Tips for Negotiating the Best Price on Your New Home

egotiating the best price on your new home

A brick house for sale

It’s not easy to buy a home, but if you do your homework, you can probably get a better deal on the house you want. Today, we will discuss strategies for successful negotiating. It’s possible that during house hunting, you’ll come across a few listings that are just a tad bit too expensive for your budget. Even if they’re fantastic deals, such homes are out of reach if you can’t afford them. Not quite. You might be able to negotiate housing costs to fit your budget if you’re knowledgeable and know what you’re doing. You can still find sellers open to haggling over price, even in a seller’s market. If you want to buy a property at a reasonable price, you need to know the tips for negotiating the best price for your new home. 

Get familiar with the market

When negotiating the best price on your new home, you must first assess the current market conditions. There will be more properties on the market and fewer people looking to purchase them, making it a buyer’s market. The buyer will have more room to negotiate a lower price, below the asking price, if there are other houses to choose from.

However, in a seller’s market, where there are fewer homes for sale than buyers, the seller has all the cards, and the buyers must compete with one another to secure a purchase. The seller may be unwilling to budge on price if there are several potential buyers.

Ask questions

Have your agent gather some information to learn more about the sellers’ financial status and motivation. What kind of transaction is this – a foreclosure or a short sale? Do they want to avoid paying two mortgages, so they’re willing to take a hit on the asking price since they just bought a property or relocated? How long has the house been on the market, if at all, or is it new? Did they receive many offers? Why, therefore, did they fail if that was the case? Your offer should be lower if there is a strong indication that the seller is eager to sell.


Questions encourage critical thinking.

Offer the seller something they can’t refuse

In an auction, the price the seller receives is the primary motivation. As a buyer, you want to avoid an auction at all costs, so put your understanding of the seller’s motivation to good use. Some sellers may be anxious that the right bidders won’t show up to the auction on the day in question. According to experts from Verified Movers, people who have already put down a deposit on their next home may be more tempted to sell quickly. Some sellers may choose to find a buyer who will keep the property instead of tearing it down.

Start by pre-approving your money, inspecting for termites or building issues, and contacting a lawyer about the deal. Send a check for the down payment to the real estate agent’s office or phone them. A serious offer must be communicated to the seller via the agent. If they reject your first offer, offer more, but don’t exceed your limit.

Talk to a real estate professional

Working with a real estate agent, especially if you’re a first-time buyer, can help you obtain a better deal on a property than you would if you tried to negotiate the price alone. These pros know their way around the real estate market and can help you make sense of things like property taxes and interest rates. In addition, they will do all their power to get the best possible terms for you in the purchase agreement.


A real estate agent’s knowledge is invaluable.

Strategy for buying a house at the auction

Make an offer that will expire at 11:59 p.m. the night before the auction if the property is scheduled to be sold at auction. If you want to sweeten the deal, you might offer to forgo the standard cooling-off period. The real estate market is slow, making it more challenging to attract counterbids. If a seller receives a strong counteroffer, they may accept it instead of taking the risk of losing the property at auction. And hopefully, by the end of it, you’ll get a new home. However, don’t forget to leave some of your funds for moving, as auctions are where you can quickly lose track of the money spent. 

Choosing a reliable moving company is crucial when buying a new home. Suppose you need to move somewhere you’ve never been before. When choosing a long-distance moving company in Ann Arbor, for example, you should always compare multiple reviews. This way, you’ll have a clear picture of what to expect during relocation. It might not seem like an important step, but having professional movers hired in advance will save you the money you can then spend on the house you intend to purchase.


pKnowing how to offer properly is the key to a successful negotiation.

When all else fails, take baby steps toward bigger and better things

If you’re negotiating the best price on your new home and you’re starting to feel out of choices, try taking baby steps forward. The sellers will assume you made every effort to buy their house. This might be the case even if you just bid up the price by $500 or $1,000. If you’ve used up all your money, you might still try to bargain for other parameters like the settlement date and the number of inspection days.

You should be prepared to compromise or go on

You can’t always get what you want, and it’s unusual to obtain the price you want when buying a home. Be flexible and willing to work with the other party in the negotiation process from the outset to meet everyone’s needs. You and your agent must have the same goals and understandings regarding the arrangement’s terms.

