What Are the Rules for Mortgage Insurance?

Mortgage insurance protects a creditor by decreasing its risk of a borrower’s defaulting on a house loan. Conventional borrowers who earn less than a 20 percent down payment consent to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI), which covers the loan in case of default. Typically, when the loan balance falls under 80% of the home’s market value, a borrower is allowed to cancel the PMI policy. Mortgage insurance is also provided from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for qualified buyers.

Homeowners Protection Act of 1998

Also called the”PMI Cancellation Act,” the Homeowners Protection Act (HOPA) is a federal law passed in 1998 that gives homeowners the right to cancel a mortgage insurance plan once equity conditions are satisfied. Prior to the act, many homeowners found it difficult to cancel PMI, and policies varied according to individual lenders. As of 1999, clear disclosure and notification requirements serve to aid homeowners remove excessive or unnecessary private mortgage insurance. A borrower may request cancellation or automatic termination could be required whenever the primary balance of the mortgage reaches 78 percent of their initial value of the house. Borrowers must be current on their obligations, based on HOPA, and exceptions apply for loans regarded as insecure or nonconforming.

Personal Mortgage Insurance

The cost of PMI for homeowners includes a payment made at final and subsequent monthly obligations added to principal and interest, based on Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Borrowers who also consist of property taxes and homeowner’s insurance with their mortgage repayment may especially feel the added burden of PMI monthly. 1 option suggested by Wells Fargo for borrowers planning to move or refinance within a relatively short period of time is to select lender-paid mortgage . The cost is added to the loan’s interest rate, and cancellation of the mortgage insurance plan may not be allowed.

FHA Mortgage Insurance

More than 4.8 million U.S. mortgages have been insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as of 2010, according to the bureau’s website. Approved lenders issue mortgages to qualified borrowers with low down payment requirements. FHA subsequently provides insurance against default. FHA requires the homeowner to cover an up-front mortgage insurance premium, which may be financed into the mortgage amount, followed by yearly premiums. The mortgage insurance premium may be removed after the home’s value increases over time. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also guarantees loans for military members issued by private lenders but demands a one-time financing fee rather than monthly mortgage insurance premiums.

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How to Price a Real Estate Lease

If you own property which you want to rent out, you’ll need to put a good deal of consideration and thought into the lease price. Price it too high, and you won’t get any tenants. Too low, and you are missing out on extra income. With research and property insight, you are able to establish the best price for the rental house.

Compare your property with local rental units. This is undoubtedly the most time consuming step, but it’s also the most important. Do not simply open up the paper or check on the internet for costs. You need to attend open houses and schedule walk-throughs of competing rental properties to make sure the building’s interior is comparable. If the device is in a condition of disrepair, even a building with similar square footage might not be comparable. Equipped with price points for local properties, it is possible to get a good idea of what average rental leases go for on the regional rental industry.

Keep tabs on area property deals or special offers.Looking in other listings won’t only help you get comparable pricing things, but it will also provide information on the area’s rental trends. According to financial investor, property guru and Trump University professor Gary W. Eldred, when possessions frequently provide reduced or deals rent, it can indicate a slumping rental sector. If the rental market is suffering, you’ll want to undercut the costs of competing rental properties. Even though you will lose some money on the lower rent, overall it’s a wise choice. If you maintain your costs high, you could lose even more income as the property remains vacant for several months.

Adjust for amenities. When finding comparable properties for price guidance, square footage is the main consideration. However, you must look at other land conveniences and amenities also. If comparable units do not contain a number of the same amenities as your building, then you can price your property a bit higher than these competing properties. Research area companies to see what the fair market value of those amenities are. By way of instance, if your building has an on-site gym, you’ll want to research the membership charges for local gyms. Other aspects to consider include parking availability, pet policies, on-site laundry or proximity to mass transit.

Consider raising the lease price when additional risk is involved. Short-term leases–month per month, or around six or nine months frequently come at a premium price. Tenants are willing to pay extra for a shorter lease. Just how much extra you can charge will depend on how great the risks are to your bottom line.

