Home Improvements Archives - Preferred Properties of Texas Home & Ranch Properties Stephenville

Hot Outdoor Trends For Spring/Summer

March 24, 2023 by chorton Leave a Comment

It is never too late to plan and shop for outdoor living spaces of your dreams.

These trends may be worth considering before they sell out.

Even before fall’s cooler nights, backyard fire pits had sold out by the end of last year. They were bought by people who wanted to extend their outdoor time. A fire pit can be purchased now to enjoy your backyard in the spring and into the autumn.

Outdoor kitchens will be very popular this year as people want to do all they can outside. A DIY kitchen is possible for as little as $2,000.

The outdoor kitchen can be outfitted with everything from barbecues to natural gas to charcoal, in addition to cabinets. You can choose from traditional black or vibrant colours, as well as stainless steel in various sizes and shapes that will suit your backyard. You might also consider the “connected barbecue”, which allows you to control the temperature directly from your smartphone.

Last summer, above-ground pools were sold out. Get one for your kids today. You can also find smaller inground pools that are a bit larger than a whirlpool bathtub for adults. These are great for cooling off and sitting down.

You will need a shed to store your pool-related items. Aluminum sheds are great for tools. But if you need a shed that can also double as an office or cabana in the summer, consider wood sheds that have double doors.

Be sure to consider the functionality of furniture as well as its design. Look for furniture with hidden storage or sectionals that incorporate tables into their designs for small spaces. Wide armrests make it easy to place a glass of wine, or an iPad on a comfortable seat. A coffee table can be raised to a comfortable height, so you don’t need additional chairs or a table.

Privacy screens and privacy kits make products that are both functional and beautiful. Privacy is also achieved by garden walls. This vertical trend includes trellises, metal grids and plants grown on them. Vertical garden walls are decorative and save space.

Decorative and edible plants were very popular during the pandemic. To meet the demand, many stores have ordered plenty of seed packets and plants.

There are many options for fountains and waterfalls. You can choose from large, standalone versions or smaller designs that fit on tabletops. The soothing sound of water can drown out any unwanted noises and create a Zen-like atmosphere in the room.

Outdoor lighting is available to help you stay outdoors after dark and create a mood. Outdoor lighting is now possible with the availability of LED lights in a variety of colours, which are popular among teenagers. You can also find adult-friendly versions, which can be used in planters or under the bar counter. You can also find lights on strings and garden lights that will laminate the edges of the path, as well as an umbrella with integrated lighting.

A front porch adds additional outdoor space. You can dress it up by adding curtains to the sides. This will allow you privacy, and also make it suitable for single seating or sectionals.

You can personalize your space by adding style, colour, and accessories. Enjoy it as you see fit.

Original Blog: https://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice/item/1041454-hot-outdoor-living-products-for-this-spring

Homeowners Can Benefit Financially and Emotionally by Remodeling Outdoor Features

March 22, 2023 by chorton Leave a Comment

Most Realtors (92%) recommend that sellers improve curb appeal before selling their home. The largest percentage of Realtors ^(r), suggested that sellers improve the curb appeal of their home before listing it for sale. These were also the most popular projects for which landscape professionals have seen increased demand in the past year. These and other findings are based on a report by the National Association of Realtors and National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Many homeowners have made their backyards their own, creating oases filled with plants, trees, and pools. If the homeowner wants to sell, these outdoor features can be embraced by him or her.

Landscape professionals were most in demand for outdoor projects such as an overall landscape update (61%), maintenance (58%), and a new patio (55%). They saw less demand for a wood deck (15%) or an in-ground swimming pool (25%) as well as tree care (29%).

It is not surprising that most Realtors ^(r/) and homeowners place high importance on a yard’s curb appeal. Green spaces and healthy outdoor living can improve the quality of life, enhance home value, make communities more attractive, and help people’s mental as well as physical health.

Preparing Your Home To Sell

February 24, 2023 by chorton Leave a Comment

Are you ready to sell your home? To make your home more appealing to potential buyers, you’ll need to first do some things.

There is no way to predict how quickly your home will sell or how much it will fetch. You can increase your chances that everything will go smoothly, quickly and profitably by taking certain steps.

You can trust a professional real estate agent to guide you through the steps to prepare your home for sale. The sooner you get started, the better. You can also speed up the process by starting the process on your own. These are the top things you can do for your home to be ready to sell.

Before they can be put on the market, some homes will require more work than others. However, there are some things that homeowners need to remember when preparing for a sale. These are the most important.

Buyers should be able to envision themselves living there. This can be difficult if your stuff is everywhere. While you don’t have to empty the entire house, it is a good idea to go through each room and get rid of any clutter.

Keep a small box with everyday items that you will need to access while you house is up for sale. You can store items in a box so they are out of your way and not have to go into storage.

