is one of the most debated issues among 2016 presidential candidates, and Zillow wanted to get a closer look at how immigration would impact the housing market. The expert panel, made of up economists and researchers, said they think fewer immigrants entering the U.S. illegally will result in higher housing costs and more luxury home construction.

Here are some of the main findings:

• More than two-thirds of those surveyed said a slowdown in immigration will drive up construction labor costs.
• About 43 percent said if there's a decline in the undocumented immigrant population, there would be more construction jobs for U.S. and foreign-born workers.
• Forty percent said higher labor costs would cause builders to focus on high-end construction, which has a higher profit margin.
• More than 30 percent connected immigration trends to the lack of inventory, and predicted that the number of new homes built will remain lower than historical norms.

Survey respondents expect homes to appreciate 3.7 percent in 2016; they expected 3.4 percent appreciation last quarter.

from Zillow Porchlight | Real Estate News, Advice and Inspiration http://www.zillow.com/blog/undocumented-immigration-housing-192547/
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Your Guide to the 2016 Mortgage Refi Boom

From the time the Federal Reserve raised rates in December 2015 to mid-February 2016, mortgage rates dropped to their lowest level in three years. We examined why mortgage rates would drop after a Fed hike, and since the downward mortgage rate trend is continuing, here is a refinance reference guide.

2016 rate recap and outlook

Rates drop when economic uncertainty causes investors to sell riskier stocks and buy safer bonds. When bond prices rise on this buying, bond yields (or rates) drop.

This is what's been happening in 2016 as non-U.S. economic weakness has caused global investors to buy the safety of U.S. Treasury and mortgage bonds.

In December 2015, 30-year fixed rates were about 4% on conforming loans, 4.125% on high-balance conforming loans, and 3.875% on jumbo loans. As bonds have rallied since then, rates on all these loan tiers are down as much as 0.5%, which translates into lower monthly payments as follows: $85 lower on a $300,000 mortgage, $170 lower on a $600,000 mortgage, and $253 lower on a $900,000 mortgage.

This savings alone is strong rationale for a refinance, and rates could drop even further in the next few months if non-U.S. weakness persists. But even in a downward rate trend, rates rise and fall along the way.

Factors driving a 2016 refi boom

Refinances aren't just about rates. They're also about income, asset, and property eligibility.

During previous post-crisis rate dips, many refinances were derailed because people owed more than their homes were worth, their income was down or disrupted, and lender guidelines were abnormally tight.

Now the U.S. economy is more supportive of refinances, with stable or increasing home prices, low unemployment of 4.9 percent, income trending up, low inflation helped by a steep drop in oil prices, and lender guidelines more flexible now than any other post-crisis rate dip.

Reasons to refinance

The most obvious reason to refinance is for a lower rate and monthly payment, but there are a few other refinance objectives to consider:

• Shorten your loan payoff period. For example, you could go from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan, which has lower rates and higher payments because you pay it off in half the time - but when rates dip, payments on 15-year loans become more feasible.
• Access cash. A "cash out" refinance allows you to access your home's equity for other financial objectives, such as retirement investing or funding home improvements.
• Consolidate debt. If you qualify, you can roll non-housing debt like student loans, credit cards, and car loans into a home refinance. This helps improve your credit score, and also converts that non-tax-deductible debt into tax-deductible debt.
• Eliminate mortgage insurance or a second mortgage. If you bought your home with less than 20 percent down using mortgage insurance or a second mortgage, and your home's value has increased to the point that you now have 20 percent equity, a refinance can eliminate mortgage insurance or a second mortgage.

Credit score impacts of rate shopping

Credit scoring models know people shop for mortgages, so more than one mortgage-related credit run won’t reduce your score if you finish shopping within 14 days.

Choose a lender early

A rate quote is based on a refinance closing within a certain number of days - typically 30-60 days - and longer rate locks have higher rates. So choose the lender you want to work with early, and get them all of your required documentation so they can perform on the shortest (and therefore cheapest) possible rate lock timeline.

Required documentation

Even if you refinance with a lender you've worked with before, federal laws require them to update your employment, income, asset, and debt documentation for a new loan.

Your home must qualify

In addition to you qualifying for the loan, your home must qualify, too. An appraisal report must prove your home is worth enough to make the refinance work, and lenders can require certain repairs prior to loan closing - like water-related damage or safety issues such as loose railings.

If you're a condo owner, the condo building will be subject to a list of requirements. Ask your lender to brief you on condo requirements in advance of locking your refinance.

