Tips to Clear out Clutter

 

Is clutter invading your house and mind? Here are five tips to help you through the decluttering process.

1. Prepare to purge Central to the success of your de-cluttering mission is your willingness to let go of what you don’t need. Photograph each room and be firm about deciding what needs to be cleared away. Think about the big picture – you may have strong sentimental ties to that wobbly wooden chair, but does it really work in your modern living space? Take it to your local charity store bin once a month, or as soon as its full.

2. Everything in its place Whether you have kids, pets or passions, or live alone and are a total hermit, you’re likely to have accumulated a wide range of weirdly specific stuff. Look at your ‘before’ photos and think about what storage solutions might work for each space. Try to organize like things together in a convenient location. Keep your dog’s leash and bags in one area near the front or back door. Gather all your hats, gloves and slippers into a basket in a closet near the entranceway, so you can do all your winter layering in one spot. Use canisters, baskets and adjustable shelving to organize your linen closet, separating items according to room. Pack your decorations away in boxes according to their holiday, and rather than dismantling centrepieces and wreaths, wrap them in tissue or bubble wrap and cover with a plastic bag

3. The randoms Some things seem harder to organize then others…like the impossible knot of necklaces in your jewelry box or the bulging box of mementos that overflows more every year. Hang bracelets and necklaces on jewelry trees or other elegant hanging stands to stop them from getting tangled. Also separate expensive and cheap pieces and silver and gold jewelry into separate stands or boxes. As for those keepsakes, you can display treasured pictures and cards in a wood and glass display box, or transfer them to an organized file folder with labeled tabs.

4. Create storage space Asses your unused wall, door and floor space, to see where hooks can be hung, storage boxes hidden, and bulletin boards erected. Sturdy, inexpensive baskets are great storage option for the under the bed, or if you’re looking for a new bed, consider one that has a bed frame with shelving built in. In the foyer, you could consider a seating bench with built-in cupboards.

5. Get your papers in order Piles of paper can bring on existential stress in anyone, so get your documents under control with a filing cabinet. It’ll save you time and sanity at tax time, plus filing cabinets have come a long way from the boxy, metal towers of two decades ago. To further cut back on paper, file your recipes in a clear plastic binder or store them electronically and recycle the yellowing hard copies. Donate or recycle old books and magazines when you’ve read them, and keep a central in tray to prevent post from piling up around the house.

Five Ways to Maximize Space in Your Kitchen Renovations

Are you remodeling a cramped, cluttered kitchen? Keep in mind that you don’t need to extend your kitchen to make it work more effectively. Instead, think about getting more creative with space you have. From maximizing natural light to using integrated appliances, following are five great tips to help make your kitchen user-friendly and space-efficient, whatever its size.

1. Break down walls and go open-plan Not only do open-plan kitchens look more spacious and inviting, they also add to your resale value. Tear down non-load-bearing walls in adjoining rooms to improve the dimensions of a cramped kitchen and open up the entire floor space. You can also go half the way, leaving a ‘peekaboo’ space that doubles as a shelf or servery opening.

2. Work your counter space Counters are prime kitchen real estate, and make a huge difference to your kitchen’s functionality. If possible, plan for least four square meters of countertop (including the sink and cooktop), with 15 inches on either side of the cooktop and refrigerator. Landing space is also important near the microwave. If you do a lot of cooking, a counter depth of 600mm or 650mm depth will allow for your wok and bulky pots. Alternatively, you can add valuable counter space with a kitchen island. Islands double as storage and serving spaces, and some come on wheels, so they can be moved out of the way when not in use.

3. Save space with integrated appliances Maximize kitchen space and achieve a clean, uncluttered look with ‘integrated’ appliances that are hidden from view. Consider carefully placed fridge and freezer drawers, which take up far less space than a freestanding fridge. Some models are multi-temperature, which means they can also be programmed to store everything from red wine to pantry items. Or opt for a dishwasher drawer, which can be conveniently located next to your cutlery drawer and crockery cupboard for space-efficient unloading. There are also lots of innovative, scaled-back kitchens appliances – from pint-sized microwaves to two-burner stoves and single sinks.

4. Introduce natural light Natural light will brighten up your kitchen and make it look larger than it is. If your current kitchen has a blank exterior wall, you have a great blank slate on which to add windows. Remember that window installation requires a building permit and the skills of professionals. Alternatively, you can enhance your kitchen’s natural light by installing glass panels in the wall between the overhead cupboards and benches. Glass bricks are a great option where you don’t want to be too exposed. Contact the experts at Wallside Windows at (313) 908-5243 to discuss transforming your kitchen with custom windows.

5. Add open shelves and storage Swap your high, hard-to-reach cupboards for open storage, such as shelving, pot racks or magnetic knife or spice holders. This turns a boxy, claustrophobic vertical layout into an eye-catching display space for your favorite crockery, pots, or artwork. You can also add a handy shelf beside or behind your cooktop, to store cooking oils, utensils and spices. Or consider placing hooks to hang your frequently used pots and pans.

Investing in Energy Efficient Windows

Do you want replacement windows that will cut your energy costs? The following are some key things to consider when looking for windows that deliver maximum energy efficiency.

Solar protection Low-emissivity, or low-e glass, is an energy-efficient glass that prevents the passage of heat in and out of your home. Low-e glass blocks natural sunlight in summer, and helps stop indoor heat from escaping during winter months. At Wallside Windows, our dual-pane windows are custom-designed using low-e glass, making them an excellent year-round investment. We can also apply an additional UV coating to your windows, to further reflect interior heat and/or external sunlight.