Keep in mind that not all sales are made and that it is common to negotiate several times throughout the process, especially in a competitive market. Think of haggling over a property’s price as an education; not all negotiations end in a deal.

Money doesn’t mean everything

When negotiating the best price on your new home, you should know that money isn’t everything. The most important thing to remember is that there is more to discuss a final price for a new home than just pricing. 


Meta:
Buyers who negotiate property prices set the stage for a fair bargain. Here are some tips for negotiating the best price on your new home.

Keyword:
negotiating the best price on your new home

Photos used:
https://unsplash.com/photos/pvdx8c6Y5BY
https://unsplash.com/photos/aWf7mjwwJJo
https://unsplash.com/photos/n95VMLxqM2I
https://unsplash.com/photos/oFMI6CdD7yU

Do These 6 Things Before Putting Your Home on the Market

Do these 6 things before putting your home on the market

Selling a home is never easy. On the one hand, it can be a very emotional process because of all the memories you have there. On the other hand, it can be hard to find a buyer willing to pay the asking price. After all, there are many factors affecting home affordability today. These include increasing home prices and mortgage rates. Therefore, if you want to attract the right buyers, you have to put in a bit of work. At the same time, not everyone has the time and money to do a complete home makeover. That’s why we’ve compiled a small guide on the essentials. Do these six things before putting your home on the market to attract buyers and maybe even increase the property value.

1 The first step before putting your home on the market is to declutter

We tend to accumulate a lot of necessary and unnecessary stuff throughout the years. And even if you try to declutter regularly, you usually do it superficially. However, now that you’re planning to sell and move into a new home, starting with a thorough decluttering process is essential. 

You must declutter your home before putting it on the market to let buyers notice its beautiful features.
A woman decluttering her home.

First of all, you’ll have fewer items to transport when you move. And second, it will enable buyers to see your home’s stunning features instead of being distracted by all the clutter. Furthermore, when a home is overcrowded with stuff, it appears smaller.

A piece of advice: take your time and don’t leave it until the last second. Decluttering an entire home takes time. You should carefully assess every item to decide what stays and what goes. You can even organize a yard sale to sell some of the things in good shape. Or you can donate them to local charities.

2 Take care of updates and repairs

You might be wondering if your should update your house before you sell it. Well, this depends mostly on your budget. Of course, any update you make will increase the property value. However, if the budget is tight, you can simply add a fresh coat of paint to the walls. This will immediately spruce up the place. Just make sure you use neutral colors if you want to attract more buyers. Bright colors usually scare them off.

Regarding the repairs, you should consider doing a pre-sale home inspection. This will enable you to identify and fix all minor and major issues early. It would be best to wait until a potential buyer asks for an inspection. Because if they find any problems, they can negotiate a lower price or back out of the deal.


One of the most important things to do before putting your home on the market is to take care of all the repairs.
Various tools used for repairs.

3 Depersonalize your home

The main reason to depersonalize your home is that buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living there. So, before putting your home on the market, here’s how you can achieve this in two easy steps:

  • Remove all personal items. This includes family photos and mementos, as well as collectibles. Furthermore, don’t forget to hide away your toiletries when potential buyers come to view the property.
  • Remove all the valuables. Firstly, your taste in antique furnishings and artworks might not match the buyers’. Secondly, they can get stolen or damaged during an open house.

Since these items are precious, you should hire professionals to handle them. That’s also why you should hire movers even when moving locally. Furthermore, this is the safest way to transport your belongings. Plus, movers often offer packing and storage services, which might come in handy until you sell your home.

4 Make it squeaky clean

Even if you sell your home as-is, you still have to clean it properly. This is one of the easiest and most effective staging techniques. And if you want to do it right, you should consider hiring cleaning professionals. Once their job is done, keeping the property clean will be much easier. Just dust and vacuum before viewings.


Make your home squeaky clean by hiring cleaning professionals.
Two cleaning professionals cleaning a home.

In case you can’t afford to hire professionals, don’t despair. Just ask some friends or family members to help you out. It’s not that you can’t do it by yourself, but you’ll finish faster if you have some help. Make sure you scrub every inch of that place. You should also pay close attention to the windows. Because dirty windows keep the light out and can make your home look gloomy.

