SkyFive Properties Blog

Is your office space needing a little livening up? One of the most common descriptors people use for industrial or institutional spaces is “dead”. To increase the level of happiness in a workspace, it’s necessary to bring it to life.

Finding the right office space can be tricky, especially if you want to implement some changes into it, like adding some plants to be part of the decor. With commercial property brokers from offices.net, the process of finding a new place can be less stressful since you will avoid wasting time looking at inadequate properties.

Teamwork is an important part when choosing an office that helps represent your business in its new stage! One of the best, easiest, and most cost-effective ways to do this is to add some actual life, in the form of plants.

Why Plants?

Being near other living things seems to be good for humans. Our relationship with plants is extremely symbiotic – they complement our respiration. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide, which is a waste product for the human body, and convert it to oxygen, which is essential to our very survival. Putting plants into office space will oxygenate the environment. Studies have shown that common plants can even absorb and neutralize synthetic organic chemicals that are otherwise harmful to humans.

For a number of reasons, plants have been shown to be beneficial to worker performance. This is partially a product of the improved air quality in the form of a higher percentage of oxygen, and partly one of aesthetics. Plants just look nice – for reasons that we can’t always explain. Offices tend to be harsh environments – angular furniture, utilitarian lighting, floor coverings designed for durability, not style. Adding a few plants to your office will make the space feel more organic and alive, because plants are, after all, organic and alive.

Productivity and Plants

Studies have been conducted to determine the effect of plants on worker productivity. While situations vary, the results show that simply adding plants to your workspace can result in a boost of up to 15%. That’s like every worker coming in on Saturday morning!

Many studies correlate exposure to greenery with improved mood, increased self-esteem, and decreased anxiety. The reasons for this are many, from the purely psychological, the physical, and for some, the spiritual.

Plants and people have a relationship that dates back to the earth’s first human inhabitants. Not only do plants produce our oxygen, but they nourish us, provide materials that we can use to build shelters or burn for warmth. Modern offices, especially those that subscribe to the open (cubicle) plan, are pretty harsh places. Plants, with their natural, organic shapes and colors soften the edges of these places.

Every space can benefit from the addition of living plants – individual offices and workspaces, of course, will reap productivity benefits. Common areas, like lobbies, waiting rooms, and meeting spaces will become more welcoming and healthy environments when you add living plants to them. Some plants can even live in windowless commercial bathrooms, which aren’t exactly known for inspiring an inviting atmosphere with their fluorescent lighting and scintillating varieties of urinal screens. It’s easy to see that your washroom will benefit from the addition of some greenery.

What Kind of Plants?

There are many varieties of plants suitable for indoor growing – office environments, however, present some particular challenges. Humidity levels are low, and temperature fluctuations are the norm, as the climate control systems will be scheduled to do less heating or cooling while the office is empty. The plants you choose will need to be resistant to this, and they’ll necessitate lighting sufficient to keep them alive, which varies across species. Plants commonly found in offices include:

African Violets – small enough for desktops, and easy to care for, these plants can reward you with beautiful flowers. Even if they don’t bloom, they are an attractive plant that stays a manageable size.

Jade Plants – Ideal for office environments, succulents like the common Jade plant are resistant to temperature swings and require very little care. Occasional water and dusting of the leaves will suffice. Jade Plants, however, require access to a lot of light and will do best in a windowsill. Over the years, a Jade plant can get quite large. You can, however, make it smaller by cutting it. The cuttings will root in a pot of soil, perpetuating your plant. When your Jade grows too big to live indoors, it makes a great addition to your outdoor garden.

Aloe Vera – A succulent like the Jade, the Aloe plant will require bright light, and little else. It needs water only occasionally and will grow happily on any windowsill. It’s attractive, and its soothing sap is often used as a salve for burns and minor irritations.

Spider Plants – Spider Plants are very common in office spaces because they’re attractive (they tend to spill out of pots, so look very nice on shelves or the tops of divider panels) and are easy to care for. They’re not too picky about the amount of light they get, but require more regular watering than other plants.

Cacti – the king of low maintenance plants, a Cactus requires very little water and is extremely resistant to temperature extremes. Suited to desert environments, most types of Cactus can take all the heat or cold your buildings climate control can throw at it.

Adjusting your Environment

While the benefits of adding plants to your office space are many, with the benefits are some additional considerations. First and foremost, plants require light to stay alive. It fuels the process of photosynthesis, which is essential for all plant life. Many plants thrive in bright sunlight, while others need diffuse light. Some will grow under artificial light, while others will only accept the spectrum of light provided by the sun. Luckily, there are countless solutions available now. You can purchase fluorescent or LED source bulbs that you can put into your existing fixtures so that plants can grow, even in rooms with no natural light source.

Trial and Error

All plants are different, as are all office environments. Unfortunately, there are likely to be some failures along the way. Plants placed too close to the building’s HVAC system won’t do well, and inevitably, human errors will occur, and plants will languish for months without water, withering and drying out. Some plants will get too much light, and some will receive too little. Some will simply not be suited to the rigors of your particular space and will die for no apparent reason.