The exterior of your home is what buyers first see. It should be beautiful. Get out your mowing axes and start trimming bushes and grass. It’s a great time to clean your siding, the outside of your windows, and other less obvious features such as your front door and garage door.

A home that is clean and tidy will be more attractive to potential buyers. This shows buyers that you value the property and have taken care of it. Make sure to clean every room, as well as all the major features (walls, floors, appliances, fixtures). You can also tackle the little things that might be overlooked but are important to potential buyers, such as chipped paint and scuff marks.

Are you constantly running the toilet? Are the hinges of your kitchen cabinet falling off? These small issues can turn off buyers so make sure to address them before you sell. For larger repairs, consult your agent to determine if it is worth the effort to fix them now or waiting until after you have accepted an offer.

One final tip to make your home sale efficient: try to list in the spring , as that’s when there is the most demand. To maximize your listing and approach, you should keep up-to-date with market updates.

Original Blog: https://www.landhub.com/land-news/how-to-prepare-your-home-to-sell/

Kitchen Flooring Options, Find The Best Kitchen Flooring For You.

December 16, 2022 by chorton Leave a Comment

There are many factors that go into choosing the right kitchen floor. How often do you cook? Are you more comfortable with an open floor plan or a closed-off one? Which is the most durable?

Hardwood flooring is an excellent choice for those who want timeless appeal and unmatched warmth. Hardwood flooring will give you a great return on your investment, should you ever decide to sell your house. Another benefit: Hardwood works well in living and kitchen areas, creating a warm, cohesive look.

There are two options for hardwood flooring: engineered or solid wood planks. Engineered wood is made up of a veneer of wood, backed with layers of plywood. This flooring is a better choice for kitchens, as it provides dimensional stability. This protects the flooring against movement due to temperature and humidity changes, which can be a problem in kitchens.

Sheet vinyl, also known as resilient flooring, is the most popular type of flooring. This cushiness is great for those who cook often. It also makes it more comfortable on the feet and reduces muscle fatigue. Sheet vinyl is also more flexible if you or a loved one are prone to dropping things. There will be less damage. Sheet vinyl flooring can be cleaned quickly and easily. It is completely waterproof and stain-proof.

However, this choice comes with its own set of disadvantages. You may find seams depending on the layout and size of your kitchen. Vinyl flooring is 12 feet wide. You will have seams if your kitchen is larger than 12 feet. They can leak moisture into the subfloor, trapping dirt and causing them to not be bonded properly.
Sheet vinyl is easy to clean. Sheet vinyl is easy to maintain. You might prefer a cushioned vinyl flooring with foam backing. The extra cushioning can make it difficult to keep seams bonded for long periods of time. You could also end up with trapped dirt and moisture if your seams split.

Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile that can be used as a flooring tile. It is fired at high temperatures to produce a hard and stain-resistant tile, which resists moisture. It can even be used outside in almost any climate because it is so strong. Porcelain tile can be purchased unglazed or glazed, just like other ceramic tiles. Unglazed porcelain tiles take on the clay color, giving them a natural earthy tone.

Glazed tiles, on the other hand can be made in any color and mimic the texture and look of real stone for a fraction of the cost.

The Americans with Disabilities Act certifies that porcelain tiles are slip-resistant. The designation should be clearly displayed on packaging materials or product information.

Cork is made of tree bark, which is harvested every 8-10 years. It is also sustainable. It is produced in countries that regulate harvesting to guarantee future supply.

There are some plus points. Cork’s compressible and waterproof cellular structure makes them a comfortable, water-resistant option. It comes in 12-inch-by-12-inch tiles and one-foot-by-three-foot planks, each with a unique grain pattern of swirls and speckles. It is slip-resistant due to its naturally textured surface.

Cork flooring does require maintenance. To protect against scratches and keep moisture out of the joints between tiles, cork flooring should be sealed every three to four year. Natural wax and polyurethane are good sealers. To keep it green, choose water-based polyurethane which is nontoxic and has low volatile organic compound (VOC) levels.

Original Blog: https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/kitchen/kitchen-flooring-ideas/

Habits Homeowners Need to Break

December 9, 2022 by chorton Leave a Comment

Break bad habits now to live a happier life and have a better bank account.

Long, steamy showers are a good idea. While 20 minutes spent in steam can be beneficial for your pores, it is also good for mold. While you sing in the shower, turn on the exhaust fan and squeeze your walls. Scrub the grout every few months. Grungy grout can be a turnoff to buyers. It is also difficult and costly to redo.

Keep out the sun. It might be smart to close your shades during winter. You want more insulation against the cold weather. Your energy bill is different. A sunny window can heat your home and reduce your heating bills. You may also notice a decrease of seasonal depression.

