Category: Home Exterior

Cue the solo trumpet Waltz.

A 1930′s Tudor home on Staten Island, made famous in the 1972 film “The Godfather,” will be available for rent on Airbnb beginning July 27 at 1 pm

The home will be available for a one-time, 30-day rental from August 1-31, for a maximum of 5 people.

And if you’re hoping to recreate Connie’s wedding during your stay, think again. There is a strict “no parties” rule.

The five bedroom, seven bathroom mansion has a large saltwater pool, a pub in the basement, a game room and a gym.

The home was completely remodeled in 2012 with a gourmet kitchen, stately dining and great rooms, custom moldings, natural stone bathrooms, two fireplaces and a gas generator, according to Zillow.

It was last sold in 2016 for $2.4 million.

But you won’t have to do anything unsavory to afford a stay there. The Airbnb rate is $50 per night.

The exterior of the home was used to depict the Coreleone’s home for several scenes in “The Godfather” and a brief scene in “The Godfather 2″ but the interior of the Coreleone home was shot on a sound stage in New York City.

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• Simple DIY landscaping projects can help you increase curb appeal when you have a limited budget.
• Projects like adding garden edging, pathways, and permanent seating can have a big impact.
• A real estate agent and landscape architect shared tips for beautifying your property on a budget.

You don’t need to spend big to make a significant impact on your home’s outdoor aesthetic. Small, inexpensive changes can boost curb appeal, and a few smart landscaping choices can even increase your home’s price point when it comes time to sell.

We reached out to Ohio-based real estate agent Kristina Morales to learn more about how outdoor landscaping impacts real estate value. We also spoke to Blythe Yost, co-founder and chief landscape architect at online landscape design company Tillyfor tips on getting the most bang for your buck with various DIY landscaping projects.

If you’re looking to save big on landscaping, going DIY is the way to go. Morales says that doing things yourself is the most cost-effective way to jazz up a drab landscape. We’ve put together this list of 13 DIY landscaping ideas under $1,000 to beautify your front or backyard.

A recent volunteer day for Army Specialist Harry Stokes brought him one step closer to his forever home in Amarillo. He will be given the key to his new home on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10 am

During the July 16 event, volunteers came out early that day to gather and get the landscaping done for the future home of Harry Stokes, giving the house even more life to its already beautiful exterior.

More:New roots for a veteran: Home For Our Troops presents house to wounded warrior

As previously reported, Army specialist Stokes served as a line medic with the 1-23 Infantry, 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team. On June 3, 2012, three months into his first deployment in Afghanistan, Stokes stepped on an improvised explosive device; then an ambush followed. This explosion caused numerous surgeries, and the amputation of his right leg and left foot happened immediately during the blast. The result was the loss of his right leg and his left leg below the knee. Stokes’ medical skills allowed him to administer his own morphine and apply his own tourniquets while he waited for further medical aid.

Stokes is now medically retired and faces difficulties at home due to his injuries. With the help of Home for Our Troops, Branson Homes Construction, and other sponsors, he will have a home where he won’t have to worry about navigating around: It will be wheelchair accessible to take away the stress from his day-to- day life.

“This was a long process to get everything done for this project. We love doing things for our community. We love to give back whenever we can,” said Scott Branson, owner of Branson Homes.

The community is encouraged to attend the event next month to watch Stokes receive the key to his home and

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You’ve often heard me say, protect your home from the outside in. The primary components of your home’s defense against wind, rain, snow, and extreme heat are its roof and exterior. Your environment significantly influences the kind of siding you choose for your house.

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By replacing the siding with new material, you can increase the value of your property and improve the curb appeal, all while extending the lifespan of your home. It’s also a great time to add extra insulation to help save on energy costs.

Whatever the choice of material, it is essential to use a waterproof barrier and flashing around the windows and doors. Before calling a contractor, spend some time researching your other options and deciding which would best fit your property.

Brick is one of the most common types of siding. It’s durable, weather resistant, and looks great. However, brick is porous, so you must have the proper vapor barrier or air barrier between the substrate and the brick to prevent water damage, plus regular maintenance with the occasional repointing. Brick is not ideal for coastal regions, as salt can weaken and erode the brick over time.

Brick staining is another great way to update your house. Staining allows you to make subtle or dramatic changes to your brickwork, and adding masonry strengthener will help restore your old brick. Staining allows the brick to breathe while giving it new life. It can transform your home, lasting up to 30 years, and increase curb appeal without moving. It is also a good option if you have added new brick, for example by

One thing’s for sure. With an increased value being placed on the comfort and usability of your living spaces, there has been no shortage of home buildouts and renovations over the past few years.

And if you take a moment to look around, you’ll see there are some very distinct and modern design choices popping up in the area.

Here, Michael Winn, founder of design brand Win Design + Build in Falls Church, walks us through the latest home exterior trends going on in NoVA.

Outdoor living

The past two years have seen a noticeable surge in both creating outdoor living spaces, and expanding upon existing areas.

“We’ve definitely seen a renewed interest in outdoor living,” says Winn.

This could include anything from porches, decks, and patios to pools and outdoor kitchens.

The possibilities are endless.

“The overarching theme here is really a byproduct of people spending a lot more time at home these past few years,” Winn says. “They wanted a space where they can safely gather with their friends and over the past few years, that has been outside.”

Modern and contemporary

A shift toward more contemporary home design has also happened in recent years.

“Previously, if a client was feeling a little adventurous or online, they would usually explore that on the inside, but we’re seeing that change recently,” says Winn.

An example of this may be taking an existing home like a Cape Cod, which is typically very traditional, and reimagining it in a way that makes it more modern.

This could be done with an addition or a pop top, where a second story or part of a second story is added onto a one-story home, Winn says.

Textured panels are also something new that