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The Home Improvement Decisions that You will Never Regret

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When I think about home improvement decisions for the house, I tend to see what my wife has up next on her major home to
do list. Of course, then I check the budget to see what we have available for funds.

Lidia Staron gives us some insight on decisions we make that are just right.

When it comes to home improvement, homeowners have a myriad of options at their disposal. However, this is not to mean that all of these options are the best. While some fixes and renovations in a home can turn your home into a perfect setting, others end up causing more harm than good. Right from landscaping to wiring and kitchen renovation, home remodeling needs careful consideration to avoid future regrets.

What to Avoid
While some home remodeling options may look trendy on the surface, they may not be ideal for a long term engagement. For instance, one of the trends you would not want to get involved in is specialty finishes on hardware. While most homeowners find specialty finishes on the bathroom or kitchen trendy, their relevance does not last long. Furthermore, they are expensive to have them installed or changed. So considering their up-charges and the fact that they are a thing of the moment, it may not be worth the effort.

In most cases, homeowners would try to do all they can to improve the overall outlook of their bathroom. However, some of these additions may be unnecessary. For instance, while adding a veined marble wall to your bathroom is a beautiful endeavor, going overboard can prove overwhelming since, in a few years, it will look outdated. The same applies to graphic tiling that seems trendy at the moment. At this age, Pinterest and Instagram, soon everybody will be going for it, and it will not be desirable in a few years to come.

What to Focus on in Home Remodeling
So you have everything figured out and are set up to make your investment in home renovation. Before starting your renovation project, make sure to budget all your expenses. With a detailed budget, you will know, whether is it better to consider a personal loan for home improvement or to use your savings and pay with cash.

Where do you start? With funds ready, you ought to go for priority aspects of your home remodeling. The following are some of the notable areas to lay your emphasis.

Storage
Come to think of it; a building is essentially meant for storage apart from being home. This fact explains why one will go to great lengths to create several rooms of various storage purposes. Over time, we accumulate a lot of stuff, and it only makes sense to create enough space for the same. Consider both your current and future storage needs when creating these spaces. This applies to both the interior and exterior storage.

Infrastructure
Apart from location, the home’s infrastructure can become a make or break point for your home remodeling design. By building a custom home, you have the autonomy to decide where each of the main features will be located. This is in addition to the assurance that whatever is used under the floor and behind the walls is high quality. Some of the notable infrastructural considerations in home remodeling include electrical systems, cooling systems, siding, plumbing, insulation, and windows. Work hand in hand with your architect or designer to ensure each of these works to improve the overall performance

Upgrade Your Home Office

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It is always good to have a professional appearance to your home office. For me, I like it to stay like home. I keep a neat area for me and my clients to meet but still maintain a relaxed atmosphere. Normally, the dogs come out and help relax everyone.

Mikkie Mills adds on some tips to help create the right atmosphere in your home office.

Whether you’ve just moved into your home, or you lived there for years now, you might be looking to improve your home office. Your home office is where you can focus without distractions and work in an environment where you feel comfortable. To help you achieve the perfect aesthetic for your home office, here are some ideal updates that you can make that will help you focus, and stay on task for as long as you need to.

1. Natural Lighting

One of the most important things that you can do for your home office is to have natural lighting. Natural lighting helps people to stay more focused and is easier on the eyes than artificial lighting. Artificial lighting has a tendency to fatigue the eyes fast and can even cause headaches for some people. Natural lighting has the opposite effect. It helps you to stay alert and focused for as long as you need to since it regulates your natural circadian sleep cycle. If you want to focus in your home office and get the most out of your work day, the very first thing that you should do is enhance the amount of natural lighting that you get in your home office. If you’re currently looking for a home, find one that has large windows in one of the smaller rooms (a room that you’ll likely turn into a work office). If you already have your office set up, pull the blinds away from the windows and allow the sunlight to stream into the room all day long.

