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Arlington TX Real Estate Blog

6 Rock-Solid Reasons to Pick Concrete Flooring

Strength and Durability

Strength and Durability

Factory and warehouse buildings around the world share at least one thing in common—concrete floors. There’s a simple reason why: The material stands up easily to hard use, whether under the wheels of a forklift or the soles of your shoes. Drop something on it, and concrete flooring doesn't crack or dent. Drag something across it, and it doesn't get scratched. Resistant to fire and moisture, stains and odors, concrete flooring can last at least a lifetime, requiring nothing in return except regular cleaning and occasional resealing and/or waxing. Plus, if patching ever becomes necessary, a rapid-setting formulation like Rapid Set Cement All makes repairs quick and easy.

Strength and Durability

Lots of Looks

No one would blame you for thinking of concrete as coarse in texture, gray in color, and drab in overall appearance. But the fact is that with advanced manufacturing from the likes of CTS | Rapid Set, along with improved methods of installation, concrete can take on any number of compelling looks. For example, after it's been poured, concrete can be scored, stamped, or dyed. Later, once the concrete has cured, the finishing options broaden to include painting, staining, and etching. Whether you favor a glossy, one-color surface or an artful, one of a kind, multi-colored floor with a matte feel, you can...

The Gallery House by DADA & Partners

Gallery House by DADA & Partners

Architecture firm DADA & Partners have designed a new house in Chattarpur, India.

Gallery House by DADA & Partners

The home, which is surrounded by a quarter-acre of land, features a palette of wood, white stucco,
and granite.

Gallery House by DADA & Partners

A swimming pool is tucked away at the side of the house.

Gallery House by DADA & Partners

Hardwood battens create a screen for the upper corridor.

Gallery House by DADA & Partners

The multi-level home has the dining room, master bedroom, and family room on the ground floor, with the upper floor providing a more relaxing lounge area, with various seating areas.

Gallery House by DADA & Partners

Gallery House by DADA & Partners

Inside, there are white walls with plenty...

This Is Why You Shouldn't Swipe Your Chip Credit Card

You probably have a wallet full of credit cards with chips at this point. Banks have been rolling them out like crazy and they're supposed to be safer — as long as you use them the right way, that is. That's why the fact that some retailers — including Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, Chick-fil-A, and Panera Bread — don't have chip card readers up and running at all of their locations is a big concern.

You see, if you swipe a chip card instead of inserting it into slot, the merchant is responsible for covering any fraudulent charges — not the bank. And some retailers aren't in a financial position to cover major security breaches, like that corner store you picked up a gallon of milk from in a pinch. That means you get stuck covering the snafu, according to Adam Levin, founder of Identity Theft 911 and author of Swiped.

...

Local News - DFW Radio

We love music here at The Mark Cabal Team. We've always loved music. We all grew up with a wide genre of music from swing, to jazz, to blues, to rock, to hip hop - we love it all.

That's why yesterday's heartbreaking news of KDGE - 102.1 The Edge being dropped from the radio had all of our stomachs in knots. They played All My Life by the Foo Fighters and the last song played was Out Of My League by Fitz & The Tantrums. Since then, a non-stop loop of Closing TIme by Semisonic. It will continue to loop until 5:00pm CST when the station will apparently introduce a new format. 

Here's a story from dfw.com that includes an interview from 2014 with George Gimarc who was the first official hire (DJ) on the Edge.

Image result for music notes

Posted 7:36am on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016

UPDATED and revised

It’s really been a long time since KDGE/102.1 FM “The Edge” was on the “cutting edge” of anything, but still, there’s something sad about Wednesday afternoon’s news that is has dropped modern rock after 27 years.

If you try to listen to the Edge online, which is the way I listen to radio stations in the office, you will be redirected to the website of sister station KEGL/97.1 FM“The Eagle.” There is a lot of crossover in the music on the stations, as the Eagle...

Thanksgiving Punch for a Crowd

Thanksgiving Punch for a Crowd …this easy, fall beverage favorite will be a delicious option this Thanksgiving when entertaining your family and friends!

Enjoy all the best flavors of autumn with this amazing, delicious drink!

Thanksgiving Punch for a Crowd ...this easy, fall beverage favorite will be a delicious option this Thanksgiving when entertaining your family and friends!

Hey all! Jessica from Fantabulosity here again, to share a fun Thanksgiving punch that my friends and I created the other day in our “test kitchen.” (Better known as, the kitchen in our house that becomes a test kitchen when we get to creating.) ;)

Thanksgiving Punch for a Crowd... gathering the ingredients

Thanksgiving Punch for a Crowd

The above ingredients were the final ingredients we nailed down, when experimenting. (Minus sliced apples for garnish of course.)

