Dec 15, 2017 | Around The Home
Does your bathroom look amazing? As one of the most used rooms in every home, the bathroom can almost always use a bit of a facelift. In today’s blog post we will share a few DIY renovations that will take your bathroom from drab to fab.
Embrace A New Color Palette
One of the best ways to start your bathroom makeover is to figure out a new color palette for the room. Do you like soft, muted colors like a powder blue, light gold or cream? Or maybe something a bit louder and more exciting like a merlot red or deep purple? Whatever your taste, a splash of color might be just what your bathroom needs.
Start with a fresh coat of paint on the bathroom walls and work outwards from there. If you have windows, consider how you want the trim to contrast with the walls. Baseboards or molding can also offer contrasting effects, helping them to stand out more.
And of course, don’t forget to take care of the smaller bathroom accessories. Your shower curtain, hand towels and even your toothbrush cup can all be matched.
Take Your Fixtures To The Next Level
Once you have decided on colors, it is time to turn your attention to the fixtures around your bathroom. The towel racks, hooks, faucets, shower head and toilet paper holder should all match in some way. If you do not have a lot of cabinet space, investing in a mirror that includes storage might be the perfect solution. If you have items like a scale or plunger in plain sight, think on some creative ways to hide them.
Brighten Things Up With Better Lighting
While you do not need ‘selfie quality’ professional lighting in your bathroom, it might be time for a brighter, more efficient light fixture. Aim for a design that complements the rest of the accents in your bathroom while being large enough to cast a bright light. You can also spend a bit of time choosing the correct color temperature for your bathroom light bulbs. LED lighting can offer some bold whites, but be careful that you don’t go overboard.
Renovating your bathroom is a fun way to spend a weekend or two improving your home. If you are thinking about buying a new home, or are ready to sell your current one, contact us. Our professional real estate team is happy to help.
Dec 14, 2017 | Home Seller Tips
Whether your home is a few years or many decades old, its physical condition is going to be a significant factor in the sales process. Below are a few questions that can help you to determine whether you should sell your home ‘as is’ or fix it up before placing it up for sale.
Have You Had A Home Inspection?
A great first step before selling your home is to book an inspection by a licensed home inspector. This will provide you with a full list of minor and major issues with your home. If your only issues are small, minor ones then it is worth your time to patch them up before you sell. However, if you are facing costly repairs such as a roof replacement or foundation repair, you will have some thinking to do.
Can You Afford Renovation And Repair Costs?
Speaking of costly repairs, can you afford to invest the funds necessary to fix up your house? Depending on the inspection results, you may be on the hook for thousands of dollars in renovation costs. If you do not have the money, then you may be forced to sell as is.
Keep in mind that there are loans and other financial products designed to help homeowners like you with home renovations. Be sure to check in with your bank or mortgage lender to see if you qualify.
How Fast Do You Need To Sell?
Another question you will need to answer is: how fast do you need to get the home sold? If you are in a rush because you have to move or switch jobs, then you may need to sell the house as is. However, if time is on your side, then it might be worth waiting until your renovations or repairs are complete.
What Does Your Agent Recommend?
Finally, what course of action does your real estate agent recommend taking? If the repairs needed are minor, or the market is hot enough that buyers might overlook any issues, then your agent might suggest selling as is. Conversely, if the market is moving slowly, then it might be worth investing the time needed to fix things up.
When you are ready to sell your home, contact us and we will be happy to share our expertise and insight. We look forward to meeting you.
Nov 24, 2017 | Around The Home
As kitchen appliances go, there are few loved more than the dishwasher. They can be a major time saver – that is, if your dishes are coming out clean. Let’s take a quick look at a few steps you can take if your dishwasher is not doing its job.
Give It A Good Cleaning
It may seem a bit strange to think about having to clean the dishwasher, but they do require maintenance from time to time. Grease, bits of food and leftover detergent can all build up, leading to reduced performance.
Here’s one cleaning recipe to try. On the top rack of the dishwasher, place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container and run a cleaning cycle. Once it has finished, sprinkle a cup of baking soda around the bottom of the dishwasher, and run it again.
Check That You’re Loading It Correctly
You might be surprised to learn that there are ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ ways to load a dishwasher. And that loading instructions vary between different models. If your dishes are not coming out sparkling clean, see if you can track down the operator’s manual. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to load the dishes in the dish racks. This is a simple step that might fix the problem.
