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How To Make the Most of Your Home’s Outdoor Space

Enjoying the fresh air and sunshine or a gentle breeze is a great way to boost mood and improve mental and physical wellbeing. Outdoor spaces are essential to health and wellness, and they improve everyone’s life. While public parks and hikes in nature are a great way to enjoy the outdoors, it’s important that you also have an outdoor space at home that provides the benefits of enjoying regular outdoor time. Here are some ways to make the best of your home’s outdoor space.

Add Landscaping

One of the best ways to make the most of any outdoor space is to add professional landscaping. A professional landscaper can enhance any outdoor space with carefully selected trees and other appealing plants to beautify the area. Try to find a knowledgeable lawn care company Saint Augustine FL so that you can have the perfect green space from the flowers to the lawn.

Add an Aesthetically Designed Patio

The lawn is important, but the patio is another place you will spend much of your outdoor time. Make sure it is beautifully designed and furnished. Start with an attractive brick, tile or stone paving. Then add a comfortable set of patio furniture. Make sure to have a table and a large umbrella for days that are a little too sunny. A fire pit, spa or even a pool are also great additions to a nice patio.

Add a Privacy Fence

An inviting outdoor space is not of much use if you are under observation whenever you try to use it. Privacy is something everyone wants at home, indoors or out. To add that final touch to your outdoor space, make it private by adding a privacy fence so your nosy neighbors are obliged to mind their own business.

Now that you have put together the perfect outdoor space, you are ready to sit back and enjoy all that breezy sunshine and take advantage of all the benefits spending time outdoors provides.…

Ways To Financially Support Your Family After Your Death

Thinking about your death isn’t the most comfortable thing you’ll ever do. However, you don’t want to put off having hard conversations and then have something happen to you, and your family is left in a tricky spot financially. Here are some ways you can support your family after you’ve passed away.

Prepare a Will

If you pass away without a will, then your estate goes into probate. That means that a judge will decide how your assets are divided amongst your loved ones. Probate can be a long and expensive process, and you don’t want your family to go through that.

Before you start your will, make a list of your assets and decide how you want them distributed. If you have a simple estate without a ton of money, you can likely do the will online by yourself. However, if you have a large estate, you’ll want to hire a lawyer to ensure that everything is done correctly.

Purchase Life Insurance

Life insurance is one of the most overlooked things when it comes to people preparing for their death. However, it is one of the most helpful to the family. Life insurance Newark DE usually helps cover burial costs and can be the financial lifeline your family needs to get their feet back under them after you pass away.

When deciding what amount of life insurance to purchase, consider family members who are dependent on your income. If you have a spouse, young children, or a disabled family member, you want to ensure that their needs are still met after you’ve died.

Get Out of Debt

The last thing you want your family to worry about after you have died is excessive debt and calls from creditors. That is why it is so important to actively work on getting your family out of debt. Then, the money you leave your family will go to more important things and not credit card bills.…

Tips on Having A Successful Home Improvement Project

Home Improvement Project

Are you looking forward to finally taking on that home improvement project you’ve been planning for so long? Before you jump right into it, however, here are a few tips and reminders you can use to help you complete your home improvement project successfully.

Have a Plan

Home improvement projects not only take time, but also a lot of cost and labor. Because these improvements directly impact your home’s functionality and aesthetic, you should put a lot of thought and care into it.

Hire Professional Help

If this is your first home improvement venture, it’s understandable that you may feel lost and unsure. That’s why it’s highly recommended that you seek help from the pros, such as those from White Aluminum The Villages.

With their expert knowledge, culled over years of training and hands-on experience, you can rest assured that your envisioned design will be brought to life.

Improve for Aesthetic and Value

Needless to say, you want to improve the appearance of your home. That’s why you’re doing this home improvement project in the first place. However, it would be good to also consider adding certain improvements that could also add value to your property.

You don’t need to force having a pool in your backyard, especially if there’s not enough space (or budget) anyway. Improvements that could improve your property’s value may include putting up updated security systems for the entire property. It could also refer to a major overhaul of the kitchen or bathroom.

Set A Timeline

You wouldn’t want to be one of those property owners who just can’t seem to finish their home improvement. Set a timeline, with a clear deadline in sight, so you and your team can work closely together to ensure this goal is achieved through efficient project management.…

Checklist For Mobility Impaired Holiday Or Property Rentals

When it comes to someone seeking out the right holiday or property rental for them, it’s the small, thoughtful details that make a place truly stand out. Equally so, overlooking larger details can be a total dealbreaker, causing your property to take a serious backseat amongst the competition. 

