Home & Garden

Rising home prices, more people than ever are renting their homes rather than buying. While many question the consequences of this trend, for property owners, that means there is a lot of opportunity to be had.

Preparing your home or property for renting has changed along with technology and other social evolutions. Gone are the days where you could rely on websites like Craigslist for reliable tenants. Conversely, there are now great software tools to help you calculate home loan repayments to keep you financially on track.

When you’re preparing a home, it’s important to keep these three things in mind to maximize your property’s investment.

A striking first impression isn’t only on the curb appeal

A prospective tenant should be swept off their feet the moment they step into the property, right? Wrong. You’ve got to start making an impression the moment you list it.

Software like TurboTenant allow landlords to post pictures and details of a rental property and post it across the web in all reputable platforms, minus the effort part. Since it saves time by letting you share your listings in multiple sites at once, it will be more effective if you spend time perfecting the images you use with your listing.

If you have a chance to make them professional, do it. Not only for the sake of image quality, but also to get the most inviting angles and lighting. Use blurry and shadowy images and you’ll notice you won’t fill your vacancy fast, or that might not even happen.

Small details aren’t invisible, nor are they inoffensive

While paint chips and dents on the floorboards aren’t always a reason for concern, they shouldn’t be overlooked, especially before a showing. If you’re renting to students who generally look for convenience rather than appearance, cosmetic damage wouldn’t be that much of an issue. But still, the high chances of initial cosmetic damage growing into exorbitantly priced problems should make you triple-check for even the smallest of leaks. Keep in mind that unrepaired damage might warrant a deduction from a tenant’s original rent price.

Even after a tenant is settled in, shrugging off “insignificant” problems may result in inconveniences and complaints later, so addressing them right away would be ideal. Major repairs might be costly, but keep delaying them and your bills will only get heavier.

They don’t live there yet, but it should feel like they do

Isn’t coming home to a clean, aired out and softly scented house one of the best feelings? Your prospects think so, too.

There’s a list of things you must check hours before your potential tenants step inside. Is there any clutter in sight? Get rid of it. How’s the temperature inside the house? Is it comfortable? A great tip is to open the windows to air out the property and let as much natural light in as possible. However, if it’s too cold outside, adjusting the thermostat to a pleasant temperature is ideal, but still keeping the blinds/curtains open for brightness.

Have a professional cleaner thoroughly clean the house a day or several hours before a showing. Avoid strong fragrances: a classic, fresh scent is all you need to give potential tenants a homely sensation that’s hard to ignore.

The key is to prep your rental property as you’d like your own home to be, yet avoiding too many personal touches. Showing a habitable, comfortable, and neutrally eye-catching property is what should be at the top of your mind. How your tenants wish to customize it later, it’s up to them.

 

A backyard plays a significant role in every home because it increases the curb appeal of your property. It gives you and your family the extra space where you can hang out and enjoy each other’s company during your spare time. Not all homes are lucky to have a backyard where you can do the things that you love, like gardening and landscaping.

If you happen to have a small backyard, you do not have to worry. There are many inspiring ideas that you can apply to make it look more spacious. Here are some tips to get you started.

Consider adding a small room

Adding several items to your garden can help create a bigger illusion of the entire space. If your budget permits, you can consider adding some chairs, tables and garden benches where you and your guests can hang out. Adding additional structures like wooden arbors or colorful shaded umbrellas can make your yard look more substantial than its actual size. Also adding a wooden pergola seems to be a great idea for adding a modern touch to your outdoor space.

Design a vertical garden

If you have limited space, it can be quite challenging to arrange your plants in a manner that will make your area look more prominent. You can consider using your backyard walls and turn it into a vertical garden. Check out vertical plant boxes that come in different colors and sizes. You can transfer your plants and herbs to make your yard look more spacious and well organized. The good thing about having a vertical garden is that it can transform even the smallest deck or outdoor space into something extraordinary for the entire family.

Plant a variety of colored flowers

If you happen to have a dull looking outdoor space, why not try transforming its overall look? You can plant colorful plants and flowers to give your garden a more welcoming atmosphere. Choose flowers with bold colors and place them in the most visible area of your garden to help create a stronger visual impact. According to several landscape experts, planting roses, carnations and bougainvilleas can make your yard look more prominent. Place them in individual pots so it will be easier for you to rearrange them according to your taste.

Think about creating a focal point

If you have limited space, creating a focal point is worth considering. It would be nice to create a simple structure that will draw attention. A breakfast nook, a few benches, a water fountain or an outdoor fireplace, will do wonders for your small garden.

