The housing market is still booming and many homeowners are still turning to renovations vs. buying a new home. In fact, budgets for renovations are rising due to the need for larger kitchens, outdoor spaces and smart home innovations. Here are some small changes that you can have done to your existing home that will make a big impact on the style and look.

Silestone for Countertops

Instead of using granite or marble, use Silestone for new countertops. Granite and marble are desired high end materials, however they are hard to maintain. The new Silestone is made using a patented HybriQ+ technology meaning the products are made out of 20% recycled raw materials, 99% recycled water and 100% renewable electricity.

LED Bulbs and Lighting Made with Responsible Materials

LED light bulbs are a fabulous way to help the planet because they consume less energy. There are many independent companies that will use eco-conscious materials to make lamps, pendants and chandeliers. Bicycle Glass Co. is one that makes high-end fixtures out of 100% recycled glass and David Trubridge makes pendants out of sustainable wood. If you are purchasing wooden items, always look for the Forest Stewardship Council- certified (FSC) label.

Silestone for Tile Backsplash

Ceramic tile has been the go to for a backsplash, but the process of making tile can be a little harsh on the environment. It uses a lot of energy to fire, press and dry the tiles and then the grout and the grout sealer that is used to install the tile can possibly have high levels of VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). These VOC’s can cause health issues for homeowners. Using a Silestone backsplash is the solution to eliminating these problems. The product is made out of renewable resources and can be custom sized so the slab fits the whole area.

Opt for Eco-Friendly Paint

Paint is an easy way to spruce up a space in a short period and with little out of pocket. Traditional paint contains high levels of VOC’s that are emitted in your home while the paint dries. A great greener and healthier option is Clare Paint which has zero VOC’s and is Greenguard Gold-certified and The Real Milk Paint Co with zero VOCS that is made with 100% organic materials. Look for the Greenguard Gold- certified label which means the products have low chemical emissions.

Silestone for Flooring

Concrete floors are made with natural elements but are not carbon-friendly. In fact, around 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the production of concrete. It also accounts for one-tenth of the world’s industrial water use. Silestone floors come in several different hues and are made with a carbon neutral process.

Natural Fibers and Textiles

Instead of using synthetic fabrics that are treated with chemicals, use natural fibers and textiles that are composed of recycled materials. Certain chemicals like adhesives and flame retardants let off harmful VOC’s. Textile waste is also bad for the environment but is being eliminated by using recycled fabric and mixing them with new materials. If you are interested in a rug, get one that is made out of organic cotton, linen, jute or sisal.

Remember to look for labels that say the materials are safe for you and for the environment. Using materials that are made out of recycled materials are a great way to help with the environment. The greener we are today, the better life will be tomorrow.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.

Often, people are landowners sitting on land that can be developed. Some landowners sit on land to sell to someone else, harvest timber and pine straw, a hunting camp, retreat or they might want to build a nice home one day. Most of the time you will need to do some sort of improvements to your land. If you need to do a big improvement, you could need a land improvement loan.

First South Farm Credit, which was founded in 1916 is the perfect place to go when a landowner needs a loan. They offer financial services for rural communities, covering farming operations including crops, and livestock, assistance in financing rural home construction, and other types of rural property improvements. They offer services for landowners in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

“If you are playing or working in the dirt, we want to be in there with you as long as you are improving the value of that dirt, which is the collateral for the loan. Whether it be roads, barns, ponds, timber management as in thinning or clear-cutting, controlled burns or establishing wildlife habitat,” says Taylor Hart, manager of FSFC in Opelika, Al.

Land improvement loans do have standard financing terms. This 15% down payment can be either cash or the property (free and clear). As mentioned earlier, a land improvement loan can cover many things. Road construction and repair come under this loan and will also potentially increase the value of the property. These can include roads, trails, or small bridges that allow easier property access. “Opening up some roadways is an opportunity for increased access which adds value to a property,” explains Hart.

Other things it can be used for are timber management and property clearing. Landowners can use this timber as a long-term renewable revenue stream and harvest the wood section by section. If you clear-cut it all at once and use the property for agricultural land, food plots or replant seedlings.

Pond construction also falls under this type of loan. ” The general thought is that any type of water feature increases the value of a property whether it is for fishing, duck hunting, or irrigation of crops. Water has a way of relaxing people. We typically look at the cost as well as the value that will be added by the water feature,” Hart said.

Another item that can be considered is a collateral improvement which are things of value that are on the property. These are things such as replanting of seedling trees after harvesting them, pine straw harvest, clear cut to-open areas for food plots, controlled burns or fire lanes.

“In terms of pine straw harvest, typically you have to have longleaf pine and the implementation and management of the operation increases the value of the property because you have developed a stream of income,” Hart stated.

If you want to use the property in the future to build a home you can also get a loan to build. Depending on your profile and the amount of equity you have in the property you can obtain a loan for around 85% of the value.

If you are in the market for some land or have some land and need advice on what to use it for, check with a local realtor. A local realtor can help you through the whole process.

Click Here For the Source of the Information.