How To Improve Your Home’s

Curb Appeal

by DoctorPre-Foreclosure

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When people have lived in their house for a while, they tend to overlook its cosmetic flaws. They might no longer notice chips in the exterior paint, the overgrown shrubs in the garden or Christmas lights still hanging from the eaves.

Most homeowners, when they’ve lived in their house a number of years, don’t see what a new eye would see, she said. They can’t see the little things.  Those little things can make or break a home’s curb appeal, which is vital when selling a home. Picky potential buyers make up their minds within the first 10 seconds of seeing a home’s exterior whether they want to see what’s inside.

That is important to note because Web savvy buyers are using the Internet to research houses for sale.  They’re looking at online pictures of homes and driving by properties they might interested in.  Staging can help home sellers get top dollar for their property. A professional stager will go through every room in the home, as well as the rear and front yards.  Stagers note that the way people live in their home and the way a home is presented when it’s on the market are two different things. While the homeowners’ collection of porcelain dolls might look good to them, buyers might consider it clutter.

I don’t recommend people go out and spend a lot of money on staging props. I prefer to use items sellers already have. If more accessories are needed, such as plants, she works within the seller’s budget. She has spent as little as $50 to $100 to successfully stage a home.  We got interested in home staging when we sold our first house, a 1,400-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath cottage style house in the Pocono Mountain area of Pennsylvania.  Before putting the house on the market, the property got a makeover.  Ripping out aging, unattractive shrubs and replaced them with newer ones. Also adding more vibrant, colorful flowers.

Next, repainting the house’s exterior in pastels to enhance its cottage style design. They painted the front door dark green to make it stand out and added a kickplate and new hardware for extra flair.

That house sold for above asking price the same day it went on the market. The house was listed for three hours before a buyer made an offer.

To gauge your home’s curb appeal, start by looking at it while standing across the street. What do you notice?

What is your eye drawn to? For those who can no longer “see” what their house really looks like, they might enlist someone who can, whether it’s a professional or a trusted friend. Next, take stock of the different parts and area of the exterior.

Are the shrubs and lawn overgrown? If so, trim back the shrubs and mow the lawn. Get rid of plants that look as if they’re on their last leg. This would be a good time to remove plants damaged during January’s cold snap.  Get rid of

any unsightly weeds. Those about to put their home on the market might consider hiring a gardener or landscaper to maintain the yard if they don’t have the time to keep it consistently tidy.  Add color. Evergreen landscapes are fine,

but adding a little color can go a long way.  Add some colorful annuals to the beds.

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Dress up a worn front door with a fresh coat of paint and/or new hardware, such as a

decorative handle, kickplate or knocker.

Is your welcome mat more worn than welcoming? If so, replace it.

If space allows, add containers with plants of varying height (something tall with something that cascades over the sides).

Get a new address plate or find fancier numbers to use for your address.

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If space allows, add a small bench or other seating on the porch or inside the doorway so guests have a place to sit.

Jazz up a plain door with a wreath. An already ornate door can be left alone if its design is striking. Give the exterior a good cleaning with a pressure washer. Wash the windows.  Declutter. If you have too many accessories, pots, flags or other doodads in front of the house, pare it down. Less is more.

About the Author:

Richard Reichmann is internationally known as a millionaire maker. He’s a leading consultant in real estate and internet marketing strategies that are profit proven.  Subscribe to our FREE newsletter Value $147.00 http://www.InstantRealEstateWealth.com 

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Getting Tips for Small Bathroom Designs by Torrie Cantor

Small bathroom designs are easy to come by. Limited space does not necessarily mean limited creativity. Here are some top ideas for small bathrooms.

Pick Light Colors

The color of your bath is crucial to creating great first impressions. Small bathrooms should always avoid dark, heavy colors. These can make your bath seem both assuming and smaller than it is. Light, pastel colors on the other

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hand with small designs are perfect. These colors create the impression of spaciousness. These are also the colors that can make any room fell fresh, airy and relaxing. Mix and match pastel colors for your floor, walls, cabinets and fixtures.

Use Corner and Overhead Spaces

Even small bathrooms have unused spaces. The key is to make the most out of these small unused areas. You could for example push your bath tub and toilet to the wall to ensure that no

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remaining unused space at the back remains. You can also use corners for a hanging sink and a corner shower booth. Overhead spaces can still accommodate cabinets, hamper hooks and racks. As much as possible, keep the floor space free except for your tub, shower stall and toilet.

