Image by Pexels

(This guest post was written by Stephanie Haywood of http://MyLifeBoost.com.  Stephanie Haywood is happy to be living her best life. Personal development and self-care gave her a boost when she needed it most, and now she works to share the gift of self-knowledge, self-care, and self-actualization with everyone who visits MyLifeBoost.com.)

When you spend a lot of time at home, it’s easy to grow bored at the sight of the same spaces every day. That’s why it’s important to switch things up and move things around—with a few low-effort strategies, you can give your home a fresh lease of life. Here’s some advice to get you started.

Decluttering

There’s simply no faster, cheaper way to improve your physical and mental space than with a good decluttering. If you can take the time to organize, strategize and sort through your possessions, you can open up new areas of the house and create a spatial composition that invites calmness.

To achieve this, you’ll need to be willing to throw away, donate or recycle items that serve no function in your day-to-day life. You may also need to invest in some new storage capacity. If you’re not sure how best to start the decluttering process, you can hire an expert to help you create a plan or navigate through the first stages of this chaotic process.

Aroma

When you’re looking to promote wellness in the home, scent always has a role to play. You have two primary options when picking an aroma—natural or synthetic. If you decide to go natural and buy flowers, you’ll have to maintain them and pay regularly to replace them throughout the year. Alternatively, synthetic room fresheners and diffusers, while cheaper, can’t hope to match the freshness and aesthetic provided by a bouquet. Whichever you go for, make sure to pick light, understated smells and try to disperse them in moderation! When purchasing a diffuser or any other home products, it’s a good idea to read in-depth reviews to determine a product’s quality and that it’s safe for your family.

Landscaping

Tending to your outdoor area is an important part of home maintenance and most yard work can be carried out without the help of a professional. Even more technical tasks, such as paving, can be DIY’d if you’ve done your research and bought the right tools. This is also a great way to save money and improve your property value. But tending to the front yard isn’t just about creating an attractive home, PureWow notes it’s also a great way to stay healthy and will help you to get out of the house while working from home.

Of course there are some outdoor jobs that you won’t be able to DIY. For example, if you need to have your land graded to prevent erosion and water pooling, search “ground leveling near me” for professionals. Before working with a land grading company, it’s a good idea to check reviews and ratings from customers.

Rearranging

The act of rearranging furniture or swapping rooms around can help break up monotony during long periods spent inside. Psychology Today explains that a good furniture rearrangement can even improve mental health. If you’re looking to try a new order of things, remember to keep in mind some of the key rules—such as balance and even light.

Remodeling

Occasionally, no amount of plant insertion, furniture rearrangement, or weeding is enough to revive your home and you’ll need to take some more drastic action. Remodeling your home means changing the structure or form of the property itself and, for this, you’ll need the help of experts.

The pandemic and its aftermath has resulted in a much more intimate relationship with the home. Given all the time we’re spending indoors, it’s important to set aside a few hours in the week to improve the way that we live and the spaces that we live in whether that’s through decluttering, remodeling, or revamping our outdoor areas.

Photo courtesy of Pexels

(This guest post was written by Stephanie Haywood of http://MyLifeBoost.com.  Stephanie Haywood is happy to be living her best life. Personal development and self-care gave her a boost when she needed it most, and now she works to share the gift of self-knowledge, self-care, and self-actualization with everyone who visits MyLifeBoost.com.)

Neighborhood safety ranks high on the “most wanted” list of current and prospective residents. Without feeling safe, it’s hard for residents to enjoy whatever other amenities a neighborhood offers. Bike and walking paths are no longer attractive assets if residents are scared to use them. Good schools in close proximity lose their luster if we worry about our children’s wellbeing going to and from the classrooms. A pedestrian-friendly layout is only as “friendly” as the drivers who share the road.

This is why safety should be a neighborhood priority, and a shared responsibility among all residents. Here, US Delta Realty outlines exactly what it takes to make (and maintain) a safe neighborhood.

