Uncategorized

Here are a few tips to better organize your living space.

One Room at a Time

Decluttering your entire home can be a daunting task, so its best to tackle one room at a time.

Identify the Nonessentials

Consider whats essential and whats not. If you can live without it, toss it, or better yet, donate it!

Curate the Surfaces

Countertops, tables and shelves tend to bear the brunt of a disorganized living space.

A Place for Everything

Once youve identified a designated place for everything, make the effort to develop good habits to maintain organization.

Hide the Wires

Whenever possible, go with wireless technology to keep the ambience feeling streamlined.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Before you list your home, you must figure out your asking price. Real estate markets go up and down frequently, and many local factors and characteristics specific to individual properties can affect prices. A comparative market analysis can help you set a reasonable list price so your home will be more likely to attract a buyer.

Why Is Setting the Right List Price So Important?
Overpricing your house could cause it to linger on the market for months with little or no interest from potential buyers. You could lower your asking price later, but by then, buyers may have already shifted their focus to other properties.

If you list your house for a price that reflects its fair market value, you will have a good chance of attracting a buyer. You may even receive multiple offers and sell your home for more than the asking price.

What Is a Comparative Market Analysis?
A comparative market analysis can examine houses in your area that are similar to yours in terms of size, location, age, number of bedrooms and amenities. It can also take factors such as the school district and property taxes into account.

Your real estate agent can use software to perform a comparative market analysis. The agent can provide a report with information on comparable homes that are currently listed for sale, houses that are under contract but have not yet been sold and homes that have been sold recently. It will also include homes that did not sell because they were priced too high or that were taken off the market for some other reason.

A comparative market analysis can also provide information on the features that buyers are looking for in their next home. If your house lacks something that many people consider a must-have, such as an updated kitchen, you may be able to invest some money in home improvements before you list your house, giving your home a better shot at appealing to buyers.

Seek Your Agents Help So You Can Make an Informed Business Decision
When selling your home, its easy to let emotion influence your decisions, but you should do your best to keep that out of the equation. Set aside the fond memories you have made in your home and take a dispassionate look at how it compares to others in the area. Your real estate agent can perform a comparative market analysis, explain the details in the report and give you more information on your local housing market so you can set a list price that will help you sell your home as quickly as possible.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Upgraded cabinets? Double sinks? Thoroughly luxurious shower heads? If youre thinking of renovating your master bath, youre not alone, say homeowners surveyed in a recent True Cost Report. It seems some 25 percent of those who responded are considering a bathroom re-do, far more than the 15 percent who are thinking of renovating the kitchen.

For one thing, bathroom upgrades are more manageable and less disruptive than kitchen remodels. They typically cost less and require less time – and, according to a report from Remodeling Magazine, bathroom remodels return a startling 86.4 percent return on investment, more than any other home improvement project.

Thats not surprising, given that well-appointed bathrooms are increasingly regarded as private sanctuaries where you can take time to pamper yourself, so in addition to making basic fixes – replacing worn tile, chipped sinks and outmoded toilets – homeowners are adding spa-like upgrades, such as rain shower heads, spa tubs and specialized lighting.

They are looking at floating tubs rather than sunken tubs, luxurious gold or brass hardware and self-flushing toilets with heated seats and cleansing warm water sprays, designers say, and choosing quartz counters, floating vanities, quality sinks and faucets and glass shower doors treated with water anti-spotting agents.

To get a light, bright space, they add windows and skylights, use LED lighting in creative ways, and choose reflective finishes and surfaces in neutral tones set off with bold colored tile or patterned flooring.

Depending upon your space, and the number and type of amenities you choose, a bathroom remodel can cost somewhere between $2,500 and $25,000 or more, although costs can be cut if you do some of the work yourself, such as the teardown and final painting.

But whether you plan to enjoy your investment for years, or see it as a good investment when you sell, the project is a practical option. While you may not recoup everything your spent, it remains a high return project, and one that can provide a little pure pleasure for as long as you live in your home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you’re like many people, you tend to do at least a little work from home.

Dont let an outdated office hold you back.

Give your home office an upgrade by splurging on something inspirational. Something that excites you.

Next, focus on lighting. The best bet is to set up your work station by a window.
And be sure to incorporate lamps into the space. They will come in handy when working after hours.

Set yourself up for further success with a good storage system.
While papers should be stored out of sight, they need to be accessible.

Lastly, create a signal to let people know when youre in the zone.

By upgrading your work space, youre destined for success.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you look around your house and realize that you are in need of some character, it can make you anxious. Adding character can mean upgrading and remodeling your home, which can cost a lot of money. But with some creativity and a little bit of elbow grease, you can DIY your way to a home full of character and personality, without breaking the bank.

Frame the Views
Window treatments can get expensive very quickly. But updating the frame of your view outside doesnt have to cost you a dime. Simply hang your draperies higher than the actual windows to make the room feel larger. You can even add sheers behind your curtains for added depth.

Use Unused Spaces
In almost every home, there is a space that is unused, whether it be a corner in the living room or a window seat. Give those spaces a purpose, even if that purpose is a card table for games, some pillows for a quiet place to sit and read, or a spot for an interesting piece of furniture.

Display Savvy Storage Options
No matter the room, there always seems to be a need for extra storage. Instead of spending hundreds on a new cabinet or wall shelving, utilize new and interesting pieces. Have an old dresser you no longer use? Remove the drawer pulls and place them on the wall for a unique way to store household items. Even hang up a drawer organizer on the wall to store sunglasses and keys in your foyer.

Get Creative With Cabinets
A simple and cost effective way to add a little something to your space can be done with paint. Bring new life to your kitchen by painting the cabinets a bright color. Or, paint a few stencils on the cabinets in the bathroom to add depth and detail. Change out door handles and drawer pulls for a small design change that can result in big impact.

Dont Forget the Doors
Most homeowners can go their whole life without ever changing the door knobs throughout the house. Of course, the front door may already have some character, but why not add a little personality to your bedroom or bathroom door? Most home improvement stores and websites offer a variety of door knobs, simply or elaborately designed, that can add a touch of personality to any space.

Published with permission from RISMedia.