NaoGreen's blog

Four Things You Can Do To Make Your Home Easier To Sell

When you are preparing to sell your home you don't have to completely remodel it. In fact, you probably shouldn't since you likely won't get a get return on your investment. You do however need to put some effort into fixing certain things if you want to sell your home quickly and get a good price for it.

Fix the easy-to-fix problems

If your kitchen is too-small and outdated and it will cost tens of thousands to remodel it, let prospective buyers decide whether they want to invest in a fixer upper. But if you have a faucet that drips or dirty carpets, or some other problem that can be fixed by a reasonable amount of money, then take care of it before you list it. There's no reason not to clean your carpets or replaced leaking faucets or fix any other easily fixable problems. They're short, simple projects many of which you can do yourself for little money and they make your home easier to sell. Even though they're little things, prospective buyers will notice.

Declutter

Even though buyers know the home will be empty when they move in, it's still hard to shake that negative impression they get when they see the home overly cluttered. There may be some buyers who are able to see the potential in the dirtiest and most cluttered spaces but most people can't do that so take the time to declutter and clean up before showing your home. You may need to rent a storage unit temporarily to store excess things until you sell your home and move into a new one. You may want to pay for a professional home stager to make your home as presentable as possible. When decluttering, make sure to remove family photos since they hinder prospective buyers from being able to visualize themselves in the home which is what you want.

Price it fairly

If you're like most people, your home represents your largest investment and not just monetarily. You may have spent years in it, growing your family, making improvements, pouring money into upgrades. I holds tremendous financial and sentimental value to you so it can be hard to put a dollar figure on it. But you have to. Don't try to factor in that sentimental value into the price of your home. Remodeling work can be factored into the cost in some cases but it depends on what kind of remodeling. Remember that your home's value is determined by the market and what people are willing to pay for it, not what you put into it. If you are planning to remodel before selling, try to prioritize less expensive upgrades that improve both functionality and aesthetics. Don't spend a fortune on a luxury kitchen remodel that you won't be able to recoup.

Get rid of eye-sores

Does your home have a patterned wallpaper that many would find unattractive? Does it have old, rusty baseboard radiators? These kinds of things create an immediate negative impression that prospective buyers won't be able to stop thinking about even if everything else looks great. Tear down wallpaper and repaint everything a nice, neutral off-white or beige. Cover old baseboard radiators with shiny new baseboard radiator covers.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: star-telegram.com/homes/article161383998.html

home improvement, home improvement tips, home remodeling, home remodeling tips, baseboard radiator covers

0 | 0 | Share

Comment

#Posted on Tuesday, 25 July 2017 at 3:30 AM

Five Things You Must Do Before Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

The difference between a successful remodel that gets you everything you wanted on time and on or under budget and a complete disaster that's incomplete and over budget by the deadline is the quality of the contractor(s) you hire. Unless you're just planning some minor home improvement projects like repainting or installing baseboard heater covers, you're going to need to hire outside help. Putting thought into who you hire cannot be stressed enough as it's arguably the most important decision you'll make that will determine the quality of the outcome. By doing the following five things before hiring, you'll greatly improve the odds of success for your remodel.

Get several estimates

A written estimate costs absolutely nothing since prospective contractors all want a chance at your business so there's no reason to only get one or two. Get at least three or four or even more. The more you have the better you'll be able to determine what's a fair price and what seems too high or suspiciously low. Armed with several estimates, you also have more power in negotiating prices when you can tell the contractor you prefer to hire than another is bidding a lower amount. The lowest bid may end up being the best one but don't assume that it is especially when it's considerably lower than the next closest one.

Have a list of questions for each prospective contractor

There are a few things you should always ask prospective contractors. For instance, you should always ask for references so you can hear what their actual clients thought of their work. You should ask about insurance and
what licenses or certifications they have. Ask about the process of pulling required permits. There may be other questions that are specific to your project and circumstances that you want to ask.

Get a written contract and make sure you understand it

A written contract gives you legal protection if they don't come through on their end of the bargain. If you settle with a handshake and the contractor's word, you have nothing should the contractor do inadequate work. Make sure to read the contract carefully before signing and ask questions about anything in the contract you don't understand. Make sure the contract spells out important details like a list of materials needed, an estimated
timeframe, and of course the estimated cost and how and when it will be paid for.

Watch out for red flags

Be wary of contractors that don't have company markings on their clothing or vehicles. Watch out for contractors who want cash up front. Finally, don't hire a contractor that walks through your home nodding and agreeing with everything you want done. An honest will make suggestions, raise objections, and ask lots of questions to better understand what you're looking for.