5 Don’t forget about the exterior

Don’t forget about the exterior when you prep your house for sale. After all, this is the first thing that homebuyers will notice. Even if you don’t have the money to repaint the outside of your home or the fence, you have other options. 

For instance, you can improve curb appeal by mowing the lawn and trimming trees and shrubs. Or, if you want to put your home on the market during winter, you should always shovel the snow and create a clear path to the house. Furthermore, make sure that your home is properly lit. This will make it more inviting and enable buyers to see its features.

6 Find a good real estate agent

Before you put your home on the market, you should find an excellent real estate agent. A person who has a lot of knowledge and experience in this field will help you sell your home faster:

  • They can advise you on increasing property value and staging.
  • They’ll market your home using every means at their disposal. Thus, they’ll attract more potential buyers.
  • They can take care of all the paperwork for you.

In conclusion

Once you decide to sell your home, you shouldn’t rush to place a “for sale” sign outside. Take the time to do these 6 things before putting your home on the market. This will enable you to make the property more appealing to buyers. At the same time, things like updates and repairs can increase property value. Once you take care of all these things, finding the right buyer and profit from the sale will be easier.

Images used:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-a-woman-holding-a-home-for-sale-sign-8469937/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/concentrated-woman-carrying-stack-of-cardboard-boxes-for-relocation-3791617/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/set-of-instruments-on-floor-4792494/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-in-orange-uniform-cleaning-the-floor-6195277/

The Benefits of Accessing Pre-MLS Listings in Ann Arbor

gray house with fireplace surrounded by grass under white and gray cloudy sky
Photo by Sebastian Sørensen on Pexels.com

When trying to sell or buy a property, it is essential to take full advantage of everything at your disposal. Even just boosting the price of your property a little, or lowering the cost of a property you are interested in by a marginal amount, can be of enormous help in the end. And one of the best things to use is pre-MLS listings! So let’s take a closer look at the benefits of accessing pre-MLS listings in Ann Arbor.

What does pre-MLS mean?

Before we discuss the benefits of accessing pre-MLS listings in Ann Arbor, we must fully understand the term. In short, ‘pre-MLS’ is the period before a property is officially listed on the market. It is marketed to a limited group of real estate agents during this period. Often those associated with a particular agency. The actual worth of working with a real estate agent shows here perfectly. Because without the connections a realtor brings to the table, it is almost impossible to access pre-MLS listings. ‘Pre-MLS’ listings are sometimes called ‘coming soon listings’ or ‘pre-marketing listings,’ which does a slightly better job conveying what they are.

 However, not that those pre-MLS listings are not all too common. And it is not guaranteed that every realtor you work with will have access to them. Still, you can at least rest assured they’re present in Ann Arbor!

The benefits for buyers

The first to make an offer

The first of the benefits of accessing pre-MLS listings in Ann Arbor as a buyer is a fact that you have the chance to be the first to make an offer once the listing does go live. Other people would have to first discover the property, then view it, and finally settle on whether or not they are interested in it. Meanwhile, you would already have an offer in! You might even be well on convincing the seller to close early. Of course, this also means you will have a chance to better examine the property. Learn about it, and even request relevant home inspections if you feel compelled to do it. And you should, especially if it’s your first time buying a home and you don’t know what to look out for.

Potential for a private deal

Of course, another of the potential benefits of accessing pre-MLS listings in Ann Arbor is that it might not be necessary for the property to go up on regular listings. Sometimes, if you approach the seller, it may be possible to come to an understanding that will see you purchase the property early. Remember that you would typically need to make a rather impressive offer to convince them to close a sale so early. After all, they would give up on the prospect that competition might drive the price even higher.

A better grasp of what’s on offer

Knowing what the upcoming listings are can sometimes be invaluable. People can give up on relatively decent properties they like just in the hope that something nicer might show up. If you can, with complete certainty, tell that won’t be happening, then you can make yourself follow through with a purchase. Even if it’s not perfectly ideal for your needs, sometimes picking up a good deal is preferable to ignoring it and going for an even worse option. Of course, if you can afford to wait, this is not as big of a concern.

The benefits for sellers

A faster sale

One of the essential benefits of accessing pre-MLS listings in Ann Arbor as a seller is a potential to find an ideal buyer faster. In a way, this is somewhat similar to the previous buyer scenario. However, there is an essential shift in control here. As a buyer, you are reliant on the decisions of the seller. As the seller, the ball is in your court. And if you need to close a deal quickly, such as trying to sell during the off-season at the end of the year, you can. That might mean losing out on some potential profits, though, so it is typically not recommended.

