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6 Signs of Rats Infestation in Your Home to Never Ignore

Every year, rats take over an estimated 2 million homes in America. An infestation in your home is a horrifying sight. It’s not always easy to maintain a rat-free home, especially in urban areas. However, every homeowner should know how to recognize the signs of infestation in their home. If there are rats in your home, you can take steps to prevent them from taking over your household. 

Infestation in Your Home
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Warning Signs of a Rodent Infestation in Your Home 

Rats are small, brown, furry rodents that can cause a lot of damage to your home. Many signs indicate rats are in your house, and you only have to know what to look for.

If you are looking for ways of rat removal, here are six signs of rodent infestation in your home: 

1. You see Droppings 

The first and most obvious sign of a rat infestation is the presence of rodent droppings. You’ll see droppings in different places throughout your home. For example, they might be in corners, behind furniture, or in cupboards. They also tend to be quite large and can be easily identified as rat feces rather than those of a mouse.  

2. You Notice Gnaw Marks 

Another sign of rat infestation is gnawing marks on wood and other materials. Rats like to chew on wood, plastic, and even electrical wires because it helps them keep their teeth in good shape. They also gnaw to mark their territory and leave behind an odor that other rats will recognize when they pass by the area. Rats can chew through almost anything, including walls, floorboards, and even plumbing pipes. 

3. You see Evidence of Rat Burrowing 

Rats may burrow into your home if they have access to food nearby or feel threatened by humans or other animals in the area. If you see holes in your walls or see dirt or droppings around your home, this could be a sign of burrowing activity by rats. Burrows are usually large enough for one rat to pass through at a time, but larger burrows can sometimes be used by several rats if there is enough space. 

4. You Smell a Foul Odor 

If there is a foul smell coming from your house or business premises, it could be a sign that there are rats present. A rat’s urine has a strong odor, especially when it has been on surfaces for some time. Rats urinate often, so if you notice an offensive smell in your home, rats may have infested it. 

5. Tampered Food Packaging Indicates an Infestation in Your Home

Rats love to eat, and they will go to great lengths to get ahold of some food. Rats know they will have to find ways of getting food from you. When rats have access to food, they often tamper with the packaging to get at the contents inside. This situation includes bags of chips and other snacks that people might leave out on their counters or tables. 

6. You Hear Scratching Noises 

Rats make scratching noises on hard surfaces to mark their territory and keep other rats away from their food sources. They also scratch their bodies against surfaces to relieve itching caused by their fur rubbing against each other or their skin. If you hear scratching noises at night, it could be rats in the attic or walls.

In Conclusion: Infestation in Your Home

Rats and mice like to live in places where food is available. So, if you want to ensure that rats aren’t dwelling in your home, you should store your food correctly. Also, it would be a good idea to check frequently for any traces of rats in your home. If you’re unsure how to do it, it might be better to contact a professional pest control company as soon as possible.

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4 Easy Ways to Spruce Up Your Kitchen on Budget

Spruce Up Your Kitchen

Don’t have $40,000 to spend on a high-end kitchen renovation? No problem! You don’t necessarily need to splurge money on expensive kitchen materials, accessories, or appliances to spruce up your kitchen. It’s unnecessary to bleed your budget dry and ruin your finances, all in the name of expensive kitchen remodeling.

There are many ways to add sauce to your kitchen without fearing for your finances or spending money that is useful elsewhere. We have taken our time to handpick some budget-friendly renovation ideas that’ll positively impact your kitchen. 

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How to Spruce Up Your Kitchen on Budget

1. Start by Decluttering 

Want to refresh the look of your kitchen without spending a dollar? Start by decluttering. Clutter is one of the greatest enemies of every home. It makes a home look disorganized and can affect your health in many ways. 

To spruce up your kitchen, you’ll need to avoid clutter. You can start by tidying your tabletop and shelves to give your kitchen a more organized look. In addition, find a way to organize your drawers and cabinets to optimize the available spaces.