One way of avoiding this is by placing yourself in the shoes of your future guests or tenants. Be sure to consider every single potential guest, and not only those who immediately come to mind. Naturally, if done correctly, this should offer an all-inclusive stay without alienating anyone.

  1. Floor layout plan

A well-planned floor layout is essential when it comes to the mobility and accessibility of a space. Those with wheelchairs, for example, find it much easier to move around from space to space freely without having to get through multiple doors or entrances. To accommodate this freedom of mobility, consider open-plan layouts over closed layouts where possible, like joining the kitchen and the living-room. 

Not only will an open plan layout add to the mobility and accessibility of your property, but it could also bring in more light, make spaces appear much larger than they actually are, and give guests more of an opportunity to spend more time together – a bonus for everyone. For the living room and kitchen, don’t forget to leave enough room to move comfortably between seating and counters. 

  1. Door knobs, entrances and hallways

For the parts of your property that do have doors, you might want to ditch the doorknobs and opt for door handles or levers instead. This goes for tap handles too, so keep this in mind when looking at areas like your kitchen and bathroom. You might have guests who are injured, suffering from joint pain or simply can’t use their hands to grip onto a doorknob. Not only can door knobs be slippery, but they also prevent anyone from using their elbows or bodyweight to open the door should they need to. 

Be sure to leave enough space for guests to get in and out of entrances and hallways comfortably. Create a clear pathway between them by removing unnecessary objects which may act as obstacles along the way. This includes carpets or floors which are slippery, rough or difficult to cross. 

  1. Floors, shelves and counters

Certain floor choices may look great, but they need to be practical too. For example, you might choose tiles because they look good or are easier to clean, but they might be a hazard for children or the elderly. Some surfaces might cause a fall if they are too slippery. At the same time, overly rough surfaces can make it difficult to move around freely on a wheelchair, so it helps to keep both extremes in mind and meet safely somewhere in the middle. 

When it comes to surfaces like shelves and counters, be sure to create a space that is easily accessible for people of all ages and heights. You might even want to make certain surfaces adjustable, especially workstations like kitchen counters or desks. 

  1. Lighting 

Light switches should be in a sensible location and at arm’s reach from both a seated and standing position. There is nothing worse than having to cross a dark room riddled with obstacles because you can’t find or reach a switch. With this in mind, you might even want to add two-way switches to your property, with one switch on each end of the room. This makes them more accessible from both ends of a room, particularly useful if you’d like to switch off the lights from the bed or sofa without getting up. 

  1. Stairs, ramps and lifts. 

Stairs can make it impossible for some people to get from one floor to another. For example, those who are disabled, elderly, injured or suffering from leg pain – just to name a few. They can also be hugely tiresome, especially in larger homes. If you do have stairs, be sure to make them more safe, secure and accessible by adding hand railings on one or both sides.

One way of getting around stairs entirely is by adding lifts to your property. This way, you can assure quick and easy access to all floors for everyone in the household. As with any entrance, remember to choose a spacious option to make entering and exiting the lift possible. 

If there’s no space for a traditional home lift, then you might want to consider a two-in-one stairlift. These don’t take up any additional space and provide independent, safe and secure transport for those using it. 

And finally, when dealing with fewer stairs, opt for ramps over stairs. Ramps can be a great way to make lower or higher grounds more accessible, especially for those on wheels.

Tips for Remodeling Your First Home

Home

Purchasing your first home is a very exciting time in life. Remodeling that house can be just as exciting. However, it can also be extremely overwhelming and stressful. Try the following tips to breeze through your first home remodel.

Do Some Research

Before deciding which projects to take on, get some estimates from home remodeling contractors St Louis MO. It may be wise to ascertain quotes while in the negotiation portion of the home buying process so you know what your desired renovations will cost. Ensure you have a home inspection to reveal any costly repairs such as electrical or foundation issues that could run up expenses considerably. If those types of issues are discovered, negotiate to have the seller cover as much of those costs as possible.

Be Realistic About Budget

Understand that some renovations might need to wait until the home is safe and healthy for you and your family to live in. If you have a strict budget, it may be necessary to have a new heater installed which could push back a master bath remodel. Breathe deeply when unexpected issues arise and remember that this is a part of normal life and you can remain flexible. Then, fix what is most important and hold off on those desired renovations until the necessary upgrades are made.

Understand the Timeline

Before closing on your home you will likely need to wait about six weeks from the time you submit an offer to the time you actually close on the house. Once you’ve got the keys, if you are planning significant renovations, it may be several more weeks or months before you can move into the home.