2. Clear Up Space

The last thing that you would want to do in your home office is put so much stuff in the room that you feel cramped. Clutter is the notorious creative jammer. It’s hard to focus when the office is messy, disorganized, or it just feels “full.” To avoid this feeling, make sure that your office is clean and clutter-free. Don’t use it as a storage closet. In fact, move everything out of the office so it’s nearly impossible for it to get full of clutter. You want the room to feel open like you could lie down on the carpet and stretch in the middle of the workday if you felt like it. The carpet should be clean and free of junk, the windows washed, and the desk wiped down before you sit down for the day.

3. Set Up Mobile Printing

You might want to set up mobile printing to avoid any extra equipment in the office space and to help you better access and organize your home office. Mobile printing is one of the easiest things to set up and it can help you to organize your materials, create a breathable workplace, and allow you to have access to your work through the ease of your phone. If you’re on the go and need to quickly print something from work, you can simply connect to the nearest printer through your phone and print the material.

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How to Make your Home Smarter with these Smart Home Appliances

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In 2019, there are a lot of technology advances that make the home work just a little bit smarter. We have come along ways since the clapper came to turn our lights on and off.

James Stevenson gives us some highlights on making our home just a little bit smarter.

With technology developing, we now have so many gadgets and appliances which we can call ‘smart.’ The next step is to modernize our homes in the same style and make our lives that much easier.

A smart home is a place where appliances, lights, gadgets, security, – and pretty much whatever else you want – are all connected to one another.  You can also control them remotely using a simple app. This kind of home gives owners comfort, security, and convenience. It may sound confusing. That is why you should read on to get the image of your ideal Smart Home.

Getting a smart system for your home can save time, money, and energy. Most homes aren’t built with these appliances, though. The easiest thing to do is to introduce these appliances into an already made home. Let’s see which devices today have their ‘smart’ counterparts.

Hubs

If you want your doors to unlock, your lights to turn on, and your kettle to start working the moment you approach your house, this is the device for you.

A smart home hub is the first step towards a smart home and the heart of the network. It is a hardware or software that connects devices in a house and controls communication among them. Plus, it enables the user to control the entire place by a single app.

Another useful feature is that you can control your devices while you are away from home via this device so, you can go out anytime you want.

Speakers

Imagine the world where you don’t have to get up to play music, find the remote, and turn on the lights. Now you can say a command, and have it done in an instant.

Smart speakers are wireless speakers with voice-control. They tend to have artificial intelligence built into them. They are usually found in voice-controlled personal assistants.

This gadget has many applications, playing music being just the tip of the iceberg. You may set alarms, and have your questions answered, for example. It is able to interact with other devices in the house, making the possibilities truly endless. So amazing!

Lighting

Convenience, comfort, and looking cool are all connected by this device. Smart lighting consists of light bulbs, all connected to adjacent ones by a network, and controlled by a hub.

You manage smart lighting with a simple app. It allows you to change the brightness of the bulbs, and even the color if your light bulbs have LED lights. Now you can have the perfect lighting for every situation and switching between them is a tap of your finger away.

Some of these systems may also have useful features, such as dimming and motion detection.

Plugs

This is the perfect device to ‘smartify’ your non-smart appliances. It is an excellent investment, and a significant first step towards a smart home.

A smart plug’s function is to allow remote control over whichever appliance you have plugged into it. For instance, you may check on your oven from across town if you get anxious about leaving it on.

Besides letting you manage your devices, you get the option of creating a schedule. Wave the worrying away and get one today!

Doorbells

Now you don’t have to peer through the spy hole to see who is ringing your doorbell. This device’s first concern is safety, and convenience comes as a strong second.

You will get a notification to your smartphone when somebody is at your door. It has a camera and sends a live video recording of your visitor. Also, you can have a two-way conversation via a smart doorbell.

Sensors

Getting a smart sensor for your home means not getting up on every sound you hear at night. It also means not having to hire a house-sitter for your vacation.  Safety meets convenience with this handy new device.

Smart sensors have systems which perform specific actions as a response to environmental input.  They can notify you about an uninvited intruder, about a window or a door that is accidentally open, and to turn on the lights when you enter the room.

The main point of all these devices is to make your life easier. You can definitely live without them, but you don’t have to anymore. There are more and more affordable options. You don’t need to buy every single one, either – but it will be hard to choose with so many fantastic options!

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Designing a Kitchen That Will Sell Your House For You

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Vincent Stokes, while writing for Realty Times, gives us that extra spark to design an even better looking kitchen area.

