• How to Sell a House As-Is When it Needs Repairs

    Pexels-scott-webb-1029599

    Selling a home when it needs repairs and renovations can be challenging. You have to adjust your price expectations to take into account expenses the buyer will incur after buying the house, or budget to make those renovations before you sell. However, there is a way to sell your house without going through all the repairs yourself; it just takes research and strategy. This blog post will explore how you can still profit while selling an older home that requires work. Keep reading to learn more!

    Give All Details About Repairs Needed

    The first step is to be upfront and honest about the condition of your home. It is essential to provide potential buyers with an accurate picture of what needs to be done, so they can come in knowing exactly what they’re buying. Have a licensed contractor or home inspector inspect the house and create an extensive list of all repairs that need to be done.

    This list can be used when discussing the purchase price and will let buyers know what they’re getting into before they make an offer. You can get rid of clutter and create a more inviting atmosphere, but details about repairs will help buyers to understand what they need to do once the sale is complete.

    Price Accordingly

    You may get a partial market value when you sell a home in as-is condition. That’s why it is crucial to price your home accordingly. Consider the cost of repairs, any improvements you have already made, and how much comparable homes in the area are selling for.

    You should also be aware that buyers might use this list as part of their negotiation strategy, so be prepared to go back and forth.

    Sell to Companies that Buy Houses for Cash

    If you’re looking for a fast sale, selling your home to a company that buys houses for cash can be an excellent option. These companies can offer a fair price without needing costly renovations. You can escape the situation quickly and save money on home rehab expenses. Also, because they offer cash on the spot, you don’t have to wait months for the sale to go through.

    Offer Incentives for Buyers

    Another way to sweeten the pot is by offering incentives to potential buyers willing to take on the repairs themselves. These can include offering lower closing costs or paying a portion of the repair costs upfront. You could also offer an extended escrow period, giving buyers more time to come up with the necessary money for the repairs.

    Prioritize Minor Repairs

    Even if you’re selling as-is, it can still be beneficial for you to make minor repairs that don’t cost much money but can help make the home more appealing to potential buyers. Things like painting the walls or replacing broken light fixtures can go a long way in making your house look great and showing buyers that you care about its condition.

    The goal is to make the house as presentable as possible so buyers can make an informed decision. Carefully go over every detail to ensure it is up to par, and consider getting a professional opinion if you need more clarification.

    Selling a home in as-is condition can be done with the right strategy. Remember to be upfront about necessary repairs and price your home according to its current condition. The key is ensuring potential buyers understand what they’re getting into before committing. With research, patience, and effort, you can get the most out of your home, even in its current condition.

    partnered post • image by Scott Webb & Pexels

  • 4 Home Improvement Ideas to Enhance Your Home’s Aesthetics

    Pexels-photo-5799093

    Home improvement and renovations are a fabulous way to add value to your property’s structural and cosmetic appeal. By improving your property’s structure, you are enhancing the aesthetics of your home, street, and neighborhood. After all, well-maintained and enchanting neighborhoods are created by devoted homeowners who prioritize property upkeep. 

    Real estate is subject to deterioration and depreciation, and both these factors reduce the overall market value of your home. But you can maintain and increase market value with strategic and cosmetic enhancements that upgrade the utility and aesthetics of your property. For instance, constructing a basement or a swimming pool works wonders, or you can boost market value with a well-maintained lawn. 

    Keep reading to explore some incredible home improvement ideas to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property. 

    1. Mission: Decluttering Everything 

    Your primary mission, should you choose to accept it, is to declutter every item that you no longer use or find useful. In the words of the wise Mary Kondo, declutter everything that doesn’t spark joy in your heart. All households carry the clutter of hideous heirlooms, inherited sentimental belongings, broken appliances, discarded furniture, and unwanted clothing. 

    Decluttering these items will create space to organize your home, bring in new furniture and fixtures, and repurpose rooms. Is your attic currently functioning as a storeroom for old furniture, appliances, and unwanted belongings? Consider looking into a nearby storage facility to repurpose the attic into a home office or a fitness studio. 

    The internet can help you in this endeavor! Suppose you live in Corpus Christi, Texas, and are looking for a temperature-controlled storage unit to store artwork and wooden furniture. In that case, use the search query ‘storage units Corpus Christi’ to find the most relevant results. The keywords matter while searching for reliable and high-ranking businesses on Google. 

