SkyFive Properties Blog

If you’re like many middle-class Americans, you dream of owning a home. Whether it be in the suburbs, the city, or the middle of nowhere, you’ll need a loan.

When you go to apply for a mortgage, you run into a big problem. Your credit score is less than ideal for getting a mortgage loan for your new home.

You shouldn’t give up hope here. You still have options when it comes to getting a mortgage with bad credit.

Do you want to find out how?

Continue reading below to learn about buying a house with bad credit. Soon you’ll be resting easy in your dream home.

Improve Your Credit Score

It may not be what you want to hear, but you need to hear it. If you want to take out a loan of any sort, you’ll want to make sure your credit is fairly good.

Better credit will bring you better interest rates and terms. There are a few ways you can improve your credit score in no time.

Check Your Credit Report

You may wish to view your own credit report. This will help you determine where your credit needs work.

This will reveal to you any errors made on your credit report. If you don’t recognize any items, you can dispute the errors with the credit bureau.

If you file a dispute, the creditor has 30 days to validate the account. If they don’t do so within 30 days, the account will be removed.

Pay Down Existing Account Balances

If you have any credit cards, check your balances. In general, you should keep your balances under 30% of the total credit limit.

For example, if you have a credit card with a $2,000 limit, you should keep the balance under $600.

Lower balances lead to higher credit scores.

Maximize Your Down Payment

If you don’t have good to excellent credit, lenders will be more wary of lending to you. One way you can mitigate this is offering a larger down payment.

This means the lender will be lending less money to you. As a result, you take on more risk than most borrowers. Lenders may view you as less willing to walk away from the mortgage if you invest more upfront.

For those borrowers with great credit, they can make down payments as little as 3% of the total value of the home. If you have bad credit, you may need to make a down payment for as much as 20% or more.

Know What You Can Afford

Before you start shopping around for homes, you need to know how much house you can afford. This goes not only to size but also location and amenities.

As a general rule, your monthly payments shouldn’t exceed about 28% of your total gross income. Combined with other bills, you should never exceed more than about 36% of your total gross income.

This means you shouldn’t shop for homes costing millions of dollars when you only make $50,000 a year.

Be realistic in your home search and aim to keep your loan amounts within reason. Keep in mind you’ll need to pay for home insurance, which is another challenge. This useful post can help you tackle the insurance challenge.

Go Mortgage Shopping

If you want approval for a mortgage, you’ll need to do a bit of research regardless of your credit score. Some lenders may be more flexible than others.

Additionally, not all lenders view the same credit scores the same way. While one lender may view a score of 650 as fair, another may view it as poor.

Try to speak with a loan officer before you submit an application. This may help you gauge whether or not you’ll get approval.

Once you start submitting applications, try to do so as quickly as possible. All applications within a 45-day period will count as one hard inquiry on your credit report. This will keep your credit score protected from too much damage.

Consider FHA Loans

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers loans with looser credit requirements. You can get an FHA loan through a variety of different banks and lending institutions.

If your credit score is below 600, this may be the best option for you. If you have a score of around 580, you may get a loan with only 3.5% due at closing.

Even with a score of 500, you can secure a loan with only 10% down.

Keep in mind you’ll need to pay a mortgage insurance premium. This will depend on the size of the loan and the down payment.

An FHA loan may not be for everyone. However, if you find yourself with poor or limited credit, you may not qualify for a traditional mortgage loan. In such cases, an FHA loan may work.

Seek Pre-Approval

Have you ever gotten one of those letters in the mail with the words “You’re Pre-Approved” across the front? These letters usually pertain to credit cards, but you can get pre-approved for mortgages.

Once you find a lender who will work with you, you can ask for a pre-approval letter. The lender will gather important information such as your credit report and income.

They’ll use this information to determine how much you can borrow and under what terms.

This will help you as you move forward. You’ll get an idea of how much house you can buy, where, and with what amenities.

Get a Good Agent

Once you have an idea of budget, you’ll need a professional on your side to help you get in your new home. A real estate agent can find homes within your budget and with everything you need.

Buying a House With Bad Credit: It’s Possible!

Even if you have bad credit, you can still get into a new house and settle down. Making that transition from renter to owner is always tough, even if you have good credit.

With bad credit, you’ll face different challenges. Use the above information about buying a house with bad credit and put it in your pocket.

