Updated on February 28, 2022
How to Increase the Value of Your Home for Less
Are you looking to increase the value of your home but don’t want to break the bank? You’re in luck! There are many ways that you can increase the value of your home without spending a lot of money. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best ways to do just that. So whether you are preparing your home for sale or simply want to get more out of your investment, read on for tips that will help you achieve your goal!
Steps to increasing the value of your home:
Do a deep clean. This means everything from dusting those hard-to-reach areas like ceiling fans, baseboards and windowsills – even if they don’t seem dirty at first glance. It also includes vacuuming carpets or rugs as well as washing any tile floors with a mild dish soap solution before scrubbing out stains using baking soda and water mixed together until it forms into paste then applied directly onto the stain until dry (about half an hour). This can also apply to furniture like couches or chairs that have been sitting on top of carpeting for long periods without being moved.
Step back and take a look at your home’s exterior. Are the paint job and trim looking a bit dated? If so, it might be time for a fresh coat of paint (or even just a new color). Same goes for the roof – if it’s starting to show its age, now may be the time for a replacement.
Make repairs as needed. This includes everything from fixing a leaky faucet to replacing a cracked window pane. It’s also important to check the foundation, roof and gutters for any potential problems that could lead to larger issues down the road if left unchecked.
Update your home’s interior. A fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper can go a long way in giving your home a new look. You can also replace old light fixtures or add decorative touches like plants, artwork or area rugs to make it feel more like your own.
These are just a few of the many ways that you can increase the value of your home without spending too much money. By following these simple tips, you can be sure to get the most out of your investment!
Posted on May 10, 2021
2Be1Ask1: How Freemasonry Impacted Modern Architecture
While you may not have given it much thought, it’s quite impressive when you take a moment to understand how pervasive Freemasonry has been on society. At their core, Masons were builders – just like us. Next time you embark on your latest home improvement project, it might not hurt to throw on an audio book and learn a little about this secretive and under-the-radar society.
Freemasons are a group of men who are active in Masonic circles. Their goal is to build the best free society that they can. The society they want is a harmonious one where all people have the same opportunities and have no special or unequal privilege. This is why there are Freemasons. In the United States the most important Freemason lodge would be the lodge of Freemasons, which is located in Philadelphia.
Freemasonry or Masonry includes fraternal organisations which trace their origins to the local guilds of masons which in the early 14th century governed the qualifications of masons and their interaction with customers and authorities. The most famous freemasonic lodge in the US is the lodge ofasons which is run by the Grand Lodge of Free and Independent Masonry in Philadelphia. The most prominent lodge there is the Order of the Golden Dawn which is believed to have begun in the latter part of the 19th century and is popular amongst other masons. Other prominent fraternities include the Modern Business Masons, Scottish Masonic Order, Odd Fellow Crafts, Order of the Iron Order, and United Masonic Order. The modern corporations are run by a Grand Master and his assistants.
Many Masonic lodges have rituals and beliefs that are very different from those of regular masonry. One of the main beliefs of a free mason lodge is that of the operative masons which are also called the scots masons. This is a belief that all members of a lodge are brothers; they work together as a team. It also teaches that the lodge has no boss and they are all equal. It also teaches that the lodge is always open to new members.
There is a wide variety of operative masons that have varied beliefs and practices. Some of these lodges are the Grand Lodge of Free and Independent Masonry, Knights of Pythias, Free and Accepted Scottish Masonic Lodges and the Supreme Grand Lodge. There are also lodges such as the American Free and Real Masonic Fraternity, Scottish Masonic Order, Scottish Order of Free and True Mason, Modern Business Lodge and the Craftsman Lodge. Some lodges do not adhere to any specific religion. There are lodges that only accept men, women, and children who are willing to become a part of this international fraternity.
While some of these lodges do have their own particular beliefs and practices, most of them are mainstream practices that are commonly accepted among masons of all cultures and countries. One of these is that of the United States, where a lot of Freemasons are believed to be behind the building of the national monuments such as the Statue of Liberty, the Ellis Island Immigration Station and the National Mall. There are also believed to be freemasonic engineers who designed such great structures as the Hoover Dam in the United States. Some of the best examples of this include the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the Hancock Building in San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge in California. Freemason architecture is also being used in the design of modern apartment complexes, shopping malls, office buildings and bridges.
