Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Build a Fabulous treehouse DIY

Summer DIY How to build a tree house
If you have children, no home is complete without a treehouse. Besides the fact that treehouses provide kids with hours of entertainment, they can also confer ancillary benefits that are hard to quantify. For starters, treehouses can improve property values by boosting curb appeal. When building any type of treehouse, keep the following tips in mind.

Location, Location, Location

Before you head off to Home Depot and get all the necessary supplies, you need to spend some serious time storyboarding the build process. Pick a tree with low, sprawling branches such as an oak or a maple. Furthermore, consider issues like wind, shade and privacy before you start to nail up supports.

Choose Your Materials Wisely

A treehouse built with subpar materials will fall short in the longevity department and disappoint the kids. Pick out stout oak 4x4 posts for the structural elements and top them off with pressure-treated pine for the floors and railings. Use quality plywood for the interior walls and seal it to avoid rot.

Make Multi-Use Your Mantra
Treehouses that are simply shacks suspended above ground will quickly bore youngsters no matter how well-built they may be. Incorporate elements such as swings, rope ladders and even zip-lines to get more from your treehouse. As long as you're putting in the effort, you might as well add all of the bells and whistles.

Bake Safety Into the Recipe
You don't want the kids to get hurt when they're frolicking among the branches. Make sure to bolt handles and permanent rails into the truck so that adolescents are less likely to slip and fall. If you want to go all out, add a few safety nets around the edges.

Heed Aesthetics When Designing
An unadorned treehouse quickly turns into an eyesore over time as it's battered by the elements. Shingle the roof and paint the exterior walls so that they match your home. Kids will naturally gravitate towards a treehouse that looks appealing and your neighbors won't complain about a shoddy structure in your weeping willow.

It's More Than a Treehouse
 While many young kids will no doubt love a full-featured treehouse, it's usually the improvement in home value that will appeal to adults.

If you decides to buy a home with a fabulous tree or a tree house already go to GreatDCMetrohomes.org to search. If you're interested in learning more about homes for sale in your area go to GreatDCMetroHomes.org to search VA, DC, and MD areas.

Monday, July 13, 2015

Washington DC Open Doors Down Payment Assistance Program for District of Columbia

Do you like to Make or Save Money? Do you currently live in or plan to move to Washington D.C., District of Columbia?
If the answer is yes and you make under $123,395 you may 
be able to qualify for Home Buying Down Payment assistance.
 This is basically like finding FREE Money !!!!! DC Open Doors
Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAL)  is your answer.
This program and funding is available to both first time home buyers and repeat home buyers.  DCHFA defines, “First time home buyer’ means you have not owned your primary residence for the last 3 years. If you currently own your primary residence, you can still apply for $0 Down. Your current home must be sold and settled prior to closing on your $0 Down home.
According to DCHFA, "They know your biggest obstacle to a home purchase can be the required minimum down payment so DC Open Doors offers down payment assistance loans (DPAL) that bridge the financial gap between the purchase price of your home and your first trust mortgage loan. If you qualify, you can obtain a DPAL for the full amount of your required minimum down payment, substantially reducing your upfront out-of-pocket expense! See the two examples below."
Currently, DC Open Doors offers its DPAL at a 0% interest rate and it is non-amortizing so you are not required to make monthly payments on it. The loan is only repayable if you sell or refinance your home, or if you no longer occupy it as your primary residence.
Home Buyers Marketing II, Inc offers real estate brokerage Services in DC, MD and VA but is not affiliated with the DC Housing Finance Agency.  This program requires a Home Ownership education class contact me to register for a class djoneshomes@gmail.com.
For more info and to search homes contact DeAndrea Dee Dee Jones thru GreatDCMetroHomes.org