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Guest Picks: Sets for a Tiny Entryway

When you live in an apartment as miniature as mine, it’s sometimes hard to distinguish the entryway from the remaining portion of the joint. Collected here are a couple of bits and bobs that make the differentiation and keep things organized and neat at precisely the exact same time. — Erin from Reading My Tea Leaves

Etsy

Hand-Knit Rope Rug by Slip Stitch Co. – $60

I really like this doormat’s weave. I keep a sturdy mat outside the door for collecting dirt, but I would love something cozy like this for inside.

Shanna Murray

All Are Welcome Tiding – $12

In a space that’s very little, there is usually room for a couple of sweet words. I like the concept of having a little welcome message in the entryway.

Etsy

Vintage Industrial Wood Crate by Ethan Ollie – $46

In my little apartment, I store shoes at a crate from the door. If I did not have a cage, this one could be excellent for the job.

Etsy

Felted Slippers, Neutral by Agnes Felt – $60

Since I leave my shoes from the front entrance, it’s wonderful to have something else to slide on for padding around the house. These would do the trick, particularly with winter around the corner.

Makr Carry Goods

Plate Hook – $95

I really like this combination hook and plate. I can envision hanging my tote bag from the hook and putting my keys on the plate over.

The Wild Unknown

Flowers & Feathers – $45

Sometimes a tiny extract of color is all you need. I have been a longtime fan of this print from The Wild Unknown.

Old Faithful Shop

Door Wedge – $6.95

Whether I am lugging home grocery store or trying to get out of the house for a weekend away, occasionally a door wedge is precisely what I need. I adore the classic form of this one.

General Store

I store canvas bags on the back of my apartment door so I remember to bring them to the grocery shop. Possessing an oversized tote to fit them all would help keep things organized.

Schoolhouse Electric

Doug Fir Wall Mount Coat Rack – $55

Coats tend to collect in my entryway. I would love one of these classic racks for hanging winter coats and hats.

Etsy

Minimal Wall-Mount Shelf, Reclaimed Old Growth Wood and Iron by Blake Avenue – $70

A easy shelf at the entryway is the best place to decorate with a bouquet of flowers or to pile up library books that need returning.

Brook Farm General Store

I keep my keys from the door so I know where they are when it’s time to venture out. I would really like to bring these tiny leather covers to help tell them apart.

Circa Lighting

Vendome Single Sconce | Circa Lighting – $189

Just a tiny lamp will perform in a very small entryway. This one is simple and unfussy.

Etsy

Wooden Writing Clipboards by Simplychi – $18

Hanging clipboards make for a wonderful spot to leave little love notes or reminders for folks going or coming.

Father Rabbit

Metal Shelf With Hooks

This mixture shelf and coat rack could perform double-duty within my tiny entry.

The Sill

The Eley – $48

Nothing brightens my apartment like the little pieces of greenery I keep. The scale of this plant and planter is perfect for a very small area.

Etsy

Vintage Wood Peg Rack by Oh, Albatross

This classic coat rack is really a classic, and its profile is slender enough for a tight space.

Mjölk

Wall-Hung Porcelain Candleholder – CAD 80

When there was not space for a lamp in my entryway, I would love a little candlelight to welcome guests over.

Mjölk

Restore Grey Felt Storage Basket – CAD 120

I would use this catchall for stashing incoming email and library books.

Etsy

Large Antique Vanity Mirror Plateau by Simplychi – $82

Everybody needs to check in every now and then. I would keep this mirror at the entryway to make sure I don’t leave the house with errant crumbs on my cheeks.

Etsy

Two Homes Linocut Print by Erin Dollar – $30

Two miniature homes linked from the smoke of their chimneys is an awfully cozy image. I would hang this tight by the front door.

Next: More intelligent solutions for nonexistent entryways

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A Family of 4 Unwinds in 540 Square Feet

Interior designer Jessica Helgerson and her household had every intention of spending just a few nights in their new summer home. However, the weekend turned into a couple weeks , and up until today, the Helgersons can’t bring themselves to depart. “We came over on the weekend of my birthday rather than left,” states Helgerson.