Trust your instincts

Finally, there are certain intangible things that can set off alarm bells in your mind even if you can't put your finger on it. You should have a good connection with your contractor and communication should come naturally. If something just doesn't seem right, hire someone else.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: popsugar.com/home/How-Hire-Contractor-43660124

home remodeling, remodeling tips, home improvement, home improvement tips, baseboard heater covers

0 | 0 | Share

Comment

#Posted on Tuesday, 18 July 2017 at 4:19 AM

Five Furniture Arranging Tips for Good Interior Design

Furniture is the meat and potatoes of interior design. Accessories like throws and pillows may fill in the little gaps but the furniture you select and the way you arrange it is going to determine the success of your interior design more than anything else so it's important that you put a lot of careful though into it. Here are five furniture arrangement tips that will help you to decorate like a pro.

Every seat needs a conversation partner

Good interior design facilitates conversation. That means that when you're deciding on a way to arrange the furniture for a room, every seat needs a conversation partner. Every sofa, loveseat, and armchair needs a conversation partner. They should be arranged in such a way that the people sitting in them can face people sitting in the other one. Also make sure that the space between them is comfortable. Seating that is too close or too far makes conversation awkward.

Float your furniture

People have a tendency to make wallflowers out of their furniture, especially in smaller spaces. It's natural to want to use the square footage in the most efficient way possible by pushing everything against the walls and maximizing floor space in the middle of the room but you should resist that urge and float your furniture by moving everything a couple of feet inwards from the walls of the room. Contrary to what you might think, floating your furniture will actually make the space appear to have more room and not less. Floating your
furniture is especially important if you have baseboard radiators since furniture that's pushed up against them can pose a fire hazard. Even if they're a few inches away they will block airflow and reduce the effectiveness of the heaters. In addition to floating furniture you can install baseboard radiator covers to put another layer between the heating elements and your furniture.

Have a focal point

For good interior design, every room needs a focal point that draws the eyes. In many US households, this ends up being the big flat screen TV more often than not. But if you want to be more creative, you can make one of your major furnishings the focal point such as a chandelier or a stand-out coffee table. The furniture itself can be a focal point if it has a more interesting color, texture, or pattern. If you want something else to be the focal point, then keep the furniture more subdued by choosing a more neutral, light color.

Less is more

You may have trouble creating a focal point in a space if there's simply too many pieces. If you're struggling to find a good arrangement for a given room, the problem may be that you're trying to cram in too many things. When it comes to furniture arranging, less really is more.

Get an outside perspective

Another tip if you're struggling is to get an outside perspective. You can ask a trusted friend or relative for their opinion. They may see a possibility for a layout you never even imagined and it may be just what the room needs. You can get an outside perspective without help from someone else by taking a picture to help you see the space as guests will see it. This can reveal new possibilities or problem areas.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: portlandtribune.com/adv/215-pt-advertising/362687-242870-5-fast-tips-for-interior-design

interior design, interior design tips, interior decorating, interior decorating tips, baseboard radiator covers

0 | 0 | Share

Comment

#Posted on Friday, 23 June 2017 at 5:33 AM

Home Remodeling Trends in 2017

The year 2017 marks the fifth consecutive year that home remodeling spending has risen since the previous year. As the US continues to climb out of the recession that began with the housing market crash in 2008, home value are rising steadily and fewer houses are on the market as owners hang onto properties because of their growing equity. Since it's a seller's market, homeowners are choosing to remodel their existing homes rather than trying to buy, hence the increase in home improvement spending this year.

HELOCs

Because home values are up and the amount of equity the average American has is up, more people are choosing to borrow against that equity in the form of a home equity line of credit (HELOC). They're using this credit line to invest in upgrades to their home in the form of various home improvement projects that will in turn add further value to their homes.

Popular projects

Kitchen and bathroom remodels remain popular as they always have from year to year. Master bedroom and laundry room remodels are trending this year.

Projects that are yielding the highest return on investment (ROI) are front door replacements, new insulation for the attic, garage door installations, minor kitchen upgrades, and backyard decks. A noticeable trend in 2017 is the preference for smaller-scale DIY projects as opposed to full-scale remodels.

Projects with smaller up-front costs tend to produce a better ROI. Some examples of simple DIY projects that add to home value include minor landscaping, upgraded light fixtures, tiled backsplashes, re-facing kitchen cabinets, and baseboard radiator cover installation.

