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Derek Lotts

10 Powerful Tips For Boosting Your Home’s Value

July 20, 2018
Derek Lotts
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Managing to get your own home is always a big step and a great moment in your life. It’s also a given that before you proceed with this significant decision, you have researched the market well and you have taken into consideration the hard work that comes with having your own home.

On top of that, it is no secret that in today’s world people are changing homes at least two to three times in their lives. That being said, you need to try your best in order to ensure that when the time to sell your home comes you have increased its initial value and you have cut a good deal for yourself.

Boosting your home’s value isn’t easy, but it’s possible. Nevertheless, it requires a solid plan, constant investments and a lot of effort.

Here are 10 smart tips that can help you increase the value of your home. From renovating your kitchen to extending your property.

1.  Renovate your kitchen

It goes without saying that the kitchen is one of the most crucial parts of a house. That’s why, maintain it in a good condition should always be a priority. A nice kitchen can truly boost the value of your asset and make a big difference when it comes down to selling your home. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to renovate your kitchen and choose good materials. As a rule, the more money you invest in your kitchen the more you will get back once you decide to sell the house.

2. Bathroom matters also

Once you are done with your kitchen renovation, the next stop is your bathroom. We don’t even have to mention how important a bathroom is for a home. The bigger it is the higher the price of your home. Like in the kitchen case, make sure that you invest in top quality materials and that you protect the bathroom well from humidity, bugs and any other factor which could decrease the value of your home.

stylish bathroom

3. Build an additional room

An easy and straightforward way to increase the value of your home is to add an extra room to it. It doesn’t take much to understand that a 2 room asset will be cheaper than a 3 room asset (as long as they are both in a similar condition) due to the fact that it can provide less functionality to its owners. Furthermore, by increasing the number of rooms in your home you can unlock another part of the market to which you couldn’t appeal to until then.

4. Outdoors also matters

Especially if you live in a city this parameter can truly make a difference. Take good care of the garden and make good use of any outdoor space that comes with your home. This factor could instantly increase the value of your house. By having a garden, it is most likely to attract couples and families which means that you attract a segment of the market with a stronger budget.

patio

5. Painting can make a difference

Most of the people may consider a good painting as the least of their concerns, but it really isn’t. A solid painting job can increase the value of your asset and make your home appealing to more candidates. The reason behind this is simple. You give to the buyer a full illustration of what their house would look like once they decide to proceed with it. In addition, you save them from the trouble of doing the painting themselves. More money for you less work for them. A win-win situation.

6. Decoration is important

As a natural continuation of the previous point, the interior space of the home matters a lot. Try to invest in taking good care of the interior and its decoration. This could be an additional card up your sleeve and increase the price of the home. Especially if you are planning to sell a furnished asset, this parameter is fundamental. But even if you don’t, it’s always a good idea to help the buyers visualize their new home. Thanks to your decoration, they can get some fresh ideas for their home and get excited about the option that you offer to them.

living room decor

7. Adjust to the market

The next tip is mainly for those who want to think in long-term or they have the necessary resources to make big changes in a small period of time. Adjusting to the market can take years but it will eventually help you increase your home’s value. For instance, if there is a strong request for family homes in your area, you might want to readjust your home from a 2 room to a 3 or 4 room asset. Immediately, you open a new market which has the financial capacity to buy your home and increase your earnings.

8. Be careful if you rent it

Ideally, the fewer people that have stayed in your place the higher its value in the market. However, this isn’t always possible. For the one reason or the other, you might want to rent the place. In that case, you need to be extra careful with the people that you choose to live in your home. Make sure that you mention to them the importance of taking good care of the asset from day one. If they don’t, start looking for someone new who can respect your terms. Lastly, make sure to renovate the place once they move out. In that way, you can boost your home’s value instantly.

9. Learn to market it better

Sometimes it’s not about what you have but what you show to the market. The real-estate market is no exception to that. Before you submit your ad online or to the papers, you want to be sure that you have taken good photos of the asset and that you have put together an enticing text which clearly describes the benefits of your home and why its value is as high as it is.

10. Find the right agent for the job

Last but certainly not least, finding the right person to handle your home building project is essential. A good agent can actually boost the value of your home and bring you closer to the big deal that you have dreamt of. That being said, you want to make a good market research before you end up working with one of them. Your network is your biggest ally in such cases. Gather as many information as you can and choose the one that fits better to your needs.

