Unconventional Features that Can Help Your Home to Sell

There are a lot of factors that can help you sell your home. From curb appeal to general home improvements, you’ve probably tried everything. One often overlooked factor that can help your home sell is the unconventional features you add. These features can give your house an edge that will help you find buyers.

 

Large Bathtubs

Having a large bathtub can attract buyers for several reasons. First of all, a bigger bathtub gives off a sense of luxury and wealth. Having a large bathtub shows that you can afford it. Additionally, larger bathtubs are easier to relax in. If you have a regular-sized bath, some people may not be able to comfortably fit, especially if they are tall. All in all, it’s just nicer to have more room so you can accommodate anybody and take a comfortable bath. Of course, a large bathtub can also fit multiple people. This can be nice if someone wants to relax with their partner or if they need a way to entertain the kids.

 

Built-In Shelves

Built-in shelves are great for any home, but they are especially beneficial in smaller homes. Having a built-in shelf allows you to use your space more effectively. You can even incorporate space that would otherwise be unused. Built-ins are also great for decorating and displaying items. You also don’t need to worry about the shelves getting bumped or knocked over. They are secure and so is everything on them. Built-in shelves are very useful features and many buyers will be attracted to them. If you want to make your house stand out, you can add other built-in features such as desks, entertainment centers, and even cupboards. Any unconventional ways to save space will be appealing to buyers.

 

Propane Tank

There are many energy sources you can choose from, but if you’re looking to increase the value of your home you should consider using propane. Having a propane tank is a great way to save money on your home. Propane prices are fairly stable, which can help you save money. Propane will also save you money because it is a very efficient fuel and you won’t have to pay such high energy bills. It is also readily available at convenient locations and it’s unlikely there will be any shortages. Adding a propane tank to your home will benefit you now, but it will also be a major selling point to potential buyers. Emphasize how much money it will save them.

 

Patio

Many people like to entertain and enjoy their backyard. With a patio, that becomes much easier. A patio will act as an extension of your indoor space and it will provide a designated area to congregate and spend time outside. It’s also easy to customize patios. You can add a cover to block out the sun and you can even create an outdoor kitchen. Adding outdoor furniture makes it even easier to entertain and keep everyone comfortable. To top it all off, patios are very easy to maintain. Most buyers will appreciate the addition of a patio. Consider adding a patio to your backyard and explore other outdoor living space options as well. Some other ways you can improve your outdoor living space are by creating walkways, adding outdoor lighting, and maintaining your landscaping.

 

Double Kitchen Sink

It’s becoming very common for homes to have a double kitchen sink. Having two sink bowls provides many benefits but it mainly creates more space. You can designate each bowl for a different purpose. For example, one side could be to wash dishes and the other could hold a drying rack. You can also designate a side for soaking dishes, washing produce, using the garbage disposal, etc. If you don’t already have a double sink, adding one can help attract buyers who appreciate having more kitchen space. However, if extra space is more of a priority than having two separate bowls, you could simply install an extra-large sink.

 

Mudroom

Mudrooms used to be very common, and their popularity has recently spiked. A mudroom is essentially a room that separates your front door from the rest of your house. This is a place where people can leave their dirty shoes, wet coats/umbrellas, or any other items that you don’t necessarily want to enter the main part of your home. Another added benefit of mudrooms is they can be multifunctional. For example, some people will also use them as a laundry room. This is an especially smart choice since it’s likely a lot of dirty clothes will be left in the mudroom. Your mudroom can also be used as an extra storage space. If you have pets (or if your buyer has pets) this could be a good place to install a washtub to clean off dirty pets before they come into the house. It might be costly but adding a mudroom to your home will provide a unique feature that could attract buyers.

 

Heated Floors

This feature is expensive, but it is well worth it. With a heated floor, you don’t have to depend on an air conditioning system. Radiant heated floors can heat the entire room and keep it at a comfortable temperature. Additionally, there will be no noise from an air conditioning unit and there is virtually no maintenance. You also don’t need to worry about allergens circulating in your air. One of the biggest selling points is that heated floors will save money on energy bills. This unique feature can be a major asset in selling your house. It will be expensive, and the floor will need to be replaced, but heated floors are a worthy feature to add to your home.

