Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Home Maintenance

  • How to Organize a Linen Closet

    Linen closets can be largely forgotten in the rush of fall cleaning or a Marie Kondo-inspired purge. They can easily overflow and grow mold thanks to fluxes in humidity and temperature. As a result of their isolation, they can be viewed as a last resort for discarded but pricey beauty items or threadbare sheets and towels. Take the following steps to create a linen closet that holds everything in perfect organization. 

    Empty and clean

    Closets can seem like black holes. They’re able to store and hide linens and more, but this also means out of sight, out of mind. Lay all items on a bed or sofa. Vacuum the shelves, floor and ceiling. Mix your favorite cleanser or use an all-purpose one to spray each shelf. Be mindful of using enough product in the corners. Spray and wipe with a microfiber rag. Once dry, consider adding shelf liners – acid-free ones are preferred. 

    Sort and purge

    Begin by grouping like items together. Start with blankets and pillows. Move on to towels and bed linens. Once done, evaluate which linens need their walking papers. Toss those that are torn or stained. Any item with stretched-out elastic should also go. It’s tempting to think of repairing or cleaning items, but it may be best to purge them if you cannot do so within a week. Look at how many of each sheet size you have. Aim for three sets of linens per bed and four sets of towels and face cloths per person. Keep two or three extra sets of each for guests. 

    Shelve

    Bulky items such as blankets and pillows should go on the top shelf. Seasonal items such as beach towels and festive tablecloths should go in the back or top of the closet. Place towels front and center for easy access. Fold them in thirds lengthwise and then into a rectangle. Place edges toward the back for a neater look. In a more compact space, roll towels and tie a ribbon around sheet sets. 

    Label

    Linen closets may also be a space that holds quite a few toiletries for the whole family. Bins are a great way to bring pops of color and label items. Each family member can have their own bin. For a rainy-day project, let little ones decorate their containers. Small items, such as travel-size toiletries and cleaning supplies, can be grouped or divided into shampoo, conditioner, body wash and sunscreen by type. The same applies for beauty products and wipes.  The best way to deal with clutter is to prevent it. Organize your linen closet with these tips.

  • Seven Reasons Getting Rid of Clutter Helps a House Sell Faster

    Whether you bought a starter home or what you hoped would be a forever home, circumstances change. One thing that doesn’t change though, is the inevitable expansion that occurs when you become a homeowner. As time goes on, you acquire tools that need to be used just once or twice a year, like step ladders and extension ladders, lawn mowers, edgers and leaf blowers. When it’s time to sell, you may find you’ve expanded just a bit too much. Getting rid of clutter is the first thing you need to do when you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, and sadly, unless you move frequently, there are very few people who don’t accumulate more than they should.

    Here are seven reasons you need to get rid of that clutter to ensure a quick home sale.

    Minimalistic spacious house interior with two floors
    Minimalistic spacious house interior with two floors

    1. It’s all about imagined lives

    Clutter makes it hard to think. You may not think of your collection of exotic masks from your foreign travels as clutter. But let’s face it, we don’t all like the same things, and if your home is bursting with small objects, buyers can’t imagine themselves in your space. You have to make room for them and their imagined lives in what might soon be their home rather than yours. Store the highly personal collections during the selling process so buyers can see the space as theirs, and they’ll be more likely to make an immediate offer.

    2. Help the potential buyer maintain focus

    Extra seating, family photos and bone china tea cup collections are all distractions. You don’t want potential buyers to become so intrigued (or puzzled) by the things you’ve collected—none of which they’ll be purchasing—that they don’t actually register the house itself. You want them to look at the space, appreciate its best features and become convinced of its potential for their family.

    Built in closet with warderobe in home interior
    Built in closet with warderobe in home interior

    3. Create the illusion of space to entice buyers

    By getting rid of extra seating, paring down the clothes in your closets and weeding out everything in the pantry that’s past its best-before date, you create the illusion of more space, which is always a good thing when trying to sell a home. After all, empty rooms always look bigger than rooms filled with furniture.

