Uncategorized

Are you interested in the idea of minimalism, but unsure of where to start? Consider the following…

Get your family on board. You’re fighting a losing battle if only one person in your household wants to minimize. Chat with your spouse, kids or roommate about why a minimalistic home space is important.

Once everyone is on the same page, go room by room and itemize your belongings.

After youve taken stock of everything in your home, start the purging process. Begin by ditching duplicates to get you on the right track.

And, most importantly, aim for dual function furniture, like a kitchen island that opens into a dining room table.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

For many homeowners, the attic is a place to store items that they use infrequently. Issues are often missed since most people dont think about their attic unless they need to look for something stored there and since many homeowners dont know how to spot signs of problems. You should regularly inspect your attic, or have it inspected by a professional, to identify issues before they become too serious and require costly repairs.

Ventilation
Moisture travels through the walls and ceilings and winds up in the attic. The area can also become oppressively hot on a summer day. Ventilation is necessary to allow moisture and heat to escape. Insufficient ventilation can lead to high heating and air conditioning bills. Several types of vents can be used in an attic, depending on the style of roof. Check to make sure your attic has enough vents and that they arent blocked by dirt, dust or belongings stored in the areas around them.

Insulation
The R-value, which measures insulations efficiency, can change over time if the insulation is compressed or disturbed. The effect can be particularly stark in older homes. Insufficient insulation can cause your home to lose heat in the winter, which can lead to high heating bills. Check to see if your attic has enough insulation. If not, have more installed to make the house more energy efficient.

Framing
Since the houses framing is exposed in the attic and in few other areas, an inspection of the attic framing can provide a good indication of the roofs overall condition. If the framing is damaged, the roof may have more widespread damage that may become even worse if a storm brings strong winds.

Leaks
Areas around the chimney and vents are prone to leakage. Water stains on the roof or vents or changes in insulation are signs of a leak. Even a minor leak should be taken seriously because it can quickly become much worse. Water leaking into an attic can cause wood to rot and can cause mold that can endanger your familys health.

Pests
Birds, raccoons, rats, mice, squirrels and bats often choose attics when looking for warmth and shelter. If one gets in, others are likely to follow, and some may give birth. Pests can leave urine and droppings that may spread diseases. In addition, they can damage insulation, wires, sheetrock and wood and may even chew through electrical wires, which can create a fire hazard.

Are You Paying Enough Attention to Your Attic?
Problems in the attic are frequently overlooked since its a part of the home that many people dont enter or think about much. That is precisely why its important to regularly inspect your attic for signs of trouble or to hire a professional to conduct an inspection. If its been a while since your attic was inspected, get it thoroughly checked as soon as possible.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Overstuffed and disorganized drawers can be frustrating, especially in the bedroom. Whether you’re searching for the perfect top or hunting for a matching set of socks, its never easy finding a needle in the haystack, especially when the haystack is a pile of mismatched clothes. Learn how to properly organize your dresser drawers with these simple tips.

Start at Empty
The first rule of decluttering is to clear the space of all items. Start by removing all of the clothing in each drawer. Starting with a blank canvas will help to not only organize, but decide whether or not you want each item in a drawer, on a hanger or in a donation box.

Declutter and Donate
Now that you have emptied your dresser drawers, its time for the hard part”deciding what to keep and what to let go of. There are many ways people navigate this process, but one in particular comes to mind. Do you wear it? Look at each piece and determine whether or not youve worn it in the last year. If yes, place it into your keep pile. If not, set aside for donation.

Categorize Clothing
Once you have decided which items you are keeping, its time to separate them into groups. Socks and underwear can usually share a drawer, so these can be designated as one category. Next, divide your tops into tank tops, t-shirts, long sleeve shirts and sweaters. Even take an extra step further and group them by color. The more specific you get with your categorizing, the easier it will be to find the item you want in the shortest amount of time.

Hang Bulky Items
Folding up a bulky sweatshirt or jeans can take up a lot of room in one single drawer. Consider hanging these items or adding a shelving unit into your closet to create more space. Even utilize the space under your bed for oversized clothing.

Rotate Seasonally
If you live in an area where the weather changes seasonally, consider storing out-of-season items in another area of the home. This will make it easier to navigate your clothing without digging in drawers and creating a mess. If you have an unused suitcase in your closet or storage bins in your basement or garage, utilize them. As the seasons change, swap out clothing you wont wear for clothing that is seasonally appropriate.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When major household appliances break, should you repair or replace them?

The answer depends on which appliance

Many refrigerator repairs are easy and affordable, especially if the problem is a bad motor or electronic controls.

Dishwashers are usually simple to repair, but issues with their door seal or tub often prompt a full replacement.

Unless water heaters are failing because of a part thats easy to replace, its almost never a good idea to repair them.

Washing machines with water leaks or broken belts are simple to repair, but a faulty clothes dryer might be a fire hazard worth replacing.

When in doubt, consult the manufacturer or a service professional.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When people shop for a house, they usually focus on the kitchen. Since most families use the kitchen every day for cooking, eating and socializing, its important that the space fit their needs and sense of style.

For many prospective homebuyers, a dated kitchen is an instant turnoff. Some could be interested in your house for other reasons, but they might demand that you lower the price. Youd most likely struggle to sell a house with an outdated kitchen if there were plenty of homes with more modern kitchens available in the area and your house didnt have any other features to make it stand out. Depending on the current design of your kitchen and the local housing market, it might be worthwhile to make some inexpensive upgrades before listing your home.

How to Modernize Your Kitchen
If your kitchen counters have scratches, cracks, or missing or damaged grout, you might be able to spruce them up inexpensively. If the countertops need to be completely replaced, granite is the best choice since it is in high demand and would help you get a good price for your home.

A dated, damaged or stained sink will immediately attract negative attention from potential buyers. An inexpensive new sink and faucet can improve the kitchens appearance.

A backsplash can add color and style to the kitchen. If youre on a tight budget, you can install stick-on tiles that resemble wood, stone or metal.

Nothing screams dated like vinyl flooring. Some buyers would take one look at a vinyl kitchen floor and not bother looking at the rest of the house. You can find inexpensive and attractive kitchen flooring that you may be able to install yourself to keep the cost down.

Old and outdated kitchen appliances can make it difficult to sell your home. Upgrading the appliances may be expensive, but new appliances will be sure to help you attract buyers. If your appliances work fine but just dont look good, you can install new face panels to freshen them up.

Kitchen cabinets are a focal point, and outdated ones will disappoint potential buyers. Fortunately, if the cabinets are in good shape, you might be able to save money by repainting them and installing new hardware.

A poorly lit kitchen is not a good place to work or socialize. Installing some new lighting fixtures can make the room look brighter and more inviting.

Make Strategic Kitchen Upgrades
Many prospective buyers consider an outdated kitchen a deal-breaker. You dont need to spend a fortune to improve the appearance of your kitchen. Some relatively inexpensive fixes may be enough to make the room look more appealing and attract a buyer. Ask your real estate agent for advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.