Yajnesh Rai

Easy Property Upgrades to Conserve Water | Realtor Magazine

Many states are facing a drought, and home owners and renters are increasingly under pressure to conserve.

“Often we’re bombarded with a message of sacrifice and cutting back,” says Benjamin Inskeep, a research analyst at EQ Research, who helped compile “The Water Short List,” a report highlighting conservation ideas. “One of the conclusions of our paper was that simple, out-of-sight and out-of-mind [actions] offer a huge opportunity to reduce your resource consumption.”

Here are a few water-saving ideas from the report that you can recommend to clients:

Swap out the shower head: Did you know showers account for 20 percent of water consumed in a household? The average American household uses up to 30 gallons a day for showers, according to the Water Research Foundation. But WaterSense-labeled shower heads, claim to use less than 2 million gallons a minute, which means switching to one could help save a whopping 2,900 gallons a year. 

Retrofit faucets: Kitchen and bathroom faucets are another big culprit of household water use, accounting for about 19 percent of indoor water use. Due to new federal requirements, contemporary models limit usage to 2.2 gallons per minute, compared to the 2.75 to 7 gallons of water per minute used by many older faucets. Homeowners who aren’t ready to replace can retrofit an older faucet with an aerator, an insert that mixes air with water to control the stream and conserve water.

Upgrade appliances: Washing machines built prior to 2003 tend to use much higher levels of water per load than newer models. The Energy Star website asserts that a standard clothes washer more than 10 years old costs home owners an average of $210 a year.

Curb outdoor irrigation: Inskeep says that for some families, especially those watering large lawns in arid climates, outdoor water use can make up the majority of the household’s water use. Set up a backyard rainwater collection system or plant a “water-wise garden” of native species that are well-equipped for the local climate.

Resale Issues Buyers Don’t Think About | Realtor Magazine

• Power lines: I hadn’t considered this one a deal killer until one of my first buyers backed out of a sale contract because she feared the power lines behind the home would give her cancer. Then I learned just how popular this myth is, as buyer after buyer has brought up a similar concern ever since. Just like fears about cell phone radiation, people have come to worry that the low-level radiation from high-voltage power lines will make them sick — even though governmental studies have not found such a link. But perception is everything in the pursuit of a sale. Many people also find power lines aesthetically displeasing, so you may want to warn your buyers of the trouble they could face at resale.
• New subdivisions: Brand-new homes are a big draw for many buyers, but if your clients are looking in a subdivision that will be under construction for years to come, you may want to advise them that resale could be difficult for the foreseeable future. They’ll be competing with brand-new construction for however long developers are building in the area, and that will make their lives difficult for many reasons. Beyond the appeal of new homes, builders also have deep pockets and can offer many incentives to buyers that traditional sellers can’t. Don’t set your clients up to compete with that if they might want to relocate in five years.
• Neighboring a business: I once had a neighbor whose home backed up to the rear of a grocery store. Guess when grocery stores get their deliveries? All night long. Those delivery people didn’t care who was sleeping at 4 a.m. or whether they were being too loud for the new mom next door with a baby she was trying to put to sleep. Now, not every business is going to be this disruptive all night long, but just let your buyers know that if their neighbors aren’t home owners just like them, they may have issues to deal with.
• Environmental concerns: In my area in Arizona, the west-facing backyard is an immediate deal killer. During summer sunsets — a time of day when many people are home — the back of the house heats up even hotter than it usually is around this neck of the woods. Not an enjoyable experience when you’re trying to relax after a long day. It also makes barbecuing on the back patio unbearable. Your location may have different adverse situations depending on the environment in your state. In Washington, where my brother sells, he tries to avoid homes in forested areas that might be in danger of burning down.
• Subtle noises: When buyers tour homes, they’re listening for noise from nearby airports, train tracks, or highways and major roads. They’re probably a little more oblivious to the barking dog next door or the neighbor with parrots and a full aviary in their yard — or a chicken coop. Sometimes these noises are only passing aggravations and aren’t permanent, but you should tell your clients that if they hear it now, they’ll probably hear it in the future. And that can affect the next buyer’s opinion when they’re ready to sell.
• Peculiar ideas of privacy: Speaking of noise, highways and major roads are an obvious problem at resale, but some buyers prefer backing to a busy road rather than another home for privacy reasons. If your client is one of these people, you should tell them they’re a rare breed. For most people, the privacy benefit won’t outweigh the disturbance of the noise. Make sure your buyers understand the tradeoff they’re buying into.

