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Rental Remodel: 3 Things To Consider When Fixing To Lease

Rental Remodel

Renting out a home or apartment can be a great way to earn some extra income, especially considering the number of renters in the U.S. is continuing to rise year after year. Combine this with rising rental prices and a declining number of vacant properties and it spells out the fact that now is a great time to get into the property rental business.

However, before you dive straight in and immediately list your property for rent, you’ll first want to ensure that it’s in good enough condition to actually earn you a profit. While you may not want to undertake any major renovation projects, making sure your property is above minimum requirements and up to code will pay off in the long run. To make things easier, here are a few of the most important things you’ll want to be on the lookout for.

Old, Outdated Décor

Unless the property is brand new, you’ll always want to make sure you give the interiors a bit of a touch up before trying to rent it out. At the bare minimum, you’ll want to give everything a fresh paint job (neutral tones are always best). Still, you may want to consider tearing out those old carpets or linoleum floors and putting in new laminate flooring. Generally speaking, carpet is almost always a bad idea in rental properties. If you make as many repairs as is reasonable, making the space look clean and well-maintained, it will be easier to keep track of damage and needed repairs in the future.

Kitchen and Bathroom Furnishings

Pay close attention to your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and other furnishings, as these are fairly inexpensive to replace and can make a major difference in how much you can charge for the place. Making smaller changes like putting in new faucets or shower head also helps. You don’t necessarily need to remodel the entire room, as even making a few minor upgrades can go a long way.

Landscaping and Exterior

The outside of the property is just as important as the interior, and sometimes even more so, since this is the first thing a prospective tenant will see. If they don’t like what they see on the outside, they may not even bother to check out the inside. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to take a little time to spruce up the exterior of the property as well. Make sure the trees are trimmed, plant a few bushes or even just fix the dead spots in the lawn. Like with the interior, even a little help can go a long way. If you’re planning on renting through a realty company like Adams, Cameron and Co., Realtors, you will also want to ask them if they have any advice to give.

In many cases, it may be necessary to perform some more extensive renovations or repairs before a property is fully ready to rent out, especially if it doesn’t meet all local regulations. Nonetheless, even the more basic remodel tasks listed above should help ensure that you can get maximum value from your rental property.

How to Renovate Your Bathroom the Fastest Way Possible

How to Renovate Your Bathroom the Fastest Way Possible

Unless you have two bathrooms in the home, then you’re going to want to renovate your bathroom as quickly as possible. Make a plan of action before any work is done in the room so that you know exactly how much money you have to work with and exactly what you want to do to the space. Do as much of the work on your own to save money, alerting others in the home that certain areas of the bathroom might not be functional for a few days.

Adding Color

One of the easiest ways that you can renovate the bathroom without spending a lot of time is to paint the walls and accents. Choose a color that will blend with the size of the room along with the decorations that you plan to use. Gray is a good choice for a background color with teal or peach for a contrasting shade. It usually takes about a day for paint to dry, so you’re not inconveniencing anyone for a long time.

Giving New Shine

If you don’t have a lot of time to spend on the project, then simply refinish the tub and shower or the sink. Adding a bit of shine and natural luster back to the larger items in the room can give a face lift that is inexpensive and easy to accomplish. You won’t have to worry about ripping out these items, which can take time depending on whether you come across any problems. It’s also not as messy as it would be to take everything out and put it back in place or to put new items in the bathroom.

Hardware Details

From new shelves to new handles on the doors and drawer facings, changing the hardware is a simple job that will change the look of the room. It’s best to use new colors and a new design than was originally in place when swapping out the hardware. Changing the faucet handles is also an idea for giving a new look that won’t take a lot of time.

Go to the Professionals

If you don’t have a lot of time to spend on a remodeling project, then consider hiring someone who can get the job done faster. A professional, such as one from Towers Murray Plumbing, can help with any pipes or moving around the tub or shower if it’s in the design plans. The company can clean up the mess that is made and ensure that everything is done right the first time. This can prevent some of the frustration of not having a bathroom for a long period of time as most companies have a few people working at one time to get the job done in a day or two.

