Tag Archive for: Guest Posts

Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Patio Awning

Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Patio Awning

Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Patio Awning

 

With summer around the corner, you’ll want to know the tips and tricks for cleaning your patio awning so it looks clean and new all season round.

 

Owning an awning is a must to keep your patio in the shade, especially in Arizona, where the beating sun can make you want to spend the entire day inside. An awning does not require much work to keep in good condition, but there are tips and tricks for cleaning your patio awning you should know about. Especially with summer right around the corner and as the weather warms up, keeping your awning clean is essential not only for the appeal of your backyard but also for the longevity of the sun protector.

Trim Vines and Branches

If you live in an area with many shrubs and trees, you may want to consider trimming some of the vines and branches away from the covering. Doing this minimizes the amount of debris that will fall on your awning, keeping it cleaner longer.

Use a Broom To Sweep Away Debris

A tall broom is a perfect utensil for sweeping away the debris from the covering. Cleaning the litter is even easier if you own a retractable patio awning. You can simply retract the sun protector back towards the house to shimmy any remaining hard-to-see debris off the top.

Clean With Mild Detergent

Clean canvas and outdoor awnings with a mild laundry detergent and lukewarm water. If your awning is made of other material, make sure the product you buy from the store is safe to use on that material. You can use the same broom from before to scrub the material clean; a ladder might be of use to get to the hard-to-reach areas.

Rinse With a Hose Monthly

Once you scrub the awning, you can now make your garden hose and wash the soap away. Ensure that you clean every spot on the material, or you will find dirty areas once the covering dries. Hosing off the material once a month cleans away pesky debris and allows you to scrub it with a solution far less than if you were not to attend to the awning regularly.

Retract the Awning When Not in Use

For extra protection against harmful UV rays and other debris, always retract the awning when it is not in use. This extends the life of the gadget. You’ll find less dirt and grime on the sunshade by doing this frequently.

Use these tips and tricks to clean your patio awning this summer so you can enjoy more time outside. A clean awning adds to the luxurious aspect of your backyard and helps in the appeal of your home. Neglecting your awning can lead to more money leaving your wallet to pay for repairs or replacements.

 

Reasons Why You Need To Update Your Living Room Furniture

Reasons Why You Need To Update Your Living Room Furniture

Reasons Why You Need To Update Your Living Room Furniture

 

Updating your living room furniture can have drastic effects on your style. Look here for the top reasons why you need to update your living room furniture.

 

Your living room is most likely the most visited room in your house. It’s critical to have the greatest quality furniture available in this space, whether you’re hanging out with friends or relaxing on the sofa after a hard day. There are numerous advantages to changing your living spaces; read on to learn about the reasons why you need to update your living room furniture!

Upgrading Means Long-Term Enjoyment

Purchasing high-quality living room furniture ensures that each piece contains long-lasting materials. Quality furniture, from living room chairs to entertainment centers, should be able to withstand the test of time.

Amish-made furniture, for example, is an excellent choice because it’s almost always composed of solid wood. You’ll receive a lot more value for your money if you upgrade your furniture.

Unique Furniture That Stands Out

The majority of mass-produced furniture has standard, cookie-cutter designs. Your home interior design matters, so you should always look at high-quality brands since they tend to develop more unique pieces. As such, one of the reasons why you need to update your furniture is to stand out from the crowd, whether it’s chests and dressers or living room sectionals. You’ll find more interesting things and give your living area a definite sense of style if you upgrade.

This is also a terrific way to inject some individuality into all the spaces that you spend a lot of time in, such as your bedroom. Look for one-of-a-kind furniture pieces or beautiful wall décor for your bedroom if you want to update that next.

Create a Gorgeous Space with Upgraded Furniture

Upgrading your furniture is the greatest place to start if you want to create a stunning living space. Look for living room sets that consist of numerous pieces in the same style. This makes creating a coherent and seamless living room a breeze. You can also shop for furniture items from the same collection by a specific manufacturer if you don’t like living room sets.

Most high-end manufacturers create collections with various styles, finishes, and materials. Mix and combine pieces from different collections or choose from a set to create a simplified, clean look in your home.

When looking for new furniture for your home, keep these advantages in mind. Making some improvements is a wise investment, and you’ll be able to enjoy your new furnishings for many years to come.

