Contractors

3 Curb Appeal-Boosting Outdoor Upgrades for Your Home

Want to make your home stand out from the rest of the neighborhood, but in a good way? Invest in some outdoor upgrades to give your home a more attractive and welcoming appearance. Follow these three simple tips to take your home’s curb appeal to the next level.

1. Freshen up Your Landscaping

Taking steps to improve your landscaping is a tried and true way to increase your home’s curb appeal. Start by removing all debris from your property, including all tree stumps, weeds and other landscape waste. If you have any sickly or overgrown trees, hire a professional service for tree removal Westport CT. Once you’ve cleared your property from any unsightly debris, you’ll be able to focus on beautifying your outdoor spaces.

2. Update Your Hardscape

Your home’s hardscape consists of all paved areas, including driveways, walkways and patios. If you have any paved areas that are in need of repair, hire a professional service to refinish the paving. Instead of replacing the concrete entirely, which can be costly, concrete polishing can breathe new life into areas of paving, providing a significant curb appeal boost.

3. Upgrade Your Garage Door

Never underestimate how much the appearance of your garage door affects the curb appeal of your home. Updating your garage door, either by replacement or renovation, is a great way to give your exterior a fresh, modern look. Swap out your current door for a solid wood or aluminum option, and upgrade to a door with windows to let in the light. If a new door doesn’t fit with your budget, give your current door a fresh coat of paint and install modern hardware and hinges to give it a contemporary update.

Set your home apart from the neighborhood by making these curb appeal-boosting updates. You might be surprised how a few key fixes can transform your home into a true showstopper!

Top 4 Reasons to Upgrade Your Appliances

A kitchen is often considered the heart of a home. Just as one’s body needs a well-functioning cardiovascular system, your home’s heart can operate more effectively with upgraded appliances Rockville MD. Looking for an excuse to update? Here are the top four reasons to consider:

1. You are Preparing to Sell Your House

You may be asking, “Why would I buy brand new appliances for someone else if I can’t enjoy them, too?” Consider the potential return on investment as your home’s appraisal value may rise because of your fresh and functional new set of appliances. Also, put yourself into the buyer’s shoes, as old and outdated appliances could be considered as a financial burden while new items add value.

2. Your Kitchen Recently Had a Facelift

Are your cabinetry and countertops fresh and new, but your appliances look like they were inspired by That 70s Show? If you are updating your kitchen, update your entire kitchen. Choose modern appliances with a color or material that complements your other kitchen features.

3. You Are an Energy Conserving Champion

Appliances are becoming more energy efficient as years progress, utilizing new technology and modern elements with electricity reduction in mind.

Updating your electric stove to a gas range will also make a positive difference in your energy usage (and your monthly electricity bill!)

4. Your Current Appliances are Functioning Sub-Standard

If you run a wash cycle on your dishwasher only to find your dishes dirtier than their original state, you may want to consider upgrading. Maybe your refrigerator is not keeping your foods cold enough, or your ice machine needs a new part that costs $600; why settle for sub-par sub-temperatures? Consider more innovative options that will make your life easier, your food fresher, and your dishes cleaner.

New appliances are not only functional, but also an eco-friendly and financially sensible choice. There are endless models and style options to meet the needs of your wallet, your layout and most importantly, the heart of your home.…

Living in Stuyvesant

Anywhere you live in New York City is going to offer one-of-a-kind restaurants, sights and experiences. The east side of Manhattan is no exception. Convenient to the Financial District, Madison Square, the East River and points beyond such as Brooklyn and Queens, the east side puts you in the heart of good living.

Green Space

Unless you live alongside Central Park, recreation areas are not necessarily abundant in New York City. That’s why finding a 1 bedroom apartment in east side Manhattan near so many great parks is such a find. Stuyvesant Square is a four-acre tract of land bequeathed to the city in 1836 by a descendant of the last Dutch governor of New York, Peter Stuyvesant. Surrounded by a beautiful cast iron fence and filled with great trees and shrubbery, Stuyvesant Square is a favorite of dog-walkers, families, and busy professionals looking for a shady place to take a lunch break. Also in the area and designated a National Historic Landmark, Union Square Park hosts many festivals and community events throughout the year. This large green space is dog-friendly and has restroom and playground facilities as well as numerous places to grab a snack.

Transportation

Owning a car in the city is often more of a hassle than not, so local public transportation is essential. Seven different subway routes and seven different bus routes stop in or near the Stuyvesant neighborhood. In addition, there are three different Citibike rental stations nearby. The NYC Ferry ride from Stuyvesant Cove to Wall Street is about 10 minutes long. You can even bring your bike on the ferry, adding to your mobility.

