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Summer is here, which brings with it warm weather, long days and nights spent outside under the stars. It’s time for barbecues, summer picnics and, of course – pool parties. If you don’t have a pool at home, you might be thinking that you’re ready to install one. But is it the right choice for you and your family? Here’s what you should consider before taking the plunge.

How much does a pool cost?

Obviously, one of the first considerations is determining how much a pool is going to cost you and whether or not you can afford it. Not only do you need to think about what kind and size of pool you’d like, but also what other renovations you may need in the process, such as installing a pool fence.

Of course, you also need to prepare for the ongoing maintenance costs associated with a pool as well as the appropriate insurance coverage you’ll need as a homeowner. Most insurers will require that you purchase additional liability coverage of at least $100,000 – but some experts recommend even more.

Will it increase the value of your home?

In terms of upgrades that you can make to your home that add to its resale value, installing a pool generally falls pretty low on the list. While many factors can play into this determination, including the area in which you live and whether or not most of the other homes have pools, installing a pool will probably even out in terms of cost vs. value. If you’re thinking about installing a pool to increase value, you’re probably better off making different renovations, like upgrading kitchens or bathrooms.

Does it offer long-term enjoyment?

If you have young children at home, having a pool can be an exciting addition to home life. But as children get older and leave home for college, how often do you anticipate using the pool? If the pool is only going to be for the children, the money you would put towards installation may be better used with a membership to a community pool or a fun summer vacation at the beach.

How often will you use a pool?

Homes in warm climates are great places for a pool construction because they can practically be used year round – especially if they are heated. But in northern climates with snowy winters, the number of months that a pool can be enjoyed starts to dwindle. Take into consideration how much time each year will be spent actually utilizing the pool, and whether or not you’ll be interested in maintaining it throughout the year, even if it is unused. You will also need to hire an electrician like this electrician in Brentwood if you want an inground pool.

What’s your personal preference?

Ultimately, deciding to install a pool is a personal preference. If you’re on the fence, then the cost and associated maintenance, as well a liability issues, may be enough of a deterrent to decide against it. But if you know all the costs and risks and you still fantasize about diving into the deep end on a hot summer’s day? Then go for it! Your biggest regret may be not doing what your heart truly desires. If you are decided to install a fiberglass pool in your home, then you should hire the best fiberglass pool builder around for expert services.

If you’re gearing up to buy a house, one of the most important things you can do to prepare is to check your credit score. That number is going to help determine how much interest you’ll pay on your mortgage – or whether you’ll qualify at all. By checking early, you’ll have more time to repair your score and save yourself money in the long run.

Know what credit score you need

While there is no hard and fast rule about what the minimum credit score is to qualify for a mortgage, higher is always better. As the market changes, so do minimum requirements for lenders. It also depends on the type of loan you are applying for. FHA loans, for example, have a minimum requirement of 580, while conventional loans backed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae require a score of at least 620.

Fix mistakes on your credit report

Take a good look at your credit report. If there are any mistakes or inaccuracies on it, you’ll need time to fix them. As many as 25% of consumers have errors on their reports – don’t be part of that statistic. If you do find a mistake file a claim on a credit bureau website. Keep copies of the documents you file. You should expect a response in one to two months.

Pay on time

Late payments not only affect interest rates on credit cards, they can also lower your credit score. If you’re planning to buy a house, make sure you keep current on all your bills.

Pay down balances

One of the best ways to improve your credit score is to keep your balance below 50% of your available credit. If possible, make more than the minimum payments on your debts over the coming months and work to pay down your balance. A history of only paying the minimum payment each month does not inspire confidence in lenders, so pay more than the minimum, even if it’s just a small amount.

Don’t close paid off accounts

While experts disagree on this tactic, it’s probably a good idea to keep that paid off credit card open, at least until you secure your mortgage. Closing the account will affect the ratio of your existing balance and available credit. Just don’t be tempted to suddenly use all that available credit to make a big purchase.

