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Home decor upgrades: Creative ways to DIY with paint

If you’re searching for ways to upgrade existing furniture and decor, DIYs with paint might be perfect for your next project. A little paint can go a long way, whether it’s on walls, cabinets, furniture or decorative accessories.

DIY paint projects for your walls

Painting your walls might seem like an enormous undertaking, but the reward is well worth the time and effort. A new coat of paint can transform an entire room without making any other major changes.

However, for a smaller scale project, consider painting an accent wall in your room of choice.

You can create bold geometric shapes and patterns using painter’s tape to mimic the appearance of wallpaper. Try a colorful honeycomb motif in your bathroom, or a more subtle herringbone in the bedroom using neutral tones.

Another great idea for DIY projects with paint is to paint the inside walls of your closets. A quick coat of white or another light shade will instantly make your closet seem bigger and brighter.

DIY ideas with spray paint

Spray paint offers a wealth of possibilities for DIY projects, especially when it comes to upgrading existing pieces. The key is to choose the right type of paint primer for the material you plan to refurbish.

Do you have old metal filing cabinets taking up space in your home office? Try spray-painting them in a bold hue to turn them into statement pieces.

For decorative pieces, don’t forget you can spray paint glass or ceramics. Turn unused mason jars into decorative containers with your choice of spray paint in a high gloss finish. Try transforming an old glass vase or pitcher into charming farmhouse style accent pieces.

Are you ready to grab a paint brush, roller or spray can? With painting projects, you can upgrade your existing pieces and create design statements with bold like-new decor. Keep these ideas in mind the next time you need ideas for DIY paint projects.

Navigate the Homebuying Journey Like a Pro

The homebuying journey may seem long, complicated and time-consuming at first. Fortunately, there are lots of things a property buyer can do to streamline the process of finding his or her dream residence.

Now, let’s take a look at three tips to help a homebuyer navigate the property buying journey like a pro.

1. Narrow Your Home Search

If you know you want to buy a home, you should take the next step forward in your quest to find your dream residence by narrowing your property search. That way, you can hone your search to properties that meet specific criteria and are located in your preferred cities and towns.

Oftentimes, it helps to envision what your dream home looks like and what features it offers. You may want to consider where your dream house is located as well. By examining these factors, you should have no trouble crafting homebuying criteria that you can use to narrow your property search.

2. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

A mortgage generally is a must-have for homebuyers. Lucky for you, there is no shortage of banks and credit unions willing to provide mortgages to homebuyers across the United States. And if you meet with these financial institutions, you can get pre-approved for a mortgage and enter the housing market with a budget in hand.

Typically, it is beneficial for a homebuyer to pursue as many mortgage options as possible. This approach allows a homebuyer to search for the lowest interest rates and find a mortgage that complements his or her finances perfectly. Plus, if a homebuyer makes an informed mortgage decision, he or she may reap the benefits of this choice for years to come.

3. Collaborate with a Real Estate Agent

Even an expert homebuyer may need help as he or she navigates the property buying journey. By hiring a real estate agent, you can receive comprehensive assistance as you search for your ideal residence.

A real estate agent understands what it takes to find a great house at a budget-friendly price. He or she also is happy to share homebuying recommendations and suggestions with you to ensure you can seamlessly navigate the property buying journey.

In addition, a real estate agent will assist you at all stages of the homebuying process. He or she first will help you craft a homebuying strategy. Next, a real estate agent will keep you up to date about houses that become available and meet your homebuying criteria. A real estate agent then will set up home showings and attend open house events with you. And once you discover your dream residence, a real estate agent will help you submit a competitive offer to purchase this home.

As you get set to kick off the homebuying journey, it helps to prepare as much as you can. Thanks to the aforementioned tips, you can plan ahead for the homebuying journey. As a result, you can navigate the property buying journey like a pro.

Plants: 5 Common Houseplants to Avoid with Cats

Your new home may feel more cozy with the addition of pets and houseplants. However, some combinations of the two simply don’t mix. Avoid these five common houseplants if your home has four-legged family members.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is good for soothing dry, irritated skin, chapped lips and minor burns. Many homeowners keep an aloe plant on hand for just these emergencies. However, if you have a furry family member, you might not want to bring home this tropical succulent. Aloe is toxic to some pets. As a result, if your cat or dog ingests it, they could suffer vomiting, diarrhea and listlessness.

