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Too Many Books? Conquer Your Clutter in 4 Easy Steps

Being surrounded by favorite books can be a calming experience in a highly chaotic world. However, when your book collection becomes a part of your chaos instead of a relief from it, it’s time to rethink your organizational methods. If books are keeping you from enjoying an organized, clutter-free home, here are some solutions.

1. Donate the Duplicates

It’s your all-time favorite book, which means any time you see an affordable copy or a new edition it must come home with you. Unfortunately, this is how clutter begins. On day one of your book re-organization, sort through what you have and put duplicate titles into a donate box. You don’t have to give up your favorite copy but letting go of the other three copies of that very same book will feel empowering. It will free up space on your bookshelf and it will make that single kept copy feel more special.

2. Sort and Separate

Designate spaces for the following categories:

Books you’re definitely keeping
Books you would like to keep
Books you are fine not keeping

Anything that ends up in the third category can go right into a box to donate. Then, you can focus on the middle portion and see if there is any more room you can make.

3. Dedicate a Space

Will you keep a single shelf of books, a an entire wall? Will you devote an entire room to housing your books and create a dedicated home library? Whatever you decide, ensure you have the room necessary to neatly store all the books you’re keeping.

At this point you may need to buy or build proper book storage. Here are some ideas for storing books neatly and easily:

Purchase furniture pieces that offer inventive book storage, such as a raised bed or sofa that features book cubbies beneath the sleeping or sitting area.
Buy or create wall art that holds books, such as shelving built in special shapes or crates mounted up the corner of a room.
Use wooden boxes on wheels that you can roll easily under a coffee table or storage bench.
Place slender bookcases behind bedroom doors.
Fill a free-standing shelving unit with books and use it as a room divider.

Once you have all the storage you need, it’s time to go back through your books and re-sort them.

4. Finalize Your Book Organization

Books in the must-keep category into the shelves first. They should be in the most accessible spots and ideally at eye-level. Once you’re finished with that category move on to the books you’d like to keep. Sort and re-sort, according to the amount of room you have left. Books that don’t make the cut at this stage should go directly into the donate box.

At this point, most of your dedicated space should be full, preventing you from keeping more books than you have room for. Donate any leftover books right away before you second-guess your decisions. Paring down your book collection may make you anxious. It may feel like you’re doing something you’ll regret later. But books are intended to improve our quality of life, not detract from it. This will help you take control of your own space and be mindful of future book collecting.

Four Things Homeowners Wish They Knew Before Buying Their First Home

Buying a home is an extensive process that comes with a bit of a learning curve. For first time buyers, this process involves making mistakes and learning from them.

While we can never be 100% sure of our home buying decisions, there is a way to increase your chances of making the best choices when it comes to buying and maintaining your first home.

In today’s post, we’re going to do just that. We’ll take a look at some of the biggest things that homeowners wish they knew before buying their first house.

1. Forgetting to research the neighborhood

It’s easy to become so enamored with your dream home that you barely look beyond its fence. However, the neighborhood your home is in can have a huge effect on your daily life. Having local parks, safe sidewalks to walk on, and road infrastructure that doesn’t drive you crazy on your daily commute are all important aspects of choosing the right home.

2. Getting pressured into making a decision

Many times, a seller will want to portray their home as being highly sought after to encourage higher and more frequent offers. Similarly, you may find that your own family has time constraints and want to make a quick decision to buy a home.

It’s when we’re under pressure that we can make choices that we aren’t happy with in the long run. So, in these situations, make sure you don’t make any snap judgments on a home. If it seems like you’re being pressured into making a decision without enough time to consider all of the possibilities, there’s a good chance you should pass on this opportunity.

3. Forgetting that you might someday have to sell this home

Sometimes homes can be difficult to sell due to things like their location and surroundings. For instance, a home that is remote or one that is located in low-scoring school districts may not matter to you if you don’t plan on having children. But, they likely will be important to a lot of your potential buyers when it comes time to sell the home.

This lesson also holds true for what you do with your home once you buy it. Making renovations or design choices that won’t appeal to the average buyer can make your home more difficult to sell and harder to get top dollar for.