Although there is a concept of brotherhood when it comes to Freemasonry, there are actually different levels of initiation within the fraternity. The immediate family members are known as the “brothers” while those who take up membership after them are called “sisters”. However, there are also Freemason groups that are open to people of every race, nationality and religion. One of these is the Masonicasons Organizing Committee of Chicago, which is led by Zalman Chafee. It was created in 1958 and until today it is one of the most prominent and largest Freemason organizations in the entire country.
Updated on January 5, 2021
How House Flippers Can Relieve The Physical Pains Of The Stressful Lifestyle
House flippers are going to make you feel great about the house you live in when they renovate it. Did you know that they can also remove the physical pains in your stressful lifestyle? That is such a huge benefit since you aren’t going to feel great for too long if you are stressed out a lot. You would need to relax in your home as that is the way that it is supposed to be. House flippers can increase the number of sofas in your house. It is no secret you would want to jump into one of them when you get home from a stressful day at work. It won’t be long before you get to sleep after the awesome day you had. You would not want to be looking forward to the next day. Another awesome thing to do would be to add MSM to your diet. The good part about this is that you can combine it with other food and drinks such as coffee and apple. Hence, if you are afraid to find out what it tastes like, you won’t have to be too nervous when you finally get to try it. Doctors say that MSM would be wonderful for those who are looking to grow their hair. Some people would naturally lose their hair when they grow old.
It would be best for the house flippers to consult with you first regarding what they plan to do with your existing house. Since you are the owner, everything should still be subject to approval. It will only be a matter of time before you feel happy about the end result. Of course, you may need to live in another place for the time being. It may either be a relative’s place or a nearby motel. You will need to pay a lot when it comes to this renovation but it is going to be worth it when your physical pains are going to be noticeably reduced. When you are stressed each day, you would need some timeout. That is where the house flippers would come in as they can suggest a bunch of furniture and other things to be put in your house. One good example would be a swimming pool that may take a lot of money to build but you can certainly relax there after a long day. There is no doubt the house flippers are used to dealing with people who are stressed each day at work. It is possible the work won’t be the only thing that will stress you as it can also be having a baby. We all know how you would encounter a few sleepless nights when you have a newborn baby. You just need to be patient as that time will pass by when you finally see your baby grow up and he or she can change his own clothes. If you are in that type of a situation, better tell that to the house flipper for confirmation.
Updated on January 5, 2021
How To Keep Your Outdoor Seating Area Warm As Summer Wanes
As summers start waning it becomes necessary to keep the outdoor seating area warm so that you can enjoy sitting there throughout the year. People usually like to lounge and cookout during warm evenings in the summers but as the temperature starts dropping either you have to cover up your sitting area or run inside the home. But you can also enjoy your evenings in your outdoor seating area by taking some careful steps like:
ENCLOSE YOUR SEATING AREA
You can protect your outdoor seating area from cold winds by blocking them with the help of patio enclosures made of vinyl otherwise it may not be possible to sit in the patio during winters. If you want to spend some time outdoors in winter evenings then these enclosures can be the best and most inexpensive solutions for you. You can use these vinyl covers as an obstruction between cold winds and you.
REORGANIZE YOUR SEATING AREA
You can rearrange your seating area if you have various types of seats to sit closer to each other as it will create a warmer environment even in the outdoors. This type of arrangement can be created in any outdoor space, big or small.
USE HEATER
You can also use a fireplace, fire pit, or a kerosene heater in the outdoor seating area to warm up your winter evenings. You can find these heating devices in a variety of styles, sizes, and designs so that you can easily choose according to the space available on the exterior of your home. A stylish heating device can not only provide you a warmer area to sit in the outdoors but also improve the looks of the exterior of your house.
HEATED LIGHTING
Another choice to warm up the outdoor seating area of your home is the use of heat lamps. These nice-looking lamps will provide you two-way benefits as they will keep your outdoor seating area warm along with lighting up the entire area nicely. You can easily enjoy your winter evening outdoors by installing some of the heat lamps around this area. You can quickly start feeling the warmth provided by these lamps simply by switching them on. You can also manage the warmth required in that area just by operating each lamp individually.