Many Borrowers Unaware Higher Payments Coming | Realtor Magazine

Borrowers with home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) may unexpectedly find their monthly payments rising. Mortgage rates have been on the rise, and while that doesn’t impact borrowers with fixed-rate mortgages, those with adjustable rates are seeing sudden increases. HELOC borrowers in particular, have adjustable rates on these second loans, and the payments change once a year.

Originations of HELOCs reached a peak in 2005 at $367 billion. Their popularity dwindled significantly the last few years, but as home prices have recovered, borrowers have equity again and HELOC originations are gaining ground. HELOC originations are estimated to reach $173 billion this year.

For borrowers who use the line of credit, they likely will see higher monthly payments as interest rates rise. Those increases could amount to an extra $100 more per month. However, the increase is dependent on the size of their loan.

“For those that have a high balance, clearly their payment will increase, and it will cause some prepayments” Sam Khater, an economist with CoreLogic, told CNBC. “But rates simply reflect the supply and demand for money, and that is the growth rate in the economy.”

Many HELOCs from the housing boom days had a 10-year draw period, when borrowers only paid the interest on the loan and then made payments toward the principal after that. HELOCs today often require some principal payments from the onset.

Borrowers may be unaware that their costs could soon increase. Only 19 percent of 800 borrowers recently surveyed by TD Bank understood that a HELOC reset could cause their monthly payments to stretch higher. Of HELOC borrowers from 2005 to 2008 who now have their loans resetting or within the next two years, 53 percent said they were unaware about any reset impact to their monthly payments.

“If borrowers do not have a financial plan for the end of their draw period, they should contact their lender as early as possible,” Mike Kinane, senior vice president for home equity at TD Bank, told CNBC. “A responsive lender will offer multiple ways for you to pay down your line of credit.”

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover? | Zillow

What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a specific type of insurance policy that protects homeowners against losses and damage caused by perils such as fires, storms, or burglary. It also covers legal costs if someone is injured in your home or on your property. Earthquake and flood coverage is typically not included in standard homeowners insurance policies, but you may be able to add on this additional coverage (flood insurance is often required in flood zones). Your home insurance premium is typically paid monthly, along with your monthly mortgage payment.

Homeowners insurance is almost always required in order to get a home loan. Don’t be surprised if your lender requires you to purchase homeowners insurance before the mortgage company will sign off on your loan (this protects the lender’s interest in your home). But even if you don’t have a mortgage, it’s a good idea to have homeowners insurance coverage to protect your investment.

Review your coverage each year with your insurance company to make sure you still have enough insurance coverage to meet your needs. Remember, you can add on to your homeowners insurance policy at any time, and add more coverage as your situation changes. Many homeowners opt to shop around for homeowners insurance from different companies to help reduce their monthly premiums.

 

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Homeowners insurance policies vary on what and how much they cover, but typically they’ll cover all or part of your financial losses. Coverage often includes:

• The home itself, including the structure and its plumbing, electrical wiring and central air and heat systems.
• Other structures on your property such as sheds and fences.
• The possessions in your home, such as electronics, appliances and clothes, even when they aren’t located on your property.
• Loss of use, such as paying for a hotel room while your home is getting fixed.
• Personal liability coverage (financial losses should someone get hurt on your property and sue you).
• Medical payments for people who get hurt on your property.

What Type of Policy Should You Get?

There are a number of different kinds of insurance policies — ranging from an HO-1 to an HO-8 policy — but most owners of single-family homes should opt for an HO-3 policy. This policy is fairly comprehensive, providing liability coverage and covering most “perils” to your home such as fire, wind and theft (but typically excluding flood, earthquake, war and nuclear accident). (The HO-1 and HO-2 policies cover less than the HO-3; the HO-4 is for tenants and renters).

Homeowners in certain high risk areas for flooding, such as the state of Florida or other coastal states, may also be required to add flood insurance to their policy. Others in high risk areas for earthquakes might want to add optional earthquake coverage for to make sure you’re covered in the event of a quake.

 

How Much Insurance Coverage Do You Need?

There are a number of things to consider when figuring out the details of your insurance policy and how much coverage you’ll need.