4. Didn’t consider all financing options

There are several steps and several options when it comes to financing a home. Not only are the several mortgage lenders to choose from, but there are also many different types of loans available.

While there may not be one “right” decision when it comes to financing your home, it’s a good idea to do your homework and browse carefully all of the lenders and mortgage types.

Consider ways to increase your credit score or save for a higher down payment before buying if possible, so that you can secure the lowest interest rate possible.

Top benefits of having a home security system

Home security systems are incredible ways to deter break-ins. While this is the most obvious benefit of having one of these systems, there are plenty of others. The following are some of the advantages you can enjoy when you choose to get a security system for your home.

Lower home insurance rates

Since a home security system can lower your risk of burglaries, your home insurance rates may be lower. Home insurance companies often provide these discounts to homeowners who invest in a security system to protect their home.

You can check with your insurance company to see if additional discounts are offered for other services provided by some security systems, such as alerting fire departments if a fire is detected, since this can help lower the risk of property damage. These lower rates on homeowners insurance can help offset the cost of having a security system installed.

Added safety features

Home security systems are mainly used to detect intruders breaking into homes. However, some systems notify you if any of the carbon monoxide detectors or smoke alarms go off in your home when you’re not there. You might also be able to have your security service providers alert the local gas company or fire department for you, which can help prevent damage to your home.

Convenient remote access

Some home security systems make it possible for you to manage them remotely through smart technology. With this type of system, you can access your home to control your security system and other smart systems, such as your thermostat or lighting. You’ll also be able to access and monitor your security cameras, so you can keep an eye on what’s going on in your home or outside it, which can come in handy if you have pets or older kids who are home alone.

Lower crime rates

Getting a home security system could help lower the crime rate in your area. Intruders often target homes without any security set up. When you make it clear you have a home security system, intruders may be deterred from breaking into your home. They might be discouraged from coming to your neighborhood at all if your neighbors also have these systems.

Here’s Why You Should Hire a Real Estate Agent When Buying a Condo

If you’re thinking of buying a new home, your budget is probably your main concern. With all of the costs associated with home buying, it might seem like hiring a real estate agent isn’t worth it–especially if you’re trying to buy a condo. However, there are some major benefits to hiring a real estate agent to assist you in your condo buying journey. Here are some of the key reasons to consider it:

Save Time

The home-buying process is incredibly time consuming. This is true no matter what type of home you’re in the market for. When searching for a condo, an agent can assist you by leading the search based on your specific criteria and preferences. They can help you schedule in-person tours, create virtual tours and take the lead in price negotiations and other time-consuming parts of the process.

Get Exclusive Access to Listings

While there are many search portal sites and individual condo communities available to browse online, you’ll have access to a much wider pool of listings when working with an agent. An agent can find listings on your local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), including listings that are “off-market” or “coming soon.” These listing statuses generally don’t appear on major search portals until they’ve already been viewed by many other interested parties. Hiring an agent will place you at the front of the line for buying the perfect condo.

Help With Paperwork & Process

Real estate agents have useful expertise beyond the listings themselves. Buying a home of any kind is a complicated process that requires following local and state regulations as well as navigating any particular rules the condo community has in place. There are contracts and other agreements that a real estate agent has knowledge and experience in dealing with, taking stress and confusion off your plate.

No matter what type of home you’re in the market for, working with a real estate agent has many benefits. If you’re interested in finding the perfect condo as your next home, consider hiring an agent to help you with the process.

How To Avoid Buyer’s Remorse On A Home

As incredible the act of purchasing a home is, many buyers end up regretting their purchase. There’s a variety of reasons for this. It all comes down to being ill-informed about buying a home and the type of home needed for the most liable situation. Read on to find out some of the biggest regrets home buyers face and how to avoid them.

Buying Too Small Of A Home

The most prominent regret that many buyers face is not buying a larger property. Many people want to live in a specific location or type of home that they overlook the size altogether. One reason that people end up buying a home that’s the wrong size is that they rush to find a property in a particular area. If you branch out on your search, you’ll have a better shot at finding the right size home. The area might not matter as much as the space you’re living in, s keep that in mind.