OTHER FEATURES IN THE OUTDOOR
You can also use various features in your outdoor to warm up your evenings in the winter so that you can enjoy this area throughout the year. These features may include a fire pit, heater in your swimming pool powered by solar-system, and heated tiles, etc.
So to keep your seating space usable and warm to make your coldest of nights as great as summer nights you can use some of the tips discussed in this write-up. So instead of packing up your outdoor furniture with the fall in temperature of summers, you can enjoy sitting in your outdoors in every season by making some careful arrangements suggested above.
Updated on March 28, 2021
How To Make Your Home Accommodating For Your New Dog
Making your home accommodating for a dog is easier when you take a few steps that will be useful for any dog. Your dog could be large or small, and they might be active or docile. The point is that you need to make sure that you have used all these steps in a way that serves your dog. Once you have done these things, you can change your home into a place that will keep your dog happy and make them feel welcome.
1. Use A Dog Crate
A dog crate can help you keep your dog sleeping at night, and it is a place where your dog will go when they need to rest. You could crate train your dog so that they will go in the crate to rest, and they will get used to it if you are very strict about bedtime. Sometimes dogs will wine or bark while in their crate. This is a normal reaction, and they can usually be calmed down with the right practices. The Pampered Pup has more to say about this if you run into trouble. The crate is just the first step because you can do a few other things that will keep your dog comfortable.
2. The Gate
You might want to keep your dogs out of certain rooms in the house, and it makes more sense to put up a small gate just like you would use for a baby. The baby gate that you install will keep your dog out of the room that you want to lock down provided they are not taller than the gate. You might want to put a gate in front of your child’s room, or you could do the same thing with your office or workshop. You have to be sure that you have a gate that is easy to remove so that you can break down the house for the guests that come over for your next party.
3. The Automatic Food Dispenser
The automatic food dispenser that you have chosen will spit out food for your dogs at the same time every day, and they will also get a treat from the same device. You need to teach your dogs that they will get to eat every day at the same time, and you must refill it regularly. There are many pets that will want to come to this device to get their treat early, and they will wait around knowing they can be fed. This is a very simple device to use, and it could be used when you are not in the house.
4. The Door Handles
You must use door knobs instead of door handles. The door handle is something that your dog can learn how to use. You do not want your dog to feel like they can get in and out of every room of the house. This is not very safe, and you have to remember that the door knob does not need to be locked. Your dog learns that they cannot go in these rooms, and you will keep the house much more secure.
5. No Table Scraps
You need to make sure that you have never served table scraps to your dog. Your dog will have a hard time digesting their food if they have been eating table scraps. The dog food that they eat was made to be easy to digest, and you also need to be sure that you have given your dog food at the same time you eat. Your dog does not need to eat your table scraps if they have eaten at the same time that you did.
6. Conclusion
Your dog will be much more comfortable in your home when you have used these tips to make them happy. There are a number of different things that you could do to make your dog’s life better, but you also have to be sure that you have chosen to use a timed dog food dispenser. You need a dog crate, and you need to be sure that you have a gate that will keep your dogs in the right rooms.
Updated on January 5, 2021
What You Need To Keep In Mind To Ensure Your New Garage is Top Notch
Building a garage, whether attached, detached, or otherwise, is one of the most direct ways of increasing your home’s value. Even if you’re not looking to sell, it’s simply a matter of comfort. Nothing beats having a warm place to start your car in the morning, or a clean an organized space to keep all of the tools for the yard. Since you’re working on building a brand new home as it is, why not consider building a garage that will give a huge potential for return on investment?
Make It Big
You’ll want to make sure your new garage has plenty of space for all of your family’s cars, as well as any extra equipment such as lawn mowers, shovels, snow blowers, and more. If you’re budget is tight there’s certainly nothing wrong with opting for a smaller garage, but as with anything, once you’ve started building it’s a good idea to go all the way. If you want to make a larger garage in the future it won’t make much sense to go smaller now.
If you’re looking for guidelines, at a minimum we’d suggest making space for two cars. The more extra space the better. Also, if you can make accommodations for two garage doors so that your cars don’t have to park in tandem then it will be much appreciated in the long run.
