A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.

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5 Things Nobody Tells You About Renovating Your Bathroom

Making bathroom renovations can be a costly and time consuming process. It’s easier said than done, but if you want your bathroom to look as pristine and good shape as ever, then we can say that it’ll be a good investment in the long run. Besides, in this modern age, people are stepping up their game when it comes to refurbishing the interior of their homes, so why not join in the fun?

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Making bathroom renovations can be a costly and time consuming process. It’s easier said than done,  but  if you want your bathroom to look as pristine and good shape as ever, then we can say that it’ll be a good investment in the long run. Besides, in this modern age, people are stepping up their game when it comes to refurbishing the interior of their homes, so why not join in the fun?

Before that however, we know that you’re already excited about the thought of creating a bathroom suited to your liking, but we need you to remember a few things that not many people share about when it comes to the overall renovations of your bathroom:

1. How much would it actually cost to remodel your bathroom?

You may think to yourself that remodelling a bathroom shouldn’t be that expensive, since you’re paying for just one section of the house and not the whole thing. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. We’re telling you right now, even with basic renovations with cheap materials could still cost you  thousands of dollars. On average, it would still cost you between $5,000 to $25,000, while high quality renovations could go up to $30,000. 

There are a number of factors in renovating bathrooms that could possibly drive up its price. Depending on what you want to renovate and what you want to add inside, prices will always vary because of it. Plumbing is an example of some of those factors you need to take note of.  Luckily for you, Glenmore Park Plumbers offers cheap bathroom renovations that are budget-friendly and won’t trim down your savings too much. Rest assured, you can expect a wide range of quality services coupled with an affordable price suitable for you. So if you have time, check out their website now. 

2. Consider your overall design and style 

Setting up the look and feel of your bathroom is an important factor when pushing with the renovations. However, a bathroom shouldn’t just look aesthetically pleasing to look at. A proper layout must be made in order to get a glimpse of how the room will look once everything’s been put into place, and will help you visualize where exactly will your renovations lead to.  Having a good design ensures that your bathroom contains the appropriate fixtures and ambient, comfortable space for the people inside. With the correct design and careful selection of what to have inside, they can make up for a style that will match your own vision with the perfect amenities with a blend of practicality in between. 

3. Lighting is everything 

If you want your bathroom to look exquisite, then a few light bulbs here and there just isn’t going to cut it. As a homeowner, you should take careful consideration what type of lighting you want displayed in the bathroom. We’re talking about if you want a single ceiling light to illuminate everything, or if you’re the type of person who wants ambient lighting in the shower areas. Naturally, there are four types of lighting for bathrooms: task, decorative, accent, and sparkle. It’s up to you on how you want to mix and match these lighting types, but always remember to pick ones that best suit your bathroom routines and don’t go too overboard on it.

4. Have the right amount of storage space

A well functioning bathroom should also have the right amount of storage for all your toiletries, towels, and other bathroom nitty gritties that you’ll need. Bathrooms are one of the most used rooms inside a household, so be sure that you maximize the space inside your bathroom and find good places for storage.

With so many soaps, lotions, and skin care creams stored inside, it’s easy to get lost in all of them and even easier to make the place messy and untidy, especially if everyone in the family is using the same bathroom. Right now, the main goal is to make it as clean and simple as possible while not sacrificing the overall aesthetic that you want to uphold for the inside. This is something that you should first take note of when drawing up plans on how you want your bathroom’s remodeled design to look like.

5. Be creative and don’t be boring

Renovating your bathroom is a chance not many people get to remodel it for themselves and bring out their creative side in designing their homes. Having said that, we advise everyone to not stick by boring, old-school design and take the chance to make your bathroom look as splendid and elegant as possible. So change those old tiles, paint those torn walls, and start adding those necessary bathroom essentials that everyone’s been using lately, because now’s your chance  to build and design the bathroom you’ve always wanted.

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Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

4 Way to Make Money With Your Home

When you purchase a home you own an illiquid or non-liquid asset, which means that it can’t be converted to cash easily. That being said, it does not mean you can’t make money off your house to help pay off your mortgage or to simply have supplemental income.

We partnered with a financial company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

When you purchase a home you own an illiquid or non-liquid asset, which means that it can’t be converted to cash easily. That being said, it does not mean you can’t make money off your house to help pay off your mortgage or to simply have supplemental income. 

Here are four easy and creative ways to make money off your house.

1. Rent Out a Room

This might seem obvious, but renting out a room, guesthouse, or backhouse of your home is an easy way to help pay off your mortgage by having immediate and consistent cash flow each month. Furthermore, roommates help split your utility costs and can help with chores around the house, which saves you both time and money.

A good rule of thumb is to charge 0.8–1.0 % of your home’s market value per month for each roommate. For instance, if your property has a value of $500,000 then your rental rate should be between $4,000 and $5,500 per month. 