Lastly, if you have a small space, make sure that it is free from any junk or clutter. Find time to get rid of old and unused vehicles by keeping in touch with companies that offer Cash For Junk Cars in Miami. They can tow away your old vehicle in exchange for some extra money. You can use whatever earnings you have to upgrade your outdoor space or buy something for yourself.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/garden-house-green-yard-grass-1680802/

 

Styling over your properties is becoming increasingly common day by day. Selling properties is not an easy nut to crack. People need to be very proactive when selling their houses. A little makeover to their properties can increase the prices many folds making it easier to impress the buyers. All the property agents will suggest you to style your properties in order to improve their appearance and converting it in a saleable condition. Even the state agents provide real estate property styling services for their customers.

Should we DIY or hire a property stylist?
The question that arises here is that will you need to hire a property stylist for your house make over or can you ace it on your own? Well, it depends. If there are little minor changes and your house is not that old, then you can go for the DIY strategy and make the necessary alterations. However, more often than not, it is advisable to hire a property stylist for your house make over. This is because they are experienced individuals and have the ability to guide you through the correct procedure. Not only will they limit your overall costs but try and give your house a fresh and updated look.

Efficient timing

The best part about hiring a property stylist is that they perform their jobs within the allotted timeframe. If you wish to do the styling on your own, it might be difficult. We laymen are amateurs; having no idea as to how to go about things. Since we have several other responsibilities and jobs that we have to fulfill, it is not easy to handle both tasks simultaneously. Hence, it is advisable to hire a property stylist so that they can perform the job within the allotted time.

Immediate response

Since many people are looking forward to selling out their properties on urgent basis, they wish to make over their properties on urgent basis. Property prices tend to fluctuate on constant basis; hence it is necessary that people make their decisions in the right manner so as to get the maximum possible return. A property stylist can, through their experience and expertise, style your house in order to gain maximum returns out of it.

Better option than an interior designer

Having a property stylist is a much better option than opting to hire an interior designer. An interior designer is much more expensive as they tend to redo the entire house. In contrast, a property designer will try and make over the entire house in the shortest budget possible. Furthermore, a property stylist also try and use the existing items in the best way possible to light up the house. A property stylist will redo the house effectively making it an ideal place for the buyers.

Conclusion

As a final evaluation, it can be concluded that hiring a property stylist is a much convenient option than all the other ones. This is the best possible way in making over the house as it can give it a fresh new look.

 

If you’re out there to buy homeowners insurance, it is very important that you understand what you are getting yourself into. When you buy homeowner’s insurance, you are not only protecting your asset, you are actually investing as well – just in case you decide to sell your home in the long run.

Some people are buying homeowner’s insurance online because it is easier for them to compare the quotes of one insurance company to the other. Some commune with the agents. However they decide to buy homeowner’s insurance, one thing is for sure.

What to look for?

They should know and understand all the benefits and services that they are promised with if ever they choose to go for that policy.

Before you buy homeowners insurance, you must check their policy. The homeowners will be protected through every peril with the help of this insurance. There are deductibles when you file for the insurance claims.

If this is noted that it does not exist then that is the exception. It helps to talk to insurance agents so that all the questions in your head will be answered. Talk to them before you buy homeowners insurance. If there’s something stated on the policy that needs to be explained further to you, ask the insurance agent to do so.

Don’t be afraid to sound dumb. When you buy homeowners insurance, you should be at your smartest and most logical state because this is one of the biggest decisions you would ever have to do in your life.

Before you buy homeowner insurance, you also have to check the property protection and the liability protection that is stated under the claims of your insurance policy. This is one of the first things you should do before deciding which insurance to get.

Things to note

If you look at the home insurance declarations page, you will notice that the property protection states the different benefits you can get depending on your dwelling location and your assets.

These are factors that pretty much determine your total cost of insurance and must be determined by the insurance company before you actually go out there and buy homeowners insurance.

Are you searching for good homeowner insurance quote but not quite confident what a Homeowners Insurance Policy could cover as the coverage also extends to forced placed insurance? If you answered yes to that question then this report is an absolute must-read as it goes into information what these policies do and don’t cover. Get educated and do smarter shopping when wanting to buy homeowners Insurance coverage. It is really worth the time and effort in the short term and long term while you are in the market of purchasing insurance.

Areas you should not miss

For all you 1st time new home purchasers out there, it’s very critical to understand that getting a good homeowners insurance coverage is not simply a great strategy. This is because the lender states you must have one to secure the home loans but there are also a number of personal safety benefits, which you may uncover by yourself further down the line.