Don’t open a new line of credit

If you’re planning to buy a home, now is not the time to incur other debt. Do not take out a car loan or open any new credit cards. It’s also smart to wait on any big purchases on existing cards, like a vacation. Sudden big changes to your credit history can be potential red flags to lenders, so avoid them if at all possible.

Give yourself plenty of time

Before you even begin to look for a home in earnest, take time to get your financial life in order first. It can take time to remove inaccuracies from your report and repair a low credit score. When it finally comes time to buy a home, you’ll be glad you did.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re thinking about selling your home, now is a great time! It’s estimated that 50 percent of homes are sold in the summer, making this the best season to get your house on the market. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your summer listing.

Make all the needed repairs

If your home needs some obvious repairs, be sure to tackle them before you list. There’s no need to slow up the closing process by haggling with potential buyers over the cost of repairs. And since summer will give you the best weather in which to work, there’s really no reason to put those fixes off.

Focus on the outside

Everyone tends to spend more time outdoors in the summer, so be sure to spend some time getting the outside areas of your house ready for showing. Keep your lawn fertilized, watered and trimmed and add colorful annual blooms to beds and containers. Add cozy seating areas to decks and porches and set up a grilling station with a barbecue and tools. Make sure your pool is clean and ready for use and add some pretty rolled up beach towels to lounge chairs around the perimeter. You want your outdoor spaces to look as inviting as possible and serve as extensions of the indoor living space.

Cool it off

Once the dog days of summer hit, don’t forget to keep it cool inside. Have the air conditioning serviced and turn it on before any potential buyers visit. You should consider keeping the thermostat a little lower than usual, since people will be opening and closing doors and windows. Set out pitchers of ice water or lemonade and keep the fridge stocked with other cold drinks. Offer some light snacks that will encourage buyers to linger a little longer.

Keep it light

When you’re showing your home, you want to have as much light inside as possible. Remove heavy drapes from windows and open all the blinds. Tie back lighter curtains and turn on inside lights. Make sure the windows are clean, especially when there’s a nice view on the outside. If you’re showing your home in the evening, be sure all the outdoors areas are well lit. You can easily add some inexpensive solar lights along the walk to the front door or some romantic string lights on your back deck.

Get the air moving

Nothing is worse than a stuffy house, and in the summer the air can get a little stagnant when the windows remain closed. If you have ceiling fans, be sure to give them a good cleaning and then turn them on to provide some cool circulation.

Bring the outdoors in

Just like taking your indoor areas out by adding furniture on decks and patios, bring the outside in with plants and flowers. Nothing beats a beautiful vase of colorful roses, which will also add a lovely light fragrance to the room.

If selling your home is in your future, why not give yourself the best possible chance by putting your house on the market during the hottest season of the year? There’s no time like the present!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Think that throw rug is only for the floor? Think again! There are so many ways to use beautifully designed rugs around the home, it’s a shame to let them languish on the floor. Here are some of the most inspired ways we’ve found to use your favorite rugs.

1. Soften stairs with a runner

Runners don’t have to be saved for hallways. They’re a perfect solution to soften a staircase. Take it a step further by choosing a strong geometrical pattern that’ll amp up your style.

2. Make a stylish pillow

Small rugs are the perfect size to transform into statement-piece pillows for your couch or bed. Simply fold in half, insert a pillow and stitch it shut. Don’t have sewing skills? You can glue them together with fabric glue. Done!

3. Instant wall art

If you’ve got a big, blank wall staring you in the face, why not ditch several small, framed pieces for one large bold piece? So many rugs are designed with beautiful colors and patterns it’s a shame not to treat them like the art they really are. Go ahead and fill a wall with a graphic rug you really love.

4. Upholster a chair or headboard

Decorative rugs are the perfect weight to use as upholstery fabric, so why not turn a chair or ottoman into a statement piece? The same goes for headboards. Fabric headboards have become hugely popular, so use a pretty rug to make it both soft and beautiful.

