Nicholas Yount, REALTOR

A certain amount of stress from time to time is to be expected given the demands of work and family. However, the type of stress that is triggered by outside events beyond our control can be much more difficult to manage compared to everyday stressors. Here are a few strategies for staying calm when the world around you is anything but. Be more selective on social media.  While social media sites are an important way of staying informed, waking up to a news-feed of alarming news and extreme opinions can be unsettling to say the least. If scrolling through your social feeds changes your mood for the worse, unfollow accounts or block contacts that trigger negative emotions. Instead, try following positive-news sources, your favorite comedians, nature or animal accounts, or inspirational leaders. This will help give you a break from the current stress around you. Spread some good will.  One secret to reducing your own stress, is to be there for someone else. Sharing simple words ...

Your outdoor living space is one of the most important parts of the home. From breakfasts on the terrace to afternoons spent soaking up the sun to evenings under the stars, it’s the perfect spot to be any time of day. That’s why picking out the right furniture requires careful consideration to ensure your outdoor living area is stylish, functional and of course, comfortable for the entire family. Following are a few tips for a backyard gathering spot that checks all the boxes.  Choose the Location The first decision you’ll have to make is picking out the ideal spot for your seating area. Depending on certain factors, like ground surface or exposure to the elements, you can determine what sort of materials and fabrics are best suited for this space. Select Your Style  Before you go buying furniture, take the time to do research and find inspiration. If there’s a specific look or style that speaks to you, that can help to guide you and provide a sense of cohesion. For example, b...

There’s a smart version for just about everything these days. From washing machines to thermostats and home security systems, chances are you’re familiar with the vast majority of the latest home technology available. Yet, there are still plenty of lesser-known smart devices that you can bring into the house to make it more efficient and deliver peace of mind. Following are several such pieces of tech that anyone can appreciate. Smart Plugs With a smart plug, you’re able to turn anything that’s plugged into it on and off using your phone or voice commands. At first, you might ask why someone would ever need that. However, if you have an antique lamp, for example, that uses one of these plugs, you can essentially make it a smart lamp and take control of it from wherever you are. Smart Switches You’re probably already familiar with smart light bulbs, but another solution for remotely controlling the lights in your home is to install smart switches. With a smart switch, you don’t have to ...

A wooden deck can provide any home with a special outdoor gathering place that the whole family can enjoy. However, if you want one that’s going to look great and last a long time, it’s important that you choose the right wood for the job. Following are several high-quality options that can endure the elements while adding visual appeal to the exterior of your home.  Cedar Cedar is one of the most popular choices for decking and outdoor applications in general, because it’s naturally resistant to rot and insects. Those two qualities are, of course, integral for a deck and it also helps that cedar has a beautiful appearance with colors ranging from orange to light brown. Equally important, it’s considered to be very sustainable, which is sure to please the eco-conscious homeowner.  Cypress Don’t be fooled by the fact that cypress is a softwood, as it’s actually stronger than most hardwoods. Durable and long-lasting, it’s another excellent choice for a stunning deck that can sta...

It’s easy to get caught up in the latest interior design trends, especially when it comes to creating your dream kitchen. Color schemes and countertops are often the first things discussed, but it’s equally important to make it functional. After all, first and foremost, the kitchen is a workspace. If you’re looking to make some upgrades to the heart of your home, here are several features that will go a long way toward streamlining your cooking space.  Task Lighting Lighting plays a key role in setting the ambience in the kitchen, but task lighting, in particular, deserves careful consideration when designing. You’ll need sufficient light while slicing and dicing, measuring ingredients and checking to make sure your food is perfectly cooked. A combination of pendants and recessed lights that are placed directly above where you’ll be working is ideal for this. If you have an open concept kitchen that’s connected to the dining area, you’ll also want dimmers to set the mood while eati...

  If your family is growing and your kids need their own space, or if you want to give guests some privacy when they visit, you may be thinking about adding another bedroom. If local zoning laws would not allow you to build another floor, or if you don’t want to give up some space in the yard to construct an addition, converting the basement could be a good alternative.  Cost and Design Options  The cost to renovate your basement would depend on several factors, including its size, the types of changes you want to make and your location. Converting your basement to another bedroom could give you additional living space for less than what it would cost to build an addition.  If you put a bedroom in the basement, it could be a hassle for the person who slept there to walk upstairs to the bathroom. You might want to consider converting part of the basement to a full or half bathroom. Resale Value  Finishing the basement could increase your home’s value and could he...

State laws require sellers to disclose problems with a house to prospective buyers. If you are legally required to disclose an issue and you don’t, the deal may fall through or you may be sued after the buyer learns that you covered up the problem.  What are Sellers Required to Disclose? Laws on which facts sellers are required to disclose to potential buyers vary from state to state. In general, sellers must reveal information that could affect a home’s value. Some states require sellers to disclose a death that was not due to natural causes that occurred on the property. Others require disclosures about a death caused by the condition of the property. A variety of state laws require sellers to disclose nuisances, such as noise and odors. Depending on where you live, you may be required to reveal the presence of hazardous substances, lead paint, drainage problems, previous water damage, the risk of natural disasters, pests or paranormal activity.  If the house is missing any ...