It’s easy to see why. The small home, located north of Portland on picturesque Sauvie Island, is part of a agricultural and wildlife preserve. “We fell in love with the area after our first hike, but it took some time before we found our home. We saw so much potential in this house despite discovering it at an entirely run-down state. Its dimensions is definitely out of the ordinary for this area, but since we must scale things down, we’ve become more educated in regards to what we eat and bring in the house,” states Helgerson.

Who lives here: Jessica Helgerson; her husband, architect Yianni Doulis; plus their 2 kids
Location: Sauvie Island, Oregon
Size: 540 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 sleeping loft
That’s intriguing: The home is located in its fifth usage. Previously it was a single-family home in Vanport Village, a shipyard employee’s abode, a goose-checking channel and an auto mechanic’s run-down lease.

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

A green roof planted with moss and ferns in the surrounding Columbia River replaced a deteriorating roof and decorate the home economically.

“Every room in the house works hard, and that is really the point. We built everything and gutted it flipped the insides into an extremely efficient distance,” states Helgerson.

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

A dining table that is flashed and white oak floors hot up wall cladding and the white cabinetry. Helgerson found the vintage selection on Craigslist, and a wood-burning stove heats the small house.

“The stove occasionally works just a tiny too well in the great room. We usually crack open a window in the winter, because it can get pretty hot,” she states.

Table: habit, Yianni Doulis; chairs: vintage, Paul McCobb; cladding paint: white opulence, Benjamin Moore; pendants: purchased in France

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

The great room “takes quite a beating,” Helgerson states. It houses the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. Her husband made the built in sofas with drawers; they twice as twin beds for guests and toy storage.

A walnut ladder leads the eye upward to Helgerson and her husband’s lofty nest.

Sofa, bookshelves, walnut ladder: habit, Jessica Helgerson Design

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

The sleeping loft requires the few to think carefully before bringing anything into the space.

“Our general thinking is that if it is not amazing and helpful, then we probably do not want it,” she states.

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

Two bunk beds with built-in storage, a pullout closet and a complete guest bed (not shown) make up the kids’ minimalist room.

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

Helgerson flashed the soaking tub from a buddy’s demolition site; her husband built the tub’s wood feet.

The developer admits that sharing a single bathroom with three other folks proves difficult at times, the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences.

Water plants: Digs

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

“It is not a perfect means to live,” states Helgerson. “The bathroom gets runny from working hard, and we know that the clock is ticking when it comes to our kids’ sharing a bedroom. But despite all this, we get along pretty well for living in such a small space.”

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

The house sees its fair share of friends and family coming through its front door. Only a few weeks before, Helgerson (along with her husband and daughter) hosted a birthday party for her son, Max.

Knowing that storage was an issue, Max emailed his friends and asked for no gifts at the party. “We got him a beautiful bow and arrow, which is what he had wanted, so he was not deprived. One buddy cheated and brought him a tiny box of Mexican jumping beans,” states Helgerson.

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

The designer, who as a kid divide her time between France and the States, employed her grandparents’ smaller, scalable European plantation model as inspiration for her own garden beds and greenhouse.

Today, the household is self explanatory for food, except for “alcohol, caffeine and most carbohydrates,” states Helgerson. They develop their own tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, onions, okra and “every kind of berry that springs to mind.”

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

Even though the small footprint is an organic extension of Helgerson’s design ethos, she finds herself enjoying the practice of looking around for a customer and creating somebody else’s vision of a home.

“I’m not about to confer with somebody else in regards to how to live their own lives,” she states. “However, I think most of my customers know my coworkers and I are pretty thoughtful about what we do. We need each and each of our remodels to be our last [for this home].”

She admits part of her carries the romantic belief that her kids will someday inherit the land of their youth — but she would not be surprised if both her daughter and son declare a preference for city living once they’re a little older.

“They could just come home one day and say they want to live in nyc,” states Helgerson.