A homeowner’s insurance must cover your house, the structures, and the fixtures in your property. It’s better to buy homeowner’s insurance because you can be more relieved if you have something that you don’t need to be compared to needing something and not having it.

With the homeowner’s insurance, you don’t have to shell out as much if ever a natural disaster happens. You should definitely buy homeowner’s insurance but do this once you have decided to get the plan that is best for you after going through the companies that are offering the best rate.

 

 

It can sometimes feel like calling a professional when it comes to home improvement is akin to giving up. It can feel like a waste to spend a certain amount to get the job done when you could have saved the cash by getting it done on your own. However, there are plenty of reasons why calling a handyman is a good idea, as a professional can guarantee success.

It is entirely understandable to want to do things on your own – at least at the beginning. That said, it is still vital to be aware of when it would be a good idea to call a quality handyman service instead of pulling your hair out trying to get the job done on your own. Here are a few red flags that warrant calling a handyman Colorado Springs!

When you cannot come up with a timeframe

Even if you might not necessarily be experienced in matters of home improvement, it does not mean that you cannot come up with a decent time frame when you consider all of your options. You could have a look at a few tutorials online and collect the materials and tools that you need to get a better idea of how long it might take.

One of the first red flags that come up when it comes to DIY projects is the inability to craft a reasonable timeframe. If you see yourself trying to get the job done for weeks and weeks with no end in sight, it might not be worth the time and effort. Consider calling a handyman to get the job done in an afternoon.

When you have little to no experience using power tools

There is no doubt that many home improvement projects require using tools that could be risky for those with little to no experience in the matter. While you can still push through with it, the risk of injury can be unreasonably high. It would be a shame to sustain an injury during the project, only to end up paying more for hospital bills instead of just paying a handyman in the beginning and saving yourself all the money and heartache.

When you have young children

One of the biggest reasons why calling a handyman would be a good idea is if you have young children at home. While you can indeed tell your kids to behave as you get the work done, they are more inclined to get in trouble when you are not watching them. Even worse is that you might not have the necessary experience to keep your home improvement project safe not just for yourself, but those around you as well. Having young children is plenty enough reason to leave the job to a professional.

While it can be tempting to save on all that cash and get the job done yourself, it is only recommended for those with plenty of experience in home improvement matters; otherwise, it is always a better idea to give a quality handyman service a call.

To read more on topics like this, check out the home & garden category.

Southern California truly has it all. From sunshine all year long to celebrity sightings, it is no wonder to see why Venice Beach real estate is so hot right now. Even if you do not live in this part of the state, you still may want to consider going on vacations here. The following cities are some of the best places to invest in a vacation home where you can truly have it all when it comes time to unwind.

• Santa Monica

When you look at Santa Monica condos for sales, you should expect to see some big numbers. However, the investment is well worth it. When you decide to take a trip to Southern California, you can head over to your home overlooking a gorgeous beach. From first-class restaurants to great surfing opportunities, you do not want to miss out on Santa Monica while the getting is good.

• Long Beach

Long Beach is a bit less expensive to buy in than the rest of Los Angeles, but you will still spend a pretty penny. Fortunately, you can recoup much of your investment when you rent out your vacation home as an Airbnb for most of the year. You can charge quite a bit because many people in the city are in need of long-term accommodation, especially those who work at the Port of Long Beach seasonally.

• San Diego

If you want to go even further south than Los Angeles, then San Diego may be right for you. Home prices in the city continue to increase, but that is great if you are an investor. You can buy now and wait until your purchase increases in value. Some of the best neighborhoods in San Diego to invest in include Golden Hill, University City and Hillcrest.

• Malibu

In Malibu, you can purchase vacation homes that are essentially first-class resorts. When you come down for a vacation, you may never feel like leaving your home. When you own property in Malibu, you can charge a lot of money for Airbnb users. Some can charge as high as $800 a night through the app. With great surfing and some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, you will soon see why Malibu attracts the best and brightest from around the globe.

• Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach is a perfect destination when you want long, scenic strolls along the beach. As you walk through the neighborhoods, you will come across everything from small local shops to beach cottages. It is the perfect way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is also a safe community if you plan on bringing your children on vacation with you.

You have many options to consider when choosing a vacation home. Do you want something that is close to all of the activities you enjoy doing on your break, or do you want something that has a lot of potential on Airbnb? Make sure you have an experienced Los Angeles real estate broker in your corner to guide you every step of the way.

To read more on topics like this, check out the home & garden category.

 

It’s not easy deciding to sell your property. You have to consider several factors before concluding that it’s in your best interest. You also need to check the current market value of your property. Before you think about these details, you need to discuss your plans with your family first. They need to know what your plans are instead of surprising them with the decision to leave the house.