The bathroom is one of the easiest rooms in the home to renovate, but it’s also the most used space in the home. Keep your project to a minimum so that family members aren’t waiting to take a shower or even brush their teeth for a few days. Plan ahead before the project starts as to not have questions or concerns in the middle of the renovation.

Bathroom Makeover: 4 Modern Essentials For Your Renovation

Bathroom Makeover 4 Modern Essentials For Your Renovation

Renovating the bathroom might seem like a simple task at first because it’s a small space, but when you begin removing aspects of the plumbing and start working in the room, you’ll find that there are a few things that are necessary to complete the work. It’s sometimes best to let someone else handle the renovation of this room so that you don’t feel like you’re doing something wrong. It also helps to have a professional in the home because of the tight quarters and the speed of which you need to have the renovation completed so that the room can be functional once again.

Money

Make sure you have a budget set aside for the project. You don’t want to get into the renovation and find that you don’t have money for an emergency that arises or enough money to pay for an increase in the amount for the supplies that are needed. Think about how much you have to spend on the renovation, completing steps one by one so that you aren’t financially strapped.

Timing

If you only have one bathroom, you need to make plans to have another bathroom that is readily available while yours is being renovated. Talk to a contractor to find out exactly how long it will take to get everything completed in the room. If you need to, do each area of the room one at a time, hiring a professional company like Moon Valley Plumbing, that can come in and do the toilet and shower one day so that it’s completed while counters and electrical work is completed another day.

Surface Area

The renovation will often entail more than just changing the hardware in the room or updating the plumbing. The walls will likely be painted along with changing the flooring. You want to have all of these supplies on hand in the colors and designs that you want to make the process go as smooth as possible. Slip-resistant flooring is an idea to put in the bathroom as a safety feature.

Small Details

Don’t forget the small details of the bathroom renovation. These would include the lights that go around a vanity, the storage areas for the towels and washcloths and the faucets. These small details will bring life to the bathroom along with the new plumbing features that you include.

Changing the bathroom is sometimes a fun adventure. You can turn the space into a relaxing oasis with a larger tub and water-saving features. However, you need to examine the room to determine what is needed for the project and where you stand with money and time before any work begins, allowing you to get the renovation completed without a hitch.

How to Incorporate Your Family’s Personality When Remodeling Your Home

kitchen-remodel

When you embark on a home remodeling project, your budget and the return on investment are factors to consider. You’ll also want to decide how to make the remodeling project work most effectively for you when it comes to creating more storage space, living space and increasing the overall functionality of your home. It’s also important that you find ways to incorporate your family’s personality into your new home design.

Remodeling the Kitchen

When you commit to a kitchen remodeling project, gaining work space and storage space are likely to be high on the priority list. Since the kitchen is often a gathering place for the family, there are some features and décor ideas that you might want to include in your new kitchen design. Adding a tech-friendly work space where kids can do homework, creating a cozy conversation area in the kitchen and adding a kitchen island are good ways to make the kitchen family-friendly. Unique features that are specific to your family can be incorporated in the décor. If your family loves Italian food, you could decorate the kitchen with a pizzeria or Italian décor theme. You could frame and hang a menu from your family’s favorite restaurant. You could include a chalkboard on one side of the island and let the kids provide an ever-changing art display in the room.

Adding a Family Room

Adding a family room to your home creates a myriad of opportunities to increase the amount of time your family spends together. This room could also become the room where your kid’s friends and your friends like to hang out when they visit. A fun and relaxed atmosphere should be a key goal when decorating a family room. It’s great if everyone has input in the decorating process. This is a good time to be creative and to think outside the box when looking for decorative features. Instead of shopping for new things, consider getting the family involved in some DIY projects so that your family room will be unique. Salvage yards, such as U-Pull & Pay, are great examples of a shopping source that can fuel your creativity. You can find DIY projects that turn car grills, headlights and gears into decorative features. Your design might include a reupholstered seat from a car as a sofa or a tire for a coffee table.

deck

Add a Deck

Not every home remodeling project focuses on the interior of a home. Information from sources such as houselogic.com indicates that adding a deck to a home is a project that yields a high return on investment. Adding an outdoor kitchen and dining area to the deck design gives you additional space for family time and for entertaining. Choose furniture and outdoor accessories that reflect your family’s relaxation habits and favorite colors.