5. Use it as a throw

Lightweight rugs can be just the perfect size to use as a throw on your bed or couch.

6. Trade up your yoga mat

Who wants a plain old spongy yoga mat when you can have a more comfortable and stylish one? Be the envy of your class by using a soft runner with a rubber back for your next yoga session.

7. Dress up a table

Pretty blankets have become a popular alternative to tablecloths. Why can’t rugs be, too? A lightweight rug makes the perfect topper for your next dinner party. If you have smaller area rugs, you can also turn them into placemats.

8. Soundproof doors

Why settle for plain white interior doors? Go a step further and dress them up with a decorative rug. As a bonus, it’s the perfect way to add extra soundproofing to a bedroom or office.

9. Make a pet bed

Don’t limit the fun to just the humans. If you’ve got a rug you love that has seen better days, why not turn it into a pet bed for your dog or cat? Rugs can stand up to the abuse a pet can dish out. Simple fold your rug in half, fill with stuffing and stitch, or stitch two complementary rugs together to add variety.

10. Turn your world upside down

Ever feel like dancing on the ceiling? Think how much easier it will be if you attach a rug! Seriously, though, ceilings can be so boring, wouldn’t it be fun to attach one of your favorite rugs? This can work especially well over a bed, so you’re always sure to enjoy it. It can also add soundproofing should there be another room over yours.

Don’t be afraid to step outside the box when it comes to your favorite rugs! Whether you use them as upholstery, art or something else, let your imagination be your guide. And if you have antique rugs that you wish to restore, then you may consider getting help from antique rug restoration services.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Have you put off growing your own vegetables at home because you think it will be too difficult, time consuming or messy? Do you worry that you don’t have enough space? Do you think you have a black thumb and nothing will grow?

Starting your own home garden is easy, even if you have no experience and are short on space. If you love the idea of eating more vegetables, especially ones you’ve grown yourself, this is what you’ll need to know to get started.

Start small

You may have visions of turning your entire backyard into an edible paradise, but if you’re just starting out you may be biting off more than you can chew. Start small and get the hang of it; you can always add more later. You can save even more room by using trellises to grow vining vegetables like cucumbers and squash.

Choose the best location

If you have several places in your yard where you could conceivably put a vegetable garden, choose the location that gets the most sun. This will give you the opportunity to grow the greatest variety of vegetables. But don’t worry if you lack a sunny spot – there are plenty of vegetables that can thrive in the shade.

Build your beds

By far the easiest way to get started with home vegetable gardening is to build or install raised beds. Yes, you can dig up your backyard, but it can be back breaking work. You’ll also need to amend the soil and you’ll likely be battling weeds for a long time to come. By using raised beds, you start with the best possible soil that is free of weeds. If you’re handy with power tools, you can build your own raised beds, or simply use containers you find like washing tubs or pots. This means you can have a veggie garden even if you don’t have a yard – most patios or balconies have enough room for even a few, which is enough to grow tomatoes and a variety of herbs.

Provide enough water

You’ll want to ensure that your new garden gets plenty of water, and a good rule of thumb is about one inch of moisture per week. You may want to consider installing a drip irrigation system, which automates the watering process and delivers maximum water with minimum evaporation or run-off.

Choose vegetables that are easy to grow

If you’re just getting started with vegetable gardening, do yourself a favor and start by growing vegetables that are practically foolproof. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the literal fruits of your labor, and these vegetables grow well even in less than ideal circumstances:

• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Sugar snap peas
• Summer squash
• Radishes
• Beans
• Rhubarb
• Cucumbers
• Beets
• Swiss chard
• Carrots
• Herbs like chives, basil, thyme, rosemary, dill, cilantro and oregano

Check each vegetable and herb that you are planting to see what kind of temperatures they need and how much sun they can handle to find out what will thrive in your location.

If you’ve been thinking about starting your own vegetable garden, now is a great time! Just think how wonderful it will be to bite into your own vine-ripened tomato, just picked and warm from the sun.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re in the market for a new home, part of choosing the perfect house is finding the right neighborhood. How do you do that? Start by asking yourself the right questions.

