Homework: How to Improve Your Remote Workspace

 If you need help redesigning your home office, turn to the experts at Redesign + More Interior Decorating. We can help you coordinate your space specific to your aesthetic and for optimal productivity. Reach out today to find out more about our online services.

         Homework: How to Improve Your Remote Workspace

For millions of work-at-homers across the USA, the office is little more than a kitchen table and a box of raisin bran. Remote working means that our home and work lives are increasingly interlinked, but to stay productive, it’s important to divide the two and give your workspace the TLC it deserves — Redesign + More Interior Decorating explains how.

Upgrade Your Furniture

In 2016, it was found that American adults spend 6.4 hours per day sitting — well before the pandemic. If you’re going to spend so much time in a chair, you might as well make sure it’s a good one. As you shop for the perfect throne, pay close attention to adjustability, lumbar support, and materials/fabric. It’s worth the extra research — a good office chair can improve your posture, energy, and productivity.

Upgrading your furniture isn’t all about buying new. Sometimes, with a quick search for reupholstery services, you can get more usage out of existing items and this can often prove a cheaper option. Prices will depend on the size and quality of the item. Before agreeing to terms with a company, make sure you’ve read plenty of reviews.

Improve Your Tech

Beyond comfortable furniture, your workspace needs the right tech to help you keep your productivity flowing. An old mouse or keyboard, outdated software, a glitchy webcam and keeping with paper only calendars can actually slow you down. Give your tech the makeover it needs by upgrading any necessary accessories or hardware (sites like Tech Pro Daily can help you choose), and look into online tools like Pomodoro apps to help you stay focused, Trello to help manage tasks and projects, and Evernote for taking notes.

Go Green

Good office space isn’t just about comfort but also appearances, humidity, and clean air. This is where plants come in. If you’re not on Instagram, you should know that America has gone completely plant crazy and for good reason — keeping some greenery in your workspace looks great in meetings, can improve the smell, and, for a lot of us, is a great mood booster.

Picking the right plants is an art in and of itself. Your plant criteria depend on your access to sunlight, desk/floor space, and whether or not you have pets. For a little sprucing up, you can’t go wrong with cacti. If you want something easy to take care of, look no further than Devil’s Ivy — this is a great option but is toxic to cats and dogs. And if you want something calming and great for the quality of air, the aloe vera plant is hard to beat. Houseplants don’t break the bank and, for such a reasonable value, can completely improve the ambiance of your home office.

 Light Up

In an ideal world, we’d finish all our work by the end of the day. Unfortunately, from time to time, we all have to burn the midnight oil. That’s why lighting is so important. In an office, perhaps even more than elsewhere at home, your choice of lamp, overhead bulbs, or access to sunlight can directly affect productivity by keeping you awake.

You might be surprised to learn that there’s been a lot of research into lighting and how it relates to work. We recommend shopping LED for starters — LED bulbs tend to be more energy-efficient than halogens and come in various sizes. You’ll be able to pick between warm or clear — deciding which is a matter of personal preference (although warm tends to compliment appearances better over a Zoom call). 

In the new normal, your home is your workplace and the space where you’re spending the most time. If you can take the time to improve a few of its key features using some of the advice above — your mood, focus, and productivity will shortly follow after.

Article written by

Erin Reynolds

www.diymama.net

Image by Pexels

Budget-Friendly Advice for Cleaning Your New House or Apartment

 Redesign + More is your source for interior design, redesign, home staging, color consultations, holiday, seasonal and event decorating services. Reach out to us today! 704.880.7901 

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Budget-Friendly Advice for Cleaning

Your New House or Apartment

Nothing can make you feel less welcome in your own space than other people’s residual dirt. To ensure your next abode is move-in ready, plan to give it a thorough cleaning before you make a full transition. Whether you own or rent, with these thrifty strategies from Redesign + More, you can make it really feel like home without breaking your budget.  

