Eclectic Homes

Assessing for Renting a Home Through HUD

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides two primary programs designed to provide affordable rental housing to low-income households. HUD’s public housing and Section 8 programs use federal subsidies to attain this objective. Through Section 8, HUD pays private market landlords that the portion of a low income household’s rent that exceeds 30 percent of its income. Rents in public housing units are set at rates that are affordable to households earning considerably less than their area’s median. Citizenship/Immigration Status HUD’s Section 8 and public housing programs require that applicants become U.S. citizens or hold an”eligible immigration status,” in accordance with the program’s websites. Eligible immigration status incorporates resident aliens, who are generally called”green card holders” Income Income is the principal eligibility consideration for public housing and Section 8. Public housing residents cannot make over 80 percent of their area’s median income. The cutoff for Section 8 qualification…

Eclectic Homes

How Do I Refinance a Home Through the HUD Program?

The Home Affordable Refinance Program is a government program for assisting homeowners refinance their mortgages. HARP won’t lower your principal, but it might reduce your payments by giving you a better interest rate. In case you have an adjustable-rate mortgage, HARP may lower your current payments, however refinancing to a fixed speed can stop future increases you might not be able to afford. The program is set to expire on June 10, 2011. Assess your eligibility for HARP. You may be entitled to the program, according to the Making Home Affordable website, if you own and reside in a one- to four-unit house; your mortgage has been possessed or guaranteed by the federally backed corporations Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; you’re current on your mortgage payments; the amount you owe on your first mortgage does not exceed 125 percent of the present value of your home; and you are able…

Budgeting Your Project

What Is Personal Mortgage Insurance?

Personal mortgage insurance, or PMI, is insurance which borrowers must have when they buy a house with less than 20 percent down. The PMI protects the lender in the event the borrower walks from the home. Both conventional and Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, guaranteed loans require PMI insurance. This insurance is usually folded into the house payment. History The first banks in the United States to provide personal mortgage insurance started from the early 1900s and they not only offered the insurance, but in addition they made mortgage loans. It was not until after the 1930s that personal mortgage insurance become widespread in response to significant losses after the Great Depression in the 1930s. Significance The personal mortgage insurance protects the creditors from mortgage defaults. Lenders buy insurance to protect them from 80 percent of reduction from defaults, and also the PMI provides protection for the remaining 20 percent,…

Decorating Guides

Eye-Catching Colors for Your Kitchen Floor

We’ve already made the case for placing bold color in your ceiling. Now let’s focus downward, on the ground, as a canvas for injecting fun color into a room. This is a superb option for those who have an unsightly hardwood flooring that they either can not or do not wish to refinish. It is also pocket friendly in case you’ve got the skills and desire to paint the floor yourself. Moroso Construction This bright, happy green floor adds so much life and character to this mild, white kitchen. It is a fantastic choice for a space. Jennifer Ott Design Get a similar appearance with Snow Cone Green from Benjamin Moore. E/L STUDIO If you want a subtler wash of color in your wood flooring, then consider using a stain in an interesting colour, such as the watery greenish-blue used here. Jennifer Ott Design Get a similar appearance with Antique…

Decorating Guides

Get Gorgeous Art Deco Furniture for Less

In Richard Fishman’s shop, Art Deco Collection, the largely European art deco merchandise attracted place artists in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, who came to the showroom at San Francisco shopping for pieces to use to the show. European art deco furniture is glistening, of high quality and more expensive — think $8,000 and up. Even though Hollywood usually has deep pockets, not everyone does. If you are a fan of the design and want an art deco piece for the living space, we have a few tips about the best way to save money. Before we begin, I want to share Fishman’s easy explanation of the growth of 20th century design, because it made it rather clear for me what art deco is and isn’t. Here is what he says: Think of a curlicue that, over the years of the 20th century, gradually straightened before it dropped the curve…