Remodeling Bedrooms

A bedroom remodeling project can involve everything from expanding the room to adding custom closets. The personality of the person who will be calling that room their own should be reflected in the décor. Bedrooms are an area where DIY projects are a great way to keep the decorating budget at a comfortable level and enable the person using the room to exercise some creative freedom. Lighting projects, wall art and furniture made from a repurposing project are just a few ways to personalize a bedroom.

The construction aspect of some remodeling projects may have to conform to building codes and regulations, but the decorative aspect can focus on the individual personalities of your family. Decorating gives you an opportunity to celebrate the completion of the project and to enjoy the renovation for years to come.

Major Home Renovation? Why Utilizing A Construction Supervisor Is Always A Good Idea

A major home renovation can be a stressful thing to take on all by yourself. Dealing with general contractors, materials suppliers, subcontractors, and workers can be a nightmare. However, when you hire a construction supervisor, the task of renovating your home can be a very doable task. Here are just some of the many reasons why utilizing a construction supervisor is always a good idea.

Major Home Renovation Why Utilizing A Construction Supervisor Is Always A Good Idea

Avoid Workers Cutting Corners

When a major construction job is taking place, it can be easy for workers to cut corners. A construction supervisor will be able to inspect all of the work that is being done to your home and make sure no one is cutting corners.

Have Access To The Best Equipment

When hiring a construction supervisor you will have access to all of the best equipment in the industry. Companies like Freo Group can help you with the biggest jobs your home needs with the use of specialized equipment like cranes. It is important to hire a construction supervisor who is associated with a company that has the very best construction tools to offer.

Ensure That You Get The Best Deals On Materials

When you are taking on a major home renovation, it is important that you get the best deals on all materials. Construction supervisors will be able to get you much better deals than subcontractors or general contractors. This is due to their relationships with materials suppliers. Hiring a construction supervisor could end up saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long run.

Eliminate The Hassle And Stress Of Getting Permits On Your Own

Trying to jump through all of the governmental hoops that are involved with getting the right permits for your major home renovation can be a load of stress. Construction supervisors have a great deal of experience dealing with agencies and getting the right permits on time. Hiring an expert will take all the stress off your shoulders.

Avoid Miscommunication Among Subcontractors

Subcontractors notoriously have a difficult time working together and scheduling properly. To avoid a mess of subcontractors arguing about who has access to the home at what times, hire a construction supervisor. These professionals have access to scheduling tools that they can share with general contractors and subcontractors alike. Getting everyone on the same page will move your renovation along must faster than when everyone’s schedules are clashing.

How to Remodel Your Basement One Room at a Time

How to Remodel Your Basement One Room at a Time

When you need more space but you like your current home, remodeling the basement is a great option. This solution avoids the need to expand up or out, which may not be an option. As you make your plans to remodel the basement into a living space, keep these four important tips in mind.

Waterproofing the Walls and Floors

Basements are at an increased risk for dampness because of their contact with the soil. Waterproofing the perimeter walls and flooring are important steps in the basement remodeling process. This can be accomplished through installing a perimeter drain system, reinforcing the walls and coating them with a waterproof sealant. On the exterior side of the basement, strengthening piers and additional waterproofing materials can be applied.

Installing a Sump Pump

Installing a sump pump before finishing your basement is also important to the remodeling process. The sump pump removes water collected in a pit by the perimeter drain system. Sump pumps are essential in areas with high water tables. The pump works to prevent a flood of water from seeping into your remodeled space.