Connect with Help

There are ample responsibilities associated with changing your residence, between all the packing, arrangements, and the move itself. There is so much to tend that many people elect to hire professional cleaners for a one-time deep cleaning at the new place, freeing themselves of that responsibility. While rentals typically are cleaned by a landlord, hiring a service ensures it’s done to your specifications. It’s a sure way to feel comfortable in your new home, and finding someone to do it is a snap. To save on the expense, consider hiring a national cleaning service like MaidPro, and take advantage of their promotions to stretch your moving budget. 

DIY Tips

Doing your own cleaning can save you a few bucks, and putting a little elbow grease into your new place can really make it feel like it’s yours. If you prefer to tackle this part of the process DIY-style, you can make it go quickly with some upbeat music to keep you motivated. Be sure to assemble a squad of effective tools, such as a cleaning caddy, duster, and vacuum. To stretch your dollars the most, when you gather your cleaning goodies, use a coupon or promo code for a major retailer like Lowe’s.

Tackling Unpleasant Surprises

Sometimes, in the course of cleaning a new place, some unpleasant surprises emerge. Children, pets, foods, and so forth can leave their marks in various ways, and as a result, your new place may harbor off-putting smells. Many unpleasant odors can be managed with something right in your pantry: hardworking baking soda can be applied to all sorts of surfaces, such as floors, carpeting, and fabrics, and allowed to sit to absorb smells. For pet-related odors, Canine Journal suggests employing a pet odor neutralizer for best results.

Pollution and Cleansers

 Even if you don’t have allergies, staying on top of air quality is worthy of consideration, especially if your new home is a unit in a complex. Bear in mind that to some extent, you’ll be subject to other renters’ choices as the air circulates. For instance, some cleaning products, paints, solvents, and other chemicals appear to pollute indoor air, according to American Home Shield. As for yourself, you can make your own natural cleaning products using ingredients such as white vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. For an off-the-shelf version that is kind to your body and the environment, consider going with products from websites like Crabtree & Evelyn. You can get free shipping when you spend $50 or more, and check their special offers for the best values.

Don’t Forget About Your Old Home!

Before you finally bid farewell to your old space, why not apply some of these handy cleaning tips and tricks? This is especially important if your former house is still on the market. A deep cleaning, as well as paying attention to things like curb appeal, can actually help improve your home appraisal value and help it catch the eye of buyers.

A smart strategy is to put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer and do your own tour, as if you’re having an open house. What would be a turn off? For instance, if you have a cracked window or two, while you may have gotten used to it over time, buyers see it differently even if they’re not completely broken. So be sure to hire a home window repair specialist near you and get it fixed.

To really feel at home in a new place, a thorough cleaning is in order. Thankfully, there are plenty of budget-friendly, money-saving opportunities for getting the place spotless. Decide on your best methods and set yourself up for a healthy environment. You’ll feel comfortable right off the bat knowing your home is truly move-in ready.

Article written by

Erin Reynolds

www.diymama.net

Tips to Convert Your Property Into a Vacation Rental

 

                        Photo by: Pexels

Over the last several years, the vacation rental industry has changed rapidly. More than ever before, it’s easier to rent out your condo or home for short-term stays. Whether you’re looking to convert your home to vacation rental permanently or on a temporary basis, you need to make it attractive to visitors if you want a good return on investment. Redesign + More offers decorating services, both online and off, and can help you create a vacation rental to love. Here are suggestions you could use to prep your home as a vacation rental.

Clean Your Home

The first thing when preparing your home as a vacation rental is implementing the vacation rental cleaning checklist. The home must be in good order to ensure when guests arrive they can have a stress-free stay, which would help you get good rates and attract more bookings. Ensure the beds are made up and have clean linens. If you want a thorough job, you could hire housekeeping services.

 Research Vacation Rentals in Your Area

You also need to research vacation rentals in your area to know who your competitors are. Learn everything, including the kinds of permits you need to run the business. If necessary, invite a professional like a real estate attorney to streamline the legal process. Once you submit your paperwork, do competitive research to know what other properties do correctly, as well as find out what they lack that you could implement. Vacation listing sites are among places you can find a lot of valuable information about your competitors.

