Spring storm home protection is necessary each year. With the warmer season just around the corner, now is the best time to get some small jobs done before they become a big headache. From storing furniture to trimming shrubs and branches, here are some handy ideas to get started.
Back-Up the Power
As you probably know, spring comes with storms. And that often means power outages. No one wants to be stuck with no power, as it can be a nightmare. So why put yourself or your family through that. Fortunately for us all, there are excellent services that offer backup generator installation and maintenance. A backup genie is one of those things you hope you never need. But it’s better to have and not need it than need it and not have it. If only to keep phones on!
Store Light Furniture
We all love sitting outside as winter sheds away the cold and the season becomes warmer. Lazy days in the sun among the smell of freshly cut grass lead into long evenings with outdoor cooking. However, we all know the weather can change at the drop of a hat. Continue to watch weather forecasts, and be ready to move or cover any glass patio furniture
Spring Storm Protection for Appliances
Each year, around 1 in 200 homes are struck by lightning, and whether struck or not, power strips can blow out. This will can damage kitchen appliances plugged into wall outlets, but power surge protection strips can help prevent that. i
Trim the Shrubs and Branches
Is there anything more satisfying than a lovely green and lush garden full of flowers, shrubs, and trees after a long winter? However, as gorgeous as these are, they can become hazardous when the weather turns against you. Fortunately, spring is a great time to begin getting back outside to trim the shrubs and branches after winter neglect. Trimming the hedges keeps them in check and prevents stray branches from coming through the windows, and it’s great exercise, too!
Maintain the Sump Pump
Not everyone has a basement, but many do. If you have a basement or underground level, then you probably have a sump pump. A sump pump helps remove water from the lower part of a home. If this stops working, your home will potentially flood. Therefore, maintaining the sump pump is a vital task when it comes to spring jobs as the extra rainwater can cause them to overflow. Of course, there isn’t a much worse scenario for your home than a spring flood.
Lastly don’t forget to clean out the gutters in the spring and check your roof for signs of winter damage to prevent leaks. Following the suggested tips here can help prevent a stressful spring and allow more time for enjoying this beautiful season!
In the realm of homeownership, the quest for added space is perpetual. Whether you’re expanding for a growing family, enhancing your lifestyle, or preparing to sell, the importance of an additional room cannot be overstated. By adding more space to your home you can increase its value and make it more appealing to prospective buyers. Even if you are not considering selling, an extra room could be a game-changer when it comes to comfort.
Yet, where do you start when it comes to home extensions? Building a new room, such as a kitchen extension, can be a lot of work. On the other hand, you do have some unused areas readily available for conversion and upgrade. Basements, often relegated to mere storage or forgotten spaces, hold immense potential for conversion, adding not just square footage but tangible value to your property.
Why the basement is prime real estate for conversion
When contemplating home improvements, the allure of the basement lies in its existing infrastructure. Unlike building an extension from scratch, your basement already exists, offering a blank canvas for creative reinvention. Here are three compelling reasons why the basement is ripe for transformation:
Your basement is a pre-existing structure, eliminating the need for costly construction projects. With walls and a floor already in place, you’re halfway to realizing your vision. Even if you don’t have a full basement, you probably already have a crawl space, which can be transformed as part of adding a basement to a house.
For many homeowners, the basement remains an underused asset, relegated to storage or miscellaneous clutter. Converting this space unlocks its full potential, adding functional square footage to your home.
Properly insulating your basement not only regulates temperature but also enhances the overall comfort of your home. By insulating walls and floors, you create a cozy retreat insulated from external noise and fluctuations in weather.
Transforming the basement: From concept to creation
Embarking on a basement conversion journey involves a series of transformative steps. From excavating the crawl space to fortifying the foundation and adding insulation, each stage is pivotal in realizing your vision.
If your basement is a crawl space, you will need to dig it out, as this will lay the foundation for your basement conversion. This step will ensure the structural integrity of the foundation is paramount, safeguarding against potential issues down the line. But the good news is that you can retrospectively add a basement when there is only a crawl space.
Proper insulation is key to creating a comfortable and energy-efficient space. This will make sure the basement is usable. But the good news is that when you Insulate walls, floors, and ceilings, you can get rid of a major moisture problem in modern houses. Unfinished basement are a frequent cause of issues.
Remember, the basement wasn’t built with adequate ventilation and lighting, so these are essential for creating a welcoming environment. Install windows or vents to promote air circulation and maximize natural light, transforming your basement into an inviting oasis.
