In The News

Seven years after moving into a super-cute Beverly Hills mansion, actress Emma Stone is hoping to sell the property — for $3.899 million. […]

Windermere Real Estate has launched a new marketing campaign highlighting not its considerable technology chops, but its agents' willingness to go above and beyond for their clients. […]

Hear from Roofstock's Gary Beasley, Punchlist's Rich Estes, ShelterZoom's Chao Cheng-Shorland, PrestoIntelligence's Vernand Morency, Echovate's Matthew Gough, Jane.ai's David Karandish, Commersh's Kayla Jane, MapTrack's Hunter Stevens and First.io's Molly McKinley about their businesses in under a minute onstage at Inman Connect New York.&nbs […]

Leigh Brown, a Realtor and owner of a North Carolina-based RE/MAX franchise, is hoping to become the Republican party’s nominee for the vacant Congressional seat in North Carolina’s 9th district. […]

According to a new survey commissioned by Northshore Fireplace, 65 percent of millennials believe homeownership is a "choice," rather than a necessity. […]

Filipinos are beginning to see the ugly side of the Chinese investments: a large influx of Chinese workers, rising property values, and fears that Philippines could turn into another Sri Lanka. […]

Back for a second year, Global Surveyors’ Day coincides with National Surveyors Week, both highlighting the importance of the land surveying profession. […]

Younger borrowers of home equity lines of credit are more likely to use HELOCs for purposes other than home improvement […]

Septic systems or sewer systems: what's better? What's the difference? Homeowners flush their toilets, run their sinks and take showers without putting a second thought into the sewer systems that allow for this luxury. All of these functions rely on one of two things: 1. Sewer system 2. Septic system Sewer systems are different than a septic system because one relies on the local government, while the other relies on the homeowner. Why Many Homeowners Rely on Sewer Systems A sewer system requires no maintenance, but you'll need to pay monthly fees for using the system. Local governments allow the homeowner to hook up the local sewer system, which will ensure all of your waste is gone forever. You'll pay monthly, but you never have to worry about septic system costs and repairs. Sewers can become clogged and they may backup over-time. This happens when neighbors and others in the community are flushing wet wipes or pouring grease down their drains. When major blockages occur, everyone is impacted. You may not pay for the unclogging upfront, but your fees may rise to cover the expenditures. Why Homeowners are Moving Back to Septic Systems A septic system is your own system, and this is a tank system that's often able to hold 1,000 gallons of water. The three-layer system connects to the home, and the system is placed in the ground on the home's property. Often seen as an eco-friendly option, you won't pay monthly fees to use your septic system. Clogging of the system is also your fault. If the system becomes clogged, this is due to your actions: i.e. you're flushing items that cannot breakdown in the system. Septic systems can be costly to install, and all of the maintenance and repair fees must be paid by the homeowner. But "sewer betterment" fees are often imposed on homeowners, with some fees being in the $10,000+ range. This may include fees for installation and repairs. When these fees are considered, this is often higher than the cost to install a septic system on the land. Septic systems do need to be pumped, and this can cost $200 - $300 every 3 – 5 years. Concrete tanks can last 40 years with proper maintenance, while steel tanks have a lifespan of 15 – 20 years. "Septic systems should be inspected and pumped a minimum of once every three to four years. You may not be experiencing any problems now, but a full septic tank may allow unwanted solids to flow into the drain field, which is the part of the system that consists of a distribution box and a series of connected pipe," explains Apollo Drain. Septic systems also offer the benefit of being able to build a home in a remote area, which may not have a sewer system connection close by. But when sewer systems are close to the home, they're often chosen because they can handle large amounts of waste at a time. During storm periods where heavy rains occur, sewer systems are able to handle the water with much greater ease than a septic system. &nbs […]

Some of us are DIYers and some of us need to smash our thumb with a hammer a few times or fall off a ladder and sprain our ankle to realize that we’re…just…not. But just because we clearly shouldn’t try to take down a wall or install a floor or even put together a bookcase by ourselves doesn’t mean we can’t have some personal influence over our space. Let’s start with the walls. Yes, you can scour the internet for abstract art in every color, shape, and size, and you’ll pay a pretty penny for a lot of it. Or, you can D-I-Y your A-R-T. It’s easier than you think to create something that looks like you dropped some serious cash to dress up your walls, and you might even have a good time while you’re at it. Here are a few ideas to get your juices flowing. Create dimension Ever see those abstract paintings that have texture and dimension and wonder how they got such a layered look? This tutorial uses a clever trick to approximate the look of “elevated brush (or painting-knife) strokes”: tissue paper! Who ever thought an item you use to blow your nose could be so beautifully useful. Get the right tools You’ll need a canvas, some paint, and at least one paintbrush, obviously, to make your art. But incorporating some other tools can give it a unique, professional look. Drywall spatulas give this painting  its textural flair without the brush strokes. Varying the usage and pressure of the spatulas and paint brush allow you to create as much—or as little—texture as you want. Pass the alcohol The alcohol inks, to be exact. If you haven’t heard of this before, it’s about to become your favorite craft item. “Alcohol inks are an acid-free, highly-pigmented, and fast drying medium to be used on non-porous surfaces,” said Create for Less. While the finished product of this abstract art looks complicated, it’s actually a simply process, and one that creates cool-looking art that can be done and hung in a matter of minutes. Watch the tutorial to see how easy it is, but beware: You’re dealing with fire here, so, if you’re accident prone, you might want a chaperone. And more alcohol Using rubbing alcohol to blur the lines helps create the “splash effect” on this painting. It looks like fluffy clouds to us. One thing is for sure: No one will ever know you did this yourself! Go all Jackson Pollock Your masterpiece may not end up in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), but it’ll sure become the centerpiece of your space! Get your splatter on and create a piece you’ll love. This tutorial shows you how. (It also shows you how to create your own canvas, but, unless you’re super keen on this part of the DIY experience, you can save yourself some time and hassle, and maybe even an injury, by picking up a finished, framed canvas at a store like JOANNs, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby.) Don't restrict yourself to just paint Can’t find the perfect shade for your art? Tint it yourself! This dreamy abstract painting is part paint, part food coloring! Think outside the lines Animal print is the inspiration for this spotted art. Black and gray paint on a white background keeps it neutral, and the gold-sprayed framed provide a pop. Do like the artist and use watercolors to “vary the depth of the spots to make it look more natural.” Make it fancy A little touch of metallic takes this art to the next level. This cool painting uses golf leaf, but you can also experiment with metallic paint if you’d rather. […]