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house when it comes to home value and appealing to buyers while trying to sell. For this reason, it’s important to pay special attention to your kitchen when preparing a house to sell or building a house for the first time. The following is a guide for how to build a modern, desirable kitchen that will work to sell your house for you.

Keep It Clean

Because the kitchen is a room that sees significant use, it can get grimy and worn down easily. Upkeep your kitchen in order to upkeep its value. When it does come time to sell, make it a point to deep clean it. Polish all surfaces and metal, including countertops and faucets. Go at tile to clean out grout. Keep a kitchen clean and well-maintained and it will be a major asset when you do go to sell the house.

Appliances

All appliances should be energy-efficient because energy efficiency is desired in modern homes. This is not only because it is good for the environment but also because it saves money over time. Look for appliances with Energy Star labels when shopping and consider estimated average yearly operating costs. Many modern kitchen designs also hide appliances, so a design incorporating that may be worth considering as well. Consider brand too, because at least in certain areas, brands that are considered too thrifty can bring down the perceived value of the property.

Cabinets

Cabinets are another major item in the kitchen that buyers pay attention to. Their color and how well they blend into the rest of the kitchen are important, as is their size. It is amazing what a difference painting your cabinets can make. You can undertake this project yourself or hire a professional to do it. Another thing you can do is replace cabinet handles, which is a smaller upgrade but will still make them look better.

Colors

There are a number of color schemes you can choose for your kitchen. You can also change those colors anytime you want with paint, for the most part. White and gray is in right now, as is wood and more natural-looking colors and surfaces. You can also get more creative and use brighter colors such as teal or yellow. Most colors can work in the right combination, but at the end of the day, more neutral colors are easier to sell down the road.

Lighting

Lighting is also important to consider. Get modern light fixtures that will look good with the rest of the kitchen and provide strong lighting throughout the room. Ensure fixtures use energy-efficient bulbs. Remove broken or dim bulbs and replace them with new ones. Under cabinet lighting can be a good investment as it is relatively inexpensive and provides more light to workspaces.

Consider Utility

The kitchen is going to be a major place to entertain and work in most homes. For this reason, it needs to be designed with utility in mind. Most people nowadays prefer kitchens with plenty of space, both in general and on the counters. Islands are usually a good idea to put in because they give great places for preparation or entertaining as well as provide additional countertop space. Whether you are preparing a large dinner for the holidays or even if you skip lunch, you want a kitchen that will work with you.

Worth It To Remodel?

If you are considering remodeling your house, whether to sell or just to update, remodeling your kitchen is always an option. As with any addition to a property, look at it from the perspective of a cost-benefit analysis. Don’t pour more money into a remodel than you expect it will increase the value of the home by, typically around 6% of the home’s value. When remodeling your kitchen, you always want to find the right people for the job. Get referrals and quotes before making a final decision.

You are presented with a lot of options when designing a kitchen. Break it down to each individual aspect so you don’t get overwhelmed and go in with a grand plan. You will end up with a gorgeous kitchen that will be the envy of buyers.

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How to Keep Your Home Clean When you Have Pets

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Jaymi Naciri writing for Realty Times gives us the tips we need to keep our home clean with pets.

Hairballs, tracked-in mud, and accidents, oh my! Picking up after a pet (or three if you live in our house!) is no joke. So how do you enjoy your place and keep it looking spiffy when you have pets, during this and every other season?

Unless you want to live in something resembling a pig sty, you have to be smart about your pet-cleaning tools and techniques.

Spring for the good vacuum

If you have pets that shed, you know the value of a good vacuum. But if you’ve been getting by on less, and dealing with vacuums that don’t have enough suction or just aren’t intended for pet hair removal, it’s time to trade up.

Pet Life Today likes the Shark Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum, which it calls a “versatile upright vacuum easily converts into a canister unit to provide a powerful clean for your entire home.” This one came out on top after their study of dozens of vacuums thanks to its “power, versatility and efficient removal of pet hair. The ability to convert this vacuum from an upright to a canister or handheld makes it the perfect all-round choice for cleaning every area of your home. The reasonable price and high amount of positive feedback from Amazon users is another reason this vacuum takes our top position.” This vacuum is available for $263.99.

