Homeowners who are looking into putting their houses on the market usually concern themselves with sprucing up the inside. Although it is a very good idea since clean interiors, fresh paint, and well-maintained kitchens and bathrooms are some of the primary concerns of home buyers, the outside should get the same amount of attention. Sellers should never lose sight of the fact that the first impression will be given by the exteriors.
Home exteriors should do its part in convincing buyers to look inside and better appreciate the wholeness of the house. Landscaping can give a home the needed edge to rise above other houses for sale. It is an investment that should be considered given the fact that it can provide a 100% to 200% return on investment when the time to sell comes. It goes without saying that this advantage is provided only by well-maintained gardens and frontage. Anything less will not equate to such expected returns.
House selling is all about presentation. Failure to present a home in the best light can result to a much lower resale price than expected. This is the reason why renovations, improvements, and additions are done before putting the house up for sale, and not during, when prospective buyers are pointing to the house’s visible liabilities. Amply preparing the house for selling minimizes the need to be defensive with regards to the condition of the house.
House buyers have so much choices today that it makes sense to improve one’s home without too much cost. Landscaping, especially if properly maintained from the very start can provide more value at less cost. Planning the layout is a must if homeowners do not wish to end up with a chaotic garden or backyard. It will be necessary to set the borders and garden beds first before planting. Saplings and trees can be obtained from a local nursery to ensure that the plants chosen will thrive in the area. The main goal of landscaping is to present such a visual delight that many buyers can already imagine themselves living in the offered homes.
There was a comment on a blog recently about how calendars have gone the way of the dinosaurs. A half a dozen people chimed in to agree that it was a long-dead design form that had been rendered useless by the mobile phone, computer and handheld-device industry. After all, who wants to cross out days with a pen if you can get instant reminders when you need them from your iPhone, right?
But this is missing the point of calendars as they are today. Yes, they are obsolete thanks to advances in technology that make time organization a small matter. How about the charm of them, though – that feeling you get when you flip to a new month and see the new photo? Or how satisfying it is to see that circled date moving closer and closer as you mark off the days? Read the rest of this entry »
If you are getting tired of the same old look for your private quarters, then it may be time to consider a bedroom remodeling job. Fortunately, the bedroom can be one of the least expensive places in the home to give a remodeling makeover. There are ways to create a dramatically new and different feel for your bedroom without breaking the bank. Here are five tips for remodeling your bedroom on a budget:
Architectural embellishments. One way to add an upscale detail to your bedroom is to install wood molding and/or trim to the walls. What’s more is that this is one remodeling project that you can do yourself with just some basic woodworking tools. Try using crown molding along the upper edge of your bedroom walls or installing a ceiling medallion around a fan or lighting fixture for a classic upgrade to your bedroom’s interior design.
Flooring. If you shop around, new flooring can be an inexpensive way to dramatically alter your bedroom’s aesthetics. Consider laminate flooring as a natural wood substitute for a rich look on a budget.
Read the rest of this entry »
I was watching a special on cable TV last night, and I was impressed at how some families created their own unique homes. One thing they have in common – the houses are all “smart” in the sense that they are energy efficient and generally earth friendly.
Did you know that you can do the same thing? While you might have to spend a bit more on some things, creating a smart home need not cost an arm and a leg. More so, in the long run, you will end up saving more. Here are some tips to help you get on your way.
Look for sustainable materials.
The trend is to look for renewable or recycled materials. This does not mean that your house will look shabby. In fact, using stone and other similar materials will actually give your house a unique look. Some ideas: cork, recycled glass, and formaldehyde free wood.
Make your fireplace more efficient.
Lots of heat is lost in the traditional midchimney throat damper. Instead of using this, why go get a chimney cap damper instead? It is akin to a storm door, but for the chimney instead. You’ll end up with more heat staying inside your home. More so, you might want to get a heat exchanger, will can increase the efficiency of your fireplace up to 65%!
Insulate, insulate, insulate.
This is particularly important for rooms such as the basement and attic. Check the edges for cracks and possible breaches in insulation. You will be surprised at how much you can save if you have proper insulation.
We have established the fact that one of the cheapest and yet most effective ways to spruce up your home is to embark on a painting project. But where do you start? If I were you, I would do the kitchen first. For me, it is one of the most central rooms of the house, where everyone gathers around for some good times. Choosing a color for your kitchen can be tricky though. This is especially true if you want to go out on a limb and try some other color aside from the usual white or beige. Here are some possible shades that you can try out.
Gray-blue mix
I was actually thinking about the robin’s egg color the other night on the way home. I am about to move to another apartment and I want to paint the kitchen walls a color other than plain white. I think that a grayish blue hue would be perfect for the walls. To add variety, I could paint the kitchen cabinets white.
Gray-green mix
This combination is similar to the one above except that it is going to be a lot darker. I am not so sure about it because the kitchen I am going to have is small. Then again, the darkness of the colors just might add a little more drama to the ambiance. More so, most of our furniture is dark wood and black leather. What do you think?
Red-orange mix
I really like this idea – it bold and fresh and will certainly add a flair to the kitchen. I am not sure if I can find the right hue, though. It will look good with dark kitchen cabinets, I think.
Any input?