See more creative Tiny homes

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Guest Groups Interiors

We may need to wait somewhat longer to the launch of Baz Lurhmann’s much-anticipated flick The Great Gatsby, but you can find a head start with all things’30s, glam and deco for your home right now. “Deco”-rate your interior today with all these retro-inspired accents and bits. — Lani from Mon Petit Chou Chou

1stdibs

Brass Trolley or Tea Cart

This sleek, midcentury, brass tea cart could make the greatest bar service. I have a Lucite version in my dining room, and it’s always stocked and ready to roll.

Have a Gatsby-sized estate? Wheel it serve well-heeled guests from room to room.

1stdibs

Art Deco Armchair

I really like the curved curves and artful style of the’30s, deco armchair from Sweden.

I see this graceful lounger in my own bedroom or wood-paneled study.

Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers

Art Deco Borders

Deco boundaries are perfect for framing a door and incorporating creative wall beams.

Etsy

Hardcover American Art Deco Book from 15 Madison Street – $20

I love picking up classic books and magazines and piling them in my coffee table for a few glistening conversation pieces.

Etsy

Vintage Art Deco Letter Rack by Renaissance 38

Bamboo curved into round deco lines makes for a fun, refined accent in your living room or bedroom.

1stdibs

Fashion Illustration For The House Of Premet

This magnificent case from the House of Premet (a Parisian style house in operation from 1911 to 1931) brings a little Daisy Buchanon to your wall space.

I’d frame this lovely lady for use in my vanity. She would act as a sleek dose of inspiration whilst getting dressed (or applying scarlet lipstick) every day.

Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers

Volute Wallpaper, Platinum – $65

Volute background is a geometric feast for the eyes, and it’s made even more decadent in the champagne shade. Who doesn’t like the bubbly?

LightingUniverse

International 2-Light Deco Wall Sconce – $49

All these deco sconces would make for a fairly pair of a fireplace or headboard.

1stdibs

Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome Étagère

There is no need to harvest antiques from the’30s when you can grab some designs from Milo Baughman. He severely can don’t wrong for for me personally.

This chrome étagère is merely another example of why he continues to be so relevant and timeless.

1stdibs

Milo Baughman Chrome Art Deco Club Chair

The curved lines, sleek metalwork and champagne velour on this Milo Baughman chrome bar seat would add deco glam to any room.

Plexi-Craft

Waterfall Vanity – $965

I’ve got this specific vanity, minus the drawer, pulling double-duty as a console in my living room. It’s the best perch for an antler lamp and functions as an easel for a contemporary painting that rests atop it.

Deco Revival Art & Tile Works

Fronds and Leaves Tile

I debated with a deco tile to my fireplace but decided to keep it to the baths where it superbly blends with the first tile designs from the’30s.

One Kings Lane

Art Nouveau Textiles Prototype II, 1900

Consider this magnificent, classic, art nouveau cloths prototype. It is a piece of background begging for breeding — or to be added to my house.

Neiman Marcus

Jonathan Adler Sheepskin Bench – $1,729

Seriously, does it get any better than this Jonathan Adler seat with sheepskin and Lucite? Lucite blends in any room and works with contemporary to traditional interiors.

One Kings Lane

Art Noveau Plant Stand

The sinuous lines of the plant stand would be the perfect addition to a sunlight or three-season porch.

Horchow

Cut-Out Metal, Laser-Cut Drum, and’Art Deco’ Lamp Shades – $150

What easier way is there to change a space than swapping out an old and exhausted lampshade for something magnificent like this?

These art deco lamp shades are easy on the budget and also the eyes.

1stdibs

Pair Chrome Steel Lounge Chairs Attributed to Milo Baughman

If something is as sleek as these Baughman club chairs, it’s ideal to buy two of them! The same guideline applies when buying clothing, right?

Plexi-Craft

Plexi-Craft Étagère – $970

This étagère was featured in Elle Decor for great reason. It begs to display stacks of glossies, perfume bottles and all of your prized possessions.

Next: Bring Back the Optimism of Art Deco and Art Moderne

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Guest Picks: Designing With Florals

Bringing floral patterns to your house is simpler than it seems, and you really don’t have to be intimidated by it. Flowers are usually regarded as delicate and feminine additions to decoration, but more than that, they can bring a wonderful energy and vibrant colours to a room.