A Team Effort

Some of your employees will embrace the introduction of more life to their space, and some will be ambivalent. The best way to ensure that as many people as possible are on board is to include them in the decision-making processes (let them choose the plants that are going to be in their workspace!) and give them responsibilities for the care of their green companions.

Identify those workers who are more invested in the introduction of plants to the office, and enlist their help in devising a watering schedule for plants in common areas.

Get all the supplies needed for plant care, like a watering can, fertilizer (if required) and transplanting equipment, and allow them time to do maintenance. The benefits your organization should experience in terms of increased job satisfaction and productivity should vastly outweigh the small outlay of time required to care for the office’s new inhabitants.

When all is said and done, you’ll find the addition of plants to your indoor environment to be positive. Your organization should reap the benefits of improved morale and productivity, as your employees get the benefit of better air quality and a more natural environment in their workspaces.

How safe is your home? Is your home a target to burglars? Believe it or not, your home might not be as secure as you think. Burglars are savvier than ever, and they can enter a home without you even noticing.

Whether you’ve just bought a new home or you’ve lived there for years, get serious about your home security. According to the FBI, the police arrested only 61% of all criminals who broke into a home in 2017. The rest got away with the crime unscathed. Do you want to protect yourself from becoming another statistic? If so, read these tips for how to make your house safe from burglars.

1. Lock Your Doors and Windows

Despite how Hollywood portrays burglars, most of them come through the easiest entry point of all: the front door. In a survey of 86 convicted burglars, over half of them broke in through an unlocked door or window. While it might seem like common sense to keep your doors and windows locked, it’s still easy to forget.

Get in the habit of keeping all points of entries closed and locked. Unlocked doors make your home an easy target for would-be intruders. If a burglar is looking for an easy point of entry, they’ll move on to a different property This goes for garage doors, back entrances, and other locations.

Aside from this, make sure your front door is actually secure. This is the main entrance and exit to your home. You need to ensure it works properly. Some doors made of lightweight material might even have a hollow core. If possible, install a much more secure hardwood or steel front door. These doors are much more difficult to break down. Finally, replace your deadbolt with a four-screw deadbolt strike plate which is the hardest to kick down. Ultimately, avoid having weak spots in your home.

2. Invest in a Security System

An alarm system is the best way to protect your home from burglars. We can’t all be in our homes 24/7, so having a way to keep your home safe when you’re away is key. A modern alarm system like Alarm Grid will alert the authorities if there’s any suspicious activity on your property.

In addition, a security system is often enough to deter would-be intruders who will move on to an easier target. Having a clear-to-see security system shows criminals you take your security seriously. This is especially true if you’ve already been the victim of an attack, or if your neighborhood is prone to crime.

3. Install Outside Lights

Can you see your yard clearly once the sun goes down? While most criminals act during the day when people are at work or school, that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down at night. Criminals are always on the lookout for hidden spots in your yard that are perfect for hiding.

If there’s plenty of light, it’s hard for criminals to get close to your property. Invest in quality lighting. The best option is a motion-sensor light that alerts you to any outside movement. These lights are effective deterrents for criminals and other suspicious activity.

4. Keep Your Home Occupied

Criminals look for unoccupied homes. Of course, it’s impossible to be in your home 24//7, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create an illusion. If your home is dark when you’re out at night, it appears unattended and prime for the taking.

Keep your home looking occupied with some smart measures. Always leave a light or TV on if you leave your home unattended for long periods of time. For a bargain alternative, a battery-powered radio will do the trick. You can even purchase a fake TV that simulates the flickering of a TV screen to fool intruders into thinking you’re home.

The same goes for outdoor maintenance. If your yard looks like a mess, this indicates to burglars that you haven’t been around for a while. Maintained homes look lived in. The yard is maintained, there’s no debris and trash outside, and it’s clear someone’s nearby. Take measures to make sure your home always looked lived in, even when nobody’s home.

5. Be Careful With Guests

You should always be careful who you let into your home. There’s nothing wrong with hiring service people to work in your home but be vigilant with who you hire. While most utility and service workers are from reputable companies and don’t have any ulterior motives, be cautious. Never leave valuables on display, and do your research before you hire someone new.

Similarly, don’t fall for common “service” scams. In these common scams, criminals pose as service workers only to act as a distraction while you get robbed. Anytime you’re letting someone into your home, you’re letting them scope out your valuables. Remember to check that people are who they say you are before inviting them into your personal space.

6. Use Warning Signs

Finally, don’t be afraid to use warning signs to ward off criminals. Once again, burglars are on the lookout for the easiest target. A “beware of dog” sign might be enough to show your home isn’t worth the hassle of messing with. Take this a step further by leaving an empty bowl near your front door to make it clear that a dog lives there. If possible, consider getting a dog which can be a powerful deterrent since they’re known to bark when strangers enter the property.

If you’re using an alarm system, be sure to display a sign in the front of your home. The same goes for any security cameras or monitoring technology. If these tools are easy to spot, criminals know not to mess with your home. You’re not an easy target, and they’ll just move onto someone else.

Creating a Safe Home Environment

Make smarter choices about your home security. If you’re not careful, your home will become a target for burglars. These tips above might take time, but they’ll ensure your home is a safe space for years to come.