Add Luxurious Touches to the Property

To attract visitors, you must have some identifying features that make it worth the investment to stay at your property. One idea would be adding luxurious touches. According to Architectural Digest, you can make minor changes like swapping out knobs on cabinets and applying solid colors to make over the rooms. For things like the showerhead, you can find gorgeous designs, some with massage functions. Other elements you could implement include placing greenery into a planner that will wow guests.

Install Smart Home Security Systems

There are many reasons you want to get a smart home security system. The system will give you and your guests peace of mind as many people prefer booking accommodation at a rental with good security technology. You can find different components to fit into the home, including smart locks, security cameras, and other features that can improve monitoring and security around the property.

Leave Detailed Instructions

Written instructions will help renters have an easy time staying on your property, as well as make it easier for you to manage it. They don’t need to call you every time they have questions or need something as you have provided sufficient information on how to operate different features. Cover things like local rules on parking, where to take trash and recycling, and a list of local gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. In addition, provide contact information like your email and phone number. You could also list emergency numbers and addresses for the nearest hospital.

Create a Rental Agreement Letter

It’s also important to have a rental agreement for your guests. Write a rental agreement that lists your expectations and have policies that instruct guests on things they can and cannot do during their time on the property. Also, the agreement outlines house rules, rental fees, and check-in or check-out policies. Provide details on what vacationers must do if they damage property. Other details you can have on the rental agreement include rules on smoking, pets, occupancy, and parties.

If you have a property and want to earn money running it as a vacation rental, consider these steps as a part of your preparation. Work on all legal requirements, then make the space attractive for guests. With minimal touches to improve the appearance and feel of the home, you can make the property more attractive to guests.

Article Written By

Erin Reynolds

www.diymama.net

A Beginner’s Guide to Real Estate Management

A Beginner’s Guide to Real Estate Management 

If you’ve been searching for a way to diversify your portfolio and bring in some extra cash, you may be considering purchasing an investment property. Managing a rental is a great opportunity for those willing to put in the work. Here’s a look at a few of the things you should consider, as well as how to figure out if it’s the right move for you.

Looking to make your home more desirable for renters? Bring in Redesign + More to create a beautiful and inviting interior! For all inquiries, call 704.880.7901 or submit this contact form.

Skills for Landlords

Running a rental property is a tough job. Do you have what it takes?

What It Takes to Be a Landlord

Is Becoming a Landlord Worth It?

What You Need to Know Before Renting Out Your Vacation Home

Picking Your Property

If you’re ready to get started, you need to make sure you have the right property. Here’s how to select — and care — for your rental investment.

Types of Apartments and Multifamily Buildings – Complete Guide

How to Pick the Perfect Investment Property in Nine Steps

Best Places to Buy Vacation Rental Property

How to Passively Invest in the Vacation Rental Market

 

Rental Property Care and Upkeep

All properties will need repairs, upgrades, and tweaks now and then to keep it looking great.

10 Issues to Address Before New Tenant Move In

Landlords: Save Time With These Low Maintenance Landscaping Design Tips

Long-Distance Rental Property: 8 Ways to Oversee Vacation Rentals

Beautify Your Home by Hiring Redesign + More

 

Financial and Legal Concerns

Working in housing means taking on legal and financial responsibilities.

How to Set the Perfect Rent Price for Your Rental Properties

What Are Typical Apartment Building Operating Expenses?

Safeguard Your Assets by Creating a North Carolina LLC

How to Price Your Vacation Rental Property

4 Things Landlords Are Not Allowed to Do

There’s a lot to learn for the investment property first-timer. Researching the ins and outs of becoming a landlord is a vital step. Now you must ask yourself: Are you ready to take on the challenges — and reap the rewards?