You plan to move to a new place

If the primary reason for selling the house is that you’re planning to move, you have to inform your family. Their lives will change because of this decision too. Your kids will study in a new school. Your partner also has to look for a new job. Therefore, you have to discuss the plans in details before deciding if it’s best for you.

You might have financial emergencies

You also think about selling your house because you don’t have any other choice. You need the money, and you have run out of options. Since it involves a serious financial transaction, you have to consult with your partner. There could be other choices out there to solve this financial problem. You can take out a loan. You can also sell other possessions. You don’t need to resort to the sale of your house right away.

You want a fresh start

You intend to move because of a painful memory in your current house. You want to start over, and it’s only going to happen if you move. It’s a reasonable plan, but you still have to inform your family about it. All of you might be going through a difficult time, but you’re the only one who thinks about moving. Some of them believe that there’s no need to leave to have a fresh start.

You need to have a plan

After selling your house, you won’t have a roof above your head. What’s going to happen next? Will you rent a temporary place? Will you buy a cheaper property? You need to tell your family about it. You might feel embarrassed about it, but you have to face reality. You’re taking a life-changing decision, and you have to discuss it with the whole family first.

If you have lived in your current house for a long time, it’s not easy to let it go. However, if it’s the only way, you have no choice but to sell it. It needs a long discussion with your family members. You also need to search for the right buyer who will purchase your place at a justified price.

If you want to sell quickly at a reasonable price, you can look for wholesale property buyers like Sell My House Fast. The offer will be good enough, and you won’t regret the transaction. You also have plans to move, so you can’t delay the process. As long as you trust the company you partner with; it’s the right path for you.

To read more on topics like this, check out the home & garden category.

 

Some people have a hard time letting go of old stuff. They love collecting old magazines, newspapers, and even storing out of fashion clothes. They always think that these things still have a purpose in their lives. However, as time goes by these things continue to build a large pile in their household. As the extensive collection continues to grow, it becomes difficult for people who live there to move around.

In extreme cases, having too much stuff can cause relationships to turn sour. Couples fight because one of them gets too embarrassed to invite relatives and friends to come over. Kids feel sad because of poor living conditions. Besides, having a cluttered house is not safe nor healthy.

Does having unnecessary stuff make you a hoarder? Here are more things you need to be aware of regarding this particular psychological condition.

What is the real meaning of hoarding?

Hoarding is a characteristic where an individual finds it hard to part ways with material things regardless of their appearance and price. For them, they consider any material possession inside their home as something with utmost sentimental value. In the long run, this kind of behavior can lead to adverse effects like being too emotional and anxious.

What are the most common items that some people love to hoard?

• Pets like dogs, cats, and birds
• Old newspapers, magazines, and schoolbooks
• Plastic containers and disposable food containers
• Grocery items like boxed food and canned goods
• Old and new pieces of clothing

What are the common signs and symptoms of a hoarder?

• Quickly gets mad or upset when someone tries to throw out their old stuff.
• Indecisive when it comes to choosing the things that they need to let go.
• Someone who fears getting hungry and running out of items to buy.
• They are not bothered about living in a crowded space, and unsanitary surroundings.
• Suffers from compulsive shopping behavior and does not worry about debt.

How to let go of hoarding?

Hoarding is a psychological disorder that many people do not take seriously. However, if you happen to exhibit some of the symptoms mentioned above, then it is time to submit yourself to a psychological exam for further evaluation. If you have been diagnosed with a hoarding disorder, a therapist or mental health expert should continue to work with you and other family members. It is crucial to get to the bottom of the problem so you can move forward and start a clutter-free lifestyle. In some cases, you might be advised to attend several cognitive behavioral therapy sessions and undergo medication for anxiety and panic attacks.

Lastly, it is essential to learn how to get rid of all the necessary clutter in your house and your life. You can begin the process by getting in touch with junk removal Delray Beach companies to come over to your home. They have highly reliable staff that can help clean out your house and get rid of all unnecessary junk that crowds your personal space.

To read more on topics like this, check out the home & garden category.

Christmas is all about happiness, colors, decorations and fun. No matter how many holidays we get but they are always less to celebrate Christmas. Everyone wants to make the most of their time. However, decorations planning, and execution always take most of the time in holidays. Since, everyone desires to decorate their Christmas day differently to make it unique and memorable.

You should definitely think smartly to save this time and utilize that in making memories with families and friends. To make the most of your times in this Christmas holidays, we have gathered number of ideas to have your house decorated differently without investing too much time.