Luckily, all of these above improvements are things you can do on your own. You don’t need any extensive security training or DIY improvement skills to make your home safer. At the end of the day, there’s no such thing as a crime-free neighborhood. No matter where you live, an intruder can make your home the next target. Embrace stronger security measures to gain much-needed peace of mind.

Moving out of a two-bedroom apartment can easily run you $500. If you’re a homeowner or are moving long distance, that number can reach into the thousands.

Whether you just bought a house or you’re moving into a new apartment, you’ve likely already spent a nice chunk of change. Closing fees and renovations or a security deposit, pet fee, and your first month’s rent can quickly eat up your savings.

Luckily, there are ways you can move out on a budget. By following a few simple tips, you can save hundreds or even thousands on your move.

Do you want to know more? Keep reading to discover how you can move out on the cheap.

Declutter

If you’re like most, you’ve probably accumulated a bunch of things you don’t really want or need. Before you start packing, go through your home and declutter.

Not only will this feel amazing, but it’s one of the easiest ways to save on your move. The less you bring with you, the less tape, boxes, and bubble wrap you’ll need. Plus, you can get away with renting a smaller truck!

Go through your home one room at a time. Put everything you don’t need to take with you into a large box or garbage bag. You can then donate it or sell it for a little extra cash.

Get Free Boxes

Boxes are the single most important moving supply you’ll need. Your local moving company likely sells them for a couple bucks per box. While this may not seem like much, it can quickly add up.

Instead, you can get free boxes just by visiting your local grocery store. Call them up and ask if they have any empty boxes you could have.

If they don’t have any today, they should be able to tell you when their shipment comes in. Make sure you call again that day and ask them to set aside a few boxes for you.

Save Money on Bubble Wrap

Any breakable items will need to be packed correctly to prevent damage. The last thing you want is to discover you need to buy new glasses and plates because they all broke in transit.

However, bubble wrap and packing peanuts are just extra costs that can be avoided. Instead, use what you already have to protect your breakables.

Blankets, towels, sheets, and clothes can all be used. You can also save newspapers and magazines and use the pages between plates or crumple them up for a packing peanut substitute.

Don’t Break Your Lease

Did you find the perfect apartment or condo? If so, you may want to move out right away. However, it’s important you stay in your current apartment until the lease is over to avoid incurring high fees.

Of course, there is an exception. If your new apartment is substantially cheaper, the fee for breaking the lease may be cheaper than the difference in rent you’d pay by staying in your current location for another few months.

Also, some apartments will wave the fee if you find a renter to move in right away. If you need to move out before your lease is up, ask your building’s management company if they offer this option and advertise your apartment online.

Shop Around for Movers

While moving yourself may be the cheapest option, it isn’t always viable. If your friends and family aren’t available to help you on moving day or if you have a lot of heavy furniture, it may be easier to just hire movers.

But this doesn’t mean you have to pay an arm and a leg. Shopping around online can get you a better price and make movers more affordable.

Pack Yourself

Many moving companies offer packing services. However, this is almost always extra.

You can save money by just packing your belongings yourself, especially if you’re getting free boxes and using towels in lieu of bubble wrap.

If you’re short on time, consider asking your loved ones for help. You’d be surprised how much you can get done in one day. Plus, it’ll likely only cost you the price of pizza to thank your friends and family for helping out.

Move During Slow Season

That’s right—there is such a thing as moving slow season.

Everyone wants to move out when the weather is nice, meaning the warm summer months are considered the busy season. This is even true in southern states like Florida since most families don’t want to move in the middle of the school year.

When the demand for movers is high, many companies increase their rates. But during slow season, they offer cheaper rates to stay competitive. If possible, schedule your move during the winter months to take advantage of these lower rates.

Start Early

It’s no secret that moving is stressful. But you can make the process a lot easier and cheaper by starting early.

This gives you more time to declutter and sell your items. It also means you have plenty of time to get those free boxes and pack things away yourself instead of having movers do it.

Perhaps the biggest saving is that you have more time to shop around for great deals on moving companies. Not only will you feel more relaxed during the process, but you’ll likely save a nice amount by just getting a head start.

Tips to Move Out on the Cheap

With the high costs associated with buying a house or renting a new apartment, it’s no surprise that you’d want to save money where you can. Luckily, the actual process of moving doesn’t have to be so expensive. From decluttering your home to moving during the slow season, there are plenty of ways you can move out on a budget.

Do you want to invest in an oceanside property? Then check out our condos for sale in sunny Florida.

The first thing a potential buyer will notice when looking at a house is the yard.

Shabby landscaping will decrease a home’s value. If the home you’ve put on the market fails to appear neat and put together on the outside, it could reflect that on the inside as well. Having a nice lawn and well-ordered landscape features will draw the eye.

It may even help you increase your home’s value! So keep reading to find out how and why elegant landscaping may help you sell your home.

1. The Yard Is the First Thing Seen

Like we mentioned before, when a prospective buyer pulls up to a house, they’re interested in looking at, the first thing they’re going to see is the yard. Curb appeal is one of the most important things a homeowner can do when putting their house on the market.