Manhattan is an expensive city to live in, so choosing what part of town gives you the most bang for your buck is important. The east side of Manhattan boasts many charms, plenty of parks and a variety of options for getting around the city.

Top 3 Tips for Renovating Your Apartment

If you’ve been feeling lately like your apartment could use some sprucing up, you may have considered doing a home renovation. While this can make a big difference in how your space feels and in your everyday quality of life, it can also seem like a big undertaking at first. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be as stressful as it might seem! There are a few simple tips that can help take the stress out of the renovation process so you can efficiently and effectively make your place feel brand-new. Take a look.

1. Make a Thorough List

Before getting started, it’s a good idea to have a thorough picture of what you want to change. An easy way to compile this list is to walk through your home with a notepad, writing down everything that needs repairing or updating. With a solid game plan in place, the process is instantly simplified!

2. Get Permissions

Of course, before starting any work, you’ll want to make sure you get the proper permissions lined up. Check the terms of your lease and ask your landlord for approval before getting started in order to avoid any fines. You could also discover that there are certain changes your lease already permits you to make! Finally, for bigger projects, you’ll want to check with city guidelines to make sure you’re following all local regulations as well.

3. Find a Renovated Place

Finally, if you’re busy and simply don’t have the time to go through the process of renovation yourself, you could consider renting a place that’s already been renovated. This is a quick and easy way to save yourself time, money and potentially stress! For instance, you could lease renovated apartments in peter cooper village and get straight to enjoying your new home, without all of the hassle.

Renovating an apartment can completely change the look and feel of your home. Try these tips and your home will feel brand-new before you know it.…

Take Charge And Get Your Property Sold – Tips That Work

Making the decision to sell your home can be difficult. Coupled with the unpredictable nature of the real estate market, the process can often be lengthy and arduous for a home owner. By following some of the advice provided in this article, you can sell your home quickly and maximize your overall profit.

To help you generate interest in your home, you should make sure your home and yard look good from the street. It should look well-kept and attractive. This will create interest from potential home buyers. Many buyers assume that neglected yards mean that the interior of the home was ignored as well. You should mow the lawn, fix the fence, plant flowers or whatever else may have been ignored. It will be well worth it.

To sell your home quickly, you should pay attention to its appearance when people come and visit it. Clean up the house thoroughly and paint the walls if necessary. Your goal is to make potential buyers realize what they could do with this house by showing them the comfortable home you have created.

When trying to sell a home, throw in some added incentives to get people’s attention. Who hasn’t noticed those ads that offer free washers and dryers with purchase of a new home? Offering up something special on top of the purchase of the home can be just the sway that you need to seal the deal. Research the current hot commodities, determine what you can afford, and make it part of your closing deal. This will up your chances of closing a good deal.

When you are trying to sell your home, pay attention to the reality of the market. If your home has been on the market for a long time with little interest, chances are your asking price is too high. Remember, what research says your home is worth is meaningless if no buyer will pay that price.

To find the best real estate agent to sell your property ask for a list of all the homes sold in your area for the past year. Look over the list to see if one company or agent does more than any other for your neighborhood. They will already have contacts with potential buyers for the area.

When staging a home to show to a potential buyer, don’t neglect the bathroom. A clean, white shower curtain will make a bathroom feel less grungy and more like the sanitary space it should be. Under no circumstances should you show a home with the old owner’s shower curtain still in place.

Pricing and location are the keys to successfully selling real estate. A great location will attract buyers, even in the worst economy. A great price that reflects the current buying market will ensure that the home sells faster than pricing it too high. Make sure to consult a professional before pricing to be safe.

You can play a large role in determining the amount of time that it takes for your home to sell. Following some of the steps outlined above will increase the marketability of your property and improve your chances of receiving multiple offers on your home. Before you know it, you will be searching for your own dream house!…

Get Your Yard in Tip-Top Shape For Spring

Spring has sprung, and odds are, you are spending (or looking forward to spending, depending on the weather) more time outdoors. Here are 3 easy things you can do to prepare your yard for the warmer months.

Re-seed Bare Patches in Your Lawn

Grass seed is cheap, so grab a bag or two and re-seed any bare patches in your lawn. Just be sure to care for the seed properly once it is spread-you will need to water it very well for the first week or so. It is also important to purchase seed that will thrive in your environment, so read the bag and understand what you are purchasing before you jump in. For example, if you are trying to grow grass in a darker, shaded area, ensure that you choose seed that is intended for that environment.

