Cheap Home Improvement Tips From Realtors

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alfred_Ardis]Alfred Ardis

When it's time to sell your home, it's natural to start thinking about what repairs and renovations could be done to make it a more desirable space. Most people associate home improvement projects with gigantic budgets. The average bathroom remodel costs over $16,000. Replacing your windows could run you around $8,000, and kitchen renovations typically run three times that amount! Even though many projects do cost a lot of money, most realtors would tell you that smaller projects can add tons of curb appeal. If you want to make your living space more desirable to buyers for a manageable price tag, keep reading for some simple-yet-affordable enhancements that can make your house special.

Upgrade Your Lighting

Modern lighting can make an older room feel larger and warmer. Switch out old-fashioned features and replace them with new energy-efficient models. You can often get new fixtures for a pretty low price online, with updated finishes like copper or bronze. Chandeliers can also change the look and feel of a room, so look into those as well. Changing fixtures can start at only $20, but if you feel you'll need to hire an electrician, make sure to budget more.

Rethink Your Entrance

This is one of the best ways to improve the look of your home from the street. Replace the front door with a new, solid model with contemporary locks or fittings. For an inexpensive alternative, you can just change the paint color! If your door is in good condition, you can update your entryway by adding some potted plants, new exterior lights, house numbers, or a new rug. A front door can run up to $1,000, but it will really change the look of your house.

Prioritize Cleaning

Most realtors, and probably your mother, will tell you that you would be amazed at how much of a difference a great cleaning can make. Not only will living in your house be more pleasant, but a thorough cleaning can also make it look newer and larger. Professional carpet cleaners, for example, can make it look as if you've had a whole new carpet installed. Pressure washers can clean moss and mold off of driveways and the sides of your home, making them look brand new.

Modernize the Bathroom

Although this may seem like a large home renovation, it doesn't have to be scary. Since bathrooms are usually pretty small, $1,000 can go a long way. You can replace the sink and toilet and pay a plumber to install them for less than $1,000. You can also bring new life into the space by simply painting the walls or installing a nice mirror.

Don't hesitate to start sprucing up your house just because you can't afford a giant home improvement project. Tiny touches, new fixtures, and a good cleaning can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your home. A few simple steps, and you'll have realtors calling you all day to let you know about new offers on your home!

When looking for realtors in Springfield, IL, residents visit [http://www.melissaslistings.com/aboutus.php]http://www.melissaslistings.com/aboutus.php.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Cheap-Home-Improvement-Tips-From-Realtors&id=9086137] Cheap Home Improvement Tips From Realtors

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Decor for Bedrooms: Find Your Perfect Design

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke]Anne Clarke

Some people like to design their bedrooms specifically to fit the season.  Winter colors are very popular in the winter, autumn colors make beautiful bedroom décor, springtime colors can certainly brighten up your bedroom, and summertime colors can also add a beautiful touch to your bedroom décor.

If you cannot afford to or simply do not want to have two to four bedroom sets of different colors to fit the seasons, you can still have wonderful bedroom décor.  When you stick with one bedspread, set of curtains, window seat covers etc. just be sure to choose wisely.  Neutral colors are my first suggestion.  Using colors such as blacks, browns, beiges, off-whites and whites can all be used as a sort of universal bedroom décor.

However, if you do not want to have two to four bedroom sets in your home to change the colors in your bedroom as the seasons change outside, you may very well prefer to pick the colors you like best.  That is the next best thing.  If you prefer burgundy, and you already have a wooden bedroom set that is stained a burgundy color, you can just go with that theme or motif for the rest of your bedroom design.  It is very important to keep in mind that your bedroom décor will not reflect your personal taste unless you do not let anything get in the way of your personal style when you decorate.  Your bedroom décor will not reflect your decorative ideas unless it is something you enjoy, no matter if it is snowing outside or swimming pool weather.  

Bedroom sets:

Many bedroom sets come in four and up to eight pieces, which include items like nightstands, bed frames, dressers, vanities, armoires etc. Your bedroom set is the base of your bedroom décor, because it will often accentuate the rest of the design.

Curtains: 

The curtains in your bedroom will play an essential part in the overall look of the room itself.  There are many kinds of curtains to choose from when choosing your bedroom décor.  Some styles of bedroom décor are more subtle, with a plain color or simple design and versatile enough to last year round.  Other kinds of curtains for the bedroom bring out an especially elegant touch to the room.  These are curtains such as silks, velvets etc., the velvet often bearing some sort of design and or texture.

Bedspreads:

Of course the bedspread is one of the most essential parts of bedroom décor. The bedspread, pillows and sheets that you use can add a beautiful or stylish touch to your bedroom.  Therefore you should be sure to choose the very best bedspread for your personal taste, especially if you will be using a long lasting bedspread year-round.