Think about every eyesore home you’ve passed by on your way home from work. You might not notice the state of the house if the yard is overgrown with weeds, the lawn is burnt, or the trees are dying.

Keep your front yard contained and orderly. This will help you get your home sold fast.

2. Landscaping Should be Neat

Overgrown bushes or dead branches on trees will detract from your home’s attractiveness.

Always make sure the landscaping you go with is kept contained and well cared for while your home is on the market. Updating mulch, pulling dead plants and trimming overgrowth will help keep the front of your home looking clean and neat.

Having a professional landscaper on hand will help you keep ahead of your yard’s growth. They’ll be able to care for your lawn and the plants in your yards, even if you’re no longer living in the home.

Give J.W. Lawncare Inc. a call, and they’ll provide you with a quote and plan for your home’s landscaping.

3. A Little Color Goes a Long Way

Don’t be afraid to put a few colorful plants or planters in your yard.

Small pops of color will not detract from your home’s curb appeal. Colorful plants will draw the eye and add some texture to your home. Adding some potted plants in unique planters will give your home some character.

After you move, you can always take these potted plants with you!

4. Give the House a Makeover

While focusing on the lawn and your landscaping is important, it is also important to give your house itself a good once over. Make sure your gutters are cleaned and pristine.

Power washing the exterior will give it a sparkling appearance that will not detract from the other hard work you’ve put into it. If needed, a fresh coat of paint on windows and shutters may do wonders to improving its appearance as well.

A Nice Lawn Goes a Long Way

It’s long been proven that curb appeal goes a long way to helping a house get sold fast.

If your house has a nice lawn, a potential buyer is going to be excited about what the inside of the house looks like. Improving a home’s exterior will keep potential buyers interested. It will also help get your house off the market fast.

Call us today if you’re interested in selling your house!

Buying your first house can be stressful, exciting and terrifying all at once. It is a huge decision which will impact your life in many ways in the years to come.

Make sure that the impact on your life and that of your family is positive. Do your research and due diligence so that you consider many of the possible financial obligations which will incur and the potential changes which may affect your choice.

Here are five things to consider when buying a new house which will help you focus your search and make the best possible decision.

1. How Long Do You Expect to Stay?

If you are in your twenties, you may be trying out different cities, careers and even partners. You may not yet know where you want to settle down forever.

If you are in your thirties, you may be married with small children and looking for a place to set down roots.

Where you are in your life will dictate your priorities in buying a house. If you are not committed to a long stay, look for a place with good potential for long or short term rentals or resale. If you are looking to stay for ten years or more, school systems and long term market projections will be more important.

2. How Much Do You Have to Spend?

Work out your budget before you buy your first house. Take into account how your income may grow in the coming years, and how much taxes and other expenses will increase.

You may be able to get a bigger home if you go for an older structure, but do you have the money to fix it up over time? Remodeling and restoration can add value to a house if you do it the right way, but if you can’t afford to maintain your home and keep it modern, it can lose value.

3. Whose Home Is it, Anyway?

Unless you live alone, you must take into account the needs of other family members when buying a new home. Look at commute times for both you and your spouse.

Waterfront property is always a good value, but if you have small children you need to consider safety concerns. If you live with an older relative or someone with mobility issues, you need to look at staircases and other potential hazards as your loved one gets older.

If you want to downsize, make sure you consider your family’s belongings. If your wife treasures her grand piano, you will need accommodations which fit this prized possession!

4. What Changes Do You Expect in the Next Ten Years?

If you have not started a family yet, think about how many children you would like. If your kids are growing up, think about your needs once you become an empty nester.

Do you want to retire soon? How much can you afford on your fixed income? Do you want to get away from snow and cold you get older?

Think about your long term plans when you contemplate your new house. Speaking to experts like the people at Wheaton real estate will help you take many possible situations into account as you decide which house is best for you now and in the future.

5. How Is the Market?

Is the market in your target area growing or in a downturn? How is the economy now and what are expectations for the coming years?

No matter how much you love your home, changes may occur which will bring you somewhere else. You want to make sure you can sell or rent your property if your situation changes.

Buying a New House: Do Your Research

When you are buying a new house, imagine your life in the coming years and how you will live in this new space. If you can see your family growing and changing there, and your budget will accommodate continuous maintenance and upgrades, it may be the right house for you.

For professional advice on finding the house of your dreams in the South Florida area, check out our blog.

Did you know that more than 5.5 million homes were sold in the U.S. in 2017?

The number of homes sold in the U.S. changes every year. However, many of the challenges which face people buying and selling houses stay the same.

Let’s go through the common buying and selling house challenges which torment and frustrate people in the real estate business. Here we go!

1. Supply and Demand of Homes

The real estate market is always in flux!

As supply outweighs rises, demand falls. When demand reaches its peak, supply is can be unable to keep up. This affects buyers and sellers in the market in different ways.

For sellers, it’s a challenge to sell your house if the market is already saturated. If there are already plenty of existing houses and new developments underway, it’s a real challenge to attract buyers.

You just have to drop the price of the house to entice buyers or hold out until the market picks up.