Fabric, painted or stained furniture, china and light fixtures can all help you bring floral details into your property. It is possible to begin it small, using a couple cushions or some delicate floral dessert plates. Whatever you decide on, let some florals brighten up your interiors this summer. — Luciane from Home Bunch

Horrockses Fashions

Claudette Bedding – GBP 7.50

Floral patterns in sheets provide a summery and romantic feel to the bedroom. This set is indeed fresh.

Cottage & Bungalow

Flamingo Rattan Lamp – $579

You really don’t have to wind up with your grandma’s lamp to bring some flowers to your living room. This lamp has a natural shape, and its own floral design could not be more subtle.

DecoratorsBest

Albero Floreale, Grey – $56.25

Wallpaper is not as big of a commitment as it used to be. It’s a lot easier to remove if you become tired of this, but chances are you won’t get tired of this one since it has a very neutral color and design.

French Garden House

Vintage Shabby Hand Painted French Style Floral Bed – $3,500

This vintage, shabby chic, French mattress is totally stunning. I really like the details along with the colour. Simply bring some white sheets and also a comfy mattress, and you’ll be able to call it heaven.

Layla Grayce

Tall Three Drawer Chest, White Floral – $2,136

A floral torso is a big commitment (don’t tell your husband), but it would look great at a cabin or any space you want to bring a vintage, shabby chic texture.

Society Social

Garden Gorgeous, Navy and Red – $78

You can design an entire room with this stunning color palette. It’s quite inspiring, which is just the type of thing that you need to bring in your house.

An angel at my table

Custom Fabric Coffee Table Stool – GBP 295

I’m really in love with this ottoman. Its classic design could be a great addition to any space.

Live Like You

Leigh Sofa, Cleo Spring – $3,945

I really like how elegant yet casual this couch seems. Balance the floral print using some cushions that are neutral.

West Elm

Spring Floral Shower Curtain – $49

Shower curtains can be quite stylish. Find one that matches the existing components in your bathroom for a quick makeover.

GiftCollector

I have this one! I enjoy adding some fun florals using china.
Anything that you put on a gorgeous plate appears to taste much
better.

Anthropologie

Coqo Floral Rug, Navy – $98

This carpet has the classic look of blue and white but with a modern twist.

Etsy

Tapestry Fabric, Vintage Floral by Queen Decor – $30

This vintage floral fabric could be great on cushions or an ottoman. The secret is not overdoing it and understanding how to balance it out with other pieces that are impartial.

Timeless Settings

Mercury Glass Decanter – $32

This decanter is the perfect feminine touch to add to a dining area or bookshelf. It’s delicate and lovely.

Layla Grayce

Capel Rugs Piedmont Floral Damask Light Turquoise Wool Rug – $101

A floral damask carpet is a excellent way to bring some pattern to a living space. Additionally, its design helps disguise any small spills in the kids.

Etsy

Custom Color Ruffle Rose Pillow, Small by That Funky Boutique – $29

How about changing your couch into a plushy place to relax? Build your “indoor garden” with cushions.

The Southern Home

Folkloric – Garden Whimsy Pillow – $120

This pillow is the right accession to bring colour and a summery feel into a room.

Anthropologie

Ceramic Melon Knob, Aqua – $8

I’m a big fan of Anthropologie’s knobs. They’re a simple and inexpensive way to add a vintage look to furniture and doors.

Layla Grayce

Worlds Away Venus Pendant Capiz Shell Floral, Turquoise – $423

It is possible to use this dramatic and enjoyable ring over a kitchen island, in a foyer, powder room or office. It comes in yellow, turquoise, white and pink.

An angel at my table

Retro Flower Suitcases – GBP 15

These retro suitcases would look great beside a girl’s bed. It is possible to use them for decor and storage at precisely the same time.

Next: Lessons from Monet’s Garden

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Guest Picks: Inspired by the French Countryside

Next month I’m traveling to the countryside of France. As I usually do when I travel, I am hoping to pick up some beautiful things for my house at the local stores and flea markets. Since I have been inspired by everything France recently, I decided to obtain some lovely goods online that are certain to bring a little bit of the French style to your home without the expense of the airplane ticket! Enjoy.
— Candice from The Style Boards

Garden Life

Vintage Seedling Pot – AUD 12

These little French terracotta pots are perfect for clustering together full of succulents or cacti onto a desk outside. They’d also make fantastic votive holders for outdoor entertaining!

