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Usually located just off the kitchen, utility rooms bridge the space between the outdoors and the indoors. Here family members can take off their muddy or snowy boots, store wet umbrellas and raincoats, and store bulky items that would otherwise clutter other spaces. A well-designed utility room will do all that and more. It can even house small appliances or seldom-used items like special occasion dishes, glassware and silverware.

A "bootility" room is both a utility and boot room. A bootility room is outfitted with storage cabinets; hooks for hanging coats, umbrellas and dog leashes; and a bench to use when pulling  on and off boots or shoes. The bench can also have shelves underneath ...

The movement toward spending more time working and exercising at home is being reflected in the latest home bathroom design trends. Homeowners are seeking bathrooms with more health club like amenities and less emphasis on functionality. Wellness is a priority, and designers are seeing greater interest among their clients in features such as steam showers, wet rooms, saunas and even cold plunges. Here are five top trending ideas for refreshing your bathroom no matter the size of the room or your budget.

Spa-like features

Nontraditional shower spaces are playing a key role in bathroom design. Wet rooms allow you to take a bath in the same space where you shower. As you are soaking in the...

PMI protects your lender in the event you default — but you have to pay the premium. Depending on the size of your loan, you can expect to pay $120 or more with each mortgage payment because of PMI. You can avoid this payment, though, with what is known as a piggyback mortgage.

First, understand how PMI works: You’ll pay PMI when you take out a conventional mortgage — one not insured by a government agency — and come up with a down payment of less than 20% of your home’s final purchase price. How much you’ll be charged can vary, but you can expect to pay from 0.5% to 1.5% of your original loan amount in PMI each year. For a mortgage of $300,000, you might pay from $1,500 to $4,500 a year...

Traditional interior design is based largely on 18th- and 19th-century European styles and conventional ideas of what a home looks like. The types of furniture, color palette and decor usually found in traditional homes reference the elegance of the past with little concern for what is trendy. Many Americans grew up in homes characterized as traditional and feel very "at home" with this comfortable, relaxed style. Because it is not rooted in any particular time period, traditional design can be adapted to include touches of contemporary elements while maintaining its understated aesthetic.

Here are some decorating guidelines for updating the traditional style of your home:

In the living...

June is the first full month of summer and in most markets across the country begins the time of year when families can move without interrupting the school schedule. This certainly happens in the Grand Strand real estate market however, it is not as prominent as many people think. Our market is a retiree and vacation market and those buyers and sellers are not concerned at all with the school schedule. 

On the contrary, viewing an investment condo right now can be very tricky because if it's a good investment, it's rented full time and almost impossible to see for yourself before making an offer. My vote- challenge yourself to be a real investor and buy it based on the numbers. When you...

After enjoying their moment in the spotlight, trends become outdated, and a new trend is always waiting in the wings to take their place. However, what was once considered passe now is enjoying a surge in popularity among a new group of appreciative designers and homeowners. One thing to keep in mind is that these styles have evolved over the years and may not look the same as when they first arrived on the scene. Here are five classic kitchen trends that are making a comeback to inspire your next renovation.

Natural wood tones

What could be more inviting and homier than natural wood? While painted kitchen cabinets are a timeless and budget-friendly option, designers are seeing stained ...

Lenders and banks check your credit before they approve you for new credit cards or loans. They do this to be sure that in the past you've paid your debts on time. If you have, you are more likely to pay your new loan or credit card payments on time.

When lenders check your credit in response to your request for a new loan or credit card,  it's known as a hard inquiry. These inquiries are listed on your three credit reports. And each inquiry could cause your three-digit credit score to dip by about five points.

Why? The more credit or loan debt you take on, the more likely you are to miss payments. Lenders are especially worried that if you apply for several credit cards or loans at onc...

Unlike many other elements in a home, millwork is not just meant to be functional. Instead, it is an aesthetic feature that makes a room feel secure, cozy and well-constructed. Above all, it is beautiful. Decorative millwork such as paneling, crown moldings and wainscoting has long been associated with the elegance of traditional English manor houses. Millwork is well known for its craftsmanship and attention to detail. The name comes from the fact that millwork is produced in a mill or a woodworking factory. Millwork includes a wide range of products made to fit specific spaces in a home.

Some examples of decorative millwork you are likely to find in well-appointed homes include molding...

Barndos are either refurbished or newly built barns made suitable for living. Constructed of wood and or metal, these homes feature a large, customizable open floor plan. The name itself is a combination of barn and condominium – a home that offers the best of both rural and urban living. One of the most attractive qualities of a barndo is the price tag. Although estimates vary, experts agree that barndos can be built for much less than a traditional house. People are noticing: It is estimated that some 1,000 barndos are being built each year in North America alone.

Soaring ceilings and large windows are two distinctive features of barndos. Their exteriors can be customized to include po...

Last year, I had the goal of walking the coast from Pawleys Island to Cherry Grove. I'm excited to share that mission is accomplished. With more than 60 miles of beaches stretching across Horry and Georgetown counties, it was amazing to see all of our beaches. We split our walks into sections of 5-8 miles and our part 2 article ended at Singleton Swash in front of the Dunes Club.

Singleton Swash to 17 Ave S North Myrtle Beach:

The walk from Singleton Swash to North Myrtle Beach took us past the Apache Campground and the Apache Pier in the Arcadian Shores section of Myrtle Beach. Due to geography and roads, this section of the beach is its own pennisula and includes Ocean Annies and the ...

