You may love your home just the way it is, but when it comes time to sell the well-loved, older building, you may need to take a critical look at what is missing and change a few things. Here are three ways to sell an old home to young buyers.

1. Check the Lighting

Lighting can make a room feel inviting, so it is no wonder that one of the things that can help sell your home is clean windows, updated lighting fixtures, and new light shades. If your curtains or draperies are dark in color, you may want to switch them out for lighter fabrics so that the light radiates into the room from the windows rather than being absorbed.

2. Kitchen Upgrades

Appliances can make or break the sale of a home to a young home buyer because they can’t imagine living in a world without the convenient appliances. So, if your home doesn’t have a dishwasher, call for a dishwasher installation Washington DC. Also, make sure your oven, stove, and refrigerator are not 30 years old. If they are, they need to be replaced.

3. Make It a House

After living in your home for many years, you probably have many items on the walls, stacks of books, and maybe even some bric-a-brac. Before putting your home on the market, remove anything that could make the house a home. This includes pictures, plaques, awards, or fun kitchen items. The more things you remove that made the building your home, the more easily a buyer will be able to see themselves or their family living there.

4. Remove the Paper

Older homes often have wallpaper covering at least one or two bedroom or hallway walls. If possible, remove the paper and allow the potential buyer to decorate the home their way as they imagine the space filled with their possessions.

You can sell an older home to a younger buyer. All you have to do is plan ahead, and make sure your home becomes a house.

Whether you own a beach house or just snagged that great seasonal rental, you’re no doubt looking forward to fun in the sand. But as anyone who has spent a long day in the dunes knows, there’s usually a lot of stuff to lug around. Leisure time can be pretty tiring. How to avoid getting worn down? By being as efficient and organized as possible. Here are a few ways to do so.

Save Steps

Some of today’s most desirable coastal homes are equipped with beach house cargo lifts. These convenient external elevators have grown in popularity because these homes are being built higher above sea level. They’re capable of moving large quantities of items to higher floors quickly. Most have a capacity of at least 1,000 pounds. Cargo lifts are also a much easier way to stock a house at the start of the season than by making multiple trips up a staircase, where injuries are all too common.

Make Lists

You think you’ve gathered everything for your trip to the ocean: the beach chairs, sunscreen, umbrella, snacks and toys. But then you get down to the ocean and realize you forgot towels. The long trek back to the house begins. Or worse, you may have even forgotten to stock the house with certain essentials and now have to find a store to make an unexpected purchase. Both scenarios can be avoided by simply making a list of necessities.

Plan Ahead

Waiting until the last minute can induce stress. Whether you’re an owner preparing for the season or a renter planning a stay, get in the habit of packing at least two days in advance. You can then use the additional time to closely review everything you’ve packed. Most people find that this technique helps them avoid overpacking.

Owning or renting a beach house is often a reward for all your hard work. By following these tips, you can ensure that your time at your house never feels like more hard work.

Cleaning your home generally doesn’t rank on a list of top fun things to do. Most individuals are busy with work, school, community responsibilities, exercising, hobbies, parental duties and more. Here are the top three reasons you should hire a cleaning company.

Free Time

The most cited reason for hiring a cleaning company is to free up time. As mentioned above, most individuals barely find enough time in the day to complete important tasks such as work, school and community service. The last thing you want to do at the end of the day or week is spend time cleaning. A residential cleaning Olney MD company provides quality service at affordable prices so that you can spend your time on things that really matter to you.

Detailed Cleaning

Because you’re already pressed for time, thoroughly cleaning your home is generally not possible. You’re probably lucky to take care of cleaning basics such as vacuuming and wiping down the bathroom. A professional cleaning company can take care of these tasks and so much more. When was the last time you wiped down your kitchen appliances or the top of the fridge? Do you have cobwebs hanging from fans and light fixtures? A residential cleaning company gives you detailed cleaning so that your home feels fresh and clean.

Customization

Another reason to hire a cleaning company is customization. Most companies offer the flexibility to choose your cleaning schedule. Whether you want someone to clean your home each week or once a month, you’re able to choose how much or how little you want cleaned. General cleaning services are included, such as dusting, sweeping and mopping; however, if you want windows washed or the inside of your fridge cleaned, you’ll need to request and pay for these additional services.

Hiring a cleaning company will free up your time, clean your home more thoroughly and provide you with customization for how and when you want your home cleaned.

