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The typical retirement dream involves riding off into the Sun Belt, golf clubs and beach umbrella in hand. However, the reality is that the majority of retirees never leave home. Most people opt to age in place, or if they do move, they find a smaller house near their old neighborhood.

Only about 7 percent of older Americans move every year, according to a long-term study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. And even though more people have been relocating recently with the improving economy, an AARP survey found that most people approaching retirement hope to remain in their current residence as long as they can.

Here’s why retirees resist the siren call of the beach and tropical breezes:

Home is where the heart is. Many people feel attached to their home towns. Whether they grew up there or moved there to raise a family, they still enjoy going to the park where they took their kids as toddlers. They feel comfortable knowing about the best hardware store and the best pizza place. Many old-line suburbs have developed programs and amenities for their older population. Another benefit: Urban centers in the Northeast provide better public transportation than the retirement meccas of the Sun Belt. There’s no subway in San Diego and no ‘T’ in Tampa.

Home is where your friends are. You go to the library and see familiar faces. Maybe you belong to a book club, or regularly meet friends for lunch, tennis or golf. All the research says that a strong social network is crucial for successful aging. Friends not only supply emotional support, but sometimes offer practical benefits like loaning you a book or DVD, helping with a project at home or giving you a ride. Why should you uproot yourself, move a thousand miles away and then be faced with the sometimes difficult challenge of finding a new group of like-minded friends?

People retire in the last place they land. Some people never settle down to live in one place for 20 or 30 years to raise their kids in a single community. Many baby boomers have moved around for work, or just because they’re restless, and then finally put down roots when they’re in their 40s or 50s. For example, my sister-in-law grew up in New Jersey, then moved to Michigan, Texas and finally in her late 40s settled down in Pennsylvania. She’s adamant that she’s not moving again.

You don’t necessarily save much money. It costs a lot to move. You give up about 10 percent of the selling price of your house in real estate commissions, legal fees and taxes. Then there’s the cost of buying, moving and resupplying your new house. If you’re moving a long distance, there are additional expenses involved in traveling and researching your new location. You might need to rent for a while or store some furniture. It’s not worth it if you only save a couple thousand dollars a year in your cost of living. (Renting long-term is another option some consider.)

It doesn’t have to cost a lot to age-proof your home. Of course you can spend a lot of money if you want to remodel your entire house. But many of the safety issues involved in age-proofing a home involve modest expenses. Improve the lighting in stairways and outdoor areas. Change out doorknobs for lever handles that are easier to manipulate. Install bathroom grab bars and raised toilet seats. Get rid of scatter rugs, and put down colorful traction strips on the front edge of your stairs to help prevent falls. None of these changes costs much money. Depending on the layout of your home, it may even be possible to turn a study or den on the first floor into a master suite, converting the upstairs rooms into guest quarters.

Visit a virtual village. Virtual retirement villages can help seniors access resources to make it easier to age in place. A virtual village is a local non-profit organization that posts information online, providing referrals to member-recommended service companies and volunteers available to help out with dog walking, yard work and other homeowner needs. Some villages host social activities such as concerts, restaurant gatherings and group trips. Check out Village to Village Network at vtvnetwork.org to find more information on what villages do and how they work.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate

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The typical retirement dream involves riding off into the Sun Belt, golf clubs and beach umbrella in hand. However, the reality is that the majority of retirees never leave home. Most people opt to age in place, or if they do move, they find a smaller house near their old neighborhood.

Only about 7 percent of older Americans move every year, according to a long-term study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. And even though more people have been relocating recently with the improving economy, an AARP survey found that most people approaching retirement hope to remain in their current residence as long as they can.

Here’s why retirees resist the siren call of the beach and tropical breezes:

Home is where the heart is. Many people feel attached to their home towns. Whether they grew up there or moved there to raise a family, they still enjoy going to the park where they took their kids as toddlers. They feel comfortable knowing about the best hardware store and the best pizza place. Many old-line suburbs have developed programs and amenities for their older population. Another benefit: Urban centers in the Northeast provide better public transportation than the retirement meccas of the Sun Belt. There’s no subway in San Diego and no ‘T’ in Tampa.