    It’s wise to explore credentials and sift through customer reviews to understand the experiences of other Corpus Christi residents. Once you’ve exhausted all means of online research, you can head over to the facility and inspect security protocols. Renting a nearby storage unit is more practical and efficient than converting precious residential square footage into storage space. 

    You can also hold a yard sale by rounding up all the belongings you no longer wish to keep. Think about selling that old refrigerator, your preschooler’s old toys and furniture, and unwanted clothing items. You can put the money you raise towards repainting the walls or installing a deck.

    2. Transform the Floor Plan 

    Do you want to undertake a major renovation that transforms your home’s floor plan and cosmetic outlook? If yes, consider changing the floor plan to create new living spaces or alter the existing rooms. There are several ways to modify the floor plan, but it involves significant dismantling and hiring a licensed contractor. 

    You can transform the floor plan by merging two living spaces to create a more spacious and airier room. For instance, you can join the living room and the dining space into a larger room to eat and lounge. Merging two rooms will improve heating and cooling efficiency and give your home an open and inviting aesthetic outlook. 

    Suppose you want to add more space to your kitchen with a large walk-in pantry and breakfast nook. In that case, you can alter the kitchen floor plan and create two more sections. However, you will have to sacrifice indoor or outdoor space to achieve this. Many homeowners prefer open kitchen floor plans with walk-in pantries, breakfast stations, and small herb gardens. 

    Here’s another fabulous idea: transform the attic floor plan to create a home office and a study area for the kids. There are millions of ideas you can explore to add value and living spaces to your property. Connect with your inner architecture and focus on creating spaces that elevate your life quality.

    3. Construct a Basement 

    Constructing a basement can work wonders at boosting market value and enhancing your property’s structural and functional appeal. Even if you don’t want to sell, a basement will give you more rooms and living spaces to improve life quality. 

    For instance, the basement can function as an office for your home-based startup. Or you can use it to open a yoga studio and hold sessions in a noise-free and ambient environment. A basement will allow you to cash in on the rental potential of your property by listing it on Airbnb. 

    The basement can also house an extensive home entertainment system, a gaming room, and a mantuary for entertaining guests. Possibilities are endless, but constructing a basement involves hiring a construction team and undertaking a home renovations loan.

    4. Repaint the Walls 

    Behold the easiest and most affordable home improvement idea to enhance the aesthetic appeal: repaint the walls! It’s natural for the walls to become dusty and unappealing with time, especially the exterior walls that absorb debris. Repainting the walls is the perfect idea to recreate the color palette of your exterior and interior spaces. 

    This idea encourages you to channel your inner Picasso and experiment with the colors you’d like to see in your environment. We recommend extensive research to find colors that align with your home’s architectural appeal and the neighborhood. You can also examine the Pantone colors of the year and architectural color trends to find the trendiest combinations.

    Don’t hold yourself back from experimenting and trying out colors that you adore.

    Final Thoughts 

    Aesthetics and cosmetic appeal matter significantly. But not more than the utility and functionality of your house. We advise prioritizing home improvement ideas that enhance your property’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. For instance, transforming the kitchen floor plan will make it more functional, storage-efficient, spacious, and lively. 

    It’s wise to plan your budget before you start exploring ideas. You can look into home improvement loan products to finance extensive renovations that will elevate your life quality.

    partnered post • client image from Pexels

  • Find the Reason for Window Replacement

    Dogwindow

    Living in an old home means that it asks for maintenance or repair after every couple of years. Here at Total Home Windows and Doors, owners are rest assured that new windows maximize comfort and allow inhabitants to live a healthy and relaxing life. Sometimes, windows need replacement because they are not in a condition to work any longer and repairing would be just a waste of money as well as efforts. What people usually do not realize is the fact that window replacement is a significant investment and so, they have to invest some time and do research before making a decision.

    Homes are usually the place where people have gathered a lot of memories and captured some lifelong moments that spread happiness whenever they are remembered. Since the living space is responsible to keep everyone together and united, why not give it some attention? Why is it always ignored? Just keep in mind that it is responsible to keep everyone in comfort and ease.