The beauty behind this recipe, is that you can play with the ingredients, to reach a level of flavor that you prefer, but I’ll make sure to include our favorite measurements below

Thanksgiving Punch for a Crowd ... enjoy all the best flavors of autumn with this amazing, delicious drink!

If you’re serving this Thanksgiving punch at home, or in a location where you can “play,” you can have a LOT of fun, dressing up the beverage...

Why NOW Is The Best Time To Sell Your House

We hear it every year: "I want to wait until after the Holidays to sell my home."

WHY? Sellers! Here are 10 GREAT reasons why right NOW is the BEST time to sell!!

  • 1. There are motivated buyers in the market that must buy for tax reasons.
  • 2. During the Holiday Season there are typically less homes on the market. Less supply means less competition. Less competition means more money in your pocket.
  • 3. Many people have time off during the Holidays, which increases their availability to see homes. Buyers that buy during the Holiday Season tend to be serious buyers.
  • 4. Buying is an emotional purchase and emotions tend to run high during the Holiday Season. Strategically, having the opportunity to work off a buyer’s emotion is in your favor . . . they tend to offer a higher price when emotions are involved.
  • 5. The Holiday Season reminds many people of family. The home is the foundation of the family unit. More people become motivated to buy during the Holidays than other times of the year.
  • 6. The interest rates are incredibly low, which allows a buyer to afford more in the market. When rates are low, buyers tend to present higher purchase offers.
  • 7. Many sellers will wait and list after the first of the year, which causes a lot of new...

Inside A Tiny House That Actually Has Room For Guests!!!

There are two (!!) bedrooms in a very tidy 184 square feet. 

One downside (or upside, depending how you look at it) of downsizing to a tiny house is no longer hosting overnight guests. There's simply no room for extra bodies when you're already scrambling to fit the kitchen sink. 

Meet the answer to your entertaining woes: the Hikari Box Tiny House. Made by the small space experts Shelter Wise, the home makes the most of its 184 square feet by lofting a master and guest bedroom. The "large" suite can accommodate a luxuriously-wide queen bed, and the second loft can fit a twin mattress (or a cozy reading nook if you're so inclined).

The extra bedroom doesn't mean less storage space, however. A set of Japanese "tansu" stairs also function as a large closet — not to mention a perfectly-sized cabinet for wine, like in this model. 

If you're still not sold on the tiny house lifestyle, what the Hikari may lack in space it makes up for in windows. Its name, which means "light-filled" in Japanese, comes from the 14 windows (including a skylight over each bedroom). Star-gazing from your queen-sized bed doesn't...

5 Affordable Upgrades That Won't Overimprove Your Home

Say you're living in a starter home. You don't plan on being there forever, but you also aren't going anywhere anytime soon. You'd like to make some home improvements, but you're worried you won't get much return on your investment when you're ready to sell.

While this thinking could be accurate if you're planning to fully gut and renovate your kitchen, there are plenty of projects that will add enjoyment to your day-to-day living without overimproving your abode. "Think cosmetic changes, not huge overhauls," says Audrey Loder, showroom director at Wilkinson Supply, a luxury kitchen and bath retailer in Raleigh, NC. These five projects are inexpensive (around $5,000 or less) to implement and will provide you with enjoyment for years to come — or at least until you hang that "for sale" sign in the front yard.

Image result for kitchen countertops

1. Swap out your kitchen countertops

But don't assume granite is always the best choice. "Granite isn't as special as it once was because every kitchen has it now," advises Loder. If the countertops are the only upgrade you're planning, splurge on recycled glass (around $85 per square foot) for a true wow factor, or for a less expensive but equally stunning option, try quartz (around $60 to $75 per square foot). Stick with neutral colors like white, gray, or "greige," which will appear clean and bright and won't turn off potential buyers. If your budget allows, Loder recommends upgrading your...

Peachy Chicken Salad Recipe

Peachy Chicken Salad Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 15 min.    
MAKES: 4-6 servings


Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon or 1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon
  • 2-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
  • 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
  • 1 cup frozen tiny peas, thawed
  • 2 large peaches, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup pecan halves, toasted
  • ...

How to Use a Positive Attitude to Change Bad Financial Habits

spending and saving money

If you’ve ever made a promise to change your spending habits, only to break that promise repeatedly, you are not alone. After all, you still have to go past your favorite coffee shop every morning where a delicious (and overpriced) beverage is only minutes from your lips. Throughout the day, your inbox may bring news of sales and special offers from your favorite retailers. And your next travel adventure to bring warmth to your skin and sand to your bare toes is only a few clicks away. It’s tempting to spend, isn’t it?