First, ideally you will want to purchase enough insurance to cover 100 percent of the cost of rebuilding your home should it get damaged or destroyed. You can opt for several different options:

1. “Actual cash value” coverage: This pays you what the property was worth at the time it was destroyed, minus depreciation.
2. “Replacement cost” coverage: This is a more comprehensive option which does not factor in depreciation
3. “Extended value” coverage: This will pay you up to 20-30 percent over your policy coverage limit. So a $100,000 policy might have $120,000 – $130,000 worth of coverage; this is designed to protect you against things such as sudden hikes in construction costs due to storm damage.

It’s usually best to get a more comprehensive option so you can cover 100 percent of the cost to rebuild your home.

Next, consider the contents of your home to see what you need coverage for. Make an inventory of your home’s contents (the Insurance Information Institute’s website can help you do this) to determine how much insurance you’ll want to cover your home’s contents. Again, rather than opting for an “actual cash value” option, go for a more comprehensive option, so you can afford to replace everything you own.

Make sure your homeowners policy has enough liability coverage to cover the total dollar amount of your financial assets, like your home, retirement accounts, investments, and anything else worth money.

You may also need to add extra coverage to the insurance policy. Most standard homeowners insurance policies do not protect your property in the event of floods and earthquakes. So if you live in a state or area prone to these types of events, you may want (or be required to by your lender) to purchase extra insurance coverage. If you have many valuable items in your home such as fine jewelry or expensive artwork, you may want to add a so-called personal property provision to your insurance policy, which will make sure you are fully reimbursed for these if they are destroyed, damaged or stolen.

How Much Does It Typically Cost?

In very broad terms, expect to pay about $35 per month for every $100,000 of home value, though it depends on your city and state. And of course the cost will vary by insurance company, so it pays to shop around for coverage. People in risky areas (areas prone to storms, crime and other perils) can expect to pay more, as can people who add extra coverage to their policies(for things such as floods or personal property.

To save money on homeowners insurance, see if you can get a discount for bundling multiple policies — like your home and car insurance policies — with one company. You should also call your insurance company to ask how you can lower your rates (by installing a security system, for example) or to find out if you have too much coverage. You can also consider raising your deductible, if you have the savings to pay the higher deductible.

To shop for homeowners insurance, it’s best to get quotes from at least four different companies that offer homeowners insurance coverage such as State Farm, USAA, Nationwide Mutual, Allstate and Liberty Mutual. Before you buy homeowners insurance, you can check out the insurance company’s financial health at ambest.com or standardandpoor.com.

 

What Is a Home Insurance Binder?

A homeowners insurance binder is basically a temporary homeowners insurance policy. It often takes a while to issue a permanent policy, so this policy may be issued in the interim until a formal policy is accepted or denied. Getting this policy can help facilitate closing on a home (because lenders require insurance coverage).

Buying New Construction vs Existing Homes | Zillow

Some people hate hand-me-downs; others like things with a history. When it comes to housing, new construction has a never-been-touched attraction, while existing homes have stories to tell. For every advantage of buying newly built and existing homes, there’s a flip side. For example, newly constructed homes tend to cost more than similar pre-owned homes, sometimes as much as 20 percent more. But they are initially less expensive in terms of maintenance and utilities.

As you weigh whether to buy shiny new construction or a charming pre-owned home, here are some other factors to consider.

Benefits of new construction

Floor plan: If you opt for a custom-built home, you’ll work with the contractor to create a traditional or modern layout that works for your life. If you’ve always dreamed of a formal dining room for family gatherings, it’s yours. If you’re buying pre-built new construction, chances are good the layout will lean to modern, with wide-open floor plans. Kitchens flow into family rooms so you can cook and oversee homework or watch the game. Rooms in new construction homes – especially bedrooms and bathrooms – tend to be larger and brighter, with lots of natural light.

Personalization: Even if you’re not opting for a custom home, you may be able to upgrade finishes from builder-grade materials if you connect with the builder before construction is completed. It may cost you a bit more, but adding your own personal touches may be worth it to you.

Efficiency: New appliances and home systems are more energy efficient. Plus more efficient insulation and windows create buttoned up homes that are less expensive to heat and cool than older models. All of that translates into lower utility bills.

Smart and healthy: “Smart” technology options allow you to automate internet, cable, speakers and even an alarm system. And new homes often use low- and zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and building materials, improving indoor air quality.

