Ways of Boosting Curb Appeal With Your Garage Door

One of the things that homeowners talk about when they’re thinking about putting their house on the market is making improvements that will help them fetch a good price.

More often than not, homeowners go with major remodeling work, but some choose to boost their curb appeal instead. After all, the first thing that someone shopping for a new home readily sees is how a prospective house looks from the curb.

Then again, you don’t necessarily have to be selling to boost your home’s curb appeal. You can do it for aesthetic reasons, and still improve your home’s value over time.

There are many ways of improving a home’s curb appeal. One of them is making use of your garage door as a focal point. Considering how your garage door occupies much of the curb-facing part of your home, it makes sense to utilize it to boost curb appeal. Here are some ways that you can do just that.

Get a new garage door.

Of course, this tip assumes that you’ve had your current garage door for a long time, and its age is showing. You’ve already called for garage door repair services several times, and it doesn’t look that good from the curb anymore. Replacing your aging garage door with a newer model that goes perfectly with the design of your home is going to do wonders for your curb appeal, and how!

Repaint it.

If your garage door is relatively new and you’re unwilling to replace it, then you can opt to change things up by repainting it. Many homeowners go for a color that would blend well with the exterior paint of their house, while some prefer a color that would create a lovely contrast. If you’re going for a darker hue, make sure that it wouldn’t contrast starkly with your home’s exterior paint.

Accessorize

Many homeowners have rather plain-looking garage doors, and that’s okay. Many prefer things that way, but if you have boosting curb appeal in mind, you might want to consider accessorizing. You can install decorative door handles or even magnetic decorations.

You can also beautify the area around your garage door. Potted plants or shrubs on either side of your garage door would do the trick. The same goes for putting up decorative stonework on your driveway.

Lights!

If you want your home to look amazing from the curb even at night, then you might want to consider installing exterior light fixtures. With your garage door as a focal point, put up overhead and side lights that will frame your garage door and your home perfectly in the evenings. You can also install ground lights that you can point toward the trees and tall plants you have planted in the area around your garage door for an even grander look.

Achieve balance with the front door.

If you aim to boost curb appeal with your garage door, then you must also do the same with your front door. Do whatever you can to improve the look of your front door, all to achieve balance and consistency between the two most prominent features of your home’s façade.

Make the garage look great, too.

People admire your home’s curb appeal, boosted by the gorgeous treatment you’ve done for the garage door. Then that same garage door opens, and people will see that the actual garage doesn’t match the appeal of its door, to say the least.

Do what you can with your garage door, but don’t forget about the garage itself. Keep it as clean and orderly as possible. If you have the budget for it, you can also do things that will improve your garage’s overall look, like applying a garage floor coating that comes in a wide range of colors and designs. That way, people standing on the curb will still admire your home even when the garage doors are wide open.

For a homeowner, few things are as satisfying and flattering than watching people walking or driving by and admiring your house. The sight of them stopping for a bit and appreciating how your home looks from the curb is quite a way to tell you that you’ve done something right. With your garage door featured like a crown jewel, you can expect more and more people doing the same thing for the foreseeable future.

How to Choose Blanket to Match Bedroom Style

You can add texture to any interior with a stylish throw blanket—whether tossed on the arm of a sofa, laid along the end of a bed, or hung from the back of a lounge chair. A chic throw is terrific for heating a space. Your home is your refuge and solace – but there's no place like the bedroom. Adding a throw blanket to your home is an easy, low-cost way to add big style! Throw blankets let you play with a little more risk than more significant investments like furniture, rugs, and paint. If you're thinking about picking and styling a throw blanket to match your modern nightstand, there are several things to consider. There's location, texture, style, size, color, and your style.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT THROW BLANKET FOR YOUR HOUSE DESIGN

Have you got a "style" you find most desirable? So, based on general style rules, you'll get hints on what to do and what not to do. Here's an essential guide to some popular blanket styles and tips for choosing the right one.

1. Eclectic 

Eclectic style doesn't mean a random assortment of things; it comes from a blend of periods and styles, blended with thoughtful scale, space, color, shape, and texture for a beautiful, harmonious look that's not bound by time or a particular look. It's a style that combines elements of several styles into one. It's an informal mix of furniture and decor, with plenty of different styles to choose from. Eclectic decor is often bright and colorful with unexpected elements, like boho bedroom decor.

