Many homes fall flat against the beautiful foliage of fall. You want yours to be the pride of the neighborhood, catching the eye of everyone who passes by and being the envy of all your neighbors! Bringing a new, updated look to the outside of your home doesn't require expensive renovations or construction projects. Here are some tips for amping up your curb appeal this season!

Create a Blank Canvas

Indulge in a little fall cleaning and give yourself a clean slate to work with. Rake out those leaves and weeds and remove outdated planters or thingamabobs around your lawn and stoop. Now doesn't that feel better already?

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Plant Instant Color

You don't have to wait for your perennials to come back around, garden stores and even grocery stores are selling blooming beauties right now! Plant blooming flowers with a little mulch and water and you will have eye-catching curb appeal now that will come back next year. And if you're feeling exceptionally industrious consider planting bushes or trees. They will take a while to reach their full potential, but it's  a nice weekend project with a  lasting impact! Just make sure the bushes you choose do not grow above 3 or 4 feet for easier maintenance.

One-Can Miracle

You could go all out and paint your whole home, but if that's not already in your immediate plans then try painting a few key features on your home. Columns, eaves and shutters are quick and easy to paint. If you have a unique feature on your home you'd like to highlight, paint it a neutral but contrasting color. Or try a nice warm brown paired with a welcoming blue door, then hang a gorgeous wreath on it for good measure!

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Accessorize Sparingly

Now that your yard and stoop are all cleared and clean, re-imagine the image of your home. Put out 2 simple benches on either side of your door for a welcoming retreat. Place a few pumpkins, planters with flowers or fall themed décor for seasonal appeal. Change out those old house numbers for some new ones, they're affordable and add instant charm to your home. Think minimalist and colorful for classy, attractive curb appeal.

It doesn't take a lot of time - or effort - to maximize the attractiveness of the outside of your home and it will give you a wonderful sense of pride when you turn the key. A few splashes of paint and a dash of accessorizing will get you in the mood for fall in no time, and don't forget the welcome mat!

Beautiful Executive Home in St. Albans

Buying a home is a great way to improve your family's financial security. The main way this happens is through home equity. What is equity? The equity in your home is the difference between its market value and the balance on your mortgage. In other words, equity is the wealth built up in your home over time. If you could sell your home for $400,000 and the amount you owe on your mortgage is only $100,000, then your equity is $300,000.

Equity is built in three ways: down payment, mortgage payments, and market gains. Making a down payment is a reduction in your mortgage amount, giving you instant equity in your home.

Making house payments increases your equity as well, since every payment includes a portion for interest and a portion that reduces the amount of your loan amount (called the principal). Over time the amount of your payment that goes toward the principal increases and helps to build your equity even faster.

You also build equity as your home gains in value over time; this appreciation in market value can mean that you build equity simply by owning your home. Of course there are no guarantees that real estate values will continue to rise, but historically this has been the case. If your home is worth $250,000 and the market appreciates by 5% each year then after just two years you could add $25,000 in equity simply by living there.

Equity doesn't have to be an abstract concept; you can turn it into cash by applying for a home equity loan which uses the equity in your home as security and in many cases allows you to deduct the interest from your taxes, just as you do with your first mortgage.

Home equity loans are usually a cheaper source of funds than other types of credit (credit cards, for example) and can be an excellent way to pay for home renovation or to consolidate debt.

If you are considering buying a home, one of the first steps will be applying for a mortgage. Check out our Mortgage Application Checklist for tips on getting started. To apply for a mortgage or if you have questions about the entire process, we recommend contacting The Mortgage Guys at Spruce Mortgage. Visit them on the web at www.vermontmortgageguys.com.

Burlington Cape

Rest easy on your next vacation, knowing your house is in order--and ready for your return. If your home is on the market, you can follow these tips so Realtors can continue to show your property while you are away. These easy preparations will give you peace of mind so you can relax, enjoy your vacation, and have a smooth return. They may even land you a buyer while you're on vacation!

"It's hard to remember from trip to trip everything you need to do to get your house in order," says Laura Leist, certified professional organizer and owner of Eliminate Chaos, in Seattle. "Have a checklist of what needs to be done, and start planning a week or two in advance."

The below departure checklist will make it easier to get your home shipshape so you can enjoy a vacation free from worries. The return checklist will ease your transition back to the real world.

Prepare for Your Departure

1. Ready your pets: Give the pet sitter or boarding facility detailed care instructions. Make sure the one you choose has plenty of your pet's favorite foods, treats, toys, medicines and other supplies on hand.
2. Clean out the fridge: Throw away food that will expire while you're gone.
3. Tackle the laundry: Wash and put away laundry before you leave.
4. Prep your plants: Ask a friend or neighbor to water your plants, and be sure to leave multiple lists of all plants and their locations. Otherwise, invest in self-watering plant stakes.
5. Spray for bugs: Spray an insecticide in key areas so bugs will steer clear while you're gone.
6. Unplug and reset the thermostat: Temporality adjust the thermostat so the air-conditioner or heater won't waste energy by running in an empty house. Unplug unnecessary appliances in preparation for your absence.
7. Hold mail and newspapers: A call to your post office and news carrier will put your mail and newspapers on hold so they won't pile up in front of your house while you're gone.

Prepare for Your Return

1. Plan for your breakfast: Before you leave, stock your kitchen with cold cereal, coffee and a container of shelf-stable milk so your first meal back will be hassle free.
2. Keep the house smelling fresh: Plug in a scented gel warmer in your favorite fragrance, and you and prospective buyers be greeted by freshness when you open the door.
3. Change the sheets: Make up beds with fresh sheets for a welcoming first night.
4. Tidy the house: Sweep or vacuum floors; Do the dishes; Wipe down counters in the bathroom and kitchen with an all-purpose cleaner; Give toilets a quick clean.

In addition to creating a smooth transition back from your vacation, these steps will ensure that your house is in tip-top shape and ready to show while you are away. For more tips on how to prep your home to sell, check out Geri's Real Estate Tips.