Maintenance: A newly built home requires less maintenance since everything from appliances to the HVAC system and roof are brand new. This means you can better predict monthly homeownership costs, since you’ll likely spend less to maintain your home. Warranties can protect your new home for years before you need to undertake any major repairs.

Amenities: Buying new construction often means buying a lifestyle. Master or planned communities often include amenities like parks and community spaces that are close to schools and transit. The key is finding a builder who offers what you care about.

Timing: The median time to complete new construction – five months for single-family homes and six months for condos – lets you feel less rushed than scrambling with other buyers for an existing home.

The flip side

Location: New construction typically grows up in exurbia where land is plentiful but commutes can be longer. In cities, new construction tends to be high-rise condos or in-fill homes on smaller urban lots, with very little outdoor space.

Landscaping: Existing construction is often surrounded by mature trees that shade the home in summer, protect against wind in winter, and block out traffic noises at bedtime. Mature trees may be salvaged at new building sites but often the landscaping takes years to grow into itself.

Floor plan: Builders, especially in planned communities, tend to stick with exterior design styles and finishes that appeal to the broadest range of customers. You’ll have to count on post-purchase painting and decorating to stand out from your neighbors.

Waiting: If you’re looking at new homes that are already built, this isn’t a factor. But if you’re building a custom home, it could take several months longer than moving into an existing home. You can expect a custom home to take five to six months, but that varies by market and builder.

If you’re interested in new construction, read about the types of new homes, the steps to building a custom home, and tips for buying a brand new home.

What Is Escrow and How Does It Work? | Zillow

No matter where you’re buying a home, at some point you’re going to find yourself deep in escrow. (Don’t worry. It’s not as bad as it sounds.) What is escrow? In real estate, it has several meanings, but they all boil down to your house and your money being in a kind of limbo.

Escrow is when an impartial third party holds on to something of value during a transaction.

Escrow and offers

When you make an offer on a home, you will write an earnest money check that will be placed in “escrow.” That means it isn’t going directly to the seller but is being held by an impartial third party until you and the seller negotiate a contract and close the deal. You can’t touch it and the seller can’t touch it. It’s in escrow.

That’s important because it protects both parties. Say you put down earnest money that went directly to the seller and then couldn’t reach a final purchase and sale agreement. You don’t want the seller holding your earnest money hostage as a negotiating ploy. Likewise, the seller won’t want to sign over the deed to the home until you’ve paid for it. And you won’t want to hand over cash without the deed being signed. Escrow ensures everyone gets what they are due at essentially the same time.

Escrow and lenders

When you are talking with your mortgage lender, you’ll hear about escrow again. They might talk about an “escrow” or “impound” account or “reserves.” They may use these terms interchangeably, and that’s OK because they all mean the same thing. They are funds held by the lender to make payments for your homeowners insurance and property taxes. Lenders will collect them monthly along with your loan payment and then pay the tax and insurance bills when they are due. That’s because your lender has a vested interest in making sure those payments are made. You may hear the term “prepaids” as well. That’s money collected in advance for those bills to ensure they’ve got enough on hand to pay them when they are due.

Escrow and closing

Finally, you may hear someone refer to the “closing of escrow.” That’s when your purchase is completed. A closing or “escrow officer” will oversee the final paperwork and handle the exchange of funds and recording of deeds. This person, sometimes an attorney, will ensure that all the money is properly disbursed, that the documents are signed and recorded, and that all necessary conditions are met before closing the escrow.

What is a hold-back of funds?

Sometimes the sale may be completed and ownership transferred while funds are still held in escrow. For instance, if you’ve agreed to let the seller’s family stay in the house for an extra week until their new home is ready, you would sign a “rent-back” agreement requiring the seller to pay you a daily rate for the length of their stay. In the case of such a rent-back, your real estate agent will likely advise you to have the escrow agent hold back a portion of the seller’s proceeds until they’ve moved out and left the house in the condition specified in your contract.

Or perhaps you found something wrong during your final walkthrough of the house. Maybe the seller agreed to make the repair, but the work couldn’t be completed by closing day. Money can be held in escrow to cover the cost.

If you’re purchasing new construction, you may have funds held in escrow until all work is complete and you’ve signed off on it.

Once escrow is closed and all funds have been disbursed, you and the seller will receive a final closing statement and other documents in the mail. Check the statement carefully and call the closing agent immediately if you spot an error. File the statement with your most important papers. You’ll need it when you file your next income tax return.