 

7 Home-Staging Tips to Make the Rooms Look Bigger

7 Home-Staging Tips to Make the Rooms Look Bigger

7 Home-Staging Tips to Make the Rooms Look Bigger

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/k2pumSRYYss

 

One of the first things the buyers are going to observe when they enter a property is how spacious it is. According to a report from the National Association of Realtors, more than 80 percent of buyers’ agents claim that staging helps speed up the sale by allowing the buyers to visualize it as their future home. Normally, this is something that real estate agents do, but it’s not always the case. If you want to sell your property or simply use staging tricks to make a room look bigger, here are a few tips.

Get Rid of the Clutter

Clutter has multiple downsides. The most obvious one is making the space look crowded and not having enough room for “maneuvering” around the home.

The more concealed downside is that it affects your mental health. A cluttered home may contribute to anxiety, apathy, mood swings, and other negative emotions. So, take a good look around. Assess how many things you have and how many of them are unnecessary. You can give the ones you don’t need to charity, sell them, or throw them away.

Keep Only the Essential Furniture Pieces

Let’s take your bedroom as an example. Most bedrooms have a bed, nightstands, a dresser, and a closet. Some of them even have a sitting/reading area or a large mirror. Depending on the square footage, all of these things can look well in a room, without making it feel cluttered.

However, if you’re dealing with a smaller space, consider downgrading to smaller furniture pieces and simply having less of them. You can choose a comfortable queen-size mattress and an appropriate bed frame. Also, built-in shelves and walk-in closets are always great ideas for small rooms.

Opt for Larger Furniture Pieces

This may seem illogical after the previous section, but when it comes to functionality, it’s the best thing you can do. If you need a lot of sitting space in the living room area, it’s better to have one large sofa than two small ones. However, pay attention to the room size when choosing the furniture. If the room is very small, a sofa that is too large will call attention to its limitations. Finding the right balance is the key.

Leave Some Breathing Room

Don’t push all the furniture pieces against the wall. While this seems rational, as it will leave more room in the middle area, it can also create tension because it takes away all the breathing room. In the living room, for example, this can work if you create a sitting area in front of a focal point (e.g., a fireplace or a TV) and leave enough room to move around the back of the furniture.

Leave It Bare

Carpets, rugs, and drapery have their role in interior design. However, if your goal is to create an illusion of spaciousness, think twice before using them. Leaving the windows bare will allow more sunlight inside the room, which will instantly make it appear larger. Bare floors will have a similar effect.

Paint It Bright

Dark, saturated colors tend to close up the space and make it look smaller. While you can use them for some accent pieces, it would be best to opt for light neutrals for the walls. White would have the best effect, but you can also choose light grey, beige, or a similar shade.

Avoid Patterns

Finally, you should avoid busy patterns because they make any room feel smaller than it is. Use fewer patterns on bedding and upholstery. Solid, light-colored upholstery, rugs, and drapery in a small space can make it appear larger.

In Closing

Staging a home well helps showcase its best assets and allows the potential buyers to imagine themselves living in that space. It makes sure that the exceptional features outshine the flaws. Follow these seven home-staging tips and help all potential buyers feel they are entering a lovely, spacious place in which they’ll feel comfortable and happy.

Security Considerations Before Purchasing or Leasing a Commercial Office Space

Security Considerations Before Purchasing or Leasing a Commercial Office Space

Security Considerations Before Purchasing or Leasing a Commercial Office Space

Purchasing or leasing commercial space is a big commitment. There’s a lot to consider regarding layout, profitability, and application to your business needs. However, your company should also consider some major security considerations before purchasing or leasing a commercial office space.

Do you know what critical protections need to be in place for the business? Does the space you are considering leasing offer these features or the ability to upgrade as needed? All of this should be reviewed before any contracts are signed to ensure the safety of your employees and investments.

Here are four steps to always take before moving to a new commercial space if you want to prioritize security and safety.

1: Analyze The Area

Before choosing an office space to buy or lease, you want to be sure that the building is in a safe area that will be comfortable and protected for your employees and your business. Warehouses in some regions of Phoenix may be incredibly cheap, but those same areas can be difficult to commute to, park in safely, or find nearby housing.

Your building can be made safe, but your employees’ living situation could not be. Working in the area means eating, living, and commuting in the area. If your business relocates, this could cause staffing issues.