    Be strategic, though, and don’t leave yourself with nowhere to sit. Think of your home as wearing its Sunday best rather than sweats and a t-shirt, and if there’s a chair the cat’s clawed, the sun has faded or that needs cleaning or reupholstering, get it out of the house while potential buyers are viewing. There will be plenty of time to kick back and relax in that past-its-prime lounger when you’re moved into your new home.

    4. Well-staged homes photograph better

    While you might get a viewing from a drive-by or after an open house, most potential buyers these days are going to look at your house and its listing online. Good photos make all the difference here, but you’re not going to get them if you haven’t decluttered. Put the family photos away, get all the toys into the toy box, remove the gym equipment that’s migrated from the basement to other living areas and make your real estate agent’s job easier by presenting a home that shows to advantage in both photos and real life.

    white and steel kitchen interior

    5. Maximize kitchen counter space

    Yes, it’s a pain. But even though your family uses the toaster and blender every day, putting them away in cupboards before viewings provides a clean slate and makes potential home buyers think about all the meals they’re going to prepare in their new home.

    If your home’s being shown to first-time home buyers, chances are good they’re looking for more space, particularly an opportunity to expand from a galley kitchen to one that has room for a table and chairs. Help them believe they’re going to be transformed into hosts with the most when they buy your home by giving them the visual space they need.

    6. Don’t borrow trouble

    Cluttered homes make potential buyers uneasy. Viewing someone else’s occupied home is slightly uncomfortable for most people. Clutter is not only a distraction; it makes your home look uncared for. This can make potential buyers start to ask themselves, “if they haven’t taken care of their possessions, what other problems are brewing here?” You could lose an offer if this kind of nebulous doubt sets in.

    7. Let your home show itself

    Let’s face it—you’re selling your home, not the couch and coffee table. By getting rid of clutter and replacing it with neutral but stylish accessories, you lead the buyer’s eye to the features of your home that are its true selling points. That means you’re going to get a quicker sale and a higher price than if you make a potential buyer struggle to see your home’s merits.

  • Why the Best Home Automation System Adds Value to Any Home

    Whether you’ve decided you want to age in place or you’re a millennial buying your first home, you’re probably going to want to install the best home automation system you can find. There are so many smart home devices available now, offering safety, security, convenience, increased comfort levels and often energy efficiency savings, that it doesn’t make sense, when considering upgrades, not to invest in one or more smart home devices.

    Benefits of Home Automation Systems

    Real estate agents are particularly bullish on home automation systems, although they advise you won’t necessarily recoup your direct investment costs when you sell. A smart home can, however, be a true differentiating factor in a neighborhood with many similar homes on the market. In addition, a real estate agent who knows their technology will be able to educate potential buyers on the very real advantages of smart home devices. If a house has a Nest thermostat and your agent mentions the potential of 10 to 12 percent heating and cooling savings, you might be willing to pay a little closer to asking price for that house knowing you’ll recoup your investment over time in energy savings.

    Voice-activated devices, smart entertainment systems, smart lighting, heat control or watering systems and smart security elements can all increase your property’s value, especially if your real estate agent focuses on real savings in energy costs and the convenience benefits of your devices.

    You’ll also save up to 20 percent on homeowner’s insurance if you install an automated security system. Other devices, like built-in flood sensors, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide monitors will keep you, your family and your home safe.

    Since home automation systems are still quite new, an integrated automated system will increase both your home’s comfort and its market value. The following are the systems that have the greatest potential to increase your home’s value.

    Lighting Control Systems

    These systems provide convenience and energy savings when interior lighting is automated and additional safety and security when there are motion-detection sensors installed outside. They don’t just deter potential burglars—by clicking on as you approach, they could save you from a fall on wet or icy stairs or pathways.