Tackle Your Weeds

If unsightly weeds are an issue, it is important that you combat them so they do not overtake your yard and cause harm to your grass and plants. Hire weed control services Mansfield, TX to help you do the job quickly and efficiently. A weed control company will be able to eradicate weeds much easier than a DIY project will. Plus, they will likely use solutions that are more environmentally friendly than typical commercial products.

Add Mulch

If you have flower beds or areas around your home that are mulched, now is the time to spruce them up. Last year’s mulch is likely dried up and discolored by now, so add new mulch and give your gardens a fresh new facelift! If you plan on adding new flowers, ensure that you get them planted before you add mulch.

Sprucing your yard up for the warmer months can be easy and even fun! Use these simple tips and your home will be the envy of the neighborhood.…

Take The Frustration Out Of Real Estate: Selling Your Home The Easy Way

Selling real estate is a profitable and lucrative business venture. Anyone can sell real estate, but before doing so, it is important to have proper information about the market and what it takes to be a salesperson. The information in the following article will tell you everything you need to sell real estate.

A seller will be more likely to accept your offer if they have confidence that you will be able to obtain financing on the property. To make sure they have this confidence, you will need to obtain pre-qualification from a lending institution showing up to what dollar amount you are approved to borrow.

In a down market, take the time and try to negotiate your broker’s commission. During buyer’s markets you may have to price your home lower than what you normally could have received for it. Work with your broker and see if they are willing to negotiate the amount of their commission. Do this while you are still deciding on a broker so that you can move on if one is unwilling to budge.

When selling your home, remove things that you would not want to stay in the house. The potential buyer sees the home as being sold as is and will think that certain things will stay with the house. So remove the curtains that match your comforter set or the brand new stainless steel refrigerator, if these items will not be staying with the house.

When selling during the winter months, it is especially important to keep your home bright. Turn on lots of lights during any showing and keep those windows clean. Winter days are shorter, and often dim, and you want to avoid any appearance of a dark, dreary house. Light and bright always equals welcome and engaging.

If you are trying to sell your home in the off-season, it is important to negotiate your agent’s commission. Particularly if your home is already priced well, you may need to cut costs in other areas. Have an up-front discussion with the agent and agree to terms before you list the home.

Make sure you take down all your personal information and get rid of some of the clutter when getting ready to list your home. Just try to keep things as simple as possible. You want people going through your home looking at the actual house and not spending time looking at pictures or various knickknacks you may have out.

Try to eliminate all odors before showing your home. When you smoke in your home, it will smell like cigarettes. Pets can have an oder also, even if you don’t smell it. Potential buyers are looking for a home that smells fresh, not one that had odors that have been masked with different fragances.

As stated before, selling real estate is a profitable business venture. Anyone can sell real estate with the proper information about the market and the requirements to be a salesperson. By using the information in the article above, you can become a real estate salesperson and successfully sell real state…

3 Lighting Tips for Improving Your Home Office

Lighting is an important aspect of any office. The right light levels can influence the ambience of the space, as well as the mood of the person using it. Following these lighting tips for your home office can brighten your outlook.

Assess Natural Light

The first thing you should do before you tackle your home office lighting St Petersburg FL is evaluate how natural light influences the space. Lack of natural light negatively affects your circadian rhythm. If there is a window in the room, the optimal position of your desk is perpendicular to it. A window located behind you can produce a glare and shadows on your computer screen. If you prefer to face a window, install shades to relieve the harshness of the direct sunlight.

Don’t Forget a Desk Lamp

A desk lamp brightens your work surface and minimizes contrast from your screen. Locate the lamp opposite your dominant hand to eliminate shadows as you write. Ideal desk lamps have an adjustable head or arm so you can focus the light exactly where you need it. They are a convenient way to supplement lighting since they can be plugged in directly to an outlet near your desk.

Consider Dimmers for Flexibility

Everyone uses a home office for different reasons. Reading a book requires higher light levels than a task done on the computer. The time of day also impacts how light levels should be modulated. For instance, you do not need bright light fixtures if it is a sunny day and you are seated by the window. Dimmer switches provide this flexibility so you can create the productive work space you need.

Great lighting design prevents eyestrain, boosts energy, and increases productivity for an effective work day. It also plays a big part in one’s perception of a room. Since your home office is a space you may use for several hours per day, it should be a priority to make it as comfortable as possible.…