Home is where your friends are. You go to the library and see familiar faces. Maybe you belong to a book club, or regularly meet friends for lunch, tennis or golf. All the research says that a strong social network is crucial for successful aging. Friends not only supply emotional support, but sometimes offer practical benefits like loaning you a book or DVD, helping with a project at home or giving you a ride. Why should you uproot yourself, move a thousand miles away and then be faced with the sometimes difficult challenge of finding a new group of like-minded friends?

People retire in the last place they land. Some people never settle down to live in one place for 20 or 30 years to raise their kids in a single community. Many baby boomers have moved around for work, or just because they’re restless, and then finally put down roots when they’re in their 40s or 50s. For example, my sister-in-law grew up in New Jersey, then moved to Michigan, Texas and finally in her late 40s settled down in Pennsylvania. She’s adamant that she’s not moving again.

You don’t necessarily save much money. It costs a lot to move. You give up about 10 percent of the selling price of your house in real estate commissions, legal fees and taxes. Then there’s the cost of buying, moving and resupplying your new house. If you’re moving a long distance, there are additional expenses involved in traveling and researching your new location. You might need to rent for a while or store some furniture. It’s not worth it if you only save a couple thousand dollars a year in your cost of living. (Renting long-term is another option some consider.)

It doesn’t have to cost a lot to age-proof your home. Of course you can spend a lot of money if you want to remodel your entire house. But many of the safety issues involved in age-proofing a home involve modest expenses. Improve the lighting in stairways and outdoor areas. Change out doorknobs for lever handles that are easier to manipulate. Install bathroom grab bars and raised toilet seats. Get rid of scatter rugs, and put down colorful traction strips on the front edge of your stairs to help prevent falls. None of these changes costs much money. Depending on the layout of your home, it may even be possible to turn a study or den on the first floor into a master suite, converting the upstairs rooms into guest quarters.

Visit a virtual village. Virtual retirement villages can help seniors access resources to make it easier to age in place. A virtual village is a local non-profit organization that posts information online, providing referrals to member-recommended service companies and volunteers available to help out with dog walking, yard work and other homeowner needs. Some villages host social activities such as concerts, restaurant gatherings and group trips. Check out Village to Village Network at vtvnetwork.org to find more information on what villages do and how they work.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate

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There can be great joy in moving into your first apartment or your first home. You finally have space all to yourself. You can decorate how you want. You can spend your time how you want.

Sadly, that initial burst of joy is often deflated by the realization that you need a lot of little things when you move to a new place. For many people, that means an expensive shopping spree.

Instead, consider making your first stop the local secondhand store. Many of the items you need to set up an apartment or a home for the first time or in a new area can be found at a thrift shop, which means you’ll cut back on that big burst of spending that can really hurt your wallet.

Here are nine items to consider purchasing secondhand for your new place.

Silverware is a requirement for eating food at home without making a complete mess. Fortunately, most secondhand stores have a selection of silverware on hand. You might not have perfect matching silverware, but you’ll have more than enough for your needs at an inexpensive price.

Dishes are also a dining necessity. Again, it’s easy to find plenty of plates and bowls at a secondhand store for a pittance, though you may not find a matching set. Still, you’re far better off buying two or three partial sets for pennies than shelling out the money for a single matching set from a store.

Glasses and cups for consuming beverages are another household essential that’s perfect for a secondhand purchase. As with silverware and dishes, you’ll likely not find a matching set, but what you will find are many cups and glasses to fill your cupboards at an inexpensive price.

A toaster or toaster oven both perform the task of toasting bread, bagels, English muffins and other such items. A toaster oven goes further, making it easy to make grilled sandwiches and cook small items. Both can easily be found at secondhand stores in working order and can make for a valuable addition to your kitchen to help you with food preparation.

Lamps are simple items that are often found in abundance at secondhand stores. All varieties of lamps, from desk lamps and floor lamps to clip lamps and table lamps, can usually be found secondhand at a very reasonable price.

A dining table is an essential piece of furniture in most houses or apartments, as it provides a place to eat and share meals. You can find simple dining tables at secondhand stores, and they often come with simple, solid chairs. The key thing to remember is you can buy an inexpensive starter set, and then upgrade later when you have money to easily do so.

A side table is often a key part of a living room, providing a place to put a beverage, snack plate or remote controls as you watch TV, study or read a book. Side tables can be incredibly inexpensive. It’s easy to find one secondhand for well under $10.

