3 Fun Ideas to Keep You In-Touch With Long-Distance Loved Ones

Most of us are fairly accustomed to using long-distance technologies. But did you know you can use those same long-distance technologies to do more than communicate with the office? Here are 3 excellently entertaining ways to stay in-touch with your loved ones while having a blast.

Virtual Tea/Coffee

Having a warm cup of tea or coffee with loved ones sounds like a well-deserved bout of relaxation for most. Unfortunately, whatever the circumstance, sometimes we don’t get the opportunity. This is where long-distance virtual morning hangouts could come into play.

Set your coffee pot or tea kettle to brew a fresh pot of your favorite. Have a designated time in the morning picked out, maybe even the usual time that you would meet up. Then load your preferred platform and let the good times pour in.

Virtual Book Club

There is an allure to chatting about shared interests. Book clubs are a great way to add a little structure to that conversation. They’re also an astounding way to hang out with several close loved ones at once. Hosting a virtual book club is no different.

Send a mass text or email with a few books from everyone’s list. Vote on which to read and have fun setting up times each week (or more frequently) to have a nice, relaxing chat about your book choice while catching up on some much-deserved time spent together.

Virtual Game Night

Virtual game nights have come a long way. Where we were once stuck with a limited amount of options, it seems the world of collaborative gaming has opened up. With some platforms offering a hefty library of tabletop game simulations and ways to connect with a group of people, the options are nearly endless.

Game nights also seem to run better when you have two designated machines. These can be tablets and cell phones or laptops and webcams. Just be sure to have one device for the game itself so you don’t lose out on any performance between video chatting software and the game.

Is a New Construction Home Right for You?

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Buying new construction makes the most sense for some home buyers. Instead of choosing a home that already exists, they’re taking the opportunity to start from scratch. Whether you buy a new home that was built with your input or not, there are some serious advantages to choosing this route. We’ll look at why so many homeowners make the effort.

A Clean Slate

This is often the most quoted reason for people to buy a new home – they want to start fresh. Appliances, floors, closets, attic: everything is new. There are no scratches to find under the shelves, no dirt where the cleaners couldn’t reach. There’s no old wallpaper to tear down, carpet to rip up or asbestos to worry about. It’s a pristine residence just waiting for you to make it your own.

Convenient for Moving

When you buy a new home, you (usually) don’t have to worry about the plumbing, electricity or foundation. Because a new house hasn’t been subjected to many years of soil shifts and traffic patterns, you can rest easy when you move in. This is not to say that there are never problems with new construction, only that if you’re working with (or buying from) someone reputable, you likely won’t have any issues. This is a huge perk, especially for people who don’t have time to negotiate with a seller on who’s going to cover which repairs.

Low-Maintenance

This advantage is related to the previous one, but a necessary distinction. New homes tend to have fewer maintenance requirements because there’s been no wear-and-tear on the property. Homeowners don’t always factor in the high costs of system upkeep, a budget error that can drastically eat into their savings. Plus, new homes often don’t cost an arm and a leg, meaning more long-term savings without the upfront-costs.

Home Warranties

New homes usually come with a warranty. This means that if an appliance does break down or you notice some puddles in your basement, you can have the builder cover the costs of repairs. Pre-owned homes often require you to purchase a limited warranty that may not cover all defects or system failures. While the plumbing may work when you first test it at an Open House, it might fail quickly once there are multiple people using it.

Environmentally Friendly

All construction crews will have their own protocol and policies for building. However, they are expected to comply with local, state and national environmental standards. This all translates to more responsible homes and lower utility bills. Before you negotiate on a new home though, ask if the building will be given an energy rating by a third-party assessor. This will give you a better idea of the amount of effort put into energy conservation and avoiding environmental impact.