That 0.2% percentile difference does have an impact. So, it’s suggested that if your property’s value is under $375,000 then charge closer to 0.8% while if your property value is over $375,000 consider a rate closer to 1.1%. You can always look into Financial Services Outsourcing for guidance.

2. Offer Storage Space

If you have an external shed or a garage that isn’t used, then contemplate renting that space out as a storage unit. On average, storage units cost $90.00 a month. In most cities, there are plenty of people in search of affordable alternatives.

You have options when it comes to renting out a storage space. You can allow short-term rentals for college students between breaks or those who are moving in-between spaces and need to temporarily store their belongings. Alternatively, you can rent out an entire garage or driveway to a boat, RV, or camper.

3. Charge for Parking

This option is very much location dependent, but in densely populated areas you might want to share your driveway or parking space for short-term or long-term. Furthermore, if your home is near popular weekend events such as sports events or a music venue, then you can charge people to park in your driveway. If it’s a group of related people, try to charge for multiple parking spaces since they can block one another in. 

This can easily add up to several hundreds of dollars for each event.

4. Create Products + Get a Tax Deduction

If you’ve always wanted to launch your a personal small business then why not start from home? No, you don’t have to be the next computer whiz building cutting-edge technology in your garage. You can though follow your passion or side hustle and use a space within your property to create your own business. Here are some ideas:

  • Bake treats and deserts 

  • Create jewelry

  • Produce artwork 

  • Refurbish or construct wood

Even better, depending on the space, you can get a tax deduction for having an exclusive business space. Just make sure that your home business meets any certification, licensing, or permit requirements.

For more unique ideas on how to make money with your home, see Homebuyer’s visual below.

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Home Maintenance Ben Soreff Home Maintenance Ben Soreff

6 Things To Check Before Buying Your First Fixer Upper

Tune in to almost any HGTV show and you’ll see episode after episode of people flipping houses and making some serious bucks. You can make a pretty penny by taking a run-down property that no one on the market wants and turning it into someone’s dream home.

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Tune in to almost any HGTV show and you’ll see episode after episode of people flipping houses and making some serious bucks. You can make a pretty penny by taking a run-down property that no one on the market wants and turning it into someone’s dream home. 

But before you sign your name on the dotted line, there are a few things in your fixer-upper home you need to check. Here are six common problem areas in old houses that could make flipping it for a profit more costly than you’d first think. 

The Roof

Replacing a leaky and deteriorating roof can be one of the most expensive renovations for people who want to flip a property. Roofs usually last up to 25 years before they start to break down—if your fixing up an old home, you’ll want to check how old the roof is and when the last roof inspection was done. If you buy a home with a damaged roof, you can spend on average up to $40,000 for a new roof.

Some signs your potential fixer upper will need extensive repairs include:

  • Loose or missing shingles

  • Smooth shingles

  • Curled shingles

  • Moisture in the attic or ceiling

  • Cracked or rusting flashing

You’ll also want to see whether or not the current homeowner’s roof warranty will transfer to the new owners after the purchase—some people assume it automatically does but that’s not always the case. 

The Plumbing

Water damage is one of the worst issues that potential homeowners can find in their prospective property since it’s hard to tell just how serious the damage actually is at first glance. If there is a significant plumbing leak, a clogged pipe and plumbing vent, or overflowing drains, there could be a much more serious issue with the home’s entire plumbing system. It could cost thousands of dollars to fully replace the faulty plumbing, leaving you in the red for the rest of the renovation. 

Make sure your home inspector or plumber checks for these common plumbing issues: 

  1. Broken thermostats

  2. Rusty pipes

  3. Clogged sewer line

  4. Polybutylene or polyethylene piping

  5. Galvanized pipes

  6. Sediment build-up

The Flooring

One of the first things home inspectors do is search for signs of wood rot and insect damage. Carpenter bees, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and termites destroy wood, making the flooring structurally unsound and can force new homeowners to cash up for entirely new flooring if they buy before having it carefully inspected. 

Prospective buyers can quickly inspect the flooring by using their feet to detect any weak, soft spots in the wood—this is a clear indication that there is internal structural damage. If there is also a moldy or musty smell coming from the flooring, this could also be a sign of wood rot. The National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors can inspect your floors before you buy to make sure there aren’t serious issues that could be dangerous in the near future.

Gas

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that all homes be tested for radon—a radioactive and carcinogenic gas that is difficult to detect since it’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Even if the home has been tested for radon in the past, it’s a good idea to do another test before you close any deal. The test results only take a couple of days to be processed and can make your entire renovation happen without having to worry about faulty gas pipes leaking noxious gas into your home. 

Asbestos

Fixer-upper homes are often built before 1980—making the presence of asbestos extremely likely. Asbestos was a common home insulation material for many years until it was found to be hazardous to human health. Even old floor tiles, paint, and roofing materials were made with asbestos. Thankfully, asbestos is only harmful if it’s released into the air, so undamaged asbestos doesn’t pose a threat. 