Summer is here, and I am sure that some of you are already feeling the heat. The air conditioner will probably we working over time pretty soon, but you know that high electricity costs might bother you more than the heat. One solution is to make use of ceiling fans as an alternative. Having air blown gently from the top creates a wind chill effect, making it cooler than it seems. Here are some considerations to bear in mind when choosing a ceiling fan to help you beat the heat.
Materials. You can find ceiling fans made of various materials. Make sure that you choose those which do not warp and are rust free. This is especially important if you live in a coastal area.
Size. Ceiling fans come in various sizes as well. The best choice would be the biggest possible for the room you are going to place it in. The size is measured from the tip to tip of two opposite blades.
Height of the ceiling. You have to consider how high the fan will be from the floor. The best height would be around 9 feet from the fan to the floor. If your ceiling is much higher than that, consider getting an extension rod that will lower the fan.
Lighting. You might want to incorporate lighting into the fan. This is not a problem since a lot of ceiling fans have built-in lighting.
No matter what you choose, rest assured that you can cool your home without having to pay much in terms of electricity. More than that, you can add a bit of beauty to the house.
So you have checked your doors, entry points, roof, and interior walls. You have even carried out the necessary repairs. Are there any other things that you should take a look at? Definitely.
How about the floor?
This is perhaps the part of the house that experiences the most wear and tear. After all, the floor is what is in contact with a lot of things the most. Check if your tile floor has any loose or cracked tiles. If you have vinyl flooring, you have to check for discoloration. The bottom line is this – no matter what kind of floor you have, you have to make sure that it is in top condition.
Odors and smells
One of the first things that I notice when I enter a house is how it smells. If you have been living in your house for a while, though, you tend to overlook the smell – I guess you get used to it. But if you smoke inside the house or you have pets that live inside the house, the smell tends to cling to the walls, carpets, and other furniture. Even though you may not be aware of this, first time visitors will certainly do and you wouldn’t want to turn off potential buyers because of how your house smells, would you?
Furniture
If your house is equipped with built-in cabinets, such as those in the kitchen and bedrooms, then you might want to check their surfaces to see if they are scratched. This is a minor consideration but you want to give off the best possible impression, don’t you?
It is true that it is not the best of times to sell homes today but there is still a market, no matter how small. And if you are thinking of selling your house, there are some things that you have to do. Here are some things you should look at before you even get in touch with your real estate agent.
Doors and other entry points
If you have screen doors, check if they are in pristine condition and not sagging. Check the condition of your doors as well. Other things that are easily seen upon entry should be at the top of your list. What you want is to make a good impression when people check your house out for the first time. Look at your fence, your paint, your yard, and everything else that a stranger would see first when they come to check your house out.
Roof
The roof is one very important aspect that buyers look at. They want to know that they would not need to deal with leaks and loose shingles when they settle in a new house. As such, check for those problematic signs in your roof and gutters and quickly have them fixed.
Interior walls
Throughout the years, you probably put up pictures, posters, and other things up on your walls. That means nail holes, screw holes, peeling paint, and more. Before you decide to show off your house, plug in those holes and retouch the interior paint.
(to be continued)
So you’ve decided to knock down walls or install French glass doors instead. Are you happy with the space you’ve created now? Or maybe, there are other things that you wish your house had…things that would entice you to stay and stop looking for another place to live in. Here are more tips to make you love what you’ve got.
Let there be light.
One thing that many homeowners want these days is a space where they can enjoy both the outdoors and the indoors at the same time. You know what I’m talking about – a porch or a sunroom wherein they can be “safe” from the natural elements while at the same time enjoy the natural light. So why not consider starting a project that will give you just that? It might cost a lot, but imagine the rewards of having a sunroom to lounge in when you just want to relax!
Install doubles.
How many arguments have you had in your family because one person takes too much time in the bathroom? Perhaps your partner brushes his teeth for so long; or you spend too much time washing your face. Little things like these may seem trivial, but imagine how much better things would be if you installed two sinks. You know, a his and hers sink. If you have the money AND the space, you can even create another bathroom, or even a powder room to accommodate everyone, especially if you have a large family.
Upgrade rooms.
This one is the ultimate luxury. If you have the money, why not turn your master bathroom into a spa? How about upgrading your kitchen? I am sure you can think of something to upgrade – and you’ll be loving your house for it!
…what should you do? Bail out? Put it up for sale? This is the most common answer that I hear. After all, if you do not like the house you live in, you can always put it up for sale and get yourself the house of your dreams, right?
This might not be the best idea right now, as selling a house is not that easy anymore. While you might be able to find a buyer, you would probably not get much for the house. If I were you, I would take a step back and figure out what you want in your dream house. AND THEN, see if you can put those things in your current house. Who knows, you just might end up loving your “unwanted” house!
Show me the space!
While it seems that the trend is towards smaller and smaller floor areas, especially in city condos, statistics show that a large number of Americans still crave for space in their homes. If this is your problem with your current home, then look for ways to create more space, or at least the illusion of it.
Knock down walls that are in the way between two rooms that can flow into one another. Take doors down and put up glass windows instead. These projects can create a big change with regard to space, and perhaps satisfy your need for it.
Utilize all rooms.
You want a rec room. Your partner wants a library. Maybe the kids want a music room. Whatever it is that you want, you might want to take stock of the unused rooms in your house. Check the basement. Finish it and convert it. Perhaps you have a storage room that you don’t really use? Do the same thing.
(to be continued)