Obsessively looking for bargains. Although it feels great to find a bargain, cheaper is not always better. Budget purchases might end up costing you more long-term. Dollar paintbrushes can leave streaky marks that will require a costly re-do. When it comes to appliances, you should be willing to spend a little more, especially if you are thinking of selling your home. There are noticeable differences between the most affordable and the next-cheapest model. Buyers want to see stainless-steel.

A half-full dishwasher is a waste of water. If your dishwasher is full, it will waste water. Although dishwashers are more efficient than washing dishes by hand, they use less water than washing them by hand. However, most dishwashers still require the same amount of water, regardless of how many plates were used. This makes half-empty cycles significantly less efficient. A household with one or two people can wash their dishes once per day.

Mega mulching. Mulch too dense can cause root rot and invite invasive insects. Mulch should be loosely packed to protect your trees.

You are going on a remodeling spree. If your home is in dire need of serious, obvious work, don’t go on a remodeling spree three weeks after you move in. Before renovating, take the time to get to know your home. When you move in to a house, you don’t necessarily know what your needs will be. To find the right space, you should stay there at least six months. You’ll regret doing too much too quickly.

Pack-ratting. You understand clutter is bad but you can’t help but to do it. You were forced to keep the unused exercise bike in your spare room, even though it’s a space you don’t get to enjoy. One small task. You will feel satisfied when you have done one small thing. You will find it easier to do the next little thing.

Original Blog: https://www.houselogic.com/save-money-add-value/money-saving-diy/preventive-home-maintenance/?cid=eo_em_ws_touch4

Why Indoor Air Quality Is Important

November 17, 2022 by chorton Leave a Comment

Air quality, both indoor and outdoor, is a topic that is becoming more prominent. Experts are discussing how to combat wildfires and smog, and what steps to take to make sure that our air quality is healthy and sustainable. Indoor air quality is something that many people have neglected in the past.

Indoor air quality is still an important part of a healthy home. This is why you should be concerned about it for your clients as well. We don’t have weather apps or meteorologists monitoring indoor air quality to tell us when it’s safe for us to go outside. It’s crucial to be familiar with indoor air quality so that you can educate your clients and yourself.

The air quality index measures the overall quality of air in a particular area or place. The air quality index ranges between 0 and 500. Higher numbers indicate poorer air quality. Each company’s device registered our home as having a good overall air quality index. However, there were external factors such as construction and seasonal allergens that warranted more detailed measurements.

During winter testing these sensors, one of the first things we noticed was that the house’s air was dry at 20% humidity. According to the Mayo Clinic, indoor humidity should be between 30%- 50%. Low levels can lead to dry skin and irritation of the nose. People can feel congested if they have high levels. High levels of humidity can lead to serious health issues like mold.

Our home now has a constant humidity of 45% throughout the year since we installed a humidifier. All three sensors were able to track and update humidity changes, and they were all on the same page.

A large number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can volatilize in the air at room temperatures. VOCs can be harmful to the air quality in homes. They are found in household staples like air fresheners and cleaners as well as new furniture and carpeting.

PM2.5 refers to fine particles that have a diameter less than 2.5. This includes bacteria, fungi, and emissions from oil, gas, and coal combustion. PM 10, which is the largest particle typically monitored by air quality monitor systems, has a diameter of 10 to 20 microns. It also includes pollutants such as pollen and pet hair.

Radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer. Many states now require passive radon mitigation systems to be installed during new home construction. When buying a home, buyers are advised to run a radon test.

The EPA (link is external). considers a level above 4 pCi/L (picocuries/liter) to be high and requires mitigation. However, the agency also stated that radon exposure levels are not safe at this time. Therefore, any home with levels above 4 pCi/L must be addressed.

Airthings, the only consumer-grade air quality monitoring system, detects radon over time and graphs it. Airthings recommends that you wait 30 days before you take any action based upon the results. Our home was built 3.5 years ago. It has a passive mitigation system so our radon levels have been reduced. However, many clients have found elevated levels that have been corrected with mitigation systems. Mitigation costs approximately $1,200 in Minnesota.

Carbon dioxide doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It’s actually a necessary component of the air we inhale. When CO2 levels exceed the oxygen level in a given space, it can become a problem. Too much CO2 can make you feel tired, sleepy, or less focused. It can cause serious health problems if it is too high. We tested three systems and found that Airthings’ View Plus (link is external) model shows CO2 levels in parts-per-million. It will alert the user if they are too high.

There are many invisible factors that can impact the quality of your air, including allergens and pollutants. A monitor is a worthwhile investment.

An air quality monitor can give you the information you need in order to correct any air quality problems that may exist in your home. Your home will be more comfortable and safer if you can address any air quality problems. You can determine the best solution based on data from your monitor.

Original Blog: https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/technology/manage-indoor-air-quality