    Automated Door Locks

    Leaving a spare key under a rock or flowerpot or over the door jamb was never a terribly good idea in terms of home security, and an automated locking system removes any need for a spare key. You’ll also know every time someone enters or leaves your home. Better yet, you can lock all your doors and windows with a simple voice command.

    Home Alarm Systems

    One of the earliest and most universally adopted home automation systems, at least 50 percent of buyers now want wireless security systems when purchasing a home. When coupled with an increasing “move-in-ready” trend (as opposed to buying a fixer-upper), having a home alarm system will make your home safer and more appealing to buyers.

    Smart Home Entertainment Systems

    These devices let you sync your speakers, TVs and computers to your smart home security system.

    Smart Shades, Thermostats and Lighting Systems

    Smart shades and thermostats can save up to 20 percent of both heating and cooling costs. Smart lighting systems using LED lights can save up to 75 percent of lighting energy costs.

    Smart Appliances

    If you’re replacing stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers or laundry equipment, investing in smart appliances will pay off. According to some studies, smart appliances increase return on investment 11 percent over traditional models. You’ll also see energy savings from these investments, as well as the added comfort of not being awakened in the middle of the night by a noisy dishwasher.

    A 2017 survey by residential real estate brokerage consulting firm T3 Sixty indicated 40 percent of realtors think smart homes sell faster, no matter their price range. And as millennials enter the home-buying market, energy-efficient homes are becoming more and more of a priority.

    With all the pressures of work and young families, today’s home buyers don’t want to spend every weekend renovating. They want to enjoy their downtime, and they want convenience, whether it’s an automated home entertainment system or the convenience of knowing they can control their blinds via tablet or phone to make sure they don’t have to crank the air conditioning when they get home.

    Best of all, as home automation systems become more popular, they’re getting cheaper and cheaper. With the potential for energy and insurance savings and the convenience and security features the best home automation systems can provide, your home will be more valuable, not only to potential buyers, but also to you and your family.

  • Should I Fix or Sell? Seven Benefits of Selling a House As-Is

    When you’ve decided to move on — whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, accepting a fantastic job offer in another city, or fleeing to (or from) the suburbs — think long and hard about what you really need to do to get your house market-ready. You may be tempted to go into renovation mode, but you might be better off selling your house as-is.

    Anything that impacts the home’s operation needs to be fixed before you list, including a leaky roof, a broken furnace, plumbing and the electrical system. These are all things sellers are legally obliged to disclose. If not, a home inspector will identify them to a potential buyer, possibly leading to an offer being withdrawn.

    Here are some things to consider when selling your house.

    1. Renovation ROI may not be there

    Most home renovations don’t pay off instantly. Complete bathroom and kitchen renovations add the most value but also cause the most disruption and can be very expensive. If these rooms haven’t already been renovated, don’t start now. Focus on making sure the existing selling features of the home are in great shape.

     

     

    2. Living in a renovation zone is stressful

    If an owner is fortunate enough to own a larger home with multiple bathrooms and a spare room or two, renovating may not be quite as challenging as it is for those in smaller spaces. But unless personally doing all the work yourself (and sometimes even then), you’re at the mercy of your suppliers’ timelines. You have to live there while renovating even though you’re not going to be the one to benefit. Before you sink $20,000 into a last-minute kitchen transformation, consider just painting or replacing cupboard door fronts and adding new hardware.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Step Up Your Style: Discover a solution to reinforcing stairs when installing tile

    Do you have a tricky concrete floor problem that needs some complex answers? Not sure where to go for help? Our interior design pro, Jennifer Adams, knows exactly where to look to solve all your flooring woes.

    Question: I am re-tiling my floor. I have a set of three concrete steps that go from one level to another. The steps at one time had carpet, so there are nail pull-outs and the edges are not square. Would it be best to add a backer board to the steps then tile on top of the backer board?