Safer Alternative: Haworthia

Identifiers: Deep green spines with white “stripes”

2. Pothos Plant

Pothos is a pretty houseplant that grows well in low light and is deceptively easy to care for. However, if your cat eats a leaf, they’ll likely suffer oral burns and swelling, complicated by vomiting. So while this bloom is beautiful, remember it can also be deadly for your furry friend.

Safer Alternative: Spider Plant

Identifiers: Long, thin leaves with a lighter green tint

3. Begonia

Begonias are beautiful, there’s no argument, and they grow inside or out. They’ll even winter over under the right conditions. However, begonias are highly toxic to cats. This means if your cat gets too curious, they may end up with a severe burning sensation in their mouth, lips and gums. They may also suffer excessive drooling and trouble swallowing.

Safer Alternative: African Violets

Identifiers: Deep green, fuzzy leaves and rich violet or purple flowers

4. Jade Plants

Jade plants are common houseplants. Their waxy, green leaves grow quickly, making this a popular choice for homeowners with green thumbs. However, if your cat takes a bite, they can suffer the symptoms of depression, ataxia and slowed heart rate. Vomiting is another serious symptom that may arise if your cat or kitten comes into contact with Jade plants.

Safer Alternative: Christmas Cactus

Identifiers: Brilliant hues of green with supple red flowers

5. Mistletoe

While you may not grow mistletoe in a pot on your windowsill, many homeowners still bring clippings inside over the holiday. Whether used to decorate the mantel or hung over the doorway out of tradition, mistletoe can make your cat or dog feel anything but merry. This plant can cause cardiovascular collapse, erratic behavior and dangerous dips in blood pressure.

Safer Alternative: Christmas Cactus (A clear fan-favorite)

Identifiers: Brilliant hues of green with supple red flowers

While this may be a long and somewhat frightening list, there are alternatives. Most nurseries or other plant supply stores will be able to give you excellent and safe alternatives for your home.

Highly Ranked Places to Live in California

If you’ve been searching for a desirable place to live in California, there’s good news and bad news:

There are a lot of worthwhile options to choose from!

That’s not exactly “bad news,” unless you have difficulty narrowing down choices and picking the best one! Actually, a lot of the research and analysis has already been done for you by websites such as Livability.

The California communities on its list of “Top 100 Best Small Towns,” for example, include a handful of top-notch possibilities: Sebastopol (#9), Los Alamitos (#12), Arcata (#14), Emeryville (#34), and Pacific Grove (#39). If you like the idea of small-town living without having to sacrifice features like superior health care and an abundance of nice shopping locations, then those five small California towns might very well meet your requirements. They reportedly offer amenities and services that are usually associated with more densely populated areas.

Speaking of larger centers of population, quite a few medium-sized California cities also have been ranked as highly desirable places to live. In its 2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live list, the cities (of under 350,000) which scored well in the rankings included Palo Alto (#7), Pleasanton (#17), Walnut Creek (#34), San Mateo (#41), Roseville (#48), San Luis Obispo (#50), Santa Cruz (#56), Irvine (#59), San Rafael (#64), Camarillo (#66), Santa Rosa (#79), Santa Barbara (#82), and Berkeley (#86).

It’s no surprise that the city of Palo Alto made the top ten portion of the list, due to its proximity to Stanford University, the many high-tech employment opportunities available at Internet companies headquartered there, and the abundance of parks, quality healthcare services, high-end shopping outlets, and appealing historic neighborhoods.

Pleasanton was the next highest-ranked California city on the list. Its prominent ranking was due to the quality of its school system (top 10 in the state), its more than 220 diverse restaurants, and the historic nature of its downtown shopping area. In addition to being home to a number of high-tech industries, itself, the community also features 1,200 acres of parks, hiking trails, and other open spaces for residents to enjoy.

Walnut Creek is another well-regarded community known for its highly rated school system, shopping, and restaurants. The medium-sized city is a short drive from the Pacific Ocean, nearby mountains, and public parks. It has a robust economy bolstered by a thriving healthcare and biotechnology industry.

Several of the small- to-medium-sized California cities on these lists offers proximity to bustling metropolitan centers like San Francisco — except without the aspects of urban living that some people prefer to avoid. While all homebuyers have different criteria when it comes to housing, budgetary ranges, and preferred amenities, there are literally dozens of California communities that are sure to meet the expectations of discerning West Coast house hunters!

Biggest Myths About Buying a House

As you prepare to embark on the homebuying process, you may encounter a variety of homebuying myths. And if you believe these myths, the risk increases that you may be forced to deal with many problems along the homebuying journey.