Being Good Neighbors to Law Enforcement

It’s important to build a relationship between neighborhood residents and local law enforcement. Open dialogue between residents and police facilitates collaboration to solving – or preventing – dangerous neighborhood issues. By getting to know neighborhood residents, law enforcement officers become aware of neighborhood priorities and provide tips to residents so the police can allocate their typically overtaxed resources more efficiently.

For example, understanding something as simple as what constitutes an emergency call, and what can be handled by a non-emergency responder, can mean the difference between life and death for someone else. National Neighborhood Watch notes that positive relationships with law enforcement also breed cooperative crime-prevention programs.

Deterring Dangerous Drivers

Dangerous driving is a menace to any neighborhood. Residents may be more likely to use caution around their neighbors, and also be aware of any high-traffic areas that deserve extra caution. Those driving through from other parts of the city may be unaware of speed limits, heavy pedestrian areas, or simply don’t exercise safe driving behaviors, like driving while texting or talking on the phone.

Holding constructive neighborhood meetings can be a proactive way of stemming the proliferation of unsafe driving. In fact, if you live in a shared housing complex, such as those with condominiums, townhomes, and co-ops, you’ll typically belong to a homeowners association, or HOA, that has regular meetings. These meetings present ideal opportunities to bring up security and driving safety concerns, leading to a productive dialogue about what driver deterrents make the most sense.

The Practical Consequences of Cosmetic Adjustments

When you put on your best outfit and pay attention to your personal style, it sends a message to others about the pride you have in yourself, and it builds confidence in you. The ambience your neighborhood projects is very similar. Overgrown yards, rusting playgrounds, and empty lots aren’t just unsightly – they can negatively affect property value and obstruct views of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. They can also become fire hazards in dry, hot weather. Broken windows, run-down buildings and ill-lit streets and parking lots can be invitations to crime.

Forming beautification and restoration groups for neighborhood cleanups accomplishes so much more than neighborhood cleanliness, as NBC News reports. You are forging bonds with your neighbors, deterring criminal activity, and making law enforcement’s job easier. Set a day each month to clean, and another day for improvements, such as planting flowers, trees, fixing fences, or turning empty lots into safe play areas for children and youth. And the good news is that certain home improvements also have the added benefit of raising your home’s appraisal value.

In shared housing situations, the maintenance, repair, and security of shared spaces is part of your HOA’s responsibility, so be sure to notify them if you see something that needs attention.

The Neighborhood Family

Neighborhood residents share a great deal with one another – from favorite eating spots to playgrounds and pediatricians, to quaint books and coffee shops. Children play with each other at neighborhood cookouts and holiday celebrations. You keep an eye on your neighbors’ kids, and on their homes when they’re away. In sharing so much, residents must always remember that neighborhood safety is a “family” responsibility we also share.

Are you looking for a safe neighborhood in the Tempe area? Turn to the real estate experts at US Delta Realty. With their years of experience, they can help you find the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood.

(This guest post was written by Maria Cannon of Hobbyjr.org) Maria created Hobby Jr. to encourage young people to find a hobby they love. Her hobbies include gardening, quilting, sewing, and knitting, which play a major role in maintaining her mental health.)

The transition into an assisted living community is often difficult, and it involves letting go of many things, including your home. This can be heartbreaking and stressful, but you can smooth the process by knowing your options and making an informed decision.

Finding the Right Living Situation

Before deciding what to do with your home, you’ll need to carefully review your living options. If you’d like to maintain some level of independence but still need help with activities of daily living, then an assisted living facility is your best option. These facilities offer seniors support in meal preparation, medication management, dressing and bathing, and recreational activities.

However, if you’re dealing with a serious health issue that requires skilled nursing care and 24/7 monitoring, then a nursing home will be a safer choice. To learn more about Phoenix-area nursing homes, check out online directories, and read reviews and detailed facility reports.

Selling a Home Yourself

As you transition into assisted living, you may consider selling your home. This isn’t easy, of course, especially if you’ve lived in your home for a long time and have made many memories there. Yet it may be a necessary step to help you cover the costs of assisted living.

