Buying a Home

How-To Take Better Photos Of Your Home

If you’re photographing your home to prep it for sale, list it on a home rental website, or just for sentiment, it’s important to take the best photos possible. The following tips can help.

Camera matters. Skip the iPhone for this job. Rent or borrow a good digital camera, and make sure you have access to proper editing software to retouch the photos as needed.

Light it right. The more light, the more open and inviting your home will look. Schedule photos when the most natural light is available, open all window coverings, and turn on all interior lights as well.

Avoid the flash. Your camera’s flash can bounce off mirrors and windows and distort your image. Aim for lots of light instead.

Know your angles. Shoot from a corner or doorway to get as much of the room into your shot as possible. Whenever possible, shoot from an angle as opposed to straight on. And when shooting exteriors, try to avoid electrical wires, trash cans, parked cars and other unsightly additions.

Skip midday shoots. Photograph exteriors during morning or twilight hours which will offer the best lighting and minimize unsightly shadows.

Remodeling Projects for Your Rental Property

You finally moved into your new, rented home! You are so excited to put you own personal stamp on the home to truly make it yours when you realize, technically, it isn’t yours. What’s a renter to do? Here are a few guidelines – specifically for renters – that will allow you to add style and character to your home without breaking the lease. 

1. First of all, any remodeling project you embark on must be reversible. In other words, you must be able to restore the home to its original condition, should the landlord want it left in the exact condition as when you moved in. 

2. Any improvements you make should be relatively inexpensive; since you’re not the owner of the home, you won’t benefit from a return on your investment. 

3. Adding crown molding, ceiling medallions or wall trim offers a quick and affordable way to update the home’s style. However, these are often hard to remove should you need or want to take them with you when moving out. 

4. If you want to create more space in your rental home, consider lofted beds and dividers. Curtains offer a great, decorative way to add privacy, too. 

5. Changing out hardware is another great way to add your own personal touch to a home. Look for stylish doorknobs, cabinet knobs and pulls, and curtain rods and pull-backs. Be sure to save the original fixtures should they need to be restored when you move out. 

Above all else, make sure to stay in the confines of your lease and make sure all improvements are removable. 

Source: Yahoo! Real Estate

4 Tile Ideas for a Luxurious Bathroom Remodel

Everyone knows that updated bathrooms are key to fetching top dollar for your home. Even if you don’t plan on listing your house in the near future, it may be time to make some upgrades. If your bathrooms are feeling a little dated or worse for wear, here are several tile ideas to give them an elevated look.

Herringbone Marble Tile
For elegant bathroom floors, you can’t beat the combination of luxurious marble tiles arranged in a classic herringbone pattern. If you’re not the type who buys into trends, you can rest assured that this timeless design will look just as stylish twenty years from now as it does today.  

Patterned Encaustic Tile
Encaustic tiles have become increasingly popular in recent years and are an ideal choice for those who love vibrant patterns. Made from cement, the designs are inlaid into the tile and will last much longer than if they were painted on top. This trendy technique comes in a variety of styles, from geometric to exotic patterns, and can completely transform the feel of your bathroom.

Glass Mosaic Tile
If you want to make a splash in your bathroom, glass mosaic tiles are worth considering. They come in a stunning array of shimmering colors and are surprisingly durable. The best part is they can be a very eco-friendly option if you choose to go with recycled glass. These small, shiny tiles are usually either translucent or opaque, but no matter which one you opt for, you’re guaranteed to have a breathtaking bathroom.

Matte Black Subway Tile
If you’re going for a modern or minimalist style, then try using matte black subway tiles for a sleek design. You can get this low-luster look using stone, ceramic or even porcelain tiles. If you’re worried about it feeling too dark or cold, you can easily warm it up by introducing wood finishes and a few plants to bring your bathroom to life.

Don’t Clean These Items With Vinegar

The cleaning capabilities of vinegar are legendary among savvy homeowners, providing a chemical-free, inexpensive alternative for cleaning a wide array of household items and belongings. That said, there are certain things you should never clean with vinegar. Keep this handy list from Consumer Reports in mind before you damage a beloved item.

Your clothes iron. If you think that pouring vinegar into the water tank is a good way to clean your iron’s innards, don’t! The acidic nature of vinegar can eat away at the protective coating within the iron’s water chamber.