Not Doing Your Research

People tend to skip out on the research phase of buying a home. It’s critical that buyers understand things like mortgage rates, fees, credit reports, how much needs to be saved, and more. There are so many things that go into buying a home that you could easily miss out on something if you don’t know what you’re in for ahead of time.

Not Saving Enough

Your home will be one of the largest purchases you make in your entire life. There is a lot more to the cost than just the monthly mortgage payment. You’ll need a lot of money upfront when you buy a home including a downpayment along with other closing costs and fees. Plus, you’ll need to set some money aside for any repairs or replacements you need to do in the home once you move in. It’s also a good idea to have an emergency fund available just in case. Life happens, and you don’t want your savings to be depleted because you bought a house.

Keep in mind that the bigger of a downpayment you make, the better off you’ll be. Even if you can buy a home with a low downpayment, you want to put down as much as possible. A higher downpayment will keep your mortgage payments lower, get you a better rate, and you may even be able to avoid paying for PMI (private mortgage insurance.) Aim to save a 20 percent down payment for the most optimal mortgage situation.

Dwelling coverage 101

Dwelling coverage, also called dwelling insurance, is part of every standard homeowners insurance policy. Dwelling coverage concerns the physical structure of your home, and can help you recoup financially if it’s damaged.

While most homeowners insurance policies include dwelling coverage, it can be confusing to determine what sort of damaging events are covered. Here is a quick reference guide to what types of covered peril or hazards:

Natural hazards

Dwelling coverage is used to help pay for damage sustained from natural disasters or hazards. If the structure of your home is damaged by fire or smoke, windstorms, lightning strikes, hail, snow, sleet or ice, you may be entitled to compensation to cover the cost.

However, it’s important to note that not all natural hazards are covered by this homeowners policy. For example, windstorms do not include tornadoes. If you live in a region where tornadoes are common, you will need to purchase an additional tornado insurance policy.

For areas prone to earthquakes or flooding, you would also need to get additional coverage for these hazards. Consulting an insurance agent in your area will help you determine what insurance coverage is best for your situation.

It’s also crucial to remember that dwelling coverage only counts for the physical structure. This means it won’t cover the cost to replace carpeting or hardwood floors damaged by smoke from a fire. Typically, interior elements like flooring are covered under another portion of your homeowners insurance policy.

Other hazards

Dwelling insurance protects you from hazards beyond natural or weather-related events. Human-caused damage to the home structure from vandalism or theft are covered under this part of the policy.

Other hazards included in coverage are falling objects, damage from motor vehicles and damage from aircraft. If any of these issues should cause personal property damage, your insurance will pay for repairs.

Dwelling coverage and other specific policies can make an enormous difference in your recovery from the unlikely event of a covered disaster. By knowing exactly what dwelling insurance covers, you can have more peace of mind knowing your provider will help you recoup your losses.

Home Improvement: New Projects That May Have Missed Your Radar

Regardless of how long you have lived in your home, you probably have a list of home improvement projects that you want to finish in the near-term and the distant future. This list likely includes all the most common home improvement projects, such as a bathroom remodel, fresh paint or a new patio or deck.

However, you won’t want to ignore the smaller and lesser-known home improvement projects. These innovative ideas can transform how you live inside your home:

Create a Reading Nook

A reading nook is a relatively simple home improvement project to complete, as it does not require a lot of time, experience or money. Simply find a small corner or space in your home, and make it as comfortable as possible. You can add built-in shelves to house all your favorite books, and place a comfortable chair or pillow on the floor.

Design a Home Fitness Area

Fitting in your daily workout is very important, but it can be difficult to find time to go to the gym. Instead of spending a lot of money on a luxury gym membership, create a fitness area in your own home. You can put your favorite exercise equipment in an extra bedroom or in a corner of your basement that is often ignored. Mount a TV on the wall and paint the room your favorite color. You’ll find yourself looking forward to those workouts.