Now, let’s take a look at three common homebuying myths, along with the problems associated with these myths.

1. Buying a house is a quick, stress-free process.

The homebuying process may prove to be long and arduous, particularly for a first-time homebuyer. Fortunately, real estate agents are available to help you simplify the process of acquiring a top-notch residence at a budget-friendly price.

A real estate agent understands the challenges associated with buying a house. As such, he or she can help you identify and address these problems before they escalate.

Typically, a real estate agent will learn about what you want to find in your dream house and help you plan accordingly. With this approach, a real estate agent will ensure that you can enjoy a fast, worry-free homebuying experience.

2. Getting a mortgage won’t take long at all.

There are many factors that will dictate your ability to acquire a mortgage that matches or exceeds your expectations. For instance, your credit score, income and outstanding debt will impact a lender’s decision to provide you with a mortgage. And if you have experienced financial problems in the past, they may impact your ability to acquire a mortgage today.

It generally helps to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you enter the housing market. Because if you have a mortgage in hand, you can narrow your house search.

Also, it may be beneficial to shop around for a mortgage from several banks and credit unions. If you explore all of the mortgage options at your disposal, you can select a mortgage that suits your finances perfectly.

3. The first home that you see in-person likely will be the house that you’ll end up purchasing.

The homebuying process offers no guarantees. And if you expect to buy the first home that you view in-person, you ultimately may be disappointed with the final results of your home search.

Oftentimes, it is a great idea to check out a wide range of houses. By conducting an in-depth home search, you can select a house that fulfills all of your homebuying demands.

As you search for a home, you may want to work with a real estate agent too. This housing market professional can set up home showings and keep you up to date about open house events.

Furthermore, a real estate agent is happy to provide homebuying recommendations and suggestions. He or she will do whatever it takes to help you find a terrific residence, as well as negotiate with a seller’s agent on your behalf to ensure you won’t have to pay too much to acquire your ideal house.

The aforementioned myths can be harmful to any homebuyer, at any time. If you hire a real estate agent, however, you can learn the ins and outs of the housing market and avoid potential hurdles throughout the homebuying journey.

How To Add Value To Your California Home With Landscaping

If you’re getting ready to sell your California home, you may wonder what the return on your investment will be for specific projects. One of these potential projects is that of landscaping. Will you get more money for the sale of your home? How much more will you get if you make these outdoor improvements? Everyone knows that it’s a general rule that curb appeal adds value to your home in many different ways.

First, buyers will feel more welcome if they see a home that appears inviting from the outside in. Elaborate landscaping excludes buyers who are solely focused on buying a fixer-upper.

It’s suggested that you invest about 10 percent of your home’s value in landscaping. That’s a significant investment. We’re talking about $20,000 on a $200,000 home. That’s not an easy decision to make. There are some simple things you can do if you don’t have the money to invest in landscaping.

Add color with seasonal flowers and shrubs

Add mulch

Add edging

Do an excellent job of weeding the yard

Give the lawn extra TLC

Even something as simple as a deep clean of your yard can make a big difference. The costs of these jobs range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. The main concern is making your home look good from the curbside.

These little changes can make a significant impact on the appearance of the home. The return on your investment can really vary. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact number as to how much return you’ll actually get for spending time and money landscaping your home. The only sure thing is that it will be worth it. Not only will your California home sell for more, but it will also be more attractive to buyers that are out there.

The Negative Side

A good landscaping job does deter buyers who don’t want a high maintenance property. Too many shrubs to trim or too much grass to mow is definitely a deterrent to these buyers. The bottom line here is that the more extensive the landscaping job you do before selling your home, the bigger the risk you’re taking.

Focus On Simple Things

The best thing you can do to landscape your yard before you sell is to focus on simple things in the yard including:

Weeding

Keep it free from chemicals

Add potted plants

Keep the lawn looking trim and watered

Mulch the yard

Remember that inside and out, a positive first impression of your California home is critical to the sale.

New Construction: Green Features to Improve Your New Build

Photo by Maria Orlova from Pexels

With a greater focus on energy efficiency in recent years, new construction has been using green features. These features are designed to reduce negative impacts on the environment and help homeowners reduce their energy usage. If you’re planning to have a green home built, the following are some of the more common energy-efficient features available. Having these features installed in your new home can significantly lower the amount of energy you use and the amount you spend on your utility bills.