A bed frame is a key piece of furniture for those who have moved beyond the “mattress on the floor” style of bedroom décor. Bed frames can be expensive if you purchase them at a furniture store, but there are often many varieties of metal and wooden bed frames you can find at secondhand stores if you shop around. It’s important to remember that bed frames are purely functional items meant to be covered with a mattress and other decorative materials, so don’t worry about beauty.

Décor might seem like an unusual item to buy secondhand, but it’s easy to find things such as picture frames and wall hangings in secondhand stores, particularly in more upscale neighborhoods. If you’re creative, you can find a variety of décor items at a very nice discount.

One final suggestion: Don’t buy certain types of furniture used unless it comes from a trusted source. Used furniture can be a source of bedbugs or other unwanted travelers that you simply don’t want in your home. Solid wood items are fine, but be wary of upholstered used furniture and used mattresses.

The thing to always remember when buying secondhand items is that they’re replaceable as time goes on. They can serve you for a long time if needed, but they simply provide an inexpensive and functional solution that can significantly trim the costs of setting up a new home.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate

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Can you tell the difference between a $72 million mansion and a $149 million estate in Beverly Hills? When you get into the eight-figure and nine-figure price range, it’s the little things like 70-year-old imported olive trees and parking for 66 cars that set listings apart.

See for yourself with a look at the West’s most expensive homes on Zillow. While you won’t find pocket listings, working ranches or empty lots on this list, you will find 13 publicly listed estates ripe for perusing.

$149 million

9505 Lania Lane, Beverly Hills, California

When Palazzo di Amore hit the market last November, it claimed the title of America’s most expensive listing. (It has been reduced from $195 million.) At the time, owner Jeff Greene said, “this property is an incomparable crown jewel without an equal.” With a Turkish-style spa, 70-year-old imported olive trees and massive wine cellar, it’s easy to see why. The home is listed with Joyce Rey and Stacy Gottula of Coldwell Banker Previews International.

See more Los Angeles homes for sale.

$125 million

2500 E Valley Road, Santa Barbara, California

Rancho San Carlos has been owned by the same family for nearly a century, so the fact that it’s up for sale is a big deal. The property includes a main residence with more than 30 rooms, extensive equestrian facilities and 10 additional guest cottages. Harry Kolb of Sotheby’s International Realty holds the listing.

See more Montecito homes for sale.

$98 million

1949 Glenbrook Road, Glenbrook, Nevada

No cattle here, but Shakespeare Ranch is big enough to house your extended family and all your friends. The 133-acre lakefront property has a total of 30 cabins and outbuildings with clever Shakespearean names like “To Be,” “Or Not to Be” and “Twelfth Night.” Lexi Cerretti and Claudia Thompson of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty held the listing for the property, which is now off the market.

See more Glenbrook listings.

$75 million

4100 Calle Isabella, San Clemente, California

When Richard Nixon bought this home in 1969, it became known as “The Western White House.” The president hosted 17 heads of state and wrote memoirs at the oceanfront property, which is located on one of Southern California’s most scenic sections of coastal residential real estate. Rob Giem of Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent.

See more homes listed in San Clemente.

$75 million

1101 Marine Drive, Laguna Beach, California

Also listed by Rob Giem, Twin Points consists of two peninsulas where you can watch the waves crash between Laguna Beach’s Crescent Bay and Shaws Cove. The property has been in the same family since 1930 but was rebuilt in the late ’60s and has been added to over the years, The Wall Street Journal reports.

See more Laguna Beach listings.

$72 million

901 N. Alpine Drive, Beverly Hills, California

Spanning more than 1.5 acres on one of the most coveted streets in Beverly Hills, this property was designed for some serious entertaining. The home, which could pass as a life-size Barbie dream house, has everything from a dance floor and cocktail bar to parking for 66 cars, Forbes reports. Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Previews holds the listing.

See more homes listed in Beverly Hills.

$65 million

312 N. Faring Road, Los Angeles

Dating to 1938, this Georgian traditional was completely renovated over more than five years. In addition to the main residence, the Holmby Hills estate includes a guesthouse, pool, private guest suite, lighted tennis court and nearly two acres of rolling lawns and gardens. The home is listed with Loren Judd of Coldwell Banker.

See more Beverly Glen homes for sale.

$60 million

2585 Riviera Drive, Laguna Beach, California

No detail has been overlooked in this Laguna Beach gem, which was completed in 2010. The interior boasts ocean-facing loggias, terrazzo floors inspired by the Getty Villa museum, fountains imported from Europe, century-old olive trees and more. Rod Daley of Coldwell Banker holds the listing.