Photo Credit: Pexels

Article By

Suzie Wilson

info@happierhome.net

                            Photo via Pexels

Recession-Friendly House Hunting Tips
for First-Time Buyers and Investors

The real estate market is showing a strong recovery following coronavirus-related shutdowns. Despite financially uncertain times and social distancing recommendations, people everywhere are still buying and selling homes. In fact, the current recession is an enticing opportunity for many buyers. Whether you’re thinking about buying your first home or looking to invest in real estate, the recession may be a great time to purchase property and lock in a low mortgage rate! Here are some things to keep in mind before making your big purchase.

Ensure You’re Financially Prepared

For many people, the recession could be a great time to buy a house. But is it the right time for you? If you’re not financially prepared for this major purchase, don’t rush your plans just so you can secure a low interest rate on a loan. Do some research to find out how much home you can afford so you can get a better idea of your options. Looking into home loans is a good place to start. According to PennyMac, a conventional mortgage can be a good low-cost loan option for both primary homes and investment properties. Plus, you can choose between a fixed rate and adjustable-rate mortgage and enjoy a range of down payment options.

Of course, financial preparedness will look a lot different depending on whether you're buying a home as a principal residence or investment property. It’s a good rule of thumb to keep your mortgage expenses under 28% of your gross income. If you’re buying an investment property, make sure you will be able to charge enough rent to come up with a positive cash flow.

Be Careful About Buying a Home ‘As-Is’

As you start looking for homes, you may notice quite a few selling “as-is.” These homes are more common during recessions as many owners can’t afford to make repairs before selling. Banks also list foreclosed homes “as-is”. While buying an “as-is” home may help you get a great deal on your dream property, it’s important to be cautious.

Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into by purchasing a home that may need substantial work. For example, Redfin warns that “as-is” homes could have major defects like structural problems, pest infections, or mold issues. If you decide to go after an “as-is” home, get a home inspection before closing your sale and be prepared to cover any maintenance issues yourself. These homes may not be your best choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance first home or a turnkey real estate investment.

Try to Be Flexible

When house-hunting during a recession, flexibility is key. Don’t limit yourself to your favorite neighborhoods. Whether you’re investing or buying your first residence, look into areas of town where you won’t get a lot of competition from other buyers. Working with a great real estate agent can help you discover up-and-coming neighborhoods where homes are more affordable and prices are projected to rise over time.

Consider Your Plans for the Property

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying your first home or investment property. But don’t forget to think about the future! What are your plans for the property? How long do you plan to live in the home? Will you be making renovations or upgrades? Do you intend to rent out the basement suite to help with your mortgage payments? Investors also have to consider their future plans. If you want to rent out your new property as a short-term vacation home, you may need some extra money in your budget to make attractive renovations or interior design upgrades.

When personal finances are in the right place, recessions can be exciting opportunities for prospective home buyers. This may be your only chance to score a historically-low interest rate on your dream home. As long as you’ve thought ahead, calculated your home affordability, and researched your loan options, this could be a great time to buy your first home or investment property!

Article By

Suzie Wilson
info@happierhome.net

House Hunting Tips, First Time Home Buyers, Recession Home Buyer, Interior Design, Investors

Home Paint Color Choices

Color comes with many choices keep in mind that paint colors in your home can influence your mood and energy levels. The way you function in a room and depending on your style determines your choice for warm, cool, dark or light colors.

Colors combined together add visual interest to a room, they can give a home a modern or traditional feel. Keep in mind when looking at color chart samples that pink to yellow are warm and green to purple are cool colors.

Dark deep reds, purples, dark blues and greens can give you a gloomy effect but when used in the right way as an accent element they help to comfort and make you feel secure.

Yellow, orange and pink shades give the room a higher temperature they are best used in rooms that receive less sunlight. They stimulate movement  avoid them in a room that you want to use for relaxation such as your bedroom. Yellow in a bedroom brings happiness so if you are someone that feels the winter blues this may be a room color choice for you.

Cool colors are your spa blues and greens they have a calming effect. For a bedroom these colors are a good choice as they help you relax and feel rejuvenated the next morning. Pay attention to rooms that have very little to no sunlight when using these cool colors.