Amenities
You’ll also want to consider upgrades that you can make to your garage to help it be more hospitable. Many homeowners in northern states will opt to equip the structure with a garage heater so that it will be nice and warm on cold winter mornings. You will also want to consider whether the structure will be outfitted with electricity so that you can have plenty of lighting as necessary.
Garage door openers have also become relatively standard these days, and they can be obtained and installed in relatively short order. Take some time to look at the options available on the market so you can find the opener that is best for your home. You’ll want to make sure it is equipped with the standard safety features such as motion sensors and remote control. Also be sure to find a model that will have enough power to life the garage doors you choose.
The Big Question – Attached or Detached?
The big question that almost everyone encounters is whether to build the garage attached to your house or not. There are obvious benefits to having the garage attached to you home – namely that you can walk directly to your car without bearing the harsh weather. In almost every case, it is recommended that you have an attached garage if you can swing it. That said, if you can’t make your garage attached, whether for structural reasons or design reasons, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t build a garage. The benefits are just far to great, even for detached designs.
Building a new home is full of headaches and projects, but if you are considering adding a garage rest assured that your mind is in the right place. Whether you are building a home to live in for years to come or trying to make a home that will appeal to the next set of buyers, you can’t go wrong by adding a garage to your home.
Updated on April 6, 2019
A Serious Victory: Check Out This Extravagant Malibu Mansion
Sun drenched Malibu, California is one of the world’s most sought after destinations. Situated along the Pacific Coast, Malibu offers a warm, dry climate all year long. Residents can spend hours in the abundant sunshine even in the middle of winter. The convenient location adjacent to the city of Los Angeles makes it easy to commute to a global city for work and additional recreational opportunities. If you are thinking about buying a property in the area, this house must be on your short list. This Malibu mansion has everything you could ever want or need. From the expansive, tree-filled lot with a lovely view and easy beach access to the home’s many large bedrooms and half a dozen full bathrooms, to the marble floors and updated, fully stocked kitchen, this is a home for the modern homeowner who appreciates quality, luxury and true comfort. Owned by a highly respected actor for many decades, this showplace can be yours.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
If you have a large family or just love to entertain, you’ll want enough room to accommodate everyone in your family. With eight bedrooms, this home has private space to spare. Each bedroom offers something special. Four the bedrooms face the Pacific coast, making it easy and fun to greet the day with a view and a cooling breeze. Large windows invite even more sunshine inside. Three bedrooms have skylights making it easy to see the sand and sky. A large master suite offers more than a dozen closets and an ensuite bathroom. Two more bedrooms also have private baths, making it easy to provide guests with their own retreat. The extra bedrooms make the ideal space for a nanny or other live in help. Each bathroom offers marble floors, a place to soak and additional storage space. Heated towel racks and modern fixtures. Two of the bathrooms have jacuzzi tubs large enough to accommodate several people at once as well as sea and sky views that also preserve the homeowner’s privacy.
Fun Details
One of the most amazing aspects of this house are the many delightful, fun details. There’s an indoor track for racing electric skateboards, which is becoming quite popular. The triple garage has space for three cars and room for bikes, kayaks, surfboards and all your favorite beach toys in a single, convenient space a short walk away from the beach. Two private terraces offer dramatic views across the entire area and room to lounge on a lazy summer Sunday morning. Downstairs, there’s a deck and a veranda that makes it easy to blend indoor and outdoor living. There’s also an outdoor kitchen for quick breakfast or a full scale dinner party for twenty. Two romantic fireplaces let the fun continue even as the sun goes down. The dramatic dining room features large beams magnificent floor to ceiling windows and enough space to entertain over a dozen guests. An full finished attic and basement add space that can be used for a playroom for the kids and even more storage space. There’s a fully stocked gym and a home theater with room for all your family and friends.
Fabulous Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor spaces also await the lucky buyer. There’s a large main pool with enough room to do laps. Next the pool is a hot tub with room enough to watch all the sunsets as they spread across the sea. An exquisite garden with mature plantings occupies one area of the property. A rose garden comes to life every single summer with color and soft scents. Fencing along much of the backyard keeps it safe for the little ones and provides an additional level of privacy at the same time. A large child’s fort is ideal for growing children. The beach is fast walk away, making it easy to spend time relaxing on the beach. This is one house that thrills at every turn.