Check That The Drainage Is Clear
Although you can’t see anything clogging the inside of the drain filter, that does not mean that the drain itself is clear. Most dishwasher models allow you to take the internal drain assembly off so that you can get at the drain without having to pull out the dishwasher. If yours does, it is worth taking some time to get in there and clean out the gunk. A partially-blocked drain will lead to dirty dishes. A fully-blocked drain can lead to a messy catastrophe.
Still Not Working? Make The Call
If you have exhausted the list above and your dishwasher still isn’t working correctly, it is time to call in an appliance repair professional. If you continue to use the dishwasher, it may end up failing and causing water damage to your kitchen flooring. If the dishwasher is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer as they will likely have a contract with a local repair shop.
If you’re in the market to buy a home with a fabulous dishwasher, contact us today. Our professional team is happy to help.
Nov 22, 2017 | Around The Home
Whether you are renovating an older home or putting the finishing touches on a new one, you would be amiss if you did not consider how to include furniture and other items made of wood. With a diverse range of colors and textures, wooden features are a must-have for any modern home design. Let’s take a look at three ways that you can use wood to add a little spice to your home decor.
Try A Visually Striking Wood Wall
If you are looking to add some ‘pop’ to a room, consider an offset or patterned wall made of wood. Your options are limitless when it comes to adding wood to a wall. Consider horizontal slats with a lighter wood like pine for a warm, modern feel. Alternatively, try a flat wall made of hardwood boards of a darker color than the room’s paint.
Go Rustic With A Farmhouse Dining Table
Does your dining room feel a little boring with your standard table and chairs? A rustic farmhouse dining table is an excellent way to breathe some life into your dining area. In addition, hardwood tables like these are sturdy and can suffer a lot of punishment. They are the perfect choice for families that are used to hosting large dinners or having company over.
If you are so inclined, you can build a table like this in just a few hours. Search around online for plans and head down to your local hardware store to get things started.
Reclaim And Refinish For Timeless Beauty
Finally, give some thought as to how you can use reclaimed wood in your home. Consider replacing tile or linoleum with a some “rip and refinish” hardwood flooring reclaimed from another house. Or if you would rather have wooden furniture, you can get chairs or side tables that are made of reclaimed wood. If you are located near the coast or beach, look around for large pieces of driftwood that can be turned into furniture by a local tradesman.
While we cannot help you choose your wooden furnishings, we can help you find the best new home to put them in. When you’re ready to buy or sell your home, contact your local professional real estate agent.
Oct 27, 2017 | Around The Home
Investing in your home by remodeling or renovating is an excellent way to increase its value. However, a significant renovation project can quickly turn into a disaster, especially for those who are inexperienced. Let’s take a look at four of the more common home renovation mistakes that homeowners make and how you can avoid them.
Mistake #1: Skipping The Permit Process
The first mistake you will want to avoid is undertaking any home renovation without the required permits. While some remodeling projects will not require a permit, others will. Regardless, it is more than worth taking the time to do your research to ensure you do not run afoul of the law. A visit to the city’s website or a quick phone call is all you will need to find out if a permit is required and how much it will cost.
Mistake #2: Being Afraid
A great way to ruin your renovation is to be too afraid to transform the space into whatever best suits your family. Try to avoid being trendy and going with renos that you saw recently on television. Instead, consider how you currently use your kitchen, bathroom or whatever other space you’re changing and improve it for the better.
Mistake #3: Using Cheap Materials Or Labor
When it comes to contractors, going cheap is rarely a good idea. You want someone who is going to do the best quality of work at a fair, affordable price. Moreover, since you’re investing in that contractor, it is best to also invest in using high-quality materials for the job.
Also, don’t be the type that skimps on costs just because something isn’t visible. A good example is if your contractor recommends that you install something like a bathroom membrane system. Yes, it’s an extra cost that is mostly a preventive measure against mold getting under your tiles. However, it is a small consideration in protecting the more substantial investment you’re making in upgrading your home.
Mistake #4: Changing Your Mind
As the old saying goes: “measure twice, cut once.” Changing your mind in the middle of your renovation is almost certainly going to cost you. Once you commit, try to stick to the plan unless circumstances force you to make a change.
These are just four of the many mistakes that can be made by an inexperienced home renovator. If you’re thinking about a major remodel, contact us first. Our real estate team can share which renovations have added value and equity to other local homes.
