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5 Tips for a Tidy Home
Maintaining a tidy home not only helps it to look its best, but it also makes for a more peaceful and organized living environment. Regardless of the size of your home, these tips will help you achieve and maintain a consistently tidy and inviting living space that you, your household, and your guests will enjoy. With a few simple steps, you can go from cluttered to tidy in no time.
5 Tips for a Tidy Home
1. Start by Decluttering
The first step on your journey to tidiness is getting rid of clutter lying around your home. Go through each room and evaluate your belongings, asking yourself what is truly necessary among them. If something isn’t a keeper, consider donating, selling, or discarding it. Decluttering creates more spaces and will make cleaning up easier in the long run. Not sure where to start? Focus your initial decluttering efforts on the closets throughout your home and see how much space you can open up for belongings that are currently stored elsewhere.
2. Find Your Cleaning Routine
Making your home tidy is one thing; keeping your home tidy is another. The difference between the two is finding and establishing a cleaning routine that works for you, whether that means doing a few upkeep chores daily or hit “reset” by dedicating a chunk of time to it once a week. Whatever you choose, consistency is key. Include quick tasks like making the bed, wiping down kitchen counters, and doing a load of laundry. Having a routine in place will help you keep up the momentum that’s required to maintain a tidy home.
Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: DGLimages
3. Prioritize Storage
Everything in your home has to go somewhere. To stay organized, store your items neatly in dedicated bins to maximize your storage efficiency. Keeping items accessible but stored out of sight will give you more room in the open areas of your home and help each room feel tidier. Use containers, shelves, and organizers to keep items like toys, books, and accessories neatly arranged. In the closet, you can maximize space by using hangers, bins, and dividers to keep your wardrobe and accessories in order.
4. Multi-Purpose Cleaning Products
Using multi-purpose cleaning products will simplify your cleaning process and get your home sparkling clean. Having a single cleaner to tackle tough stains and messes around the house can save you money too. Natural cleaning solutions that you can find in the aisles of your grocery store will streamline your cleaning efforts without spraying chemicals throughout the house. Things like lemons, salt, and vinegar will eliminate household odors and can even help to keep bugs and pests at bay. When shopping for cleaning products, look for organic solutions that won’t harm members of your household and your pets.
5. Areas of Focus
Turn your attention to high-traffic areas throughout the house such as the living room and the kitchen. Improvements in your home’s tidiness in these areas will go a long way in contributing to its overall cleanliness. Also, focus on cleaning your appliances. These machines are the workhorses behind a well-functioning home, so giving them some attention will help keep things tidy at home in the long run.
For more home improvement tips, visit the Living category of our blog:
Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: PeopleImages
A Guide to Permits and Regulations for ADUs, Sheds, & More
The desire to maximize property value among homeowners is stronger now than ever. As the movement of short-term rentals, turnkey properties, and real estate investment continue to grow in popularity, it’s worth it to take a moment and understand the regulations that dictate a property’s potential. Understanding a bit more about the process for obtaining the necessary permits to build structures on your property will help you avoid getting bogged down in legalities when trying to complete these projects.
Do I need a permit to build an ADU?
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and other additional property structures have emerged as viable options for homeowners looking to maximize their property’s potential. These structures offer additional living space while creating opportunities to generate extra income or accommodate multigenerational family members. But before you break ground on your building project, here are some of the things you should keep in mind.
- Permits and Regulations: No matter where you live, it is necessary to obtain the appropriate permit before you begin the construction process. Permits ensure that your project complies with local building codes and regulations. Though some guidelines are universal, keep in mind that every local area has its own specific building requirements for residential properties.
- Code Compliance: Building codes aren’t just red tape for the sake of red tape; they exist to make sure that all buildings are safe. Whether you’re building the structures on your property DIY or hiring a professional to do the job, you are the one kickstarting the project, not your local municipality. But by having these codes in place, they can ensure that you’re adhering to the required standards of safety. Before you even start on your project, familiarize yourself with your local codes and regulations. Contact your local zoning department or building authority to learn more.
- Applying for a Permit: The permit application process varies by location. Typically, you’re required to submit detailed plans for your project with documents that outline its scope, size, etc. Whether you submit architectural drawings, engineering plans, or some other form of detailed blueprint, be prepared for a thorough review on behalf of your local authority to make sure your project complies with the rules.