First-time homebuyers are typically giddy about this major life milestone. Come down from the clouds for a few minutes to do some research, be realistic about your budget and understand the timeline.…

Some Basic Steps In Buying Real Estate

Have you recently found a property that you may consider purchasing? If so, there is a lot that you need to know about the real estate market and purchasing property, in order to avoid losing out in the deal. Here are just a few tips that you must know before you buy property in today’s market.

To protect your interests when buying real estate, don’t use the seller’s agent. You might think calling the agent’s number on the “for sale” sign would be the easiest thing to do, but that agent works for the seller, and must put the seller’s needs first. To protect yourself, hire a buyer’s agent.

When purchasing a property in a rural area, find out what your options are for internet connectivity. You may find yourself in an area unserved by DSL, or your property might be too far from the street for standard cable installation. Very rural areas might be served only by dial-up or satellite broadband.

Keep track of what you have done to get into a new home. Set a budget, log your tour dates, the prices and sizes of the homes that you have looked at and you will find that it is easier for you to find a home that is exactly what you are looking for.

If you are buying a home to rent out, consider it’s location and potential renters when making renovation decisions. A low income house will not benefit from the expense of granite counters for example. Although a renter will be excited they are are there, they won’t be able to pay a premium for the property simply because you put them in.

Today’s market is not a friendly place, despite how many people refer to it as a “buyer’s” market. This is why you need information like what you’ve just read, in order to better position yourself. Study and apply these real estate-buying tips, when you want to make an informed deal.…

Advice For Buying A Home Without Breaking The Bank

Buying a home is one of the largest investments you’ll make in your life, as well as one of the most exciting. However, that excitement can quickly turn to sorrow if you end up with a house that appeared to be a steal but was actually a rip-off. The information in the following article provides you with a wealth of valuable information to help you buy a house that you’ll be proud to call home.

Before buying a property, make sure you walk through the home a few times. This will help you to really get a feel for it. Nowadays, due to the internet and ‘virtual tours’, people are tempted to make an offer, simply by what they see on a realtor’s website. This is a big mistake, as you only get to see the positive aspects of the home.

Use the tools that are on the internet to your advantage. Find a foreclosed home that is perfect for you and learn how to go about buying that home. There is a great deal of information on the web that will help you to get a great deal on a new home for your family.

Finding the right agent to work with, will save you a lot of time and effort, when buying a new home. A great sign of a wonderful agent, is when the agent takes the time to listen to you and understands what you need. This life-changing decision should not be made without the help of a professional.

Knowledge is the key to avoiding the pitfalls of buying a house and to finding a dream home that won’t turn into a nightmare. From applying for a loan to preparing for the closing, the information in this article is full of helpful tips and advice to take you smoothly through the oftentimes rocky home-buying process.…

Real Estate Strategies That Sell Your Home

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.

If you are selling your residence in the fall, use the colors of the season to decorate your house and help you make a sale. Items like pumpkins or mums are nice accents to place in front of your home; they draw potential buyers into your residence and help make a good first impression.

Performing a few basic tasks in your kitchen will help you to sell your home. Try painting the walls and replacing the hardware on the cabinets. For rooms that need a little more work, you can change out the appliances and replace the sink. This will give your kitchen a fresh appearance and leave buyers with a favorable impression of your residence, since the kitchen is one of the biggest selling points of a home. In some cases, renovations done to a kitchen can give you a 500% return on your investment.

Improving your home’s curb appeal will help you to sell your residence faster. Your lawn is one of the first things a buyer sees as they pull up to your house, and it is one of the last things they see as they leave. Your yard can make a huge impression on the buyer’s overall feeling about the house. Repair your driveway and tidy your yard to make a good impression.

To quickly sell your home, make sure your house has curb appeal. Planting flowers and grooming the landscaping will help. If you can’t paint the entire house, paint the trim and the front door. Usually, these areas wear sooner than the siding, and this quick project can really give your home a welcome facelift.

When determining the selling price of your home, you need to determine your motivation for selling the home and how urgent it is that you sell. A more urgent need to sell, such as an older adult who needs the funds to pay for long-term health care or an immediate job transfer, means that you will need to be a bit more flexible on price.

Real estate agents should create single property websites for all of their listings. A single property website has a unique URL such as www.1MapleDrive.com. The site would contain the home information, photos, virtual tour and any other desired information. The custom URL makes the website easy to remember and it advertises that listing only and keeps the buyer’s focus on it.

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!…