Final thoughts

All in all, increasing your home’s value is a long and challenging process. Nonetheless, as we showed above it can be done under the condition that you have a smart plan in place. Follow the steps above and good luck with home-selling effort!

About the author: Anastasios Koutsogiannis is a Content Marketing Manager at GenieBelt.

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6 Ways to Keep Remodeling Costs Under Control

July 6, 2018
Derek Lotts
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Everyone knows that home remodeling can be a big chore that disrupts your daily life for a while and makes living in your own home rather uncomfortable. However, there are bigger worries than that – a remodeling project can also make a big hole in your budget.

That’s why it’s so important to do your best to keep the costs under control. It’s not always up to you and sometimes going over your budget is the only way to go, but for the most part, with good planning, you can keep the remodeling cost in check.

kithcen remodeling

Have a detailed plan

The best way to avoid losing money on a remodeling project is to have a clear idea of what you want to get done and what the goal of your remodeling is. This is sometimes much more difficult than it sounds and it isn’t enough to know that you want your home to look different and to be freshened up.

The plan should go into details about all that the project involves and also specify a price and a timeframe for each of the tasks. It takes time to create such a plane but it can then serve as a guide.

“While we’re at it”

While we’re at it approach to remodeling is the worst way to handle a project. This approach tends to attach a lot of smaller projects to the main tasks of remodeling a home. That’s when you say: “while we’re remodeling the bathroom, we can also install new voice-activated lights”.

It’s a slippery slope because some smaller projects can actually be done by the workers you have hired already. The only way to go is to restrain yourself from this and never attach additional projects.

workers in house

An emergency fund

The truth is that regardless of how well you plan things out, there are always going to be some small expenses and delays that are beyond your control. It’s best to prepare for it in advance and have an emergency budget in place.

The size of this fund is the most important decision to make because that way you decide how much you’re willing to give in to circumstances beyond your control.  As a rule of thumb, anything beyond 25 percent of your initial plan is too much.

Shopping around

When you take the time to shop around, regardless of the purchase, you can find small savings that really add up. This is also the case with home remodeling, because you’re not only buying the materials needed for such a project, but the labor needed to complete it.

guys painting the wall

Talk to the local suppliers about the materials they are using. A lot of saving can also be made if you use recycled materials or if you make sure that they are actually local and you don’t have to pay additionally for the transport. It’s also a good idea to talk to the homeowners in your area about their experiences with the construction crews because prices may vary significantly.

Don’t pay for all of it at once

The remodeling projects usually consist of a lot of smaller projects and clearly divided maintenance jobs. This provides you with an opportunity to control the quality of the work being done and to stop the project entirely if you feel like you can’t afford it anymore.

money and calculator

Create an arrangement with the contractor to pay the bill in increments when each portion of the job is completed. Take the time to divide a project in ways that are beneficial to all parties.

There are ways to cut down the costs of a remodeling project. The key is to know what you want to do and to prepare for unforeseen changes.

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Convert Your Garage into the Recording Studio

June 8, 2018
Derek Lotts
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Creating music is a truly enriching experience that can enhance your creativity, improve your state of mind and provide you with other numerous benefits. And the recording process is the final stage that enables you to share your hard work with the world. However, this final step can be extremely challenging if you don’t have an appropriate environment to work in or can’t find a like-minded individual who can record your music. Thus, it’s no wonder that a personal recording studio is a dream of musicians all over the world. And if you have an empty garage, you can make yours come true.

Consider your budget

Transforming your garage into a recording studio can be quite an investment, especially if you’re planning to become a professional music producer and record other people’s music, as well. Therefore, it’s always advisable to start with your needs, plans and, of course, your budget. You should consider everything from remodelling costs and building materials to music equipment and instruments. Nonetheless, the bigger the studio, the higher the price, so make sure that you create a budget and undertake a remodel that you can afford.

recording studio equipment

Make some room

Your garage will be your recording studio and not a storage room, so make sure to remove everything you don’t need. A lot of work is ahead of you, and you’ll need space for both the remodelling part and the equipment and the finishing touches. You can organise a yard sale for the garage items that you don’t need or donate your tools and other belongings.