We also recommend trying new ideas with your arrangement. Change the positions of kitchen appliances that are easily movable and add some lighting to enhance their ambiance. 

2. Paint Kitchen Cabinets 

When was the last time you painted your cabinets? If your cabinets look worn out and unattractive due to faded paint, it’s high time you consider applying a new coat of paint.

When was the last time you painted your cabinets? If your cabinets look worn out and unattractive due to faded paint, it’s high time you consider applying a new coat of paint. Repainting your cabinets can give your kitchen a new look and boost your home value.

Again, the color you choose for your cabinets will determine the end product. To ensure that the outcome transforms your kitchen spectacularly, you’ll need to hire a cabinet painting company with professionals who can advise you on the best color and style for your cabinet. 

3. Change your Backsplash 

Is your backsplash outdated or stained? Why not consider changing it. The average cost of installing a new backsplash is $1,000, which is far better than conducting a whole kitchen renovation that’ll cost more.

There are many backsplash styles to select from. Take your time to choose the best one that syncs with the rest of your kitchen. For instance, if your kitchen is neutral, go for a stylish, decorated tile to add flair to the kitchen.

Other common types of kitchen backsplash 

  • Subway tile (most popular) 
  • Stone slab 
  • Mosaic tiles 
  • Glass tile 
  • Stainless steel 
  • Peel and stick tile

Before choosing the ideal backsplash for your kitchen, consider the height of the backsplash, your countertops, budget, and the focal points of your kitchen. Of course, to save cost, you can DIY your backsplash.

4. Design your Fridge with Wallpapers 

In addition to painting your kitchen cupboards, another affordable way to add color to your kitchen is by designing your fridge with eye-catching wallpaper. Adding wallpaper is a brilliant idea for those who cannot afford a Smeg but want to enhance their appliance’s look. 

That said, how do you design your fridge with wallpapers? You can either accomplish that with a can of spray paint or purchase an attractive wallpaper and attach it to your fridge, viola! With this hack, you’ll add your fridge to the focal points of your cooking area.  

Conclusion: Spruce Up Your Kitchen

The average kitchen renovation cost is between $25,000 and $40,000. Of course, you can always improvise if you don’t have $40,000 to splurge on a kitchen renovation. And the beauty of improvising is that, if done well, the results can be outstanding.  

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3 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Renovation Less Stressful

Looking after your home often seems like a never-ending process. Part of that is because DIY renovations are becoming increasingly popular. It can be stressful if you don’t know what to do. Luckily, it won’t be as hard once you know how to make your home renovation less stressful.

Following a few tips will make things easier while ensuring you don’t have to put up with much of the hassle.

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How To Make Your Home Renovation Less Stressful: 3 Top Tips

1. Hire A Contractor

If you do a home renovation yourself, you’ll have quite a few things to do. Hiring a contractor means everything gets done for you. At the same time, you can rest assured that a professional completes the job to a high standard. It’s also possible that a contractor will finish the project faster, which removes a lot of the stress.

You can even hire a contractor to take care of your painting, which you can find out more about here: proedgepainting.net/. Taking this approach decreases the stress of carrying out the work yourself. 

2. Store Belongings Off-Site

Some demolition may be necessary before building anything during a home renovation. That creates a significant amount of mess, which could ruin your belongings. Coupled with that is the space your contractors will need to do their jobs. Some of your belongings can get in the way of this.

It’s more than worth having somewhere to put these before the home renovation begins. Leaving them outside isn’t recommended, as they’re at the mercy of the weather and any potential thieves.

By having somewhere off-site to store them, you can find somewhere secure. You won’t need to worry about your damaging your belongings or having them in the way while the renovation is ongoing.

3. Have Some Personal Space

During a home renovation, you’ll need to put up with lots of noise and contractors coming and going. It’s understandable to feel like you don’t have any privacy or quiet.

You can minimize all of this by having a personal space to go when construction is going on. You’ll completely overcome the privacy issue while remaining close by to ensure everything’s going smoothly. To help with the sound issue, it could be worth playing some music or putting headphones on.