Begin the process by taking a close look at the home prices in your area. Real estate websites let you run a search for recently sold properties, and you can look for houses equivalent to your own to get an idea of the average sale price of homes in your area over the previous month or so. Afterward, you can list your home on a website like Redfin. You can then determine if you can get enough money from the sale of your house to pay for your current needs. If not, you may consider other options.

Work with a Real Estate Professional

For many people, selling a home on their own isn’t an option. The process can get pretty involved, which is why you may want to work with a professional once you’ve handled some of the early research on your own.

If you do decide to team up with a pro, hire a real estate agent from US Delta Realty who can provide a high level of expertise and exceptional customer service. Your agent helps you price your home properly, advises you about necessary repairs and staging, handles showings and offers, and takes care of your closing when your home sells.

Renting Your Home

If selling your home isn’t a viable option at the moment, you may decide to rent it out. This can be tricky and time-consuming, for you must research rental prices in your area, learn about rental laws in your state, write up a rental policy and lease, meet with potential tenants, keep careful records, and deal with any maintenance issues that may come up.

All of this may seem overwhelming, but if you still think renting out your home is the right choice for you, consider hiring a property management company to take care of the details. Your property manager provides you with all the legalities, helps you with drafting a lease, screens potential tenants, and interacts with tenants. You still have to stay in constant contact with the property manager, but you don’t have to handle the daily business of rental management.

Gifting Your Home

Finally, you may think about gifting your home to a relative or friend or at least putting your home in the care of another for the time being. If you decide to gift your home, however, you must be aware of the tax implications of this act. Talk to a tax accountant who can give you the latest information about federal and state obligations for you and your loved one. Better yet, work with an attorney to help you navigate the legalities associated with this type of transfer. However, if you decide to retain your home in your name and allow a loved one to live in it, draw up a contract so each party is fully aware of expectations and obligations.

Transitioning

A transition to assisted living isn’t easy, but if you plan carefully and make an educated decision about whether to sell, rent, or gift your home, the process may be smoother. When you’re ready to sell your home, connect with the real estate professionals at US Delta Realty! 480-336-8752

Photo by Valentin Salja on Unsplash

(This guest post was written by Maria Cannon of Hobbyjr.org) Maria created Hobby Jr. to encourage young people to find a hobby they love. Her hobbies include gardening, quilting, sewing, and knitting, which play a major role in maintaining her mental health.)

Living healthier is not just a typical New Year’s Resolution; it’s an ongoing goal for many. By prioritizing the health of your home and making positive changes, you can reach your objective faster. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are some tips from US Delta Realty.

Picking Improvements

When you’re picking improvements to make, look beyond your needs, especially if you may sell soon. By considering buyer trends, you can select projects with broad appeal, allowing you to increase the value of your home more effectively. By taking photos and keeping receipts, you’ll have an easier time getting top dollar, so make that a priority.

Straightforward DIY Projects

If you’re looking for DIY projects that allow you to prioritize the health of your home and make positive changes, start with the basics. Clutter can lead to higher stress levels and anxiety. As a result, decluttering is an excellent first DIY project.

While you can simply declutter in a way that feels logical, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the idea. If you aren’t sure how to get started, give the KonMari Method a try. It’ll give you a framework to follow, making the project less difficult.

Another great DIY project is an air filter replacement. Your HVAC air filters remove contaminants from the air in your home, but they can only be at their best if they are in good shape. Usually, replacing them only takes a few minutes and requires a few – if any – tools, making it an excellent DIY option.

If you want to give your home a new sense of life and vibrance, introduce plants. Fresh greenery can be a mood booster, allowing you to bring a bit of the outside indoors. If you couple that with new paint, you can transform your space quickly and improve air quality. Select soothing shades to create a sense of calm throughout your house, turning it into a respite.

When to Hire Professionals

Some home upgrades aren’t DIY-friendly. In those cases, you’ll want to bring in professionals to ensure the work is done right.