Create a floor plan

Having cleared out your garage from everything, you can start planning your recording studio and its layout. Creating a functional floor plan is the first step that will enable you to assess your space and consider different aspects such as ventilation, the size and shape of the room, etc. You can draw a floor plan on a piece of paper along with all the necessary measurements. The shape of the room is actually quite important for a recording studio because it can affect the sound. Typically, a large garage that isn’t a perfect rectangle or square, and without a lot of design curves, will provide you with the best acoustics.

Soundproof it

Soundproofing your garage is one of the essential aspects of designing a recording studio. You need to block off the outside noise while keeping your music inside. You also need to make sure that your recording studio doesn’t reflect the sound or make it murky, dull or too sharp. Firstly, you should assess your garage acoustics and implement effective environmental noise control solutions that will help you eliminate any noise problems you may encounter. Furthermore, you should seal unnecessary doors, or soundproof them using sheet block, a special vinyl material that will work as a sound barrier. You can also introduce different design elements to prevent sound from bouncing around the studio. For instance, furnishing your studio with drapery, bookshelves, plush rugs, couches and wall decorations will create great sound absorption.

kid in the recording studio

Light it appropriately

Lighting, both natural and artificial, is another important aspect to consider when transforming your garage into a recording studio. Not only will proper lighting create a specific ambience, but it may also affect your creativity. Thus, it’s important that you maximise natural lighting in your recording studio by installing skylights or solar tubes. Of course, if you install skylights or windows, make sure to soundproof them. A double-pane window offers better sound insulation, so it’s a better option for a recording studio. As for artificial lighting, you should install a flexible solution, such as dimmers, that will enable you to adjust the lights depending on your needs.

Install proper ventilation

Since you need to seal all the doors and windows to ensure the best acoustics in your recording studio, you may find it to be a bit stuffy. In addition, without proper ventilation, high moisture levels may damage your equipment. Therefore, a high-quality ventilation system is of the utmost importance for your studio. However, you need to insulate your vents, as well, so you should install an “S” acoustic box insulated with acoustic foam.

Don’t forget the equipment

Once you’ve converted your garage into a recording studio, you need to consider the equipment you need. Since music equipment can be on the expensive side, you should consider your needs, the type of music you’ll record, whether you’ll work with other people, etc. Nonetheless, some of the essential equipment units include a computer, microphones, a digital audio workstation (DAW), studio monitors, a drum machine as a replacement for drums, instruments, etc. Another cost to factor in is that of computer networking for the space. Equipment like servers, media storage, and switch panels can also come with a price.

Designing a recording studio in your garage can be challenging and pricey, but it will provide you with your own space where you can create the music you love.

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How to Decorate Your Home’s Entrance

May 11, 2018
Derek Lotts
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If you are taking care of your backyard, front yard, walls and balcony, you shouldn’t forget to show your entrance some love as well. Even though it may not seem like a big deal, the front entrance can do wonders in terms of your home’s overall appearance. In other words, a stylish entrance can make the entire building look a hundred times better.

With all that being said, here is how to help your entrance complement your home’s curb appeal the best way possible.

Door

The first and probably easiest part of the entrance to is the door itself. Your options are pretty much limitless and entirely depend on factors such as your personal preferences, the overall style of your home, the façade, etc.

Before getting into the decoration part, make sure you are satisfied with both the condition and the color of your door, and that the color goes well with the rest of your home’s exterior. Neutral-colored doors look great on boldly colored walls and vice versa, while light colors look amazing with dark backsplashes and, again, vice versa.

Since spring is approaching, there is one great seasonal idea for you. We all love flowers, especially during spring. Go through your attic and find some old items you will use as flower pots for faux or real flowers. For example, you can hang an old umbrella with an antique watering can on your door with a wreath hanger and fill them with faux flowers. It will look so Pinterest-y. Alternatively, you can make a door flower basket and fill it with real fresh flowers. Basically, anything you can find can serve you as a door flower pot – even things that may seem ridiculous, such as your toddler’s old rain boots.

Or, you can take an old, empty picture frame, embellish it using your favorite craft supplies and, again, hang it on your front door.

