Opening Doors Blog

Home decorating and sewing centers sell kits with everything you need but the fabric to make a custom window shade. Select a lightweight fabric such as cotton, cotton blend or linen that can take a hot iron setting which you will need for bonding the fabric to the shade. Follow manufacturer's directions to laminate your fabric to the non-woven base. Some shade-resurfacing kits use spray adhesive to bond the fabric to the base. [...] Read More

Veterans Administration (VA) loans are available to qualified veterans, reservists and active servicemen and women. These loans allow you to secure a mortgage up to a specified amount with no down payment and with flexible qualifying guidelines. The loans typically offer lower interest rates than you would find on any other mortgage. [...] Read More

The unassuming roller shade can range widely in price depending on the materials used. Paper, vinyl and sized or laminated fabric are just a few of the choices. Some shades have perforated surfaces which allow in some light but block out harmful ultraviolet sun rays. [...] Read More

A starter home is a small, inexpensive home suitable for first-time home buyers. The home may be in move-in condition or it may need some tender loving care to make it livable. Either way, these are generally single-family homes that are considered good starting point for families or individuals purchasing their first home. [...] Read More

Welcome to one of the most controversial areas of mortgage lending these days. These loans are the scary spawn of the boom in housing prices and they are being pushed hard by mortgage lenders. Many borrowers unfortunately don't understand the risks that loom down the road when they must start paying back the principal or refinance to another mortgage. [...] Read More

For an "inside mount," measure the width inside the frame from jamb to jamb, measure the length from the top of the upper sash to the bottom of the lower sash. For an "outside mount," include the left and right frame sides in the width and the frame top to sill for the length. Usually installation will be within the window's frame unless enough darkness cannot be achieved. [...] Read More

Adam and Chris from Opening Doors walk you through a new rehab project set to get underway. This project is in need of extensive exterior, electrical, plumbing and cosmetic renovation. [...] Read More

Dress your windows to complement the styles of your home and also to allow for the sunlight and privacy you need. Learn to keep them clean and operating smoothly. Window treatments can be a calm backdrop for colorful furnishings or a bold design statement behind simple furniture. [...] Read More

Closing costs are very straightforward but there are certain ways that you can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. You can ask the home seller to cover some of the costs, for example, since lenders allow the seller to credit the buyer up to 5 percent of the purchase price for nonrecurring closing costs. These are costs that are paid on a onetime basis such as escrow, title and transfer fees. [...] Read More

Orientals and other hand-knotted rugs should be vacuumed only in one direction, "following the nap," so the yarn always lie flat. This technique puts less stress on hand-tied knots. [...] Read More