One great project that can improve the air quality in your home is to add UV to your HVAC. UV light can kill germs, making your house healthier. But since the project is involved and impacts a critical system, work with a skilled HVAC technician instead of tackling it yourself.

Remodeling your kitchen to give you more room for creating healthy meals is also a good choice. Since it’s an enormous undertaking, this one is better left in the hands of professionals. Once you’re ready to begin, look for a skilled plumber if you need to repair, replace, or relocate pipes. Since you’ll pay around $45 to $150 per hour, make sure you read reviews and choose a licensed and insured plumber. That way, you’ll get your money’s worth.

Paying for Home Improvements

Many homeowners can’t afford to cover the cost of their home improvements out of pocket. If you’re in that category and wondering how to refinance a house, then you may want to explore financing options.

While options like a personal loan or credit card may be easiest, they aren’t always ideal if you want the best interest rate. If you want a better rate, going with cash-out refinancing or HELOC could be a wiser choice.

With a cash-out refinance, you’ll get a new mortgage that’s larger than your current loan, and you get to receive the difference between your current balance and the new loan amount in cash, giving you money to spend. HELOCs are a separate line of credit that’s tied to your home’s equity, allowing you to tap the value of your house without a completely new mortgage.

(This guest post was written by Maria Cannon of Hobbyjr.org) Maria created Hobby Jr. to encourage young people to find a hobby they love. Her hobbies include gardening, quilting, sewing, and knitting, which play a major role in maintaining her mental health.)

Ah, the smell of treats baking in the air. The sound of laughter and happiness. Wine glasses clinking. One of the biggest joys of being a homeowner is setting your space up for entertaining. Love having friends and family over? Well, there are a few hacks you can easily do to get your space ready for good times ahead.

With the holiday season looming in the not-so-distant future, it’s time to get yourself on the nice list. Whether you’re looking for the perfect entertaining home or looking to get your existing space ready, US Delta Realty helps you prep for a warm and inviting home setting.

Prime Features to Look For

According to CNBC, home sales in 2020 were the highest they’ve been in 14 years! People are out there buying, and if you’ve been looking to make the leap – now may be the right time. When looking for the perfect home or rental, why not keep in mind your entertaining needs? Here are some specific features to look for:

• Flexible and multifunctional spaces: For example, an open floor plan lends itself to kitchen space and a seating area.
• Public/private divide: Look for homes with a clear distinction between entertaining spaces and family spaces. For example, all private rooms on the first level, with entertaining spaces on the ground level.
• Backyard: If you live in a city with great weather (like Tempe, AZ), a backyard is prime for indoor/outdoor entertaining. For example, you could place a fire pit, jacuzzi, barbeque, or pool for relaxing with your guests!

Worried that these features are going to set you back a pretty penny? To make your search easier, go to a site like Rent.com and select it to filter by price range. This way, you’ll only see properties within your budget while accounting for features like bedrooms, bathrooms, and more! The best part is, you won’t waste time considering properties that don’t have what you’re looking for!

Seating All the Way

If you plan to have multiple guests over at a time, flexible seating will be the name of the game. Incorporate elements like ottomans, occasional chairs, and bench seating to host your loved ones. This will provide seating well within reach and prevent last-minute scrambling from making everyone comfortable. Counter stools and folding chairs are other viable options as they offer different seating types for both the indoors and outdoors.

Set the Mood

When creating a space people will enjoy, spend a little money on the small details that will set the mood for your guests. Check out the following easy home fixes:

• Music: Investing in a quality sound system will set forth the relaxed atmosphere you’re going for long before your guests get comfortable! Look for a system that connects rooms inside and outside.
• Lighting: According to Elemental LED, it is ideal to have a mix of direct, indirect, and mood lighting with dimmers. This will allow you to control the mood with ease.
• Storage: You’ll need to have lots of creative storage solutions to house all those platters and serving dishes! It’s a bonus if you have a pantry or small spare room to accommodate all your entertaining supplies in one place.