Are Remodeling Costs Cheaper Than A New Build? — Real Estate 101 — Trulia Blog

A teardown and new construction could leave you happier with your home — and a bit more flush!

Renovating your home could be just the thing you need to make it truly yours. But be careful: This decision could lead you down a never-ending (and stealthily expensive) home improvement rabbit hole. Once you’ve turned your kitchen from drab to fab, for example, your family room now seems out of place, the living room looks dated, and so on. In many cases, tearing down an old home is more affordable than a top-to-bottom remodel, with or without an addition. But not always. It really depends on the home, your location, and your situation. Here are five factors to consider when weighing your options, plus advice on how to make this costly financial decision.

– See more at: https://www.trulia.com/blog/renovating-cheaper-teardown-new-build-answer-might-surprise/?cid=soc|twitter|evergreen|truliablog_bmkt&linkId=31604829#sthash.UKkpm6lZ.dpuf

A teardown and new construction could leave you happier with your home — and a bit more flush!

Renovating your home could be just the thing you need to make it truly yours. But be careful: This decision could lead you down a never-ending (and stealthily expensive) home improvement rabbit hole. Once you’ve turned your kitchen from drab to fab, for example, your family room now seems out of place, the living room looks dated, and so on. In many cases, tearing down an old home is more affordable than a top-to-bottom remodel, with or without an addition. But not always. It really depends on the home, your location, and your situation. Here are five factors to consider when weighing your options, plus advice on how to make this costly financial decision.

– See more at: https://www.trulia.com/blog/renovating-cheaper-teardown-new-build-answer-might-surprise/?cid=soc|twitter|evergreen|truliablog_bmkt&linkId=31604829#sthash.UKkpm6lZ.dpuf

A teardown and new construction could leave you happier with your home — and a bit more flush!

Renovating your home could be just the thing you need to make it truly yours. But be careful: This decision could lead you down a never-ending (and stealthily expensive) home improvement rabbit hole. Once you’ve turned your kitchen from drab to fab, for example, your family room now seems out of place, the living room looks dated, and so on. In many cases, tearing down an old home is more affordable than a top-to-bottom remodel, with or without an addition. But not always. It really depends on the home, your location, and your situation. Here are five factors to consider when weighing your options, plus advice on how to make this costly financial decision.

– See more at: https://www.trulia.com/blog/renovating-cheaper-teardown-new-build-answer-might-surprise/?cid=soc|twitter|evergreen|truliablog_bmkt&linkId=31604829#sthash.UKkpm6lZ.dpuf

A teardown and new construction could leave you happier with your home — and a bit more flush!

Renovating your home could be just the thing you need to make it truly yours. But be careful: This decision could lead you down a never-ending (and stealthily expensive) home improvement rabbit hole. Once you’ve turned your kitchen from drab to fab, for example, your family room now seems out of place, the living room looks dated, and so on. In many cases, tearing down an old home is more affordable than a top-to-bottom remodel, with or without an addition. But not always. It really depends on the home, your location, and your situation. Here are five factors to consider when weighing your options, plus advice on how to make this costly financial decision.

1. Does your older home have a lot of character?

Solid-core doors, marble windowsills, crown molding, pocket doors, arched doorways — who could get rid of these features? “Some older houses are made with higher-quality wood and have finishing touches that you can’t replicate today,” says Larry Greene, president of Case Design/Remodeling in Indianapolis, IN. If you want to keep your home’s original details, you’ll probably want to renovate.

But don’t feel bad if a historical charmer isn’t your thing. Besides, not all old homes are worth saving. “While there are many homes and historical buildings that are 100, 200, or more years old and still in sound condition, typically homes more than 75 years old or so need a critical eye,” says Tim Bakke, co-founder of The Plan Collection, a website dedicated to house plans. “They need to have been very well-taken care of.” Bakke also says to evaluate the utilities, plumbing, and heating systems. If they’re in poor condition, you might want to rebuild. “A teardown will allow you to build with modern materials, and your home will likely be much more energy-efficient,” says Greene. Just make sure that you can tear down your old home. If it’s in a historic district, you’ll need to get permission from your state or local regulator, or from your local historic preservation commission.