This is a big part of why it’s key to analyze the area before choosing your next commercial office space for security reasons.

Market News

Another aspect of analyzing the area is paying attention to Phoenix’s latest commercial and residential rental market news. What areas are growing? What areas are falling behind? Being aware of how the rental market is booming or wavering often ties into the conditions of that area, so keeping up on the latest news is key.

Phoenix residential real estate has slowed compared to last year, but prices continue to rise. On the other hand, the Phoenix commercial market has been booming, with assets changing hands at higher rates than we’ve seen in the last two years. Many of those transactions happened in suburban areas, with traditional and flex spaces seeing the most attention.

2: Review Building Layout With Security Perspective

Before purchasing any commercial property, make sure you’re in the right position and have a good perspective on what will come next. This includes being sure that you will be able to take care of any physical security issues that exist with the basic layout of the building.

Have you taken a close look at all entry and existing points? Are they appropriately secured? Are there any areas that need to be reinforced, redesigned, or otherwise remodeled for a secure environment?

Looking at the building layout with security in mind is key. You need to be sure that the building layout supports the necessary security protocol. If it does not, you need to ensure that your business has the budget to handle the changes required or that the current owner will make the updates.

3: Check What Security is Included

This point is particularly important when leasing a building that includes some furnishings, systems, or other factors directed by a third party.

For example, you’ll want to understand all security details for office space leased in a large building where you share the space with other companies or the property owner manages the security.

When taking over a building where your company will be handling all of the security, you’ll have to invest in installing or upgrading security cameras, access codes, and other key security points necessary for the building.

This can be incredibly time-consuming as there are many factors to consider when investing in a security camera system. However, you must research this before committing to a budget for the tools that will protect and secure your business.  

4: Plan Additional Security Technology

Finally, you will want to look beyond the scope of what is currently installed and think about what security is best for your business. In particular, it’s recommended that commercial spaces are outfitted with high-quality control systems that keep their buildings as secure as possible.

Choose an Access Control System

You’ll want to determine a system that will allow proper access control credentialing for restricted areas. Technology can be a game-changer for filling vacancies if you ever decide to sublease the space, and access control systems quickly become a necessity.

Access control systems allow the buildings’ various designs, from HVAC management to key entry points, to be managed with one universal system. Access control is essential for efficient management, and it’s one of the biggest things to consider.

Arrange Key Goals

Finally, think about what other goals are essential to your specific business.

For example, organizations working with a lot of deliveries may find intercom systems for businesses to be an important part of security. A commercial intercom system ensures that you can not only control who has access at what time, but you can also ensure that all credentials are being used to your standard.

Consider what security is vital to your business. You can ensure that you set up the necessary budgeting plans before committing to lease or purchase commercial office space.

3 Benefits to Changing Filters In Your Home

3 Benefits to Changing Filters In Your Home

3 Benefits to Changing Filters In Your Home

 

Maintaining your home’s air filters can impact your health and the health of your home. Read on to discover three benefits to changing filters in your home.

 

Do you change the filters in your home? If so, how often do you take care of this necessary chore? Read these three benefits to changing filters in your home and learn why it’s important to mark your calendars and make this task part of your routine. Your home’s air quality and electricity bill will thank you.

Indoor Air Quality

Your air filter is a secret powerhouse in your home. It catches dust, spores, hair, dander, and other unwanted particles passing through your air conditioning unit. Continually breathing in these particles can harm you and your loved one’s lungs and airways. Changing your home’s air filter ensures a cleaner and healthier home. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Does your house seem dusty?
  • Do you have pets?
  • Do several people live in the house?

If you answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, you want to replace the air filter more often. Promote good health and routinely change your filters to reap the benefits of changing filters in your home.

Allergy Relief

Trapping airborne particles can improve conditions like allergies and asthma. Examine your home filtration system and change your air filter if you are experiencing congestion, difficulty breathing, or an itchy nose indoors. In the long run, this replacement can help you get more quality sleep at night. Better sleep can affect your overall health and daily performance. If you suspect poor sleep quality, consider examining your air filter at home first.