Best time to remodel is now

Home improvement spending is projected to continue rising for at least a few more years. As long as the housing market remains in its current form, home improvement projects that add to the home value are going to be especially sound investments.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: thefiscaltimes.com/2017/05/28/Why-Home-Remodeling-Just-Hit-All-Time-High

home remodeling, remodeling tips, home renovation, renovation tips, baseboard radiator covers

0 | 0 | Share

Comment

#Posted on Monday, 12 June 2017 at 1:05 AM

Creative Storage Solutions For Tiny Homes And Apartments

Not everyone has the luxury of living out in the countryside where land is cheap and larger homes are the norm. The tradeoff for living in or close to the city where all the excitement happens is that you're forced to rent or purchase a home with a lot less square footage than what you could get with the same money elsewhere. But just because circumstances force you into smaller quarters, it doesn't mean you have to rent a storage unit for your stuff. There are all sorts of creative ways to incorporate storage into your existing space in a way that doesn't look cluttered. Here are a few tips.

Get rid of stuff you don't need

If you don't have enough space for your belongings and you don't want to deal with the hassle of getting a storage unit, then the first order of business is reducing what you have. Even if you aren't in cramped quarters it's a good idea to go through your belongings every six months or so to get rid of things you no longer need or want.

This can be an overwhelming task so make things easy on yourself by just doing one room or closet per day. Have three piles: one for things you want to keep, one for junk that needs to go to the trash, and one for items that someone else might find value in that you can donate or sell.

Make use of the internet

Lack of storage space is a very common problem so there's no shortage of creative solutions online. Many solutions won't work for you but chances are you'll find several that will. There are all kinds of nooks and crannies that you never thought to store things. You might also come across advice to store things in rooms you wouldn't normally think to store them in. Create a folder on your computer to store pictures of ideas you come across.

Select furniture wisely

You should always take great care in selecting furniture but especially when working within a small space. Since these are the largest pieces and they'll take up the most space in your home, they should all serve double duty.

All beds should have under-bed storage with large deep drawers. Bunk beds for children are naturally good space-savers. Your shoe bench in your entry way should open to reveal storage space for shoes and your ottoman should be hollow as well. Choose end tables with drawers and a coffee table with storage space as well.

Utilize vertical space

Most wasted space in homes and apartments is up high. This makes sense since these are out-of-reach but if you want to maximize space, you need to find ways to use vertical space as well. Go with taller, narrower bookshelves and dressers instead of shorter, squatter ones. Hang floating shelves in rooms throughout your home for additional storage.

Display things out in the open

Usually you want to store things out of sight to avoid a cluttered look but there are ways of keeping a few
carefully chosen things out in the open in a way that looks nice in order to free up space in other places. For
example, a small pile of books on an end table or a row of books or movies between bookends on the top of a
baseboard radiator cover display things in an attractive way.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers .com

Source: news-journal .net/online_features/home_improvement/article_2fd852b8-74dd-58fa-8d25-e24c6281a135.html

interior decorating, interior decorating tips, interior design tips, home décor, baseboard radiator covers

0 | 0 | Share

Comment

#Posted on Thursday, 25 May 2017 at 1:16 AM

NaoGreen

Statistics

2 awards

17 tags

7 archives

2 fans

1 source

NaoGreen's blog

Four Things You Can Do To Make Your Home Easier To Sell

Comment Don't forget that insults, racism, etc. are forbidden by Skyrock's 'General Terms of Use' and that you can be identified by your IP address (54.92.150.98) if someone makes a complaint.

Five Things You Must Do Before Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

Comment Don't forget that insults, racism, etc. are forbidden by Skyrock's 'General Terms of Use' and that you can be identified by your IP address (54.92.150.98) if someone makes a complaint.

Five Furniture Arranging Tips for Good Interior Design

Comment Don't forget that insults, racism, etc. are forbidden by Skyrock's 'General Terms of Use' and that you can be identified by your IP address (54.92.150.98) if someone makes a complaint.

Home Remodeling Trends in 2017

Comment Don't forget that insults, racism, etc. are forbidden by Skyrock's 'General Terms of Use' and that you can be identified by your IP address (54.92.150.98) if someone makes a complaint.

Creative Storage Solutions For Tiny Homes And Apartments

Comment Don't forget that insults, racism, etc. are forbidden by Skyrock's 'General Terms of Use' and that you can be identified by your IP address (54.92.150.98) if someone makes a complaint.

My archives (7)

Skyrock

Info

Apps

Other sites

Blogs

Versions