See more Laguna Beach listings.

$60 million

1000 & 1220 Watson Divide Road, Snowmass, Colorado

With an 18,000-square-foot home on 876 acres in the Rocky Mountains, Four Peaks Ranch is as big as it looks. Outside, the property boasts 15 miles of trails, a private beach, three ponds, two fireplaces, four fire pits, two full kitchens and a brick pizza oven. Inside, the house has seven bedrooms, 11 baths, open living spaces and a glass elevator. Joshua Saslove of Douglas Elliman Real Estate is the listing agent.

See more Snowmass Village listings.

$59.356 million

4500 Preston Road, Dallas

This early 20th-century craftsman has had only three owners. The estate, boasting beautiful period details, spans 6.14 acres in Highland Park. Allie Beth Allman of Allie Beth Allman & Associates holds the listing.

See more Highland Park listings.

$53 million

1 Buggy Whip Drive, Rolling Hills, California

Rolling Hills reportedly has a rule that homes in the prestigious community only span one floor, but this is no single-story rambler. Built five floors down, the 5,000-square-foot mansion has everything from a Moroccan-style bath to a full-size tennis court underground. The unique property is listed with Marcie Hartley of Hilton & Hyland.

See more Rolling Hills homes for sale.

$53 million

41800 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California

Located on a prime piece of Malibu oceanfront, this home was designed by famed architect Ed Niles. The modern design was inspired by a translucent shoji door, and several feng shui elements line the property. It’s also very high-tech with a music room, soundproof home theater, elevator and 19-server hosting capability. The Agency‘s Ari Afshar is the listing agent.

See more Malibu homes on the market.

$51 million

2431 Riviera Drive, Laguna Beach, California

Located on Laguna Beach’s private Irvine Cove, this Mediterranean Revival boasts 180 feet of beachfront, as well as sun-soaked terraces and mature gardens. With nearly 10,000 square feet of interior space, the great room alone is 1,000 square feet with three vantage points for taking in the view. The home is being marketed by Sotheby’s Rob Giem, who holds two other listings on this list.

See more Laguna Beach homes for sale.

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They saw it coming: the mushroom cloud of smoke.

Dabney Tompkins and Alan Colley were on their deck enjoying the view when the Stouts Creek Fire broke out earlier this month. They’d read about moments like this — spotting a forest fire from a 40-foot-high tower — but nothing could have prepared them.

They weren’t staffing a fire lookout, after all. They were at home.

Treehouse Without the Tree

Tompkins and Colley’s lives changed course on a ferry ride several years ago. Quite literally stumbling upon a book about fire lookouts used by the U.S. Forest Service, they learned how the structures on stilts were used to spot forest fires throughout the 20th century. Now largely replaced by satellites, very few lookouts are still standing.

Tompkins and Colley, who had downsized from their big Dallas estate to 1,400 square feet in Portland, wanted to know more.

“It was a magical moment that the book sort of fell off the shelf to us,” Colley recalls. “We called the ranger district and said why don’t we rent this thing? That was the beginning.”

The urbanites rented several fire lookouts before purchasing 160 acres of meadow and forest land in rural Oregon, known as Summit Prairie. With the help of a local builder and engineer, their “treehouse without the tree” was completed in 2010.

For the first few years, it was just a weekend getaway, but those weekends quickly turned into something more.

“About a year and half ago, we decided to be totally irresponsible and quit our jobs and move here,” Tompkins says. “We were just going to do it for one year because we thought this might just be too isolated, too boring, too rustic. But then we got down here and we started to meet people and really enjoy the rhythm of it.” (See what life in the tower is like in this video.)

Life on the Prairie

Up four flights of stairs, the lookout is 388 square feet with a simple kitchen spanning the back wall and two narrow beds flanking the sides. Up a skinny wooden ladder, a “cupola” serves as a master suite — minus the bathroom.

In fact, there’s no bathroom to be found. Historic fire lookouts never had them, and Tompkins and Colley didn’t want to obstruct their 360-degree view of the Umpqua National Forest. Instead, they created a few alternative options and put the shower out on the deck.