Using an Air Compressor

Using an air compressor makes the remodeling process more efficient. An air compressor can be used to power key tools, which is helpful in a poorly-ventilated basement. Some companies, like Kruman Equipment Company, know how helpful these machines can be for remodeling projects. The compressor can operate drills and other hand tools so that no emissions are created. Compressors are also ideal for lifting heavy items and for clearing dust and dirt out of tight spaces.

Putting Up Interior Walls and Ceiling Tiles

Once the space is waterproofed, interior walls and ceiling tiles can be placed. The interior walls are usually framed with wood and finished with sheet rock or drywall. Ceiling tiles make for easier access to plumbing and air ducts to the rest of the house. You can arrange the interior walls to allow for a utility space, recreation room, workshop, laundry room or a “man cave” to suit your lifestyle or other plans for the space.

Remodeling your basement allows you to increase your living space without making any changes to the size of your house. It is an efficient and environmentally-friendly project that does not add to your carbon footprint, heating or air conditioning costs. The remodeling process for basements is complicated because of the potential for water intrusion, but the effort can be worthwhile because of your increased enjoyment of your home. The right tools and some helpful professionals will ensure a successful project.

5 Indoor Remodeling Tips for Busy Moms

 

bathroom

Have a vision

The first thing that should be done when remodeling a house is to have a dream. Think of what you want your house would look like after the job is done. Recognize what is needed to be worked on and identify solutions to the problem. Look at your bank account. Know what you can afford. It is essential to share the same dream if you are living with a partner. This could avoid conflict and could make it easier in the budget department as both of you understand the sacrifice you both will make. Having a vision means planning ahead. Selecting the best products can prevent delays. Proper planning can also keep your budget on the right track. Keep in mind the big picture too. Know the long term maintenance. This includes repairs that could add up quickly.

Do some research

Go to the internet or library and look for articles devoted to home improvement. This would give you a good perspective about your new home improvement. Be focused on what part of the house you want to improve. If you need to work on your bathroom, stay away from bedroom or living room articles. The same goes otherwise. If you have no idea which part of your home to improve yet, then you can browse randomly on different parts of the house? You might be enlightened in your journey through the pages.

Start with the Easy Ones

You may start at the kitchen. When you have noticed that a lot of things on your kitchen are dated it is best to do something. You don’t want your food to come from a boring place. You can re-upholster your dining chairs, change your faucets, and update the lighting with something stylish yet functional, use colorful throw rug down. Then continue on the bathroom. You may install a large mirror in there and it would make your bathroom appear larger. Let us now go to the living room. By changing your chandelier, this could impact the look of your home. It could make you feel that your home is glamorous. There are a lot of easy do-it-yourself in the market today that would not cost a lot. Let us go to your basement; one might think that basements are dark. Let’s change that notion. Make it lively by adding up colorful paint to it. Change the lights to bright ones if you are using an old fashioned yellow incandescent bulb.

Ask for Help

Ask for help from the right people. You may hire remodeling contractors. These people know what they are doing better than you and they know where to get the cheapest yet good products, they will do the dirty job for you. You do not need your hands to get dirty. You may be wondering on how to look for a good remodeling contractor. I’ll give you a bit of idea on how to choose the best in your area. First, you need to ask for referrals, and then look at their credentials. Interview your candidates. Who could perform the job at the fastest and with the least costs?

Let us not forget The Don’ts

Do not decide at a wrong time. Make every single decision properly before starting each job. This would ensure you that the remodeling project will go well. Do not be fickle minded. At most times, it is hard to prevent your mind from changing mid project. And every time things on your mind change. This would mean a delay. Don’t work when you have limited funds. You might underestimate the cost of the project. This could mean disaster as your project could be stopped and you would be leaving the project hanging and that portion of your house will be useless for a significant amount of time.

Author:  I am Maggy Robertson of Buy Every Home. A simple blogger who love to share my writing tips for categories such as DIY home improvement, security, lifehacks and crafts online.

