AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Wall Murals in Homes: Take 'Em or Leave 'Em?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/11/06/wall-murals-in-homes-take-em-or-leave-em/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/11/06/wall-murals-in-homes-take-em-or-leave-em/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/11/06/wall-murals-in-homes-take-em-or-leave-em/#commentsFiled under: ,,

wall murals in homesEver since caveman days, humans have longed to decorate bare walls with their own paintings. However, wall decor commemorating an exceptional antelope hunt no longer pleases modern interior designers, but is it a better alternative to stark, white walls?

Murals and frescoes appear less frequently today than they did in ancient Greece, but they definitely make a home stand out. Those included in the collection below are hand painted, but there are plenty of other options that offer a similar look. Wallpaper murals allow photos to be blown up to cover entire walls or ceilings. There are dozens of sites peddling inexpensive wall decals to add color to a home's interior. Your home may even have its own mural hiding somewhere behind a layer of wallpaper or a false wall. Check out some murals from these Estately listings:

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See more on Estately.com:
Why Aren't More Homes Hurricane-Proof?
Is the Economy Commanding You to Remodel Your Kitchen?
A Woman's Place is in Her Own Ma'am Cave

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]]>hand painted home decormuralistsmuralswall decalswall muralswall murals in homeswall murals listingswall paintingsEstately.com2012-11-06T17:48:00 00:00With Housing Recovering, Perfect Time for a Kitchen Remodel?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/10/25/with-housing-recovering-perfect-time-for-a-kitchen-remodel/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/10/25/with-housing-recovering-perfect-time-for-a-kitchen-remodel/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/10/25/with-housing-recovering-perfect-time-for-a-kitchen-remodel/#comments kitchen renovation

By Ryan Nickum

The past few months have shown plenty of signs the housing market is recovering, but it's interesting to note the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University says spending on home remodeling projects will accelerate as well.

"Strong growth in sales of existing homes and housing starts, coupled with historically low financing costs, have typically been associated with an upturn in home remodeling activity some months later," said Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center. "This combination is expected to produce a favorable outlook for home improvement spending over the coming months."

Not only is this good news for the economy, it's great news for those with outdated kitchen cabinets, subpar appliances and linoleum floors. Consider this news your green light to finally upgrade your kitchen.

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Consider the Costs

When determining whether to remodel your kitchen, make sure you're scaling it to your budget and your available time. There's nothing fun about a partially completed remodel because you ran out of time or money, unless you're looking for an excuse to microwave Hot Pockets for all your meals.

If you choose to embark on this home improvement project, take heart in the fact that many experts say a modest kitchen remodel offers a higher level of return on investment than most other home improvement projects, especially if you do the work yourself. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll end up making that money back. According to Remodeling Magazine's 2011-2022 Cost vs. Value Report, a kitchen remodel has an average of 65.7-72.1% return on investment when you sell your home.

If the increased popularity of cooking programs and home improvement television shows is any indicator, the kitchen is rapidly becoming the focal point of not only homebuyers, but also homeowners. It seems an increasing number of homes hitting the market have more cash sunk into the kitchen than other rooms in the house. From expensive countertops and industrial stoves to spacious kitchen islands and farmhouse sinks, Americans are committed to maximizing their kitchen space.

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Get Inspired

While American homes are awash in stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, there are plenty of other options out there. If you're looking for inspiration, the internet is a treasure trove of inspiring kitchens. Pinterest is a great source for photos of dream kitchens and innovative designs to get your creativity flowing. Members tend to repost identical photos, but with thousands of new members joining each day it's a great source for ideas.

Online real estate listings are another great way to see firsthand how other people have made made the most of their kitchen. Unlike the staged photos you'll see in design magazines, these listing photos show the kitchens of actual people like yourself. It's a simple way to virtually tour thousands of kitchens around the country, which is helpful because styles tend to vary by region. Compare the edgier, modern kitchens in Los Angeles and Miami with more traditional kitchens in Atlanta or Washington, D.C. Or check out beach houses in the Hamptons or ranch homes in Austin, Texas.

For more rustic kitchens, look for areas outside major urban areas and play around with the keyword search by typing in "farmhouse" or "country." For more modern styling, try keywords like "chef's kitchen" or "contemporary kitchen."

There's a lot of decisions to make before starting on a kitchen remodel, especially the budget and the scope of the project. Starting with firm plans and a concrete budget will keep the project from running away with itself. Whether it's just a general update or a full-blown remodel, it's important to have the paramaters firmly set.

Cosmetic changes like paint colors, cabinet doors or countertops are far simpler and cheaper than redoing the floors or replacing appliances. Be sure to consider storage options, how much counter space you'll need for prep and appliances, and other variables that will affect usability. It's tempting to go with the latest trends, but those often end up looking dated the fastest. It's hardly worth the effort if you end up with a kitchen identical to everyone else on the block.

For those who've put off home improvement projects like a kitchen remodel because of the recession, key economic indicators are saying the time is right to start them now. On the other hand, sometimes it's easier to change houses than to update an existing one.

See more on Estately.com:
This Lame Reality TV Show Aims to Destroy Silicon Valley
Movin' On Up: The Hilary Swank Housing Story
A Woman's Place is in Her Own Ma'am Cave

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Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
Find homes for sale in your area.
Find foreclosures in your area.
See celebrity real estate.

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]]>home improvementhome remodelinghome renovationhousing recoverykitchen remodelkitchen renovationEstately.com2012-10-25T18:00:00 00:00How Obama, Romney Really Compare on Housinghttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/10/04/how-obama-romney-really-compare-on-housing/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/10/04/how-obama-romney-really-compare-on-housing/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2012/10/04/how-obama-romney-really-compare-on-housing/#commentsFiled under: ,

By Estately.com

With the presidential candidates squaring off to discuss a variety of issues, including housing, we here at Estately thought we'd compare the housing of the two men who long to make the White House home for the next four years. Comparing President Obama's Chicago home with the five homes that Gov. Romney has owned within the past few years, we discovered that both men have no shortage of spare rooms and upscale amenities. Which candidate has the better housing situation is a matter of opinion, as is which candidate can best lead us out of this economic malaise.



Courtesy of: Estately Real Estate Search.

See also:
Romney's and Obama's Housing Policies
Election 2012: Will It Affect Your Decision to Buy a Home?
Barack Obama's and Mitt Romney's Homes

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Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
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]]>barack obamabarack obama homehousingmitt romneymitt romney homeobamaobama romney comparisonobama romney house comparisonobama romney housingpresidential homesromneyromney+obama+comparisonromneyobamacomparisonEstately.com2012-10-04T09:00:00 00:00