Features of a House that Homebuyers Focus On

When people pull up to a local open house, they focus on many different features of the house. However, there are some aspects of the structure that a seller should focus on with extra detail before letting their property hit the market. Impressing a home buyer in the margins can skyrocket the sale value and drastically change the outcome of a real estate transaction. Below I’ve listed the features of a house that people tend to focus on when deciding whether or not a house is for them.

1. The yard.

The first part of the lot that home buyers see is the yard. While for many people a yard provides little to no practical value, aesthetic value can add surprising amounts of money to a sale price. If you are selling your home, make sure that the yard is nice. If the landscape needs hedging or you think a professional mow would serve you well, do not hesitate. A first impression where a person loves the yard can add as much as $50,000 to a sale price. It sounds like a lot, but when the scale of a house price is concerned, it’s frosting on the cake.

The reason: Everyone desires a yard. They provide people with an escape while simultaneously improving the exterior of the house. It’s not good to judge a book by its cover, but in real estate, people do.

2. Mirrors.

Whether or not you are leaving certain furniture, make sure that you have nice mirrors in your house when a home buyer is doing a walk through. For one, they make everything look nicer. Secondly, they make rooms look bigger and more elegant. People tend to like houses that appear bigger than the size they are listed at. It’s worth the time to rearrange the mirrors that you have, or even buy a couple new ones, before your house gets listed. A little change in how big the living room looks can make or break a deal.

The reason: Mirrors can make a room look bigger and more elegant.

3. Rugs.

Rugs are a literal stomping ground for people in their house. However, people who are looking at homes tend to focus on them more than you would assume. A rug can really tie a room together, and when well placed, can make a room feel much more comfortable. Take a hard look at both the rugs you have, and where they are placed. Get an outside opinion and see if you can utilize them to a make a room look nicer or more comfortable.

The reason: Rugs not only warm up the surface of the floor, they tie room themes and furniture placement together.

4. Flowers.

People walking through a house will notice flowers. While they don’t matter to the structure of the house, they are very important with regards to home buyer first impression. Stock up your home, particularly the kitchen and entryway, with floral madness. They will help ease your visitor into feeling like they are truly at home and not in a hotel. This extends both inside and outside, as flower pots on the window will outside the kitchen or on the back porch have a similar benefit.

The reason: Flowers naturally make people feel relaxed, particularly when they are trying to picture themselves living somewhere.

5. Lighting.

While it is common to look at lighting fixtures when touring a house, the actual functioning of them during the search is an important feature to consider showcasing. If you have art lighting that you use to highlight really nice art in your house, utilize it when showing your house. Use the lights in your house that make the house looks the most hospitable. A couple walking into a house that has no lights on during a cloudy afternoon will be less than impressed. If you have nice lighting, think hard about how you want to deploy the feature with the hope of convincing someone to buy your house.

The reason: Lighting can make a room feel like an office lunch room or a palace library. The way that lighting is used can completely change the way a house is presented.

Home buyers will focus on the parts of a house that they most value as individuals. While this is true, there are features that are nearly universal in the sense that they garner attention from potential home buyers. As a result, it’s important to flaunt the features of your house that you think are nice, with the hope of making the prospective buyers feel more comfortable with your property. These features include objects that come with the house, and also those that are just in the house currently and make the place look nice. Either way, use your resources to your advantage. It won’t hurt your chances on the closing date.

Guest Post By:

Tim Richmond writes about the mortgage industry, real estate, green building, personal finance and home ownership. He currently writes for the Native American mortgage specialists 1st Tribal Lending.

Features of a House that Homebuyers Focus On

Top 10 Home Improvement Ideas

Moving into a home can open the flood gates of new creations in your mind. You instantly notice things that can get changed and improvements you would like to see. Your home is something to be cherished and taken care of. In this article you will read about the top 10 home improvement ideas, and guess what? They aren’t all trying to break your bank.

1. Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Sometimes the only improvements you want to see are the little things. Energy saving homes are becoming very popular among consumers and changing these little things can make a huge difference. Something as simple as changing a light bulb could be all the home improvement you could be looking for.

2. Home Security

When you think of your home, you think of a warm safe place. If your home does not already have a security system, this could be the time to get one. You don’t always have to rely on the security system though. You can try and place special security locks on the door, gates or fences around the yard, or even install security screens over the windows. If you are not accustomed to the jailhouse feel, try finding the security system you feel will keep your family as safe as possible.  We recommend  Premier Audio Video Designs, based in Westchester, NY.