Transforming your basement into a home gym
A home gym offers unparalleled convenience, allowing you to prioritize health and wellness without leaving the comfort of your home. Say goodbye to costly gym memberships and crowded workout spaces, and hello to personalized fitness routines tailored to your preferences.
What you’ll need: Equip your home gym with essential fitness equipment such as cardio machines, weights, and yoga mats. Consider incorporating mirrors to visually expand the space and create a motivating workout environment.
Boost productivity with a home office
With remote work becoming increasingly prevalent, a home office is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Transforming your basement into a dedicated workspace enhances productivity, offering a quiet retreat free from distractions.
What does this project need? You need to furnish your home office with ergonomic furniture, ample storage solutions, and technology essentials such as a reliable internet connection and adequate lighting. Personalize the space with inspiring decor and greenery to foster creativity and motivation.
Add an entertainment room
An entertainment room serves as the ultimate retreat for relaxation and recreation. Whether hosting movie nights with friends or indulging in immersive gaming experiences, this multifunctional space promises endless entertainment possibilities.
This is your sign to install a large screen or projector for cinematic viewing experiences and surround sound systems for immersive audio. You can finish the space with comfortable seating options and accent lighting to set the mood for movie marathons. You may even be able to find cinema seats in auctions!
Designing a dedicated gaming room
A gaming room gives your family a dedicated space for indulging in their favorite games, be it video games, board games, or specialized gaming activities such as DnD or Warhammer craft. You can elevate your gaming experience with a customized setup tailored to your preferences.
What makes the perfect gaming room? You want to equip your gaming room with high-quality gaming consoles or PCs for video games and comfortable seating options, and storage solutions for organizing game collections. If you are building a space for board games, it needs to have a large table, and potential an area for crafting, especially for roleplay and build scenarios.
Your guest room doesn’t need much except for a comfortable bed, linens, and bedside amenities to create a cozy home-away-from-home ambiance.
Building a stand-alone studio
Similar to a guest room, but you can make the space go further with its own amenities, making it ideal for guests or potential Airbnb rentals. With a private entrance and essential facilities, this self-contained home can become an Airbnb sensation.
Bear in mind that to design a stand-alone studio with a functional layout, you need to incorporate essential features, such as a bathroom, kitchenette, sleeping area, and an independent entrance.
In conclusion, converting your basement into a functional and inviting space is a transformative endeavor with endless possibilities. Whether you’re seeking to enhance your lifestyle, increase your home’s value, or accommodate changing needs, the basement offers a versatile canvas for creative reinvention. From home gyms and offices to entertainment rooms and guest quarters, the only limit is your imagination. Embrace the journey of basement conversion and unlock the full potential of your home.
Home renovations are a great way to boost the value of a property and something that you’ll certainly want to do when you’re in a home that you wish to sell eventually.
Whether it’s a long-term stay or a shorter period of three to five years, any upgrades and changes that you make to your property, could be the difference between an extra thousand or ten thousand added to the property’s value. With that in mind, here are some great home renovation tips to increase the value of your property this year. *This post contains affiliate links.
Replace windows and doors
First and foremost, the windows and doors of the home are two areas that will be noticeably apparent, the older they become.
Typically, the average window should last you around twenty-five years, so if you’ve lived in a property for that long or you moved into a property where the windows are close to that twenty to twenty-five mark, then it’s best to replace them as soon as you’re able to.
Of course, the cost of replacing windows or doors can be substantial, but this type of renovation on the home can make a big difference to how the property looks from the outside, but also energy effeciency.
It’s worth spending the money to get triple-glazed windows for that much-needed, added warmth. When you want to replace windows, be sure to get the best services from those locally.
Add on an extra room
If you’re looking to boost your home’s value significantly, then adding an extra room is a great way to spend your money. When adding a room, it’s worth thinking about the spaces that will add the all-important extra value.
For example, it might be worth spending the money on an extra bathroom or bedroom rather than extending a kitchen or adding on an extra reception room. You’ll be attracting more profit by adding on spaces that provide more function or for some, extra sleep space for bigger families!
Refresh a dated room, like a bathroom or kitchen
Dated rooms can decrease the value of a property, which is why it’s a good idea to revamp and update these spaces when the time comes. Refreshing older and dated rooms is going to appeal to younger buyers and those not looking to spend a fortune on updating a home they’ve just spent money on buying.