Updated on January 5, 2021
Maximizing Profit: What To Focus On When Renovating A Fixer Upper
You are renovating a home that needs extensive work and wish to focus on the most important aspects of the project. Keeping expenses down and making a profit on the sale of this home are your number one priorities. The issues and areas to focus to accomplish this should include the following:
Emphasis on the Kitchen
The main area buyers and renters look at when considering a home is the kitchen. Yes, this is also the one area that costs the most to renovate as this room has plumbing, painting, tilework, countertops, cabinets, and flooring to be done as well as appliances purchased. Putting most of your energy and focus on this one room can reap huge benefits.
Getting Bids and Comparing Prices on Everything
During the course of the work that is being done, it is extremely important to get bids on every service and item that you use or purchase. Thousands of dollars can be saved if you just keep a really close eye on what is spent. Simply watching for great sales on appliances can save you hundreds of dollars. Purchasing paint in bulk and tile and carpet at discount centers can also save large sums of money.
Watching the Trends
You will want to get a competitive price for your property when you finish your renovations. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep a close eye on current trends so there will be interest in the home. For example, at one time, stainless steel appliances were very popular and highly desired. You would not want to outfit this home with basic white appliances which might deter buyers from placing a bid on the house. Countertop materials are also very important. Do your homework by reading magazines, touring model homes, signing up for workshops at home improvement centers, and attending home shows.
Staying on Schedule
The longer your project takes, the more it is going to cost you. Wages, supplies, and unexpected problems can pull your work way over budget. Draw up a simple schedule or plan as to how you would like the work to progress. Plan for interruptions and unexpected problems. Share these plans with your vendors and contract workers so they know you are serious about completing the work within a set period of time. Hold yourself accountable by comparing what has been done to the schedule. If you do find yourself falling behind, it may be necessary to step up the pace by working longer days and on weekends.
Paying close attention to these main parts of your project will help you in maximizing your return. The project as a whole will go smoothly and after it is complete you will be ready to take on your next challenging one.
Posted on June 20, 2018
Location, Location, Location!: How To Choose A Property That Will Stand The Test of Time
Choosing a property that will stand the test of time is something that a good number of people want to do. It can be a bit of a challenge, but the thing that you have to keep your mind on is the location of where you are buying the property. In order to know how well the location is doing you must know the layout of a city.
Sometimes this is easier if you have lived in a place most of your life. If you have not, however, you will have to do a considerable amount of research. You will need to figure out just how the neighborhood that you are looking at is evolving. There should be some type of knowledge of whether the area if thriving and being abandoned. That is what you have to consider when you take on the location of any property. A person that is trying to get property that stands the test of time will need to consider if the area is convenient to the interstate. They also need to look at the number of churches in the area.
When subdivisions are close to churches there is typically going to less crime being committed here. You also need to know if you are looking at at place that is close to the interstate. If you are closer to the interstate there is a much easier route to work, and that is also a great selling point.
Another thing that you must consider is the school system. Parents want their kids to be part of a good school system. If the school is close that makes it more convenient for parents that are dropping off and picking up kids from schools. That is certainly the thing that helps the neighborhood stay relevant even if there is a lot of change in the city.
The thing about location that plays a big part in how popular a piece of property is will be to the number of stores that are in close vicinity. People that move into certain homes like to have access to the interstate and schools, but these people will eventually retire so they won’t need the interstate to travel to work. Their kids will grown up and the schools will not be as relevant to them. There will still, however, be a need for shopping and grocery stores. This is why so many people look for places that are close to shopping centers.
More people are considering locations where some of these things may even be in walking distance. They know that they will save more money and burn less gas when they have neighborhood stores that they can frequent when they need to get something. This is something that really makes a location stand out. Sometimes there are neighborhoods where they landscape of the city changes as stores move from one side of the town to the next. What was once thought to be a good investment turns into one that is bad as people abandon these areas.
One of the best things that you can do when you are considering property is to buy something on the outskirts of a city. This way you profit the increase in value as the city expands into the area that you are living in. The outskirts eventually become part of the city and your property value increases.