3. Replacing Plumbing Fixtures

This one might not be a task to take on alone. Waiting too long to replace your plumbing fixtures can call for more money jumping out of your pocket. Call your handyman to take a look and fix all of your plumbing issues before they leak or cause other pricey damages throughout the house.

4. Changing Paint

It is not uncommon to get bored of staring at the same colored walls all the time. Something as simple as changing the colors in your house can make everything feel brand new. Make sure you start with a primer and add multiple coats of the color you have picked.

5. Storage

You can get pretty creative when it comes to storage. If you don’t have the shelf space, think about investing in something to condense everything down. Hang racks on the walls, use baskets instead of drawers, or even use metal crates for a more rustic look. Finding storage can be fun.

6. Roofing

Overtime roofs can become worn down and need to be replaced. You can even replace the roofing with a new material if you choose to go for a different look. Always remember to check the roofing. This is what keeps you dry in the storms.

7. External Walls.

We can always get carried away when it comes to interior improvements that we forget about the exterior. You have to think that these are the walls exposed to all the weather changes. Every once in a while make sure that the outside of your home is staying sturdy.

8. Redoing a Room

Sometimes we want to go for more of a larger scale project. Remodeling can be time consuming and messy, but the after effect can be all you ever dreamed. When remodeling make sure you have the time, money, and ideas ready. Looking for more cabinet space? A brighter window? Make sure you make the best use out of the area you are redoing, especially when a lot of time and money is being put into it.

9. Curtains

Sometimes all you need are a new pair of curtains. Spice up your home with a new texture or color of curtain. Your eyes will thank you.

10. Rugs

Open spaces sometimes need a little extra something to make it feel homey. Look for area rugs that match your color scheme and styles.

Guest Post By:

Selina Gough - Internet Marketing Specialist

 

Top 10 Home Improvement Ideas

Secrets Of Upcycling Success

Upcycling: Breathe new life into decor with a dash of DIY inspiration

If you’ve ever looked around your house and gotten the urge to purge, you might consider pausing and first thinking about how you could transform that old, damaged piece of furniture or outdated light fixture into a fresh-faced showpiece for your home.

Not only are you doing something good for the environment – and likely your pocketbook – by restoring something, you’re embracing your inner creativity. You can make a truly one-of-a-kind decor piece, tailored to your personality and style.

This notion of restoring and reusing items that would otherwise be cast aside to the junkyard or thrift store is called “upcycling,” and it’s a trend that has caught on quickly, especially in home design. With a little inspiration, creativity and the right tools, you can tackle countless decorating projects with things you already have around your home. And the best part? Upcycled pieces make for great conversation starters, often tell a good story and can even be sold for a much higher price than you put into them.

So where do you start? Here are some helpful tips for tackling your own upcycling projects.

Start with a little inspiration

Take a look through magazines, home design blogs and websites to gather inspiration. Look for pieces that catch your eye and have the same structure and “bones” as the items in your home that you’d like to restore.

Shop around without breaking the bank

Decorating your home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Look around your basement, attic, or at yard sales and consignment shops for free or inexpensive items that you might be able to breathe new life into. The old adage “never judge a book by its cover” would apply here. Do your best to look beyond an item’s current condition and let the inspiration you’ve gleaned take over as you see its full potential in a different light. If the piece has some defects, don’t immediately overlook it. Sometimes perfection and personality can be found in the imperfection.

Secrets of upcycling success

The secret to any do-it-yourself project is to plan ahead. Beyond finding the inspiration for a project, gather the supplies and tools you’ll need, read up on step-by-step instructions, dedicate a roomy workspace where everything is at your fingertips, and be sure to carve out time to focus on the project.

But the No. 1 secret of upcycling success is to be patient and not get discouraged. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. It’s OK to make mistakes because sometimes you’ll uncover hidden beauty during the process. The important part is that you find the whole experience of restoring and reusing rewarding.

Secrets Of Upcycling Success

Tips To Prepare For Power Outages

Storms have been packing big punches in recent years. While the debate about the cause might rage on, so do the natural elements that wreak havoc on private homes and public infrastructure. As has been seen in recent years, the aging of the American power grid has resulted in extended power outages – and that increasingly seems that this will be the new norm. However, going without power for long periods of time is non-negotiable for many Americans.

