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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!

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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.

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Just because you’re short on square footage doesn’t mean your life needs to feel cramped.  Try any of these amazing tricks to make your small space feel big.

1. Choose the right paint colors

While the generally accepted rule of thumb is to paint small spaces in lighter colors, that isn’t always the case. Some design experts suggest that deeper hues or jewel tones can make a room feel cozy or vibrant. If you’re not sure what to pick, here are some great choices.

2. Embrace natural lighting

A no-fail way to add a feeling of spaciousness to any room is to let the sun shine in. This is especially true if you have a beautiful view outside your window, which will help draw the eye out. An internal glazed door is a great choice for letting more natural light in.

3. Be picky about other lighting

Go for variety with your lights in a small room to add depth and softness, such as a small table lamp, a floor lamp and neon light. Plain overhead lighting isn’t going to cut it in a small space. If possible, put dimmers on your lights for even more control and variation.

4. Use mirrors

Mirrors not only reflect space back at you, they also reflect the light, making the room feel more bright and spacious. Hang a wall mirror or lean a floor mirror against the wall opposite a window, which will increase the light in the room and reflect the view back to you. These smart mirrors for bathroom also add elegance to your space.

5. Streamline furniture

Nothing makes a small space feel even more cramped than too much furniture. When outfitting a small room, go for furniture that can serve more than one purpose, such as a steamer trunk that can store pillows and blankets and double as a coffee table or ottoman.

6. Go monochrome

Try painting walls, doors and trim in the same color or different shades of the same color. You can also paint things you don’t want to draw attention to, like built-in shelves and radiators. Choose curtains that also blend with the color on the walls. Or better yet – do away with window treatments altogether if you can.

7. Be bold

Even though you don’t want to overwhelm a tiny space with too much furniture, you can add visual space by choosing one large statement piece, such as a sectional sofa or dining room table. The perfect solution for small rooms are custom furniture. Click here if you’re looking for custom furniture in Calgary.

8. Remove interior doors

If you’re space is closed off by interior doors that you don’t really need – like the ones that separate a living room and a dining room – remove them. This lets the eye travel so that one space moves seamlessly to the next.

9. Show your legs

Instead of furniture that rests directly on the floor, choose sofas and armchairs with legs to make the room feel airier and more spacious.

10. Be transparent

Choose glass or acrylic tables instead of metal or wood, which disrupt the view and create visual clutter.

11. Get rid of clutter

The number one rule, of course, with any small space is to remove as much clutter as you can. Leave at least half the space on shelves and tables empty for a more spacious and dramatic look.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Maybe you have dreams of buying a new home but aren’t sure you can financially swing it. Perhaps you have visions of turning an otherwise shabby home into something from your dreams. Or maybe you’ve found a house that’s in the perfect neighborhood and it’s the perfect size – but it needs a little love.

There are lots of reasons you may consider buying a fixer-upper – anything from saving a little money on the purchase to putting your own personal stamp on the house. No matter what is motivating you, there are some things you should consider before signing on the dotted line. Ask yourself these questions when you’re deciding whether or not you’re ready for a fixer upper.

Do you want to save on the initial cost?

Buying a fixer upper can be really great on the pocketbook, at least in the short term. A home that is in need of work is generally going to cost you less than a home that is move-in ready. An added bonus is that in many cases the money and time you invest in the refurbishment of the home will add more value, so you could see yourself coming out ahead.

Are you prepared for the added costs?

Though you will likely save on the initial costs, you will most assuredly be sinking money into renovations. Even if you have a good handle on how much you think the renovations will cost, there are always surprises as you dig into the work. You never really know what’s behind the wall or under the floor until you start to demolish it. Be sure to build in a good buffer when you’re saving for those renovations.

How much time do you have?

Depending on the shape of your fixer upper, you may not be able to move in right away. Renovations always take longer than expected, so be prepared to spend some time living elsewhere while you’re updating.

Can you handle a work-in-progress?

