Opening Doors Blog

The term “antique” is given to most items when they are at least 100 years old. The most valuable ones, ‘period antiques’ were made in the time the design originated either by the original or another cabinetmaker. Your valuable antique may be a family table and chairs you’ve inherited and want to preserve for future generations of the family to also enjoy. Custom-made furniture of any era, antique or not carried a high value. [...] Read More

Low-Interest Mortgages – T he purpose of the low-interest loan program is to preserve the existing housing stock and encourage neighborhood improvement efforts. The program provides home repair loans to low-income and moderate-income home owners at interest rates ranging from 0 to 5 percent depending on household income and family size. [...] Read More

Nothing can match the beauty of wood furniture and as centuries-old antiques prove, it can last for generations if properly cared for. The same goes for the wood framing on your mirrors and art. Water, rough handling and negligence are wood’s worst enemies. [...] Read More

Even if you are scrupulous about paying your bills, mistakes can crop up in your credit reports and lower your FICO score. A common mistake is for your credit report to list credit accounts that belong to a stranger or a relative with the same last name as yours. Resolved disputes with a creditor may still turn up on your record. [...] Read More

If you are having window treatments made for you then the supplier will measure the windows, determine the rods you need and install both rods and window treatments as part of the package. To do it yourself, first decide on the style and length if window treatment elements you want. You can install the rod just above and outside the width of the window frame to give the window the illusion of being larger or to maximize available light after the draperies or curtains are hung. [...] Read More

The government has not forced Fair Isaac to give consumers a free peek each year because Fair Isaac owns the method for determining FICO scores. You will have to buy a report. To buy your FICO score you have to go online to www.myfico.com. [...] Read More

Most of the fabrics used for window treatments are 54 inches wide. Sheers and laces however come in 180 inches, making full and seamless curtains possible. The selection of fabrics is enormous, from humble muslins to opulent lames. [...] Read More

FHA loans are a popular choice for home buyers, although the program isn’t reserved only for first-time buyers. A wholly owned government corporation, the FHA has been around since 1934, with the goal of improving housing standards and conditions and providing adequate home financing through insurance of mortgages. Its loans feature reduced down-payment standards, lower mortgage insurance charges, and an approval process that’s more relaxed than conventional mortgage loans. [...] Read More

Curtains diffuse light and give privacy. Draperies dress up windows or offer privacy, darkness, and insulation. Traditional lengths for both are to the top of the window sill, to the bottom of the apron, or the floor. Both can be stationary or can be designed to open and close on a traverse rod. [...] Read More

Just how much home you can afford relies on two factors: how much money you can borrow and how much down payment you have available to put down on the home. Thanks to the internet, you no longer have to sit down with a lender to get an idea of what you can afford as there are several online resources where buyers can key in a few numbers and get an estimate of how much home they can afford. [...] Read More