Meanwhile, the crowded market allows buyers to buy a house at a discount rate because sellers are so desperate. Plus, with so much choice, buyers enjoy the luxury of selecting from a huge inventory.

By contrast, when demand is high, sellers have the advantage. In these circumstances, sellers can charge higher prices because buyers are willing to pay more for the same property.

2. Renovations and Repairs

Renovations and repairs are a typical part of buying and selling homes.

Many house sellers become frustrated with the number of home improvements required before they can sell the property. This can include minor improvements, such as paintwork and a replacement carpet, to large renovations, such as an extension or gutting of the shabby kitchen.

It can be extremely tempting for many home sellers to put the home on the market at a discount price for a quicker sale.

On the other hand, buyers don’t want to visit a property viewing if the house still requires so much work. Many real estate agents recommend that home improvements are completed before the marketing efforts begin.

Click here to learn more about how to sell a house which has code violations and requires home improvements.

3. Asking Prices

Asking prices are always a problem for both buyers and sellers in real estate. You can spend hours and hours researching online and consulting real estate experts about how much the property is worth.

Sellers need to set the price of the property at approximately the same price as other similar properties in the same location.

Too much lower and you’ll lose money. Too much higher and you’ll struggle to make a sale.

If buyers spot a particularly high asking price, they’re going to dismiss your price as unrealistic. While if the price is too low, buyers are also going to wonder – what’s wrong with the house?

You need to make sure you work with an expert real estate agent to ensure you set the price of your property at a fair price.

4. Finding a Good Real Estate Agent

The growth in the number of real estate jobs is expected to continue by 6% by the year 2026. Therefore, buyers and sellers are both competing for the best real estate agents around.

It can make a significant difference to your fortunes if you pick an experienced and skilled agent who knows the market.

5. Delays in the Property Chain

Buyers and sellers are both affected by delays in the property chain.

This is the process in which the seller of the property is buying another property at the same time as selling.

When there are hold-ups in the chain, this can result in huge delays before the home buyer can move into the property.

Usually, the longer the property chain, the more likely there are going to be problems along the way. Plus, sometimes significant delays can cause deals to collapse altogether as buyers or sellers look elsewhere.

6. Cold Feet

Over 25% of American households move once per 5 years.

And yet, for some sellers and buyers moving home is a big deal. After all, for most people, your property is the biggest asset you’ve got.

For buyers who change their minds, it’s called “buyer’s remorse.” This is quite common since you can’t try out a home before you buy like other purchases.

For sellers, this is a cause of deep frustration. Now you’re back at square one and need to go out and look for another buyer willing to make the same offer.

When sellers pull out of the deal, there’s simply nothing the buyer can do. You just have to look elsewhere for another property.

This could be because the seller has accepted your offer but then taken another higher offer from someone else. This is called “gazumped.”

7. Chaos on Completion Day

Just when you think the deal between the two parties is completed, it can still fall in at the final moment.

You’ve already exchanged contracts. The date in which you receive the keys for your new home is known as the completion day.

Even something breaks down in the property chain somewhere, you could have the completion day delayed by quite some time.

Therefore, as you approach the completion day, ensure that you arrange for a plan-B if you temporarily left homeless. This is when your family and friends can save the day.

This can extremely stressful buyers and sellers alike. But, it’s a challenge which can be handled if you prepare for it in advance.

Buying and Selling House Challenges

Now you know the top buying and selling house challenges which await you.

It’s important to know that many of these problems can be handled if you prepare for them in advance. Sometimes, you just need to accept that other things are simply out of your hands.

Are you looking to buy a property? Check out the property listings on our website.

The desire to downsize is on the rise in the U.S.

In one study, 60 percent of those living in homes over 2,000 square feet expressed a desire to downsize.

Homeowners’ reasons for downsizing vary. Some do it because they want smaller mortgages and rent payments. Others dream of living in hip cities where rent remains high.

Still more are drawn by the desire for a minimalist lifestyle and the growing popularity of tiny houses or modular homes.

Whatever the reason, downsizing is never easy. If you’re thinking about moving into a smaller home, keep reading to learn how to downsize your home without losing your mind.

Start Early to Determine What You Don’t Need

One of the best things you can do after you decide that you’re going to be downsizing your home is to get started right away.

Whether the big move is weeks or even months away, the more time you have, the better you’ll be able to determine which items you really don’t need in your new space.

For instance, if your kitchen cabinets are packed with appliances, you’ll likely need to purge at least a few when you move into a smaller home. If you start early, you can easily figure out which appliances you need and which you likely won’t miss.

In the weeks before you move, as you use an appliance, set it aside in a box rather than putting it away. The appliances that remain unused in your cabinets after a few weeks are the ones you can obviously live without.

Set Priorities and Stick to Them

The easiest way to learn how to downsize your home is to be clear about the most important priorities in your life are.

For instance, if you love to read, purging your book collection might be painful. Instead, you might downsize your movie collection or get rid of decorative furniture to make room for more bookshelves.

If you have a lot of outdoor gear that you aren’t willing to part with, you’re going to need to plan to set aside closet space for it. In this case, your clothing might need to be downsized instead.