    Your idea to smooth out the surface of your concrete steps is a good one; however, a backer board might not support the tile for long. Instead, consider a compound designed for leveling a concrete floor. The nail holes themselves might not be an issue unless there are large cracks. Ask the staff where you’ll be buying your tile, or a professional tile installer, for information on which products will work best for your situation.

    – Jennifer Adams

  • Ask a Pro Q&A – Nail Down New Flooring: Go from slab to hardwood with these stylish flooring options

    If outdated flooring has you puzzled as to the next remodeling step… our interior design pro, Jennifer Adams, is here to help. Consider these variables for a new look that your loved ones will enjoy walking all over.

    Question: I live in a 1953 ranch home built on a slab. I want to install hardwood flooring throughout. However, the slab is covered with asbestos tile.  How would you install hardwood flooring?

    It is possible to install wood flooring over a slab floor with asbestos tile on it. However, there are lots of variables to consider, including how level the slab is, the moisture content in the air, and the level of moisture in the slab itself. A high-quality engineered flooring product might be a better solution and give you a similar look to hardwood, especially if you can’t nail the new flooring down. To find out what products will be best for your situation, ask a professional installer or licensed contractor.

    – Jennifer Adams

  • Finding Fixer Upper Homes for Sale: Can You Afford the Renovations?

    When considering the purchase of a fixer upper home, it’s important to evaluate how much time and money you will have to spend on renovations. It’s often the case that houses needing a lot of TLC are available at rock bottom prices. However, this can mean excessive costs when it’s time for renovations. Here are a few things to consider before taking the leap.

    How much work can you do?

    Determine how much of the work you are willing and able to do. If you’re a master at hanging drywall and your significant other has a knack for plumbing, it’s very possible to save big. This could be the difference between an inexpensive property that needs a great deal of work, but is ultimately within your budget after renovations, and one that is not.

    Keep in mind when deciding which work you’ll do yourself that safety is key. Anything that you don’t truly know how to do, especially things like electrical work, plumbing or jobs involving power equipment, should be left to a professional.

    Consider how much time you realistically have. If you work, take care of your family or otherwise have engagements that occupy most of the day, don’t take on huge DIY renovations.

    Choose contractors wisely

    Before closing on your fixer upper, speak with a few contractors to get an estimate of the work you plan on handing off to a professional. Without knowing how much you’ll need to spend to make the house look the way you want, you can’t know what the real cost of ownership will be. Once you have quotes from several contractors, work with your real estate agent to come up with an offer that considers how much you’ll be spending to get your new home in top shape. Your agent might suggest putting a clause in the contract to have some of the worst problems repaired by the current owners before the closing.

    Before settling on a specific contractor, talk to friends, family and neighbors to get a sense of the quality of work you can expect from each candidate. Reviews go a long way when choosing the best company for specific needs.

    Hire a home inspector

    In most situations that involve a mortgage or other loan from a bank, you will be required to have the house inspected before the loan is approved. Even if this isn’t the case, hiring a qualified home inspector is a critical aspect of ensuring you know what you’re getting yourself into with a fixer upper. For instance, you might be able to tell that the floors in the kitchen will need to be replaced, but only a skilled professional can say for certain whether the foundation is solid or if asbestos is in the attic.

    When it comes to real estate, knowledge is power. Take any information provided by a home inspector and consult your agent about how to proceed. They might recommend working part of the cost into negotiations.

    Add a cushion

    After you’ve decided which portion of the fixer upper’s remodeling you’ll be able to complete, consulted several contractors and had the home inspected, you may be anxious to close. However, there’s another critical step to ensure you’ll be able to afford the renovations.

    Unforeseen circumstances often arise during the process of remodeling. It is essential to account for these when determining what you can afford. A general rule of thumb is to add between five and 10 percent to the anticipated costs, just in case your contractor discovers pipes that need to be moved or if the price of the materials you choose increases. By adding a cushion to your financial projections, you should be in a great position to realistically determine whether a fixer upper home will truly be worthwhile.

