San Francisco Real Estate - Janice Lee

Tips on Hanging a Mirror Over Furniture Mirrors reflect light and make a room feel larger, and when hung above furniture they act as stunning yet simple wall decor. Focus on size, shape and the style of the frame when selecting a mirror for your space. While brightly colored artwork doesn’t fit everyone’s taste, a decorative framed mirror adds depth and color without overpowering existing design elements. Choose a frame style and color that coordinate with the furniture below; a simple wood-framed mirror in turquoise brightens an espresso stained shaker-style dresser, while an ornate metal frame in tarnished gold coordinates beautifully with a Victorian-style sofa. The Importance of Width Balance is essential in interior design, and an oversized mirror hung above a narrow lingerie chest throws the entire room off. The mirror should be two-thirds or three-quarters the width of the furniture below it to create visual balance; however, feel free to go wider, up to the width of th...

How to Refinance a First Mortgage & Pay Down a Second During a refinance transaction, you may be able to obtain a first mortgage that enables you to pay down your second mortgage at the same time. Sufficient equity in your home will be required to refinance your existing first mortgage and to facilitate the funds toward paying down your second mortgage. Your loan officer will determine the amount that you're qualified to borrow. The maximum loan amount will be based on your income and the equity within your home. 1)   Order your consumer credit report. View the loan payment history for your first and second mortgages, as well as for your other revolving and installment accounts. Timely payments on your mortgages and other debts could increase your ability to receive favorable refinancing terms. Report discrepancies or disputes to the respective credit bureaus. Ensuring the accuracy of your credit history could position you to obtain more attractive loan terms. 2) ...

How to Buy a House for Beginners   Unless you have a couple hundred thousand dollars or more to spend, you can’t just plunk down cash and buy a home. Instead, you need to go through a process that takes you from getting loan approval to sitting down at the closing table. This can be overwhelming, but if you break the procedure down into steps and take your time, you can be a homeowner one day, living the American dream.   Tip Buying a house is not only an emotional experience, but a financial commitment as well. Understanding the process and costs involved will make the experience easier for first time buyers. Determine Whether You Are Ready to Buy In your market, a mortgage payment might be about the same or maybe even less than your rent payment. Tack onto the mortgage additional funds for taxes, insurance and in certain instances, homeowner's association dues. A quick calculation is that the total cost should be about 1 percent of the purchase price. Save...

Will I be happy in a condo? If you've been house shopping, especially in an urban area, you've likely wondered if you should opt for a condo. And why not? Condos offer homebuyers affordability and convenience. Condos are essentially the medium between an apartment and a house. But living in one can drive you insane if you're not cut out for communal living. You've got to weigh the pros and cons before you take the plunge and purchase one. Wondering if you'd be happy in a condo? Answering these 9 questions will tell you: Question 1. How much free time and extra cash did you have last week? Owning a home leads to chores ranging from lawn care to roof repair. In a condo, the association pays someone to handle those chores. That's why it collects a monthly condo fee. "If you realize you have no business spending your nonexistent free time mowing your lawn, shoveling snow out of your driveway and scooping disgusting muck out of your gutter...

How to Redecorate Your Bedroom on a Tight Budget If you're tired of the same old look in your bedroom, there's a good chance you've thought about redecorating. Completely revamping a room can be an expensive undertaking, especially if going for a designer look similar to those featured in a magazine. Rather than shopping at high-end stores to create your ideal decor, whip up your own "thrifty chic" makeover using repurposed or inexpensive materials from salvage shops, craft stores and home improvement retailers. Wall Paint Repainting a bedroom is one way to give the entire space a fresh look, even without replacing any of the belongings within the room. Some designer paint brands are quite expensive, especially if you wish to paint the entire room one color. Instead, check your local paint or home improvement store for a "mistint" section. Many retailers sell paint that was not quite the right shade for another customer at a fraction of what t...

What to Know About Residential Recessed Lighting   Whether you're planning to illuminate your basement or brighten your front porch, recessed lighting provides a stylish and practical lighting solution for the home. However, before you dash out to pick up a set of lights, there are a few things you'll have to take into consideration to make the best choice for your lighting needs -- and to avoid burning down the house. Insulated or Non-Insulated If a recessed light begins to overheat, you face a serious risk of fire. Standard recessed lights, labelled Non-IC rated, require a space that is free from any form of insulation. You'll also need at least 8 inches of height in the joists above the ceiling to accommodate a standard size light enclosure. While these requirements are fine in some situations, such as when you're adding recessed lighting to a non-insulated basement ceiling, a problem arises when the ceiling requires insulation, such as in the attic direct...