Month: March 2019

(BPT) – The holidays, the big game, New Year’s and everything in between: At this time of year there are plenty of reasons to invite family and friends to your home to entertain. In addition, there are also plenty of times – particularly on cold winter nights – when you just want to have a place you can go to get cozy, play a video game or watch a movie in peace.

Either can be an appealing option, but do you have an entertaining space that fits the bill? One where you want to spend your free time?

If the thought of your entertaining space has you sadly shaking your head no, the good news is there’s no reason you have to settle for a less-than-ideal solution. Like the events you use it for, your space can change as needed. To help you make the most of your space for all of the group and individual events you have planned, follow these tips.

Continue reading “4 Ways to Recreate Your Entertaining Space”

(BPT) – As seasons turn, your focus begins to shift to the outdoors. Your deck or patio becomes your new living room – an ideal setting for memorable moments with friends and family. If you look at these spaces and long for a refresh, the time to start planning is now. You have options, and many you can do yourself with minimal effort.

To start, if you don’t have a deck or patio, research materials carefully before making an investment. One prevalent building trend involves making the smart choice toward natural, environmentally friendly materials that will never end up in landfills. As such, more homeowners are choosing Real Cedar because it is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects. It’s low-maintenance and easy to work with, being durable yet lightweight, laying straight and taking fasteners easily. Plus, nothing looks, feels or smells quite like cedar.

To refresh your deck with style and functionality, consider these five trending outdoor-living projects:

Continue reading “5 Smart Ideas To Refresh Your Deck”

(BPT) – Sponsored ad content from Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc.

Buying a new home is an exciting milestone. While finding the right home is essential, the most important step toward homeownership is making sure you’re ready to apply for a home loan.

Applying for a mortgage is not something people do every day, so it’s natural to have questions. There are several factors that help determine a loan decision, along with strategies you can follow to help position yourself for the best loan at the best rates.

Angela Patterson, Vanderbilt Mortgage director of Credit and Credit Services, explains the three factors that have the biggest influence on any loan decision.

Continue reading “Real Estate Financing: The 3 main Factors Lenders Consider”

(BPT) – Segmental retaining wall (SRW) units are one of the most versatile landscaping tools in the homeowner’s and professional landscaper’s toolbox. Retaining wall units have evolved from just being used to retain soil, transition slopes and prevent erosion. Today’s SRWs can do all that plus serve as multipurpose building blocks for a variety of outdoor-living features, including stairs, columns, freestanding walls, tiered walls, curved walls, seating and more Continue reading “Retaining Walls To the Rescue”