HVAC System

In Arizona, a functioning HVAC system means comfort and safety. If you think your home isn’t cooling or heating well, check the filter. If you’re unsure how to do this, call an HVAC contractor to have them help you. Changing the filter is one of several ways to maintain your HVAC system in the spring.

Replacing air filters is one of many effective ways to conserve electricity at home as well. After a replacement, you can enjoy seeing smaller numbers on your energy bill. An efficient system is a money-saving system. Enjoy the benefits of conserving overall electricity in your home!

 

Questions To Ask Before Buying a Historic Home

Questions To Ask Before Buying a Historic Home

Questions To Ask Before Buying a Historic Home

 

Historic homes are a great investment, but they can be more than you bargained for. Make sure to ask these questions before buying a historic home.

 

Scottsdale has been gracing Phoenix with its presence for over 120 years. Because of that, our neighborhood is home to some beautiful older homes, from Spanish villas to Frank Lloyd Wright’s gorgeous winter home, Taliesin West.

But as charming as older homes can be to look at, they can pose their own collection of challenges. That’s why it’s important to have a list of questions to ask before buying a historic home.

What Renovations Are Allowed?

In most cases, when you buy something, it’s yours. That usually means you can do whatever you want with it. But when your home is a certified “historic” property, you may need to adhere to some rules about how much you can change the home and property.

You typically aren’t banned from doing any renovation work on a historic home. However, local ordinances may bar certain exterior and interior changes to the home. Most communities—Scottsdale included—have an office of historic preservation that can offer guidance on what renovations are allowed.

How Old is the Electric Work?

Electricity first came to our area over a hundred years ago, and some homes’ electric work hasn’t changed much. While old wiring is usually still functional, it can become faulty when facing modern electrical needs. This can pose a fire hazard if you aren’t careful.

If you decide to buy a home with old wiring, you will likely have to rewire it. Unfortunately, this can be a tedious and expensive process that you will not be able to do yourself, so you will need to factor this into your budget.

What Kind of Pipes Does It Have?

Many cities’ sewer systems are much older than their citizens realize. Because of that, pipes in older homes can potentially be decades old. This can cause problems for homeowners because many older materials for pipes, such as cast iron or clay, can become brittle over time or be difficult to repair.

Additionally, some homes were built with lead pipes, which can lead to contaminated water. Knowing whether your home has lead pipes is essential to keeping you safe once you’ve purchased the home.

How Old Is the Paint?

Pipes aren’t the only area you might find lead in a historic home. Houses built before 1977 may have lead-based paint on the walls. Flaking lead paint and painting over lead paint can cause lead poisoning.

If you plan on changing the color of the walls, request a test for the walls. If the walls do have lead-based paint, you will need to call a specialist to remove the paint. You will also have to factor this into your budget.

Old homes are beautiful, but knowing the right questions to ask before buying a historic home will help you get the most out of your property.

Ways To Transform Your Half Bathroom Into a Powder Room

Ways To Transform Your Half Bathroom Into a Powder Room

Ways To Transform Your Half Bathroom Into a Powder Room

 

Whether you are staging your bathroom or you desire a design change, there are some ways to transform your half bathroom into a powder room that will increase market value!

 

You may be wondering what the difference between a half bathroom and a powder room is, and logistically speaking, there is none. However, the two terms give off quite different moods.
Powder room says “custom and luxurious,” whereas half bathroom says “wholly utilitarian.” If you want to take your half bathroom to the next level, here are some ways to transform your half bathroom into a powder room.

Go Simple

When staging your house, you may disregard the bathroom, but it may be that hidden element that raises your house’s value. In Scottsdale’s competitive and booming real estate market, these slight changes are vitally important and may be the final push that sells your house.

When staging, simplicity is key as buyers need to imagine themselves in their potential powder room. But simplicity doesn’t mean void of luxury. Try incorporating small, high-quality pieces. Freshly cut flowers, neutral artwork, bright lighting, and similar elements help increase the appearance and believability of a powder room while sticking to simplicity for buyers.

Make It Yours

If you’re not staging your house and desire new energy in your half bath, making the room unique is a great way to transform your half bathroom into a powder room. This option is more fun as you can personalize and elevate your powder room according to your style! A powder room is a perfect area to add fun tiles or paint colors you have always loved. Not entirely sure how to incorporate your personality into your surroundings? Start small with vases or artwork prints you find pleasing.