2. Is your home structurally unsound?

A home on a crumbling foundation is a serious matter. “If your home has structural issues, I would recommend a teardown,” says Greene. But how can you tell? Your walls, when looked at from the outside, should be straight. There should be no water in your basement or crawl space, no cracks on your interior walls, and your windows should easily open and close. A structural engineer can be a big asset in helping you decide. And if you live in an area prone to earthquakes, having the home’s foundation checked becomes even more important. “In some cases, a home that was designed and built prior to new earthquake laws can have significant structural damage after an earthquake occurs,” says Richard Frazao, president of Quaketek, a Montreal, Canada–based company that makes earthquake protection for buildings. “In those cases, it is often more economical to start from scratch.”

3. Does your town have restrictive regulations?

The decision on whether to renovate or rebuild might not be completely yours to make. If your jurisdiction has tough regulations, it might be easier to play by its rules. “In places where you’ve got a lot of rules, its almost never better to tear down,” says Juan Diaz, a San Francisco, CA, real estate investor. “In the Bay Area where I operate, it’s so much faster to get city approval for a project that involves leaving the existing house and tearing it down to the framing timbers. That’ll get you approval in one month versus one year for a complete teardown.”

4. Is there water damage?

Homes and water don’t mix. Unfortunately, water damage in homes is a common problem, from burst pipes to water accumulation in the basement to flooding after a storm. Sometimes the damage is so severe, it can warrant a renovation or complete teardown. But how can you know what to do? “If a few feet of the first-floor sheetrock is waterlogged, then stripping the lower half of the walls of sheetrock and insulation and replacing them will get you by for a renovation,” says Bakke. “But where water has invaded the house, say past the first floor, the damage to various parts of the house will be so extensive that a rebuild will be the smartest way to go.”

5. Finally, how much money do you want to spend?

Sometimes you just need to crunch the numbers to determine which path to take: Renovation or teardown? The trick is getting the numbers right. Once you start renovating and ripping things apart, you might discover some unwelcome surprises. “Anyone who has ever done an expansive renovation project will tell you that the final cost is always higher than anticipated,” says Phil Eby, owner and president of Eby Exteriors Inc. in Akron, PA. “There are always unexpected costs such as excavating surprises, unseen rot and mold, electrical issues, structural inadequacies, etc.” Eby advises to choose a renovation only if the remodeling costs will be considerably less than new construction or if you wish to keep historical attributes. A teardown and complete rebuild is typically an easier and more straightforward process.

So, whether to renovate or teardown and rebuild really comes down to a case-by-case decision. Call in the proper professionals for quotes to help you decide. Renovation experts, builders, structural engineers, and architects can all help you make this decision based on what you want to do, the type of home you have, its condition, and your local zoning rules.

How to Sleep Better | Air Purifying Plants | Relaxing Paint Colors

We spend a third of our lives passed out, tucked between the covers, drooling all over the pillow. But when it comes to home improvements, most of our projects benefit our waking selves. (Hello, new kitchen.)

Good sleep is essential to living our best life. So why not invest in it?

“You’re going to be a better partner, have a better outlook, and be a kinder, happier person,” says Terry Cralle, R.N., a certified clinical sleep educator with the Better Sleep Council.

Sign us up. And rest easy; while optimizing your home for better ZZZs means more than scoping out an amazing new mattress (though we totally endorse that splurge), it doesn’t have to cost a huge chunk of change. Here are 10 ways you can hack your bedroom for better sleep.

Embrace the Dark Side

Don’t take Melisandre of “Game of Thrones” at her word — the night may be dark, but it’s not full of terrors. It’s full of good sleep.

Even if you think you sleep better with a night-light on (or, God forbid, the overhead), Cralle says the effect of blackout shades and eliminating all other light sources might surprise you.

“When you don’t have a point of reference for how well you sleep in a really dark room, you don’t realize the difference,” she says. And getting shut-eye in the dark isn’t just a matter of better sleep: Nighttime light has also been linked to low melatonin levels.

Clear the Clutter

Your pile of unsorted laundry affects your sleep — as does your stack of late-night water glasses and overflowing knitting basket. Clutter causes stress, which keeps sleep at bay.

“Remove everything from your bedroom that isn’t bedroom-related,” Cralle says. “If you have a stack of bills, even if you’ve already paid them, it can be a source of stress.”

Sleeping alongside little messes can even turn into bigger problems. “People who doze in cluttered rooms are more likely to develop hoarding problems,” Cralle says. “It’s a vicious cycle. Don’t let it start.”

Get a Sweet Entertainment Center … in the Living Room

Watching an episode of “Friday Night Lights” while tucked under the covers might be your idea of relaxing, but Cralle calls electronics “a huge sleep stealer.”