You can essentially block the construction out while it’s ongoing, minimizing stress. Though that could come across as a bit anti-social, it could be the easiest way to get through your home renovation without the stress.

How To Make Your Home Renovation Less Stressful: Wrapping Up

When you know how to make your home renovation less stressful, the entire process becomes much easier. Though there’ll still be a few headaches, it’ll be more straightforward. Each of the above tips can help you ensure that’s the case.

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How to Make Your Home Better Prepared for Extreme Weather

It’s always a good idea to think about how your home would fare if the worst happened. Weather events are becoming more common in many parts of the world, so it’s essential to prepare for extreme weather. You can take a few steps to prepare your home for severe weather, protecting your structure and family.

How to Prepare for Extreme Weather

Fix Any Roof Faults

If there are any faults on the roof, take the time to identify and deal with them right away. Failing to do so will make it much harder for you to deal with stormy weather. When the roof is damaged or tiles are missing, it can cause leaks and increased damage when a storm does hit.

Insulate the Pipes

When the temperatures start to drop, one of the biggest threats to your home comes from burst pipes. Frozen pipes can cause them to burst, and all of the water will rush out and potentially flood the basement or an exterior part of your home. That has the potential to cause damage to your foundations, which is obviously not what you want.

Install a Power Generator to Prepare for Extreme Weather

If the power goes out because of damaged power lines or something similar, it’s helpful to have a backup. If that’s not the case for you, it’s definitely worth exploring home generator installation options. With the help of the right generator, you can ensure you always have access to power, no matter how bad a storm gets.

Have Trees Checked for Disease and Signs of Weakness

Having the trees in your home checked regularly is a good idea to consider. When a tree has a disease or is damaged and weak, it’ll be more likely to fall in stormy weather. If the tree is close enough to your home when that happens, the damage to your home could be disastrous.

Upgrade the Doors and Shutters

It’s essential to make sure that the entry points of your home are as secure as they can be in preparation for any stormy weather. When you have strong doors and window shutters that are up to date and use the best and strongest materials, you can have much more faith in their ability to deal with the conditions.

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Final Thoughts – Prepare for Extreme Weather

You can do many things to ensure your home can withstand extreme weather conditions. If you’re concerned about it, consider which ideas might help you make your home stronger.

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5 Easy Ways To Redecorate Your Kitchen

Whether you are selling your home, preparing to rent out your property, or want a change, sprucing up your kitchen is one of the home improvements that really pay off. For example, when you redecorate your kitchen, it can: 

  • Make it more welcoming and inviting, whether you want to brush up on your cooking skills or entertain guests.
  • Increase the value of your property.
  • Help you save money by ensuring your kitchen runs efficiently. 
  • Help ensure the spaces is clean and well-organized, reducing stress. 

With the benefits in mind, these tips are perfect for when you want to redecorate your kitchen. 

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How to Redecorate Your Kitchen

Have a vision in mind.

As with any renovation project, you must have a clear idea or vision in mind. For example, you might want to use a mood board or draw in on inspiration from home improvement websites. Having a vision will help you streamline the rest of your decorating decisions. 

Set yourself a budget.

In order to create the perfect home environment, you need to be willing to invest your money into home improvements, but that doesn’t mean you cannot (and should not) set yourself a clear budget. If you find budgeting hard, try writing everything down or using a budgeting app rather than doing the math in your head. The extra steps will reduce mistakes and save you a lot of stress. 

Find small ways to make an impact while you redecorate your kitchen.

You don’t necessarily have to change everything about your kitchen to change how it looks or feels. For example, a unique kitchen mosaic tile is relatively low-cost and can add a touch of color or intrigue to your kitchen. They’re also much better than paint or wallpaper as they’re easier to clean, meaning that kitchen maintenance will also become a breeze. Finally, they’re a great way to show off your unique taste and personality within your home, creating a space you’ll love to show off to your friends. 

Find ways to make your kitchen more sustainable.

Right now, it’s essential that you’re on the lookout for ways you can make your home more eco-friendly. This task doesn’t only mean you’re playing your part in protecting the planet but can also help you cut down on bills by conserving energy. Thankfully, there are various ways to make your kitchen more eco-friendly. Consider investing in sustainable kitchen products like long-lasting cookware or appliances that use minimal energy. 

Focus on organization.

Good organization can transform how your kitchen looks. Plus, you can make the most of the space to whip up some delicious meals. It’s hard to enjoy cooking and preparing meals with cluttered or overcrowded countertops. Try to look at different storage options that can help you gain better control over the space. Think of shelving units so that everything can have a home. Additionally, leave a cupboard to store your favorite takeout menus for the days when you don’t feel like cooking.

Redecorate Your Kitchen

Redecorating your kitchen can change the entire aesthetic of your home. Do you have any tips to add to this list? Leave a comment and let us know. 🙂

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A Simple Guide to Preparing Your Property for Rental

With services like Airbnb and other rental formats, more and more people are starting to offer properties for short-term rentals. This option brings the best of both worlds with the chance to benefit from short-term tenants and the provided income without signing year-long contracts or registering as a landlord. However, you must take steps toward preparing your property for rental.

Depending on your country, the laws and policies of the rental may differ. When planning and developing your property as a rental space, consider what you can do to get it right. If you are perplexed, seek help from a professional short term rental property management company. They can help you navigate regulations, optimize pricing, and manage your property. 

You want to develop a good reputation as a worthwhile short-term renter. You want to be trustworthy, offer a fair price, and be easy for laid-back, compliant renters to work with.

This way, you can make the entire experience less stressful. Here are some property preparations you should make with this in mind.

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Preparing Your Property for Rental

Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning is essential when preparing a property for rental, especially if you hope to encourage your tenants to leave it as tidy as they found it. It means more than just dusting and organizing as it also involves dry cleaning the bedding and utilizing upholstery cleaners to thoroughly rejuvenate your furnishings.

All of this can make a major difference in the condition of your home. Take quality pictures before every visit to prove the property’s condition before the guests arrive. This way, disputes remain easier to handle.

Security & Privacy

It’s essential to keep in mind the security of your space and the privacy you allow. Consider using a gate or partition to prevent interested neighbors from bothering your guests. Additionally, consider things like blackout curtains, netted curtains, or blinds in the ground floor bathroom.

Your guest also needs to feel control over their safety. Give your guests control over the exterior lights so they feel protected and safe in the home. Giving control also heightens their safety and comfort while living on your property.

Clear Signposting

It’s good to use clear signposting on the property so your guests know where specific amenities are. Adding little signs describing where to find things like spare towels is a nice addition to the overall aesthetic. The same goes for areas you don’t want your guests to use, such as the basement you use for storage. This way, you can be a friendly presence without constantly bothering the people trying to enjoy the property.

Final Thoughts on Preparing Your Property for Rental

With this advice, you’re sure to prepare your property for short-term rental in the best possible light.

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5 Fundamentals Necessary to Keep Your Home Warm and Cozy

As a homeowner, you must think about how you can make your home a wonderful place to live. You want a place to keep you healthy while being private and secure. After a long day, you want to be able to relax in a comfort zone – not end up under more stress than you were before. Knowing that you have faults with your home can be tiresome on the mind. However, having a warm and cozy house can make a difference.

Keeping everything warm is something that you typically have to focus on regarding your home. You don’t want to be cold during the winter or when there’s chilly air around. Here are a few ways to maintain a toasty, cozy home.

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How to Keep Your Home Warm and Cozy

The Underlay And Flooring 

The floor is a pretty underrated and underappreciated part of the home. Many people think of it as an aesthetic part of the home rather than its other uses. If you have gaps and flaws in the flooring, you’re probably susceptible to cold breezes and patches. Make sure you have solid flooring so that you can properly insulate it.

Cavity Wall Insulation can Keep You Warm and Cozy

This insulation is a popular idea and one that works wonders for people looking for a solution. If you have wall insulation, you’re going to stop a lot of unwanted breezes. Wall insulation can solve a huge problem if you don’t have the funds for constant heating during the winter. Cutting out the actual issues right away can solve so much frustration and terrible nights. 

The Roof

The roof is an aesthetic part of any home, but it’s also a way to keep everything compact, heated, and insulated. So many older homes have roofs that need work. You never really notice a bad roof until after it has had work done to it. Getting roof installation can help raise the value of your home, increase the aesthetic aspect, and make you feel so much cozier in the long term. 

Windows And Doors

Many people think of windows and doors as aspects that finish off a home in terms of the look. They, again, will have a say in the insulation and warmth of the house. The cavities in the windows and doors will either let air in or block it entirely. You can also opt for double-glazing to have an extra layer of protection.

Heating Systems

Of course, we’ll end by talking about your heating systems. Obviously, it goes without saying that this kind of thing will come with a financial fee. If you can’t afford to pay for regular heating, the previous options will make a big difference. If you’re lucky enough to be able to dine in this luxury, then it’s wise to make sure that everything is working well. Be sure also not to waste the heat that you produce. 

Warm and Cozy Home

Keeping a warm and cozy home will give you a place you look forward to coming home to. You’ll find comfort in your home, knowing you’ll be safe, protected, and comfortable.

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4 Easy Ways to Give Your Home A More Modern Look

If you want to make sure that your home is as liveable as possible, you want to enjoy how it looks. That might be easier to achieve than you think, especially if you’re going for a more modern look. It’s all about finding a style that you are genuinely happy with and think you can make good use of.

This post will help you determine what you can do to ensure that your home has a more modern look. There are many benefits to this kind of look, including having a home that is more suitable for the current trends.

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Giving Your Home A More Modern Look

Refresh The Ceilings

You might not think much about the ceilings of your home, but they are actually one of the most important parts of the whole situation when it comes to making the place look and feel more modern. That’s because they subtly but powerfully affect the feeling of the entire home. Make sure that you are aware of whether or not your ceilings could do with some extra care and attention. If you think they could, giving them a refresh is quite a simple task, though something with powerful results.

You might decide to repaint them, for instance, or even change their color and appearance together. However you do it, having new-looking ceilings that are fresh and clean ensures that your home has a more modern look.

Install New Windows

You’ll also likely want to think about the windows because they are essential to the overall look. One of the main ways your windows affect the look of your home is by impacting the lighting levels. It makes the place either look more or less modern, along with other characteristics afforded by differences in lighting. Make sure that you are happy with your windows, and if not, consider doing something about it.

If you decide that you would like to install new windows, use a professional service like the Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement service. This way, you will be much happier with the result, finding the process quick and affordable. A professional service will help make your home more modern without worrying whether or not it will work out.

A More Modern Look
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Be Careful With Color

One of the things that can go wrong here is when it comes to adding color. If you are not careful, you might find that you add too much color and end up with too much. Too much color is the opposite of what you are generally aiming for in a modern look. Be careful with color from the start. Whenever you want to add some in, think about whether it is necessary.

Replace Flooring

Flooring is another important feature as well, and you will need to make sure that you think about what you can do to improve and replace the flooring as necessary. You might decide that you want to switch out old carpets for more modern alternatives such as floorboards, for instance. Making the switch is generally going to lead to a much better look all around the home.

A More Modern Look For Your Home

If you have done all that, you should find that your home looks much more modern in no time. You will be happy with the results there, so get started as soon as possible.

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The Best Ways to Create, Sell, and Market Your Homesteader Product

** The Best Ways to Create, Sell, and Market Your Homesteader Product is a guest post written by Virginia Cooper at Learn a Living. **

Starting a homesteading business can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be difficult if you don’t know where to start. If you want to turn your passion into profits, consider these tips for building and marketing your homesteader business.  

Market Your Homesteader Product 
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How to Create, Sell, and Market Your Homesteader Product 

Research Your Buyers 

If you’re creating a product for a specific niche, say rustic soap for people with sensitive skin, then it’s a good idea to take the time to research your potential buyers. What problems do they have? How can you market your product directly toward them? Are there similar products available? 

Choose a Brand Name 

When you begin selling your homemade products, it’s crucial to ensure you take a professional approach. A brand name isn’t just an exercise in creativity — it’s also a way for consumers to identify your products as unique and well-made. If you’re serious about making a living off your hobby farm, spend some time thinking about your brand before getting started. 

Market Your Product 

When you’re just starting in business, a big part of it is getting your name out there. A great way to do that is to partner with other vendors — like makers markets or small businesses that sell your product. You can attract partners by granting them a share of the profits from selling your products. Not only does cross-promoting help drive sales for everyone involved, it also makes you look like an established company. 

Create a Website 

Creating a website is an important part of any modern marketing strategy. Depending on your business, you may need a site with e-commerce capabilities or just one with basic information about your product or service. If organic traffic isn’t bringing enough sales, try search engine optimization or get started with a paid advertising campaign through Google Ads. If you’re not confident in your digital abilities, you can hire a digital marketing professional to help drive the best results. 

Set Up and Scale 

Decide where you want your homesteading venture to be based. That may include an online store (like Etsy or Amazon), a brick-and-mortar store, a local farmers market, or a booth at a local fair. When scaling your business, you’ll find some advantages to forming a corporation. If you’re looking for outside investment, a corporation is more appealing to experienced investors looking for security in a business venture. Taking on investors and adding employees can mean many changes, but shares become easier to transfer if your entity is a corporation instead of a limited liability company (LLC). You can save money on lawyer’s fees when you file for incorporation by yourself or use a business formation service. Each state has its own requirements for business registrations, so read up on them before starting the process. 

Live Off Your Land 

Homesteading is an easy way to make money if you live off your land. With a bit of forethought and clever marketing, you can establish a niche for yourself with people in your community who want high-quality products. 

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5 Tips for Finding the Best Home Staging Company

If you’re looking into selling your home, hiring a real estate photographer to impress potential homebuyers, then one of the biggest tips will usually be home staging. Some home sellers opt for home staging to make the home look neutral and let the features shine. There’s the option of doing home staging yourself, but more people want to sell their house as quickly as possible and will instead choose to hire a home staging company.

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How to Find the Best Home Staging Company

It’s true that finding the right home staging company is a difficult task. There are so many factors to consider, and it can be overwhelming. However, it’s entirely worth it. This article has some helpful tips for finding the best home staging company for your needs.

Take Your Time to Find the Best Home Staging Company

Home staging can be overwhelming for the average homeowner. It takes a lot of time and research to find the right company that will help you sell your house in a timely manner and at a fair price. But, by all means, if you want to add value to your house before selling, you must stay patient with this. Look thoroughly at your options for home staging companies. Also, keep in mind that some interior design services do this. Plus, if you’re selling your house through a real estate agent, they will have connections with home stagers.

Interview as Many Companies as Possible and Compare What they offer

Interviewing companies for home staging is a difficult task. You have to find companies willing to talk to you, and some won’t. Once you find a company, they’ll probably have a long list of questions before agreeing to meet with you. It can be a hassle, but before you spend too much money on a company, remain open to having an interview process.

Ask for a Free Consultation Before Signing a Contract

Before signing any contract, always ask for a free consultation. A consultation ensures that you understand the company’s policies and procedures. If you’re unsure about anything, find out more information before signing a contract. It also helps get an idea of what exactly they can do for you.

Ask for References or Testimonials from Previous Clients

When it comes to hiring any home staging service, especially if you’re going to spend a bunch of money at this, ensure that you can read their testimonials. Just looking at their website testimonials isn’t enough. Check if the home staging company has a Google My Business or Facebook page that may have some ratings. 

The Best Home Staging Company

Selling your home is a huge process, but it’s necessary if you want to move. Finding the best home staging company can make all the difference and help speed up the process.