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Get the Best Price for Your Home With 5 Simple Upgrades

Best Price for Your Home

Putting your home on the market can bring up many emotions, especially if it is your first property. You have made happy memories in your current home, and it may be hard to say goodbye. However, the future is bright for your family, so it’s time to put your practical hat on and consider how to get the best price for your home.

One part of getting organized for a move is ensuring that your current home is in a condition. Although you may start feeling detached from the house after finding a new place, you shouldn’t give up on it. Instead, consider how you can bring more value before selling.

You can get advice from a local real estate agent to see what buyers in your location are looking for. They may also suggest areas of your home to focus on and bring energy to. 

Alternatively, you could check out the extensive list of upgrades below. It will help you get the best price for your current home. In a market that is constantly up and down, many non-negotiables will help you to sell quickly and effectively. Consider the following methods and see if you can incorporate them into your home before putting it on the market.

1. A Modern Front Door

Selling your home might be hard if it’s not appealing from the moment the buyer reaches the front door. A modern front door can go a long way when it comes to increasing the value of your home. When you look here, it is clear that front doors can make or break the exterior of your property. You can choose from beautiful, customizable options that suit the interior decor and the buyer you want to appeal to. Both function and quality are essential when choosing a new front door.

2. Clean Carpets and Flooring

When you walk into a property, you can instantly tell whether the carpets and flooring are in good condition. As a homeowner, you should have your carpets or hardwood floors cleaned professionally every few months. If you haven’t done this in a while, this is your sign to bring in a professional. Not only will your home smell better, but it will also make your entire property more impressive.

3. Have No Clutter and Ornaments to Get the Best Price for Your Home

Clutter and extensive ornaments are a big no-no to making a great first impression on a potential buyer. Clearing out your unwanted items is freeing and boosts your mental health, but it can also help keep your home looking clear and fresh. You can clean shelving much easier, and your home will look more appealing.

4. Lovely Landscaping Outside

Best Price for Your Home
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Tidying up your hedges or power washing your driveway is a brilliant way to enhance curb appeal and boost the value of your home. Most buyers want to see that the property is well-maintained from the outset, so this is a must-do.

5. Muted Tones

When it comes to choosing the happiest hues for your home before it hits the market, you may want to think twice before reaching for bold and bright colors. Buyers want to see a blank canvas and be able to put their twist on a property. Try to choose white, cream, and other neutral paints if you’re redecorating anytime soon. Of course, it’s easy to do this, you can opt for painting your walls, get some wallpaper, opt for laundry room wood planks for that specific face, but there’s even the furniture and decor that’s also going to help with getting the room to feel muted and complementary. 

Recap: Best Price for Your Home

Before listing your property for sale, try these ideas. It may seem like a lot of effort but makes a difference in the sales process.

People want to imagine living in the home and don’t want to see clutter when looking around. Remember this, and try to have a buyer’s brain throughout. It will help you make the best possible decisions to get a price reflective of the value of your property.

Enjoy making these fruitful upgrades. Don’t forget to have fun during your adventure toward creating a new home!

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Buying a Home Home Moving Real Estate

5 Simple Signs It’s Time to Move House Soon

You may have thought you were getting your dream home when you first moved into your current house. However, over time, things change. Perhaps you plan to have a family but don’t have enough space. Or maybe your children have moved out, and you want to downsize. There are so many reasons people decide to move, and you shouldn’t feel confined to one place if it’s not right for you. If you are wondering if a change is in the cards, here are five signs it might be time to move house soon.

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Signs It’s Time to Move House

You don’t have enough space

Do you struggle to find a place for all of your belongings? Everyone accumulates possessions over time, but if you have run out of storage, it might indicate that you need to upgrade. Of course, there’s always the chance you might be a hoarder, so it’s a good idea to have a regular declutter. Go through your home and get rid of anything you don’t need. If you have large items that you rarely use, such as sports equipment or sentimental antiques, consider using a storage company such as SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc. However, it’s worth looking for a bigger home if your home is still cramped after a spring clean.

Your home needs a lot of work – It might be Time to Move House

Any property will need maintenance over time to keep it in pristine condition. However, older properties often require more work than newer ones. If you’re drowning in DIY jobs, selling your home and finding a newer one can often be more cost-effective. Not only will this save you money in the long run, but you won’t have to spend all your free time carrying out repairs and dealing with tradespeople.