Choose Smaller Bath Items

Small bathroom designs should accommodate small items. Bath fixtures don’t come in single sizes. If you do not have a family of giants, then you can settle for a smaller toilet, bathtub and sink. Do make sure though that you have fixtures that you are comfortable using. Consult the biggest member of your family when picking the smallest possible fixture available.

Use Mirrors

Make use of mirrors. Small bathrooms would look perfect with unadorned mirrors.

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Extremely small bathrooms might have to do with small round mirrors. Small baths though that aren’t exactly too cramped could use wide mirrors that stretch across walls. It may not be obvious to some but mirrors are design accents that are more than just functional. These reflective surfaces will help make your bathroom seem larger.

Get Lights and Windows

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Lights can also help extend the perception of space, just like mirrors. As much as possible, natural light sources should be preferred over artificial ones. Windows over bathtubs or overhead openings bring in not just light but a breath of fresh air.

Choose your night lights well. Opt for generous light fixtures that aren’t just limited to the center of the room. Attach dimmers so you can adjust light options when you are in the mood for subdued lights.

Think Minimal

Limit your bathroom items and accessories. As much as possible, stick to only the essential items that a bathroom should have. Move magazine racks, extra cabinets, excess hampers and towel racks from the bathroom.

Small bathroom designs may be hard to imagine. They need not zap your creative energies though. With a little imagination, you can easily convert a small bathroom into the dream haven you have always wanted.

Find the latest in small bathroom designs. Know more about bathroom remodeling ideas.

Article Source: Getting Tips for Small Bathroom Designs

Kitchen Remodeling And Ideas On A Budget by Scott Dee

While at one point in time the kitchen was primarily viewed as a service area for cooking, now days the kitchen has turned into a room that is multi-functional and central to many of the activities in the family. The past century has brought about the emergence of both function and interior design within the room we call a kitchen.

When it comes to kitchen remodeling and other kitchen ideas, it can take a huge budget to remodel and update the interior design within this room. Believe it or not, the average costs for remodeling kitchens in the past few years have topped $25,000. It definitely is no wonder that the kitchen has been considered one of the most expensive remodeling projects that most homeowners undertake.

If you are one of the many people wanting to remodel your kitchen, inspired by the beautiful photos of lovely kitchens on television and in magazines, you may feel that your budget is keeping your dream kitchen out of reach. However, even if you don’t have a huge budget, you do have some options. There are a variety of ways that you can remodel and update your kitchen without totally going broke.

Believe it or not, kitchen remodeling and ideas do not always have to be very expensive. You may be shocked at the variety of ways that you can get a beautiful kitchen while still saving money and staying within your limited budget.

While you may not want to undertake an entire kitchen remodeling project, there are a variety of great kitchen ideas that can update the way your kitchen looks, even without spending a great deal of money. The following are some great kitchen ideas that will improve the look of your kitchen without breaking your budget.

Improve the Lighting – One of the most cost effective kitchen ideas to get a modern look is to update the lighting in your kitchen. There are a variety of economical ways that you can change the lighting to give your kitchen a great look. Halogen lights may be a great idea as well, but if you choose them, consider the ones that bounce off the ceiling. Many come with a dimmer that will allow you to choose the amount of light you need. Task lighting is also inexpensive to install in your kitchen. This type of lighting is great above the sink or above countertops as well. If you want to make a fashion statement or highlight a specific part of your kitchen, accent lighting may be a great choice.

Use Some Paint – If you want a new kitchen look, one of the best kitchen ideas is to add a few coats of paint. Paint is fairly inexpensive, and you can totally change the look of your kitchen with a bit of paint. Consider painting your kitchen cabinets. You can add some color to your drab kitchen, just by painting your cabinets. When it comes to your kitchen walls, you can get creative with the paint as well for a modern look. Sponging, rag rolling, or even mottling are great painting techniques that will add some texture and class to your kitchen.

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New Accessories – Believe it or not, something as simple as adding new accessories can make a huge difference in your kitchen. Just getting new pulls and knobs for cabinets and drawers will

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add a new look in your kitchen. You can find these pulls and knobs in stone, resin, glass, wood, rubber, and metal. There are also a variety of styles that you can choose from too, so pick accessories that give you a nice modern touch.

So, as you can see, when it comes to kitchen remodeling and ideas, you don’t have to spend thousands to get a great look. If you want a new look in your kitchen without having to spend a great deal of money, why not use these budget friendly ideas for a kitchen that is multifunctional and beautiful as well.

Article Source: Kitchen Remodeling And Ideas On A Budget