Some people come halfway in the case of seasonal bedroom décor when it comes to their bedspreads and throw pillows.  Although they change no other part of the room, they will have two different bedspreads and bedspread accessories to change the bedroom décor slightly as the weather changes.  This may be a practical move, too if you choose to use a heavier, warmer bedspread in the wintertime and change over to a lighter bedspread when the seasons change and the nights seem to be getting warmer, making it less comfortable to sleep.    

Carpeting:

The carpet you choose for your bedroom is also a very important part of the overall look of your bedroom décor.  If you change your bedroom décor often, you will prefer a more neutral color carpet.  Always try to buy stain resistant carpeting for your bedroom and any other room of the house, especially if you choose a light colored carpet.

Throw Rugs:

Another good idea for bedroom décor is to have a throw rug. Throw rugs can be great bedroom décor because they can protect certain parts of the carpet not covered by the bed.  However, throw rugs can also add a beautiful, even luxurious touch to your bedroom.  Fine oriental rugs and more expensive designer throw rugs are very popular among those wealthier persons who really take their bedroom décor very seriously.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on home decor  visit Bedroom Decor [http://www.homedecor.com].

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Decor-for-Bedrooms:-Find-Your-Perfect-Design&id=193968] Decor for Bedrooms: Find Your Perfect Design

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Four Ways That A Residential Contractor Can Help Hurricane-Proof Your Home

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton]Andrew Stratton 

If you live in or near any coastal area, then you know that hurricanes are a viable summertime threat. Many precautions have been made to guarantee that future disasters do not cause as much damage as past storms like Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. However, you can also do your part by hurricane-proofing your home or hiring a residential contractor to do it for you. Here are four ways to ensure that your home will be safe in the event of a hurricane.

1. Building Codes

If you are already renovating your house or putting on a new addition, you can also take the opportunity to retrofit your dwelling to meet appropriate building codes. Building codes are local or state laws that require your home to meet particular standards for your own safety. Many of these codes reflect the lessons that have been learned by residential contractor firms from past disasters.

Many areas have building codes that require you to build a continuous load path in your home. This is a method of construction that uses a system made from metal connectors, fasteners, wood, and shear walls to connect the structural frame of your home like a chain from the roof to the foundation. The method is extremely effective at holding a house together when high winds roll in. 

Unfortunately, some parts of the country don't always enforce building codes, and homes that have been built prior to 1985 did not require the continuous load path design.

2. Hurricane Clips

If you want to incorporate a proactive method for securing your entire roof, you should consider hurricane clips. Hurricane clips, otherwise known as hurricane strips or hurricane ties, are installed by a residential contractor to provide a sturdy connection between the roof rafters and the exterior walls of the structure for effective wind resistance.

Many homes in coastal areas have hurricane strips already built in, but they can be difficult to see in your attic because they are usually covered by the insulation. If you already have them installed, you will see them fastened to the tops of exterior walls. If they are "toe-nailing" the rafters outside, they may not be strong enough to sustain the high winds of a hurricane and will need to be re-installed.

3. Window Clips 

Window clips are used in conjunction with pre-cut plywood to close windows off from the home in the event of high wind. They are a favorable alternative to boarding windows because they do not damage walls. 

4. Bolster Your Garage Door

Due to the width of double-wide garage doors, they are extremely susceptible to damage from the strong winds of a hurricane. If you don't have a tested hurricane-resistant door, the wind can force it off its roller track. It is especially vulnerable if the anchor bolts have loosened or the track is lightweight.

A quick way to strengthen the garage door is to reinforce its weakest points. A residential contractor can install horizontal or vertical bracing onto each panel and use light gauge metal or wood bolted to the door. 

If you take these simple precautions, your home should be a safer place in the event of a hurricane or high-wind storm. Just remember: even though these tips may be able to save your home, they cannot guarantee your personal safety.

To learn more about their options for a residential contractor, Sacramento residents should visit [http://www.alcalhome.com/]http://www.alcalhome.com/.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Four-Ways-That-A-Residential-Contractor-Can-Help-Hurricane-Proof-Your-Home&id=9089119] Four Ways That A Residential Contractor Can Help Hurricane-Proof Your Home

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Better Bathroom Remodeling on a Budget

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ace_Abbey]Ace Abbey 

Did you know that you spend between 20 and 60 minutes in your bathroom every day? Make sure you're spending that time in a space that you like by creating an area that reflects your lifestyle and decorating aesthetic. Especially in older homes, bathroom remodeling projects can seem overwhelming and expensive. Fortunately, you can make these spaces nicer and more modern with a just a few thrifty improvements and a little bit of creativity. Read on for some tips on how to accomplish an amazing transformation on a small budget. 