Whatever project you have in mind—ADU, garden shed, pool house—it’s important to become well-versed in the permits and regulations that will allow you to get it built hassle-free. Consult with local authorities to get the full picture of what’s required from you. Once you’ve checked all the boxes, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing the value of your property. Pair your building project with these design ideas to take your backyard to the next level:
5 Design Ideas to Improve Your Backyard
Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Onfokus
9 Summer DIY Projects
When home-project lists pile up, it can leave some homeowners feeling overwhelmed by their to-dos. One helpful strategy is to prioritize your projects by season. The following list of simple and cost-effective summer projects will help make the most of your summer at home while preparing for the seasons ahead.
9 Summer DIY Projects
1. Organize a Garage/Yard Sale
No summer project list would be complete without a task to sift through your home’s clutter and organize a garage or yard sale. While you’re compiling items to be sold, identify which items can be donated to declutter your home most effectively.
2. Upgrade Your Front Porch
Your home’s front porch can make a lasting impression. Make a statement with a boldly colored front door, look for stylish house numbers, and add classic front porch elements like a sitting bench or swing for ultimate comfort.
3. Fix Up Your Fence
Whether your fence needs a simple wash, a new sealant or stain, or structural repair, summer is high time to get this work done and extend the life of your fence. Power washers are a helpful tool in getting your fence clean before re-staining. Let the fence dry for one to two days before applying the stain.
4. Build a Firewood Shed
It’s best to prepare for winter ahead of time. In summer, conditions are perfect to build a firewood shed to keep your firewood dry throughout the fall and winter. Build a simple enclosure with an open front. This lets air pass through easily, drying the wood quickly.
5. Repaint Kitchen Cabinets
A fitting summer project in the kitchen, repainting your cabinets brings new life into the space without the hefty price tag of a full-scale renovation. For a complete refresh, repaint the hardware too, or replace them to match the new cabinet color. These Simple Kitchen Makeover Ideas can make a noticeable difference in the heart of your home.
Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: JulPo
6. Exterior Painting
Giving the outside of your home a fresh coat of paint does wonders for its curb appeal. Summer is a great time to get outside and paint, as the chances for rain are lower than other seasons. Although an exterior paint job is DIY-eligible, it can be a time-consuming task that some homeowners may not have the bandwidth to complete. If you need to hire a professional to handle the exterior repainting, consider focusing your DIY painting efforts elsewhere (trim, fencing, indoors).
7. Build a Fire Pit
A new fire pit may be just what your backyard needs to maximize your summer at home. Common fire pit materials include brick, stone, and cinder blocks. Outline your fire pit before you start digging. Once the hole is dug six to eight inches deep, fill in the hole with gravel until it is level with the ground. Choose your materials, fix the stones into the ground, compact them together, and enjoy nights by the fire under the stars. Check for local digging regulations and burn bans.
8. Install a Window Air Conditioner
Depending on your local climate, the hottest time of year is either already here or fast approaching. Install a window AC unit to enjoy the time you spend indoors comfortably. Installation is typically a two-person job, so be sure to have help ready when it comes time to install.
9. Insulate Your Basement/Crawl Space
Although not the most glamorous of all summer projects, taking time to insulate your basement or crawl space during summer will pay off come winter. Because it may take multiple trips to properly install the insulation, the summer weather makes for more ideal conditions to accomplish the task.
For more helpful info on home improvement DIY projects you can accomplish this summer, check out these 5 Design Projects to Improve Your Backyard.
Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: sanjeri
High ROI Remodeling Projects to Increase Home Value
This blog post contains excerpts of the “Remodeling 2022 Cost vs. Value Report” (costvsvalue.com).1
As you prepare to sell your home, one of the major considerations you may face is whether to remodel, and if so, how to allocate your remodeling budget. Remodeling can help differentiate your home from competing listings in your area, but this competitive advantage comes at a price.
The following information provides insight on which remodeling projects deliver high ROI. To maximize the value of your remodel, talk to your agent about what buyers in your area are looking for and align your efforts accordingly.