Room to Negotiate

From the floorplan to the style, new construction homes are modern and usually customizable. Even if you haven’t personally worked with the builders from Day One, there might be some degree of flexibility before the move-in date. So if you want better appliances or luxury cabinets, you might be able to work something out. While new homes are unlikely to budge in bottom-line price, the numbers aren’t set in stone. If a home has been sitting for a while, it never hurts to ask. After all, whatever they don’t use on your home will just be used in the next project. 

Buying new construction means getting a property without the stains of time. If you’re looking for something that will be easy on your budget and better for the environment, there’s really no better choice.

Reasons to List a California Luxury Home

If you own a luxury house in San Francisco, Beverly Hills or anywhere else in California, selling your residence may prove to be a viable option. In fact, there are many reasons to add a Golden State luxury residence to the local housing market, and these include:

1. You can relocate closer to family members and friends.

For those who find they have to travel a long distance to visit family members and friends, now may be a good time to relocate. Fortunately, the California luxury housing market offers opportunities for both sellers and buyers, so you should have no trouble selling your current residence and relocating elsewhere in the Golden State.

If you decide to relocate closer to family members and friends, you should consider your short- and long-term plans too. For example, if you intend to start a family, you may want to consider relocating to a California city or town near some of the Golden State’s top schools and parks. On the other hand, if you want to own a home that provides convenient access to the San Diego Zoo, Disneyland or other notable Golden State attractions, you should plan accordingly.

2. You can upgrade or downgrade from your current home.

Sometimes, a California luxury house may become too small or too big for an individual. And in this instance, it may be beneficial to consider upgrading or downgrading.

If you want to upgrade to a larger California luxury residence, there is no shortage of deluxe Golden State properties available. Thus, you should be able to quickly and effortlessly find a luxury house in Santa Monica, Los Angeles or anywhere else in California to accommodate your needs.

Comparatively, if you want to downgrade to a smaller residence, there is no need to stress. Many exceptional houses are available across California, and these properties frequently are sold at a variety of prices.

3. You can earn a profit from your home sale.

The demand for luxury houses in Malibu, Cupertino and other California cities and towns is significant. Therefore, if you list your Golden State luxury home, you may be able to profit from your property sale.

If you want to maximize the earnings from a California luxury home sale, you may want to hire a real estate agent as well. Because if you have a real estate agent at your side, you can receive expert support throughout the Golden State luxury house selling journey.

A real estate agent is happy to teach you about the luxury housing market in your California city or town. Plus, he or she will help you market your Golden State luxury residence to potential buyers, set up home showings and open house events and much more.

Clearly, there are lots of great reasons to consider listing a California luxury residence. If you review the aforementioned reasons closely, you can make an informed decision about whether now is the right time to sell your Golden State luxury home.

DIYs with paint for your home

If you want a creative project that won’t break your budget, consider DIYs with paint. Painting an entire room or house can take time and effort, but smaller projects can be accomplished in a single weekend. You can even make your own custom decor by upcycling items you already own. Here are some budget-friendly DIY ideas with paint to try:

Decorate your coffee cup

Bring new life to your old cups and mugs by adding some paint. There are many kinds of paint you can use depending on what the cup is made of. Acrylic paints will work on most surfaces, but check the label to make sure it’s suitable for glazed ceramic, glass, metal or plastic. For a simple and modern geometric DIY paint project, try making angles and shapes with painter’s tape. Opt for metallic gold or silver to add a bit of shine.

Paint your chalkboard wall

Another fun DIY with paint is creating your own chalkboard wall. You can buy chalkboard paint at any craft or home improvement store and use it to transform any surface in your home. For a simple chalkboard wall DIY, section off a rectangular space on the wall with painter’s tape. Fill in the space with a solid coat of paint, adding more if the included directions recommend it. Once it dries you’ll have a perfect spot for doodles, lists and pretty cool inspiring messages.