Establish a Zoom Room

Whether you regularly participate in virtual seminars or you work full time from home, you are likely going to need a quiet, functional and visually appealing space to take all of those Zoom calls. An old closet or an unused bedroom can easily be made into a Zoom room. Paint the room a neutral color and add some soft lighting to ensure you’re plainly visible during your meetings with no strange drop shadows or distracting hues.

While kitchen remodels and finished basements are great projects to complete, you won’t want to forget about some of these interesting ideas. By making the most out of the space inside your home, you will be able to fully enjoy every moment that you are there.

How to Solve the Most Common Succulent Problems

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

Succulents are some of the most popular houseplants because they are easy to care for. However, there are some very common problems that you might encounter when keeping succulents despite their low-maintenance demands. Each variety has slightly different needs, but here we will go over some of the most common issues and how to avoid them.

Sunburn

Succulents may be desert-native, but that does not mean they all thrive in direct sunlight. In fact, most succulents prefer bright but indirect light and can get damaged by harsh UV rays. If you notice brown spots or dry discoloration on your succulent’s leaves, it might be sunburn. If you find your succulent has sun damage, carefully remove the damaged leaves and find a new spot where the plant won’t burn. North or south-facing windows are great for succulents because they’ll get plenty of light all day without risk of damage.

Underwatering

“Low-maintenance” does not mean you can completely ignore a succulent. Though they are drought-resistant plants, they need enough water in order to survive and grow. The easiest way to tell if your succulent needs more water is if the upper leaves look shriveled and dry. You might also notice a usually vibrant succulent looking dull or gray when it needs more water. Luckily, this is an easy problem to remedy. All you need to do is to soak the soil completely and then allow it to drain. You should see the appearance change gradually once the plant has quenched its thirst.

Overwatering

Succulents frequently top the “hard to kill” list of houseplants, but the most common reason succulents die is from too much water. Desert native plants like succulents and cacti are extremely efficient in their water consumption and can store it for long periods of time. Watering your succulents too frequently can lead to root rot which will eventually kill the whole plant. If you notice the underside of the plant turning brown, it might be a sign of rot. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to save the plant once the roots have decayed, but it’s easy to prevent the issue entirely. The soil must dry out completely between waterings. You should also make sure you use the right soil: go for succulent or cactus-specific soil that drains well rather than soil that retains moisture.

Stretching

Sometimes your succulents might grow unevenly in one direction. If you notice your succulents stretching one way or the other, it means it’s trying to get more light. Plants will typically grow toward their light source, so if you have succulents facing the same direction in the same spot without ever being moved, you might find them getting stretched or “leggy.” The simplest way to avoid this is to rotate them frequently or find a new spot for them where the light is more consistent. You can also use special LED grow lights indoors to create a perfectly symmetrical lighting environment if you don’t get enough sunlight through your windows. Just make sure that if you change the amount of light for a leggy succulent that you do so gradually and watch out for sun damage.

Each type of succulent is a little different in terms of ideal light and water situation, but all share the risk of the above issues. The most important thing to remember when caring for succulents is not to drown them or expose them to extreme heat or cold. Otherwise, let the plant tell you what it needs and adjust accordingly.

What Impacts Home Values

You may have a rough idea of what your home is worth. Maybe you have recently been given an assessed value on the home, or have peeked on an online search as to what comes up for your home. Do you really understand all of the things that affect the value of your home? There are many things that may not be obvious but are important to the number that you’ll come to when you decide to sell your home.

The Number Of Your House

Do you live at 13 Elm Street or 7 Winner’s Way? Buyers have superstitions that surround numbers and street names. Don’t be surprised if the number of your house or even the name of your street brings buyers in or sends them running. There’s not much you can do to change the house number or street name, but it’s something to keep in mind. Sometimes the reason that certain buyers are turned off from your house is truly out of your control. If you do live on a desirable street, that can help bring up the value of your home due to the demand in the area. Remember that what some consider “unlucky” others consider a blessing (like the number 13!)