On the other hand, maybe antiques and flowers just aren’t your thing, maybe you are more into minimalistic decorations such as monograms. They are easy to create, simple, but still make quite an impact. You can make a monogram yourself out of foam board and decorate it with anything you like – as long as it matches the rest of your home’s exterior: sea glass, shells, paint, twine etc. On the other hand, you can opt for a simpler version of it by painting an old tray with chalkboard paint and hanging it on your door. This way, you’ll be able to change your home’s ‘headline’ once you get bored of it.

Finally, dress down your now wildly decorated front door with a stylish minimalistic doormat to balance the whole look out.

Front porch

Whether your porch is tiny or large, there are many tips that work for both cases equally.

The first and probably the most important tip is to make sure your porch is as bright as it can be. Don’t hesitate to play with lighting fixtures or even add a pop of bright color. Also, make the most of daylight by replacing one wall with a glass wall and/or installing a mirror or two that will reflect the sunlight even more.

Besides lighting it up, you can repurpose your porch into a cool lounge area, for example. Just by placing a simple piece of furniture such as a sofa or an armchair on your front porch, you will boost the inviting feel of it and make it look so much cooler. And not to mention that your home is going to get a whole new laid-back vibe that is always attractive. After all, one simply cannot go wrong with using furniture as decoration.

Stairs

If you are blessed with minimalistic stairs that lead to your front door, consider giving them some depth and texture by installing those beautiful downward facing yellow or white lights. This solution is both practical – since it illuminates the stairs, which makes them easier to use during the night, and aesthetic – since lighting fixtures can make anything look way better and more luxurious than it already does.

Pathway

When entering a home, the pathway is the first thing you see, and if you really want to increase the beauty of your entrance, you have to make sure it is aesthetically pleasing. Lately, designers have been going crazy about Japanese aesthetics, since they are simple, easy to achieve, but still make a huge impact. Take a couple of dark geometric slate slabs and surround them with a bunch of those big white decorative stones. Finally, soften the look with a couple of tropical plants and voila – you have an awesome Japanese-styled aesthetic pathway.

And that’s it. What do you think about these ideas? Let us know in the comment section below.

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How to Give Your Home that Chic Modern Rustic Design

April 27, 2018
Derek Lotts
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Modern rustic home design has been on fire lately and everyone seems to have fallen in love with it! Homeowners are embracing the combination of rustic charm and benefits of modern amenities. The attraction lies in the successful marriage of natural, rugged beauty that offers an abundance of textures, earthy colours and organic warmth, and the elegance and sleek lines of modern furniture and appliances.

The result is a contemporary rustic style that feels very open, fresh, grounded and real, and here are several suggestions on how to incorporate it into your home.

Raw natural materials

Perhaps the most important element of a modern rustic home is the use of natural, raw materials in its architecture and décor. The main idea is to bring nature inside and the more natural these materials look, the easier it becomes to tie the whole design into a cohesive rustic whole. It aims to expose all the nature’s imperfections, such as knottiness of wood and cracks in stone, in all their beauty and glory.

In an old home, these materials preserve its character and uniqueness, and in new, modern homes, they add a ton of charm and rustic appeal. The modern rustic design intentionally puts focus on exposed brick and wooden ceiling beams, uses reclaimed wood, as they are all reminiscent of nature at its finest.

Simple fabrics

The presence of nature indoors is carried further through the use of rugs, linens, covers and upholstery. The trend moves away from busy, floral patterns towards more calm fabrics with simple prints. The materials in use are jute, faux leather, animal prints, sisal, woven baskets and braided rugs. The best effect is achieved with neutral, sand-coloured furniture combined with butcher block or concrete countertops, driftwood light fixtures and faux cow or zebra hides, or sheepskin throws. These are very durable and stain-resistant materials and they make a perfect choice for chairs and rugs.

Large windows are a must as they are the best way to bring the outdoors in. It’s a design component that easily satisfies the rustic interior and modern quality demands. Traditional rustic designs were quite dark and gloomy, but a modern rustic home boasts with openness, airiness and lots of light.

Modern furniture and amenities

As we have mentioned before, this particular design style wants to get the best of both worlds: a rustic design with all the conveniences of modern living. To achieve this, incorporate all the rustic elements but keep your furniture modern, such as pieces in mid-century style. You can also browse through the internet and magazines for more inspiration, but if you are looking for some French country inspired furniture, make sure to give Rococo Decor a try.