Go here to learn more about buying, selling, renting, and more.

Have you worked yourself into a panic as the purchase of a new home approaches? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Investing in a home is an extremely stressful life event.

Fortunately, there are ways to cope with the stress of buying property. One is to have a professional house inspection performed.

Not only will an inspection help put your mind at ease about your decision, but it also has financial benefits. Let’s have a look at five reasons you can’t neglect getting an inspection.

1. Safety

If you have a family, you need to know the home you’re moving into is safe. An inspection is a great way to pinpoint red flags that need fixing.

An inspector’s job isn’t to ensure the home is to your liking. Instead, they’re there to evaluate the condition of the house and uncover issues.

Problems with the electric system, an unstable roof, mold issues, and bad air quality all present health hazards. An inspection will expose these problems before you buy.

2. Leverage While Negotiating

If an inspection uncovers problems that weren’t initially disclosed or the owner didn’t know about, you can then negotiate a new asking price. The last thing you want is to have to pay for repairs down the road.

When negotiating new terms, you may want to have the owner make the necessary repairs before the final sale. This way you know you’re moving into a quality home.

Because the inspection can affect the details of the sale, make sure you hire a trusted home inspector to evaluate the property.

3. Predict Future Costs

In addition to exposing issues, an inspection will help you gauge how much money you’ll need to spend down the road. You’ll then know how to budget for the future after purchasing the home.

An inspector will be able to evaluate the condition of important components such as the water heater, HVAC unit, and plumbing fixtures. While they won’t give you financial advice, they can advise how long you have before you’ll have to make replacements.

4. A Better Understand of the House

This could be the biggest purchase you ever make. Knowing everything you can about the home is important before you buy and after you’ve moved in.

Remember, up to this point, you’re only familiar with the house on a superficial level. And while it looks great on the outside, the little nuances are what you’ll have to live with.

Make sure you attend the inspection and walk through the home with the inspector. This will give you peace of mind when signing the final papers.

5. It Provides a Way Out

Finally, an inspection provides you with an opportunity to walk away from a bad deal. If the inspection reveals countless issues, backing out will save you serious cash.

An inspection may also uncover problems the owner didn’t disclose. This is an indication you’re dealing with someone who may be trying to mislead potential buyers to get out of having to pay for repairs.

Make a House Inspection a Priority

Don’t let the excitement of buying a new home distract you from protecting you and your family. You’ll kick yourself when you’re stuck with major repairs.

Make sure you have a house inspection performed before signing on the dotted line.

If you’re in the market for a new home, check out this article for information on finding a qualified real estate agent.

Is your garden looking like it’s seen better days? The lawn hasn’t seen a mower in months and everything you ever planted died a long time ago.

Having a poor garden can make your house look dull and leave a bad first impression on people coming by. But when you have a good garden, it can make you much more proud to live there and people will envy it.

Landscaping your garden has some great benefits. Working in nature can help reduce stress and improve mental health. It will also make your house look much better and make you want to spend time there. If you’re looking to sell your house, a good garden is a great way to stage it too.

Looking for landscaping tips to help you get started? Read on for 10 ways to make your lawn the best it can be.

1. Learn About Your Lawn

Every lawn is different and depending on where you live and the climate, there’s a lot to learn about it. The amount of sun exposure and conditions of your yard will also create a micro-climate.

These factors mean you need to know all about your lawn and what it needs. Some helpful tips for looking after your lawn include regular watering and frequent fertilizing.

Take notice of the micro-climate in your lawn to help decide which plants you want to put there.

2. Plan for the Seasons

Another important factor to consider is the four seasons and how they will affect your lawn. Different plants sprout and thrive at different times of the year and they can make your lawn look great.

Spend some time researching which plants come alive throughout each season. If you can get your garden to have flowers and trees in full bloom no matter what season, it will look great.

It also gives you an ongoing project to work on and will help keep you motivated to care for your lawn.

3. Think About Who Will Use It

When landscaping your garden, you need to also think about who’s going to use it. Will you be hosting parties out there in the summer? Do you have kids or animals? Is it only there for show?

You can use your garden to cater to all these different situations. Add in a bar or seating area, make it a space that people want to be in. Also think about how often it will get used since that will affect how you maintain it. Will you need to hire a landscaper to take care of it in the long run?

Think about these factors when coming up with a plan and think about the long term budget of maintaining it.