Eco-Friendly Windows

Newer windows typically have one or more energy-efficient features that help homes stay warmer in winter and colder in summer. This helps cut back on the energy used for cooling and heating homes. Low-emittance, or low-E, windows are made to reflect more of the sun’s UV rays, which helps keep homes feeling cooler during summer while still letting in plenty of natural light. Vinyl frames with insulation and fiberglass frames provide high amounts of resistance to heat flow, which also helps reduce energy usage. Other eco-friendly features to consider for windows include gas fills and double or triple glazing.

Energy-Efficient Appliances and Plumbing Fixtures

Stoves, washers, dryers and other major appliances typically use up a lot of energy if they’re older models. Green new construction homes usually come with Energy Star appliances, which helps improve energy efficiency. These appliances require less electricity, resulting in lower energy bills. Green new construction homes also tend to have plumbing fixtures with energy-efficient features, such as high-efficiency toilets and low-flow showerheads and faucets. These fixtures use less water overall and can significantly lower the amount of water your household uses on a regular basis.

Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

HVAC systems are one of the biggest sources of energy usage in homes. New eco-friendly homes often have an HVAC system that is designed to use lower amounts of energy overall, such as a heat pump or geothermal system. These HVAC systems also use cleaner sources of energy compared to gas furnaces and other heating and cooling systems that require fossil fuels. Green homes also usually have a programmable thermostat rather than a manual one. Programmable thermostats provide an easier way to keep homes cooler or warmer as needed without using as much energy.

Eco-Friendly Lighting

Green new construction homes are much more efficient when it comes to lighting compared to older homes. These homes often have compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs that use up higher amounts of energy. These energy-efficient bulbs provide a lot of light without using up as much energy, and they last longer. Green homes also tend to have design features that allow as much sunlight in as possible, such as skylights or oversized windows. Increasing natural light helps cut down on the amount of lighting used during the day.

Cool Roof

Cool roofs refer to roofing that is designed to reflect more of the sun’s rays. These roofs, which are often made of metal and light in color, can help keep homes much cooler inside when it’s hot out. This leads to a lower need to run the air conditioning or have ceiling fans on. Having this kind of roof can help you lower your energy bills, especially during summer.

Alternative Funding: Crowdfunding for Down-Payments

Photo by Tumisu via Pixabay

In an age where collaboration is on the rise, it’s not surprising that some are looking to find an alternative source of funding for their home or business purchase. Crowdfunding has been a successful way to fund various projects and business propositions, but it seems that some have found a way to make it work when purchasing property. The only question is, where’s the catch?

Banking Institutions & Lenders

It’s no secret that crowdfunding may cut into the banking industry’s bottom line. And yet, some people are highly successful when it comes to utilizing it to secure their properties. How do they do it? Diligence and strategy.

Each donation by patron, if the funds are to be used immediately, is considered a gift. These gifts require letters stating that the funds don’t have to be paid back and are, indeed, a gift.

If you only have a few people donating to your crowdfunding campaign, that should be apiece of cake. However, if you have multiple donors, you might want to start checking them off one-by-one as they give until you’ve secured letters from all of those willing to send them to you.

If you run into anyone who isn’t willing to write the letter, is unresponsive, or you simply have time to wait on your purchase, you can put the funds from your crowdfunding adventure into a different account, and leave them alone. After a few months, the funds will have aged and may no longer need a letter.

The success rate is still iffy on securing funding through crowdfunding sources, however. The biggest hurdle is whether your lender will approve this unconventional method of down-payment.

The Patrons

Most crowdfunding requests usually has a story or mission attached to them. Some ask for the money to help their parents out of the rent cycle because they’re retiring, while others might be looking to open a new type of coffee shop and need a little extra to get things up and running. No matter the reason, you’re selling your story, but will folks buy it?

If you choose to go the crowdfunding route, you have to remember that the people funding you need a reason to fund you. You’ll have to give them the perfect story and reasoning or you’re going to end up flat and without funding. Some find this task incredibly daunting, while others are silver-tongued pros. Either way you slice it, crowdfunding is about marketing and storytelling.

If you decide to go the crowdfunding route, be sure to do ample research, line your ducks up and ensure that you’re ready for the journey. If it seems like it’s a little too much but you still want to find an alternative method of funding, chat with your real estate agent. There’s a plethora of options available, and we’d love to help you find the right one.