Benefits of choosing solid timber for entrance doors

If you are building a new home or renovating the present one, then you’ve to take a major decision about entrance door. Your entrance door is the heart of any home and it is the first thing people notice when they visit your home. The type of material that you choose for a door will determine how effective they are. For instance, glass doors can be relatively expensive but allow more sunlight and provide insulation against noise. While hollow doors are cheap but poor insulators. Therefore, solid timber entrance doors are one of the best choices. They are perfect for both modern and traditional homes. One of the best things about solid timber is that they can be cut and fit into any frame size. Moreover, timber adds natural warmth to any home. It can be easily painted and matched with your home’s color scheme.

Solid timber entrance doors

Solid timber entrance doors are fantastic with natural effect and strength. The flexibility of the product design with timber is also unmatchable. Any design or trim details can be easily created at relatively low cost. Likewise, shape, style, and size can also be manipulated with ease. This is highly beneficial if you already have some creative ideas in your mind and want to enhance aesthetic value of your property.

Why Solid Timber?

There are so many reasons for choosing solid timber over other materials for your home’s entrance door, some of them are listed below:

  • Longevity: Timber is one of the nature’s amazing products, it can outlive many other building materials. Solid timber entrance doors have a life expectancy of over six decades, so it is a long-term investment. It can also be easily repaired for any structural damages. If materials like aluminum and glass gets damaged, they are likely to be replaced rather than repaired. Also, there is no rusting problem and timber doors don’t require any special maintenance.
  • Eco-Friendly: Timber is a sustainable resource. It is an eco-friendly natural product that stores huge amount of carbon and releases oxygen. It absorbs carbon and doesn’t produce any toxic. This is highly beneficial for the environment and for us too. So, solid timber entrance doors will have a positive impact for you, your family, your home, as well as for the environment. Timber can also be recycled and reused for lot of other purposes. Moreover, timber doesn’t need more energy or cause any impact on environment to turn into building product.
  • Varieties and High Performance: Timber is heavy, strong, renewable and a natural insulator. It offers high level of comfort for you, your family, and your home. It helps you to save on energy costs. It keeps your home warmer during winter and cooler in the summer. It provides both thermal and noise insulation. Due to fantastic insulation, it offers highest levels of performance and security. Timber doors also have more resistance to air and wind. All in all, solid timber entrance doors enhance the aesthetics of your home and add value to your property. Also, there is range of varieties in timber, so you can easily choose one that suits your exact needs.

Solid-timber-entrance-door

  • Safety: Timber is a bad conductor of heat and electricity. So, solid timber doors are less prone to condensation. Also, timber has higher values, so temperature will not affect it.

Solid timber entrance doors are most popular choice because of these advantages along with the ease of cutting, trimming, shaping, and joinery. Also, timber doesn’t require any complex tools for sizing. Overall, solid timber is an excellent choice for doors with natural strength and warmth.

 

Five Home Renovation Projects You Can Tackle This Weekend

home renovation project

Most major renovation projects cost a lot of money, require a professional or tie up the family’s routine for weeks. Fortunately, there are several short-term fixes that can give your home a new look and can also be undertaken by an average homeowner in one weekend.

  1. Brighten Up Walls with Color

A new paint job in one room can be a quick and easy fix. First get some ideas for new colors from decorating websites. Take the photos to your local home improvement store and match the color to samples. If you are uncertain, buy a few jars of sample paints to try out at home before re-painting a whole room. Choose your paint color and pick up paint and basic supplies: painter’s tape, a drop cloth, rollers, and brushes. Pick a warm sunny day so that windows can be opened and paint can dry quickly. Enlist the help of family members to tackle the job

  1. Change Outdated Light Fixtures

Although home furnishing styles do not change as often as clothing styles, there are new trends that can change the look of an outdated room. A simple change of a light fixture can produce dramatic results in a room. Change an outdated globe fixture to a trendy industrial style lamp for a now and today look. You will need electrical pliers and perhaps a screwdriver. Electrical tape may be needed. Be sure to turn off the power before working on the fixture.