Start Cleaning

If you don't have any money to spend on bathroom remodeling, you can still make a huge difference in the space simply by doing a deep, thorough cleaning. Start by dusting fans and ceilings. You'll be surprised how gross the ceiling can get. Vigorously wipe down the walls and shower stalls and scrub all the surfaces, really getting into the cracks and crevices. Dust all doors, doorframes, and cabinetry. Take apart light fixtures and clean out the globes.

Freshen Up Grout

You can freshen up your bathroom's look by cleaning the grunge off of grout lines. Scrub at the grout with mild bleach and an old toothbrush. You can then coat the grout with a commercial sealer. If your grout's permanently stained or damaged, you might have to remove it and start fresh, but many times a good cleaning is enough.

Update Your Toilet and Showerhead

You probably wouldn't think it, but a new toilet seat can instantly refresh your bathroom. They're relatively simple to replace, and you can make your selection based on both design and comfort. You can also replace your showerhead to add a spa-like feel to the space. New budget-friendly options include heads with pulsating sprays, rainfall-style heads, and adjustable heads. 

Create Space

You can get rid of clutter and encourage your kids to get their dirty towels off the floor simply by installing towel bars and hooks. You can add these to walls, window frames, the backs of doors, and the interiors and sides of cabinets. You can use these bars and hooks to hold more than just towels; they're great for hanging clothes, laundry bags, and pouches of bath supplies.

Replace Lighting and Vanities

Updating your light fixtures can make a huge difference in your space. New fixtures can add needed lighting for doing your makeup or getting ready and make the space look new again. Changing fixtures is an easy fix and is relatively inexpensive. You can take this a step further and install a new vanity. This may seem difficult, but it really isn't all that hard. Many hardware stores carry all-in-one vanity units that include durable countertops, coordinating faucets, and a storage cabinet. 

Utilize Color

If you're really not into deep cleaning or minor renovations, just add in some color! Paint your walls a fun new shade and get coordinating hand towels, shower curtains, and rugs. The space will seem bright and fun, and you'll be proud to show it off to guests.

Bathroom remodeling doesn't have to be a tedious, miserable task. By following a few of these simple suggestions, you'll be able to turn your bathroom into a room that you really enjoy spending time in.

To learn more about their options for bathroom remodeling, Anchorage residents should visit [http://www.qualityrestorationsllc.net/]http://www.qualityrestorationsllc.net/.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Better-Bathroom-Remodeling-on-a-Budget&id=9096772] Better Bathroom Remodeling on a Budget

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Outdoor Garden Decor - Embrace The Challenges It Presents

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jason_Bell]Jason Bell 

Options to decorate

There are multiple things one can look at when deciding on how to decorate a garden. Outdoor garden decor can be done using different combinations of garden furniture or patio furniture, fountains or bird baths, garden art or statues and gazebos, canopies or pergolas. Other features that may be installed to enhance the attractiveness of a garden may include outdoor lighting, grills, pots and plants. Garden bridges may also be added just to add a different style to a garden. Moreover, artifacts such as bird houses, fences and its different decorations, special pathways and borders and garden stones may also be added in order to add an extravagant look to the garden.

A decorated lawn provides the comfort of relaxing on a cool breezy evening on some comfortable lawn furniture under the shade of colorful umbrellas. Moreover, different plants and multi-colored flowers will further add to the soothing and calm mood. 

Smart decorating tips

Furniture: Add a wicker sofa, freestanding umbrella, a fire pit and a dining table (if there is enough space) to create an intimate gathering space. Be careful to not overcrowd your garden with furniture only so as to help create a great ambience for the people utilizing the space. When arranging the furniture, fix a focal point and then point your furniture towards it. Also, make sure to use weather-resistant furniture, which is covered from the sun.

Color Palette: To give your garden a fresh outlook, it is extremely important to keep your outdoor garden decor in a monochromatic tone. Adding a large variety of colors may become overwhelming, but using all the dull shades may not help the look of your garden. You can bring some amount of color by adding colorful plush pillows or festive glass lanterns.

Walls and Fences: It is always a great idea to convert your walls to living green walls or you could add hanging planters like the cone shaped rattan wall planter to your walls. Hanging baskets can be used to grow everything from delicate ferns to strawberries. You can use fences to enclose an area within the garden; it can add a sense of privacy to your backyard.

The above-mentioned outdoor decorating ideas can help you achieve that wonderful and unique garden decor that you've been looking for and at the same time it will be easy to keep up and will be an inviting and welcoming place to call your own.

You don't have to limit yourself to decorating the inside of your home. Your patio, lawn and garden decor are extensions of your home, and allows you unique opportunities to express yourself and your sense of style.

If you found this article interesting and would like to look at some amazing outdoor garden decor, please visit [http://www.4thandblair.com]http://www.4thandblair.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Outdoor-Garden-Decor---Embrace-The-Challenges-It-Presents&id=9083569] Outdoor Garden Decor - Embrace The Challenges It Presents

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