Home & Garden

Are you looking to make a little bit of extra money? If so, consider that real estate may be just the ticket. And a specific subset of that concept would be that you can make the house that you’re living in awesome, and then sell it for a profit. There are several different ways to approach this money-making opportunity. The more you plan and understand your environment and social circumstances, the better your chance for making a good chunk of change from your efforts.

Take three ideas and start with them. First, there’s the concept that you can sell your house for cash. Depending on where you are in life, this may get you exactly the kind of profit that you want quickly. In another method, perhaps you buy a house just to flip it. There is a science behind maximizing your value in this process. And third, you can look at DIY design ideas that will give you a great return on investment when establishing your house as something that you want to sell soon.

Cash for Your House

If you currently own your home and are looking to make a profit, one of the best ways to do this is to sell your house for cash. There are several different ways to make this happen. You can sell your home to a private owner for cash. Or, you can find a company that buys houses for cash and create a way for them to give you an offer. When it comes to housing, cash transfers and purchases tend to cut through a lot of the red tape. Because there are not additional loans, interest rates, or other factors in the way, cold hard cash tends to be a hot commodity when moving deeds and titles to property around.

The Purpose of Flipping

If you are a hard charger, consider that getting into flipping houses may be right up your alley. There is an art and a science to this. First, you have to know that there is even a possibility that you could buy a house on a piece of property, fix it, and then sell it for more money. Geography will sometimes get in your way. But, if you have determined that this is a possibility, the next thing to do is figure out how to maintain your best ROI on every stage of your home improvement process.

DIY Design Ideas To Get You Started

Finally, if you want to make money by selling your house, perhaps work your way through a few DIY design ideas. Initially, this may only improve your home’s aesthetics, but if you choose the right project, you can spend $100 doing something that will improve the value of your house by $1000. Get creative with how you intend on doing the math, and then jump right in.

 

With interest rates as low as they’ve been in recent memory, many people are on the hunt for a reasonably priced home that they may not have been able to afford even earlier this year. However, just because a home is within your price range doesn’t mean that it’s going to be a smart purchase for you, especially if you’re planning on taking on a fixer upper.

To help you in making this decision, here are three tips for recognizing a home with good bones that you should buy as a fixer upper.

Love The Location First

When you’re going to be changing a lot of things within the home anyway, you’re going to want to be sure that you absolutely love the things about the home that you can’t or won’t change. And according to Sarah Li Cain, a contributor to Bankrate.com, the all-important factor here is location.

As long as the home is in an area and a neighborhood that you love, any renovations that you do to it will just add to how much you appreciate that property. But if you don’t like where the home is or the lot that it’s on, there’s a good chance that you’ll wind up regretting your decision to purchase that home, even after you’ve made all the renovations that you wanted. So to avoid buyers remorse, make sure you love the location first.

Make Primarily Cosmetic Changes

For a home to have good bones, the main structure of the home is going to have to be sound and able to remain intact. According to Jeffrey Rothfelder, a contributor to This Old House, this means that you’re going to want to pick a home that primarily only requires cosmetic changes.

When you’re looking at the property, try to find a home that has hardwood flooring that only needs some refinishing, walls that only require minor patches or repairs, lighting that could be updated with some new fixtures, and a kitchen or bathrooms that don’t need to be completely gutted. If you can’t find these things in the home you’re looking at, the “bones” of the home may not be as good as you think.

Consider The Windows

There are usually a lot of things within a home that you can change without having to knock everything down and start from scratch. But according to Kate Reggev, a contributor to Architectural Digest, one thing that isn’t always easy to mess with is the windows. Because windows often have to do with the structure and layout of the home, you should try to find a home that already has windows that face the direction you want and are in the location that you want.

If you’re wanting to find a home with good bones that you can renovate to make your dream home, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find the right property for you.

While it can be hard to keep certain pests out of even the cleanest of homes, the room that’s most likely to have issues with most household pests is your kitchen. Because most pests that enter your home are only on the lookout for food, the kitchen is the best place for them to pick up and scrap you’ve left out for them.

To keep this from happening in your house, it’s wise to know the best ways to deter pests from coming into your kitchen. So to help you with this, here are three ways to keep pests out of your kitchen.

Get Proper Storage Containers

Although some of the items you buy from the store will come already in airtight containers, for those that don’t, Elisa Roland, a contributor to Reader’s Digest, recommends that you transfer anything that you get from the store into an airtight container before you place it on the shelves in your home.

By doing this, not only will you be able to keep any scent of that food to a minimum, but you’ll also ensure that no little pests are able to get into the container and eat or contaminate your food before you’re able to eat it. While getting these containers might seem like a bit of a financial investment, it’s nothing compared to what you might pay to get rid of pests once they’re infested your home.