If you find it hard to change your attitude about spending, you might be interested in learning what scientists are discovering about habits and why they’re difficult to change. However, it’s possible to transform your bad financial habits into a positive attitude about saving more, living frugally, and building long-term wealth.

How Dopamine Affects Spending Decisions

According to research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, humans have a brain chemical called dopamine that is triggered with pleasure. When it is triggered, it transmits signals from cell to cell and creates pathways for addictions to enjoyable stimuli, such as food, cigarettes, alcohol, sex, and shopping. When we do something that gives us happiness, such as buying the latest smartphone or new, fashionable clothes, our brain receives a dopamine surge. Some of that chemical then moves to the area of the brain where memories are created and stored, causing the brain to positively associate the spending of money with pleasure.

But dopamine doesn’t stop there – it also controls our...

How To Improve Your Productivity When Working From Home

--From moolanomy.com

I am lucky in that my job affords me the ability to do most of my work from home. I am usually in the office only one day a week at most. Working from home is a benefit most people don’t have and I love it — but it definitely can be a challenge. I currently have a two year old and one child on the way, so it is great to have the extra time a commute would cost me.  In over a year of working from home I have first hand experience in some of the things you can do to improve your productivity when working from home.

6 Tips To Make Working From Home More Productive

Designate a space

While you may think it would be awesome to sit on your couch and work all day, you are wrong. For you to be productive you are going to need all of those things you would normally have in the office. This means you need to designate a specific location in your home as “The Office.”

Another problem of not having a designated space is that you will never be away from work. So designate a specific location for work, so when you take a break you can get out of “The Office”

Declutter

I am horrible at this, but a clean work surface will improve your productivity like you never thought it would. If you have let it slide then add clean off your desk to the list. The best thing to do is clean it off at the end of each day so when you come in (our down the stairs) you aren’t staring down a mess. Start your day organized so you can stay organized.

Your Kids Have Got to Go

Your kids are cute but they are not going to help you get your work done. When you are working, even at home,...

Tricked Out Tiny Home Features Garage Door and Custom Deck

All Photos via New Frontier Tiny Homes

Now this is a tiny house that we’d like to get behind—or, inside, rather. Nashville-based New Frontier Tiny Homes is at it again, this time with its flagship product, the luxurious Alpha Tiny Home, which was recently showcased on HGTV’s "Tiny House, Big Living." It boasts trend-forward details like reclaimed barn wood, subway tiles, hardwood floors, and a stainless steel farmhouse sink.

And there’s even more to get excited about. Set upon a 24-inch, custom double-axel trailer, the 240-square-foot residence is chock-full of amenities, featuring charred shou sugi ban cedar and western red cedar siding on its exterior, a mechanical seam metal roof, a tempered glass garage door that opens to reveal a custom fold down deck and awning, sliding glass door, and a dining table that can accommodate up to eight people.

The Alpha is comfortable, too: The step-up kitchen (under which the dining table is stored) is tricked out in the latest appliances and custom cabinetry, while the full bathroom includes a Jacuzzi tub and a combination washer-and-dryer unit. The loft bedroom is set atop the bathroom and is accessed by an oak library ladder. All this can be yours for a cool $95,000. Have a look below.

...

30 Modern Bedroom Ieas

Stumped on how to revamp your toddler, teen, or master bedroom? Get inspired to introduce fresh ideas into a sleepy space.

10 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Value on a $200 to $2K Budget

Maintaining and increasing your home’s value can pay off in major ways. Not only does helping your home hold value help it sell for its full amount, it can also help your home sell more quickly, help maintain your neighbor’s home values, and ensure that you’re not overpaying in property taxes.

These 10 projects are listed from least to most expensive, and may help you increase your home’s value. Best part: None of these projects cost more than $2,000, so you don’t have to break the bank to take on these projects either.

—-Low Cost: Budget under $500—-

LAWN FERTILIZING

Fertilizing your lawn may not seem as though it’s doing much for your home’s value, but a well-maintained lawn plays a major role in your home’s curb appeal. Curb appeal is how well your property looks from the road, and has a major impact on your home’s value and resale. Fertilizing a dry, brown, or otherwise patchy lawn can help boost your home’s curb appeal, and in turn its value.

Cost: The average cost of lawn fertilizing is around $.03 a square foot assuming a 6,000 square foot lawn, for a total of $180. Total costs range from $.02 a square foot for a DIY job to $.04 a square foot during peak season.

Money Saving Tips

  • If you are able to tackle this job DIY, you can save a lot of money (which you can then use to plant shrubs or trees to further increase your home’s curb appeal).
  • Tackle this job at the beginning of the season to avoid paying peak prices.

INSTALL AN ATTIC FAN

The attic is one of the most overlooked areas of the home when it comes to the impact on the rest of the home. Attics that are not properly insulated can become...