home buying Archives | Smooth Decorator

Previous Next

Real Estate

Family Home Hunt: 8 Things To Consider

June 23, 2023

Comments Off

There are many things to think about when searching for a family home to make sure you find the ideal fit for your needs. With so many options available, it’s crucial to do your research and consider the advantages and disadvantages of any potential property. You’ll probably want to look for a property that meets your family’s requirements, way of life, and budget. To that end, ten factors to take into account when shopping for a family house are covered in this article.

Your housing budget

Your budget is among the most crucial factors to take into account. It’s crucial to know exactly where you stand financially and how much you can spend. Consider the down payment, regular mortgage payments, and additional costs like utility bills, property taxes, and upkeep fees. Although it’s crucial to take your budget into account, keep in mind that there can be additional expenses in addition to the purchase price. Other fees to factor in include closing costs, property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance. Think about any future modifications or renovations that might be required, such as a new roof or HVAC system. Be sure to account for each of these costs in your budget.

The size of the home

The overall size of the property should be evaluated as well. Be sure there is enough room for your family and any foreseeable additions. Take into account the number of bathrooms, bedrooms, and communal spaces like the living room and kitchen. Keep storage space in mind as you determine the size of your private residence. Are there enough closets and storage spaces to meet the needs of your family? Moreover, think about the home’s layout and whether it fits your family’s lifestyle. Is there adequate room for entertainment or play for the kids?

A good location

Your property’s location is very important. It’s crucial to take your commute to work, nearby parks, schools, and services into account. Because it provides ease and accessibility to several services and activities, a central location is frequently preferred. Think about the neighborhood’s traffic and accessibility to public transit in addition to its centralized location. Is the area bike- or pedestrian-friendly? Are major highways and modes of public transportation, like buses and trains, easily accessible? Also, take into account any noise pollution from adjacent roads, busy streets, or construction sites. Next, consider how vital it is to be close to your family and friends and how far they are from you.

Available amenities

Take into account the conveniences that are crucial to you and your family. This can involve having easy access to places like shopping malls, dining establishments, and entertainment venues. If you require additional facilities, luxury apartments are a great choice, as they often offer amenities such as a gym, pool, or concierge services. Consider your family’s hobbies and interests while choosing amenities. Furthermore, take into account the accessibility of restaurants, grocery stores, and other conveniences. Consider any prospective lifestyle changes, such as working from home, and whether coffee shops or coworking spaces are available in the neighborhood.

The neighborhood

Your family’s quality of life will be impacted by the community you choose. Spend some time strolling about to acquire a sense of the neighborhood. Seek out attractions like playgrounds, parks, and community centers. Consider the neighborhood’s pet-friendliness as well as the noise level. Consider the sense of community when evaluating the neighborhood. Are there any neighborhood gatherings or events that bring people together? Do your neighbors seem warm and welcoming? Take into account the neighborhood’s diversity as well as if you value living in a diverse location. Last but not least, think about any homeowner associations (HOAs) in the region and whether their guidelines fit your way of life.

Safety and security

A family’s safety should come first when choosing a home. Check for smoke, carbon monoxide, and fire extinguishers, and take into account the local crime statistics. Moreover, look out for any potential dangers like busy roads, steep staircases, or swimming pools. In addition to looking for safety elements, take into account the general safety of the area. A low crime rate and well-lit streets are desirable. Talking to neighbors and getting their opinion on local safety is another smart move. Finally, if you want to feel fully secure, think about installing a security system on any property.

Proximity to schools

The quality of the local schools is a crucial factor to take into account if you have children or intend to have children. Do some research on the school district and look up reviews and ratings. Take into account the accessibility of transportation and the distance to the schools. To acquire a deeper understanding of the educational experience, visit the schools, speak with staff and parents, and conduct research on the school system as well. Search for sports teams and extracurricular activities that your kids might be interested in. Lastly, think about how close the schools are to your house and whether it’s vital for them to be nearby or only a short drive away.

Your future plans

When seeking a residence, think about your future goals. Do you intend to grow your family? Will you be working from home? Think about how your needs might evolve over time and search for a residence that can handle these adjustments. Consider potential life changes, such as children leaving for college or aged parents moving in while making future plans. Check to see if the property has the necessary modifications, such as an additional bedroom or bathroom. Furthermore, take into account any future movements or professional changes that might need an adjustment in location. Also, consider whether the property will be a wise investment that will appeal to prospective buyers in the future if you ever decide to sell.

In conclusion, there are a lot of factors to take into account when searching for a family residence. Spend some time investigating and weighing your possibilities to discover a residence that suits your family’s requirements, way of life, and budget. You can select your ideal home by taking into account the points mentioned in this article and making an informed choice.