“My favorite time to take a shower is when we have snow outside and you have to walk barefoot through the snow on the deck,” Tompkins says. “Then you turn that hot water on and that yin and yang of hot and cold – and looking out and seeing the meadow – it’s heaven.”

Without the luxuries of a typical single-family home, Tompkins and Colley find themselves retreating to the “hammock tree” or soaking in their wood-burning, spring-fed hot tub.

“It’s quiet — so quiet it allows me to hear things I wouldn’t hear in the city,” Colley says. “There’s no urban beat. You don’t hear sirens, you don’t hear traffic — you hear us.”

He says the experience has brought him and Tompkins closer, as they’ve allowed each other to grow and be different.

A Taste of ‘Off the Grid’

They’re also learning what it truly means to live off the grid, finding you often gain more than you lose.

“The saying we love to tell each other is ‘just because we live off-grid doesn’t mean we have to eat bad food.’ And we have made some amazing meals,” Colley says after making a blueberry pie from scratch.

Instead of buying organic produce from the grocery store, they have their own garden and are involved with the local farmers market.

Of course, living off-grid has its challenges — like figuring out how to install solar panels — but the biggest challenge came as a surprise.

“We’re so enmeshed in this community, as weird as that may sound, that we really have to back away and say I just want time on my meadow,” Colley says.

From vegan potlucks with the “old hippies,” as they call the neighbors, to looking for ways to stimulate a local economy still dependent on timber, Tompkins and Colley are keeping busy.

The View Never Gets Old

They laugh when they think about how they used to worry about being isolated and bored.

“Reading, cooking, hiking and splitting wood are much more entertaining to us,” Colley says. “If you’re interested in those kinds of things as a DIYer, you’re going to be fine in this situation.”

And in the wake of a recent forest fire, they’re even more thankful for the view.

“Every day, the sun is doing something different. There’s no repetition at all,” Colley says.

“Many mornings, we’ll get up, and the entire meadow is shrouded in fog. And then as the sun moves up into the sky, the fog starts to kind of slip into the valley,” Tompkins adds. “As you look out, it’s like you’re in an airplane where there’s just this lower level of clouds. To me, that’s magic.”

Photos and video by Tom Hanny for Zillow.

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By Michael Schreiber

Perusing homes out of one’s price range online may as well be a national pastime in America. Who doesn’t love imagining what it would be like to live someplace palatial, or even just gawk at these monster homes and their even bigger price tags?

In the world of real estate, however, there’s expensive and then there’s insanely expensive. The Credit.com team decided to take a look at two homes for this article, one of which is way out of our price range, the other of which is way, way, way, way, waaaaaaaaaay out of our price range.

(Or maybe one of these is within your price range. This calculator can tell you how much house you can afford, and this free credit scoring tool can tell you where you stand in case you’d like to apply for a mortgage for either of these fine homes — or any home, really.)

The former is a seven-bedroom, nine-bath Florida home in Coral Gables, selling for $13.9 million. The latter is an 11-bedroom, 17-bath house, just up the road in Hillsboro Beach. The Hillsboro mansion was on the market for a mere $139 million before the listing was removed — perhaps indicating a sale, or perhaps a change of heart by the seller.

We wanted to see what the real difference is between the two places. Is the Hillsboro Beach place really 10 times the house? How could one even arrive at that price?

Who are we kidding? We really just wanted to look at the pretty pictures.

Let’s Start with the “Small” Place

According to the listing on Zillow, here are the basics for the $13.9 million property in Coral Gables.

• Seven bedrooms.
• Nine bathrooms.
• 12,636 square feet.
• 2.07-acre lot.
• Built in 1999.
• Price per square foot: $1,104.
• 2014 property taxes: $96,863.
• Parking: attached garage, four spaces.

And here are some of the highlights from description:

“A foyer with a grand chandelier and 28-foot ceilings opens to a formal living room with 30-foot tall ceilings….

“Perfectly manicured gardens permeate the scenery, and are complemented by a babbling brook, a resort-style pool with waterfall bridge, a sophisticated cabana with gourmet summer kitchen…

“While the canal does not support a large vessel, the estate comes with a deeded boat slip allowing up to a 60-foot yacht.

“Two downstairs wet bars, including one in a library lounge offers plenty of variety for entertaining…

“Across the hall from the library lounge is a home cinema….

“Take the elevator or the stairs to the second floor where a split plan finds the master suite set away from the other bedrooms.

