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Does your home feel a bit outdated? Sometimes, a busy schedule can make DIY renovations seem daunting. Or your household budget may keep you from hiring a professional to do the job.

Fret not, because here’s a list of five quick and cost-effective ways to spruce up your place like a home renovation hero.

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Christmas-Lights-Safety-Tips-Holiday-Lights-on-Front-Door

For some, the holiday season starts the day after Halloween while others prefer to wait until they’ve carved into the Thanksgiving bird to decorate their home in red and green. Whether you’re an early bird or a week-of decorator, most homeowners can agree that hanging Christmas lights will be the most time-consuming task for the holidays and one of the most dangerous.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas lights cause 40% of Christmas tree fires, and overall decorations caused more than 15,000 injuries resulting in an emergency room visit with falls being the highest at 34%, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

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Are you getting ready to buy a home and get a place of your own in 2019? It’s natural to start considering your mortgage options now.

If you’re looking for a home and can afford the monthly payment, but you have limited savings built up, it’s extremely helpful to find a loan that requires no down payment. Many people are familiar with the fact that this is offered by VA loans, but there’s another loan option that offers this benefit without you having to be in service or a veteran.

The USDA loan offers the option to get into a home without a down payment. In addition, the costs associated with a USDA loan are often cheaper than an FHA loan for the same loan amount.

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7 Steps to a Festive Table Setting for Your Holiday Dinner

Who doesn’t love eating good food with good people? Maybe that’s why holiday dinners are a tradition in so many households.

Hosting these dinners, on the other hand, can be a little overwhelming, especially when it comes to deciding how you want the table to look. We’ve broken down the holiday table into seven easy steps, so you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time setting the table.

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Décor Tips for Decking Out Your Rental for the Holidays Holiday-Decorations

If you’re a renter, you might know the challenge of space when it comes to decorating for the holidays (or any decorating, for that matter). You also might live in a rental complex that has strict decorating policies – especially when it comes to the holidays.

If you’re short on space or maybe have strict rental guidelines of what you can and cannot use for holiday décor, we’ve got you covered for 10 ways to deck out your rental for the holidays without losing your safety deposit.

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Did you know that you can use Disable Veteran Grants for Home Remodel and Home Improvements.

VA has three main grant programs to assist disabled veterans and service members with necessary home modifications.

This article sets out 3 viable options for you to take advantage of.  We set out detailed pros and cons of each option below.

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Tips for Hiring a Painting Contractor

Certain home improvement projects absolutely require a professional. I cannot think of many homeowners who are ready to install their own HVAC, pour a foundation, or build an addition. Other projects, like painting, just seem to be begging for the do-it-yourselfer. After all, who isn’t capable of dabbing a brush in paint?

But painting is more difficult than it looks. So, it is with great pleasure that many DIY painters decide that it is now time to hire a painting contractor to take on the job. Let us find out what painting contractors do, how to hire them, and how to negotiate the best price for your painting job.

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imgConsider these different types of backyard storage ideas for your home. These storage solutions will transform your backyard into a space-saving wonder and keep your home from falling into disarray.

Space has risen to a prime value that people are looking outside the house for storage options. This is where the backyard space comes in handy. When you have plenty of stuff to battle with, a proper use of the backyard for storage ideas will give you the relief that you need.

To make the most of your backyard space, think about which of your belongings you wish to put out of sight. Consider the available space you can work with as well as weather conditions, type of maintenance you’re ready to deal with, and your backyard aesthetics. All these will help you narrow down your choices from the different types of backyard storage ideas that are available today.

 

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While not every home renovation works in the exact same order, you may want to follow a certain course to help avoid unnecessary work. For example, you don’t want to close walls and paint, only to realize you need to add a new plumbing stack that requires going behind the wall again.

Many renovation projects involve multiple steps. Here are 10 common steps to consider.

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