Stone countertops. Vinegar is such a handy cleaner in the kitchen, but not when it comes to your stone kitchen counters. The acid will ‘scar’ and dull natural stones such as marble and limestone, making them lose their shine. Vinegar can also break down the sealant on durable stones like granite. 

Electronic screens. While combining vinegar with water can leave your windows streak-free and squeaky clean, that’s not the case with the screens on your many devices, i.e., computers, mobile phones, tablets and televisions. Vinegar can damage a screen’s anti-glare properties and make touch screens less responsive.

Wood floors. Never use vinegar on your wood floors as it can dissolve the finish, leaving behind a cloudy, dull or scratched surface. Many flooring manufacturers will void a warranty if they discover you’ve used vinegar to clean the floor. 

Stainless steel. Many small appliances use a lower grade of stainless steel, which makes cleaning with vinegar a bad idea. The acid in the vinegar can quickly corrode and rust the metal finish.

8 Mistakes that Decrease Your Home’s Value

Keeping up your home’s curb appeal shows more than pride of ownership. It shows respect for your neighbors – and when or if you decide to sell, a well-maintained home means it will sell faster and likely for top dollar. Similarly, maintaining your home’s interior is likely to pay off in the end.

Real estate experts told House Beautiful Magazine these eight missteps could cost you in the long run:

Landscaping without thinking ahead – Trees planted too close to the house or driveway without much thought about how big they will get can cause major problems later – like roots causing breaks in the pavement or interfering with sewer or water lines.

Letting the entryway languish – Unkempt shrubbery around the front entry, or a door that needs updating, makes people wonder what else has been let go inside.

Choosing funky paint colors – Don’t choose an exterior paint color that is too far afield of neighboring homes. And stay away from contrasting trim colors that distract, instead of attract, the eye.

Neglecting the small stuff – Watch out for dirty windows, torn screens or broken light fixtures that show a distinct lack of care.

Hanging on to old appliances – Pay attention to the age and quality of your kitchen appliances. A stovetop too old and scratched to be cleaned properly is a turn-off. And appliances that aren’t energy-savers are costing too much money to run.

Skipping a deep clean – Details matter when it comes to home care. Look out for dirt in the window tracks, dirty grout in the tile or badly stained carpets.

Thinking too small – A small bathroom will seem smaller when tiled with small tiles rather than with larger ones. Peruse décor magazines for ideas that help to open your space.

Neglecting wood floors – Water and vinegar dulls them over time. If you can’t afford to refinish them, have them buffed every few years.

6 Surprising Fixes Using Hairspray

Hairspray is, of course, a beauty product for styling your hair. However, did you know that you could also use it as a DIY fix for some common problems? According to HomeAdvisor, here are six surprising ways to use hairspray at home:

Keep Curtains Dust-Free. Many homeowners claim that a little bit of hairspray goes a long way when it comes to keeping curtains and drapes clean. Simply spray new or newly cleaned drapes with hairspray, and it should help keep dust from sticking. Be sure to check with a window covering professional to make sure the hairspray won’t damage the fabric.

Remove Unwanted Pet Fur. If you notice pet fur sticking to your furniture and floors, try using hairspray to pick it up. Just spray the product on a dry rag or washcloth and wait a few seconds. Once the hairspray is close to dry, use the cloth to wipe fur off couches, carpet, clothes or any other surface. Don’t forget to spot-test this solution before applying it to a large area.

Thread Needles With Ease. Do you have trouble threading needles? Hairspray is an easy fix! Squirt just a bit of the spray on the end of the thread to stiffen up the string. It should also help keep the thread from fraying. Then, simply thread the needle as normal and get to sewing.

Keep Tights From Running. If you find a run in your tights or pantyhose, don’t panic. A little hairspray will stop the progression of the tear. Just spray the area around the run, and it should keep things from getting worse. Plus, you can use hairspray as a preventative measure. Apply the product to your hosiery immediately after purchase to make it run-resistant.

Remove Ink Stains. Although calling a professional or using actual cleaning supplies will probably work better, hairspray can remove ink stains from fabric in a pinch. Many DIYers swear that using an alcohol-based spray can lift pen ink from clothes and upholstery. Just spray the affected area and then wipe away the stain with a damp cloth.

Get Rid of Residue. Sometimes, stickers and labels can leave behind a gunky residue. Hairspray can get rid of it. Just squirt the spray on the sticky area and then rub the residue off with your fingers. Wash it off with soap and water afterward to leave a sparkling surface.