  • How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

    Thoroughly checking your home indoors and out, from pipes and eaves to heaters and trees, is a must-do when preparing for winter.

    Your house is an investment and a place to be comfortable and safe. To get the most out of where you live through all seasons, make sure to plan.

    Fall is the perfect time to start thinking about winterization. While the weather is relatively pleasant and stable, tend to maintenance tasks and consider how you can avoid emergencies and damage by being proactive.

    To get ready for cold weather, take a look at these ways to winterize your home.

    Give your HVAC system a checkup

    Heating and air conditioning systems don’t last forever. They’re good for about 15 years, but some have a shorter lifespan of about 10. If your system is going on 10 years (or older), fall is an important time for a yearly checkup.

    At the very least, you should change the filters monthly. However, it is recommended to get a comprehensive inspection annually from a licensed HVAC contractor. This professional should check the entire system to ensure you’ll have heat and avoid hazards like fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

    Seal your walkways, driveways and patios

    All cracks in masonry surfaces, like concrete walkways, driveways and patios, should be sealed to avoid expanding. Find a reputable mason who will take time to strategically insert control joints where needed so further cracking doesn’t occur.

    After control joints are placed, the mason will seal any cracks so that water doesn’t get in and freeze. Don’t overlook this necessary step in the winterization process. If you check it off the list, your masonry will last a long time.

  • Top 10 Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home in Working Order: A Checklist

    Your home is likely one of your biggest investments. Taking care of it properly is essential. The chores and tasks necessary to maintain a home throughout the year can seem daunting, but they’re easier if broken down into seasonal duties.

    Even if you don’t have the time or physical ability to tackle these must-dos yourself, refer to our home maintenance checklist below when you hire handymen.

    Spring

    At the start of spring, many homeowners are eager to do a little cleaning. This season is the perfect time to empty closets, wax floors, give carpets a deep shampoo and more.

     

     

     

     

    Here are some good spring cleaning actions you can take to care for your home:

    1. Give the grounds an overhaul. Start cleaning by
    • raking up leaves
    • turning outside faucets on if you’ve turned them off for winter
    • inspecting trees for illness or dead branches
    • re-seeding your lawn
    • planting perennials
    1. Tend to your home’s exterior by
    • looking for and filling cracks in concrete
    • fixing broken rain gutters
    • giving your home a power wash
    • touching up paint
    • cleaning windows
    • repairing patios and decks
    • treating pool water
    1. Look after the inside of your home by
    • inspecting HVAC systems
    • draining your boiler
    • giving plumbing a once-over
    • checking your chimney
    • replacing batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

  • A Few Helpful Gutter Cleaning Tips for Your Home

    Autumn is one of the most seasons. The crisp air and changing leaves make even a walk through the neighborhood feel like an event. Those leaves, however, have to go somewhere and many of them end up in the gutter. We have a few helpful gutter cleaning tips to keep you safe and prevent property damage.

    Let someone know what you’re doing

    Of all the gutter cleaning tips, letting a friend, family or neighbor know what you’re doing is the most important. It is helpful to have someone check up on you. Also, make sure to have your cellphone somewhere near you in the unlikely event of an accident to easily call for help.

    Use a safe and sturdy ladder

    Using a sturdy ladder will keep you safe. Before stepping onto the first rung, check to see that the hinges are completely open and that the ladder is in good shape. A four-legged ladder is easy to transport and use for a single story home, while a two-legged extension ladder is the best choice for homes with multiple floors. A ladder can get heavy, so if you have a heart condition or other health issues, know your limits and ask for help moving it around your home.

     

     

    Use a sand shovel

    Don’t try to use metal gardening tools, as they’ll only scrape and potentially damage gutters. Instead, pick up a small plastic scoop or a kids’ sand shovel.The trick isn’t to try to remove all of the leaves and other debris at once, but remove a little bit at a time. This will lighten the load of each sco and save your back.