The rooms that often become the most outdated first are the bathrooms and kitchens. Not only are they dated in style. but they often get the most traffic, which is why it’s important to focus on these areas when it comes to updating them.
For example, an easy change to a bathroom is replacing a shower door which might have become a little worn and tired over the years.
Just a few small changes can make a subtle difference to how the room looks as a result of those adjustments. You might want to replace the doors to your kitchen cabinets instead of ripping out cabinets that are in perfectly good working order.
Anything that can make the homeowners’ efforts of maintaining and navigating the home a lot easier is something that potential buyers will be more likely to purchase. Consider any of the above when it comes to renovating your home. Smart features will continue to be popular and sought after as younger generations of homeowners step onto the ladder. it.
Install features that matter
When upgrading your home, it’s essential to choose features that not only enhance its functionality but also its long-term value. Installing a whole home water system from Leaf Home can be a transformative addition for any residence. This system ensures that every water outlet in your home delivers cleaner, safer water, which is a significant selling point for health-conscious buyers. Such installations not only simplify maintenance but also boost the home’s efficiency and appeal to potential buyers. Smart, practical upgrades like these are what modern homeowners are looking for as they aim for a more sustainable and convenient lifestyle.
Boost it’s curb appeal
Curb appeal is something that is often forgotten about when it comes to improving the look and feel of a property. While it might be on a smaller scale in comparison to some home renovation projects, it’s still one that makes a substantial difference to your property.
From big landscaping projects, to simply jet washing your patio areas, there’s a great deal to be done when it comes to boosting the curb appeal of your home. Consider sprucing up your exteriors so that they reflect the beauty found within your home too. A pretty wreath on the door can go a long way too!
Finally, when it comes to increasing the value of your property, consider converting your attic or basement spaces. These are two areas that are often underutilized but can be great ways to maximize the overall space your property offers. You might be blessed with both spaces being available and ready to convert.
Hopefully, with these tips, you can make some serious improvements to your home, whether on a budget or not. Use these tips to help increase the value of your property this year or as a project list over the next few years.
When you put your house up for sale, the last thing you want is to be waiting forever for a buyer to make an offer. You want your home to be popular and receive offers quickly. To do that, your home must have some curb appeal and also be clean and fresh indoors. This can take a lot of work but it’s worth it if you want to sell your property. For a quick sale, take a look at the tips below. *This post contains affiliate links.
Hide Clutter
Potential buyers never want to walk into a property and see clutter everywhere. When things are disorganized, it makes it difficult for a potential buyer to view the property as their own. Although you don’t have to completely depersonalize your property, it helps if the buyer can view it as a blank canvas.
Purchase some storage boxes and put anything causing clutter into storage. You can store the boxes in your attic or basement, where viewers expect to see more clutter. Better yet, purge all the extra junk!
Curb Appeal
Never forget that the exterior of your home is where any potential buyers will form their first opinion. If the exterior of your home looks unsightly or isn’t well maintained, it could put viewers off. Make sure the outside of your property looks clean and fresh.
When you’re expecting viewers, try pressure washing your exterior walls and patios to clean them. You can then freshen up the paint if you need to. It’s also worth checking your front door for any damage and repairing it.
Invest In Your Kitchen
Modern kitchens sell so investing in your kitchen will certainly be worth the money. Buyers are looking for generous space, storage solutions, and the latest appliances. The money you put into your kitchen will surely reflect on the price offered by buyers.
If you’re selling a family home, the kitchen will be a great focal point of the house. Families spend a lot of time in kitchens so it will be the perfect selling point.
Attractive and Fresh
When a potential buyer walks into your home, they don’t want to smell last night’s dinner. In fact, since it’s impossible to know what preferences each buyer has, it’s best if they can’t smell anything. Before a viewing, open all your windows and let fresh air in.
As long as it is all-natural and non-toxic you can light a candle or bake some cookies so the smells are commonly liked. It also helps to place fresh flowers around your home to make it look attractive. It shows potential buyers that your home can be a nice place to live.
Choose A Good Real Estate Agent
The estate agent (realtor) you choose could be the difference between your property selling quickly and it hanging around the market. The estate agent should be available for all viewings and knowledgeable about the property. The estate agent should also be able to easily sell the good points about your property to viewers. Of course there are plenty of ways to advertise online inexpensively if you want to save thousands and list your home as For Sale By Owner.
Hopefully these tips will help you sell your home quickly!
