Buying your first home is exciting, but the price tag can cause major trepidation for even the most prepared homebuyer. Investing in a multi-unit property with a mother-in-law apartment or other rental unit can bring in additional income to help cover your mortgage and alleviate that financial anxiety. Here at DFW Properties, we recommend that you take the time to explore the benefits of investing in a...
Budget Friendly Ideas
Next to building a patio, one of the most popular backyard projects for many homeowners is growing their own vegetable garden. As more people are making conscious decisions to eat healthier, it's come as no surprise that at-home vegetable gardens are growing in popularity. A fully-functioning garden that houses a variety of different fruits and vegetables is a great way to encourage your family to eat...
If you’re like many Americans -- in particular, millennials who are just starting out on their own -- chances are high that your housing costs exceed what you can actually afford. According to federal guidelines, if you’re paying more than 30 percent of your pre-tax dollars on rent, you fall into the ranks of the cost-burdened. Here are some tips we’d like to offer from DFW Properties to make rent...
If your home often feels dim, or you find yourself groping the hallway for that hard-to-find light switch, you may want to consider how you can improve your lighting design. Below are several suggestions on behalf of DFW Properties: Plug it in: Add a plug-in nightlight to bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways to provide safe footing in the dark with no surprises. For a permanent installation, add an...
If you and your partner are planning a wedding and purchasing a home together, there are large expenses to take into consideration as you save up for both milestones. Couples are spending an average of $33,391 on their wedding, and first-time homebuyers are spending $18,000 on average for a home down payment ($10,512 with FHA loans). With the average engagement period of 14 months,...
Whether you live in an area with very little rainfall, want a low-maintenance garden, or simply forget to water frequently, it is possible to add lush greenery to your garden with minimal water maintenance. Here at DFW Properties, we wanted to present five great drought-tolerant plants ideal for Texas to park in your yard, listed below: Lavender: This popular purple plant grows quickly,...
Looking for a lush, gorgeous yard, but not happy about guzzling tons of water? The following tips from DFW Properties can help you keep your yard stunning and your water consumption low. Don't drown. The greatest waste of water comes from applying too much, too often; much of the water is never absorbed. Instead of watering for one long session, water a few times for shorter periods and take...
When knocking down walls to create more space isn't an option, there are still plenty of ways you can maximize a small bathroom space to make it look and feel larger than it really is. Here at DFW Properties, we wanted to present the following suggestions: Opt for monochromatic cabinetry. Whether you buy new or paint existing cabinets, make them blend in monochromatically in the lightest shade...
While jumping into a pool or lake this summer may help you cool off, your home is a whole different story. As many of us work to cool or homes, we unfortunately also spike our utility bills. Below are several tips from DFW Properties on how to limit energy use even on the hottest days. Clean the filter regularly. Dusty filters make your air conditioner work harder. Set your thermostat at 78...
While you might have some-day plans for redoing the kitchen or finishing the basement, while you’re waiting, you can chip away at smaller improvements around the house that are well within your budget, yet will make a big difference in your daily life. Plus, these projects can be done in a weekend and won’t cause a lot of mess and disruption. DFW Properties recommends the following: Paint a...