4. Structure Your Plants

When it comes to picking out the plants for your garden, think about the structure of them. Think about how the plants will make your garden look depending on their placement.

Figure out how your plants will look grouped together, placed apart, or layered. One great tip is to put larger plants behind smaller plants to create a great layer effect.

Find patterns and structures that work and use them throughout your garden. They make the space look organized and inviting.

5. Start Off Small

When you first start landscaping your garden, you can get overexcited. You might end up running out to pick up every supply you need and you’re excited to get started.

But it’s a good idea to slow down and start small. Start with a small project like planting a few flowers or placing garden furniture. Don’t worry about getting everything done as soon as possible, enjoy the process.

If you rush yourself to get everything done fast, you will burn out and cut corners. But if you take your time, you get to enjoy and appreciate the process and do a better job.

6. Consider a Water Feature

If your garden has room for it, consider putting a water feature in it. Water features make the place look much more luxurious and inviting.

The most important part of getting a water feature is to make it look natural. Use stone to build around it and make it look like it belongs.

Water features also make the place more soothing and zen with the water sounds. They make for a great focal point too, which leads us into the next point…

7. Give it a Focal Point

Speaking of focal points, they’re an important part of having great landscape design. You should aim to have at least one focal point in your garden if you can.

There are so many things you can use as a focal point. You could go for a water feature, a sculpture or a great seating area. Or, you can use a tree or some shrubbery, the sky is the limit!

A focal point will draw the eye of anyone who visits and help them see the best details in the garden. It’s a great chance to get creative and use your imagination.

8. Pick a Theme

Giving your garden a specific theme is a great way to figure out what to include and how to structure it. It can be something small like a specific pattern or color scheme. Or you can go big and make it into your very own Japanese garden.

Look at your homes’ architectural style and think about how to make the garden match. Think about how natural vs styled you want the place to look. A theme will help you maintain your garden and make it suit your home much better.

When you have a theme in mind, it makes the place look more uniform and more inviting.

9. Add Lights

Lights are a great addition to any garden and you can use them to highlight the best features of it. You can use fairy lights to highlight higher structures like trees or a bar.

Lower lighting is great for highlighting your focal points too. Lights are also great for illuminating a stone or gravel walkway. They look fantastic at night and they can transform the whole look and feel of your garden.

They add to the attractiveness and stylishness of your home overall and they are easy to install too.

10. Accept Change

Another thing you need to bear in mind when landscaping your garden is that there will be changes. Your original plan might not happen as you wanted it to and you may make a few changes along the way.

Accept these changes and go with the flow. You might decide to give the place a radical change halfway through the project and that’s okay.

This could end up being a long project so patience and an open mind is key. By the end, you’ll have a garden you are proud of.

These Landscaping Tips Will Transform Your Garden

These landscaping tips are some great ways to start transforming your garden. It’s not too hard to give the place a makeover and before long you’ll help breathe new life into your garden.

Looking for more ways to improve your home? Check out our home improvement blog for more useful tips.

97% of pest control professionals treated a bed bug infestation last year. With numbers like that, the odds of your encountering a bed bug problem of your own aren’t insignificant. Knowing how to deal with bed bugs will keep you and your family sleeping safely.

Here’s a primer on bed bugs: what they are and how to deal with an infestation.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, flightless insects that feed on the blood of animals, including humans. Adults of the species are about the size of an apple seed while their eggs look like specs of dust.

They get their name from their preferred habitat: our beds. They’re typically found in mattresses, bed frames, box springs, and headboards. They choose these areas for the easy meal we humans become at night.

Because bed bugs feed on blood, their presence isn’t an indication that your home is dirty. They thrive just as well in immaculate homes as cluttered ones. They also don’t spread disease so, while a pain to deal with, they’re not life-threatening.

1. Vacuum the Area

Using a vacuum to get rid of bed bugs is a good way to cull their numbers quickly.

That said, bed bugs can infest vacuums as readily as they do your bed. To reduce the risk of this you should use a vacuum that empties into a bag rather than a filter.

You should also avoid using vacuum attachments that have bristles or brushes. These are ready hiding places for bed bugs. Instead, use the open end of your vacuum on the affected areas.

Once vacuumed up, you need to work fast to dispose of the vacuum bag. Ensure it’s sealed in a plastic trash bag and disposed of outside the home.