South of Market

Umbrella Basket – $95

I spotted a vintage French basket like this months ago in an antique shop and never picked it up, I found this stunning reproduction — perfect for storing umbrellas around an entryway or mudroom.

South of Market

Old French Wine Bottles – $495

Demijohns are a beautiful way to add color and interest to a room. These are quite large and would look fantastic with branches exhibited inside them.

Etsy

Vintage French Zinc Flower Pail From petits facts – EUR 38

These French galvanized flower buckets would be the epitome of the French countryside. I love to use these outside in the summer full of fresh-cut wildflowers on picnic tables.

Brook Farm General Store

Cable Basket, Round – $68

This basket reminds me of some thing you would find in Provencal France. It would be perfect for hauling in freshly-picked lavender or piercing in the garden. It has so many uses in the house — holding towels, throws, firewood or sneakers!

Olive and Branch

French Market Basket – $37.80

A trip to a French market wouldn’t be complete with no French Market Basket. These are so versatile and look good on screen in a toilet for guest towels or in a guest bedroom to store blankets and throws.

Etsy

Two Vintage French Tea Towels From petits facts – EUR 30

I love French linens; they’re so straightforward but have such style and beauty. I would love a big heap piled on my pub or in my kitchen.

Etsy

Vintage Lion Head Large Door Knocker Ny the expect tree – $42

This lion’s head brass door knocker only says”Paris” when I look at it. I imagine it hung on a really old, wooden and elaborate door to a construction in Paris somewhere, don’t you think?

Etsy

French Vintage Notebooks From 1960s Into 1970s From the expect tree – $38

These little French notebooks are so adorable. I would keep them handy in the kitchen for jotting down grocery store listings and close to the phone for messages.

Rain Collection

Antique Copper Boiler – $675

You can’t think about France without considering copper pots. I love large vintage ones, such as this, for holding firewood or throws and blankets.

Terrain

French Baby Bottles – $28

I adore these French glass baby bottles. They are excellent for use as water carafes at a desk or as vases.

Terrain

Bee Bowl – $12

Bees are a symbolic French decoration and that I think they are so enchanting on those glass bowls. They are just right for for serving fresh berries in the summer.

Terrain

Iron Cafe Table – $698

I adore this little French cafe dining table. It would be perfect in a breakfast nook or a small terrace or porch.

French Garden House

Vintage French White And Gilt Petite Fleur Cafe au Lait Bowl

Cafe au lait bowls are a quintessential French item. I am definitely hoping to pick up some while I am there. They are perfect for fruit and yogurt at breakfast, or such as the French do — a big bowl of coffee or cocoa!

French Garden House

Antique French Hotel Room Porcelain Number Plaque – $65

I am obsessed with these tiny number plaques. I spot them at flea markets throughout Europe. This layout is among the best I have seen and it’s in amazing shape.

French Garden House

Antique French Campagne Oval Pine Wine Table – $2,850

I love the lines and layout of this table, it’s so unique. This would be a beautiful piece to get a breakfast dining table or as a buffet in the dining room.

Basic French

Enamel Thermometer – $28

I adore these colorful French thermometers. I am definitely going to be picking up one to hang outside in my garden.

Etsy

Mini French Bread Boards By Vintage Home Designs – $35

I have a small obsession with bread planks. These are wonderful. They all have a slightly different layout and are small enough to use as individual bread dishes at a desk.

Enjoy Loans + Linen

White Ceramic Confit Jar – AUD 40

I might find a thousand uses for all these French confit jars and I have had them on my fantasy list for forever. They create good flower vases or serving pieces on a table.

Mothology

Ceramic French Franc Bistro Dish – $10.95

These French bistro bowls are so adorable. I would love to get a few available at my pub for serving nuts and small snacks when entertaining.

Next: Charming, Bright Country Home in France

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