Keep Things Clean

Because not all your food is always going to be in an airtight container, especially as you prepare and eat it, it’s important that you take your time thoroughly cleaning your kitchen on a very regular basis.

According to The Daily Meal, pests can find even the smallest of crumbs that you leave on your countertops, floor, table, and more. So if you notice something fall or happen to spill or drop food on the floor, make sure you clean it up as soon as you can so that no pests get led to your kitchen from the smell of that food.

Flush Your Kitchen Sink

One area that many people fail to think about when trying to limit the draw of pests to their kitchen is their sink.

As soon as the food leaves your sight, you might not be thinking about how pests could still smell that food and get to it. To keep this from happening in your home, Lisa Jo Lupo, a contributor to The Spruce, advises that you make sure you adequately flush anything down your drain and use your garbage disposal so that all food particles are gone from your sink. This will keep pests from getting into your kitchen and wreaking havoc with your plumbing.

If you’re wanting to make sure you don’t get unwanted pests in your home, consider using the tips mentioned above to keep your kitchen well maintained.

 

When it comes to having an eco-friendly kitchen, there are certain products you can use to provide a green environment. Learning what to buy and how you can your actions in the kitchen to be more eco-friendly will help you feel good about your contribution to mother earth. Check out a few recommended products below to begin your quest in creating a greener kitchen space!

Food Storage Containers

If you are like most people, you pack a lunch every now and then, especially if you have kids. For most people, Ziploc bags are commonly used to store fruit, sandwiches and other food items in a lunch bag. However, these bags are not environmentally friendly. They actually contribute to the massive issue with plastic in the US. Instead of using such bags, consider silicone food containers. These containers are self-sealing and not created from plastic. They can easily be washed and reused for all your storage needs.

Tote Bags for Organization

In every kitchen, you need some form of organization. A great eco-friendly way to store items involves tote bags. With custom printed bags, you can store items that you use everyday or what you need to put away for irregular use. You can place items in the bags and then hang the totes up in your pantry for easy access. Along with food storage, the tote bags are great for storing lids to containers, spices and more.

You can also use tote bags to separate fresh fruit and create a fun station in your kitchen where kids can grab what they like for snack or dinner!

Store Ingredients in Glass Containers

In most kitchens, you have your staples area. This is where you keep your flour, sugar, cornmeal and other items that you cook with regularly. Instead of using a plastic container, use glass. Sturdy glass containers are a great way to store these ingredients and are an eco-friendly solution. You can use this storage container for decades and never have to replace it for something new!

You can also use glass containers for leftover food storage when cooking casseroles or grilling out. With simple storage solutions like these, you won’t need plastic containers that can be harmful to the environment.

Cleaning Products

To keep your kitchen clean, you must have products on hand such as dish washing liquid, dishwasher tabs or spray for your counters. Instead of buying anything you see at the store, look for recyclable solutions. There are cleaning companies in business today who offer smart solutions for cleaning supplies. Some companies use recycled materials for the bottling of the products while others will use eco-friendly ingredients in the making of their actual cleaning solutions.

When it comes to lowering your environmental footprint in the kitchen, these are just a few of the steps you can take to change your impact on the world. Start small and work your way to continual changes to see how you can better the world, one change at a time! These tips are just the beginning of what you can do to better protect the environment.

 

There are a few reasons why a home becomes neglected enough to turn into an almost insurmountable mess. One reason is that the homeowner might not have the time to deal with maintenance due to a busy work schedule. Another reason is that the home might no longer be regularly used by its owners. No matter the case, it can be challenging to deal with cleaning an extremely messy home – and it can be tempting to give up and leave it be.

However, such a scenario will only lead to the home rotting further and causing problems down the line. Whether because of a busy schedule or general neglect, here are a few ways to start cleaning an extremely messy home.

Plan your approach, and take all the time you need

First and foremost, it would be a good idea to take stock of what you need to do. While it can feel like a hopeless case if you look at the big picture, you do not have to get everything done right away. Instead, you can focus on a single area and go at it one step at a time. A busy homeowner can spend an hour of their time each day cleaning a single area, and before you know, you will have completely cleaned the room. All that is left is to move on to the next one!

Considering how little effort you need to apply each day to clean, it is a surprisingly easy and effective tactic, even for homeowners who come home exhausted.

Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it

One of the reasons why some homeowners refuse to clean their homes thoroughly is due to the amount of rusted junk that needs to be thrown away. Some would prefer to leave it rotting in the sun instead of doing something about it. Fortunately, you do not have to resign yourself to such a fate. You can get help from a junk removal Fort Myers company if you are having trouble dealing with the junk yourself, whether it is an assortment of rusted appliances or even a junk vehicle.