Getting a feel for current market interest

Getting your property on the pre-MLS listing will let you gauge what people think about it early. That is especially useful if you plan on selling a fixer-upper or a property with some minor issues. The current demand, focus on the quality of the properties, etc. They all show in the potential buyer’s response to your property. If the response is particularly bad, you should consider taking the listing down and at least doing some light renovation before trying again. That would also give you more time to plan, such as moving to Michigan from another state and looking for interstate movers to find expert help. Just try to avoid spending too much on renovations in such a scenario! If you go over your budget, nothing good will happen, and you’d unlikely earn that money back.

Getting the word out

Of course, if you have a genuinely competitive property, then the last of the benefits of accessing pre-MLS listings in Ann Arbor is drumming up interest in it early. Even if your property is not the most competitive, it’s still lovely to rouse some interest in advance. It would let you ensure that more potential buyers visit you! And, in turn, this might boost competitiveness over your property at least a little. Which would help it sell better and go a long way toward helping you fund the purchase of your ideal home in Ann Arbor. So long as you don’t rush the sale in this scenario, you should be golden.

Final Comment

Now that you understand the benefits of accessing pre-MLS listings in Ann Arbor, it should be evident that you need to work with a realtor who can get you this perk. Otherwise, you’d lose out on constructive house sale and purchase strategies.

Meta Description:

Learn about the benefits of accessing pre-MLS listings in Ann Arbor to decide if you want to work with a realtor who offers this perk!

Keywords:

benefits of accessing pre-MLS listings in Ann Arbor

Picture Link:

https://pixabay.com/photos/house-home-sold-brick-for-sale-435618/

Real Estate: The Definition and Importance

definition of real estate
Photo by S Migaj on Pexels.com

Let’s explore the definition of real estate. What is real estate? This is a question that many people ask, and there is no one answer to it. Simply put, real estate is the physical property that makes up our world. It includes land, buildings, and anything else that has a physical existence. But real estate is more than just a collection of bricks and mortar. It is an investment, a way to generate income, and an essential part of our economy. In this blog post, we will explore the definition of real estate and discuss its importance!

Real estate is defined as the land, buildings, and any other improvements on it, as well as the natural resources that are found on or beneath it. This definition encompasses a wide variety of properties, from single-family homes to commercial office buildings. Real estate can be either residential or commercial in nature. Residential real estate includes properties such as single-family homes, townhouses, and condominiums. Commercial real estate, on the other hand, encompasses office buildings, retail space, warehouses, and industrial facilities.

The importance of real estate cannot be understated. It is an essential part of our economy and plays a vital role in creating jobs and providing housing for families. In addition, real estate generates significant tax revenue for local, state, and federal governments. And, finally, real estate is a key driver of economic growth.

There are many different types of real estate, but they all share one common goal: to provide a safe and comfortable place for people to live, work, and play. We hope this blog post has helped you better understand the definition of real estate and its importance. Thanks for reading!

Retirement May Be Changing What You Need in a Home

Retirement May Be Changing What You Need in a Home | MyKCM

The past year and a half brought about significant life changes for many of us. For some, it meant entering retirement earlier than expected. Recent data shows more people retired this year than anticipated. According to the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis, 2021 saw a retirement boom:

“At least 1.7 million more older workers than expected retired due to the pandemic recession.”

If you’ve recently retired, your home may not fit your new lifestyle. The good news is, you’ve likely built-up significant equity that can fuel your next move. According to the latest Homeowner Equity Insights report from CoreLogichomeowners gained more than $50,000 in equity over the past 12 months alone. That, plus today’s sellers’ market, presents a great opportunity to sell your house and address your evolving needs.

You Can Move Closer to the Ones You Love

The 2021 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) provides a look at the reasons people buy homes. For those reaching retirement age, the number one reason to buy is the opportunity to be closer to loved ones, friends, or relatives.

If you find yourself farther from your loved ones than you’d like to be, retirement and the equity you’ve built in your home may enable you to move closer to the people in your life who matter most.