Where family gathers and communicates dark colors like navy blues often create a cold feeling and conversation can be discouraged. I suggest not using these colors in family rooms and dining rooms.

Use red as an accent color it tends to raise the energy level in a room and can sometimes make some a little annoyed.

Gray has been one of my favorite colors coming in warm and cool tones its great for family rooms, living rooms, bathrooms and just about any room. Using in the kitchen may curb the appetite for some of us which might be a good thing sometimes.

Color maybe the easiest and least expensive way to transform the mood and energy of a room, choosing color can sometime be overwhelming. We can help guide you from start to finish so you will achieve a paint project that you love. Ready and available are a full line of Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore paint color samples to view.

Interior Design, Redesign, Holiday and Event Decorator
Peggy Johnson
704-880-7901
peggyjohnson@redesignplusmore.com

7 Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays By Jeff Anttila

Redfin

Believe it or not, the holiday season can be a great time to sell your home. You may think that spring is the ultimate season to sell your home due to more houses being listed and more people seem eager to buy. It’s true that the housing market typically heats up during the spring, however, the holiday season is often overlooked as a prime time to sell. 

Why? First of all, there is less inventory on the market typically, allowing your home to easily stand out among the available inventory. And though there are technically fewer buyers overall, the buyers that are looking are far more serious about finding a home within a specific timeframe. So, make your home warm and inviting and open it up to those looking to buy, because selling your home during the holidays might be your best present this year. 

1) Stage for the Holidays. Think Clean, Cozy, Simple.

Yes, you should absolutely decorate your home during the holidays even if you are trying to sell it. The real question you should be asking is, how much? 

One thing that happens to all homeowners is that we tend to accumulate a lot of stuff. This is especially true of holiday decorations. When you pull out holiday décor this year, think like a stager or a designer. You don’t want to use every decoration or ornament you’ve ever owned. This year, for the sake of appealing to the buyers touring your home, use your best decorations as holiday accents in each room without drawing attention away from your home’s best selling features.

Your home may have large windows with a great view or maybe your home has a dream kitchen. Whatever sold you on your home when you first bought it is most likely the same feature(s) that will sell your house this holiday season. So, don’t cover up your view with an excessively large Christmas tree, even though you may have the high ceilings for it, or bury your living room in snow globes, nutcrackers, and an abnormally large nativity scene. You want to accentuate your home’s best features with holiday décor, not bury them.

Just remember that you should still enjoy the holidays in your home even if you’re trying to sell it. Holiday décor can go a long way in making your house feel like a future home for those touring it. If you have a fireplace, decorate it with garland and hang stockings from its mantle. Use candles and wallflowers that are iconic smells of the season, such as pumpkin spice or balsam and cedar. You especially want to keep your home clutter-free and need to clean it regularly. The holidays can easily bring in the clutter, so make sure you stay on top of it. You want homebuyers to feel comfortable and warm the moment they walk through your front door. You want them to feel at home.

2) Price Your Home to Sell 

You and your listing agent will most likely come up with a pricing strategy together based on comparable homes in the area, what the current housing market is doing, and what the demand for housing looks like or is projected to do. Ultimately, several variables go into pricing ones home to sell, however, there are a couple of easy tricks that can help attract homebuyers.

Price Your Home Competitively

If your home was a lemonade stand that was competing against a rival lemonade stand on the other side of the street, how would you make your lemonade more enticing to people passing by? Maybe your lemonade comes in a larger cup, maybe it comes with ice, or maybe it’s just priced lower than your competition. 

If your home looks like all the other homes on the block with similar features, then a lower price point will definitely draw in more traffic than your rivals. However, if your home is the largest one on the block, has more acreage, or a double car garage and pool, you can price your home based on the increased value it provides. Start off by seeing how much your home is worth by checking out online estimates and then compare them to other houses in your area.