“Special features include a 80 (kilowatt) generator with two buried 1,000 gallon propane tanks, mosquito misting system.”

So What Could $139 Million Get You?

For those of you with $139 million burning a hole in your pocket, here are the basics of the Hillsboro Beach property also known as “Le Palais Royal” that recently was pulled from the market. The listing is courtesy of Zillow.

• 11 bedrooms.
• 17 bathrooms.
• 41,774 square feet.
• 2.48-acre lot.
• Built in 2014.
• Price per square foot: $3,327.
• 2014 property taxes: $143,855.
• Parking: attached garage, 30 spaces.

And here are some excerpts from the description of the house featured on Le Palais Royal’s dedicated website.

“On one side of your very own private 465 [feet] of Atlantic beachfront and on the other side be romanced at the view of your yacht docked on 492 feet on the [Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway]….

“Custom designed doors…with 22-karat gold leafing, opening beneath the grand [staircase]… taking craftsmen more than two years to realize with an investment of $2 Million….

“The first-ever IMAX Theater contracted for private use… seating 18 along with a complete bar and IMAX lounge giving guests a unique experience….

“A 4,500-sq. ft. infinity edge La Piscine with a 12-ft cascading waterfall, a double-loop, LED-lit waterslide which plunges into the pool….

“An outdoor Jacuzzi is positioned above the waterfall allowing complete panoramic sea views….

“You may enter the Spa Privé massage room, as well as, access the outdoor Cuisine d’été furnished with its very own Four à Pizza and outdoor lounge….”

So which one will you take?

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Source:: AOL Real Estate

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Even grilled cheese tastes better when made in a stylish kitchen.

For those who love to cook, a gourmet kitchen is the dream. However, unlike a living room or bedroom, this space is much harder to remodel. Kitchens can’t be rearranged at whim, cabinets can’t be easily changed, and counters — well, there’s very little you can do to hide 1980s laminate countertops. (Their existence is proof that not everything comes back in fashion.)

But don’t shelve your dream just yet. It’s possible to get a luxurious look for under $50,000, which is close to the average price spent on a budget kitchen remodel. We asked designers where they’d splurge, where they’d save, and other projects to consider for a space worthy of your culinary creations.

Before you start, carefully consider the space and your lifestyle.

“Design your kitchen for the way you live 90% of the time,” says high-end kitchen designer Karen Williams. “Not the holidays or a visit from the in-laws.”

She ranks the overall layout as the most important element in a kitchen renovation. “Good design is good design. A proper prep center, cooking, and cleanup [space] is essential.” So before you get carried away on Pinterest, think more about the layout that best suits your daily habits rather than, say, Gwyneth Paltrow’s.

Making a list of your main concerns will be invaluable for efficiently communicating with a designer. “Share your ideas and priorities by listing them top to bottom,” says Sandra Brannock, principal at Expert Kitchen Designs. “Listen to the kitchen designer and ask for clarification if you are unsure about the design direction. If it is suggested something you want is not cost-worthy, listen and heed this advice.”

Where to Splurge on Your Kitchen Remodel?

Cabinets: Estimated Cost of $20,000-$25,000*

“The materials you choose for the kitchen cabinets will define the style,” says designer Natalie Kraiem. “If you are going for a modern look, I love to use high-gloss or matte lacquer or frosted glass in a solid color. If you want to achieve a richer look, then go with wood veneers. You could use laminates for a similar but less expensive look.”

Lifestyle also plays an important role in selecting materials. “Cabinetry will endure the most abuse, so look for all-plywood construction along with a superior finish and top-notch door and drawer hardware,” advises Brannock. “Your investment will require 20 percent to 30 percent more upfront, but the obvious return will be realized five or more years later when your cabinetry looks and feels as great as when it was first installed.”

Brannock has a few recommendations if you’re looking to trim costs: “Opting for cabinets with MDF construction will save you approximately 12 percent. Oak, knotty alder, and hickory are no-upcharge wood species that will save you 6 percent to 22 percent. Consider high-pressure laminate for a contemporary look.”

Appliances: Estimated Cost of $10,000-$14,000

Obvious as it may be, quality appliances are key to the gourmet kitchen. Kraiem likes side-by-side refrigerator and freezer models that offer custom panel options, which can blend in with your cabinets for a seamless look. A high-end dishwasher is also a luxury worth looking into, especially if it also offers the custom panel option. Hoods can be customized to suit the overall design.