Waiting out a power failure is only an option for so long – and for many people, it’s not an option at all. When power goes out, preparedness goes a long way. As a new season of storms looms on the horizon, consider these tips to keep your household both safe and functional, whatever the weather.

* Generate your own power. A portable generator can provide safety and comfort in both long- and shorter-term power outages. As an alternative energy source, it gives you the option to keep your household running far more smoothly than it would with no power at all. Most will power your refrigerator, fans, space heaters, room air conditioners, lights, TVs and more during an outage, with surprisingly quiet and easy operation.

* Invert for an alternative power source. Inverters are another handy, portable option for added power. They convert power from sources like batteries into AC current, which can be used to power a wide array of necessities, from medical devices to phone chargers and beyond.

* Be charged up. If you plan on using an inverter, be sure to keep batteries charged during stormy seasons. Having battery chargers on hand will help you be prepared to get through the aftermath of a power-disrupting storm.

* Keep your home supplied. A stock of candles, batteries, flashlights, first aid supplies, prescription medicines and other helpful items like duct tape and a digital thermometer will serve you well in a short-term outage, but will also be essential if it lasts longer.

* Remember food and water safety. Because tap water might become unsafe to drink, a stock of bottled water is a critical supply. If power is out for more than two hours, it’s time to start thinking about food safety. Remember that meat, poultry, fish, and eggs need to be refrigerated at or below 40 F, and that frozen food has to be kept at or below 0 F to remain safe to eat, according to the USDA.

When storms strike, it can result in chaos, no matter where you live. By taking steps to prepare ahead of time, you’ll be able to cope with power outages and get life back to normal sooner than you might have expected.

Tips To Prepare For Power Outages

Bathroom Makeover Ideas

Tips for Bathroom Remodeling Projects:

Maybe you bought an older home and you found the bathroom to be somewhat outdated. Maybe your old bathroom hasn’t aged as well as it might have. Regardless of the reason, a beautiful bathroom has a good impact on your self-esteem and on the image of your home. After all, you don’t want guests visiting your bathroom thinking how dingy and bad it looks, right? Here are some useful tips you can incorporate into your bathroom makeover:

• Choose beautiful fixtures that complement your bathroom space. For example, choosing classic variations of sinks and tubs will make your space a lot more interesting. Pedestal sinks are an excellent way of adding timeless beauty.

• Lay down in a bathtub before you buy one. You have to make sure the size allows you to enjoy being in it. Depending on the space you have available, you can either enjoy a regular type or an extra-deep one. Choose a color different than white if that is within what’s available and affordable to avoid the standard bathroom look.

• Choose flooring capable of withstanding traffic. Tiles made of ceramics, stone or marble are durable enough and water-resistant to be a good choice for a bathroom. You can also work with laminated floors as there are many water-resistant variations on the market. Choose whatever colors suit your personal taste.

• Use the opportunity to change your mirror into a more stylish and interesting one. There are many varieties on the market that offer various styles. Pick something that suits your personal taste and change the way everything looks with this simple touch.

• If your wall allows it, try recessing any storage cabinets into it thus allowing the bathroom to become more spacious. Make sure the cabinet has enough depth and that it has a door flush with the wall where you installed it.

• Build a shower area with an open area instead of the traditional curtain if your space allows for it. It will be less confining and it will add a sense of spaciousness. You can also use a ceiling shower-head or one that is mounted high above with a lesser amount of water used so you can keep the area more dry.

• It is important to have proper lighting around the bathroom. You can combine the usual mirror lights with wall sconces or pot lights to reduce the unlit corners. Install dimmers too if you want to have different light levels.

• While you are at it, you should buy a comfortable toilet seat. Choose one that complements your bathroom and has a comfortable seat. If possible choose one that is economic, such as the low flush variety.

• If you have the space, you can use that for a lot more! Maybe a makeup vanity, exercise equipment, a place to relax or anything you like. You are only limited by space and your own imagination! Have fun!

Guest Post By:

Bio: Cindy Davis is a dedicated writer with great flair for home improvement and home remodeling projects. She is currently focused mainly on the household cleaning and organizing field. Find some more of her helpful tips and hints here: http://www.cleanerscarpet.co.uk/cleaners/RM20-cleaning-service-west-thurrock.html

Need help with your bathroom remodeling project?  Give us a call at 914-576-2572 for a free estimate.  We specialize in Bathroom Remodeling! ~Gary B.