What are you looking for?

Any home search should start with a list of needs and wants – and that goes for the neighborhood, too. Begin by establishing your priorities. Do you want to live close to amenities, like markets or gas stations? Do you want to have easy access to culture and nightlife? Is access to public transportation a necessity? Would you like to live in a community with other families who have small children, or maybe you’d like to be surrounded by other retirees? Be clear about what you need and what you’re willing to compromise on before you even begin your search.

How convenient is the neighborhood?

Once you’ve established your priorities and begin to look at potential homes, consider how convenient the neighborhood is for your life. Is the home close to your work, or will you have a long commute? If you need to run some quick errands, are there stores nearby? How far will your kids need to travel to get to school? Is the home located near family, or will visiting require a special trip?

How good are the local schools?

If you have school age children or are thinking about starting a family, obviously the quality of schools in the neighborhood is a major consideration. But schools don’t just affect those with kids. Homes in neighborhoods with good schools tend to have more value and hold on to their value for longer periods of time.

What are the additional expenses associated with this neighborhood?

Don’t just focus on the cost of the home when you’re thinking about buying, you also need to consider any other expenses or fees that may be associated with that community. Is the house in a development with a homeowner’s association? What are the property taxes on the home going to be? Are there any future developments planned for this community that could conceivably raise taxes in your area?

How safe is the neighborhood?

Safety is a big priority for many homeowners, so it’s a good idea to check into crime rates for a potential neighborhood and see how they compare to the national average. Also consider the types of crimes most common in the area. If you have specific questions about a neighborhood, call the local police station for more information.

Are there any warning signs?

At first glance a neighborhood may seem like a great choice. But take a closer look. Are there a large number of homes for sale? Are there any foreclosed properties in the area? Have many of the homes turned into rentals? Are there any sounds that could become unpleasant, like traffic noise, loud music or airports? Do you notice any unusual smells that could affect your quality of life? Visit the property at different times of day. Is traffic a nightmare during rush hour? Is the street particularly dark at night?

Considering the type of neighborhood you’d like to live in is just as important as choosing your house. Take time to prioritize your needs, and do the necessary work to investigate potential neighborhoods to find out as much about them as possible before putting in an offer.

Compliments of Virtual Results

You’ve cleared out all the clutter, emptied the closets, trimmed the trees, and made all the necessary repairs. Your house is clean and spotless and ready to show to potential buyers.

But have you thought about your front porch?

Your front porch will be one of the first things that potential buyers see when they visit your home. For instance, if you want to improve your front porch, then you may consider installing some deck railing. Use these great ideas to make sure your porch makes a warm and welcoming first impression!

Give it a scrub

It probably goes without saying, but doing a bit of exterior house washing so that you’ll have a clean front porch is the first step towards having an inviting front porch. Clear away all the clutter, scrub down the floor and make sure all the cobwebs are out of the corners. Wipe down railings, windows and the front door. If needed, rent a pressure washer to deep clean. You may also consider hiring a professional House Pressure Washing service.

Paint and punch up the color

Staging in neutral colors is often recommended inside your home, but you can be a little more daring on the outside. Don’t be afraid to play with color when you’re staging your front porch. You can add pops of colors by painting furniture, adding throw rugs, painting the front door or even simply adding colorful pots of flowers.

Add plants and flowers

Not only will flowers add some wonderful color to your front porch, plants will also draw the eye and make it cozy. Place plants and flowers in the corners in groups of three, line the steps with potted annuals or hang ferns around the perimeter.

Consider the furniture

A front porch is added living space, so demonstrate to potential buyers how they can best utilize the extra square footage. If you have enough room, add a cozy couch or porch swing, complete with bright and comfortable pillows that invite people to sit and linger. Even if you only have a small space, you can add a bistro chair and a side table – the perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee.

