Do you live in a  small or medium sized home and find that you need to increase your entertainment and living space? One of the best capital investments you can make is to renovate by expanding on an outdoor deck. Today, building materials and kits makes it possible for the average homeowner to DIY (do-it-yourself) and save thousands, while choosing a custom layout that works for their lifestyle and family needs. It’s important to know that building a deck isn’t a project that can be completed over the weekend. You will also have to invest in quality materials to ensure that the deck remains safe and visually appealing, years after installation.  Read on for a step-by-step plan for designing, planning and installing a deck, and to determine the resale value it can add to your home! 

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  A home inspection is an invaluable tool for a home buyer trying to decide whether or not a specific property is a good investment. Being present for the process can make the inspection even more worthwhile. Asking questions of the inspector and getting his or her opinions about the problems with the house can help the home buyer decide whether or not to move forward with the real estate transaction.  

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees. 

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  Warm weather is on its way, so now is the perfect time to take action in your outdoor area and prepare for a fun and relaxed summer outside. This article looks at five creative upgrades to enhance your outdoor space; adding a new terrace or wooden platform, upgrading your outdoor lighting, building in new furniture, designing a shady retreat and pool decking ideas for upgrading the area around your pool.

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  After a long winter we all get excited with the first signs of spring, trees are budding, spring bulb flowers are growing and it seems like everyone is outside. After being cooped indoors for the last few months people would rather spend as much time enjoying the nice weather as possible, but there are a few things to consider before you spend every minute of your day out and about.

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals, such as calcium or magnesium. This might sound good since they are substances the body needs, but this is not always the case. Hard water can be harmful. In fact, 85 percent of the American population is dealing with its effects on a daily basis. The following should help such homeowners understand why it is important to soften the water in their households.

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  Many people miss one big thing when decorating their home (although it plays a great role), and that’s lighting. The living room is space where you spent most of your time reading, hosting parties, watching TV or just spending time with your loved ones, and it deserves proper lighting, both for functionality and esthetics. Here are some things to pay attention to when choosing appropriate lighting solutions for your living room.