Home Improvement

Home Staging on a Budget

June 2, 2017

Chloe Taylor

0 Comments

Home staging is the art and science of preparing a home so that it looks as attractive as possible to prospective buyers. Interior design has a huge and often unexpected impact on how desirable a property is to a viewer. Ultimately, the goal is to have a prospective buyer walk into the house and immediately want to own it.

Staging a home can have a dramatic difference on its entire character. Home staging isn’t just about cleaning and removing clutter, it’s about creating an entire feel and ambiance that makes someone who walks through each room think “This house looks and feels great! I’d love to live here!” A staged home looks not only more attractive but also more spacious, more vibrant and more alive.

Staging a Home Yourself

You don’t need to spend a lot of money hiring a professional home stager who will charge between $500 and $5,000, depending on the size of your home and other factors. If you have a good eye for interior design, you can save yourself money by staging your own home and you may find it to be a fun and rewarding way to see your living space transformed before your eyes.

With a little inspiration and creativity, you can stage any house yourself to make it a true work of art. In spite of the benefits of home staging, many home sellers are reluctant to change the interior of their house to make it more desirable to buyers, and this gives anyone who does decide to stage their house a huge advantage over other sellers.

You can effectively stage a home no matter its size or what style of furniture and home accessories it currently has. The key to creating beautiful interior spaces is to arrange the large items of furniture is such a way so they are effortless to look at (i.e. everything looks completely natural in its place) and then to arrange small items and accessories around the furniture to create the desired effect. One of the best ways to get ideas is to look online for photos and design blogs and then make some notes on what you think you could apply to your home. There are too many good websites to name here but even just a Google image search can give you plenty of ideas.

Using Small Details to Transform a Home

Naturally, there’s no point in spending a lot of money staging a house just to sell it. Home staging is about making high-impact but low-cost changes to the small details in each room. For example, changing sofa cushions and adding an attractive table lamp and two accent chairs next to a side table can completely change the character and feel of a living room. In a bedroom, changing the bed covers to a subtle shade such as vanilla or teal and adding matching side tables can make a huge difference to how the room feels. A table runner and candles can add elegance and sophistication to even the humblest of dining rooms. It’s these details that can truly transform a house. None of these changes are hugely expensive and can be the difference between a property selling in 6 weeks and 6 months.

Very often, you can make more out of less. Small details such as changing old curtains for some luxuriant satin designs, adding patterned rugs or even some fresh flowers to a table can make a huge difference. You may find you don’t need to purchase many additional items at all. By just rethinking the way your home is currently arranged you can come up with many new ideas.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that home buyers are more likely to buy a property that has been staged than one that’s empty. Most buyers like to see houses that are loved and well cared for. Vacant houses can feel lifeless and cold, despite appearing larger by being empty.

Home Staging Doesn’t Hide Problems

Unfortunately, many homeowners are under the impression that staging will effectively hide problems a property has (especially older neglected properties). Trying to make buyers unaware that problems exist usually backfires. Buyers may be unaware of problems for a short while, but a property inspection will make that short-lived.

If a building has structural problems or even serious health hazards such as lead pipes or asbestos ceiling tiles, staging is not going to be a solution to those problems. Homeowners may even need to get rid of any pests or bugs that may have infested the home by hiring a professional pest control company. Once any major issues with the property have been resolved and cleaning has been completed, you can get to work on staging rooms to bring out the best in each. Staging a house is only going to effectively speed up its sale when any serious issues have been resolved first.

When in Doubt, Go for Simplicity

Simplicity and minimalism are always attractive qualities, and this is even truer if you are working with limited space. A cluttered room is hardly ever attractive, and the more items in a room, the less attractive it appears to someone who’s never seen it before. If you have small rooms to decorate, less is definitely more. Simple, neutral colors and designs are usually the most effective. This doesn’t mean that you have to decorate every room with dull gray; light shades and subtle patterns can often speak louder than bold colors and strong designs.

Vibrant color can be used in moderation to bring some spice and uniqueness to rooms. Bright curtains and rugs can be used to make drab rooms come to life, but just make sure any strong colors you use don’t contrast. The last thing you want is room to look like an explosion in a Sherwin-Williams warehouse! Simplicity can be harder to achieve in interior design, but it almost always makes a room look more attractive.

All in all, you can stage just about any home beautifully without spending much money at all. The old saying “creativity over capital” is as applicable to interior design as much as anything else. By making some simple changes to how furniture is arranged, replacing some accessories and adding some new details, any room can be given a powerful “wow factor”. You only have one chance to make a good first impression, and that first impression can often be the most important.

home buying