 

Selling your home can be difficult and there are many things you can try to help your home stand out. As you continue to do so, you might want to look at more unconventional features you can add. These features can help your home sell and provide a unique experience for future homeowners.

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3 Tips to Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Having an energy-efficient home is not only great for your wallet, but it is also great for the environment. And while you may have a growing desire to be more energy-efficient, you must take lifestyle changes in stride one at a time. As you read about some of these ideas, figure out which ones seem the most doable for you and your home and start there.

Pick Your Paint Wisely

When it comes to being more energy-efficient, paint color might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But in all reality, it is more intuitive than you might think. Just like how wearing a dark-colored shirt on a hot day will make you feel hotter, a dark paint color on your exterior or other rooms in your house will cause them to retain heat as well.

Paint color is especially important when it comes to your roof. Black shingles will absorb more heat and trap it in your house while colors like white will reflect and repel heat. Do your research to get to know your specific climate and what would work best for your house.

Invest in Clean Energy

Investing in bigger home changes when it comes to clean energy can seem intimidating at first. Installing something like solar panels to your home can mean some not too minimal remodeling as well as not too minimal upfront costs. But while switching to clean energy may require more upfront effort, it will be worth it in the end. The proper equipment helps maximize your solar offset and monthly savings.

Change Out Your Old Lightbulbs

One of the best ways to save money on your energy bill is to switch out your lightbulbs. You should specifically look at different types of LED light bulbs—they use about 75 percent less energy than regular incandescent bulbs. That means they will last longer and will cost you less money throughout your time using them.

When you think about how many lightbulbs you are using throughout your house, switching to LED bulbs can save you a lot of money and a lot of energy.

Reading about these ideas may have left you thinking, “Well that’s nice but I just don’t have a ton of time.” And while it’s true that there are lots of other things demanding your attention, don’t put off making your home more energy-efficient until it’s too late. Having an energy-efficient home will save you a lot of money and will make a big difference in saving the environment.

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How to Take More Control of Your Electricity at Home

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to make sure everything in your house is functioning and affordable. One of the most common ways your home can quickly become a drain on your money is through unnecessary utility costs. Fortunately, most of these are entirely preventable with a little forethought and effort.

Reduce Use

The best way for you to reduce your electric bill is to reduce usage. Seems simple, right? Though this can be easier said than done. Forming beneficial energy habits is paramount in reducing your overall usage. Acknowledge potential problems, make plans to fix them, and set reminders. You can do this for any electric utility—from light switches to HVAC systems.

Sometimes, according to BCHydro, your usage is being drained by inefficient appliances. These hunks of junk not only suck the money out of your pocket, but they also often don’t work effectively either. In these cases, you may need to replace them entirely.

Install Solar Panels

Another way that you can easily reduce the cost of electricity is by installing alternative energy sources like solar panels on your roof. Yes, the upfront cost may be intimidating, but the amount of energy you save over time shouldn’t be ignored. Additionally, there are many other benefits to solar energy.

For example, according to Suntuity Solar, stored solar energy can help you quickly restore power in the event of a blackout. You can gain personal satisfaction that you are making a positive difference in the environmental battle. Because solar energy is becoming more widely appreciated, solar panels also raise your property value. With benefits like these, what are you waiting for?

Insulate Your Home

Lastly, you need to insulate your home. This isn’t just referring to the cotton candy-like insulation you put inside your walls (though you may need to replace that, too). Insulation refers to any method by which you keep the air in your home separate from the air outside.

You can do this in several ways. According to Daystar Window Tinting, investing in energy-efficient windows or tinted windows can reduce the amount of sun that warms up your home. Trees and hedges can also guard your home from the natural elements. If you feel a draft coming in through a window, you need to seal it up with proper caulking and weatherstripping.

In doing these three things, you are setting yourself up for greater success. Not only will your energy bills go down, but your home will be better prepared for any situation. If you want to go green, you have yet another reason to reduce your electricity costs.

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Why You Need to Seal Points of Entry in Your Home

Home maintenance comes with many small projects that need to be taken care of from time to time. One of those projects is taking care of sealing your home, especially around your windows and doors. Those areas are more prone to cracks and gaps, so sealing them up can do a lot for your home.