Handling your second mortgage

If you have a second mortgage you intend to leave in place, the second mortgage holder must agree to the terms of the refinance before the refinance closes. This is required even if you have a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) with a zero balance. This can add time to the process, and, again, longer rate locks have higher rates.

Cost or no-cost refinance?

Refinance viability is all about how it takes monthly savings from a refinance to repay refinance closing costs ($2,000 to $4,000, depending on your market). But if you paid to refinance, then rates dropped more, you'd risk losing money.

So when rates are declining, you can choose to do a no-cost refinance. The rate will be slightly higher on a no-cost refinance, but then you're not wasting closing costs if you refinanced again soon after because rates dropped.

Your lender can help determine the best path based on your profile and rate market expectations.

When to lock your rate

Before locking a refinance, find a lender to pre-approve you using your full documentation and home value estimate so you can be sure you're being locked on a program and timeline the lender can perform on. And if your refinance pre-approval is ready to go, it's easier to lock rate lows on a moment's notice as rates bounce up and down on each trading day.

What to do if rates drop after you’ve locked your rate

Rates change daily, and if rates drop after you commit to your rate lock, lenders have renegotiation policies that enable you to capture part of that drop.

For example, if rates dropped .25 percent after your rate lock commitment, typical lender renegotiation policies would allow you to drop your locked rate by .125 percent.

Related:

• Is Refinancing Right for You?
• 4 Simple Strategies to Shave Years Off Your Mortgage
• Can Shopping Around for a Mortgage Keep You from Getting One?

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

from Zillow Porchlight | Real Estate News, Advice and Inspiration http://www.zillow.com/blog/2016-mortgage-refi-boom-192520/
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5 Steps to Ease Home-Buying Anxiety

Many consumers have misconceptions about what it takes to qualify for a mortgage. Most believe the requirements are tougher than they actually are, according to a recent Fannie Mae survey.

When asked about key mortgage qualification criteria (such as down payment percentage, credit score, and debt-to-income ratio), roughly half of consumers selected "don't know" or provided an invalid answer.

"This research suggests there are too many eligible home buyers sitting on the sidelines due to misperceptions or anxiety about being turned down for a loan," says Steve Deggendorf, director, business strategy for Fannie Mae's Economic & Strategic Research (ESR) Group.

To be sure you're ready to buy a home, and ease any anxiety you have about the process, Fannie Mae offers the following five suggestions.

1. Learn all you can about mortgages

Mortgages have changed a lot in recent years as lenders and investors make adjustments reflective of American households. For example, several adults in the household may be working and contributing to the household budget.

Fannie Mae's HomeReady mortgage lets lenders consider income from other household members when qualifying the borrower. Additionally, some buyers may qualify for zero-down options, including VA loans (guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) for veterans, service members, and surviving spouses, and U.S. Department of Agriculture loans for low- to middle-income borrowers in qualifying rural areas.

Use of both loan types is on the rise, according to the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey, especially among first-time buyers.

2. Talk to a professional

Don't know how to save or what your credit score is? No problem. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors counseling agencies nationwide that provide free or low-cost pre-purchase counseling to help you understand the terminology you'll hear from lenders and assess your own financial situation.

"Our job as home credit counselors is to demystify this crucial transaction by educating the people who come to us, so that when it comes time to buy a house, they know what questions to ask and what issues to look out for," says Rick Harper, a senior vice president at San Francisco's Consumer Credit Counseling Services.

3. Explore down payment assistance

Seventy percent of U.S. adults are unaware about down payment programs available for middle-income home buyers in their community, according to NeighborWorks America, a national nonprofit community development corporation based in Washington, D.C.

"I would argue that percentage is even higher," says Rob Chrane, president of Down Payment Resource. There are dozens of down payment assistance programs and homeowner education options in most areas, he notes. His organization maintains a database of programs you can search for free.

4. Compare mortgage quotes

Only one-third of home buyers shop around for a mortgage, according to ESR research - and that’s often at a later stage of the home-buying process, which means they could be missing out on saving money.

"As large and infrequent as the mortgage transaction is in most people's financial lives, borrowers may be leaving money on the table by not shopping around and negotiating for the best terms they can get," comments ESR's Sarah Shahdad. "Getting a better deal can help borrowers sustain their mortgage even in the case of unexpected increases in expenses, or decreases in income.”

5. Consider long-term costs

As any home buyer knows, there are costs you can anticipate: your monthly mortgage or homeowners association fees, for example.

There are also unexpected costs like paying for a new roof. Angie Hicks (of Angie's Lists) advises that homeowners set aside three to five percent of the value of their home every year to use for repairs and improvements. "You'll want to tuck that money away so you don't get stressed when something goes wrong - because things can, and will, go wrong," she says.