You Can Find the Right Home for Your Needs

Not only can your equity power a move to a new location, but it can also help you purchase the right size home. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, says many homebuyers 55 and older choose to downsize – or buy a smaller home – when they make a purchase:

“Clearly from the age patterns, young people want to upsize, and the older generation is looking to downsize. . . .”

Whatever your home goals are, a trusted real estate advisor can help you to find the best option for your situation. They’ll help you sell your current home and guide you as you buy your next one while you move into this new phase of life.

Bottom Line

If you’ve recently retired and your needs are changing, you’re not alone. Let’s connect so you can get a better sense of how to find a home that will match your situation.

Don’t Skip These 5 Fall Maintenance Tasks | Home buying and selling

Your home is a huge investment — an investment you’ll want to protect for the long haul. That means proper maintenance is key! Completing seasonal chores can help extend the life span and cut down on repair/renovation costs of your house while also increasing its value in today’s competitive market environment; after all, who doesn’t love saving money?!
A few simple tasks like power washing or filling cracks will add years onto what might have been considered just another “spring cleaning.” As always though make sure that any work done meets specific criteria (code requirements) before attempting anything too risky such as installing new flooring when there may already be issues with weakness below ground level from previous flooding disasters .

Fall is the best time to get your home in tip top shape. And with five must-do tasks, you can make sure that it stays perfect year round!

Check for and seal any air leaks around windows or doors, which can make it hard to control the climate of your home. In wintertime that means sky-high heating bills as well as uncomfortable living conditions year round!

If you want to protect your home from the damages that can happen with standing water, then it’s important for Gutters and Downspouts maintenance. For example: wind-driven rainwater may cause damage such as leaks or erosion on foundation walls; if an attic access point becomes clogged due to leaves etc., this will stop proper ventilation which could lead everything inside (including insulation) getting wet eventually resulting in expensive losses!
While these problems may not seem major at first glance – we assure they’re anything but trivial once taken into full consideration.

Every year, it’s important to inspect your roof for any signs of wear or damage. At the very least you’ll need an annual inspection- if not more often than that!
A leaky roof can cause huge problems like water contamination which will lead in many cases to costly repairs due both from monetary loss as well as health risks associated with mold exposure; so don’t wait until there are obvious leaks before taking these steps.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors! This is a must. Keep these vital safety devices in good working condition by putting them into test mode, making sure they are all functioning properly with fresh batteries every six months or so of year before storing for the long winter’s night.”

It’s important to have your furnace inspected once per year. The safety of the unit depends on it!
It can pose serious fire hazards, as well as risks associated with general negligence or improper maintenance and these issues may simply go unnoticed if you don’t take a look at yours frequently enough.

You’ll be glad you did it when these tasks are done.
It’s not hard to check off your list, and the payoff is worth more than what went into accomplishing them!

Considering buying a new home? Have questions about your home’s value? Get in touch today.

Middy M Matthews (Lic: 6501383992)
The Arbor Move Team

The More Group MI (Broker Lic.: 6502403145)
2020 Hogback Road, Suite 3
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Call/Text: 734-239-3796
Middy@ArborMove.com
www.ArborMove.com 

Renovations That Make Your Home (and Household) Healthier

Renovations That Make Your Home (and Household) Healthier

Thinking of buying a home or selling your current home in Ann Arbor? Then it’s time to contact The Arbor Move Team, your Ann Arbor real estate resource! (734) 239-3796

We spend a lot of time in our homes, and more so over the last year. However, we often don’t truly appreciate how much of an impact this environment can have on our health. Certain details about our home, from the materials it’s made with to the way it’s decorated, can make your health better — or indeed, worse. 

A healthy home makes you and your family feel great. It’s also an attractive feature for potential buyers, meaning these upgrades could boost your home value down the line. Arbor Move Realtors wants to help you figure out how to make your home as health-boosting as possible. Let’s get started: 

Pre-Renovation Considerations 

Before you make any upgrades to your home, it’s important to think about the financial aspect of your plans. As we said above, ideal changes are those which both improve your quality of life and offer a decent return on investment. Speak with a real estate agent like the team at Arbor Move Realtors about changes you’re thinking of making to get a sense of whether or not they’ll boost your home’s value. This isn’t the sole reason to make (or not make) a change, but it can help you figure out what to prioritize and how to make your renovations work for you. 