Once you have the house in livable condition, it might still be far away from being the home of your dreams. How well can you adapt to living in an unfinished home where the kitchen isn’t quite ready, or the bathroom still needs updating? Can you embrace not being able to fully decorate and make your house a home for a few weeks or even a few months?

How much work are you willing to do?

One of the enticing aspects of owning a fixer-upper is saving money, so many homeowners envision doing much of the work of renovating themselves. But what you may think is a little work in the beginning could turn out to be a whole lot more than you expected. What skills do you have, and what are you willing to learn? How in shape are you? Will you have enough time away from work and other responsibilities to finish what you need to do in a reasonable amount of time?

Fixer uppers can be really wonderful homes to purchase, and many homeowners love the experience of owning a home that they had a hand in renovating. Just make sure you’re really prepared for all that a fixer upper entails before you take the plunge.

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You’ve put your house on the market. You had a great open house. And now you’ve gotten an offer – followed by three more.

If you’re selling your home, you may find yourself in the position of having to choose between different offers. While this is often an enviable position to be in – who doesn’t dream of a bidding war? – it also means that at some point you’ll have to choose between them.

If you’re wondering how to decide between competing offers for your home, here are some tips to make choosing easier.

All offers are negotiable

The first thing to remember when evaluating any offer for your home is that all offers are negotiable. It’s part of the process for the seller and potential buyer to go back and forth until a mutually desirable agreement is made. If you receive an offer that is interesting but not quite what you had hoped for, you can make a counteroffer asking for modifications.

Define your priorities

Before you even begin entertaining any offers, you must first decide what your priorities are for your home sale. On which terms are you willing to negotiate? Which terms, if not fulfilled, are deal breakers? Do you need to sell quickly, or do you have time to wait for a better offer? Take the time to clearly set your goals so you end up satisfied with the process in the end.

Establish a process with your real estate agent

If you or your agent thinks that your home will receive multiple offers, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place before you begin receiving those offers. Decide on a timeframe that you will accept offers, and let potential buyers know there is a clear deadline. Your agent has probably gone through this process before and will likely already have an established way of dealing with multiple offers – let their expertise guide you here. They can discuss with you how the review process will take place, and will likely be open to any modifications you may want to make.

Analyze each offer

Each offer you receive on your home needs to be carefully scrutinized before making a decision. While it may be tempting to go with the buyer offering the highest price, there are other considerations to bear in mind. Does the buyer want you to make any repairs? Are they asking for appliances to be included in the purchase price? Are they offering enough earnest money to deposit for the down payment? Is the buyer pre-approved for a mortgage? Do they want you to cover closing costs? Does their closing date align with your timeline? For each of these critical points, you’ll want to ask yourself what you’re willing to compromise on and what is a deal breaker.

While receiving multiple offers on your home can be very exciting, it’s important to keep in mind the big picture and have a plan in place for what to do if you need to decide between two or more potential buyers. With a little forethought and a set of clearly defined goals, you’ll have an easier time making that final call.

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If buying a home is in your future, one of the realities you’ll need to face is the need to save for a down payment. Depending on the type of mortgage you qualify for, you’ll need anywhere from three to upwards of 20 percent of the purchase price in order to close. While that may seem like a lot of money to come up with in one lump sum, it can be done with some forethought, planning and discipline.

Here’s some of our best advice for saving money for your down payment.

Determine what you can afford

One of the first steps you need to take when you’re house shopping is to get pre-qualified for a mortgage. Not only will this make you more attractive to sellers, it will inform you how large a loan you can reasonably expect to carry. That, in turn, will tell you how much you need to save for your down payment. Depending on what percentage you’d like to put forward as a down payment, your mortgage lender can then calculate your target home price. Remember, the larger the down payment you can manage, the less you will need to pay each month for private mortgage insurance (PMI) and the better the interest rate will be for your loan, so it’s best to save as much as possible.