Use Strategic Price Points When Listing Your Home

Have you ever noticed while you’re grocery shopping that almost all prices end in .99, such as $1.99 or $4.99? This simple manipulation of pricing is called setting strategic price points and essentially makes the price of something appear smaller (or cheaper) than it really is. The same exact concept works when pricing your house to sell. For example, if you decide your home could sell for $500,000, pricing it at $499,000 will (theoretically) draw in more traffic and possibly more offers.

3) Make Your Curb Appeal a Top Priority

Your neighborhood may actually look more appealing to homebuyers during the holiday season. Maybe you live on one of those streets where everyone from miles around drives down your lane to see houses lit up in all colors of holiday splendor. You don’t want to go overboard with your exterior holiday decorations, but you want to make your house shine along with the other homes on your block.

Furthermore, your lawn may not be that lush green it usually is during the summertime, and your trees may currently be barren. That’s why making your curb appeal a top priority is necessary when selling your home in winter. Make sure all the sticks, dead leaves, and any other debris are picked up and your lawn is neatly trimmed. Even though we have entered the colder months, a few weeds that poke up from the ground can make your lawn seem neglected. If you have pictures of your home at alternative times of the year when your curb appeal is burgeoning with flora, these may also be a good idea to have available for homebuyers. This way instead of homebuyers trying to picture your house in other seasons, they can just see it for themselves. 

4) Keeping your Property Safe for Homebuyers

Unlike home sellers that live in coastal regions, there are many more home sellers living in mainland USA where outside temperatures are well below freezing during the holiday season. Driveways and walking paths are blanketed in snow and ice, and icicles hang from gutters like glass curtains. A legitimate concern for home sellers in one of these frigid areas is how to keep your property safe for homebuyers. The only thing you can really do is be proactive and break out that snow shovel and start clearing a path.

If you’re expecting snow on an almost weekly basis, then it might be best to hire out professionals to come by once a day and make sure your driveway, front steps, and any walking path are cleared for people touring your home.

5) Turn On the (Holiday) Lights

To complement the coziness of your home, you’ll also want to make it bright. Turn on all the lights in your house during open houses and home tours. It may be the darkest time of year outside but you can make sure it doesn’t feel that way inside your home.

This is also a great time to replace burnt out light bulbs and fix light switches that are not working. You may also want to consider making all your interior lighting the same color temperature, such as a soft white which brightens rooms without giving you that institutional feel. This will help with consistent lighting throughout your home, creating a balanced feel as potential buyers walk through each room.

6) Slay the Holiday Season with Professional Real Estate Photos

The absolute biggest thing you can do for your house in terms of marketing it to potential homebuyers is getting professional real estate photos taken. However, this is the one time you don’t want to have your holiday decor on display. In fact, getting your professional photos taken of your house before you decorate is a must because holiday decorations essentially create a time-stamp of your home. 

If your home doesn’t sell during the holidays you don’t want your house to still be rocking holiday lights in its listing photos come February or March, or you risk turning off potential homebuyers. So plan on getting your listing photos taken as soon as you can so you can decorate for the holidays and enjoy the season.

7) Get Santa’s Perspective with Aerial Photography

It doesn’t matter if you live sunny Tampa, FL or buried in snow in Minneapolis, MN, consider aerial photography to help make your home stand out this holiday season. If your home has acreage or a view or any other amenity that cannot be fully captured unless it’s done by air, then aerial photography may be what you need. 

Drone photography, in particular, has become an increasingly affordable option when compared to traditional aerial photography and can offer buyers a unique perspective of your home and can help make your listing stand out among the other homes for sale online. Furthermore, aerial photography can give potential buyers an overview of your neighborhood along with other amenities that may be within walking distance of your home. 

Jeff Anttila

Jeff enjoys writing about the many aspects of home-ownership. From how-to projects he does on his own home to mortgage payoff and investment strategies, he likes to create useful content his readers will enjoy. His dream home would be a small house on a lake or the Puget Sound, with lots of natural light and a dedicated space for his woodworking.

 Email Jeff

https://www.redfin.com/blog/selling-your-home-during-the-holidays/#