1. Go rustic this Christmas: The rusty look always compliments any home style perfectly. The rustic aesthetic look can also ensure good quality pictures and many decoration options. Usually people focus on red or other bright colors therefore, choosing rustic look can make your décor stand out in a good way. You can buy Christmas lights Melbourne, candles, fur carpets, lanterns, and plants to complement the whole décor beautifully and give more warm welcoming feels.
2. Welcome your guests with a Golden Glow: Creating a welcoming and outstanding ambience for Christmas holidays can be super simple and easily executed. Opting for golden lights instead of typical green, red lights with white and golden décor for the Christmas tree and candles for surroundings can instantly set the mood for festivities while crafting a cozy atmosphere.
3. Focus more on the dinner table: The main ingredient of Christmas is food. Having your dinner table decorated properly can simply complete your ideal Christmas décor. The easiest way to deliver your cozy, stylish or any other look is through decorating dinner table accordingly. Dress up your dinner table this Christmas with lush garland, silver candle holders, wood chargers, golden, rusty or silver flatware and cinnamon stick to complete the perfect look.
4. Ditch ribbons, colorful wrapping papers for gifts this Christmas. You should always prepare gifts according to your house décor. One of the ways to prepare gift for complementing any décor is by using simple rust, brown, or white wrapping papers with added pretty piece of greening tied in rope and a tag with any beautiful quote or poetry. Adding some words can enhance the beauty of gift greatly.
5. Don’t limit your decoration to living room: Usually people decorate their living room or drawing rooms along extravagantly while leaving the rest of the house. You should totally not opt for this. Spreading colors all around can create remarkable ambiance. This Christmas allow the festivities to overflow every part of the house. From the entrance to the backyard. This will give you more options for taking pictures and give guests more Christmas feels.

Internet is always overflowed with multiple ideas for Christmas decoration. However, too many options can get you even more confused. Therefore, above we have the best ones gathered for you. Remember to add your touch in any theme you choose to make it more natural, cozy and fun.

You might have the perfect home envisioned and all the financial details already worked out. At this point, it doesn’t matter where you build your home as long as it gets built, right?

That’s not necessarily true. After all, location is everything in the real estate world, and there are so many factors you need to consider. Here are three things to keep in mind before picking a lot for your new home.

Tour the neighborhood

Of course, it’s essential to tour the neighborhood of the lot you’re wanting to build on multiple times. Your house might look the same no matter where you decide to build it (it depends on the shape and slope of the land), but your neighborhood will vary.

On top of monitoring traffic and noise, you want to research crime rates in the area. You might even look up neighborhoods that are on their way up, as this could lead to a cheaper-priced home that will really increase in value.

If you have a family, then checking the schools in the area is another important step. However, if you live a fairly active lifestyle, then you might speak to luxury home builders who can point you to active communities where they often do business. You might even see how other people take care of their yards and homes.

Consider bringing a second set of eyes (preferably unbiased ones) with you. After all, you have home-buying goggles on and a brand new house on your mind. Someone with an unbiased opinion can help give you another perspective and point out any concerns.

Ideally, you’ll want to visit this property during different times of the day and possibly even the week. This can help you get a better idea of your neighborhood. And of course, you’ll want to look into things such as the slope of the land, how the sun hits your home, the soil, the sewer, etc.

If, for example, the brightness of the sun and how it hits your house ends up being a problem, then window replacement might need to occur so you have more energy efficient windows. The key is doing as much research and browsing as possible, so you can be ready for anything and build your home on the most fitting lot.

Your commute to work and other destinations

Loving where you live can be just as important as loving the home you live in. As an example, if your new commute to work will be longer than your current commute, then where you live could become a hassle.

Likewise, if you live far from a city or the nearest town, then you might have to drive a good distance just to get to the grocery store or restaurants. However, that might be the type of lifestyle you’re looking for.

Consider your lifestyle

Going off of the point above, if you’re an outdoorsy person who likes to hike, fish, and camp, then choosing a log cabin for sale could help you live that lifestyle, since you can build a cabin in the woods or in the mountains. Especially in scenic states like North Carolina, you can live right on top of some stunning natural vistas.

However, if you prefer city living, then you would naturally want to build on a lot that’s close to the city. If you have kids and want to live in an area that’s quiet, then you’ll want to pick a spot that’s far enough from busier streets to avoid the noise pollution.

Everyone has a different budget, but it’s important to take your lifestyle and the other considerations into account when picking a lot to build your new home. This process shouldn’t be rushed and you should consider every detail.