How to effectively deal with clutter

For the most part, those who end up cleaning most of their homes will have a collection of belongings they are willing to part with. Instead of just throwing away the clutter, it would be a better idea to try to make a profit out of it. When it comes to electronics, they tend to age more gracefully than other items. An old phone collecting dust in your home might very well be a rare piece prized by someone else. Learning about what you can sell – perhaps even hosting a garage sale – can be a happy ending for a cluttered beginning.

It is understandable for some homeowners to feel like their house is a hopeless cause. However, with the help of a few professionals and the correct mindset, you can organize your home!

Your home’s kitchen is much more than just a room in the house. The kitchen is where many memorable moments are shared, and you visit the room several times every day.

When you plan to sell your home, the kitchen will have a significant impact on the resale value of your property. It’s always worth the investment to update your kitchen, and there are plenty of budget conscious ideas you can put into action.

Take a moment to consider these update ideas for your outdated kitchen, and get to work creating a more capable and comfortable space.

Update your kitchen counters

Your countertops add a significant boost to the aesthetic of your kitchen. They also have quite a functional use. Installing durable countertops will give your kitchen a boost in excellence.

Research the various material options for new countertops. Granite is a popular countertop choice for many homeowners looking to bring new life to their old kitchen. Choose a creative color mixture to add depth to this element of your kitchen design.

Renew the flooring in the kitchen

Your kitchen floors get a lot of action, and high traffic areas of your home need durable flooring materials. Updating the floors in your kitchen will boost your home’s equity, while simultaneously granting yourself and your family a great spot to rest your toes.

Install Energy Star appliances

Energy Star certified appliances will help your kitchen save you money over the next decade. Energy efficient appliances also qualify you for a tax credit, as the government is still rewarding homeowners for being energy conscious.

You’ll find the process of choosing a new refrigerator and range is actually rather exciting, as technology has brought about some pretty cool functions.

Add a fresh coat of paint

Old cabinets and window frames can get a second chance at life with a simple and fresh coat of paint. You’ll be amazed by how much a coat of paint can impact the aesthetic of your kitchen. Invest in quality paint, so your work will last for several years to come.

Add an island or bar space

If there is room in the floorplan, it’s always beneficial to add an island or bar area for extra storage, seating, and cook prep. An added island also means added equity in your home. If you ever plan to resale, this is an update worth updating.

Always consider lighting in the room

You can add a lot of warmth and depth to a room simply through the manipulation of the lighting. Add lighting underneath the cabinets for added ambiance. Hang low lights above the dining table for a warm meal space, and try recessed lighting over the cooking areas of the kitchen.

 

There’s no doubt that, during autumn, gardens all over the UK resonate with a unique, albeit annually reoccurring splendor that vibrantly showcases the ever-changing beauty of nature. However, when winter starts to settle in later, leafless trees and placid plants can begin to look lifeless.

At this point in time, we can perceive our gardens in a still, almost skeletal way – if we’re even looking at them at all during the shorter days and dark nights. However, this is actually a great time to start planning for the following summer, when everyone can, weather permitting, get out into the garden and enjoy spending time outdoors. Here are some ideas to consider for next summer.

Create a larger space in small areas

For those of us who live in densely populated, urban environments, space is something of a commodity in all aspects of owning a home. For making the most of this space, there is an interior design method you can apply outdoors that adds at least the illusion of more space. Ideal Home recommends the careful placement of mirrors in the garden, not just to reflect light but also to add visual depth to corners of the garden and areas surrounded by high walls.

Embrace the artificial

Anybody with a lawn knows the frustration of caring for the grass during spring and summer, then watching all of the effort go to waste over autumn and winter. However, there is the option of artificial grass, which removes this problem forever. Agreed, it’s not for everyone, and it does come with many longstanding connotations of low quality and poor resemblance to the real thing – but the modern ‘astroturf’ is actually far better.

Create a new canvas for your flora

While the sodden or frozen flower beds and turf are out of action for a few months, this is a good chance to assess everything else. Does the fencing look as good as it once did? Could the shed do with a lick of paint or a new roof? Would you like to add a patio or decking, or create new pathways through the garden?

Specialist tradespeople, or multiskilled trade professionals like Findley Roofing & Building’s roofers in Middlesbrough, can give you advice on and install long-lasting, eye-catching elements that are difficult to add without the right skills.