Add Display Elements

Ever walked into a bathroom and felt like you stepped foot into a museum? Everything from the towels to soaps looks so perfectly curated that you’re afraid to touch anything! While you don’t want your guest to feel like they’re in a museum, you can still add elements for show while including pieces for actual usage. This tip is useful whether you’re staging or designing and will transform your half bathroom into a powder room.

Also, add a nice quality candle or oil diffuser, mini toiletries, lotions, and plush towels. Regardless of the occasion, consider storing away everyday toiletries, such as your toothbrush and those hand towels you’ve had for years. This will elevate your half bathroom to powder room status while still looking and feeling functional!

 

How To Make a Full-Time Career Out of Flipping Houses

How To Make a Full-Time Career Out of Flipping Houses

How To Make a Full-Time Career Out of Flipping Houses

 

Buying a home is a stressful yet wildly exciting experience that brings joy to so many people. For some individuals, buying and selling multiple properties is their primary source of income. Knowing how to make a full-time career out of flipping houses is a great way to leave your desk job and make money off of doing what you love most. Check out these three tips for successfully running a renovation business.

Prepare for Renovations

Renovating is the name of the game when flipping houses professionally. Damaged or low-quality properties can be money-making homes, but they require proper renovations. For starters, verse yourself in the art of flipping. You must become familiar with all aspects of building and fixing a structure.

You’ll also need to purchase the right equipment for your project. These items include construction machinery, standard tools, and other job site necessities. Inform yourself how to effectively and safely use your equipment to ensure a structurally sound and visually appealing property.

Create a Steady Income

To sell homes, you need a dependable way to make money. Even dilapidated properties cost quite the penny, and many flipping projects last for a year or more. Because of a lack of funds from sales, creating income in various ways ensures you can support this career and your livelihood.

Get good at closing commercial loan deals through different investment organizations, as these funds are invaluable in supporting your flipping business. Outside of lenders, create and hold onto solid budgets that allow you to comfortably work without worrying about the bills. Lastly, supplement your flipping business with another source of income. This is essential at the beginning of your venture to keep you more financially secure and protected.

Market Your Business

Major real estate companies that operate in Arizona spend millions every year to promote their services to the general public. As a small business, it’s essential to compete with these organizations to the best of your ability. This involves innovative marketing that doesn’t cost too much money.

Devote energy into developing a brand through social media, where you can interact with potential clients. Building an online presence is the best way to market small businesses while maintaining accessibility and affordability.

It’s an accomplishment to become a homeowner, but it’s entirely possible to make a living out of repeating that process. The work isn’t easy, and the journey is difficult, especially when starting. However, knowing how to make a full-time career out of flipping houses can create a fantastic job opportunity with many rewards.

Tips for Protecting Your New Landscaping

Tips for Protecting Your New Landscaping

Tips for Protecting Your New Landscaping

 

When revamping property and adding resale value, people often invest in new and improved landscaping. The resulting floral beauty gives a structured vibrancy and life to a home. However, plants are delicate creatures, and rocks can easily shift in bad weather. If you want to preserve your investment, you’ll need to put in some extra preventive work. Explore these tips for protecting your new landscaping.

Mow, Trim, and Clip

Whether you maintain your lawn on your own or hire a company to do it for you, you’ll need to routinely mow, trim, and clip your landscaping. Keep your lawn grasses at a consistent height to ensure their health. You should also maintain hedge shapes, refusing to let unruly branches stick out from the predesigned boundaries. If you have any sculpted trees, you should keep the bald trunk areas clear of budding branches.

Assess Water Drainage

Your water drainage system keeps rain and snow runoff from disrupting carefully curated landscaping. Assess how well water runoff flows and reroute it if necessary. Look all the way to the top of your home’s exterior and clean your gutters if need be. If you don’t, you’ll encounter more problems from clogged gutters than landscaping damage.

Routinely Refresh Landscape Bedding

Do you have flower beds? Mulch beds? Rock beds? No matter what kind of foundational layer of landscaping material is in your yard, you’ll need to refresh it over time. Routinely re-mulch your yard and replace lost rocks to keep the landscaping in tip-top shape. Though the process takes several hours of hard work, the effect lasts all year and keeps your yard looking perfect.