    Considering its performance and function, homeowners usually encounter a lot of problems apart from damaged windows. They may have to deal with rising energy bills, decreased insulation, warping, rotting etc. The thing to keep in mind is that window replacement is usually the most appropriate option because it resolves all types of problems and leave owner with satisfaction that things would work in the way they want. Frankly speaking, nothing would work properly if windows are not in good condition. Would be wondering why? Well, it’s because of the fact that windows are the primary components in home’s overall efficiency and doors, even, depend upon how they work. It is, therefore, necessary that homeowners keep track of the symptoms in the existing windows. Let’s know some of them:

    • Condensation: Condensation is usually formed between the window panes that cause damages in the seals, thus causing heat/energy loss. This problem usually leads to rising consumption expenses that can only be solved with superior insulation.
    • Hard to Operate: As the components get older, it’s quite hard to open or close them. Since there is a lot of friction due to humid climate and swelled windows, Total Home suggests to go for window replacement right away.
    • Draftiness: Air usually finds its way into the home and disturbs internal temperature. During winter, damp and cold air causes discomfort and influence inhabitants to keep on changing thermostat’s setting to create an ideal environment. The reason behind is that the components have broken/damaged seals that need to be replaced right away.

    After finding out the reason of window replacement, the only thing is to come up with the best possible alternative and hiring a professional installer who has professional skills as well as equipment to handle any kind of project. If needed, Total Home is available 24/7 for assistance. Homeowners just have to approach them and ask for help.

    partnered post • cc-licensed image by Reclaimed Home

  • Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them

    22308911526_01e6c69079_k

    You depend on your plumbing each and every day, from the hot water in your shower to the water boiling on your stove. As such, it’s important to maintain your plumbing regularly to make sure there aren’t any major issues such as leaks or sewage backups. But plumbing problems can still occur with regular maintenance, so it’s good to be aware of common plumbing issues and what you can do to solve them or minimize damage to your home.

    Low Water Pressure

    Proper water pressure is necessary for washing your hands, cleaning dishes, and taking a shower. If you’ve noticed a significant drop in your home’s water pressure, you probably have a clogged pipe. It’s also possible that you need to fully open your shutoff valve. If you’re only having water pressure issues with one faucet, the solution may be as simple as cleaning the aerator or removing a nearby clog.

    Dripping Faucet

    Depending on the severity of the drip, a dripping faucet can raise your water bill and waste a significant amount of water—not to mention how annoying it can be. Luckily, fixing a dripping faucet is usually as simple as replacing seats and springs or a washer in the faucet.

    Running Toilet

    It happens so frequently: minutes after flushing your toilet, you can still hear the toilet running as if the bowl is filling with water. This is an incredibly annoying problem to have, but usually, an easy one to fix. Remove the lid from your toilet tank and make sure that your tankball, flapper valve, and flush valve are working properly—if any of them are sticking or not functioning right, they’re easy to replace.

    Clogged Drain

    Clogged or slow drains are probably the most common plumbing problem. Plumbing pipes are designed to allow water and waste to flow through freely, but over time, built up hair, soap scum and other debris can form a clog in your drain that prevents water from passing. This is almost sure to happen in any home given enough time. You can use vinegar and baking soda to break up clogs in your sink, or you can buy a drain auger and remove the clog manually.

    Sometimes the clog may be deeper in your pipes or too severe to easily remove, look into professional plumbing services; they have the equipment and expertise to clear clogged drains without causing damage to your plumbing.

    Leaking Pipes

    Leaks aren’t just an annoyance, they can significantly increase your water bill and quickly cause damage to your home. If you have a leaking pipe that’s beyond a slow drip, shut your water off as soon as possible. If there is any chance of mold or structural damage to your home, call an emergency water cleanup company to avoid spending a fortune on repairs. Leaking pipes generally need to be replaced, but you can use marine tape or epoxy to cover small leaks temporarily—just remember to shut the water off first.

    No Hot Water

    Have you ever rolled out of bed and into the shower only to find there’s no hot water? It’s not a good experience. Chances are you’ve got something wrong with your water heater, most probably an electrical problem such as a thermostat or element. If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting your water heater, it’s a good idea to get help from a trained, knowledgeable professional.

    The most reliable plumbers in Chichester are hard to find, follow the link provided and these guys will provide you with an excellent plumbing service.

    Plumbing truly is an essential part of our everyday lives. We can’t all be professional plumbers, but with a little bit of research and hard work, you can stay cool, calm and collected in the face of a plumbing emergency.

    partnered post • cc-licensed image by sac bbb

  • How to Install a DIY Cat Obstacle Course

    4211769373_0017718b03_oNote: this is a partnered post and consideration was received for its publication. CC-licensed image by Sean Naber.

    Cats are wonderful pets, but when they’re feeling playful, they can turn into little destruction machines. Claw marks, bite marks, and items knocked over all happen when you have a feline companion. Try creating an obstacle course especially for your cat, so that your feline friend has somewhere to play without ruining your home.