Maximize the view

If your front porch has a beautiful view, then you certainly want to emphasize it. You can add curtains that help to frame that gorgeous vista, and position furniture to maximize what can be seen. Don’t have a great view? Don’t worry! You can still make your front porch inviting by finding ways to play down what may not be the best view – like a parking lot across the street or a birdseye view of the neighbor’s RV. Install shutters, hang heavy curtains or add large plants like potted palms to help obstruct the view.

Lighting

Last but not least – don’t forget the lighting! Swap out an old front porch light with something more stylish and clean all outdoor lights thoroughly, especially if you will be showing your home in the evening. String lights can even add a little romantic charm.

If you’re lucky enough to have a front porch, make the most of it when staging your home! You’ll find that many buyers will be drawn inside based on how welcoming you’ve made your home’s entry.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Chances are your laundry room is not your favorite room of the house. It’s a room associated with chores, and it’s often the most cramped room in your home, making those chores seem even more tedious.

But what if your laundry room was clean, organized and even beautiful? Would you feel differently about washing and ironing clothes then? Click here to see washing machine prices.

If you’d like to tame the chaos and make your laundry room a space you love, follow these tips.

Corral the cleaning supplies

Has your laundry room become a gathering place for wayward cleaning products? Then find a way to contain all your supplies. An attractive basket or caddy placed on top of the washer or dryer or on a shelf keeps everything in one place so you know exactly where to find it the next time you need to knock out a grass stain before throwing those jeans in the wash.

Add shelves

If your laundry room doesn’t already have shelves, what are you waiting for? Shelves can help you organize all your supplies and is a great place to keep folded laundry while it’s waiting to be put away. Take it a step further and invest in some attractive shelves and containers – there’s no reason to skimp on design, even in functional rooms.

Add a countertop

If your laundry room is nothing more than a glorified closet, give yourself some room to work by installing a countertop over the washer and dryer. This gives you a place to fold laundry as it comes out of the dryer. And if you add curtains beneath it, you can hide what’s underneath. Then when you need a little extra counter space for a party, open the closet, close the curtains and use the countertop as a serving space!

Sort it out

Laundry rooms tend to get messy when there’s no place to sort clothes, so invest in a divided hamper that lets you easily sort lights, darks and whites. Get the whole family in on it by having them sort their own dirty clothes into the appropriate bins so washing day goes a little faster

Designate a lost and found area

Where do all those lost socks go? Until we figure out that mystery, have a designated space in your laundry room for all buttons, spare change and socks without a mate.

Think vertical

Clothes that can’t go in the dryer need a place to hang out until they’re dry. Don’t waste precious horizontal space – think up! Install a retractable clothesline, or invest in a drying rack that allows you to hang clothes for drip-drying.

Create an ironing station

Ironing clothes can be a real pain, so make it easier by designating a space for it in your laundry room. Attach an ironing board hanger on the wall so you can store the board out of the way until you need it. If you have the space, you can also add a rod nearby to hang the clothes that are freshly ironed while they are waiting to be put away.

Whether you have a tiny laundry room or one that’s fit for a king, getting organized will make completing one of life’s inescapable chores that much easier. You may even discover you like doing laundry. Don’t worry, we won’t tell the kids!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Is your family soon growing from two to three – or even four? Then it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to make room for the newest addition to your tribe. If you aren’t sure how to find space for a baby in your home, here are some ideas to get you started.

Get rid of unneeded clutter

Babies may be small, but their stuff isn’t. You’ll soon find yourself swimming in onesies, stuffed animals and car seats. Before the baby’s arrival, do a thorough purge of items in your home that aren’t really needed. Clear out closets, find what’s hiding under the bed that you forgot about and open up those storage boxes. Sell or donate items that are still in usable condition.

Look for new storage possibilities

You may feel like you’re already maxed out on space, but you’re going to feel even more cramped once there’s another small person in your home. Take a good look around and see how you can better organize and store what you do have. Can you add shelves to the top of the closet? Is there any room under the stairs for storage containers? Are you using all your wall space to its fullest potential?

