Are you interested in adding value to your home by upgrading the exterior? If so, you need to know where to spend your money. Here are three exterior upgrades that can add a lot of value to your home.

1. New windows. Most people consider this an exterior job, and it is one that you should definitely consider. Yes, new windows throughout your home can be expensive but they can also bring many benefits such as increased value and a more energy efficient space.

2. New paint or siding. If your home is not made of brick there is a chance that you will need to update the paint or siding every so often. This is a big job; don?t be afraid to hire professional help. Even though you will have to pay a professional to complete this job, it is a great way to add value and better the appearance of your home.

3. Landscaping. This is an exterior upgrade that you can handle on your own, for the most part. Does your lawn need spruced up? You can do so by adding shrubbery, trees, flowers, mulch beds, etc.

All three of these exterior upgrades can add great value to your home.

As you probably know, labor is usually much more expensive than the cost of the goods. This is why it can be so expensive to hire a professional to work on your home. Fortunately, there is one easy way around this: hire cheap labor. And if you think this is difficult you are wrong. The cheapest labor that you will ever find is you! In other words, learn how to make repairs and upgrades on your own and you will never again have to pay for expensive labor. Over the course of a year this can save you thousands of dollars. This is particularly true if you own a rental property (or more than one) in addition to the home you live in. (more…)

Are you interested in installing new flooring in your home or investment property? If so, you need to know what to look for. As you know, there are many different types of flooring including carpet, tile, wood, laminate, and vinyl.

Here are three details to consider when deciding what type of flooring to buy:

1. Cost. How much do you want to spend on your new flooring? If you are buying for your own home you may not have a price limit; you want the best of the best. But on the other hand, when buying for an investment you may consider cost to be the most important factor.

2. Durability. You want to buy flooring that will last. Fortunately, almost everything on the market can stay in good shape for 10 or more years as long as it is cared for. This is something you definitely need to think about when it comes to the flooring in your investment properties. Since your tenants may be rough on the floors and neglect them in many ways, it is important to buy something that is durable.

3. Installation. Will you be able to install the flooring on your own? Or will you need to hire a costly professional? If you are trying to save money you may want to opt for something that you can easily install.

If you consider cost, durability, and installation you should be able to select the right flooring for your home or investment property.
photo credit: Velo Steve

If you’re a landlord or property manager in an earthquake hot spot then you know how terrifying and destructive this natural disaster can be for your tenants and property. You can help prevent some of the damage and reduce the level of anxiety a bit by making sure you’ve prepared your property as much as possible prior to an earthquake.

Take a look at your utilities and make sure all of the connections are flexible and that there are no defective or leaky lines. Make sure all large appliances, including your water heater and furnace, are bolted to wall studs and secured in place. Check with your gas company to see if they recommend a valve that shuts off your gas in case of strong vibrations. Overhead lighting fixtures should also be firmly anchored in place.

If you have a furnishes apartment or built in storage, make sure that the doors fasten shut so items do not fall out or fly around the room causing more damage.

If you have had earthquakes in the past and feel that one is probably likely in the region of your retail units you can give your tenants a package when they move in providing them with instructions to survive an earthquake in the safest way possible. Highlight the safest places for them to retreat to during the earthquake and instruct them to check for gas leaks and possible electrical damage caused by appliances shifting and shaking, you’ll want to make repairs immediately.

Since their inception, holy buildings have aspired to pay tribute to the god or gods their worshippers pay homage to. Modern churches rise into the sky, and in the middle age they were often the tallest buildings their people would ever see. Ancient temples could be built to such magnitudes that even today, thousands of years later, they are still considered wonders of the world. But not all are magnificent due to their architecture; others are just flat-out amazing for their location. A small chapel impossibly built on the side of a cliff may be just as awe-inspiring as a towering cathedral. If there’s one thing holy sites can teach us all, it’s that when the goal is to impress, location can sometimes mean everything. (more…)

There is no denying that your living room is one of the focal points of your home. While many homeowners enjoy this space, others avoid it at all costs for one important reason: the decorating is god awful. If you feel this way, the following interior decorating tips for your living room are sure to change things around soon enough:

1. Keep with the theme of the rest of your home. For instance, if your dining room and kitchen have a traditional look and feel you should carry this into your living room. Not only will it make your house flow better, but you will have an easier time decorating because you already know what you are trying to accomplish.

2. De-clutter. Many people fall into the habit of using their living room as storage space. This is particularly true among homeowners who have other space for entertaining. Believe it or not, if you simply de-clutter your living room you will begin to see a better space right away. Until you get rid of the non-essentials your living room will always be dragging your home down.

3. Spend money to update the paint on the walls, flooring, and furniture. If you want to update your living room you need to spend money here and there. Of course, you should base your spending on how much money you have available. If possible, add new paint, flooring, and furniture that match. This will go a long way in increasing the appeal of your living room.

These three interior decorating tips are sure to turn your living room into an enjoyable, friendly, comfortable living space.

photo credit: Wonderlane

Are you looking to better decorate your basement? If so, you are not alone. This is a great living space, and the right look and feel can add big time value to your home. Unfortunately, many people don?t know how to decorate their basement. Instead, they leave it as a drab space that does not have much to offer. Instead of letting this happen to your basement, consider the following tips:

1. Decide what you are using your basement for. Is this a gameroom for entertaining? Is it going to be a formal space? You have to know what you are trying to accomplish before you begin to decorate.

2. Most people agree that their basement should be a fun room that is geared towards entertaining. If you have a formal room in your home, such as an ?upstairs? living room, you can devote your basement to being a fun and entertaining space. You can do this by selecting the right color scheme, furniture, and accessories. For instance, add comfortable couches, a pool table, and other related items that are sure to bring a smile to the face of every visitor.

3. If you are going to use your basement for entertaining you should not use it as a large storage area as well. There is nothing wrong with storing items in your basement as long as they are kept out of sight.

Decorating your basement does not have to be hard. In fact, it can be a lot of fun. The above tips will make it much easier for you to realize how to best decorate your basement space.

photo credit: JAGwired

Adding value to your home is easy enough if you have the money to put in, and the ideas to get started. Many homeowners think solely about the inside of their home when trying to increase its value; this is a big mistake. Believe it or not, landscaping adds value to your home. Not to mention the fact that a well manicured lawn will also draw in drive-by traffic if you are thinking about putting your home on the market.

The nice thing about landscaping is that you can hire a professional, or if you are up to it you can do things on your own. There are not too many aspects of landscaping that you should not be able to handle if you have the necessary time.

When it comes to landscaping you should remember that more is not always better. Instead, stick to the basics and see where it gets you. This can be anything from adding beds of mulch with flowers to planting a few trees to show your property line. Sometimes it is the small changes that add the most value. Not to mention the fact that the less you spend the more you will get back in the long run.

If you are looking to add value to your home forget about the inside for now. Instead, take some time and money to update the look and feel of your yard. You may be surprised at how little changes can make your home much more inviting, while also adding value.

photo credit: Michael in Flagstaff, Arizona