2. Picking a throw blanket

Your throw should be balanced, so mimic something else in the room. Does one side of the room have a bunch of colorful globes? Put a bright throw on the opposite couch to match the splash of color. Don't expect everything to match. Balance and scale are essential. You shouldn't be scared to mix textures, add global/ethnic elements, or be super bold with your throw.

3. Traditional

Classic and comfortable. We've all grown up in a traditional home. Place furnishings in pairs, and keep them centered in the room, understated, relaxing, gentle curves. The traditional style is all about beige, browns, upholstered furniture, and classic lamps & window coverings. Traditionalism is inspired by, well, tradition. Taking hints from the 18th and 19th centuries, it combines classic art, antiques, and pieces from history. While the traditional design is usually influenced by European decor, it can incorporate elements from England, France, or even East Asia.

4. Picking a throw blanket

It's not chaotic, but proponents don't mind color. Pick fall colors in bold shades or a contrasting teal to liven up browns. Don't try to make your throw unique or significant. Try adding personalised blankets. Keep the proportions consistent. Feel free to pick any pattern you like. Pattens are a low-risk way to add a little fun and personality to the room.

5. Minimalist

A minimalist style emphasizes clean lines, minimal clutter, and open spaces. The most standard colors are black and white. The Scandinavian style similarly combines warm wood and plants. The minimalist interior design uses only the bare essentials to create a simple and uncluttered space. A monochromatic palette and clean lines are the hallmarks of this style.

6. Picking a throw blanket

You don't have to be afraid of an accent. Layers are an excellent way to add warmness and depth to a minimalist look. Don't go for anything too flashy. Rather than a wild floral or organic pattern, choose a geometric or line design with a modern dresser. If you want the blanket to match your couch or walls, try a different fabric or texture, like sheepskin or chunky-knit.

A Landlord's Guide to Keeping Long-Term Tenants

We partnered with a financial strategy 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 renting a property, many tenants consider it a short-term living situation only. “Younger independents” are classified as those between 18 and 24 years old, and a study confirmed that they rent a property for an average of 2.6 years. However, many move annually to coincide with the end of their year-long lease. There were similar findings for the 25 to 44 years old demographic of “flexible professionals,” but people aged 45 and older rent for about six years at a time or opt to purchase a property. 

Since the younger tenants are more inclined to leave their rental properties, they must be enticed to stay for a longer term. There are many amenities landlords can offer to keep tenants for longer periods of time. Read below to learn more about how to report unpaid rent to credit bureau and keeping long-term tenants!

Encourage Tenants to Sign a Longer Lease

Leases on rental properties are usually for set lengths of time, with common terms being one year. Landlords often use lengthier leases as a tactic to keep tenants in the same rental unit for the long term. Increasing the length of the lease from one year to two years or longer has many benefits for both the landlord and tenant. 

Landlords lose a significant amount of money when their units sit vacant. The average turnover cost is about $1,750 per month between advertising costs, cleaning and maintenance, lost rent, and utilities. In addition to the lost source of income, landlords also lose valuable time and effort looking to fill their empty units. When tenants sign longer leases, they also have a consistent source of rental income while avoiding the concerns of a new and potentially problematic tenant.  

Tenants also benefit from longer leases. The most obvious benefit is the relief and comfort of knowing you have a place to live for an extended period of time. Moving is a stressful and complicated process, so a long-term lease allows tenants to feel peace of mind as they prolong this anxiety. Additionally, a tenant with a strong credit score can negotiate more favorable terms on a longer lease.

Lease Renewal Bonuses 

Offering lease renewal bonuses to entice tenants is another way to ensure they remain in their unit for a longer term. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship between the landlord and tenant. The landlord does not have to deal with finding a new tenant and the aforementioned turnover costs. Conversely, the tenant receives compensation of some sort and does not have to deal with the stress of moving for an extended time period. Landlords have a variety of options for lease renewal bonuses. They can range from covering a month’s rent or utilities to giving a free television or piece of furniture to the tenant. 