Major Health and Safety Renovations

There are a few checks that every homeowner should make to ensure their home is safe. For example, if your home was built before 1974, you should have lead testing done to see if your paint contains this harmful metal. If it does, there are several ways to keep yourself and your family safe. 

Asbestos and radon are two cancer-causing substances that might be in your home. Older homes should be checked for asbestos and, if any is found, it should be professionally removed or sealed away. Many homes contain radon gas, which is odorless, colorless, and one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Radon tests are easy and inexpensive to perform, and radon mitigation systems are extremely effective at removing the gas if it’s a problem. Radon can appear at any time, so even if your test comes up negative, you should check every couple of years to make sure you’re still safe. 

Reducing Allergens 

Another great way to make your home easier on your health is to reduce allergens. One extremely effective way to do this is to replace (or just remove) old carpeting. The older a carpet is, the more dust and grime gets knocked into the air when it’s stepped on. Regular vacuuming and cleaning can reduce the amount of dust, but it will still accumulate over time. 

Dust also tends to collect in furniture. Reduce this by using dust covers on your couches and upholstered chairs. The covers are easy to remove and clean when needed, and they prevent allergens from embedding themselves into your surfaces. Also consider enlisting the help of professionals to clean your furniture. Check online for upholstery cleaning specials to fit within your budget, and call a handful of local, experienced companies that will come equipped with industrial-grade equipment and cleaning products to do the job right for a deep clean.

Mental Health Renovations 

Finally, the following renovations can go a long way toward improving mental health. One of the best tools for ensuring mood stability is to ensure you’re living in a space with plenty of natural light. Use blinds and curtains that let in as much light as possible, and consider decorating with mirrors. Reflective surfaces keep light bouncing through a space and can significantly increase brightness in a room. 

It’s also wise to create a calming, quiet space in your home. This can be a library or a meditation room. It can even be a garden or other outdoor space. What matters most is that it’s a peaceful place where you can rest your mind for a little while. Our minds spend so much time working through stress and to-do lists: This can be your refuge. 

Your environment might feel like background noise in your life, but it has a real impact on your health. These measures can go a long way toward improving your well-being and making your house a more inviting place for all! 

Photo Credit: Unsplash

5 Favorite Home Design Hacks on a Budget

Leading interior design professionals offer up some of their favorite affordable ideas for sprucing up a home this summer. Courtesy of the Ann Arbor Board of Realtors

You may not have the budget for floor-to-ceiling renovations but that doesn’t mean you can’t still make a big difference to a home’s appearance. Interior designers from across the country respond to the question: What is your favorite summer design hack on a dime? Here’s what they said.

Refresh the Color

Blue Bathroom Vanity
Photo credit: Laurey Glenn

“What works for summer—and all year round, really—is making a statement with color. A fresh coat of paint on the wall or repainting your furniture and adding new hardware offers a renewed look to any room. Don’t be afraid to try cool, summery colors; they create a tranquil mood to the space.” —Mel Bean, Mel Bean Interiors, Tulsa, Okla.

Dark Kitchen Cabinets
Photo credit: Kacey Gilpin

Move Around Accessories

Dresser & Mirror
Photo credit: Molly Culver

“Sometimes the best furniture and fixtures are right under your nose – in your own home. Rearranging your furniture can give the illusion of a new home; all it takes is some creativity. Move your entryway chandelier to your bathroom. Rearrange artwork. Use a living room side table for seating at your vanity. The possibilities are endless.” —Mary Patton, Mary Patton Design, Houston

Bath With Wallpaper and Chandelier
Photo credit: Molly Culver

Add Some Finishing Touches

Plant and Accessories on Coffee Table
Photo credit: Patrick Cline

“Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. Create intrigue and give richness to a room with bright throw blankets or pillows and add eye-catching lighting fixtures. For summer, I also like to add gold picture frames and mirrors to accentuate white or neutral walls.” —Marlaina Teich, New York-based Marlaina Teich Designs

Accessories on Table and Mirror
Photo credit: Patrick Cline

Try Wallpaper Accents

Vanity and Bathroom Wallpaper
Photo credit: Haylei Smith

“I’m currently loving all of the options for removable wallpaper which can make any room—big or small—look freshly renovated and without breaking the bank. For summer, consider creating an accent wall or wallpapering a powder room in shades of blue reminiscent of clear skies and beach days.” —Lance Thomas, Louisiana-based Thomas Guy Interiors

