Home Improvement No-Nos!
A common mistake among homeowners is thinking that anything they do to improve their home will translate into a boost in home value. This is often because people tend to automatically associate the words “home improvement” with a guaranteed return on investment. Unfortunately, not only will not all home improvement projects deliver a return on investment some can even actually lower your home’s value. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you be sure to stay away from the following home improvement projects. 1.) Turning A Bedroom Into Something Different: To lose a bedroom is by far the worst thing you can do to your home. You may think that whatever you are turning it into will add more value to your home but it can never make up the value lost with the bedroom. 2.) Installing An Above Ground Pool: While an above ground pool may seem like a great home improvement to you at first. When it comes to potential buyers they are often viewed as eyesores and most of them will just view it as something they will need to get rid of if they buy your home. 3.) Putting In A Hot Tub: You may love the idea of having a hot tub and may even enjoy it while living in the home. But when it comes to potential buyers they are associated with germs and...
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Better Home Selling!
The selling of your home is a very delicate process that needs to be handled correctly and with care. There are numerous ways that you can enhance the attractiveness of your home that will boost its appeal and deliver you a more desirable home selling experience. So in order for your home selling experience to be a complete success we have developed a list of some great tips and tricks that will help get your home sold fast and at more of a premium selling price. 1.) Differentiate Your Home From The Neighbors: It is important that you attract attention to your home by differentiating it from the neighbors. Consider incorporating some custom designs, landscaping, high-end windows, state of the art appliances, and other things that will increase the aesthetic appeal of your home and make it more memorable to potential buyers. 2.) Stage The Exterior Of Your Home Too: When it comes to the exterior of your home landscaping and a new paint job just aren’t enough. You need to stage it to look more inviting and pleasing to potential buyers. Potential buyers enjoy envisioning entertaining and relaxing outside so this can be anything from setting up the patio area for Sunday brunch to a couple rocking chairs on the front porch. 3.) Maximize The Lighting In Your Home: It is extremely important to light up your home...
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Real Estate Investing 101!
When it comes to real estate investing advice it seems that everyone thinks they are a real estate professional but this doesn’t mean you should listen. However, there is some great real estate investing advice out there and while every investment situation may be different there are several key things that can help in any investment property experience. Follow these five tips and your real estate investing experience is sure to be a success. 1.) Be Prepared For Anything: It is extremely important that in any investing situation you build in some amount of capacity for change. Any aspect of a real estate investment can change at anytime and you need to be prepared and flexible enough to handle it. It is always to factor in some cushion room to handle anything that pops up. 2.) Invest In What You Know: It is often very tempting to consider getting involved in and investment opportunity that is outside your area of expertise. However, no matter how good the terms may seem your lack of expertise makes these types of investments extremely risky. It is always better to invest in something you know rather than something you don’t. 3.) Compare Your Potential Investment: As any real estate professional will tell you it is imperative that you compare your potential investment property to similar ones in the area. You potential investment will...
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Keeping Your Home Cool 101!
One of the most desirable aspects of living in an area like South Florida is the warm and tropical weather. But this heat can often be too much to handle in the summer months and can make it extremely difficult to try and keep your home cool. However, keeping your home cool during the summer months can be an issue for homeowners all over the country. So if you need help keeping your home cool check out this list of our top tips and tricks. Consider installing a few ceiling fans throughout your home. Make sure your home is completely sealed from top to bottom. Consider planting trees or shrubs to help shade your home. Have your air conditioner serviced for optimum efficiency. Replace all of your incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones. Turn off your electronic devices when not in use. Wash only full loads of clothing and utilize a clothesline when you can. Consider upgrading your insulation and installing double pained windows. Add white window shades and or mini blinds on all windows with lots of sun. Consider replacing your roof shingles with light colored ones. Take short showers instead of baths to reduce hot water usage. Consider adding awnings over windows less roof covering. Consider installing an attic fan to circulate any excess heat. Add a dehumidifier to help lower the humidity in your home. Plan...
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Make The Best Out Of Your Outdoor Living Area!
A big part of the homeownership dream is creating an outdoor living area where you can entertain and relax. However, you don’t need to sacrifice a lot of space to create the perfect outdoor living area. Just follow these great tips and tricks to create the perfect outdoor living space that fulfills all of your needs and wants. 1.) Plant Vertically: If you want to bring in some vegetation into this area but don’t want to sacrifice the space consider planting vertically. That way you can get the vegetation you desire without overwhelming the area. 2.) Store Your Furniture: If you plan on using this area to entertain family and friends consider bringing your furniture out only during that time. That way you won’t take away any unnecessary space when you want to use the area for other things. 3.) Establish A Traffic Pattern: Every living area whether outdoor or indoor works better when you establish some sort of traffic pattern. This can be done many different ways from laying down a formal walkway to creating shifts in the landscape. 4.) Create Some Privacy: It is important that you create some sense of privacy in your outdoor living area. A great way to provide this privacy is to line some of or all of your outdoor living area with bushes or dwarf trees. 5.) Introduce Some Visual Appeal: You...
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Staying Cool During The Home Buying Process!
The home buying process can be a very stressful experience when not dealt with the right way. It is a very delicate procedure that needs to be prepared for correctly and handled carefully. Anyone can get overwhelmed at times but if you follow these tips and tricks you are sure to stay cool during your home buying experience. 1.) Trust In The Right Agent: Maybe the most important thing that can be done to help ensure that you stay cool and don’t get stressed out is to trust in the right real estate agent. Enlisting the help of the right real estate agent affords you all the knowledge and experience to ensure that you have a smooth and successful home buying experience. Having an expert there to advise you along the way will decrease your potential stress and anxiety. 2.) Prepare, Prepare, Prepare: Maybe just as important is preparing for this experience the right way. It is imperative that you go into this experience knowing not only what your needs and wants are in a home but exactly what you can afford in one as well. It is also extremely important to get pre-approved for this certain amount before you even go looking at any potential homes. Knowing what you want, what you can afford, and how much you are approved for will make your home buying experience so...
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