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Getting Started in Real Estate!
A Single’s Game of Real Estate (Getting started in your twenties) By Dan Auito This discussion leans toward answering questions asked most often by our youthful men and women in there early twenties. They often begin to ask themselves the question, ...

How To Become A Successful Real Estate Developer
Real estate investment and development has never been a more popular pastime or career changing challenge; if you would like to learn seven secrets for consistently successful real estate investing through development or you would like to know how you can ...

Was That House A Good Investment? The Answer May Not Be So Obvious
I get asked all the time about housing as an investment, and as I talk with people it is amazing how differently people look at it. Forget investment property for the moment and consider how we should evaluate the investment performance of our own homes. ...


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Tips on Budget Decorating
 

Home decorating on a budget is the ultimate adventure in decorating. It requires a little bit of planning, creativity, and patience. If you are like me, sometimes you wish you could be a genie and wiggle your nose and **poof** it's done. However, that takes away from all the fun! Follow these tips and you'll have a home that looks like a page out of your favorite magazine!


*Visit Furniture Showrooms


Make notes of styles of furniture you like. Also, take note of colors and fabrics that create a "warm" feeling inside of you. By visiting showrooms you can get an idea of the new trends and styles.


*Browse Through Decorating Magazines


Magazines are a source of inspirational ideas. Create a scrapbook of magazine clippings and refer to your book when shopping for your home.


*Shop Second-Hand Stores


One person's trash is another person's treasure can never be so true. One place to look is the classifieds in your local newspaper. I have found great deals on furniture in thrift stores and auctions. Don't worry if an item is not in the best of shape. A coat of paint will work wonders for some furniture. Slipcovers can update an old couch or chair.


*Color! Color! Color!


To create a dramatic, inexpensive change to your home, paint the walls a new color or buy new curtains. Keep in mind the moods that colors can create.


*Create Your Own Art


For me, one of the best parts of decorating is creating my


own original works of art to hang on the walls. It could be as simple as collecting leaves when they have turned colors and creating a picture collage. A nice frame makes any work of art look classy. Take a drawing, photography or painting class at your local community college. Gain inspiration by browsing through art books at your local library or bookstore. If you're into black and white photos, but do not want to pay the high price for this type of art, buy a book or calendar of your favorite photographer and frame the pictures.


*Shop Discount Stores


Thank God for discount stores! This place will save you a ton of money on accessories. You will find little treasures such as candle holders, candles, potpourri, and knick knacks for very little money. Who will ever know?


*Be Patient!


Take your time and shop during sales. Decorating should be fun. Remember, Rome was not built in a day!






Maria Palma is a writer, painter, jewelry designer, interior decorator, and real estate consultant based in San Diego, California. She received her degree in Psychology from California State University, Chico, but realized that she wanted to pursue her artistic passions. She has two websites: Salon de Maria (http://www.salondemaria.info), which showcases her art, and Home Solutions (http://www.homesolutionssandiego.com), a resource for real estate and home decorating in the San Diego area.





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Jill on Money: Real estate, munis, life insurance
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Commercial real estate services expanding in US
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Real estate spotlight, May 25, 2012
Seattle Post Intelligencer
By AUBREY COHEN, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF Is your dream to live on Lake Washington? How about in this home, 8750 Sand Point Way NE, listed for $3.395 million? The 6200-square-foot house has five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, including a master suite with a ...