Related:

• What is a Mortgage?
• 5 Mortgage Misconceptions Set Straight
• The 4 Most Important Mortgage Documents You’ll Sign

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

from Zillow Porchlight | Real Estate News, Advice and Inspiration http://www.zillow.com/blog/ease-home-buying-anxiety-192511/
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Daisy Fuentes Asks $25,000 a Month for Her Malibu Retreat

There’s only so much beauty a person can take, and married life has Daisy Fuentes - the new Mrs. Richard Marx - taking a break from her seaside retreat in Malibu.

Although the model and ’90s MTV VJ posted photos of herself on the deck just last month, she’s now looking for renters to pay $25,000 a month for the 3,836-square-foot home on Las Flores Beach.

The living room, dining room, upstairs loft and master bedroom open onto decks overlooking the ocean, as does a rooftop lounge area.

Indoors, the 3-bedroom, 4-bath home is both cozy and spacious with vaulted, exposed-beam ceilings, French oak floors and hand-carved limestone fireplaces.

It’s easy to picture Fuentes and Marx cuddling up in the master suite, with its fireplace and spa bathroom with ocean views.

The rental listing agent is Mark Gruskin of the Westside Estate Agency.

Lest you worry that Fuentes is foregoing Pacific breezes, she and Marx appear to be nesting in his even bigger Malibu mansion at the moment. She also still owns the Hollywood Hills home she bought in 2005.

Related:

• Miley Cyrus Picks Up New Malibu Bungalow
• Oprah Drops $28.85M on Coastal California Horse Farm
• John Legend & Chrissy Teigen Nab New House for the New Year

from Zillow Porchlight | Real Estate News, Advice and Inspiration http://www.zillow.com/blog/daisy-fuentes-renting-malibu-home-192444/
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Prepare Your Home Now If You Plan to Sell It This Spring

Selling a home doesn’t happen overnight. To maximize your sale price, stand out from the competition and sell quickly, your home needs to go on the market in tip-top condition.

You only get one chance to make a good first impression in real estate. Once your home’s listing goes live, the days on market start ticking. In the Internet age, with access to so much information, buyers will punish a seller whose home has been on the market for many months.  If you can't make the effort to get your home in it's best condition, hold off on listing it.

Prepping the home rarely happens in one weekend. It takes time and thoughtful planning. If you intend to sell your home this spring, here are a few steps you need to take now.

Inspect

It may seem counterintuitive to spend money on a property inspection, but you need to know about your home's condition. If there are issues — big or small — you need to address, it is better to know about them early so you can either remedy them prior to going to market or account for them with a lower listing price.

The last thing you want is for the buyer to uncover flaws once they are under contract. You will get stuck paying more under those circumstances than it would cost you to address the issues now.

Stash

As you prepare to sell, think of your home as an investment and start to see it through the eyes of potential buyers and the market. When you’re trying to sell your home, the less-is-more approach applies.

Put away big furniture and personal items. Store or put away all the things you won’t be using until you move into your new home. In the kitchen, make space in the cabinets for items you will need to use daily, but will want to put away for showings.

Improve

It’s common for sellers to make cosmetic improvements before they list. Kitchens and bathrooms sell your home. Plan to have the bathroom grout cleaned and have some parts of the house painted to give it a fresh look.

Consider cleaning rugs, refinishing hardwood floors or painting kitchen cabinets. If you plan to list in the spring, you likely have a good local real estate agent on your side by now. Get their advice and ask for referrals to do the work. There are lots of inexpensive contractors who can help spruce up your home quickly.

Research

Today's buyers have research in their DNA and will investigate all they can. Check with your local building department and ensure there are no outstanding issues with your home.

Verify that property records reflect your home accurately, and prepare to remedy any discrepancy. Make sure your title report is clean, and talk about potential disclosure items with your agent. Banks won't lend if there are outstanding issues, and you don't want to jump through hoops at the eleventh hour. Researching now will keep you one step ahead of the buyers.

The sale of your home is likely one of your biggest financial transactions. Get a real estate agent on your team early, and make a list of all the tasks you need to complete before listing this spring. Now is the time to have those discussions. Smart planning and a good strategy will ensure a quick, painless and profitable home sale.

Related:

• Listing Photos: Your Home’s First Showing
• 5 Tips for First-Time Home Sellers
• 15 Words That Could Add Value to Your Listing

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

from Zillow Porchlight | Real Estate News, Advice and Inspiration http://www.zillow.com/blog/home-ready-to-sell-spring-169458/
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