High ROI Remodeling Projects to Increase Home Value
It’s no secret that buyers want to see a home with curb appeal and attractive interior spaces. But as a seller, you’ll only have so much budget to work with and you want to get the most return on your investment. As laid out below, here are the five highest ROI remodeling projects nationwide as found in the Remodeling 2022 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com).1
|
Remodeling Project |
Cost of Remodeling Project (2022) |
Resale Value of Remodeling Project (2022) |
ROI |
|
Garage Door Replacement |
$4,041 |
$3,769 |
93.3% |
|
Manufactured Stone Veneer |
$11,066 |
$10,109 |
91.4% |
|
Minor Kitchen Remodel (Midrange) |
$28,279 |
$20,125 |
71.2% |
|
Siding Replacement (Fiber – Cement) |
$22,093 |
$15,090 |
68.3% |
|
Window Replacement (Vinyl) |
$20,482 |
$13,822 |
67.5% |
This data shows that for a given remodeling project a higher expenditure doesn’t necessarily equate to higher ROI. It’s interesting to note that only one indoor project—the minor kitchen remodel—placed in the Cost vs. Value Report’s top five.
Four of the Cost vs. Value Report’s bottom six entries are upscale remodeling projects, all with roughly a 50% average return on investment. The conclusion to be drawn here is that remodels of this magnitude are expensive and should be considered carefully before you greenlight them. The upside to these projects, though, is that they have a much higher resale value than a simple fresh coat of paint or a change in décor. If you and your agent identify a logical upscale remodel with serious resale potential whose costs you can handle, it can help you get the best price for your home.
So, does this mean you should replace your garage door before selling your home bar none? Not necessarily. Again, your remodeling priority list should target the areas of your home that need attention while aligning with local buyer interest. Your agent can provide guidance on what competing listings in your area are offering and refer you to trusted remodeling contractors in your area.
Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: YinYang
Budget-Friendly ROI Home Projects
Though smaller scale home makeovers don’t have the value-adding power of larger remodeling projects, they can still make a difference when selling your home.
Instead of an upscale kitchen remodel, you can focus more on making minor improvements in several areas. For example, repainting or refinishing your cabinets, swapping out your drawer pulls and hardware, and installing new appliances can make your kitchen feel brand new with a smaller budget. When remodeling your bathroom, tasks like refinishing your tub, installing new lighting, and a new backsplash can make a strong impression on buyers.
For more information on budget-friendly home makeovers with ROI potential, check out our quick guides to upgrading your bathrooms, bedrooms, home office, and kitchen.
- © 2022 Zonda Media, a Delaware Corporation. Complete data from the Remodeling 2022 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at costvsvalue.com.
DIY Home Projects
In recent months, homes have taken on additional roles as offices, schools, and places of entertainment as staying at home has become the norm. With the extra time spent inside and the additional wear and tear on your home, this is a perfect time for those Do-It-Yourself projects you’ve been wanting to get done.
The 4 Phases of Remodeling: The Midproject Crisis
We recently covered the ins and outs of what I refer to as the Honeymoon Phase of construction. Next up is a stage similar to a concept most everyone is familiar with: the Midlife Crisis. (Whether you’ve experienced one or not is an entirely different story.) It often comes with questions like, “What am I doing? Where am I going? What is the meaning of life?”
6 Plumbing Hacks for Tiny Homes
Small spaces can drive you crazy, especially if you need pipes in a compact bathroom, kitchen or laundry to run toilets, sinks and washing machines. Here are some must-know tips and tricks for your home’s high-traffic rooms to free up space for features and fixtures that need plumbing.
4 Simple Steps to Painting a Wall Faster
Many books about painting will tell you to paint a small strip along the baseboards, doorways, trim and other edges of the room with a brush before breaking out the paint roller to paint the rest of the wall. But before you do this paintbrush work, called “cutting in,” consider paint expert Shauna Gallagher’s method: Roll paint on the wall and then use a paintbrush for the edge work.
Keeping Up with The Joneses: Seven Yard Tools a First-Time Homeowner Needs
Did you know that gardening tools are really expensive? I didn’t. We even priced out what it would cost to have a landscaper come every two weeks just to mow and edge our front and back yard (which would leave us to the weeding, sweeping, etc.) but alas… that is also expensive (about $100 per month). So… Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to Home Depot we go…
Practical Resolutions: Making Your House a Home (Part II)
Your home is a reflection of your tastes, your lifestyle and your ambition, and many of us are regularly transforming our homes one way or another to fit our adjusting needs. Whether it is refreshing a room to fit your style, reorganizing a closet to accommodate the holiday excess, going green to save the planet and a couple of bucks or a complete renovation of your kitchen- homes take maintenance