Not only do screens keep your brain churning long after bedtime, but the blue-tinged light emitted by televisions and smartphones can affect your melatonin. And ambient light — like the red power light on your TV, or the orange glow from your phone charger — makes those blackout shades less effective.

If you’re desperate for your nighttime screen fix, install f.lux on your laptop, which tints your screen to reduce the harmful effects of blue light. And the latest iPhone update offers a similar feature called Night Shift.

Give Your Bedroom One Job (Okay, Two)

Your bedroom should be your bedroom — not your bedroom, your office, and your exercise room. Some homeowners decide forcing double- or triple-duty on their sleeping space is their only option, but if there’s anywhere else to put your desk or ancient treadmill, do it.

“The bedroom should be for sleep and romance only,” Cralle says. “You want it to be minimal in terms of furnishings and contents. Nothing should distract from the room’s purpose: to get a wonderful night’s sleep.”

Soundproof Like Mad

Tearing out the drywall to add soundproof insulation might be a bit drastic, but anything you can do to eliminate nighttime noise will go a long way toward promoting a healthy, restful snooze.

Your brain continues to process noise at night, so do everything you can to soften the sounds — even fixing creaky floors that startle your spouse when you sneak to the bathroom at 3 a.m. (And there’s no need to bust out the hammer to quiet your floors: Talcum powder does the trick.)

“Even noise that doesn’t bring you fully awake is bad,” Cralle says.

Installing an upholstered headboard against the wall can help dampen distracting noises. Cralle even recommends acoustic panel artwork to keep your bedroom perfectly silent. And if your neighbors are keen on late-night activities, an honest conversation might inspire them to keep the volume down.

Choose a Different Hue

If your sleep schedule feels a little blue, consider the color temperature of your lightbulbs. It might be the culprit.

“Blue lights are very disruptive,” Cralle says, and the effect lasts — even after they’re switched off. Just like your computer monitor, standard fluorescent and many halogen bulbs give off a slight blue hue. Not only does the color disrupt your melatonin level, but it can amplify depressive symptoms.

Light your bedroom with bulbs that give off a red or amber hue, like a standard fluorescent light or a warm-toned LED. When you’re shopping, look for lights with a color temperature near 2700K and no higher than 4000K — many packages include this information.

Improve Your Air

You might not care about (or notice) all the dust littering your room when you’re awake, but when you’re in dreamland, your nose sure does — and it’s keeping you awake. Dust isn’t the only problem with your bedroom air. High levels of carbon dioxide can hinder your concentration the next morning.

Cralle recommends airing out your bedroom every day or sleeping with the windows open (if the temperature allows) to maintain the room’s CO2 and improve air quality. But if you’re “not in a position to do so, plants can keep the air clean.” Her favorite: mother-in-law’s tongue, also known as the snake plant, which improves the air and thrives in low light.

Related: The Best-Smelling Houseplants

Pick a Cozy Paint

Bold, bright paint colors might work wonders for your kitchen. Your bedroom needs an entirely different tack: something calm and relaxing, like a soft blue. (Yes, it sounds like a contradiction — blue light is bad, blue paint is good — but it’s true.)

“It’s a very relaxing color, and it brings down your blood pressure and heart rate,” Cralle says.

But no matter which shade you choose, stick with cool-toned colors, like silvers, grays, or light purples to keep your space tranquil.

Explore Scents

Nothing’s more calming than relaxing in a field of flowers. Or imagining it, because who has actually done that? Either way, why not imitate the experience in your bedroom?

“Make scent a forethought,” Cralle says. “It really makes your room a sleep sanctuary.”

Relaxing aromas — particularly jasmine, lavender, and vanilla — can reduce insomnia and depression and make you less sleepy in the morning. And if it inspires you to skip through flower fields in your dreams, all the better.

3 Things Pet Lovers Look for in a Home | Realtor Magazine

Sure, your clients may think a particular listing is perfect, but what does Fido think? It’s a question becoming more commonplace these days, as more Americans than ever are pet owners.

In fact, 79 million U.S households currently own a pet, and 83 percent of pet owners think of their pet as a member of their family. When this group of buyers starts a house hunt, it’s important to think about not just the needs of the clients, but of their pets as well.

