Real Homes

Assess your home

Determine the current state of your home and what ideas you want to implement. Walk through your home and determine what are your wish list items and what are the necessity items. A wish list item could be upgrading to granite countertops, while a necessity item could be leaky plumbing pipes that have to be replaced as soon as possible.

How long do you plan to be in your home

If you are planning on selling your home in 2021, take the time during January to look at your budget; what improvements you want to make and what is your goal for your home – do you plan to stay in the house short term or longer? If you want to get your return on investment, ensure you upgrade the parts of your home that home buyers are interested in.

Seek out inspiration now

From magazines to color swatches from your favorite paint store, seek out inspirational ideas now. Don’t wait until the DIY bug strikes to then rush around trying to get ideas, pay for materials and complete the project. The more planning you do ahead of time, the less stressful the project will be.

Know your budget

After the holidays, money is often tight for many home owners. Instead of getting discouraged, use the Summer holidays to plan your project and budget without stress. Use the internet, to find out information and search for the best prices for materials, labor and the time it will take to complete the project. Don’t forget members also get exclusive member offers to help keep your costs down.

Ask for help early

Be realistic about family and friends who are able to help and what expertise your helpers can provide. You may need a backup plan of a local trades-person if you don’t have the required expertise for your renovation project.

Seek out the proper permits/approvals

Safety first. If you are doing a home improvement project which requires electricity, plumbing, structural or other trades that may involve particular expertise and permits, seek these out in advance. Hire a professional general contractor or trades person if you are unclear of what permits are required. For further tips on getting DA approvals.

Be flexible

Even though you would like your kitchen remodelled in eight weeks, the reality is it may take 12 weeks. The same is true for budget and resources. Be flexible as you can with your planning and factor in extra buffer time and money for your own sanity.

Communication

Have a clear idea of what the project entails and roles of the people involved. A project plan may help clarify and communicate the entirety of the project so there isn’t any finger-pointing throughout the project. Communication is key.

Use safety precautions

Every home improvement project involves a level of safety to ensure your home and yourself do not get hurt. Follow instructions on power tools, and seek out tutorials or advice from stores such as Mitre 10.

Have a good time

Even though there is a serious side to home improvement, it should also be fun and rewarding. If you aren’t going to enjoy your hard work and effort, hire a professional and leave the hard work to them.

Do You Know What to Consider?

Depending on your family and financial situation, as well as your local property market, there will be a number of different things you look for when you’re buying a property. These factors can drive a price up or down, and perhaps even give you an edge at the negotiating table. Let’s take a look at what you should be keeping an eye on when you buy.

Schools

Everyone wants the best education possible for their children, and a lot of the time this means securing property in the zone of a great school. Even those without children can benefit – the demand for this type of neighborhood can really drive up prices, making nearby property a great long-term investment.

Crime

A safe home is a great home. And while the Australian Bureau of Statistics noted a decline across 2013 for a wide range of offences, including robbery and motor theft, it’s still important to keep your family safe. Part of this is checking crime reports for a neighborhood you want to buy a home in, and making sure it’s going to be a stable place to live.

Accessibility

If you’re in your older years, you’re unlikely to want a home with 50 stairs to climb to reach the front door! Likewise, if you drive, you need to make sure a driveway or garage is on hand as well. On top of this, you might want to check the main roads to your neighborhood – are you going to be stuck in traffic on your daily commute to work?

Another important part of accessibility is public transport. Having bus and train lines run near your neighborhood means easy access to all that your city has to offer – and less money spent on petrol! Sell Your House Rocklin Ca

Conveniences

Finding the right stores, markets and outlets that suit your lifestyle is crucial to picking a neighborhood. Can’t go without your 8:30am coffee on the way to work? Then you’re going to need a neighborhood with a good local cafe. If you only buy organic, then you’ll want a neighborhood with a local farmers market.

Noise

While public transport is great, you might not want it right outside your door – the rumbling of buses and trains can be a pain when you want to sleep! The same goes for neighbors. Consider going for a late night drive through a neighborhood on the weekend to gauge noise levels, and decide if you really want to move there.

Visuals

A daytime drive helps too: How does the neighborhood actually look to the naked eye? Are power lines blotting out the sky, or is it a paradise of rolling green parks? By digging in and looking around, as well as doing some research, you can find a neighborhood that truly meets your needs.