    Create a Climbing Wall

    Install wall shelves in a stair-step pattern to make a simple wall obstacle course for your cat. Choose shelves that are wide enough for your cat to sit on. If you want, you can connect some of the shelves with hammocks to allow your cat to go up and down more easily.

    Attach a few toys to the shelves so that your cat has something to do. Scratch pads and posts are essential, too, especially if your home is new and you don’t want your cat clawing your furniture or walls.

    Add Ceiling Access

    The DIY Helpers blog features a post about adding walkways across the walls and ceiling for your cat. Be warned: If your cat likes to pounce, ceiling access is not the best idea. Most cats love to be up high, so putting up a few wooden walkways across the ceiling for the cat will be kitty heaven for your pet. Make sure the walkway has two entrances and exits so that the cat has an easy way up and down.

    Make a Space for Sleeping

    8025158770_96bfe39099_cImage via Flickr by Sensual Shadows Photography

    Cats can be picky about where they sleep. Many pet owners buy plush cat beds only to find their cats sleeping under couches or in baskets of clean laundry instead.

    Try hanging a cat hammock in one corner of the ceiling. Put up your wall shelves to give your cat access, then make this little hammock or cat bed irresistible to your kitty by putting pillows and some of its favorite toys inside the hammock. Attract your cat with a few treats the first time you introduce the hammock to your pet.

    Give Your Cat Safety Outdoors

    For many reasons, pet owners don’t want to let their cats outside. Predators, feral animals, and cars are some of the dangers outdoor cats face. Create a tree house or obstacle course for your cat outside. Using wood and chicken wire, craft some enclosed walkways that your cat can play on outdoors. Give your cat access through a cat door so that it can choose when to go outside. As long as you treat your cat monthly for fleas, heartworms, and other parasites, your cat can safely enjoy the outdoors.

    Remember not to force your kitty to use the obstacle course you’ve set up. Instead, add items you know it likes to the obstacle course. Consider sprinkling a bit of catnip on a few of the shelves or pathways, or leave some treats behind. Cats are naturally curious and they love to climb. It won’t take long for your clever, agile feline to find the joys of its new obstacle course.

  • recent Craftsman kitchen remodels on Flickr

    My constant urging to check Flickr out for design ideas is probably getting pretty old at this point – sorry about that. Here are three attractive working kitchens, wholly or partially documented in photographs on Flickr:

  • DIY Networks’ Wood Works: a mission-style ottoman

    Picture_1
    From the episode abstract:

    Based on the design motifs of the Arts and Crafts style of the 1920s, the Mission-style ottoman in this Wood Works
    project features strong lines, mortise-and-tenon joinery and a natural
    wood finish. Precisely milled wood and subtle details such as the
    beveled through-tenons suggest strength and fine craftsmanship.

  • historic window workshop in Sacramento, CA

    Sacramento’s Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association and the Sacramento Bungalow Heritage Association are fighting a winning battle against cheap, unsightly and – in the long run – inefficient and environmentally damaging vinyl, aluminum and composite windows. Their solution? Fix your old wooden windows before switching over to something that seems like a good deal – but actually isn’t.

    This coming October 6 and 7, they’re offering two workshops on the basic repair, maintenance, weatherization and repair of historic wood windows.

    Volunteer instructors from the community will demonstrate how they worked on their own windows, preserved the character of their historic homes, and saved their pocketbooks!  Historic windows were made to be taken apart and repaired, and with basic guidance, anyone can make their windows work as they originally did – with ease of operation and weather tight – and beautiful!

    We ran a short piece about these workshops and the woman behind them two years ago; again, much thanks to Janice Calpo not only for the heads-up, but more importantly for making Sacramentans aware of the benefits of our old homes’ original windows!

  • Preservation Brief 33: Historic Stained Glass

    I find that all of the National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs are interesting, and several have been especially useful in my own home repair projects; take, for instance, brief #33, which I had reason to consult this past month. It’s a general primer on historic stained glass, written specifically for those of us with stained glass windows or panels in our old homes and the need to either maintain or repair them. Neal Vogel & Rolf Achilles‘ essay on historic stained glass windows is full of extensive information on history, dating, identifying and documenting, composition (even going a bit into chemistry and other materials sciences issues), ways to halt deterioration, tips on photographing stained glass and various repair techniques. If you have stained glass in your home, you need to read this. And, like all the other briefs, it’s full of useful technical information but not written in an overly-technical style; it’s accessible, readable and (as always) interesting.