Buying a home is the biggest investment most people ever make in their lifetime. That is why it is surprising so many people buy with an emotional attachment instead of making the decision based on facts and figures. To keep you from being caught unaware by hidden surprises, use these three tips to be safe when you purchase a home.

Get To Know Your Agent

Not all real estate agents are created equal. Some agents are business people that want to move through each transaction quickly and efficiently by showing a few homes and then moving on. Other agents like your Palm Springs real estate will show dozens of homes to prospective clients to make sure the buyer finds what he or she wants in a house. Still, other agents believe in applying pressure with key phrases about how the property is going to sell quickly. Knowing what type of real estate agent you are working with will save you possible frustration and irritation.

Know What You Want

Establish boundaries with your agent and request that he or she sticks to those limits. Finding a home for you to view that is too big or too small in the perfect location is a waste of your time, just as locating a home for you to see that is the perfect size in the wrong area of town can cause you to become frustrated. Walking through a beautiful home with too few bedrooms is simply a wasted effort.

Understand Your Budget

The same is true for your budget. Many agents will show homes that are $10,000 to $30,000 over budget with the hope negotiation will bring the price down. Don’t fall in love with something you can’t afford. Let your agent know what your terms are and request he or she stay within that monetary range.

You are the boss when you purchase a house. Don’t let yourself be pressured into anything. However, you should be prepared to walk through a few homes before you find one that fits your needs. It can take some time.

Backyard parties are one of the best parts of summertime — hot dogs on the grill, kids playing in the grass and friends gathered around the fire pit. Unless, of course, your backyard is looking a little worse for the wear and none of these features actually exist. If backyard barbecues are a pipe dream for you, make that dream into a reality and give yourself the gift of a lovely backyard.

Patio

Your patio has likely suffered from neglect for a while now, so pressure wash all dirt and grime off of it. Get into the cracks and corners to really make it look finished; details are important! Once it’s clean and dry, it’s time to make your patio stand out.

• Nothing is more relaxing than an evening sitting by the fire. Cinder blocks and bricks are cheap at the hardware store and can make an elegant DIY fire pit. If you’d rather have one that serves as functional fine art, look into a custom metal design.
• A seating area creates an inviting, warm space. Instead of pulling out all the random camping chairs from the garage, invest in a nice set of durable patio furniture.

Yard

Hot summers can take a toll on your poor yard. Thick, green grass is not always easy to achieve and it certainly can’t be done overnight. However, giving the right attention and love to your lawn will make an enormous difference in due time.

• After you’ve mowed and raked away loose leaves and debris, sprinkle grass seed and fertilizer all over your grass. If there are bare patches, focus on those. Water your lawn every night; before you know it you will have the most beautiful lawn on the block!
• Don’t forget about the flowerbeds! Weed them thoroughly and plant bright flowers to replace the dead ones. Spread fresh bark or dirt over the top as a finishing touch.

Yardwork is a labor of love. Don’t underestimate how much pride that a freshly manicured, beautiful yard can give. You will be proud to show it off!

Your fireplace is an important feature of your DC home, especially once winter comes. It keeps you and your family warm and comfortable throughout the colder months. Keeping your chimney clean is crucial for ensuring that your fireplace functions properly all winter long. It also offers several other significant benefits. Here are 3 reasons why it’s important to keep your chimney clean.

Spot Potential Issues Early

Burning wood in your fireplace creates ash, soot, and other debris that can clog the flue liner, damper, masonry and other components of your chimney. Too much buildup can cause significant wear and tear on these parts, leaving you with expensive repairs on your hands. A chimney sweep washington dc can eliminate the buildup in your chimney, uncovering minor issues before they become something more serious.

Reduce Your Winter Energy Bills

The winter months in Washington, DC can get quite chilly, causing you to turn on the heat. Your fireplace can help to keep your home warm, reducing your reliance on your furnace. When the chimney is clean, it can heat your home more efficiently so you don’t have to turn the temperature up on your thermostat as often. Not only do you get to enjoy cozy evenings by the fire, but you are also able to enjoy seeing lower numbers on your heating bills each month.

Protect Your Family

A dirty chimney can put your home, and your family, in serious danger. Creosote buildup increases the risk of fires. It also prevents carbon monoxide from escaping. A clean chimney is essential for protecting your family from the hazards of fire. It also allows the carbon monoxide to properly exit your home, protecting your family from inhaling the poisonous (and potentially fatal) fumes.

When your fireplace is clean, you can be assured that your fireplace will function properly, keeping you and your family warm and cozy all winter long.