If you’re looking to sell in the Scottsdale area, you should keep your landscaping on your radar. Keep these tips for protecting your new landscaping in mind as you navigate the real estate market and ensure a successful purchase. The last thing you want is for a poorly executed landscaping project to mar your property rather than beautify it.

 

What To Expect After Installing Solar Panels

What To Expect After Installing Solar Panels

What To Expect After Installing Solar Panels

 

Reduced Energy Bills

Reduced energy bills are the main reason most homeowners take the plunge into solar power in the first place, and when you see the total, you won’t wonder why. Depending on your usage, you could see a complete negation of your bills (although, in most cases, you’re more likely to notice a 70 percent drop).

Lower Carbon Footprint

Switching to solar power also means a significant drop in your carbon footprint. Households without solar energy require carbon dioxide to power their electrical use, so you can rest easy knowing you’re doing your part for Mother Earth. In fact, the solar industry offsets so much carbon dioxide that it’s the equivalent of planting over 900 million trees!

Maintenance Requirements

One of the best aspects of installing solar panels is that they require relatively little maintenance. Every once in a while, if you notice your panels looking dingy or dusty, give them a thorough rinse (potentially with a hose from the ground). If it seems like the panels need a more hands-on approach, use a soft brush without much soap, and make sure you get all the soap off when you’ve finished washing.

Don’t Expect Too Much Too Soon

Even in a sunny state like Arizona or Florida, remember that solar panels are a long-term investment. It makes sense that you want massive savings all at once after such a sizable purchase, but this mentality will only bring disappointment. Solar panels save homeowners tons of money, but over a period of years, not weeks or months. Our best advice: focus on the big picture, not day-to-day benefits.

Now that you know what to expect after installing solar panels, enjoy your reduced bills, and get ready for years of savings!

 

What To Do When Getting Ready for Your Next Big Move

What To Do When Getting Ready for Your Next Big Move

What To Do When Getting Ready for Your Next Big Move

 

While it can be fun to move to a new area, the stress of moving makes it feel like it’s not even worth it. There’s so much you have to do, and it never feels like there’s enough time to do it all. That’s why we’ve put together a guide on what to do when getting ready for your next big move. We don’t want it to be a huge struggle for you, so these tips should help.

Take Some Time Off Work

We can’t stress this first point enough. If you don’t take at least a few days off of work to focus on this move, you’re going to stretch yourself way too thin. Not only will you struggle to get everything done on time before the moving date, but your output at work will suffer, too, due to all of the worries that’ll be rushing through your head. Do yourself and your employer a favor by taking a week off to get everything ready.

Hire a Moving Company

Many people these days try to do the move entirely themselves in order to save money. While that’s not a horrible idea, you’ll reach a point where you simply can’t do it all on your own. If you have some friends nearby, they can always come help, but nothing beats the efficiency and hard work of a professional moving company. They’ll handle all the heavy lifting which will ease your mind and give you time to finish other tasks.

Label Everything

This step in our guide on what to do when getting ready for your next big move is probably the most crucial. Whether or not you decide to go with a moving company, you must ensure all your stuff is packed together in categories and labeled for future reference.

Not only will this help when it comes time to unpack in your new place, but it will make the move easier since you’ll know which boxes belong in which rooms. Nothing’s worse than having to carry all of your kitchen stuff back downstairs because the movers put it in your bedroom.

Personally Take Care of Your Valuables

If you have precious valuables—such as jewelry, expensive electronics, or firearms—pack and handle those yourself. It’s especially important with guns since you need to follow specific instructions when you’re traveling with them so you don’t break any laws. If you’re moving here to Arizona, you won’t have to worry about concealed-and-carry laws as much. You don’t need a permit to carry guns as long as you’re over 21 years old. Still, you should be careful when you transport such valuables.

The main reason why you’ll want to handle these valuables yourself is so they don’t get lost, broken, or stolen during the move. If they never leave your sight, you won’t have to worry about them.

 

Quick Tips for Improving Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Quick Tips for Improving Your Home’s Curb Appeal

 

Quick Tips for Improving Your Home’s Curb Appeal

 

Your home’s exterior is like a book cover—it sets the tone for what to expect inside. Whether you’re a homeowner or in the real estate industry, you know that first impressions matter. Your home exterior is what attracts buyers. If you’re interested in renovating to sell or just want to make improvements to enhance the feel of your abode, these quick tips for improving your home’s curb appeal can help you make a big difference!