Find out if you qualify for a mortgage with a lower down payment

There are certain types of mortgages that allow buyers to put down a significantly lower down payment than a conventional loan, including an FHA loan, a VA loan and a USDA loan. Each loan type has its own set of qualifications, and these may be a good choice for you if you fit the criteria.

Decide on a timeframe

You probably won’t be able to save enough money overnight, so it’s a good idea to give yourself a timeframe for saving this money. If you’d like to begin your home search in earnest in three years, take the amount you need to save and divide it by the number of months you’ve given yourself to determine how much you need sock away each month.

Open a savings account

If you don’t already have a savings account where you do your banking, now is the time to open one. Most banks will allow you to set aside a fixed amount each month to be transferred from your checking to your savings, and automating the process will help keep you on track. Consider depositing one-time payments, like tax refunds, directly into your saving accounts, to reach your goal more quickly.

Check your credit

Your credit can help you score a better deal on your interest rate – as well as more breathing room with your down payment – as long as your score is good. As soon as you’ve decided to start saving, check your credit report to make sure it’s accurate. Sometimes credit reports contain inaccurate information that can hurt you, so give yourself plenty of time to clean up your report and your credit score.

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Have you driven around town and noticed that more and more homes have photovoltaic panels installed on their rooftops? Were you thinking that it might be time for you to do the same?

Most people think that working with Solar Farm Development Services is going to be expensive, and, in past years, they would be right—traditionally, solar technology has been extremely pricey. However, in the last decade, the cost of going solar has dropped by a whopping 55%. Think about the benefit of Smart Solar Energy if you’re considering solar in 2023!

While solar panels are a great option for many homeowners, not every house is suitable. According to solar installer preston, If you’re considering taking the plunge into solar energy, here are answers to some of the few basic questions you may have, have a look at the best solar powered generator for refrigerator.

What are the benefits of solar power?

According to a top ranking solar panel company, there are many reasons to be excited about using solar energy for your home, which include:

• Greener living – solar energy is a renewable resource and no emissions are generated from the panels.
• Low maintenance – once your solar energy panels are installed, there’s very little maintenance involved.
• Durability – solar panels don’t contain any moving parts so they’re tough and durable, and most can be expected to last about 25 years.
• Rebates – many states and municipalities offer rebates for switching to solar energy, which can save you money in the long run.
• Property value – solar panels can even increase the value of your home!

How does solar energy work?

While the science and technology behind solar panels is somewhat complex, what it boils down to is that the panels use photovoltaic cells to generate electron activity when exposed to the sun. In turn, this activity is captured and converted to DC electricity. For systems that are connected to the main power grid, a grid connect inverter then converts that electricity to 120v or 240v AC, which is what is used to power most electrical appliances, and if you want to learn more about solar power you can also visit sites like https://www.visitoregon.com/businesses/hour-to-midnight/ for more information.

Which direction do the solar panels face?

While south-facing roofs are ideal for collecting and converting the most amount of solar energy, homeowners with east or west facing roofs can still benefit. The angle of the panels is set to maximize exposure based on your home’s latitude.

Is my home a good candidate for solar panels?

If your home gets a large amount of shade during the day, you may not be a good candidate for solar energy, since the panels rely on direct sunlight to generate power. Ideally, your roof should get at least five hours of unobstructed sunlight a day. Your roof also needs to have a solid structure that can handle the weight of the panels and the system that supports them. You may discover that your roof needs to be repaired or reinforced before you can safely install the panels. In addition, solar panels are more difficult to install on some types of roofs, including those with Spanish tile or shake.

How are the panels installed?

A solar panel system needs to be installed by an experienced contractor, and it’s a good idea to get proposals from at least three before you decide who will do the work.

Will the panels hurt the roof?

If installed properly, the solar panels will not damage the roof. In fact, the panels will actually shield the roof underneath them from weather-related damage. Many homeowners even discover that the areas in the home underneath the panels remain cooler in summer months and warmer in winter.