By being clear about what belongings are most important to you, it will be easier to let go of the stuff that will take up space you could use to keep those priority items.

Everything Needs a Purpose

It can be easy to hold onto items that bring you joy. But while everything you move to your new space should certainly be things that you like, not everything that makes you happy is actually useful.

That footstool might feature a pattern that perfectly aligns with your style. But a storage ottoman would give you some space for extra blankets while also giving you something to rest your feet on.

A small table by your bedside might be your minimalist dream. But a compact nightstand with drawers or shelves will give you a spot to stash socks, jewelry, or other belongings to keep them out of the way but in reach.

Every item that you’re moving to your new, smaller home needs to serve a purpose. This will allow you to make the most of even a tiny space.

Opt for Multi-Purpose Furniture

It’s not just your belongings that should serve a purpose. Furniture that performs multiple duties is also a great way to save space without sacrificing function.

That storage ottoman is one great example. But there are tons of other options out there.

A small dining room table that can fold out for a dinner party will keep from cluttering your space while still giving you room to entertain. Fold-up desks can function as shelf space when upright, and give you a spot to work when folded down.

If your space is really small, you can also use storage ottomans instead of kitchen chairs, murphy beds, and other space-saving furniture to give yourself some more floor space during the day.

Use Your “Good Stuff”

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you’re trying to downsize and declutter is to hang onto things you really don’t use, or at least don’t use often.

That wedding china that you swore you’d use every holiday but rarely leaves the box. Those special towels you keep on hand for guests to use. Numerous sets of linens and blankets for your bed that you slowly rotate through.

Eliminating these duplicate items will clear up closets and cabinets for the belongings that you actually use every day.

But before you toss those beautiful plates or ultra-soft towels, consider getting rid of your current everyday-use items instead. Using these items will help make your first days in your new home feel a little more special, especially as you’re adjusting to having less room.

Focus on the Pros

Rather than letting the fact that you’ll be living in a smaller space or that you need to purge some of your belongings get you down, focus on the pros of your new home.

After all, there’s likely a good reason you’re moving.

Maybe you get to move to a new, exciting city. Or you’re moving to a newer, chic apartment complex with features like a swimming pool or gym.

Perhaps you’ll simply be saving money that you can put towards other expenses like paying down debt or traveling.

Focusing on the benefits you’ll enjoy by moving to your new home will help you look past the lack of space and stay positive during the downsizing process.

This website can help you learn more about community living and smart homes that help you get out of your small apartment or make the most of a tight space.

How to Downsize Your Home

Now that you know how to downsize your home during your move, it’s time to get packing and decluttering.

But if you own your current home, you’ll first need to sell it. Check out these tips for selling your home in a hurry so that you can start enjoying a clutter-free, minimalist lifestyle right away!

Most home renovation projects have the potential to increase your property’s value. Whether your desire is to make small, cosmetic tweaks throughout or to completely re-engineer the flow and feel of a room with a full-blown, “down-to-the-studs” renovation, you’re quite likely to see a return on that investment when it comes time to sell.

Yet not all renovations are alike: the return on investment for some is much greater than for others. What’s more, certain rooms or components of your home renovation can be deal-breakers: they can sell the home for you, so even if the ROI is not as great, the need to renovate is still there. Curb appeal (for example), is hugely important in getting a house sold, even though the ROI is not quite as high as some other projects. So, what’s a home renovation project that’s got the greatest ROI and will get your house sold?

Renovate your bathrooms. The bathroom (like the exterior curb appeal or the kitchen), can make or break a potential sale. Buyers can fall in love with an immaculate master bath, or be forever scarred by an unsightly, dated, dirty bathroom.

Having a clean and inviting bathroom is vital to getting your home sold, and the return on investment is substantial: of all home renovation projects, bathroom remodels offer one of the greatest increases to home value relative to the initial investment.

And what’s great about the bathroom renovation is that it doesn’t have to be wildly expensive: a substantial, worthwhile renovation to a bathroom might cost around $10,000. That alone could get your home sold, and compared to the cost of renovating a kitchen (for example), it’s an absolute steal.

So don’t wait: if your bathrooms are feeling dated and dingy, get to work on updating. Focusing on these few key areas in your bathroom will make all the difference in getting you serious value for your bathroom renovation project. It is better to reach out to a skilled team with tons of experience for such purposes. For instance, bathroom remodeling contractor Perth has spent years helping clients and closely following their results. To wrap this up, if you want to increase your property’s value, you better ally with trustworthy professionals.

Fix Your Floors

This may come as a surprise, but the floor is one of the most important components of a complete bathroom update that will deliver serious value (and serious style). And if you’re selling your home, having an updated bathroom floor is paramount since appraisers consider the quality of floors when determining your home’s value. Dingy, worn floors can seriously hurt your ability to sell your home at a good price point, so it’s absolutely essential that you update them.

This is doubly true for the bathroom: because bathrooms are a smaller space with minimal furnishings (if any), aspects of the room like the floor and the walls get more attention than they do elsewhere. The bathroom floor can pull the room together: it can make a style statement unto itself (a statement that isn’t often made in the bedroom or living room, for example).