Add color to drawers and cabinets

If you have dressers, cupboards or cabinets with drab, unpainted drawers, try adding a fresh coat of paint to the inside surfaces. You can add fun pops of color to the inside of dresser drawers and even the backs of shelves. The color choice is completely up to your preference, whether you want something bold and bright or neutral. Even a coat of bright white on the inside of a drawer can refresh the entire piece and make the storage space seem larger.

These are just a few of the best budget-friendly DIY ideas with paint. Try these and other paint projects to add new life to your existing walls and furnishings.

Top reasons for home renovations before you sell

Two individuals and a dog

Before listing a home on the real estate market, you may be considering making renovations. Home renovations can be
costly and depending on the home upgrade being done, can be time-consuming. 

With these things in mind, you may be wondering if pursuing a home upgrade before selling your property is worth the
extra work. 

Increase property value 

Both interior and exterior home upgrades can increase the value of your property. For example, let’s say you decide
to replace your garage door –  it’s estimated, this replacement cost can be recouped over 106 percent once the
home is sold. Not only do you recover the cost of the project, you also gain money in return. 

Working with a real estate professional can help you decide if home improvements are worth your time and money. Some
markets may offer the opportunity for great profit from upgrades, while others not so much. 

Attract more potential homebuyers

Home upgrades polish up and beautify your property, which in turn can make it more attractive to potential
homebuyers. 

Exterior upgrades to your property can help to boost your home’s curb appeal. For example, on average, it costs $300
to 3,000 to upgrade a concrete driveway. This single upgrade can increase your properties value anywhere from 5 to
10 percent, which in turn makes you quite a profit. 

Starting home improvement projects requires a deal of research and work, so take your time along the way. Working
with a real estate professional can help you decide if your project is worth it and where to get started.

How Much Time Should You Spend Searching for a House?

Generally, the length of the homebuying journey depends on the individual. In some instances, a buyer will purchase the first house that he or she views in-person. Or, in other cases, it may take a buyer several weeks or months to find a house that matches his or her expectations.

There is no need to rush the homebuying journey. But if you know what to expect when you pursue your dream house, you may be able to seamlessly navigate the property buying cycle.

Now, let’s take a look at three tips to help you streamline the homebuying journey.

1. Establish Homebuying Criteria

If you know where you want to live and what you want to find in your ideal residence, you can tailor your house search accordingly. And as a result, you may be better equipped than other property buyers to discover a great house at an affordable price.

As you put together homebuying criteria, it is important to consider your long-term plans as well. For instance, if you enjoy city life and want to spend as much time as possible in the city, a house in the city may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you want to raise your family in a small town, you may want to hone your search to houses in small towns.

2. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

A home purchase likely will require you to obtain a mortgage. Fortunately, banks and credit unions are available nationwide, and these financial institutions can help you get pre-approved for a mortgage.

Meet with several banks and credit unions so you can learn about all of the mortgage options at your disposal. Then, you can select a mortgage and enter the real estate market with a budget in hand.

3. Hire a Real Estate Agent

If you’re on the lookout for your dream home, you may want to hire a real estate agent. This housing market professional can keep you up to date about new residences that become available in your preferred cities and towns – and much more.

Typically, a real estate agent will do whatever it takes to help you find and buy your dream home. He or she initially will learn about your homebuying goals and develop a custom homebuying strategy for you. Next, a real estate agent will set up home showings and keep you informed about open house events. And if you discover your ideal residence, a real estate agent will help you craft an aggressive offer to purchase this house.

Let’s not forget about a real estate agent’s homebuying expertise, either. If you ever have concerns or questions during the homebuying journey, a real estate agent can respond to them. That way, you can gain the insights you need to make an informed home purchase.

Simplify the homebuying journey – use the aforementioned tips, and you should have no trouble finding and acquiring your dream house.

Three Tips for Creating a Spacious Laundry Oasis

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What do you picture when someone says ‘laundry’?  Is it piles of dirty clothes, sock singles lost to some undisclosed dimension, a moldy smell and lost hours?  Or is it shrugging on a warm shirt straight from the dryer, lemon scent and the zen of folding: a little pocket of peace and quiet on a hectic, cold day?

