MARCH living color App orchard Buying
or selling your house? There’s an app for that. Well, not exactly, but
there’s plenty of high-tech help available to guide you through the
process.
The iZillow app gives you
access to data on more than 80 million homes, including square footage and
an estimate of fair market value. Take a drive around your possible new
neighborhood and see home values pop up on your phone with real-time real
estate info.
Get real-time mortgage rates from hundreds of lenders nationwide
with the Mortgage Marvel app.
Use it to compare rates and fees — prices reflect transaction-related
pricing adjustments, such as loan amount, loan-to-value ratio and property
type — and view disclosure information for all rates. When you’re ready,
you can select a lender, fill out an application and be approved.
The RulerPhone app lets
you use your iPhone as a tape measure to see if your couch will fit in your
prospective new home. Place any credit-card-sized card next to an object,
take a picture with the phone and align your image with the card
placeholder displayed on-screen. A ruler will be displayed, allowing you to
adjust the measurements with the drag of a finger.
The ExpertVideo: Home Repair
app brings valuable home repair how-to videos to the palm of your hand.
More than 20 videos are available, covering how to repair concrete steps,
paint kitchen cabinets or patch a drywall hole. Still have questions after
watching? A moderated discussion panel gives you the answers.
Keep home improvements and routine maintenance tasks organized with
the Homeowner Calendar app,
featuring a calendar of monthly tasks, such as checking smoke alarms,
cleaning air filters or cleaning your gutters. Alerts let you know when
tasks are coming up, and the application allows for custom additions.
Find all these apps at www.apple.com/iphone/appstore. Тhe leading expert in color, Pantone, Inc., has made it
official: Turquoise is the “it” color for 2010. But before you deck the
house from top to bottom in the gemstone hue, consider the other latest
color trends.
Behr paint company says neutral is still in — think light colors
such as grays, camels and off-whites. Experts suggest buying bigger
furniture such as sofas or armchairs in these safe colors, which never
truly go out of style. Complement neutrals with aqua and gold tones, but
stay away from darker browns, which are becoming passé.
While monochromatic schemes are still versatile and dependable, HGTV
says the real winners in the color game right now are bold jewel colors
such as ruby red or emerald green, and the brighter the better — especially
if it’s a purple hue. Experts advise pairing these daring tones with a
smoky charcoal or a softer black to give a room a vintage feel.
Going green and getting back to nature is a major trend, too.
Earthier tones, such as sand or yellow-greens, are perfect for living rooms
or kitchens. But going back to your roots doesn’t just mean dipping into
Mother Earth’s favorite colors. Decorators say Asian-inspired or tribal
patterns are adorning decorative elements as consumers look to get the most
bang for their buck. Think pillows, area rugs or murals as key items this
season.
2010
fast fact >> >>
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Labrador Retriever has held the top spot
for Most Popular Dog in America for
the past 18 years