One of more common questions I receive about our area is am I going to be eaten or killed by one of the following: snakes, sharks and/or alligators. Let’s look at the numbers! 

Number of fatal attacks in Horry and Georgetown Counties on record:

Shark: Zero
Alligator: One
Snake: Zero
As demonstrated by these numbers… the chances of you being fatally attacked by a shark, snake or alligator is virtually zero. If you have stairs in your house, you are much more likely to die from those attacking you. That said, I’m not moving to Florida where those numbers are significantly higher. 4 people died from snake bites in 2022 alone, 30 people have died from alligator attacks since 1948 and 16 deadly...

Choosing the right color palette for your home is more than just a matter of aesthetics; it significantly impacts the atmosphere and mood of each room. Here's a guide to understanding the impact of colors and how to choose the perfect palette for your home:

Neutral colors: Whites, beiges and grays

Neutral colors create a sense of calm and elegance. White makes rooms feel spacious and airy. Beige adds warmth and complements natural materials. Gray provides a sophisticated, modern look and pairs well with bold accents.

Cool colors: Blues, greens and purples

Blue promotes a serene and calming atmosphere, perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms. Green symbolizes nature and creates a refreshing...

First you need to understand what a cash-out refinance is. In such a refinance, you swap your existing mortgage loan for a new mortgage in which you borrow a higher amount. You use the found cash to pay for whatever you'd like.

For example, say you owe $150,000 on your current mortgage. You might refinance that for a new mortgage with a balance of $220,000. You'd then receive the extra $70,000 in a lump-sum payment. You could use that money to pay for anything from a kitchen remodel to a master bedroom addition to your child's college tuition.

There are some limits. The amount you can borrow with a cash-out refinance is limited by the equity in your home. Equity is the difference betwee...

Whether you are planning a complete renovation or looking to update a few elements of your existing bathroom space, you will want to consider adding a mirrored medicine cabinet. While some may think the mirror is outdated, the modern medicine cabinet is returning with more style and greater functionality to complement any space. There are two installation options.

The first is to recess the cabinet into the wall. You'll need to create the space if one does not already exist. Generally speaking, older homes will have an existing cutout. It's then a matter of finding a similar-size mirror or creating more space. These mirrors sit inside the wall and have a streamlined, modern appearance.

Your home's primary bedroom is a sanctuary made just for you. Often combined with a bathroom for an en suite experience, the primary bedroom should be just as functional and beautiful as the rest of your home. Here is our checklist for creating the best primary bedroom to suit your needs:

Consider the bed

Sleep is essential to your health and well-being. Creating a space for a good night's rest is critical. Here are the essentials you need:

1. Bed frame: A sturdy bed frame that matches your design aesthetic should be chosen to fit the size and scale of your bedroom.
2. Mattress: Choose a mattress that works for your sleep preferences. Many options and materials are available, including ma...

Lighting is a crucial aspect of interior design, and choosing the right fixtures for each room can significantly impact the overall ambiance and functionality of the space. Here are five reasons why lighting matters and why selecting the appropriate fixtures is essential for every room:

1. Aesthetic appeal

Different rooms serve various purposes and have unique design aesthetics. The right lighting fixtures can enhance a room's overall look and feel, complementing its style and contributing to the desired atmosphere. Whether you're aiming for a cozy, intimate space or a bright, open environment, selecting fixtures that align with the room's aesthetic can elevate the visual appeal.

2. Ta...

With many families just trying to survive and finish out the school year, May is right in between the peak spring market and the busy summer moving months. Here are a few numbers from the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors that caught our eye when we looked at May activity:

Supply is down month over month but way up compared to last year. The number of homes for sale dropped in May for the first time since February 2023. However, compared to May ofnlast year, we have almost 25% more inventory of properties on the market.

Pending sales are up and May finishes out with the most pending contracts (1,730) so far this year compared to prior months.  June closings should reflect this b...

The key feature of quiet luxury is an appreciation for high-quality, timeless materials such as solid wood flooring, marble countertops, natural stone and plush fabrics. It's all about creating a luxurious serene atmosphere without looking like you put too much thought into it. A room decorated in quiet luxury screams sophistication and simplicity at the same time. While it may seem expensive to implement, here are a few decorating guidelines to help you achieve the elegance of quiet luxury in your own home:

Keep it simple

The idea is to avoid clutter so that the eye is drawn to the important, high-quality pieces in the room. For decorative pieces, stick with natural materials like glas...

In order to make an informed decision, there are several things to consider before choosing a backsplash to install. You can enhance the visual appeal of your space, meet your functional needs and choose a design that stands the test of time. Let's take a closer look at what you need to consider.

Style and aesthetic

Consider the overall style and aesthetic of your space. The backsplash should complement the existing design elements, such as cabinets, countertops and flooring. Decide whether you want a backsplash that blends seamlessly with the surroundings or makes a bold statement as a focal point.

Materials selection

Backsplashes come in a variety of materials, each with unique char...

You finance a big purchase right before applying

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender looks at your debt-to-income ratio. This ratio measures how much of your gross monthly income is consumed by your monthly debts. Most lenders want your monthly debts, including your estimated new mortgage payment,  to be no more than 43% of your gross monthly income. If you finance a big purchase, such as a new car, that results in large monthly payments, your debt-to-income ratio will rise, which will give lenders pause. You might want that new car, but it's best to wait until after you've earned approval for your mortgage.

You pay your credit card bill late

When determining whether you qualify ...