Home sellers can still sell a home if it has asbestos, but they need to fully disclose it before selling or else they run the risk of being sued. If you’re considering buying a home that has asbestos, you can remove it, but most home inspectors recommend simply containing it rather than fully removing it and risking it becoming airborne. 

Electrical Wiring

Problems with a home’s electrical distribution system is the fourth most common cause of home fires. It’s important to check a house’s electrical wiring before buying a home—if there are significant safety issues it could cost upwards of $30,000 to rewire the entire home depending on the size of the house the extent of the repairs. At that point, it may be more cost-effective to keep searching for a different property.

Some common electrical concerns to have checked by a home inspector or electrician include:

  • Exposed wiring and splices

  • Painted outlets

  • Improperly modified electrical panels

  • No GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection

  • Aluminum wiring

  • Reversed polarity

  • Double-tapping of circuit breakers

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Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

Tips for getting organized during an interstate move

If you are looking to take the stress out of your relocation, getting organized during an interstate move is the right way to accomplish that.

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The thought of moving cross-country into a brand-new home that feels like the right fit for you is undoubtedly exciting. You can't help but fantasize about your life in it, and you do it long before you've even begun the transition. However, it's not all rainbows and sunshine when it comes to your new life. Before you can start the next chapter, you must deal with the relocation process. Planning and executing it is not simple, but it's still manageable. At the end of the day, it all comes down to getting organized during an interstate move. But how exactly can you accomplish that? You can start by following the tips we have compiled here.

How to get organized during a long-distance move?

Getting organized during an interstate move is entirely possible. All it takes is a strategic plan and willingness to execute it.

Moving long-distance doesn't have to be a daunting task. You can majorly simplify it through some careful planning. Knowing what steps to take and taking them on time will spare you the headache during transport and make the unpacking less unnerving. The good thing is that getting organized during an interstate move isn't all that hard. There is an order to it that, when stuck to, can even turn the whole experience into one worth remembering.

Begin preparations as early as possible

The key to a successful long-distance relocation lies in dealing with preparations early. You can't expect your relocation to go smoothly if you deal with everything last minute. Instead of handling problems on the go, devise a moving plan as early as possible. Some say four weeks prior to the move is the ideal time to start preparing. However, you will likely need even more time as you will have to deal with things such as:

  • Decluttering

  • Cleaning

  • Packing

  • Paperwork

Once you've determined the right time to begin organizing the cross-country move, you can start getting into details. Make a list of all the things you need to complete before "the day" comes and keep it handy to make sure you stay on schedule. As far as writing everything down goes, you can either do it the old-fashioned way on a piece of paper or through an app. The choice is entirely yours.

Decide on a budget

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A budget is a huge factor that can majorly impact the entirety of your move. It's the size of your wallet that decides things such as whether to handle the relocation on your own or hire professionals to do it for you. Being aware of just how much money you've got at your disposal can help you plan your expenses in a more efficient way.

Should you do it yourself or hire professional movers?

This is something you must figure out on your own. However, before you make up your mind, remember that DIY moves take longer, they are a lot more stressful, and the risk for injuries is significantly higher. On the other hand, they are more affordable and can be successfully tackled with the help of friends and family. When it comes to professional movers, they have the necessary tools and the know-how to provide adequate assistance in this process. Choosing residential movers for the task is almost exclusively a better option. If you can afford them, that is.

Get organized by dealing with clutter

The key to staying on track with your interstate relocation is to declutter before you start packing. People have a habit of hoarding unnecessary items, and you don't want this habit to transfer to your new home. The goal is for it to remain neat and organized for as long as possible. That's why selecting what to keep and what to get rid of is essential. Instead of simply throwing out what you don’t need anymore, opt for selling or donating. If you are tight on money, the first option could really help with the finances. However, if money isn't an issue, consider donating your belongings to a thrift store or charity.

Keep important documentation in one place

Chances are, when your relocation process begins, you'll be met with a ton of paperwork. Deeds, bills, legal, and medical documents, you name it! Keeping track of everything with paperwork scattered all around is really difficult. To avoid the mess and ensure you are getting organized during an interstate move, keep the documentation in one place. Depending on the number of documents you have, a folder, a binder, or a box will do the trick.

Pack smart

What many wish they knew while relocating was that packing smart is achievable without much effort. With enough time, the right strategy, and the right supplies, the whole process can be a breeze. Of course, it's also important to know where to start, as you can't just pack your items in random order. The rule of thumb is to start with items you don't use as often and leave the frequently used ones for the end. Packing things room by room might also be a good idea. You can even assign a color to each room and color code your boxes accordingly. And don't forget to label the boxes! This will save you some precious time and prevent you from frantically searching for what you need.

Prepare an emergency bag

Getting organized during an interstate move implies keeping essential items at hand. You will want to prepare a bag with everything you'll need during the transport. That includes food, water, medication, toiletries, and documents. If you are moving with children, don't forget that keeping their favorite toys or blankets on hand will significantly ease the transition, as well.

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