Show Your Lawn a Bit of TLC

Regular landscaping and lawn care are some of the most significant factors contributing to curb appeal. Pulling weeds, raking leaves, and watering your grass will keep your property alive and healthy for others to see.

In sunny, warm states like Arizona, you’ll also want to take some additional steps when caring for your lawn. Consider applying an organic fertilizer that can help provide long-term nutrition and improve soil quality.

Add Greenery

Flowers, trees, and shrubberies offer an excellent contrast to a well-maintained lawn. They add significant pops of colors and, with strategic placement, can elevate your home’s exterior aesthetic.

Give Your Mailbox a Makeover

Despite popular belief to the contrary, your mailbox needs love too. Swapping out an old mailbox for a modernized option can make a small yet noticeable difference that, in turn, can tie your home’s exterior look together.

Make Your Front Door Pop

Painting your front door is inexpensive and relatively easy to do yourself. You can opt for a bold color to accentuate your home; however, if you have multiple options, consider performing a swatch test beforehand to ensure it won’t clash with the siding or other exterior features. Add front door decor to finish off the paint job for a revamped look.

Stain or Paint Your Garage Door

Why invest in a new garage door when you can update the one you already have? You can add life to a worn garage door with a bit of wood stain or paint. Remember, there are right and wrong ways to do this, so read up on tutorials to guide you in the right direction.

Power-Wash Your Driveway

Get the power-washer ready, and bid farewell to tough grime. Make sure you’re able to reach those tricky areas where dirt accumulation is high. After the driveway, consider cleaning other exterior features, such as your home’s siding, walkway, and porch. Just make sure the washer won’t cause damage.

With these quick tips, improving your home’s curb appeal will fill a weekend with projects that can spruce up your space. Most of these enhancements build upon an existing foundation, so the chances are good that the striking elements in your home only need a few finishing touches to reach their full aesthetic potential.

 

 

What To Know Before Painting Your Home’s Exterior

What To Know Before Painting Your Home’s Exterior

What To Know Before Painting Your Home’s Exterior

 

Thinking about sprucing up your home’s exterior with a coat of paint? Painting your exterior can improve curb appeal and property value dramatically. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is a time-consuming and costly project that you should carefully consider in advance. Here’s what to know before painting your home’s exterior.

How Big Is Your Home?

The bigger your home, the more expensive and time-consuming it will be to paint. The number of stories you have can also impact time estimates and price.

What Kind of Siding Do You Have?

What kind of exterior siding do you have? Aluminum? Vinyl? Wood shakes? The material of your siding  dictates how the entire painting process goes. You can paint some materials easily, but this doesn’t apply to everything. Brick and stucco require more coats, for example, because they’re extremely porous materials.

Do You Have the Necessary Supplies?

Painting the exterior of a home is more complex than painting the interior. Some necessary items include:

  • Pressure washer
  • Paint sprayer
  • Painter’s tape
  • Drop cloths
  • Extendable ladder
  • Paint scraper
  • Primer
  • Filler
  • Sanding block
  • Spackle knife
  • Exterior caulk
  • Caulk gun
  • Plastic sheeting

The cost of these supplies can really add up!

What Color?

Another thing to know before painting your home’s exterior is the color you want to use. For the exterior, most homeowners opt for neutral or dark colors.

You can choose whatever color your heart desires, but keep in mind that bolder colors can reduce property value. And if you live in an HOA, make sure the color you choose adheres to your community’s rules. Some HOAs even require you to choose from a limited number of preapproved colors.

How Much Will It Cost?

The average exterior painting project costs anywhere from $1,700 to $4,300. Prices vary depending on the size of your home, your location, the condition of your exterior, and accessibility. Using premium materials and paints can also bump up the price.

DIY or Professional?

Can you DIY an exterior paint project? Yes. Should you? Probably not. It can take weeks to paint your home if you’re a one-person team. And you likely don’t have the tools or expertise to complete the job safely or correctly.

What if you make a mistake? It can cost a small fortune to fix even minor mistakes. This can push you hundreds or thousands of dollars over budget.

For the sake of simplicity, it’s much better to hire a professional painter for the job. It’ll save you money, time, and headaches in the long run.