Neutral color palette

In rustic modern homes, there are no strong and vibrant colors. Dominant tones are subdued and the color palette is neutral, so the walls are mostly white or sand-colored with the addition of natural materials like wood or stone. Such walls make a great blank canvas for you to express your creativity and add pieces that represent your personal taste.

The fireplace

Finally, don’t forget the fireplace. How can a rustic styled home be complete without the coziness of a warm and inviting fireplace? Whether you choose a style in stone with a chunky, wooden mantel or a modern wood stove, a fireplace is always an ideal addition to a rustic home and a great focal point of a family room.

By combining the natural, earthy elements of rustic style with contemporary, clean design is getting the best of both worlds. With an open floor plan, exposed natural architecture such as brick, stone and wood, and modern, mid-century furniture, you’ll have an eclectic décor that offers a warm, charming and inviting setting for your everyday life.

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Top 7 Home Improvement Ideas for 2018

March 9, 2018
Derek Lotts
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The new millennium is no longer a juvenile. This means that everything you’ve learned about it by now is a thing of the past – you know, puberty, adolescence and all. Jokes aside, the year of 2018 has way too much to offer – both new and old. But let’s not procrastinate anymore, shall we? Here are some of the biggest home improvements trends for 2018.

Wood flooring

Whether you love it or hate it, wood flooring has made a huge comeback. And if you were thinking of upgrading your floors, this is the way to go. There are many options to choose from, but three of them are definitely on the top: herringbone parquet, gray wood and distressed flooring. If you love that Parisian vibe – go with a traditional light-colored parquet (or dark-colored depending on your interior and personal preferences) with either a chevron or herringbone (which is currently more popular) design. On the other hand, if the rooms in your home don’t receive enough natural light – go with gray wood. It is going to add brightness and a luxe feel to the space. Finally, if you are aiming towards a rustic look – naturally, you will go with distressed wood flooring.

Bright colors

Since this year’s Pantone color of the year is Ultraviolet – you can just imagine the things that are about to happen. Even though earthy tones are still at the top of the trends list – this year, we’ll also be seeing a lot of jewel tones. We’re talking emerald green, sapphire, amethyst, ruby etc. These colors are representing originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking – which is exactly what the world needs. Also, the time of rose gold is up. Instead, real gold and brass are taking the throne.

living room with bright colours

Curb appeal matters

Home improvement is not just about renovating your home’s interior. Even though we are all aware of the fact that beauty is on the inside, your home’s curb appeal is also really important. This year, do your best to fix it. Replace your old garage doors, replace those old and dingy house numbers and the rusty mailbox, illuminate your front yard, and maybe even rethink that new façade idea. All this is going to both make your home prettier and increase its value – which is also something worth having in mind.

Embrace the coziness

Light room dividers, reading nooks, plush pillows etc. are what modern home improvement is all about. The pressure of modern life simply requires these comfortable corners that will allow you to relax, unwind and enjoy your peace. Take time to decorate those small areas of your home and turn them into relaxing micro zones you will enjoy.

Leather and natural stone

When it comes to leather, it isn’t just about sofas and chaise lounges, it is also about many accents such as wall artwork, shelf holders and even leather flowers and other decorations. These are the ultimate elements of the 2018 modern interior design. And when it comes to color, have in mind that chocolate brown is the new gray, or in other words, now the primary neutral color. When it comes to stone, marble, granite and pebbles are still at the top of the popularity list. Go with carved designs or geometrical prints.

Flowers instead of word art

We will no longer be seeing those “Live, laugh, love” signs everywhere we look. And it is such a relief actually, because, you will agree on this one, this concept has seriously been painfully overused. In 2018, ‘focal pointing’ will be all about floral printed pillows, blankets, maybe even floral wallpapers, or even simply regular flowers… you know… like those you put in a vase… on your table. Pretty, right?

Cork, bright lights, dark wood

Dark wood, especially chocolate brown, as said above, is what gives any room a luxe feel, while cork is there to balance it – if it’s used for the right accents, such as doors and cabinets, for example. And when the room is crowded with wood, textiles, cork etc., it requires bright lighting in order to reach its full comfy potential.

No matter which idea you opt for, note that the most important thing is that you are feeling 100 percent comfortable in your home.

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