Bathroom Makeover Ideas

What To Do (And What Not to Do) if you Find Asbestos in Your Home

Asbestos is a frightening word for a lot of people because we are all too aware of the dangerous consequences to our health that can be caused by asbestos exposure. Yet, many of us may not be aware that asbestos is present in the home and needs to be taken into consideration when doing any DIY or remodeling tasks. Here is the low-down on what to do and what not to do if you find asbestos in your home.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a building material that was used in the construction of homes prior to 1980. It was often used in ceilings, air ducts, insulation, flooring and roofing materials. This naturally occurring mineral fibre was found to cause severe health problems if the spores were inhaled and so it is no longer used in the construction of buildings. The problem is that it isn’t easy to tell whether a material contains asbestos or not so anyone undertaking DIY projects in the home need to proceed with caution.

Dispelling the myths

The fact is many homes contain asbestos in their construction materials. It is easy to become alarmed at the suggestion your home may contain asbestos but there is often confusion and misunderstanding about this widely-feared material.

Provided that the asbestos is left intact and untouched and it remains in a good condition, then it should not do you any harm. It is only when the asbestos is damaged or disturbed that harmful asbestos spores may be inadvertently released and inhaled.

If you are unsure whether your home contains asbestos, then you’ll need to get a trained professional in who can undertake sample analysis for you. Never attempt to try and do this yourself as you may only disturb, damage or release the dangerous asbestos spores.

What if you find asbestos in your home?

Do not touch the asbestos – leave it alone. If you are undertaking any DIY activities in that area proceed with caution to ensure you don’t disturb it. Limit access to the area.

Don’t saw or drill holes into asbestos-containing materials and never dust or sweep debris that may contain asbestos. Don’t walk this material all over the house as you are increasing the proliferation of the spores. Instead, clean any offending areas with a wet mop.

If your flooring contains asbestos, then don’t use a power stripper on it or try to sand it. If you need flooring replaced that contains asbestos, then install new floor covering over it.

What if the asbestos is damaged?

Damaged asbestos requires professional intervention so always leave it to the experts. If you suspect asbestos damage, then get on it right away. It will either need repairing or removing. Repairing usually involves sealing or covering the asbestos. Removal is usually the last option as it’s a complex procedure but may be necessary if you are planning a major remodeling project to your home.

If you are unsure about whether your home has asbestos or whether it may be damaged and likely to cause harm, always consult a professional. It can never hurt to seek professional advice and be sure rather than take the risk of damaging your and your family’s health.

Guest Post By:

Article written by A. Elliott, a writer with an interest in interior design and home improvement, this article was written for Ashbrook Roofing, specialists in roofing supplies.

What To Do (And What Not to Do) if you Find Asbestos in Your Home

The FamCave: Part 2 – Selecting a Space For Your Family’s Entertainment

Finding the perfect room for your FamCave is very important. Here are some things to ask yourself when thinking about which area of your house is most ideal:

Is there enough space?

FamCaves do not require much space. If you can fit a TV in the room, chances are, you have enough space. Things like in-wall and in-ceiling speakers offer more flexibility, since they each take up about as much space as a recessed light fixture. We have worked in rooms as small as about 10’ x 10’ and the results were quite nice.

Is the room functional?

To check if the area you’d like to use will be functional, see if it has the necessary electrical outlets, and design flexibility. You want this room to have the appropriate design feel for your family, so having the ability to add certain design elements is very helpful. The best thing to do is consult with an audio/video installer like me. A good installer will know about which products to use, based on the size of the room, where to place things, and some can even offer ideas for the room layout. You want everything to work and also be a comfortable, enjoyable place for your family to spend time. Being comfortable in the room is an important factor for enjoying it.

Can the room perform its multiple functions?

Like most common rooms, FamCaves need to be able to perform multiple functions for the family. Areas for playing, video gaming, and reading are things to consider while thinking about your FamCaves functionality. The idea is for the entire family to be able to enjoy the room in their own way. It should be able to accommodate various activities.

Guest Post:

Article written by Damon Della Greca, owner of Premier Audio Video Designs, based in Westchester, NY.  Damon has been involved in pro audio since 1991 and in the consumer electronics industry since 1998.

Need help transforming an existing room in your home into a FamCave?  Give us a call or send us an email.  We can help! ~Gary B.

The FamCave: Part 2 – Selecting a Space For Your Family’s Entertainment