2. Eliminate Clutter

Though bed bugs aren’t attracted to dirty spaces, clutter can provide them with multiple areas to hide. Clutter also reduces the chance of any pest control efforts being successful as they cannot be effectively treated.

Before calling in a professional, you should work to spring clean the affected area. Just be mindful that if you move infected material to another room, you’re just spreading the infestation.

3. Do Regular Laundry

Bed bugs don’t survive temperatures in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. This is why hot laundering can be an effective method for dealing with infected items such as clothes and bedding.

When tackling bed bugs, regular laundry cycles are a must. Even if you can’t see any bugs on your bedding, it might still carry eggs.

4. Call in a Professional

Bed bugs are insidious so the odds of you being able to eliminate the problem yourself are small. When in doubt, call a professional in.

Emergency pest removal services will be able to treat the area with formulated chemicals designed to kill bed bugs. They’ll also be able to advise you on preventative measures and maintenance steps going forward.

Now You Know How to Deal with Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a nuisance but there are steps you can take to deal with an infestation. With savvy vacuuming, regular decluttering, and weekly laundry you can help cull their numbers. The gold standard of how to deal with bed bugs remains the same, though: call in a professional.

Hot enough to kill a bed bug? Here are some Summer survival tips to help you keep your house cool.

Looking to sell a house fast?

Staging might help you get the best bids and maximize your profit. In this article, we will show you how to stage a home to make the most out of the sale.

Staging 101

Staging involves arranging furniture and decorations to make a house look as attractive as it can be to potential buyers. Staging includes tidying up, renting furniture, painting the rooms, and decorating the property inside and out.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 77% of sellers say staging made it easier to find a favorable deal. Moreover, about 50% of all buyer’s agents believe staging affects the buyer’s view of a property.

Decluttering Your Home

Before you stage your home, you have to get rid of all the clutter and clean the rooms. Remove all personal items hire furniture removalists to remove heavy items. When it comes to furniture, you should aim to remove about half of your stuff to give your house that light and breezy feel.

Remember that potential buyers will want to look into each room and open closets. It’s best if you also decluttered every storage space and make it as attractive as it can be. You can always put your clutter in boxes and have the movers take them out of the house.

Cleaning Before Staging

The next step is to clean your house as thoroughly as you can. Lingering smells, black mold, and other issues can kill the perceived value of your home. You may also consider getting a professional cleaning service for this task.

How to Stage a Home for Max Impact

If you want to stage your home like a professional realtor, you will have to focus on lighting and strategic positioning of furniture.

No buyer likes to walk through an empty house, so you do need to have some furniture in. However, you should prioritize the rooms that buyers will be most interested in. Start with the living room, followed by the master bedroom and the kitchen.

If you don’t have enough furniture to stage your house, or if your furniture is not presentable enough, don’t panic. You can always rent furniture from a home stager. These professionals can supply you with pretty much any kind of furniture you need to complete your staging.

Final Touches

Finally, you have to make sure that the outside of your house is as presentable as the inside. You may have to do some of all of the following:

• Clean the windows
• Mow the lawn
• Remove fallen leaves
• Paint your fence
• Place potted plants
• Add a welcome mat

Remember that tiny details can leave a lasting impression, so stage your house accordingly.

Maximize Your Real Estate Negotiating Power

Now that you know how to stage a home, it is time to get serious about market intelligence to get the best price for your house. Here at Sky Five Properties, we aim to be your perfect partner when it comes to expanding your real estate empire.

Contact us today to team up with Florida’s premier commercial and residential real estate firm, specializing in all types of real estate acquisitions and endeavors.

Custom home builders spend more time on their project than production home builders. Because of that, they often work on less than ten home a year.

If you’re thinking of hiring a builder to build your dream home, it’s best to take your time to find the best one in your area. Next, are some suggestion for how to find a home builder that’s right for you.

Make a List of Builders

Create a list of potential builders that can build the type of house you want. You can contact your local Home Builder’s Association for a contact list.

Also, look in the real estate section of the newspaper. The articles and ad will show you which builders are working in your area as well as the types of homes they are building.

Take note of those building home within your budget. Another great way of finding a home builder is to ask realtors and friends for recommendations.

Start Asking Questions

Once you have a list, it’s time to contact them. Ask questions — lots of them. Also, ask homeowners for their reviews as well.