Prevent Energy Loss

Sealing your entryways in your home can help you to increase the efficiency of your home and prevent energy loss. According to Phoenix Comfort Systems, gaps around your front door and windows can lead to cool air getting out in the summer and warm air escaping in the winter. This can all result in increased energy costs as you try to heat not only the inside of your home but the outside as well. Sealing around these areas is inexpensive and can save you plenty of money in the long run on your energy bills.

Stop Pest Infestations

Having a pest infestation in your home is terrible and can take a lot of time and energy to resolve, once it has started. The best way to deal with these infestations is to stop them before they begin and sealing your entryways is an important step towards making it happen. According to Proterra Pest Control, even the smallest cracks are enough for ants to enter your home. So by shoring up the problem areas with calk or weather stripping you can close those cracks and make sure that there is no room for pests to enter your home.

It’s Easy and Looks Better

The process of sealing around your entryways is relatively simple, inexpensive, and can also help your home to look better. You can purchase the supplies at your local hardware store, and they can even give you advice on how to best address the problem. When cracks are bad enough, they can allow light in which makes them pretty noticeable. Sealing the cracks allows you to create a clean finish that makes your home look nicer in addition to all of the other benefits. It isn’t a huge time investment to take care of this issue and it can make a big difference in the way your home looks and feels.

Taking care of the maintenance needs in your home, like sealing around entryways, can help you to solve problems before they become bigger issues. It will also make your life a little less expensive each month as you get your energy bills. There’s no reason not to do what you can to make your home the best it can be.

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What You Need to Think About When Painting the Inside of Your Home

Looking at all the different color options at the paint store opens your mind up to possibilities that you never would have imagined in your home. You could completely transform a room. However, before you start a painting project, there are a couple of things you need to consider.

Do the Prep Work

To get the most professional result out of your paint job, according to PlanItDIY, you need to prepare the room. The first step you should take is to get a paint sample to test out how the color will look in the space. Once you settle on a color, you should shift your attention to the furniture in the room, which you can either cover or move out of the room. Then you should fill in any holes in the wall and tape off anything you want to protect from the new color. Depending on your current color and the new color you chose, you might have to paint the walls with primer to give the new color the best finish.

Match Your Style

According to Pierce Design + Build, everything about your bedroom, including the color, should reflect your personality. At the end of the day, you are going to be the one who sees your walls and they should be a source of joy for you. That means if your favorite color is yellow, you should paint a room yellow. If you want to use stencils to create an accent wall, you have the freedom to do so. Accent walls and bright colors are a great way to show off your creativity and distinguish your home from others.

Resale Potential

While you want your home to be uniquely yours, according to Moving Mountains Design, you should always consider how paint color could impact the resale value for the home. This does not mean that you should not paint what you want. However, you should think about how a potential buyer might see it and the effort it would take to cover up or change. However, if you repaint with a simple color, you can also attract more buyers to your home as it will appear more modern.

One of the major benefits of homeownership is that you get to paint the walls however you please. Whether you are hiring painters or planning on doing it yourself, you can take steps to control how the paint job turns out. You can transform your own home with just a splash of color.

Let us take some of the stress off of you by painting your home for you! Contact us today to get a free estimate.

Finishing Touches That Will Make Your Home Stand Out

There are many things you can do that will make your home stand out. You can paint your front door, landscape your property, and update your mailbox. Each of these things is small, but they will add to your home’s curb appeal and set your home apart from the rest.

Paint Your Front Door

You can make your front door stand out by painting it a different color than the rest of your home. Many houses have side entrances or long front facades, making visitors guess where they are to enter. Give them a strong hint by painting your door in a color that stands out but coordinates with the rest of your house’s color scheme. Doors painted in a different color from the house’s trim are welcoming and make for a much more visually interesting front yard.