Insulation Insulation is one of the simplest ways that we can make our homes more energy efficient. Which is why Wallside Windows offer dual-pane windows with argon gas between the two panes for more insulation. Our innovative design keeps heat in during winter and sunshine out during summer, making them up to 50 percent more efficient than their single-pane counterparts.

Energy-efficient treatments You can extend the energy-saving benefits of your windows even further with treatments such as awnings, interior blinds, and window draperies. Install window awnings for extra UV protection during summer, and as a defense against damaging wild winter weather. With energy-efficient interior blinds, you can control the amount of light and heat entering through the windows, simply by raising, lowering, or opening the blinds. Choose medium weight window draperies in a darker shade, and hang them very closely to your window surface for optimum energy efficiency.

Tax credits Homeowners can receive cash rebates on qualifying energy-efficient improvements, including replacement windows. Visit the government’s Energy Star website to learn more about energy-efficient rebates.

Installation Installation is crucial to ensuring your energy-efficient windows perform as they should. Windows should be installed in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations and be properly air sealed, which involves caulking the frame and weatherstripping the components. It’s best to have a professional install your windows – so don’t hesitate to call the team at Wallside Windows for an energy-efficient window installation you can trust.

To learn more about energy-efficient windows and treatments, contact the team at Wallside Windows of Detroit at (313) 908-5243. Our home window replacement experts can help you design energy-efficient windows that are perfect for your home.

A Quick Guide to the Home Buying Process

 

Have you found your dream home? The following is a guide to help you navigate through the various steps of the buying process.

Naming your price Deciding on how much to offer is probably the most crucial step in the negotiation process. This is where your real estate agent can be your real estate angel. They’ll help you name your offer figure, as well as the conditions you want to request, such as having the buyer take care of your closing costs. Your agent will present the offer to the seller's agent, who will then either accept or issue a counter-offer on behalf of the seller. If you’re not happy with the counter-offer, you’ll keep negotiating until you reach an agreement.

Moving into ‘escrow’ Once you and the seller have agreed on a figure, you'll make a good-faith deposit and the seller initiates escrow. Escrow is a the part of the process – usually a 30 day period – where the seller takes the house off the market on the contractual understanding that you are the buyer. Keep in mind that you can renege on this commitment if you find the home has substantial structural or other flaws when you professionally inspect it.

Inspecting your new home Sure, your new home looks like perfection and all you can think about is taking up residence within its neutral-toned walls. However, it’s not unusual for a property that looks great on the surface to conceal serious underlying problems. This is why you need a trained professional to thoroughly assess the quality, safety and overall condition of your desired new home. If the property turns out to have substantial issues that the seller didn’t warn you about, then in most cases you can withdraw your offer and have your deposit returned. Alternatively, you can negotiate to reduce the selling price, or get the seller to pay for any necessary repairs.

  Sealing the deal If the property passed the inspection with flying colors, or if you’ve agreed on a deal to address any issues with the seller, then you're ready to close. Take heart that a successful outcome is near. But also keep in mind that closing can be a stressful time, as it involves reams of paperwork and lots of crossing your fingers to ensure there are no last-minute setbacks. In this final stage, things you may need to organize and pay for include: -a home appraisal for your mortgage company -a title search to ensure that no one apart from the seller has a claim to the property -securing mortgage insurance or a piggyback loan if your down payment is less than 20%

Top Five Tips for Selling Your House

 

Are you gearing up to sell your home? Here are some insider tips to help you get the best possible price when your house hits the market.

Make a stellar first impression Anyone in the real estate business knows the truth of the old adage that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Buying a home is an emotional, high-stakes decision, which is why you need to woo buyers before they even walk in the door. Enhance your home’s exterior appeal with low-cost greenery and vibrant flowers. Tidy up your curb and consider paying a professional to wash your house with a high-pressure hose. Steam clean your carpets and say ‘Buy Me!’ with fresh flowers in a clutter-free entryway.

  Pretend you don’t live there When potential buyers enter you home, they don’t want to see your treasured family photos or the sagging sofa you inherited from your brother. They want to see a space they can imagine transforming into their own. Move a third of your stuff into storage, including all photos, memorabilia and personal keepsakes. You might also want to hire a home stager to help you best showcase your home’s layout and potential.

  Start with a seller's price It can be scary kicking off your auction with an asking price that is less than your home is worth. But this classic sales technique ensures a rush of buyers and bids even in the worst of markets. With more buyers competing, your sale price can be driven even higher than your home’s worth. Consider starting at 15- 20% less than what your home is valued at.

  Focus on the kitchen When it comes to enhancing your home’s resale value, the kitchen is your top priority. Experts say you can get back around 85% of the money you invest in kitchen overhaul. The cheapest and easiest kitchen renovations include painting (choose a neutral color) and new cabinet hardware. New countertops will also add much more to you home’s value than they actually cost. Another trick is to buy one high-end stainless steel appliance, to lends an aura of affluence to your entire kitchen.

  Do small fixes In the rest of the house, you’ll reap more money with quick repairs and updates than with major overhauls. Paint the walls and update your windows with inexpensive new blinds or curtains. Fix leaking plumbing and wobbly door handles, clean out mold and grout and replace cabinet hardware.