Minimize baby stuff

You may have dreamed of a state-of-the-art nursery for your new little bundle of joy, but if you’re short on space that may not be a practical idea. According to mamonlineshop.com, many companies now make small-size solutions for babies, including mini-cribs, collapsible bathtubs and car-seat/stroller combos.  Remember – these are all items you won’t use forever, so it isn’t necessary to buy the biggest and best of everything.

Don’t register for too much

Friends and family may be even more excited about their new family member than you are, and may want to show that enthusiasm by purchasing every item on your registry. Be realistic about what you really need, and encourage people to avoid buying any large or bulky items that aren’t on your registry.

Share a room with parents or siblings

Not all families have the luxury of having a room dedicated just for the baby. In this case, you may want to consider having the baby share a room. If you already have younger children in your home, the baby can easily share with a sibling. If not, many people opt to set up a crib in the corner of their own rooms – which can be kind of nice when stumbling out of bed at 3 a.m. to comfort a crying baby.

Convert an extra room to a nursery

If you’re lucky enough to already have a spare room in your house that you’re using as a guest bedroom, office or workout space, then making room for a baby will be easy. Clear out the old furniture and have fun turning the room into a baby’s paradise, tricked out with all the bells and whistles like a changing station and a rocking chair for late-night feedings.

If you’re getting ready to welcome a new addition to your family – congratulations! With a little creativity and forethought, you can find a way to make room for a baby in your home, even in the smallest of spaces.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Is it time to take the big leap and move in to a new home with your partner? No doubt you’re excited about this milestone in your relationship. You’ll now have someone to share the ins and outs of your day-to-day life.

But have you stopped to consider what this means in terms of all the stuff you’ll now share – including all the items you use to decorate your space that makes it feel like home? If you and your partner have similar styles, that’s great. Moving in together and merging your belongings shouldn’t be too difficult. But if you and your partner have vastly different taste when it comes to decorations and furnishings, this can potentially cause some problems. Here’s what you can do to manage merging styles when you and your better half move into your new home.

Purge

While you may be hoping that your partner will miraculously and willingly give up most of their stuff so you can keep yours, that’s unrealistic. Moving in together means that if you keep everything, you’re going to have duplicates. Before taking the plunge, it’s time for each of you to purge some of these redundant items. If it isn’t something you love, need or use regularly, it’s time for that item to be sold or donated. If you’re at odds over which duplicated item to keep, choose the one that is newest or of the highest quality.

Choose new items together

When you’re moving in with someone, it’s an opportunity to start fresh. If you’ve been thinking about parting with your couch, and the other person has, too – why not shop for a new couch together? This will help you to find ways to negotiate and define what your new style will be as a couple.

Make a plan

Now that you’ve purged and acquired new items, make a game plan for the new space before moving in. What will go where? Which pieces of art will hang on the wall? Draw up a floor plan and have ideas about where all your stuff will live.

Compromise

Maybe you’re shabby chic and he’s midcentury modern, and you’re worried those two styles will just not blend. While it’s easy to jump to that conclusion, there really are ways to combine even the most disparate styles. Perhaps you both like brass and the color red. Find details that you have in common and build the room around those. What you’ll create is an eclectic and refreshing new style all your own. You can even give it a name, maybe “Modern Rustic Chic” or “Exotic Elegance.” Who wants to live in a cookie cutter environment anyway? This is an opportunity for you and your partner to put a personal stamp on your home and think outside the box.

Hire a professional

When all else fails and you and your partner just can’t seem to reach an agreement, hire an expert. A professional designer has worked with dozens of clients in similar situations. They can function as a neutral third party and figure out the best way for both of you to be happy.

In the end, remember that it isn’t the space that’s important; it’s the people who occupy the space. Keeping things in perspective and having a willingness to compromise and negotiate is the key to sharing a space and having a healthy and happy relationship.

Compliments of Virtual Results