While price is important, you can’t choose a builder by that alone. Often, the builder with the lowest price per square foot lacks something that you may find necessary.

As you interview potential home builders, get the answers to all the questions you have. Never hold back on asking a question. Even what seems like an unimportant question can yield insight.

Your goal is to build the perfect home so there won’t be any need for renovations down the line.

Find a Builder in Your Area

If you live in the area in which you want to build, visit homes and subdivisions where the builder has homes. Be sure to drive through on a Saturday morning.

You may see homeowners working outside. Introduce yourself as a prospective home buyer and ask questions about the home builder. See what they have to say.

Usually, you will get a candid response. Homeowners are often happy to share both the positive and negative experiences with the builder. Take some notes so you can refer to them later when narrowing your choices.

How to Find a Home Builder of Quality

Home shows and builder-sponsored open houses are prime opportunities to look at homes. Home show houses and model homes are often furnished, giving you a good idea of how you could use the space.

Even if they are unfurnished, looking at new homes is beneficial.

See the quality of the work for yourself. Pay attention to the details. Look at the quality of the construction. How do the carpeting, cabinets, and trim work look?

Even take a look at the paint. The last thing you want to see are areas where the builder cut corners on craftsmanship or materials.

If you’re in the Lake Hartwell, Georgia or surrounding areas, be sure to check out Currahee Home Builders. They are an example of a builder who takes pride in tending to the finer details of custom home building.

Time to Choose a Home Builder

With these tips on how to find a home builder, there’s no reason to wait. If you’re ready to build your dream home, then it’s time to begin the search for a builder.

If you are looking for a property or builder in Florida, please give us a call at (305) 357-0635.

Did you know that having a well-landscaped home can increase the value of your home by 5.5 percent to 12.7 percent depending on what is done? If you are planning to sell, you take steps to improve the inside of your home, doing the same for the outside is important, too.

However, getting this well-landscaped look is easier said than done.

If you are like many people, you may not have the time or ability to handle a large landscaping project on your own. If this is the case, it makes sense to hire quality landscape contractors.

However, again, this can be challenging. There are more than a few options in the local area, so it’s a good idea to know what to look for when it is time to hire landscape contractors.

Ask for Recommendations

One of the first things a person should do when searching for landscaping contractors is to ask for recommendations from people they know. Friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors can be great sources of information.

Chances are if you hear the same company mentioned several times, such as Cherry Oak Landscaping, it’s a good sign you have found a quality company. While this is true, don’t base your decision on a recommendation alone.

Do Research On the Recommended Options

Once you have found a list of several landscapers in the area, you need to take some time to learn more about the companies being considered.

For example, how long has the landscaper been doing this type of work? Do they have a good BBB rating? What is their physical address?

All of these questions can help you determine which landscaping company to hire.

Get Estimates

It’s a good idea to ask for estimates from each of the companies being considered. Make sure that the company is willing to put the estimate in writing, and detail line by line what they are going to do, the materials they plan to use, labor costs, and other factors that will impact the cost of the job.

It’s a good idea to get three to four estimates and compare them to determine which landscaper offers the most value.

Find Out About Ongoing Maintenance

There are some landscaping contractors who handle large projects for renovating an outside space, and that’s it. When the work is done, there are few landscaping companies that offer ongoing maintenance.

This means when the work is done, it’s up to you to keep things maintained. Not everyone wants this huge responsibility, as there is no such thing as a low-maintenance landscape.

As a result, it’s a good idea to find out if ongoing maintenance is provided by the company being considered.

Finding the Right Landscape Contractors: Now You Know

If you are ready to reap all the benefits offered by hiring the right landscape contractors, then it is a good idea to find the right person for the job. The tips here can help you make a great decision.

If you benefited from the information here, then be sure to check out some of our other blogs. For example, how to find the right kitchen designer.

Mauritius is a nation which is situated in the Indian ocean, and it is a place which is hugely popular with tourists from all over the world. If you are looking for a new holiday destination for this summer and you aren’t sure where to go, Mauritius could be the ideal place for you, and here’s why…

Try amazing water sports

If you are the kind of person who loves to be active on your holiday and try new things, Mauritius can offer the ideal playground for you this summer. All over this island nation there are opportunities for you to try some fun watersports, and you will never get bored throughout your stay. Fancy diving into shipwrecks which are hundreds of years old? Sure! Or would you prefer jet skiing over the sea with your family? Go for it! You’ll be able to find activite in every single corner of the island so you can try new things and enjoy some great experiences.