Landscape Your Property

Landscaping your property can help you put those finishing touches on your home that set it apart from the rest. Diseased trees should be removed by a specialist after they determine it’s the only solution. A healthy lawn, bright flowers, and lush greenery nourish us from the inside, providing oxygen as well as reducing stress and improving our quality of life. When your house is on the market, all the attention you have put into your landscaping reaps additional benefits. It’ll bring more interested buyers and a better asking price. Even if you’re not selling the house, it’ll help your home to stand out and your neighbors will be able to admire your beautiful home.

Update your Mailbox

Swap out a dated mailbox with something more stylish. It’s a super easy project and can make an understated but noticeable difference in your home’s curb appeal. Depending on the type of mailbox that you need, you can add a lot to your home and make it stand out. A mailbox is often the first thing that people see and if it’s unique and personalized, then it’ll help your home to stand out.

Adding finishing touches that will make your home stand out is an important part of creating curb appeal. You can paint your front door, landscape your property, and update your mailbox. Each of these simple things will help you to get your home to stand out and you’ll feel proud of the work you’ve accomplished. If you ever choose to sell your home, your increased curb appeal will make the process go quickly.

We can help make your home look its best with a fresh paint job! Contact us today to get a free estimate!

What You Need to Prepare for When Buying Your First House

There are common misconceptions that buying a house is just like simple transactions at the grocery store, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. It is a massive purchase that you should ponder on and research until you know you can pay for it. The housing market may feel daunting, but if you make educated steps you will be prepared.

A Long Process

First, buying a house can take a long time. Not only do you need to investigate the houses in your desired city, but you also must meet with a realtor, coordinate a deal with the sellers, and provide an extensive amount of paperwork to the government before you receive the keys.

The long process may be annoying, but it can be helpful. Instead of rushing into a life-altering payment, it forces you to think about the benefits and problems that each house has. Don’t put yourself in a position where you have to move quickly into a new house, or you may have buyer’s remorse.

 Hidden Costs

You may think you are financially prepared to take on a home loan, but there are likely hidden costs you need to pay that you aren’t thinking about. You will have to pay property tax, utilities, HOA in some cases, security, and closing costs. It can end up being more than you bargained for.

When house hunting, you should add breathing room to your budget so you can account for these extra expenses. This will prevent you from taking a loan you cannot commit to. You can then plan for these costs and choose a home that is more affordable later.

Use All Your Senses

When you are buying a home, the realtor and sellers will stage the house to look as good as it can. While you may think the layout looks perfect, you should be wary of “falling in love” too quickly. This can keep your head clear and thoughtful when making a purchase.

Use all your senses (except taste) when you walk into a home you are interested in. Sight is the one everyone uses, but be on the lookout for weird smells, sounds in the walls, or floors that feel strange. These can prevent you from buying a house with a severe integrity problem with a fresh coat of paint.

As you are perusing the housing market, keep these things in mind. You will optimize your search for the home you want, and prevent an impossible mortgage payment from ruining your life.

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How to Increase the Return on Investment on a Fixer-Upper

If you’re good at fixing things, flipping houses can be a great way to make a living. However, not everything in a fixer-upper should be fixed. Neither is every fixer-upper a good project to take on. To make the most out of your invested time and money on flipping houses, you need to do the following.

Make the Right Improvements

When you start putting together your game plan, don’t include everything that is wrong with the house. Some improvements will cost you more money than you will make in return. Your priority is to make the home safe and livable. If these aren’t accomplished, then you aren’t going to be able to sell the house. Your second priority should be to focus on aesthetics and functionality. These are going to give you the best return on investments. Some of the best rooms to improve are the kitchen and bathroom. Making sure that these two rooms are well designed with plenty of space can go a long way towards upping your asking price for the home.

Consider Location

Before you even start thinking about which improvements you should perform, you need to decide if the house is in the right place. Surrounding home values are a big indication of where your home can be after renovations. If there isn’t a large enough difference between what you need to pay for the fixer-upper and what the surrounding homes are worth, then it’s going to be a bad investment. Your ideal situation is to find a low-priced fixer-upper that is the eyesore in an otherwise beautiful neighborhood with an expensive home. Since you won’t always be able to find this, you’ll have to practice making rough estimates of improvement costs when you are searching for a home to flip.