The Neighborhood

While your home may be perfectly pristine, you don’t have much control over what your neighbors do. If there are neighbors nearby that have strange items in their yards, strange colored homes, or other eccentric tastes, buyers may be turned off from your home. This could actually cause the price of your home to drop slightly. You should be prepared for this to affect the sale of your home, but don’t be discouraged. If buyers enjoy your home enough, they’ll be able to turn off that all too bright paint color next door.

Greenery

Trees and greenery increase the value of a home. Don’t think of cutting down those trees on your property unless you have to! Trees that have grown up on your property will add a lot of value to the home in the future. If you’ve been living at your residence for 20 years or so, think of the value that those first seeds and bushes you planted have added!

Interests Are Not Universal

If you have displays, shrines, or rooms dedicated to a certain hobby, it could either be beneficial or detrimental to your home sale. This all depends on who comes walking through the door for a home showing. If you’re a Veteran and have some Marine Corps things around the houses, it could attract the attention of other Vets. However, that strange Marilyn Monroe room you have might actually deter from the pool of people available to buy your home. Buyers like to be able to see themselves living in the home. Some circumstances make it easier than others for buyers to have a vision for themselves in your home.

Strategies for Managing a Short-Notice PCS Move

In the military, sometimes a Permanent Change of Station, or PCS, move happens quickly and orders to move to a new location can leave you scrambling.

When you have to make a fast move, the whirlwind of activity can leave you feeling a little dazed and wondering if you’re forgetting anything. Here are some tips for a short-notice PCS move.

Prioritize Your To-Do List

From contacting schools to changing addresses with the Post Office or collecting medical records, there is a lot to do when moving. Find out if there are specific dates or requirements for turning in gear or check-out procedures with the unit. Create a prioritized list of most urgent and time-sensitive things. Then create one of things that could wait until after the move. Changing a driver’s license isn’t urgent because most states give at least 30 days post-move. But, changing your address with the Post Office and anywhere you get deliveries from (like an Amazon or a magazine subscription) is important to do before moving.

Speed Declutter

You don’t have time to sort through small boxes of trinkets, so be really careful not to get caught in the little things. Start by immediately throwing out any trash. Move on to large items you can donate or get rid of (furniture, small appliances or large toys). As you declutter, you can also box up the items you know you are keeping. When sorting through books or movies, for example, make quick decisions and have a box to donate and a box to pack so you are getting both jobs done at the same time.

Work in Bursts

It is important to take mental breaks so you don’t burn out. Work for a few hours and then take a complete break to get lunch or do something different for an hour. When you have days or weeks of a fast-paced move, you want to stay focused. However, your brain can only focus for so long before it gets tired. By taking those breaks, your work time is more efficient by giving your brain a moment to rest.

Expect a PPM Move

When you do it yourself, moving is called a PPM, or personally procured move, by the military. With a short notice of days or just a few weeks, you likely won’t get moving support for companies working with the military. You can certainly check the options, but be prepared for a DIY (do it yourself) move. Often, the military will provide you with a high percentage of the moving stipend they would have given a company. So you make a little extra money while having more control when packing your items.

Mark Your Boxes

One of the most overwhelming parts of a move is unpacking what you need when you need it. Grab a sharpie and label your boxes either: IMMEDIATE, SECONDARY or STORAGE. Add the room the box will go in when you arrive to make it easy to take everything to the right rooms and prioritize what gets unpacked first.

Whatever you do, don’t get lost in the details. Keep your labeling quick and easy to understand. All important documents, like the marriage certificate, passports or birth certificates, should be kept in one box and carried by you (not packed in the truck).

Plan for Time With the Truck

Of course, you need to plan for time to rent and pack the truck, but don’t forget about weighing the truck in order to get reimbursement for a DIY move. If you are moving on your own (PPM), go to a local weighing station before and after the truck is loaded to record how much you are moving.

Pay Attention to Final Details

If you are selling a home you own off-base, your real estate agent will tell you what cleaning and staging will increase the likelihood of a sale. If you live on-base, you will want to patch up and repaint spots, like nail holes, to avoid any final charges. Cleaning and sweeping the floors will probably be one of the last things you do to make sure the space looks as good as possible for inspection (on-base) or showings (off-base).