Decorating Guides

Get Your Edge On: 11 Suggestions for Style in the Fast Lane

Let us go back to 1978. Remember in the film Grease when Olivia Newton-John amazed John Travolta with her edgy appearance? Which detail helped her pull it off? Was it the black leather jacket with its red liner, her teased hair or the crimson lipstick? What made her appearance edgy? I frequently think about details like this when I place rooms together. In the most traditional spaces, I like to throw in surprise. Edgy touches keep a space from looking too predictable and stodgy. They often happen when we bend the rules so slightly. Sometimes there are existing details in a space which may be highlighted. Other times, there are little touches which may be added. Obviously, the ideal blend is perfect — not too far, just a touch will do. If you have a little Sandy on your character, here are some ideas that will assist you pull off…

Eclectic Homes

Guest Picks: A Bicycle Built for Summer

Bicycle accessories scream summer, so why don’t you look for this silent mode of transport for decorating inspiration this year? These 18 elite bicycle-themed goods are guaranteed to be pleased additions to a summery abode. — Rachel from Raenovate Zazzle Original Old-school Bike Pillow – $63.95 Summertime is all about whimsy, and Zazzle’s first old-school bicycle pillow is perfect. Etsy Bike All by Board by Design – $270 Made for the city dweller, this easy-mount bicycle rack in walnut is stylish, space saving as well as flexible. Poketo Hanako Clulow Mouse Pad – $8 Hanako Clulow’s illustration of bicycling bears is guaranteed to brighten up any home office. Grandin Road Bicycle Mat – $39 Here’s a different mat to keep your home fresh and fashionable (and keep dirt at bay). Paper Source Motorcycle Lunchskins – $13.95 These reusable snack bags are easy to wash dishwasher safe, toxin-free and not to…

Eclectic Homes

Guest Picks: The Bunny Hop

I have many favorite bunny books I like to read during the year, especially in the spring as Easter approaches. Inspired by my favorite novels, I’ve collected some bunny-themed kids’ décor items which would be beautiful in any home. — Vanessa From Terrible Eagle Books Etsy Woodland Bunny Forest Animal Bookend From Graphic Spaces – $80 The bunny is holding up the novels with his ear — I really like this for a kid’s room! Etsy Nursery Goodnight Art Whimsical Deer And Baby Bunny by PesceRosso – $30 A whimsical deer and infant rabbit picture would be beautiful in a nursery. I love the delicate lines and soft colors. The Land of Nod The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by Du Bose Heyward – $15 This is a timeless Easter rabbit read. My family loves this publication. Etsy Bunny Rabbit, Solid Brass Paperweight by Buffalo Winter – $22…

Color

13 Spectacular Exterior Paint Makeovers by ers

Oh, ers, you are the best. I requested you to share your dramatic paint makeovers, and also the last time I checked you had left over 150 comments plus before and after shots. From Victorian gingerbread houses to midcentury modern gems, new paint colors make a house look new. Watch what fellow ers have accomplished with paint on the exteriors of their homes. BEFORE: uservita76’s 1910 Victorian is full of charm but was looking somewhat tired. AFTER:A lovely periwinkle blue and also a small landscape cleanup series off the porch. “This is Benjamin Moore paint,” vita76 says. “The white trimming is White Dove, the black trimming is Eclipse the door is Eggplant and the main body colour is a mixture of two colors; one is Solitude, and another I don’t remember.” BEFORE: user summilux and his wife substituted these present colors to let the house sit in its own landscape…

Saving Water

Just how Quarts of Oil Are Needed at a Riding Mower?

A riding lawn mower cuts back on the of labour required to keep your yard looking neat. Adding the right amount of oil is crucial to keep it functioning at peak performance and to prevent internal damage. Oil can cause coating and smoking the plugs, which makes to start, while not oil leaves engine components leading to replacement and wear. Number of Quarts The amount of quarts of oil to grow your riding lawnmower varies depending on engine size and the mower brand. The bigger the motor, the more oil it takes. For example, the Cub Cadet model LT1042 includes a 19 horsepower motor which needs just over 1.5 quarts of petroleum, whereas the Cub Cadet model LT1050 includes a 26 HP motor which needs a little bit more than two quarts of oil to fill the crankcase. The smaller John Deere D100 model takes right at 1.5 quarts of…