Rent While You Can

If you have a home that is going to take a couple of months to put together, you can make a return on your investment through short-term renting. Focus your efforts on completing a portion of the house like the main floor, basement, or mother-in-law apartment that can function as a rental on its own. Rent this out with a short-term lease while you finish the rest of the home. Once you are done, you can stop renting the home and sell it.

When you are working on a fixer-upper, you may be tempted to do everything yourself so that you can save money. Just remember that time is also a valuable asset. In some cases, it may be better to hire an expert to take care of a tricky job. Just make sure that you have each step carefully planned out and that you work as quickly as possible.

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3 Options to Consider for Your Home if You Have Money to Spend

Spending money to make your home more beautiful and fun can be an exciting idea. Adding luxury and fun can help you make your home somewhere that you love to be and to show off to your friends and family. There are tons of things you can do to improve any home, but if you have money to spend, here are a few of the best home improvement options to consider.

An Outdoor Kitchen

If you’re big on entertaining, an outdoor kitchen can take your parties to the next level. From summer barbecues to family birthday parties on good weather days throughout the year, an outdoor kitchen will keep your celebrations feeling special. Your outdoor kitchen can be as extensive or simple as you’d like, but it is a good idea to start with some basics like a bar space, a big sink, and storage for kitchen must-haves. Adding a stove and oven can take it to a new level and can be great for keeping your house cool when you need to bake on hot days.

A Luxury Bathroom

Having a spa experience in your home is as easy as upgrading your bathroom to a more luxurious place. Adding in a walk-in shower with a separate bath can help your bathroom space to feel indulgent. Frosted glass shower doors can be an appealing addition that hides water and soap stains. Cool tile accents can help your bathroom look unique and make the whole space feel like somewhere you can relax. Bringing luxury to your bathroom space is a great way to spend money on your home that will pay off in your enjoyment for years to come.

A High-Class Theater Space

Once you have kitchen and bathroom needs covered, adding in a theater space can make your home somewhere you love to be. The best theater spaces have a big screen tv or projector, comfortable seating, and a good capacity for darkening. Remote-controlled blackout blinds can add a layer of luxury to your theater and help movie watching be even more enjoyable. Seats with heating and massage settings can help to embrace a classy and luxurious home theater that you’ll love to use to entertain your guests.

Upgrading your house with your extra money is one of the best things you can do to improve your home and your life. Take the time to design a home upgrade that you love so you can start enjoying it now!

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Home Issues That Get Worse Over Time without Action

Many home issues can get worse over time if you don’t take any action. Letting them get worse will wind up costing you time and money that you can’t afford. You should keep an eye out for water leaks, pest infestations, and driveway cracks.

Water Leaks

Water can cause a lot of damage to your home and if you don’t rectify the situation there are worse things that could develop, including mold, rot, etc. Leaks from pipes, plumbing fixtures, and fittings are a significant source of water waste for some households, and fixing them can help save you money. If you don’t end up fixing a leak, it could become worse and flood your house. That can be more costly than just fixing the leak early on. If you are aware of the leaks, then you’ll need to get them fixed so they don’t get worse over time.

Pest Infestations

Pest infestations can ruin your home if you don’t take care of them. Termites can destroy critical parts of your home like wood support beams. If a home is filled with clutter it makes parts of the home inaccessible and almost impossible to clean and rodents and pests looking for shelter may be attracted to the clutter, which may lead to an infestation. Rodents can bring insects with them, such as fleas and bed bugs. Pest infestations can bring diseases and can damage the foundation of your home. If you don’t get them fixed, it will cause more problems for you.

Driveway Cracks

Small driveway cracks can fill with water and then freeze, causing them to widen and multiply. Plus, grass and weeds end up growing in the cracks, which looks unattractive. You can fill wide cracks with clean sand or use a backer rod. Crack fillers don’t last long, especially for wide, deep cracks. But using a sealer can help. Once you fill the cracks, don’t forget to seal the entire driveway—otherwise, all your work might be in vain. You’ll want to fix driveway cracks as soon as possible so they don’t get any worse.

It can be difficult to know what to look for if you are trying to avoid any home issues. You should keep an eye out for water leaks, pest infestations, and driveway cracks. Watching for these things will help to save you time and money in the long run.

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