  1. Give Floors a Facelift

Inexpensive peel and stick tiles can give a room a whole new look. They can be applied over cement, wood, tile, or linoleum floors. Just peel off the backing and press into place. Tiles can be trimmed with scissors or a utility knife. For a classier look, replace existing floor with wood plank flooring. Strips interlock and can be placed on bare floors or over a backing. Pieces can be trimmed as needed to fit the room measurements. A small room or hallway can easily be finished in one day.

  1. Brighten Your Windows

If your windows now have heavy draperies, remove the drapes for a dramatic difference. Lightweight curtains allow light to flow into the room and also allow a better view of the outside. If you have standard vinyl blinds, consider stainless steel or copper tone to modernize the décor. These only require simple hardware to install. Shutters require a bit more skill to install but add character to windows. You will need to drill holes for the hinges and use a level to get them perfectly straight. In a few hours, your windows can have a whole new look with little effort.

  1. Replace Cabinet Hardware

An easy project that creates an instant new look is replacing old cabinet knobs with new ones. New designs include stainless steel, pewter, copper, or other metals. White against dark cabinets creates a dramatic effect. The only tools needed are a screwdriver or maybe an Allen wrench. This is also one of the lowest cost improvements with a dramatic impact.

Guest Post By: 

Jessica kane is a writer for GoHardwood, a premier flooring company that sells first-rate, quality hardwood flooring products for less.

6 Home Remodeling Tips for Busy Moms

Have a vision

The first thing that should be done when remodeling a house is to have a dream. Think of what you want your house would look like after the job is done. Recognize what is needed to be worked on and identify solutions to the problem. Look at your bank account. Know what you can afford. It is essential to share the same dream if you are living with a partner. This could avoid conflict and could make it easier in the budget department as both of you understand the sacrifice you both will make. Having a vision means planning ahead. Selecting the best products can prevent delays. Proper planning can also keep your budget on the right track. Keep in mind the big picture too. Know the long term maintenance. This includes repairs that could add up quickly.

Do some research

Go to the internet or library and look for articles devoted to home improvement. This would give you a good perspective about your new home improvement. Be focused on what part of the house you want to improve. If you need to work on your bathroom, stay away from bedroom or living room articles. The same goes otherwise. If you have no idea which part of your home to improve yet, then you can browse randomly on different parts of the house? You might be enlightened in your journey through the pages.

Additional skill. Read this infographic quick tips on how to setup and repair your garage door opener.

garage-door-opener-setup-and-repair-aclickawayremotes.com_
Infographic by http://www.aclickawayremotes.com

Start with the easy ones

You may start at the kitchen. When you have noticed that a lot of things on your kitchen are dated it is best to do something. You don’t want your food to come from a boring place. You can re-upholster your dining chairs, change your faucets, and update the lighting with something stylish yet functional, use colourful throw rug down. Then continue on the bathroom. You may install a large mirror in there and it would make your bathroom appear larger. Let us now go to the living room. By changing your chandelier, this could impact the look of your home. It could make you feel that your home is glamorous. There are a lot of easy do-it-yourself in the market today that would not cost a lot. Let us go to your basement; one might think that basements are dark. Let’s change that notion. Make it lively by adding up colourful paint to it. Change the lights to bright ones if you are using an old fashioned yellow incandescent bulb.

Ask for Help

Ask for help from the right people. You may hire remodeling contractors. These people know what they are doing better than you and they know where to get the cheapest yet good products, they will do the dirty job for you. You do not need your hands to get dirty. You may be wondering on how to look for a good remodeling contractor. I’ll give you a bit of idea on how to choose the best in your area. First, you need to ask for referrals, and then look at their credentials. Interview your candidates. Who could perform the job at the fastest and with the least costs?

Let us not forget the don’ts

Do not decide at a wrong time. Make every single decision properly before starting each job. This would ensure you that the remodeling project will go well. Do not be fickle minded. At most times, it is hard to prevent your mind from changing mid project. And every time things on your mind change. This would mean a delay. Don’t work when you have limited funds. You might underestimate the cost of the project. This could mean disaster as your project could be stopped and you would be leaving the project hanging and that portion of your house will be useless for a significant amount of time.

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