Essentially, you need to be considering every facet of your entertaining journey. This will allow things to go by smoothly, without a hiccup – and your guests will have more fun too!

From holiday parties to game nights and movie specials, entertaining is a big priority for so many homeowners out there. Hosting is the ultimate combination of connection and comfort – and don’t forget to infuse your personal style in there as well! We hope this article helps you get started on the lovely soirees you’ve always dreamed of. Happy hosting!

Looking to buy your dream forever home? At US Delta Realty our objective is to use our knowledge and expertise in helping you achieve your real estate goals. Contact us at chuong@usdeltarealty.com or give us a call at 480-336-8752! Entertaining is made all the more manageable with the perfect home setup.

Image via Pexels

(This is a guest posting by Alice Robertson.  Alice began her career in the home organization industry as a professional house cleaner. After cleaning and organizing her clients’ homes for years, she decided to open her own home organization business. Over the years, she has built an impressive client list, helping to make spaces in homes and businesses more functional. She recently created Tidy Home as a place to share the great cleaning and organizing advice she has developed over the years.)

While moving in with a significant other is an exciting time in a relationship, you’re likely to encounter some challenges along the way—especially as you adjust to sharing a space and getting used to one another’s habits. However, one alarming study says that home decor prompts approximately 72 arguments between couples each year! From agreeing on a style and price range to shopping together for a new piece of furniture, decorating your space may be the biggest challenge that you and your partner will face as you settle into your shared home.

To keep the peace as you and your partner begin to decorate your new space, it’s important to establish several ground rules. When creating these ground rules, remember to set a budget, choose a color palette to work with, and decide which styles, colors, and furniture pieces are off-limits. These rules will help you and your partner to create a space that you’ll both adore.

For some creative tips that will help you and your significant other to decorate a new space in a way that you’ll both love, read on!

Mix Your Favorite Materials, Accents and Color Schemes

When decorating a new space with your live-in love, it’s important to create a blend of one another’s styles—whether it be contemporary, rustic, modern, or feminine. This strategy will balance your space and help you and your partner to feel more content in your shared home. To make this possible, design experts recommend:

• Filling your space with a variety of materials, textiles, patterns, shapes, finishes, and textures.
• Using decorative accents like plants, candles, picture frames and throw pillows to incorporate your favorite color schemes.
• Displaying a bookshelf or cabinet that holds your partner’s favorite accessories, books, and decorative accents—even the ones you aren’t crazy about.

While your partner may own a certain furniture piece, painting, or decorative accent that you can’t stand, the item may grow on you if you keep it around for awhile. According to the experts at HGTV, you shouldn’t knock it until you try it! Plus, you may find a creative way of incorporating the undesirable item into your shared space.

Instead of throwing these unwanted items out as soon as you move into your new space, try moving them around from room to room to find ways of blending them in with some of your favorite pieces. If you don’t feel like moving bulkier furniture pieces around your new home, however, many home decorating apps are available to simplify this process.

Shop Together to Find Items You’ll Both Love

Even if just one of you will be shopping for your new home decor, you and your partner will create a lifelong memory if you do at least some of the shopping together. If you dread the thought of navigating a massive department store with your partner, however, lifestyle retail stores like Crate & Barrel may be better options for you and your love.

Also known as specialty retailers, these lifestyle retail stores sell a wide selection of rugs, vases, curtains, light fixtures, sofas, chairs, and other decorative pieces fit for any home. Crate & Barrel, for instance, sells quality home decor in a wide variety of styles and color schemes—helping you and your partner to meet somewhere in the middle as you design your new space. While shopping at Crate & Barrel can be costly, you can usually find Crate and Barrel coupons and promo codes to help you save on your purchases.

As you and your live-in love begin to decorate your new home together, you’ll likely encounter some obstacles along the way. However, these simple tips will help you and your partner to keep your arguments to a minimum and focus on the things that really matter—like the reasons you chose to move in together in the first place.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]