Plant something that lasts

Although deciduous trees inevitably lose their flowers and leaves every year, the tree itself will remain a permanent fixture for years to come. House Beautiful recommends small trees for small gardens, such as June Berry, Prunus and Crab Apple, which look beautiful in summer and involve minor maintenance from the homeowner.

Planting will also free up a little room in a flower bed or lawn that you would otherwise need to keep on top of. Planting could also create focal points surrounded by gravel and stone beds that, once again, cut down on the amount of maintenance you need to put in during spring, summer, autumn and winter. Here’s looking forward to summer!

 

 

 

Some people prefer to stay at home rather than spend their time outside relaxing. Being a homebody does not mean that you are different from other people. Like the party people who find their satisfaction in big crowds and extravagant celebrations, staying at home is a choice to appease your desire for a place that is quiet and serene. And since the house is the place that can give full comfort, homebodies cannot be persuaded to leave their dwellings, as they feel safe there.

But a homebody can also explore different activities without leaving the premises. These activities may range from physical, intellectual, to inner self-development that can help enhance interpersonal skills. What matters is the choice of staying at home will not affect your productivity, whether at work or in school. Aside from resting on your Italian leather sofa, or sleeping on your sofa bed, leveled-up home activities can be an outlet for the stressful world outside. You may also discover things that you have not yet explored that capture your interest and want to make them part of your life.

Learn to play a musical instrument

One of the intelligent ways of spending time alone is to enjoy music and learn to play at least one musical instrument in your lifetime. There are musical instruments that can be mastered even without the help of professional trainers. Learning how to play instruments is somewhat addictive; you want to excel in every session. Guitar, flute, piano, and violin are some of the best choices of instruments to learn at home.

Read and write

Reading and writing are exercises for the brain. These activities are best done in a peaceful place like the home. Reading materials, like specialty books, magazines, or even newspapers, can effectively stimulate your mind. It can also be an effective tool for getting additional information that may be useful for you in the future. Aside from reading, spare time can be spent in writing since it is a valuable way of expressing thoughts that are usually left unspoken. It is a form of release for your reservations and aspirations in life. Writing may be in the form of poems, narratives, or a simple journal.

Regular house makeovers

Maintaining their house in order is one of the qualities that a homebody should possess. Since you spend most of your time inside your home, having a house makeover is another home activity that is productive and enjoyable. Doing a house makeover may range from repainting the walls, rearranging the furniture, recycling of old materials, to repurposing long-abandoned appliances. Rehashing the look of your home can be done regularly, or whenever you feel the need to change the ambiance of your dwelling.

There are times that it is better to stay at home than go outside and have fun. On the other hand, going out is needed to breathe fresh air and appreciate the life that is happening beyond your confined zone.

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

 

One of the most important things to consider when moving into a new home or making changes in your current home is to find ways to make it more relaxing. It is a nice feeling to get home after a long and hard day at work and enjoy a warm bath in your freestanding bath while drinking a glass of your favourite wine and not thinking about work. Since nobody wants to go home to a cluttered household, here are some helpful tips to help convert your home into a relaxing and comfortable haven.

Start sorting all of your stuff

If you have been living at your current place for a couple of years, chances are you have accumulated many things that you do not use, and you need to get rid of. You can clear some space in your storage by taking the time to sort out all of your stuff. Place items in separate boxes and label them accordingly. You have the option to sell or donate unwanted items and keep the remaining ones for future use. The rule of thumb is if you have not used the item for the past six months, then you have to let it go. After cleaning up or decluttering, you will notice that your surroundings are clean and relaxing.

Clean as you go

One of the reasons why some people find it challenging to clean their homes is because they do not know where to begin. To make cleaning more manageable despite your busy schedule, you should clean your mess up as you go. It only takes a few minutes to pick up dirty laundry, wash dishes and wipe dirty surfaces. Make it a habit to always clean up and teach others in the house to do the same thing because it is more challenging to do it once the chores have piled up.

Renovate different rooms

Take a look at your living room and dining area and assess what needs to be done to create a lighter atmosphere. Start with repainting the walls and ceilings with neutral colours to make it more relaxing on the eyes. Dark coloured walls can affect your mood by making you feel more sad or tired. Another thing that you can do is change the lighting. Changing to LED bulbs that can help provide better light will make the place more conducive to relaxing.

Replace old furniture

Sleeping in your old and saggy bed and sitting on a worn-out couch will not help relieve your stress; however, it can cause you to feel more discomfort. Replace your mattress every five years and your pillows every six months to sleep better at night. Replace your living room couch or have it restored by an upholsterer so you can enjoy sitting in front of the TV for an extended period.

Keeping your home clean and clutter free plays a significant role in your life. The cleaner your house is the more you look forward to coming home after a long day at work.

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