People who fit into the latter category aren’t from Stepford.  Chances are, they’ve made the deliberate choice to craft a laundry room the way they design other rooms in their house: for their comfort, convenience, and in the case of the laundry room, for utility and ease of use. 

Often a key component to creating a harmonious space is to minimize clutter.  Check out these three tips for creating a clutterless, clean, and welcoming workspace!

Incorporate Drying Racks

Drying delicates can create a lot of clutter!  Where do you put the stand-up drying rack?  Where to put it when you’ve folded it away? 

Solve that problem in a snap by making fold-away drying racks part of your interior design straightaway.  You can easily purchase or create cabinet-style drying racks like these:

The bars swing down for ease of use, but when you release them, they snap upright to keep your drying clothes out of the way.  Centsational Style shows you how to make your own here. 

Alternately,  you can incorporate rails on which to hang your clothing from hangers right in the laundry room, for things that are best dried while hanging, or just to store clothing that’s clean and ready to wear. These rails are best incorporated under cabinets or a ledge that may not be in use.

Even small spaces can make use of this trick.  Try creating a  hanging bar, made simply from two thick, leather straps and a copper rod (or metal rod of your choosing).  It looks incredibly upscale but would cost very little to make. Just fix two, 3-4 inch leather straps to a ledge or underneath weight-baring cabinets, then slide the rod through.

If you’re feeling crafty, you might also consider making an old ladder into a drying rack for a farmhouse feel.

Keep Your Laundry Basket Space in Mind

Keep laundry baskets out of the way by creating drawers or shelving space for them.  If you’re staging a house, buy baskets that fit so that these drawers’ purpose is clear to potential buyers — and so no one has to hunt for the right-sized baskets later on.

You can also create a laundry basket holder of your own from freestanding shelving units if you don’t have built-in drawers or have trouble finding a fitting that will work for your space.

Feeling crafty? Here’s a great article on how to create a do-it-yourself mobile laundry basket holder.

Keep Your Ironing Board Out of the Way

Your ironing board can take up a lot of space if you keep it set up, and it can be a challenge to yank it forward out of a nook or wrestle it down from a high spot if you keep it folded. 

Consider hanging it up on coat hooks.  Be sure to hang it so that the cloth of the board (where you’d grip it to lift) is at shoulder height, making it easy to set down and hook back up.

You can make one of these from scratch using these instructions from The Inspired Hive, but you can just as easily purchase one and unscrew any extraneous hooks before hanging it.

Employ these space-saving tactics and your laundry room will be a calm, peaceful, and orderly oasis!

Dining Room Decorating Tips to Try

Does your dining room need a makeover? There are lots of ways you can show your personal style while maintaining a room’s important functionality. If you’re looking for some decorating ideas for your dining room, here are some suggestions to help:

Follow the Architecture

The best place to begin is with the design of your home. Try choosing wood styles and fabrics that mimic the existing elements in the room. For example, bring out the color of your crown molding, complement the carpet color with upholstery and choose a table shape that follows the flow of the space.

Consider Scale

As with any room, it’s difficult to know what scale of furniture you should buy for your dining room. There are some measurement guides available for different tables depending on the size of the room and the amount of chairs you want to include. No matter what, keep the scale analogous to the room itself—avoid a small round table in a long, expansive room, for example.

Mix Furniture

While it’s common to buy dining room tables and chairs together in a set, consider mixing it up. One easy option is to use matching chairs but a different table. If you have a long, rectangular table, try matching the two seats at each end of the table. This is an especially good idea if you’re wanting to create an eclectic and comfortable vibe with your design.

Find the Perfect Rug

An area rug can make an enormous impact in your dining room. It’s crucial to find the right style, shape and size of rug to go with your table and chairs, however. The best general rule to follow is to use a rug large enough for the entire table and all the chairs to be on it. This will look more cohesive in the space and avoid the annoyance of trying to move chairs over the edges of the rug.