See dolphins

Dolphins might just be some of the most amazing animals on the planet, and if you want to see them first hand you had better get looking for a villa for sale in mauritius and move here immediately! Thanks to the hot climate in Mauritius, it is a dolphin hot spot and you’ll find many opportunities to see these stunning creatures in action. If you can wake up just before sunrise and head out to the open ocean, you’ll be able to watch the sunrise alongside dolphins and it will be an experience you never forget.

Visit Chamarel

If natural wonders are your thing, there is no better place for you to come during your stay than the village of Chamarel. The beauty of this village is something you will have to see to believe because the earth is literally made up of a rainbow! There are 7 different coloured sands which cover the landscape and it will feel as if you have stepped into a child’s sand pit. There are some great photo opportunities to be had and your instagram feed will look immense after a trip here!

The Grand Bassin

During the summer days there is no better place to cool off than this stunning lake, and what makes it so unique is the fact that the lake itself sits inside a volcano crater. But don’t worry, the volcano has been extinct for many years and won’t suddenly erupt! This lake is also the source of some local legends and it is said that to dive into the lake during the Shivratri festival will bring you success and fortune. The lake also has a statue of Lord Shiva which stands at an impressive 108 feet and is the second tallest statue in the world.

Visit Port Louis

If you enjoy experiencing some true history and culture, one of the best places in Mauritius for you to come and visit has to be Port Louis. This city is the capital of the island and is full to the brim with French architecture and history. During your exploration of the area you’ll be able to enjoy some amazing restaurants, unique galleries and plenty of activities!

Are you looking to remodel your kitchen?

Smart move! A kitchen remodel not only adds value to your home but also makes your cooking enjoyable. Considering that the average person spends about 37 minutes cooking every day, you want a space that’s inviting and up-to-date.

However, you have a decision to make. Do you want to DIY your kitchen remodel or bring in a kitchen designer to help?

In this article, we’re telling you who kitchen designers are and why hiring one is the better decision.

Let’s get into it!

What Do Kitchen Designers Do?

Kitchen designers typically have an educational background in interior design and most hold certifications from the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Their work involves designing residential and commercial kitchens from scratch or redesigning existing ones. They decide on a range of elements, including kitchen cabinetry and shelving, flooring, appliances, and counters. Ultimately, these designers aim to help create kitchens that are unique, functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Read this informative article by Zesta Kitchens to gain deeper insight into the role of kitchen designers.

Why Do You Need to Hire a Kitchen Designer?

Cost of service is probably one of the primary reason most project owners don’t bring in professional kitchen designers.

However, the benefits of hiring one outweigh the costs. Here are some of these benefits:

Get a Custom Kitchen

You know that feeling when a new friend invites you over to their house and once you get there the first thing you realize is the kitchen looks almost like yours? Sucks, right?

If you’re building a new house or looking to remodel your current kitchen, hiring a kitchen designer is the only guarantee you’ve of getting a kitchen you’ll certainly never see anywhere else. These professionals are the masters of custom design. They’ll mesh their ideas with yours and the result will be a stunningly-unique kitchen.

Save Money

You’re probably wondering “Hiring kitchen designers cost top dollar. How does that amount to saving money?”

Well, hear us out.

Unless you’ve got plenty of kitchen design and building experience, it’s unlikely that you’ll get it right on your own. You’ll probably make errors that’ll lead to expensive structural adjustments to the kitchen. In the end, you’ll spend more money trying to fix the issues.

But with a kitchen designer on your project team, you can count out mistakes. Everything will go according to plan and you’ll stay on budget.

Save Time

Did you know kitchen planning is the lengthiest process in any residential construction project? On average, it takes about 7 months!

Do you have this much time on your hands? You’re probably a working professional or a busy parent or juggling both tasks.

If you want to save time, your best chance is hiring an experienced kitchen designer. They’ll use their experience to draw a custom design for you in record time, ensuring kitchen planning doesn’t delay the entire project.

Get Professional Help When Designing Your Kitchen

Whether you want an indoor or outdoor kitchen, we’ve demonstrated that hiring a kitchen designer is a smart decision.

Sure, their services don’t come on the cheap, but once your kitchen is ready and looking drop-dead gorgeous, you’ll realize that their services are worth the money!