And you don’t have to invest a lot of money to have a killer bathroom floor. Choose trendy, modern tiles, or go for a newer wood laminate. Save money by installing your floors yourself: it’s a fairly easy thing to learn and you’d be surprised how quickly you can lay tile or fix laminate planks together once you get going. You can also up the ante by investing in heated flooring. While the cost to install is a bit high, heated bathroom floors are the height of luxury: they’ll make you feel great while you’re in the home using them, and they’ll certainly catch the eye of savvy buyers when listed among your home’s high-end features.

Update the Vanity

We mentioned earlier: there aren’t a ton of furnishings in the average bathroom, so what’s there will certainly get attention and make a statement about the room. Like your floors, your vanity is not going to go unnoticed by potential buyers, and if your vanity is old, dirty, or dated, you’ll have problems.

Do yourself a favor: update your vanity. This may be one of the more expensive aspects of your bathroom renovation but a worthy one. After all, some larger vanities might require you to replace long countertops and several cabinets, which will certainly add more cost than just a new mirror and lights. Choose granite countertops if you’re able (they’re so in right now). And take special care to choose eye-catching fixtures. Brushed nickel, brass, and bronze fixtures can elevate the room with a little glamor.

Go Big on the Shower

It’s not an overstatement to suggest that a great shower can sell a home. And what luck: shower renovations do not have to be woefully expensive to be effective. What’s popular right now is a large, open walk-in shower. You don’t need to invest in a fancy soaker tub to sell your bathroom, and if space is limiting, then we’d encourage you not to.

As long as your home has one tub remaining somewhere in the house, potential buyers would prefer that you update your bathroom to remove the dated tub and replace it with a light and airy walk-in shower. And wherever possible, forgo barriers. Nothing screams “closed-off and dark” like a shower curtain, so if you’re able, get rid of it. Design a bathroom that instead uses glass walls and doors, or (even better) nothing at all. Barrier-less showers open up what is already a fairly small room, make the flow of the room smoother, and increase light. But what’s more, they’re inclusive: older buyers that might struggle to step over the edge of a tub will thank you for eliminating that obstacle for them.

Speaking of showering your potential buyers with convenience, if you’ve got a fairly large space in which to build your walk-in shower, go ahead and include a custom, built-in shower bench in the design. The added expense and labor is minimal, and it’s a feature that’s always appreciated. Shower benches don’t have to be large: you can build a triangular bench into one corner of a shower if space is at a premium. Yet the value-add will be incredible. For shaving legs or for resting shampoo bottles, the shower bench is a must-have, and your buyers will thank you for it.

It’s All in the Details

Once your shower, vanity, and flooring have gotten their revamp, you can feel confident knowing that you addressed the major components of your bathroom remodel in a way that was efficient and effective, while adding notable value to your home. But if you’ve got just a little bit more money to spare there’s more you can do, and it’ll be easy (and fun).

Update the paint, which is an inexpensive and easy way to improve the overall look and feel of the bathroom. Today, greys are quite popular for the bathroom, but feel free to choose anything that’s soft, neutral, and doesn’t darken the room. And make sure that when you’ve updated your vanity and shower, that you also pay due attention to fixtures.

Fixtures are a great place to have some fun with your style without breaking the bank. Brass fixtures can offer a real splash of color to an otherwise neutral bathroom. Finally, consider changing out your bathroom mirrors. Clean lines and minimal details are a must, so if your current bathroom mirrors involve elaborate frosted designs or beveled edges, it’s time for them to go. This is a cheap and effective way to bring modern design into your bathroom.

All told, with mirrors, fixtures, and paint colors on-trend and vanity, shower, and the floor that are show-stopping and modern, your bathroom will undoubtedly help you sell your home and will add serious value. Just make sure to enjoy it a little bit before you go.

According to recent data, approximately eight percent of homeowners have chosen to sell their home by themselves in the last couple of years.

Are you interested in joining them and taking this approach?

Selling your home on your own can be a daunting task, but it’s definitely doable. It can also be a good approach if you’re trying to sell your house as quickly as possible.

If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to selling your home yourself, keep reading.

Listed below are some helpful tips that will help you get your house ready to sell and get it sold quickly.

Benefits of Selling Your Home Yourself

There are lots of benefits that come with selling your house on your own. If you choose to do this, some of the greatest perks you’ll experience include:

• Get more money from the sale (no need to pay an agent a commission)
• Maintain total control over pricing, marketing, and all other aspects of the sale
• Devote all your attention to the sale (real estate agents have to split their time between your house and several others)

If you want to enjoy maximum earnings from the sale of your house and want to maintain control over the sale, selling your home by owner is a great option to consider.

How to Sell Your Home Quickly

Do you want to reap the benefits of selling your home yourself? If so, be sure to keep these eight tips in mind. They’ll help you sell your house quickly so you can move on to the next chapter of your life:

1. Renovate Strategically

Sometimes, you need to spend money to make money.

Initially, the idea of paying to renovate your house as you’re getting ready to leave might not make a lot of sense. Keep in mind, though, that certain renovations can increase the value of your home, which means you can get more money for it.

The key is to make the right renovations. The renovations that yield the greatest return on investment include:

• Building a new deck
• Flooring repairs
• Fresh paint
• Increasing the square footage with an extra bedroom or larger family room
• Garage door replacement

Minor kitchen remodels can also pay off. Focus on things like updating the cabinets or countertops or upgrading the appliances.

2. Get Rid of Clutter

Would you be interested in buying a home that was full of junk? Probably not. Why would you expect the people looking at your house to feel differently?

Take some time to clear out as much clutter from your home as possible. Rent a storage unit if necessary.

Getting rid of clutter will help your home to feel more open and spacious, two things every home buyer will appreciate.

3. Stage Your Home

When you’re selling your home yourself, every little thing counts. To make your home more inviting to potential buyers, make an effort to stage it.

Staging doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. Making simple changes, though, can have a big impact on buyers’ ability to visualize themselves living in your home.

Set the dining room table with nice placemats, clean dishes, and some fresh flowers. Place new towels in the bathrooms and some comfy throw pillows on the couch. Little touches like this can make all the difference.

4. Time it Right

If you want to sell your house quickly, it’s best to get it on the market during the peak buying season.

Most people want to buy houses in the spring or summer. Putting your house on the market in November or December, when it’s cold and wet outside, is definitely not ideal.

If you can’t wait until summer, try to at least push back the sale until late February, when things start to warm up a little bit.

5. Spring for Professional Photos

This is another area where you don’t want to scrimp. Professional photos can make your home look a lot more inviting to potential buyers.

For a couple hundred dollars, you can get high-quality photos that will show off your house and increase your chances of selling it faster and for the price you want. That seems like a pretty worthwhile investment, doesn’t it?

6. Set the Right Price

In order to sell your house in a hurry, you need to price it properly. If you ask for too much, your house will likely sit on the market longer than you’d like.

Pay attention to what other, similar houses in your neighborhood are being sold for. Depending on the time of year and the number of other houses being sold in your neighborhood, you might need to ask a little less in order to be competitive.

7. Be Flexible and Accommodating

When you sell your house yourself, you are also responsible for handling the showings. Be flexible and accommodating when people want to come and see your home. Remember, the easier you are to reach and the easier it is for them to view your home, the more likely they are to consider buying it.

8. Consider a Cash Buyer

If you find that you don’t have the time or energy to renovate and stage your home, but you still want to get it sold as quickly as possible, considering working with a cash buyer.

There are lots of reputable buyers, like the ones on this website, who will make you an offer quickly and help you get out of your house and on with your life in no time.

Need More Help Selling Your Home?

As you can see, there are a lot of steps you can take to speed things up when selling your home yourself.

Selling a home can definitely be stressful, especially when you’re trying to move in a hurry. If you keep these tips in mind, though, you’ll likely find that the situation is a lot easier to handle.

Do you need more help selling your home? Maybe you’re not sure where you should move once your house is sold.

If you’re looking for a new condo or home in South Florida, check out our listings today. We have a variety of options to fit every preference and price range, so you’ll be sure to find something that suits your needs.

So, you’re thinking about choosing a second home to use as your vacation home. Somewhere you can go to relax and enjoy yourself without having to think about the stress of everyday responsibilities. You might think that’s easy but choosing the perfect vacation home is just as complicated as choosing your home. Here are few tips to help you along the way.

Where Do You Want to Be?

Just like any other property, the location is the most important part. When it comes to choosing your vacation property, you need to think about what you want out of it. Do you want to be near to a beach so you can spend long afternoons sunbathing and swimming? Do you want to be nearer to the action- a vibrant city with a great nightlife? Make a list of everything you consider to be important on your vacations and take your search from there.

Bide Your Time

A vacation property isn’t an essential, so you can afford to bide your time and wait for the best deal. There will be certain points in the year where the market is better or worse. Knowing what you want and where you want it in advance will put you in good stead for grabbing a property when it becomes available during a good market season. Getting some advice from professionals, like Hollywood Hills Homes, will help you decide when to pounce and get the best deal possible. This is especially important if you decide to create a second income from vacation home rental.

Your Schedule

Your work and life schedule will have a huge impact on the type of property you want to buy. Buying a vacation property just because you like the idea of it won’t serve you well. If you really plan on making the most of your property, you need to think about the times it will actually be in use. For instance, if you vacation during the Summer, you may want to think about homes in Europe. However, if you get most of your time off during the Winter, you could think about Australia or New Zealand. Knowing when you’re likely to use the property will give you an indication of where you should start looking first.

Learn the Terminology

The terminology used in the selling and buying of vacation properties may be different to what you’re used to with other properties. You may see terms like ‘beachfront’ or ‘oceanfront’ in the descriptions which may sound self-explanatory. However, you may not know that only the latter guarantees that you’ll be near to water. ‘Direct Ski Access’ means you’re only a short distance from the slopes; perhaps a shuttle ride away.

Stay Away from Tourist Areas

The problem is, most people fall in love with tourist areas and then try to purchase properties near them. However, tourist areas have the highest property markups of anywhere. So, if you want something close to those areas but not at the same price, look more towards the outskirts.