If you’re currently using an electric range, don’t worry about converting to gas for a pro-caliber kitchen. Instead, replace the old stove with an induction model. “There are many high-end professional kitchens using this marvelous method,” Brannock says. “It is instantaneous, efficient, and also minimizes the extra heat generated in a hardworking kitchen.”

Luxe Details

Accessories have a big impact in a kitchen. “I like to splurge on hardware,” Williams says. “It should look good to the eye and feel good to the hand. You see it and touch it every day.”

Expanding Storage Options

Clutter can cramp the style of even the fanciest kitchen. However, you’ll want to go for storage options that suit your kitchen.

“Extra deep drawers can be a blessing or a curse if not thought through for one’s individual needs,” Brannock says. “If incorporating them, consider a smaller hidden drawer above them or a narrow partition to house smaller items such as lids or food processor accoutrements so all the space is utilized. These drawers add $200-plus each but are totally worth it.”

She also says that shallow-depth base cabinetry (13 to 18 inches deep) is especially cost-effective and can fit most people’s storage needs.

Where to Save on Your Kitchen Remodel?

Backsplash and Countertop: Estimated cost of $7,000

Renewed interest in marble means other natural materials can be found for a bargain. “With the popularity of white marble right now, granite may be a good choice. The marble yards have an overstock of the material and are usually offering to make a good deal,” Williams says. “Stay with the softer, neutral tones so your kitchen won’t look outdated.”

Additionally, new designs in porcelain present another cost-effective yet stylish option for counters, floors, and other surfaces.

Since a backsplash tends to cover a smaller space, it’s easier to cut costs here. “I tend to like to use the same countertop and backsplash material for a modern look. In this case, quartz is great because it doesn’t stain or get damaged easily,” Kraiem says. “I also like to use frosted glass or stainless steel for a unique look that’s not so expensive.” For more traditional kitchens, a tile or mosaic backsplash is the most budget-friendly option.

Flooring: Estimated Cost of $2,000

Your flooring is a big element of your kitchen, so it can have a big impact on overall style. “For example, with floors, 24-by-24- or 24-by-48 porcelain tiles in a concrete or minimalist color will ‘speak’ to those who walk on them as highly sophisticated,” Brannock says. “Another option is wide and random-width hardwood flooring such as fumed white oak for a rustic yet timeless elegance.” But the square footage here is probably less than in other areas in your home, so it’ll be less costly than, say, redoing the floors in the living room.

Miscellaneous items (Faucets, Sink, and Garbage Disposal): estimated cost of $1,000-$1,500

While these smaller elements play an important part in the function of your kitchen, they aren’t as noticeable, meaning you can get away with budget-friendly options. “Focus on the look and quality without splurging,” Kraiem says.

*Costs for this report were estimated by designer Natalie Kraiem and are based on a 10-by-10 kitchen. Your costs may vary depending on individual design choices.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate

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While short-term home rental sites such as Airbnb and HomeAway have made finding and listing vacation properties and alternative lodging fast, easy and convenient both for hosts and guests, there are risks involved for both parties.

Here are a few ways to mitigate those risks, whether you’re renting a vacation villa or making some extra cash by welcoming paying guests into your home.

DO: Use reputable sites.

Reputable sites not only supply the largest number of rental offerings, but will additionally provide you with some peace of mind because they offer basic security features. Beyond conducting background and address checks, these sites also certify hosts with a proven track record, host community discussions, post uncensored reviews and ban questionable parties.

As a guest, all you have to go on are photos (which may not be verified) and reviews. If a place does not have more than three positive reviews, think twice about staying there.

DO: Have a conversation.

In most cases, conversations between hosts and guests happen through the vacation rental website’s messaging system, but if having a phone conversation is an option, go for it. It’s a great way to size each other up, and is extremely important if you’re doing a home swap, as these exchanges require an enormous amount of trust from both parties.

During the call, note whether the host sounds legitimate and the house they describe matches what’s online. If you’re talking to a potential guest, consider whether they ask questions a visitor would typically have.

Also pay attention to the types of answers you’re getting. For example, if you’re a guest and you want to know whether the host has the legal right to rent the apartment to you, listen carefully to their answer. If they seem to be hedging at all, or even seem to be offended by the line of questioning, consider looking elsewhere.