Personally, we’re partial to the Dyson V8 Animal vacuum. It gets up all the hair, it has tons of attachments and do-dads, and is also cordless, which makes it super versatile. The potential downsides: it’s pricey, at $399, and it has a small canister, which means you have to dump it out more often.

Stock up on lint rollers

We can’t decide if this giant-size, pet-themed lint roller is genius or ridiculous, but we’re definitely intrigued. We have regular-sized lint rollers stashed all over our house because they’re the greatest for removing dog hair from upholstery, rugs, bedding, and clothes. The 10-inch width of this one is enticing, and the pole sounds like a back-saver, frankly.

But the price seems a bit steep. At $21.99, we predict the 25 sheets will last us a day or two. Refills are as low as $10.49 and come with 50 sheets, but that still doesn’t compare to the five-roll (95 sheets each) combo pack for $10.79. So the real question is: How much is a pole worth?

Go for indoor-outdoor rugs

“They’ve come a long way since you last saw them in your grandparents’ basement. There are lots of stylish versions out there, and they’re available in a variety of color schemes,” said Architectural Digest. “Put a small one in front of each door—sort of like an indoor doormat—to catch any dirt and water your pet may drag in. I also recommend placing one under the sofa, dining room table, and any other place your pet likes to lounge. These rugs don’t let anything soak in, and they wipe clean with a damp rag.

If you don’t like the look or feel of indoor-outdoor rugs, look for something with a short weave. Hair will be much easier to get up if it can’t get stuck in the fibers.

Get a black light

If your pet does have an accident here and there (or even more often), a black light can help you pinpoint the urine so so you eliminate the stain and odor. “There could be urine or other waste stains your pet could be leaving around the house that you do not know about,” said Of Life + Lisa. “Once every week, conduct a sweep through of your rooms with a black light to find and eliminate these hidden stains.”

So why does this work? “Urine glows under a black light primarily because it contains the element phosphorus,” said ThoughtCo. “Cat urine, in particular, glows very brightly under ultraviolet light.”

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The Property Brothers Reveal One Question Home Buyers Rarely Ask, but Should

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Lisa Johnson Mandell writing for Realtor.com gets some good home advice from the property brothers.

“Property Brothers” stars Jonathan and Drew Scott have met a lot of interesting clients, but a hunky firefighter who starred as Mr. February on a “Red Hot Firefighters” calendar? That may be a first!

“It was for charity,” Matt says with a laugh in the episode titled “Growing Boys, Grander House.”

Matt and his wife, Nicole, have three young boys—two of whom are twins—and suddenly the 1,200-square-foot starter home in Canada they bought six years ago feels more than a little cramped. Especially since it has three bedrooms and only one small bathroom.

Jonathan thinks he can rip the dated ’50s home apart and build it back up again for $70,000. If he can swing it, Drew estimates that their home can be sold for close to $800,000, rather than about $650,000 as is.

Meanwhile, the burning question for Drew is whether or not he can find them a new home with more bathrooms in a neighborhood that’s not too far from friends and family, on their budget of $925,000. It seems like a big ask, but if the Scott twins couldn’t stand the heat, they wouldn’t be in the kitchen.

Along the way, they come up with some smart advice for the buyer and seller in all of us. Take a look!

Give your kitchen island or peninsula an overhang for seating

When Jonathan and Drew walk into the family’s kitchen, they find a peninsula. But there isn’t really room to pull up a chair, because of the shelves below. Drew immediately resolves the situation by kicking out the shelves—now there’s plenty of space for his knees.

Color the kitchen

“I don’t want to do just a white kitchen,” Jonathan tells Nicole as he officially starts the renovation. “Now we’re seeing a lot more color trending.”

He advises using soft, subtle green undertones. But Nicole is not good with that—she prefers all white and neutral.

“Trust me,” he says. “We’re seeing greens and blues—that’s what’s trending.”

He promises her he’ll come up with something buyers will love, and he does—deeply dark blue lower cabinets with white, marbled quartz countertops. It is divine!

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Craig Diez

916-425-5884|Contact Craig