Your job changed

Your commute is one of the most important considerations when searching for a new home. You likely factored in your daily travel time when you first signed the contract. However, if your job changed, you might find your location less convenient than it once was. Perhaps you must travel further to get to the office or drive instead of taking public transport. Maybe you now work from home, so you don’t have to be tied down to a particular place.

Your house is too big

Empty nest syndrome commonly occurs among parents whose children have moved out, and living in a big house can make the experience harder. You can save money and downsize if you no longer need a large home.

You’re sick of living in the city

When you’re young, living in the city is an exciting prospect. You’re close to the nightlife, and there are people around you who you can call up for drinks, dinners, dates, and fun activities. But the novelty can wear off. Maybe you’re fed up with the urban lifestyle and are craving a more relaxing and scenic existence in the countryside. Being close to nature can benefit your mental health and quality of life.

Recap: Time to Move House

If you’ve identified with any of these signs, it might be time to move house. Do you have anything to add to the list? Leave a comment and let us know.

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Adulting Buying a Home Real Estate

8 Easy Ways to Have a Stress-Free Moving Day

It’s finally time! You’ve decided to move and are ready to take the plunge. But before you do, you can do a few things to make your moving day as stress-free as possible. So here are our top tips for having a smooth transition into your new home.

How to Have a Stress-Free Moving Day

Stress-Free Moving Day
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Be Organized

Staying organized may seem like a no-brainer, but being organized is key to having a stress-free moving day. Make sure you have a list of everything you need to do and pack and give yourself plenty of time to complete it. The last thing you want is to scramble around on the day of your move, trying to find your keys or important documents.

Make Sure to be Packed and Ready the Day Before

Make sure your belongings are packed and ready to go. You don’t want to be packing boxes and furniture on the day of your move – that will add to the stress. Instead, ensure everything is packed up and ready to go the day before. That way, all you have to do on moving day is load up the truck and head to your new home.

Get a Good Night’s Rest

Getting rest is probably the most important tip of all. Moving is exhausting, both mentally and physically. So be sure to get a good night’s sleep before your move. That way, you’ll be well-rested and ready to tackle everything that comes your way on moving day.

Have a Plan for Your Pets

If you have pets, you’ll need to make sure you have a plan for them on moving day. The last thing you want is for your furry friend to get lost in the shuffle. So be sure to keep them in a safe place – whether with a friend or family member or in a designated room of your house where they can’t escape.

Enlist Help from Family and Friends for a Stress-Free Moving Day

Moving is a big undertaking, and it’s not something you should have to do alone. Enlist the help of your family and friends to make the process go as smoothly as possible. They can help you pack, load the truck, and even unpack at your new place.

Hire a Professional Moving Company

If you want to take the stress out of moving, hire a professional moving company. Two Men And A Truck are experts in the field and can ensure your belongings are moved safely and efficiently. Plus, they’ll do all the heavy lifting for you – so you can sit back and relax on moving day.

Dress for the Occasion

Dressing for the occasion may seem strange, but trust us – it’s essential. Moving is a physical activity, and you’ll want to be comfortable while you’re doing it. So wear clothes that you can move around quickly, and wear closed-toe shoes to avoid injuries.

Have an Essentials Bag Packed

On moving day, you will want to have a few essentials close at hand. Pack a bag with things like your toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and water. That way, you can take care of yourself throughout the day without searching through boxes for things you need.

Final Thoughts: Stress-Free Moving Day

Moving can be a very stressful event, but there are plenty of things you can do to make it go more smoothly. Use these tips to have a stress-free moving day and make your transition into your new home as seamless as possible.

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Buying a Home For the Home Home Real Estate

Custom Homes Vs Self Builds: What’s The Difference and Which is Best?

Want to design your own house from scratch? There are two options that you can pursue: a custom home or a self build. Both are slightly different approaches that each have their pros and cons. This post explains the difference between the two so you can choose between custom homes vs self builds.

Custom Homes Vs Self Builds
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Custom Homes Vs Self Builds

What is a custom home?

Custom home developers are companies that help build a home for you. They supply a plot of land for you (you get to choose from multiple places owned by them), and then you get to choose the design, including the layout and other various features to fit your needs. Such companies typically have their own in-house architects and take charge of ordering materials and hiring contractors for you.

They take away much of the work while allowing you to customize your home. This is the big appeal of such homes – they take away the stress. Your home will likely get constructed more quickly than if you go the self-build route.

The level of customization with a custom build typically isn’t as great as a self-build as there may be templates a developer wants to stick to and a limited choice of materials.

What is a self-build?

A self-build is a home that you independently build. You are responsible for sourcing a plot of land, designing the house, and building it. You can still hire architects and contractors, but you’ll have to source these yourself. Consequently, self-builds involve a lot more responsibility and can be riskier as you don’t have a developer to guide you through the process.

The biggest perk is that you have almost limitless freedom as to how you build your home, providing it meets building code requirements. You can experiment with materials or play with much wackier designs. It also improves your choices when it comes to plots of land.

You also have the choice to reduce costs more by doing some of the labor yourself and taking your time with construction. Self-builds typically take longer to build but are generally cheaper.

Which one is right for you? Custom Homes Vs Self Builds

All in all, opting for a custom home or a self build comes down to the level of responsibility you want. A self build could be a better option if you want more control over the design and cost. A custom home is better if you want to relieve the responsibility of sourcing land, materials, and contractors.

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For the Home Home Real Estate

Upgrading Your Exterior? Here Are the 5 Best Bangs for Your Buck

It’s the first thing you see when you get home and what makes you feel most proud of what’s inside. Upgrading your exterior is more important than ever. It’s essential not just for curb appeal but for cosmetic changes that will last a long time. So what does it really take to give your home a facelift? Let’s show you a few things to consider.

Upgrading Your Exterior
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Best Tips For Upgrading Your Exterior

The Front Door

Upgrading the front door is a simple thing that makes a massive difference to your home. Choosing high quality entry doors is not necessarily about making a big impact, but it’s about ensuring that your front door sticks to a uniform type, especially if there are many other homes on your street.

There are many modern doors that look more traditional. If you’re looking for something newer, yet with one foot in the past, there are plenty of choices available. If you live in a period property, you may want to look further and find a door that suits your style and period.

You could venture to reclamation yards and look online. There are ways to find front doors through websites like eBay if you are looking for something very particular.

Upgrading the Windows

The windows are the eyes of a property, so changing them can alter the personality of your home. Consider choosing the windows and doors that suit your overall property. If you have a period property, be careful not to outdo any authenticity your property exudes. But if you’re looking to upgrade to a more contemporary setup but lean towards a more period feel, you can opt for metal framed windows or Crittall-style window designs to create a statement look.

Upgrading Your Exterior Finishes

For many, the solution is simple: Paint the house using masonry paint in a neutral color. It helps to unify all the different materials of the property. If you want to go further, you can render the external walls and repaint them, especially if the original brickwork has damage.

There’s a variety of exterior finishes that might work for you. Fiber cement, timber, composite cladding, laminate cladding, PVCu cladding, and brick and tile are a few that you can pick from. Each material is charged per meter squared, so factor this into your overall household budget to see if you can afford the aesthetics that will upgrade the look and feel of the property.

Adding an Extension

You can consider different types of extensions for the front and back of your property. For example, rather than adding a single-story extension to the side or front, you may want to add something smaller. Consider something like a bay window or a porch.

You don’t have to consider completely expanding the back of your property. It can be expensive and take a lot of time to get right. A complete extension might be worthwhile if you plan to stay in the property forever. However, you also have to consider your lifestyle in the process and if it’s worth overhauling your life for up to 12 months or potentially longer.

Converting the Garage

One of the best ways to completely change the exterior of your property is to convert the garage. However, consider how the house will change during the renovation. When the garage is attached to the property, the joins between the old and the new components must be seamless.

You might want to hire an architect to ensure that everything is in proportion aesthetically and functionally. Switching up the garage to have a more functional home makes a significant difference to how the property feels. You may want functionality inside, but you must ensure you make the right move on this one. Weigh your options and consider if the advantages of this extra room are outweighed by having secure parking. 

Final Thoughts on Upgrading Your Exterior

If you are moving out or looking to change the property, the external upgrades will make a difference. We all know the importance of curb appeal, but you’ve got to dig down into the right components. When you follow these tips, it will make the biggest difference to your property.

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Adulting Buying a Home Home Real Estate

Thinking Of Moving to a New House? Read This Before Making Any Decisions

If you on selling your home and moving to a new house, this guide will help you find your new home. It’ll also give you tips on what to do with your current one. Moving doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect, and it can go as smoothly as you want it to. Making lists will ensure there are no hiccups on the way. 