If everything feels “right,” however, go ahead with the transaction, keeping in mind that while it’s still possible to be scammed over the phone, it’s usually easier to fool someone when the communication takes place online.

DON’T: Pay with cash or money order.

Out of all the payment options, credit cards offer the most protection against fraud or wrongful charges. Online money transfer services such as PayPal may also be an option, and can be a good way to go. A personal check may also be fine.

But never pay with cash or money order, since those are the easiest means for the unscrupulous to disappear with your money. Is the host insisting on this type of payment? Rushing you to make a wire transfer? Don’t go there.

If cash is required for a cleaning fee or damage deposit, guests should play it safe by postponing this last round of payments until they reach their destination. And get a receipt for the sum rendered.

DO: Prepare for disputes.

Many problems can and do arise. Guests may not show up. Properties may be misrepresented, unsanitary, already occupied, or full of safety hazards like exposed wiring or loose stairs.

Protection policies may not exist, and if they don’t, or if they’re minimal, you might very well be on your own if something doesn’t work out. There is no government or trade agency regulating the advertising of rentals, so proceed with caution.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow or AOL Real Estate.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate

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It’s a common bit of retirement advice: Downsize your housing after the kids leave the nest to cut costs. Interestingly, though, many baby boomers have no intentions of downsizing. Nearly two-thirds of boomers surveyed in 2013 by The Demand Institute — a nonprofit owned by Nielsen — plan to “age in place” rather than move. Of those who do plan to move, nearly half said they plan to increase the size of their home or pay more for a comparably sized home.

Many people assume that downsizing housing saves money. But does it really?

It can, especially if you’re able to cash in on the equity you’ve built up. But there are a lot of factors that can actually result in higher housing costs once you downsize.

“What we always recommend is to consult with a financial planner to see what your monthly expenses are now and what the expenses may be where you’re thinking of moving,” says Jeff Stone, a seniors real estate specialist in a Port Washington, New York.

Stone points out that the term downsizing can be, well, a bit of downer.

“Rightsizing, to me, is a better word,” he says.

Here’s a look at several areas to consider before moving later in life.

Moving Costs

When you move for a job, you might get a relocation package from your employer or load the moving truck with help from a couple of able-bodied friends. But when you move during retirement, you bear those costs, which can be considerable if you’re moving a long distance and need to hire professional movers.

“Sometimes with the cost of moving furniture, especially if you’re going a longer distance, it can be more feasible to buy new furniture,” says Mario Minotti, a partner at Minotti Group Wealth Advisors in Chicago. (Minotti’s clients are mainly retirees and pre-retirees, so he has talked through the pros and cons of downsizing with several of them.)

Beyond the cost of physically transporting your belongings, you’ll also pay transaction costs on selling an existing home and buying a new one.

“If [a home is] listed with a broker, you pay their commission and will also be paying your attorney fees, closing costs and so forth,” Stone says. Many boomers also choose to rent, which comes with a different set of costs.

Storage Costs

Many boomers have amassed — and grown attached to — large collections of antiques and other mementos over the course of their lives.

“There’s china sets, a lot of antiques and family things that they want to preserve,” Minotti says. “A lot of male clients have accumulated a couple of cars, and they’re excited that they’re going to be able to enjoy them [in retirement], but parking spots can be expensive.”

Or, in some cases, “their kids had a bunch of their childhood stuff that they want to preserve for their grandkids,” he adds.

One option, if you don’t have space for these items, is renting a storage unit. But it doesn’t come cheap, especially if you want secure, climate-controlled storage for antiques. The average asking rent for a 10-by-10-foot, climate-controlled storage unit in the U.S. was $151 per month during the fourth quarter last year, according to the Self Storage Association.

Another option is to sell, donate or give to relatives. Unless you have items that are in demand, don’t count on making big bucks or getting younger relatives excited about decades-old furniture (a notable exception being college-bound or recently graduated grandchildren furnishing a place on a budget).

An item may provide “a memory but doesn’t provide value to someone else,” says Chris Abts, president and founder of Cornerstone Retirement Group in Reno, Nevada. “We find many times those just don’t have much in the way of value.”

Many boomers also lack the energy or discipline for a serious declutter, which has spawned an entire of industry of senior move managers and organizers for hire. “The key would be to downsize the things you’ve accumulated while you have energy, while you’re healthy,” Abts says.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate