When you were touring your home or when you first moved in and the place was empty, it felt so spacious. Suddenly though, as soon as you live there, it feels like the walls are caving in on you. What kind of trickery is this?

The problem is that your furniture and your decor has a major impact on how large a room feels. If you make the wrong choices or if you bring in your furniture from a larger room to a smaller one, your new room will feel much smaller than you thought.

If knocking down walls or building an addition isn’t exactly practical, there’s still hope. Here’s how to make a room look bigger without renovations.

1. Keep It Light

Colors are useful for far more than making a room match your style. They also trick the eye into thinking a room is large or small.

To make your room look larger, go for light colors like white. Light bounces off these colors, which makes the space appear larger to anyone’s eye. Dark colors absorb light, on the other hand, so the room looks more closed-in.

A simple way to do this is by repainting the room. If that isn’t an option, focus on light colors for your furniture, drapes and other major design aspects.

This isn’t to say that your room needs to look white and sterile. Feel free to play with color, but make it an accent rather than the basis of the whole room.

2. Mix Up Your Levels

Levels are among the most essential elements of any great interior design, and they’re easier to use than you think.

In your design, place your accent pieces at different heights in the room. Have something attention-grabbing on or near the ceiling. Place something else eye-catching around mid-height and something else on or near the floor.

This strategy draws the eye around the room more efficiently. Guests see the full scope of the room right away, so it looks larger to them.

Put more focus on the accents that are higher in the room. This draws the eye upward so guests notice the vertical space, making the room feel more open.

3. Let the Sun Shine In

It’s no secret that natural light is a gamechanger when you want to make a room look larger. If you already have windows, look at where the light falls and move or remove anything that blocks it from filling the whole room.

It may also be helpful to look at how obtrusive your window treatments are. If they’re blocking part of the light or taking up too much space, they need to go.

If you have minimal natural light, there are ways to optimize it. Add a mirror that reflects the outdoor view and lets the light bounce around the room. You can add other light fixtures throughout the room too, using bulbs that mimic sunlight.

4. Choose Your Furniture Wisely

Furniture is a big expense when it comes to decorating your home, but the wrong choices can make your expense work against you.

In a small room, less is more. Choose fewer pieces and make sure they’re size-appropriate. There are plenty of tricks you can use to find the right size of furniture for a room.

When in doubt, opt for furniture with plain, light colors. It’s easy to add more color with throw pillows or blankets on the back of a sofa, but you can’t take away color that’s already in the sofa.

It’s also helpful to select furniture that serves multiple purposes. For instance, choose an ottoman that offers storage or converts into a coffee table. Try a TV stand that also includes closed storage.

5. Add Well-Placed Mirrors

We mentioned this briefly when discussing natural light, but the way you place mirrors in a small room can make a world of difference.

On top of placing mirrors so they reflect the space outside your windows, place them in an area where they’re visible from the moment someone enters the room. This creates an immediate impression of more space.

Don’t go overboard with mirrors, though. It’s better to opt for one or two large mirrors than a cluster of small ones. Make sure the mirrors are modern enough to complement your decor too and find out more about modern mirror styles.

Whatever you do, though, don’t cover a wall or half of a wall in mirrors. That may be the fastest way to make your home look like a musty portal to the 1980s.

6. Get Rid of Clutter

As much as we all love fun design accents in a room, there are limits. Too many accessories and items will make your room look cluttered, and clutter instantly makes a room look smaller.

Instead, use this as an opportunity to get rid of items you don’t need. For items you do need, everything should have a home in some type of closed storage.

This doesn’t only apply to knickknacks, but to wall decor as well. Less is more. For an open wall, one large design piece is better than a frenzy of many small ones.

7. Go for Simple Elegance

You’ve heard the saying that “the devil is in the details,” but when it comes to making a room look bigger, the devil is the details.

Avoid excessive details like fringes, tassels, and beadwork on your decorative pieces and accessories. These might not take up more space, but they create the illusion of extra clutter.

Instead, embrace the beauty of simplicity. Choose items with block colors instead of intricate and complex pieces.

Mastering How to Make a Room Look Bigger

When you’re designing or staging a home, there is so much you can change but there is so much you can’t change as well. You might not be able to change your home’s footprint, but these tips for how to make a room look bigger will fool the eye into thinking you have changed it.

For more masterful tips on optimizing any home, check out more articles on our blog.

Most of us have fantasized about the features we’d want in our dream home. From walk-in closets to energy-efficient appliances, certain features will win us over every time.

What are modern home buyers looking for? Keep reading for some of the hottest must-have home features in 2020.

Modern Kitchens

While we still consider the kitchen “the heart of the home,” the room is now more important than ever. Homeowners see their kitchens as a space to delight and entertain. With the open floor plan living concept becoming a trend, the kitchen is now an integral part of a home’s interior design.

Modern home buyers are looking for sleek cabinets with shiny fronts or glass inserts. You’ll also see open shelving, under-cabinet lighting, and pops of color.

Home Office Space

Working remotely is now standard for over 50% of the American population. Because of this, many buyers are searching for homes with ample office space.

Home offices have gone the way of kitchens: clean lines and open shelving. No more bulky filing cabinets and fussy furniture. Buyers are looking for simple spaces with lots of light.

Natural Features

Not only does our food have to be organic, but now our homes have to be too.

Today’s trends lean towards homes that are designed with natural elements such as reclaimed wood, ceiling beams, and exposed brick. Slate or polished concrete flooring is a look many buyers are seeking in 2020.

These “organic” homes are few, but more are popping up across the country. To see what’s available in your area, search “real estate listings near me.“

Walk-In Closet

97% of surveyed realtors say homeowners crave closet space over a basement and attic storage space.

A walk-in closet in the master bedroom has become a top-desired feature for homebuyers. For many, it’s vital and the absence of one may squash any potential deal.

Energy Efficiency

As people become more energy-conscious, they’re looking to use less energy when in their homes. Improved energy-efficiency is a feature that buyers are looking for and will pay more to get it.

Whether it’s energy-efficient appliances, lightning, or modern windows and doors to lower electricity bills, homebuyers value these features.

Buyers are also looking at how well insulated today’s homes are. They want to know that high-quality insulation has been installed correctly and that it will provide top-notch energy efficiency.

Laundry Room

Most buyers favor owning a laundry room. They like it to be upstairs, close to the bedrooms, or on the main floor near the kitchen. Younger generations want laundry rooms too, but prefer stacked washers and dryers for their space-saving qualities.

Laundry rooms are a must-have because of the convenience they add to a home. It’s important to have a dedicated space to wash, dry, fold, and hang all of your laundry behind closed doors. Buyers don’t want their messy laundry piles visible to guests in their home.

Start Your Search for These Home Features Today

Are you looking for a home that encompasses some or all of these modern design home features?

Our professionals provide a full range of consulting services. They will match your family to properties that will give you rich experiences and the lifestyle of your dreams.

Don’t miss out! Use our search feature on our homepage to start the search for your dream home.

You’ve done it—you’ve finally found the perfect place for you to start your family.

The house you just bought is beautiful. It boasts a beautiful yard, exactly the right number of rooms, and every little feature is exactly as you wish.

Now, you need title insurance.

It’s a must for those who wish to establish financial security on their newly bought home. If you’re wondering, what is title insurance, and how it is useful for your property rights?, then you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll tell you exactly what title insurance is and show you how you benefit from taking out such a policy. By the end, we should have convinced you to use this insurance strategy to protect your home.

What Is Title Insurance and Why Do I Need It?

Title insurance, in short, is financial insurance on the ownership rights of your house. 

In the past, there may have been fraudulent or forged deeds and a person with a more reliable document proving ownership can press their claim and make your house theirs.

Title insurance can protect you from this ever happening again. It first and foremost is used to guarantee financial compensation to you if someone else presses a stronger claim on your house than you do. There have unfortunately been many past instances when inaccurate record-keeping may have allowed a family to wrongfully purchase a home that someone else technically had better rights to.

Moreover, title insurance is mandated by many lenders if you plan to take out a mortgage on your house. So why not go ahead and use this service to take out a policy already?

How Much Does Title Insurance Cost?

Like any other insurance policy, the cost of title insurance will not be constant.

Instead, it will be dependent on many other factors. The most notable factor will be the value of your own home. Other factors could include locality-specific information (e.g. how many claims have been filed in your locality?).

But generally, homeowners can expect to pay $1000-$2000+ for a solid policy, according to research.

Putting it Together

There’s no doubt that the purchase of your home will be one of the most significant decisions that you make in your life.

For most families, their house is the most significant asset that they own!

So why wouldn’t you want to protect it? Given the fairly meagre cost of title insurance (driven down by a fairly low number of claims), you can easily compare it to the value of your home to see how much money it will save you should there be any untoward situations.

Now that we’ve answered the question, what is title insurance?, go ahead and buy a policy to give yourself the peace of mind that you need as a homeowner.

For more real estate advice, take some time to browse through the rest of the articles on our website!

More than half of all Americans have less than $1000 in savings. When it’s time to retire or handle a large expense, some Americans look to loans for a helping hand. But which loan is worth the risk?

If you have equity in your home, you could consider either a reverse mortgage or a home equity loan. Although they share a few similarities, they’re intended for separate situations. Many debtors have trouble differentiating these two types of loans.

Knowing the difference between a reverse mortgage vs. home equity loan is indispensable in times of financial need. Compare and contrast these loans with the help of our short guide.

What is a Reverse Mortgage?

In a typical mortgage scenario, you arrange a loan with a lender and use the lump sum to purchase a home. You gain a growing share of the equity every time you put a payment towards the debt. Eventually, you’ll pay back the entire loan and control all equity of the property — which means the home is officially yours.

A reverse mortgage is, as you would expect, the exact opposite of a traditional mortgage. If you own a home, you can sell the equity back to a reverse mortgage lender. These institutions make payments to purchase this equity from you, usually through monthly installments or a large lump sum.

These payments are tallied in the form of debt. Once you pass away, abandon, or sell the property, the mortgage lender will seek repayment for the debt. As the equity owner, they will sell the house to settle the debt and transfer the surplus to you or your relatives.

For more reverse mortgage resources, check out The Steven J. Sless Group.

What is a Home Equity Loan?

A home equity loan is otherwise known as a second mortgage. It’s similar to a reverse mortgage in that it uses your equity as collateral. There are two different types of home equity loans.

The typical home equity loan gives you all the money you need as a lump payment. It’s called a second mortgage because you’ll have to make payments towards this debt every month, just like a normal mortgage. You’ll also have to contend with interest rates and a fixed repayment term.

You could also spring for a home equity line of credit, known as a HELOC. Since it’s a line of credit, it’s like using a credit card. You’ll have a set credit limit based on your equity and can borrow up to a certain amount.

While a home equity loan has a fixed rate of around 8.76 percent, a HELOC is variable and often higher.

Reverse Mortgage vs. Home Equity Loan

While a reverse mortgage and home equity loan share many similarities, they’re entirely different entities. Which works best for you will depend on your personal situation. Let’s take a deeper look at these loan disparities.

1. Ease of Getting the Loan

In general, a reverse mortgage is specialized and thus more difficult to qualify for. It’s only available for homeowners aged 62 or older. These homeowners must own all or most of the equity in their property.

Home equity loans are easier to obtain. You can snag a home equity loan at any age, but you need to have around 20% equity in your home. You’ll also be beholden to standard loan factors, such as employment and credit history.

For homeowners 62 years or older, getting a reverse mortgage is the easiest option. But for everyone else, a home equity loan is more accessible. In fact, it may be the only option.

2. Payment Methods

By far, a reverse mortgage offers a variety of different payouts. Whether you want monthly installments, a lump sum, or something else, most reverse mortgage institutions are willing to work with you. This gives you unrivaled flexibility compared to a home equity loan.

And that’s because a home equity loan is always received as a lump sum. From there, you’re responsible for making the monthly payments. A HELOC offers more control over the money you receive, but also comes with the burden of a high interest rate.

A reverse mortgage is typically a great option for retirees who desire additional income. In contrast, a home equity loan is usually the go-to option for younger couples who need to pay for a large expense. This expense is often home-related, such as a kitchen remodel.

3. Repaying the Loan

A reverse mortgage is a great deal for the homeowners. They’ll enjoy the equity as it converts into cash payments, allowing them more freedom to enjoy their retirement. But eventually, the mortgage lender will come calling for full repayment.

Since these homeowners typically don’t have to sell the house until they pass away, they’ll never have to worry about the loan. It will detract from the family inheritance, however, should their children be unable to buy the house from the lender.

But a home equity loan isn’t safe, either. If one mortgage wasn’t bad enough, then two can break the bank. And when these homeowners fail to repay their home equity loan, they could lose their home as collateral.

The Decision: Reverse Mortgage vs. Home Equity Loan

Yes, these types of loans both rely on your equity. But a reverse mortgage pays you in exchange for homeownership while a home equity loan must be repaid by traditional means.

The choice between a reverse mortgage vs. home equity loan isn’t clearcut. If you’re considering a loan based on your equity, take stock of your financial situation before seeking out a lender.

Want to make the most of your real estate? Search our site for more property advice.

A flood can wreak havoc on a home. Floods are responsible for 90 percent of the U.S. natural disasters and costs an average of $4.4 billion.

There are many causes for flooding including burst pipes, heavy rains, sewer back-up, and faulty sump-pumps.

If your home is damaged by a flood, you need to act fast to minimize the damage.

Here’s what you should do if you experience house flooding and how you can get back to normal quickly. 

Prevent Additional Risks

First and foremost, you need to be safe. You may have to leave your home if the flooding is bad enough. Before you leave, you should turn off the power.

When you return, search for any visible structural damage like foundation cracks, holes, and warping. Do not enter if you see any damage to gas, electric, water, or sewer lines—contact the utility companies immediately.

Stop the Water if Possible

If your flooding is caused by something other than nature, find the source and turn it off. Turn off the main water valve of the house if needed. Make sure you know where your main valve is so you can access it during an emergency.

Take Pictures

Before your remove water, you should take photos or videos of the flooding and document the damage for your insurance company.

If you make repairs or remove water ahead of time, you could decrease the amount of your coverage.

Wear Protective Gear

Even if the water appears clear, it could be contaminated. You should wear waders and waterproof gloves. Rubber gloves are also essential to wear as you begin looking at your stuff. 

Throw away any food that has touched the water. You should also boil your water until you are certain the water supply is safe.

Remove Water

Depending on how deep the flood is, you may need to use different procedures to remove water. You can bail water out with bins and buckets. You can also use a hose to drain larger amounts of water out of the basement. 

You can use a wet vacuum to remove remaining water after levels decrease. The wet vacuum can also help remove water from floors and carpets. 

Begin Drying

Even if you remove the standing water, you need to start drying because everything will stay wet and damp, and mold can start growing within 24 hours. Start running a dehumidifier for closed-off spaces like a basement. They remove the excess moisture from the air. 

Try to get as much airflow as possible to help dry. This includes running fans and your air conditioner fans. For extensive damage, you may want to consider flood restoration services.

Clean Up

Make sure you contact your insurance company as soon as you stop the water and get pictures of the damage. You can then start working on any repairs needed. You will need to go through your belongings to see what is salvageable. 

A professional restoration service can help you determine what is safe to keep and what needs to be thrown out. They can also help you with the cleanup process to make sure you get your home back to normal as quickly as possible. 

Preparing for House Flooding Final Thoughts

Seeing your house flooding is a scary sight. You must act quickly to help minimize your damage. Follow the steps in this article to protect your home.

Keep checking out our blog for other home advice or you can search our site for your next home.

Do you need to know what to do before selling a house? To avoid the hassles of selling your home, there are key factors you can follow to make it quicker for you to sell your property and getting a fair price that you deserve.

Let’s take a look at these 5 essential steps to take before selling a house.

1. Steps to Take Before Selling a House

Find the right agent to help you sell your home.

You need to know ahead of time about the agent that you will be working with. Taking the time to research a list of agents in your community is one of the most important steps.

Most agents possess amazing negotiating skills, they have extensive knowledge about the real estate market and will help you to avoid mistakes when you’re listing your home on the market.

Investigate the background of stellar real estate agents and determine which one is best for you. Working with an agent you’re comfortable with gives you the assurance that you’re getting top dollar for your property.

If you’re thinking about selling my property for cash, you can connect with reputable professionals to discuss your situation.

2. Declutter Your Home

Another essential step to keep in mind is to declutter your home. If you have a lot of clutter in your home, you need to remove your stuff from all the rooms in your living space.

Be sure to do a thorough job from top to bottom. You can always donate the clutter you don’t want to local charities. Removing unsightly clutter increases your living space and makes your home look more organized and presentable to a potential buyer.

3. Clean Your Home

A dirty home is distracting to a buyer and may prevent you from closing a deal. That is why you need to clean the visible areas of your home such as the carpets, windows, closets, doors, and other areas that need special attention.

You may need a week or more to clean the interior and exterior of your property.

A clean and sparkling home impresses a buyer and increases your chances of making a sale.

4. Make Necessary Repairs

Are there damages in your home? Give your home a thorough inspection and make a list of damages you come across. 

You may need to make some home improvements by fixing cracks in your walls and ceilings, repairing damages to your doors and windows and fixing your leaky faucets.

Pay close attention to all the defects you find and perform the necessary repairs to give the buyer the confidence of buying a wonderful home.

5. Repaint Old Furniture

Don’t forget to repaint your old furniture. An application of a fresh coat of paint makes your furniture look brand new.

Your home will appear more welcoming when you take the time to improve the appearance of your furniture. 

Sell Your Home Without the Stress

Without the right planning, selling a home can become a stressful event. The process is easier to manage when you follow a simple guide.

Did you find these steps to take before selling a house helpful? Check out our website for more exciting tips.

There has been a 70% surge in people getting walk-in closets, according to surveys. 

Getting dressed everyday has never been more important. You should be able to enjoy getting ready to go out in style.

If you have been wondering how to design your own dream closet, you need to think about our tips. Check out our tips below!

1. Make Your Closet Feel Like Part of Your Bedroom

You want your closet to feel like an extension of your bedroom. It’s not only about making sure that it is functional.

Always keep in mind your bedroom decor and design. You want to be able to walk seamlessly into the closet.

That’s why the wallpaper and flooring need to be the same and complementary to your bedroom. Hanging some mirrors and pictures can really add to space too.

It’s not just where you store your clothes. It’s your dressing room as well. You want to enjoy spending time trying on outfits here.

2. Include a Variety of Storages 

You want to ensure that your dream closet is functional. That’s why lots of different ways to organize your belongings is important.

You want to have space to hang up your jackets, coats, and pants. But, you install drawers and boxes to keep your other bits and pieces.

You need several shelves to display your shoes. If you don’t have everything on display then you’ll forget to wear it. 

3. Effectively Shed Light on Your Belongings 

The lighting in your closet is really important for how your clothes and accessories look when you enter the space.

If you don’t have any natural light from windows, you cannot neglect the importance of lighting.

You could have LED light rails so you can see your clothes up close. If you add spotlighting to space, you can ensure that your space has a stylish twist.

4. Express Your Personality in the Design

Just because nobody else gets to see inside your closet, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feel free to express your personality.

This is definitely an amazing space to show off your characteristic style. Choose some quirky artworks for the wall and paint the walls in dramatic colors. 

With custom closets, you can design your closet with your personality at the forefront of your design decisions.

5. Give Yourself a Space in Sit and Relax

You should finish off your dream closet with a comfortable couch. This is a great way to enjoy spending time in your closet.

Of course, you’ll inevitably throw clothes on it when you’re trying on different combinations of clothes. But, it’s also a great way to try your shoes on.

What Is Your Dream Closet?

Now you know our tips, you’re ready to get started with making your dream closet become a reality. There is never a better way to organize your clothes.

Do you want to explore more tips on how to design your perfect home? Check out our blog for much more!

The majority of homeowners in the U.S. (about 95 percent) report paying for homeowners’ insurance. A small portion, though, has questions about the necessity of this extra insurance.

Are you part of this group? Do you have questions like “Do I need homeowners’ insurance?” or “Is homeowners’ insurance really worth it?”

Read on to learn more about seven reasons why homeowners’ insurance is important and why everyone ought to have it.

1. Mortgage Lenders Require It

First, if you’re working with a mortgage lender to buy your home, you’re required to have homeowners’ insurance.

Since most people don’t have enough cash lying around to buy a home outright, you’ll likely need to take this point into account if you’re getting ready to buy a house. If you invest in a homeowners’ insurance policy now, you can satisfy your lender’s requirement and speed up the process of buying your home. 

2. Loss Protection

Let’s say your home is hit by a natural disaster at some point. This could be a fire, a flood, a tornado, or even a lightning strike.

Mother Nature might decide to do some damage to your home, but homeowners’ insurance can help to offset that damage.

When your home is insured, it’s easier to cover the cost of the necessary repairs and replacements. Homeowners’ insurance also helps you repair your home if it’s vandalized.

No homeowner wants to think about something terrible happening to their house. You never know when things could go wrong, though, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

3. Protect Personal Belongings 

Homeowners’ insurance doesn’t just protect the house itself. It also protects your personal belongings, such as electronics, appliances, clothing, and furniture.

If someone were to break into your house and steal something of value, your homeowners’ insurance policy would help you cover the cost of the missing items so you could replace them. 

Keep in mind, too, that homeowners’ insurance protects your belongings even when they’re not in your house. For example, if you were traveling and someone stole your laptop or a piece of jewelry, you could still likely have it replaced under your insurance plan.

4. Liability Protection

Let’s say someone gets hurt on your property. Maybe a friend or family member is visiting and they trip and fall, for example. Depending on how litigious that visitor is, they might decide to file a lawsuit against you to help them cover the cost of their medical care following their injury.

If you don’t like the idea of being left defenseless should someone try to sue you, homeowners’ insurance is a must. It’ll help to cover the cost of thins like legal and medical fees, as well as lost wages for the injured person.

5. Access Temporary Housing

In the event that the damage your house undergoes is severe and prevents you from staying there during the repair process, you’re going to need access to temporary housing.

The idea of sleeping over at grandma’s house appeals to some homeowners, but it would also be nice to have a place of your own, wouldn’t it?

If you have homeowners’ insurance, it’ll be easier for you to find a place to stay while your house is repaired, and the insurance company will pay for it. They’ll also help to cover additional expenses, such as the cost of food or dry cleaning.

6. Protect Home Equity

Many people don’t realize that homeowners’ insurance also helps to protect their home equity.

If something happens to the home and you have to rebuild or repair it, you won’t have to worry about losing the equity you’ve accrued since purchasing it. You won’t be starting from square one when it comes to building up the value of your property

This can be a huge relief, especially if you’ve lived in your home for a long time when a disaster strikes.

7. Peace of Mind

Finally, homeowners’ insurance gives you peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing that, if something were to go wrong, you’d be able to rebuild without having to pay for all the repairs or replacements yourself.

Remember, buying a home is a big investment, and you should do whatever you can to protect it. That includes investing in a good homeowners’ insurance policy that provides you with all the coverage you need.

Tips for Choosing the Right Insurance Policy

As you can see, homeowners’ insurance is pretty important. It can also be pretty overwhelming, especially when you start looking around for the right insurance policy.

There’s a lot to keep as you compare and contrast different policies. These tips can help you sort through your options and find the best one:

• Learn the insurance company’s rating (the higher the score, the better they are at taking care of their customers and following up on claims)
• Consider the location of your home and how it affects insurance rates
• Look for discounts for things like extra security features or being a new homeowner
• Get quotes from several companies for easier comparison
• Make sure you understand the deductible before selecting a plan
• Get clear on what each plan does and doesn’t cover

The experts who sell State Farm home insurance also emphasize the importance of knowing your home’s history. This includes past insurance claims and past problems like flooding.

Having this information available will help you get the most accurate quote possible and ensure you don’t run into any unpleasant surprises later.

Do I Need Homeowners’ Insurance?

Homeowners’ insurance is well worth the cost and will give you peace of mind knowing you won’t be left in the lurch if something goes wrong.   

Now that you have a clear answer to the question “Do I need homeowners’ insurance” are you ready to get your home insured? Keep the tips listed above in mind so you know where to start when shopping for an insurance policy.

We have lots of other helpful resources on homeowners’ insurance available on our site, too. Check them out today to find the perfect policy for your needs. 

Replacing kitchen countertops isn’t cheap. On average, it costs about $3,000 to do it, and it could cost a whole lot more than that if you decide to go with exotic stone countertops.

But you shouldn’t let the price tag on kitchen countertops stop you from replacing them if it needs to be done. You could be doing a huge disservice to your kitchen as a whole if you allow countertops to overstay their welcome.

Here are eight reasons to consider replacing your kitchen countertops in 2020.

1. They Look Outdated

Has it been 25 years since the last time you went about replacing kitchen countertops in your home?

If so, there’s a good chance that your countertops look like they’re stuck in a different century. And that’s because they are!

Countertops that were manufactured back in the 1990s look very outdated next to the countertops that are manufactured today. You can update your kitchen in a big way when you take the time to shop countertops.

2. They’re Chipping and Cracking

Are your kitchen countertops falling apart right now? This is another pretty clear-cut sign that you need to do something about it.

The great thing about stone countertops is that they’re very durable and won’t chip or crack. But some older countertops will start to show signs of wear and tear. You should replace them with countertops that will stand the test of time.

3. They Have Stains That Won’t Come Out

Do you have stains in your kitchen countertops that won’t come out no matter which cleaning products you use? Those stains aren’t going to go anywhere anytime soon, which means it’s time to replace those countertops! This time, look for countertops that won’t stain as long as you take good care of them.

Most of the newer kitchen countertops on the market today are designed to look like new for many years to come. They’ll resist stains at all costs.

4. They Have Burn Marks on Them

You can put a very hot pot or pan on most new kitchen countertops without doing any damage to them. You won’t have to worry about leaving burn marks behind on them when you’re done.

But the same can’t be said for many older kitchen countertops. You might even have a few burn marks on your countertops right now that prove it.

The burn marks on your countertops look unsightly and, much like any other stains you might have on them, they’re impossible to get out. You should look around for heat-resistant countertops that won’t burn for your kitchen.

5. They’re Too Difficult to Keep Clean

Does it feel like you’re spending way too much time in your kitchen trying to get your countertops clean? This is a common problem that many people face when they have older countertops in their kitchens.

You should be able to keep your countertops clean with little more than soapy water and a rag. If you’re doing a whole lot more than that right now to clean your countertops, you’re doing too much.

Invest in new kitchen countertops that will be easier to clean and save yourself a ton of hassle.

6. They No Longer Fit the Design of a Kitchen

If you’ve updated other aspects of your kitchen, like your cabinets and your appliances, you might find that your countertops no longer fit your vision for what your kitchen should look like.

Your countertops play a big role when it comes to setting the tone for your kitchen. Don’t allow them to ruin the rest of your design by holding onto them for too long.

7. They’re Bringing Down the Value of the Whole House

Remodeling your kitchen is one of the best ways to bring up the value of your home. People love walking into a kitchen and seeing that it’s been updated with brand-new cabinets, flooring, and, of course, countertops.

By the same token, an old kitchen with ancient countertops can drag the value of a home way down. Your home might not be worth as much as many neighboring homes because of the old countertops that you have in it.

Change that by putting new countertops into place during a kitchen remodeling project. You’ll be amazed by what a great return on investment you’ll get when you upgrade everything in your kitchen space.

8. They Prevent You From Inviting People to Dinner

When is the last time you invited some of your family members and friends over for dinner? If it’s been a while now, think about why that is.

Maybe you’re too busy these days to host a dinner in your home. Or maybe you don’t love to cook for big crowds of people.

But maybe, just maybe, it’s your old kitchen countertops that are preventing you from extending an invitation to people for dinner. You might be so embarrassed by your countertops that you can’t stand the thought of letting other people see them.

If you think this might be the case, you should go through the process of replacing kitchen countertops as soon as you can. You’ll take so much more pride in your home when you have countertops that you want to show off to your family and friends.

Start the Process of Replacing Kitchen Countertops Today

Deciding whether or not replacing kitchen countertops is going to be on your agenda is a big decision. You should think long and hard about it before committing to doing it.

But as you’ve seen here, there are so many great reasons to consider replacing kitchen countertops. Your kitchen will look better when you have new countertops, and it’ll also be easier to clean.

Additionally, your home will be more valuable as soon as you get new countertops in place. It’s why it makes all the sense in the world to replace your current kitchen countertops with new ones.

Check out our blog to find out about some of the other home improvement projects you can take on to make your house look amazing! 

Is Toronto calling?

Maybe you’ve found a new job in the capital province of Ontario or you’ve been transferred there by your current employer. Or you’re an adventurous person who loves experiencing different cities.

Whatever your reason for moving to Toronto is, there’s new doubt the city has lots to offer. However, you shouldn’t move to a new city just for the sake of moving. There are lots of things to consider before moving to a new location.

In this article, we’re sharing some of the most important things to consider before moving to Toronto.

Housing Can Be Expensive

Housing is expensive in Toronto, but we are saying housing can be expensive because money isn’t a problem for everyone. If money is none of your cares, you can skip this. But if you’re anything like most people, you want to spend your dollars wisely.

The average rent for a 1 bedroom apart in the city can cost well over $2,000. The cost of living (without rent) for a single person is about $1,000. (Both amounts are in American dollars).

Clearly, you need a healthy bank account to afford a good living in Toronto. If your finances are unstable, then you might want to reconsider moving to this great city.

Neighborhoods Abound!

Toronto is a massive city, and with this massiveness comes lots of neighborhoods. In total, the city has 140 neighbors. So, when it comes to looking for a place to live, you’ll have plenty to choose from.

This is especially important if you’re looking to buy a single-family detached home instead of purchasing an apartment.

When choosing a neighborhood, it’s essential to consider factors such as the nature of the local real estate market, your job, security, and proximity to social amenities.

If you don’t fancy purchasing a house or apartment, you can also buy land and build your new home from scratch. There are plenty of competent construction service providers, such as Eavestroughing Toronto, which specializes in roofing installation and repair.

It’s Helps to Be Bi or Multi-Lingual

Although English is the predominant language in Toronto, the city is home to people of different nationalities. You’ll find people speaking Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese, Cantonese, and more.

As such, if you’re moving to Toronto, it will be a great help if you’re bilingual or multilingual. If you’re not, it won’t hurt to start taking foreign language classes.

For the record, about half of Toronto’s population was born outside Canada. So, if you’re a foreigner, you’ll feel right at home in Toronto.

LGBT-Friendly City

If you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, you shouldn’t have any fears about moving to Toronto. While other top cities in the world are yet to fully embrace this community, Toronto is miles ahead. It’s not only a top destination for LGBT travel, but also home to Canada’s largest gay community.

Consider These Things Before Moving to Toronto

Toronto a great city, no doubt. Anyone from any walk of life will ease into this city and feel at home in no more. However, be sure to make these important considerations before moving to Toronto.

All the best and keep reading our blog for more tips and insights.