Conditions, Covenants & Restrictions of Local HOA Can Limit Green Improvements

Photo by Maria Godfrida via Pixabay

For a homeowner who wants to make green improvements and renovations to their personal property, the Conditions, Covenants & Restrictions, or CC&Rs, of the local homeowner association can pose problems that cost time, money and freedom of choice. This is especially true for homeowners who wish to make structural or aesthetic changes to existing homes. Here are only a few of the battles you might face when the local HOA discovers your plans for going green in a traditional or historic neighborhood.

Your Planned Solar Panels Aren’t Warming Anyone’s Hearts

While some HOAs may interfere with your choice of color of solar panels, others may not permit them at all. It’s an aesthetic dilemma. Allowing solar panels on one home differentiates it from the others. In a community that’s built upon history or tradition, individuality is rarely a good thing. If you’re thinking of adding solar panels to a home that’s governed by an HOA, you may be forced to buy certain-colored panels, or you may be banned from adding them at all. Consider this before buying a home, if you plan to make green upgrades in an area that features a homeowner association.

Your Energy Efficient Windows Are Getting a Cold Reception

Windows that feature double-paned glass or visible solar tints may get you in hot water with your HOA. Changing out historic windows and doors for more energy-efficient versions should be advantageous, right? Not if doing so sets your home apart from your neighbors or your condo unit apart from the rest of the building. If you want those new, modern windows that lower the cost of your energy bill over time, and you live in a home regulated by an HOA, prepare to fight for your right for window replacement.

Your New Cool Metal Roof Is Being Hotly Debated

Cool metal roofing is all the rage for homeowners who live in dramatic climates. Cooler in summer and warmer in winter, they’d be a big improvement over those old cedar shakes your home is currently rocking. But you’ll probably never experience the convenience of cool metal if you live in an historic area where cedar shakes abound. While your HOA can’t prevent you from repairing or replacing a failing roof, they can legally limit the materials you use to do it.

While homeowner associations do a lot for the communities they serve, they can cause consternation to those homeowners who place value on energy efficiency above historic appeal. If you’re planning to buy or renovate a home that’s regulated by the CC&Rs of the local HOA, make sure you completely understand the limitations they impose before you buy. Once in, you’re bound by the rules you agreed to follow, even if it means sacrificing energy efficiency in lieu of tradition.

Items to Buy Before Moving Day Arrives

If you recently bought or sold your home, moving day may be rapidly approaching. Fortunately, you still have time to pick up must-have supplies so you can get ready for moving day.

Now, let’s take a look at three items that you should purchase prior to your upcoming move.

1. Moving Boxes

In all likelihood, you have a wide range of personal belongings that you need to pack. If you have lots of moving boxes at your disposal, you should have no trouble securing your personal belongings so you can transport them to your new address.

Home improvement and moving equipment companies often sell moving boxes in many sizes. You also may want to consider visiting a local grocery or convenience store to find moving boxes; in some instances, a grocery or convenience store may be willing to provide you with its empty food and beverage boxes free of charge.

2. Packing Supplies

In addition to moving boxes, you’ll need supplies to ensure that you can pack your personal belongings safely. With packing supplies in hand, you can guarantee that your personal belongings are protected as they go from Point A to Point B.

Must-have packing supplies include bubble wrap, packaging tape, markers and labels. If you pick up these supplies today, you can move one step closer to finalizing your moving day preparations.

3. Snacks and Beverages

Oftentimes, moving day can be hectic, even for those who allocate significant time and resources to prepare for the big day. As such, it sometimes is easy to forget to eat and stay hydrated as you try to bring all of your personal belongings to your new address.

For those who want to do everything possible to prep for moving day, it generally is a good idea to pick up snacks and beverages. Granola bars, trail mix and other portable snacks are ideal for moving day. Meanwhile, purchasing bottled water and other beverages is beneficial too.

If you need extra help with moving day preparations, you may want to consult with a professional moving company as well. A moving company goes above and beyond the call of duty to help individuals map out all aspects of the moving day process.

A moving company employs friendly, knowledgeable moving experts who can guide you through your move. Plus, the company can offer packing guidance, moving services and other support to ensure that you can seamlessly relocate to your new address.

Lastly, for those who will need to move soon, it may be beneficial to hire a real estate agent. This housing market professional can help you buy or sell a house in any city or town, at any time. Furthermore, a real estate agent is available to provide support at each stage of the homebuying or home selling journey. And if you are uncertain about how to proceed along the homebuying or home selling journey, a real estate agent is happy to provide plenty of assistance.