Don’t Forget Lighting

The dining room light fixture is the perfect finishing touch to your design. There are many styles of chandelier or pendant style fixtures you can choose from, no matter what your design preference might be. Opt for a fixture that creates generous ambient light without adding glare or causing a distraction. Try out multiple options in the space to see which makes the best focal point for your dining room.

The next time you want to give your dining room a stylish refresh, keep these tips in mind. Even minor changes can have a major impact on the entire space.

DIY Projects for home improvement in every room

No matter what room you’re working with, there are countless DIY projects for home improvement and decor. DIY home projects can help you save money while creating customized solutions for your exact needs and personal style.

If you’re interested in finding ways to beautify and enhance every room of the house, here are some suggestions to get you started.

Living room, kitchen & dining room DIY projects

A new paint job is one of the simplest and most effective DIY home improvement projects. If you want to transform your living room, just bring out the rollers and the brushes. The DIY option to update your house can be quite cheap and effortless to install.

Opt for neutral colors like beige and cream to brighten a space without limiting your other decorating choices.

Don’t forget, you can apply the same idea to kitchen cabinets, fireplace mantles and other surfaces. New paint is a cost-effective way to update the entire aesthetic of your living room, dining room or kitchen.

DIY laundry room ideas

Laundry rooms can offer some of the best opportunities for home improvement ideas. For example, install a cabinet above your washer or dryer for storage. If you have vertically stacked laundry machines, try adding adhesive or magnetic hooks to the sides.

To save space and add style, put your laundry detergent and fabric softener into mason jars or other small containers. Tucking the supplies away in storage bins or onto shelves will keep them easily accessible while decluttering the space.

Create a DIY memo board with chalk paint to record important reminders, laundry instructions and to-do lists.

DIY closet ideas

Improve any closet by adding DIY shelves with simple farmhouse brackets and wood planks. If you have cabinets in your basement or attic, increase their storage effectiveness by adding shelves or additional organization options.

Another easy DIY project is to transform your entrance closets into “mudrooms”. Adding hooks, baskets, or shelving is the most efficient method of helping everyone in your household stay organized and store their shoes, coats and other accessories.

For an added bonus, dedicate hooks for reusable shopping bags, spare keys and pet leashes.

DIY home improvement ideas can help you in any room of your home. Whether you want to improve functionality, storage or aesthetics, there is a DIY project perfect for you.

Summer safety: Tips for keeping your summer fun and safe

Summer holidays provide the perfect time to enjoy sunshine, fresh air and time with loved ones. When you’re celebrating these holidays, it’s important to make sure everyone stays as safe as possible. Here are a few ways to keep your summer safe and fun.

Grill with safety in mind

Summer holidays often mean having an outdoor meal with your loved ones. If you’re planning to use your grill to make any kind of food, make sure you do so safely. Keep your grill away from the exterior of your home, along with any other close flammable structures. Your grilling space should also be away from pets and kids to reduce the risk of injuries, such as burns.

Check your grill to make sure it’s working right before using it, and make sure it’s fully turned off when you’re done.

Practice pool safety

Spending the summer holidays outdoors might include swimming in a pool. Practice pool safety by making sure kids and pets are always supervised when they’re in or around the pool. Have life vests or flotation devices handy for those who can’t swim. Don’t allow anyone to run around the outside of the pool, since this surface can be highly slippery. Also make sure everyone in the pool stays away from drains or pipes.

Ensure food safety

Summer holidays usually involve plenty of food that’s eaten outdoors. Avoid leaving perishable foods sitting out in the sun and heat, since this can raise the risk of food poisoning. Refrigerate perishable foods or toss them if needed. Also keep food and drinks outside covered, so they won’t attract wasps, hornets, ants and other insects or pests.