“Many people who don’t have children view their pets as their children, and they consider their pets’ needs in the same way others would consider how the schools or playgrounds are in a particular neighborhood,” says Arlene Kagle, a psychologist in a recent interview in the New York Times. “These are people who have a great deal of empathy, so they worry about their pets as they would worry about another human being — though some have been known to carry it to extremes.”

Read more: The Power of Pets

The New York Times asked pet owners what features and amenities they look for when choosing a new place to rent or own. Here are some of their main concerns:

Location

• Whether your clients are in an urban walkable city like New York or in the suburbs, pet owners will want to be close to parks and have access to safe walking trails where their pets can exercise and run around.
• Living in a neighborhood with access to dog walkers and dog daycare options are also important considerations for dog owners, particularly those in urban areas.
• Some pets are overwhelmed by loud noises or other pets, so living in high-traffic areas or areas with pets in close proximity might not be the best fit. 
• Owners with talkative animals like birds will also have to consider location in their home search, especially if considering condo or apartment living.

Layout

• For owners with older pets in particular, a home’s layout is an important consideration. A home featuring a lot of stairs may not be the best situation for an elderly dog.
• On the other hand, a small home without an open floorplan may not be the best fit for a rambunctious puppy to run around.
• Dog owners will also want a home with easy access to the backyard.

Features

• Housing options with separate laundry rooms that include pet-washing stations are becoming more desirable. Many condos, for instance, now offer dog-walking services and pet grooming on-site.
• Pet owners are also likely to be attracted to listings that already have plenty of hard-surfaced flooring that makes cleaning up after pets easy.
• Your clients will also want to consider if a home has an area for a cat’s litter box and an area where pets can eat without getting in the way of family traffic patterns.

Home Remodeling Tips | Home Remodel Tips | HouseLogic Remodel Tips

Closing on your first new home can be the marker of a job well done — or it can be the beginning of many more big jobs to come. Buying a fixer-upper can be a great option for homebuyers on a budget with the time and vision to personalize the house from roof to patio — but it comes with months, or even years, of projects to tackle.

Even with all of that work ahead, you want to start enjoying your new home as soon as possible. After all, living in the middle of a home renovation can be stressful. Homeowners ride an emotional roller coaster during a remodeling project, says Dave Lupberger, veteran remodeler, industry consultant, and author of the book “Managing the Emotional Homeowner.”

How can you enjoy the home you worked so hard to buy while you’re working even harder to renovate it? Here are some projects that will create much-needed livability in your fixer-upper while the work is ongoing.

1. Create Storage Solutions

Storage may not sound exciting, but there’s no relaxing in a home covered in boxes of books that will eventually go into your revamped library or piles of pots and pans waiting for the kitchen cupboards to be renovated.

Install an organization system in the basement or garage to store your boxes and large items while they’re transient during renovations. You’ll need all that shelving as you get settled into your home and begin to accumulate more seasonal items. For items you’ll need to use more frequently throughout renovations, build shelves in closets or create storage space under a window seat or banquette bench.

2. Make Rooms You’ll Use During the Remodel Cozier

Maybe your master bedroom or kitchen will need a total remodel in a few years, but other rooms of the house need more attention now. Because you spend the most time in your bedroom and kitchen, take this opportunity to make at least one of them really cozy with a quick makeover before diving into any heavy-duty projects elsewhere.

The fastest way to change a room is with paint and accessories. Use paint to create an accent wall in your bedroom and try your hand at crown molding to make a room seem polished and elegant. You can even add new lighting for ambiance.

In the kitchen, paint the cabinets, add new hardware, and — voilà! — you have a new kitchen. Install a backsplash over a weekend, and one of your most commonly used rooms will feel peacefully polished — even if there’s chaos right down the hall.

 

3. Brighten Up the Door

Your new home might be a mess inside, but you can feel great about pulling into your driveway if there’s a welcoming front door. If the outside needs a facelift but you’re not ready to empty your pockets for a whole new look, spend a day installing a new entry door. An added bonus? A new entry door gives you a great return on your investment.

4. Create Getaway Space

Have a spring move in? If you have months of good weather ahead, start by creating a relaxing outdoor space. Build a patio or deck to create an extra room where your family can truly get away from the clamor of renovation project. There’s nothing like closing the sliding glass door on the clutter, sitting down with a glass of iced tea, and soaking up some sunshine. With all of that work you’ll be doing inside your fixer-upper, you’ll undoubtedly deserve it.