Need more home improvement advice? Explore our blog.

The average American moves about 11 times in their life. But moving isn’t a cheap or stress-free process.

It can take weeks or even months just to sell your home. If you’re in a hurry to sell it fast, though, remodeling it can help. Of course, you’ll only want to spend money on the projects that will give you a nice return on investment by allowing you to increase the price of your home.

It can be tricky to determine if the remodeling cost vs value of a project is worth it. Luckily, there are a few tried and true tips you can follow.

Do you want to know more? Keep reading to discover the best remodel tips that will increase your home’s value and help it fly off the market.

Focus on Appearance

Take a second to think about why you bought your current house. Were you immediately impressed the second you walked through the door? Were the main rooms done to your taste?

The truth is that most homeowners purchase based on appearance. Of course, if there are serious problems, like a leaking roof or crumbling foundation, these will quickly turn potential buyers away. But when you’re doing a renovation, focus on improving the appearance of your home rather than, say, replacing your water heater.

You want buyers to be wowed with your home and fall in love with it. Plus, replacing the water heater can seem a lot less daunting than having to undergo a kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Clean

Alright, so cleaning may not seem like it counts as a remodel. But it can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Stained carpets, dull hardwood floors, dirty grout, and caulking that’s falling apart can all make your home appear dirty and outdated. But instead of paying big bucks to replace all this, you may be able to salvage it with a little elbow grease.

Shampoo your carpets, clean hardwood and tile floors, clean grout, and re-caulk your bathroom. You’d be surprised just how much nicer and newer your home looks.

Paint

Over time, the beautiful color of your walls has probably faded, and you may not even notice how bad it’s gotten. A fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference, and it’s easy to DIY.

However, choosing the wrong paint color can be a huge turn off to buyers. Stick with neutral colors like beige or light grey. These colors appeal to most people’s taste and help them view your home as a blank slate where they can build their lives.

Start with the Bathroom

The kitchen and bathrooms are the most important rooms in the home. If your bathroom is looking completely outdated, consider a full renovation.

While the price may be a bit daunting, you can get more than the remodel costs back when selling your home.

If your home only has one bathroom, consider adding a second bathroom or at least a half bath. This will increase the value of your home and give you a larger pool of potential buyers as having just one bathroom can be a deal breaker for many families.

Replace Countertops

It’s no secret that the kitchen is an important room. But if your kitchen is outdated, you may not have the cash to completely redo it.

Luckily, you can make a huge impact by getting new countertops. Granite and quartz are great options to go with as they’ll give your kitchen that luxury feel without costing as much as marble. This company has tons of options to choose from to help you get started.

Give Your Cabinets a Facelift

Along with countertops, cabinets also have a huge impact on both your kitchen and your bathrooms. However, they can be quite costly to replace.

If your cabinets are still standing sturdy, but look a bit outdated, don’t spend the money to replace them. Instead, give them a facelift by painting or refacing them and changing out the handles.

Although a bathroom remodel is a great way to increase the value of your home, many people can avoid the full renovation and still get more money for their home. If your tub or shower, toilet, and flooring are in good shape, consider replacing cheap or outdated countertops, giving your cabinets a facelift, recaulking, painting, and cleaning grout. This can make your bathroom appear much newer without having to buy new fixtures or flooring.

Improve Your Curb Appeal

Even the most gorgeous houses can have problems selling if they lack curb appeal.

Since the exterior is typically the first picture on an online home listing, many buyers may not even look through the rest of the images if your home has poor curb appeal. They’ll also be less likely to stop in during open houses or ask their realtor about your property if they drive by and see the “for sale” sign.

Luckily, there are a few ways you can increase your curb appeal. Consider painting your front door and replacing your garage door. Choosing black, grey, or blue for your front door is the best way to attract potential buyers and further increase your home’s value.

You should also cut your grass and trim overgrown bushes. If you have flowers, make sure they are low-maintenance and properly weeded. Hanging planters of colorful flowers on your porch can make your entryway pop and seem more inviting, thus, increasing the number of potential buyers.

The Best Remodeling Cost vs Value

You want to ensure the renovations you undertake will help sell your home faster and for a higher price. Just follow this guide to the best projects with a great remodeling cost vs value.

Are you still looking for your dream home? Then check out our property listings in beautiful and sunny Florida.