Stay on Top of Maintenance

Landlords should also remain on top of maintenance requests. Tenants will remain happy and want to stay longer if their maintenance requests are resolved in a timely and professional manner. In fact, many tenants value this so much that it becomes a deciding factor when deciding to re-sign the lease. Not only does this keep tenants happy and more likely to stay longer, it saves landlords time and money! By remaining on top of maintenance, there are fewer repairs to be completed in the future turnover process. It also helps keep smaller issues from becoming larger and costlier repairs.  

Upgrade the Unit’s Appliances

Upgrading the unit’s appliances will also encourage your tenant to remain there longer. By replacing outdated appliances with more efficient models, your tenant will notice an immediate increase in convenience. While there will be installation and initial upfront costs, these newer appliances will require fewer repairs. This not only saves you money in the long run, but time as well. Appliances to consider replacing include the washer, dryer, and various kitchen appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, oven, and microwave. 

Landlords should also upgrade the unit’s HVAC system. Consider having a ductless mini split installed to replace any outdated central ducted HVAC systems. Ductless mini splits have a variety of benefits over other air conditioners such as window units and space heaters. Their most important quality is their efficiency. Other systems are wasteful and ineffective, but ductless mini splits operate at high levels of efficiency. Therefore, your unit’s energy bill will be significantly lower and your carbon footprint reduced. 

The lack of ductwork also makes their installation process and regular maintenance much easier. Mini splits also double as air filters and dehumidifiers, which significantly increases the quality of air in your home or apartment. Ductless mini splits are available in single and multi-zone systems, which make them versatile and appealing for tenants. Single-zone systems consist of one outdoor unit connected to one indoor unit. This allows you to control the temperature in the room or “zone” where the indoor unit is located only. 

Multi-zone systems consist of one outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units, each located in a different room or floor. This allows you to control the temperature in one zone without impacting the others! A multi-zone system is a great way to entice a tenant into staying longer, especially if there are multiple renters with different temperature preferences. 

Communicate with the Tenants

Openly communicating with your tenants is another great way to keep them for longer terms. If your tenant ever asks a question or has any comments, make sure to respond in a timely and professional manner. Landlords must be personable and friendly while staying within the boundaries of a professional relationship. By communicating openly with the tenant, you could also ask them what could encourage them to stay longer. 

Granting any reasonable requests by the tenants will definitely entice them to stay, especially if they are changes to the unit. For example, allowing a tenant to alter any artwork, plant a garden, switch appliances, or customize the unit in some other way will make them happy and want to stay longer. 
Since most renters are inclined to move out of and into new rental homes on a yearly basis, it’s important for landlords to try and keep their tenants beyond this time frame. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this! 

4 Areas to Check on Your Property After a Storm

Even if you have a relatively new home that was designed to withstand storms, some damage could occur during high winds or heavy rainfall. That is why it is so important for you to inspect a few key places in your home immediately after any major storm.

Roof

Following a storm of any type, you must immediately take a close look at your roof. While modern roofs are designed to be as sturdy as possible, the outer shingles and tiles can still become damaged whenever there are high winds, falling tree branches, or hail. As long as the damage isn’t extensive, a roof repair contractor should be able to replace most of the shingles or tiles within a day or two.

Attic

After you have taken a look at the outside of your roof, you should then head into the attic to see if there is any water damage. Water damage can quickly spiral out of control and destroy some of the most important building materials in your home. A few of the most common signs of water damage include moldy insulation, moldy wooden beams, a musty smell, sagging ceilings, and warped walls.

The Yard

Your home is probably going to be your primary concern following a storm, but your front and backyard need to be inspected as well. In most areas, yards must be angled so that rainwater will quickly drain away, but not all yards are properly graded. When water becomes trapped in a yard, it could kill off all of your plants and potentially even damage your sewage system. Standing water out in your yard is also going to increase your risk of mosquitoes and other unwanted pests.

Drainage System

Your sewage line can back up for many different reasons, and that includes heavy rainstorms. When the sewage line becomes clogged, it could eventually result in water flooding your home through all of your sinks and showers, and that type of damage is quickly going to spread. At the very least, you should spend a few minutes checking all of the sinks, toilets, and showers throughout your home to ensure that there isn’t any sewage water seeping back in.

If you notice any home damage following a storm, you must immediately contact your insurance provider to explore your options. Many homeowners only have a few days to report storm damage if they want to receive any type of compensation, so be sure to check for these signs as soon as the storm has settled.