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Read This Before Moving to a New House

Sell Your Current Home

If you are looking to move to a new home, it may be a case of selling your current property. You may be nervous about this prospect, but as long as you do it effectively, there is nothing to worry about.

Shop for the best realtor to help you sell your home, checking out previous reviews and testimonials. You don’t want a realtor who is not good at what they do. If you don’t choose a good one, it could result in your home being on the market for some time. If your property is in a desired neighborhood, it will sell quickly. 

Look For A New House

If you are moving to a new home, you will need to find a new place to live. If you need to wait for your current property to sell before buying a new one, that’s okay too. However, you may want to rent an apartment for a short time. There are some fantastic apartments around, and you might even end up finding one you want to buy while you’re looking for one to rent, so it could solve a lot of problems all at once. 

Waiting until your home sells and renting in the meantime is perfectly fine. But, it may mean moving again in the near distant future. Alternatively, you could stay in your property until it sells and buy a new home immediately after.

This option is one that many sellers opt for, but it can be a pain. The new owners will be waiting to move in while you find somewhere else to live.

Clean Your Property

Something else that you might consider before you sell your current home is cleaning it thoroughly. Cleaning it will save you a job when you move out.

Doing little things whenever they crop up is much easier than doing a great big job when you move. When cleaning your property, work top to bottom and ensure all the little corners and hard-to-reach places are clean.

There is always the option of hiring a cleaner for your home, giving you time to do other tasks. If you are leaving the furniture and selling it as a furnished home, you might want to use a company that offers upholstered furniture cleaning services. Hiring a reputable company will leave your furniture sparkling and ready for the next people to use it.

Utilize Storage Facilities

Finally, when selling your home, you might want to place some of your belongings in storage. Self-storage facilities are helpful when selling your home and moving to a new house, and you can use them as long as you need to.

You can declutter or pack unused items before potential buyers look around, placing these in storage will help. Plus, you can also unpack your new home at your own pace without boxes cluttering your space.

Recap on Things to Know Before Moving to a New House

Moving to a new house is an exciting time in your life. It can be stressful, but these tips will help make it easier.

Do you have any other suggestions for us to use before moving? If so, leave a comment and let us know. 🙂

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For the Home Home Real Estate

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.

Best 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.

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Buying a Home Real Estate

5 Helpful Tips For Any First-Time Landlord In 2022

Property has long been considered one of the best investments. If you have recently delved into this area and you’re thinking about becoming a first-time landlord, you must prepare. While this is a great way to make a consistent monthly profit, it can go wrong if you don’t handle the whole process correctly. Read on to discover some great tips that will help you get started.

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Tips For Any First-Time Landlord

Understand Your Responsibilities

There is only one place to begin, and this is with understanding your responsibilities as a landlord. Renting out your property comes with many benefits, but there is also a lot to take on. You will need to stay on top of maintenance and repairs, collect rent, and handle all the legal side of things with contracts and inventories. You need to make sure you can fit this into your lifestyle. Sometimes you will see the nasty side of becoming a landlord, dealing with vandalism or tenants who don’t pay their rent. However, if you follow the rest of the tips in this post, you can reduce the chances of this happening.

Screen Tenants Carefully as a First-Time Landlord

To reduce the risks associated with renting out your property and maximize your profits, you need to screen tenants carefully. Reducing risks involves ensuring the tenants have a good track record if they have rented before and ensuring they can pay the rent. You might want to conduct a credit check.

Set a Competitive Price

If you are yet to purchase a property, it’s worth looking at high-return investments. Do your research and find out the monthly rates for similar properties in the area.

Market Effectively

You will need to market your property effectively to secure the right tenants at the right price. Marketing effectively involves taking high-quality photographs, which is something most landlords and estate agents still get wrong today. Write an attractive and easy-to-read description containing keywords.

Prepare your property

Finally, you need to prepare the property you are renting out. Tenants are more attentive than ever before because there is a greater pool of rental homes available to select from. Expectations are much higher. To stand out from the competition, you need to clean the property thoroughly and ensure that all appliances are working. You also want to consider additions like awnings for extra privacy and style. 

First-Time Landlord

Hopefully, you now feel more prepared about your quest as a landlord. From understanding the responsibility involved to screening tenants carefully, if you follow the advice above, you should experience a smooth and profitable transition into being a landlord.