Other Considerations

There are a few inconveniences that come with painting the exterior of your home. Are you prepared to deal with them? You can’t park in your driveway until the paint is dry, for example, so you’ll either need to park in the garage, on the street, or somewhere else. And if you work from home and are using a contractor, you’ll have to deal with noises for several days, which can potentially disrupt your meetings.

 

A Guide to Different Rugs and Where To Put Them

A Guide to Different Rugs and Where To Put Them

A Guide to Different Rugs and Where To Put Them

 

Rugs can elevate a room from boring to stylish in one easy step. Although rugs are great to have, it can be hard deciding on the right rug. Often, you find rugs in different areas of the home based on room size, usage, and how heavy foot traffic is in that part of the house. Even if you have carpeted floors, you can still use area rugs to help protect particular parts of your floors or carpet. Here’s a guide to different rugs and where to put them in your home.

Living Room Rugs

The living room is one of the most popular places to put a rug in a home. When shopping for the right rug, don’t settle for a small one, as it can make the room feel smaller. Instead, opt for a large rug for your living space, as it then feels expansive. By placing your rug in the center of the room, either under an ottoman or coffee table, you’ll create a clean appearance for your living room.

Dining Room Rugs

Some aren’t sure about having a rug in the dining room—especially directly under the dining room table. If you’re adventurous and willing to try anything once, try out a rug in your dining room, and you’ll become amazed at the difference. Consider getting a rug that’s 60 centimeters longer than each end of your dining room table, so every chair fits onto the carpet. Avoid shaggy and sheepskin rugs, as one can shed and the other won’t last well underneath the table, as it can drag.

Bedroom Rugs

Rugs are more common in bedrooms than you’d think, especially if a bedroom has hardwood or tiled floors. The most popular carpet size for a double bed is an eight-by-ten rug, which gives an impression of a more spacious room. Usually, it won’t matter if your rug is directly under your bed or on the side, but if you want a bedroom that feels balanced, consider placing the bed in the center of the carpet.

Kitchen Rugs

Rugs in the kitchen are also common. They’re good for foot health and help you relax as you walk to each part of the counter, preparing and cooking food. Rugs in kitchens tend to make a kitchen feel more inviting and even balanced. If you’re looking for more cushion, consider purchasing a rug that has memory foam.

When considering a rug for your home, make sure that you’re purchasing the right one that fits your personality and helps keep each room balanced. Without balance, our home would seem disorganized and feel pretty small. Take our advice on the different rugs and where to place them and apply it to your future rug purchases.

 

Top Decorating Tips for Small Apartments

Top Decorating Tips for Small Apartments

Top Decorating Tips for Small Apartments

 

Small apartments are some of the most challenging spaces to have efficient décor that looks good. In a smaller apartment, anything that you put in there makes the space feel smaller. Therefore, it is important to have the décor that’s in place reflect the area. This will allow the space to feel more natural and less crowded while still providing functional space. To help you, we are providing our take on the top decorating tips for small apartments.

Furniture Layout

Many people find that the first mistake they make when decorating a room is laying out their furniture. Often, they will lay a couch in front of the TV with no regard for how they use the space around it. Instead, having your furniture layout flow with the room’s shape will optimize the space used. Typically, this means using the walls as an outline for how your room. While this will often result in putting the couch against the wall, don’t be afraid to set boundaries between spaces using the couch. Because of its large size, it can also serve as a boundary from one space to another.

Mirrors

Mirrors are another more psychological way to make you feel like you have a wide-open space without dealing with major work. They are so easy to put up and provide some mental breathing room in any small area. If you wish to stray away from them as a room feature, you can also include mirrors as more of an accent piece. Even as a simple wall decoration, mirrors do wonders in making you feel like your bedroom space is open and beautiful.

Light Sources

Light sources are exceedingly crucial in ensuring that the small space does not feel too closed off from outside. Many studies have proven that including natural light in one’s space regulates sleep patterns and boosts productivity. For that reason, try centralizing your smallest spaces around the window to emphasize the natural light rather than focusing on the smaller space.

Even though small apartments are chores to decorate due to the limited size, there are still many decorating tips for small apartments you can use to make any space pop. However, remember to center home décor around personal preference, so you always stay true to what you want out of your space.