Highlight the Windows

Light Blue Furniture and Blinds
Photo courtesy Stoneside Blinds & Shades

“For the summer, consider clean, modern cellular shades that not only look great in any space, but also offer amazing interior climate control while helping to reduce energy costs. For this time of year, I’m loving crisp white and seaglass shade colors.” —James Brewer, design consultant with Stoneside Blinds & Shades

Original article can be found HERE

The Tricks That Will Save You Money On Home Repairs

To DIY or not to DIY? Here’s how to decide

I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with DIY projects. I know that there are plenty of things you can do yourself, but for some tasks–like plumbing or electrical work–you should hire someone who has the right credentials and experience to get it done correctly. The issue is when you don’t have either one on hand!  Even if your local hardware store stocks lots of different types of supplies, they may not be experts in certain areas like home wiring or AC repairs. It’s best to call up a professional before starting any project around household infrastructure so no matter how long those power outages last this winter (or spring), we’ll feel confident at least our homes won’t go dark too!

Replacing Hardware — Do It Yourself

You can add a fresh, new look to your home with just one trip to the hardware store. Replacing doorknobs and cabinet pulls is easy for anyone who knows how; you even have options like sparkly gold! Have fun browsing through tons of styles at stores near you today.

Replacing Roof Shingles — Hire a Professional

Unless you are a professional roofer and don’t have fear of heights, it’s better to leave this job for the professionals. They can fix your roof in significantly less time than if they were done by an inexperienced person like yourself -and still save from risk injury that could happen when working on high roofs!

 

Installing Ceiling Fans or Light Fixtures — It Depends

Aside from the wiring, you will need to buy a new ceiling fan or light for your living room. To install it yourself and make sure that everything works properly, just follow these simple steps:

1) Turn off power to circuit breaker before removing old fixture 

2) Unscrew electrical box in place of original fixture; use insulated wire cutters on wires inside

3) Connect white wire with black one/blue with brown (you can’t go wrong); twist together tightly like lacing up shoe lace

4 ) Replace cover plate over wires

5). Attach mounting bracket 6. Hang unit

However, if you want to add a ceiling fan or overhead light to a room that doesn’t have wiring already in place, you will need to hire an electrician. They will check to see if your home has sufficient amperage (and rewire the room if necessary), cut and patch drywall to install the fixture, and add a light switch.

Installing Major Appliances — Hire a Professional

When you’re buying a new appliance, it’s important to make sure that the size and function of your current appliances are compatible with what you want. For example, if one person will be cooking much more than another in your household but they don’t have access to an oven then adding a stove may not be practical. Sometimes people find themselves using their dishwasher as storage space because there is no other place for dishes or pots and pans in their kitchen so installing shelving could help maximize efficiency while also reducing clutter from overflowing cupboards. This list goes on and could mean the difference between living comfortably without being cramped versus feeling like things just never get clean!

A professional installation service can ensure that everything works properly before completing any work which saves time

Adding a Backsplash — Do It Yourself

Adding wall tile to your kitchen or bathroom is a project that anyone can do. All you need are the supplies from home improvement stores including mortar, cutters for tiles, and of course the choice in design! Make sure to prepare all materials before starting so there’s no waiting time after installation.

It may seem like an intimidating task at first glance but adding more decoration by layering on some beautiful designs onto your walls with tiles will be easy as pie when it comes down to laying them out and letting everything dry

Adding Granite or Quartz Countertops — Hire a Professional

Upgrading your countertops is an exciting and worthwhile process. It can be a little intimidating at first, but once you know what to do it should come with ease! If the weight of these materials concerns you because your cabinets cannot support them, hire professionals who have experience in this area so that they are able to cut the material precisely for installation without any problems occurring during or after installation.

Upgrading your kitchen counters can involve some meticulous work on behalf of both installer and homeowner alike; however don’t let that reduce its appeal as there are many benefits associated with upgrading from laminate/solid surface counters (especially if old). The most important thing to consider when purchasing new granite or quartz slabs is ensuring adequate storage space – where

Need Recommended Service Providers?

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, we can connect you with trusted contractors, electricians, plumbers, and other professionals who can save you time and money on your home improvements. Contact us and we’ll be happy to provide recommendations!