Homework: How to Improve Your Remote WorkspaceIf you need help redesigning your home office, turn to the experts at Redesign + More Interior Decorating. We can help you coordinate your space specific to your aesthetic and for optimal productivity. Reach out today to find out more about our online services.  For millions of
work-at-homers across the USA, the office is little more than a kitchen table
and a box of raisin bran. Remote working means that our home and work lives are
increasingly interlinked, but to stay productive, it’s important to divide the
two and give your workspace the TLC it deserves — Redesign +
More Interior Decorating explains how.
Upgrade Your Furniture In 2016, it was found that American adults spend 6.4 hours per day sitting — well before the pandemic. If you’re going to spend so much time in a chair, you might as well make sure it’s a good one. As you shop for the perfect throne, pay close attention to adjustability, lumbar support, and materials/fabric. It’s worth the extra research — a good office chair can improve your posture, energy, and productivity. Upgrading your furniture
isn’t all about buying new. Sometimes, with a quick search for reupholstery
services, you can get more usage out of existing items and this can often prove
a cheaper option. Prices will depend on the size and quality of the item.
Before agreeing to terms with a company, make sure you’ve read plenty of
reviews. Improve Your Tech Beyond comfortable
furniture, your workspace needs the right tech to help you keep your
productivity flowing. An old mouse or keyboard, outdated software, a glitchy
webcam and keeping with paper only calendars can actually slow you down. Give
your tech the makeover it needs by upgrading any necessary accessories or
hardware (sites like Tech Pro Daily can help you choose), and look
into online tools like Pomodoro apps to help you
stay focused, Trello to help manage tasks and projects, and Evernote for taking
notes. Go Green Good office space isn’t just about comfort but also appearances, humidity, and clean air. This is where plants come in. If you’re not on Instagram, you should know that America has gone completely plant crazy and for good reason — keeping some greenery in your workspace looks great in meetings, can improve the smell, and, for a lot of us, is a great mood booster. Picking the right plants is an art in and of itself. Your plant criteria depend on your access to sunlight, desk/floor space, and whether or not you have pets. For a little sprucing up, you can’t go wrong with cacti. If you want something easy to take care of, look no further than Devil’s Ivy — this is a great option but is toxic to cats and dogs. And if you want something calming and great for the quality of air, the aloe vera plant is hard to beat. Houseplants don’t break the bank and, for such a reasonable value, can completely improve the ambiance of your home office. Light Up In an ideal world, we’d finish all our work by the end of the day. Unfortunately, from time to time, we all have to burn the midnight oil. That’s why lighting is so important. In an office, perhaps even more than elsewhere at home, your choice of lamp, overhead bulbs, or access to sunlight can directly affect productivity by keeping you awake. You might be surprised to learn that there’s been a lot of research into lighting and how it relates to work. We recommend shopping LED for starters — LED bulbs tend to be more energy-efficient than halogens and come in various sizes. You’ll be able to pick between warm or clear — deciding which is a matter of personal preference (although warm tends to compliment appearances better over a Zoom call). In the new normal, your home is your workplace and the space where you’re spending the most time. If you can take the time to improve a few of its key features using some of the advice above — your mood, focus, and productivity will shortly follow after. Article written by Erin Reynolds Image by Pexels Budget-Friendly Advice for Cleaning Your New House or ApartmentRedesign + More is your source for interior design, redesign, home staging, color consultations, holiday, seasonal and event decorating services. Reach out to us today! 704.880.7901  Image courtesy of Pixabay Budget-Friendly Advice for Cleaning
Your New House or Apartment Nothing can make you feel less welcome in your own space than other people’s residual dirt. To ensure your next abode is move-in ready, plan to give it a thorough cleaning before you make a full transition. Whether you own or rent, with these thrifty strategies from Redesign + More, you can make it really feel like home without breaking your budget. Connect with Help There are ample responsibilities associated with changing your residence, between all the packing, arrangements, and the move itself. There is so much to tend that many people elect to hire professional cleaners for a one-time deep cleaning at the new place, freeing themselves of that responsibility. While rentals typically are cleaned by a landlord, hiring a service ensures it’s done to your specifications. It’s a sure way to feel comfortable in your new home, and finding someone to do it is a snap. To save on the expense, consider hiring a national cleaning service like MaidPro, and take advantage of their promotions to stretch your moving budget. DIY Tips Doing your own cleaning can save you a few bucks, and putting a little elbow grease into your new place can really make it feel like it’s yours. If you prefer to tackle this part of the process DIY-style, you can make it go quickly with some upbeat music to keep you motivated. Be sure to assemble a squad of effective tools, such as a cleaning caddy, duster, and vacuum. To stretch your dollars the most, when you gather your cleaning goodies, use a coupon or promo code for a major retailer like Lowe’s. Tackling Unpleasant Surprises Sometimes, in the course of cleaning a new place, some unpleasant surprises emerge. Children, pets, foods, and so forth can leave their marks in various ways, and as a result, your new place may harbor off-putting smells. Many unpleasant odors can be managed with something right in your pantry: hardworking baking soda can be applied to all sorts of surfaces, such as floors, carpeting, and fabrics, and allowed to sit to absorb smells. For pet-related odors, Canine Journal suggests employing a pet odor neutralizer for best results. Pollution and Cleansers Even if you don’t have allergies, staying on top of air quality is worthy of consideration, especially if your new home is a unit in a complex. Bear in mind that to some extent, you’ll be subject to other renters’ choices as the air circulates. For instance, some cleaning products, paints, solvents, and other chemicals appear to pollute indoor air, according to American Home Shield. As for yourself, you can make your own natural cleaning products using ingredients such as white vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. For an off-the-shelf version that is kind to your body and the environment, consider going with products from websites like Crabtree & Evelyn. You can get free shipping when you spend $50 or more, and check their special offers for the best values. Don’t Forget About Your Old Home! Before you finally bid farewell to your old space, why not apply some of these handy cleaning tips and tricks? This is especially important if your former house is still on the market. A deep cleaning, as well as paying attention to things like curb appeal, can actually help improve your home appraisal value and help it catch the eye of buyers. A smart strategy is to put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer and do your own tour, as if you’re having an open house. What would be a turn off? For instance, if you have a cracked window or two, while you may have gotten used to it over time, buyers see it differently even if they’re not completely broken. So be sure to hire a home window repair specialist near you and get it fixed. To really feel at home in a new place, a thorough cleaning is in order. Thankfully, there are plenty of budget-friendly, money-saving opportunities for getting the place spotless. Decide on your best methods and set yourself up for a healthy environment. You’ll feel comfortable right off the bat knowing your home is truly move-in ready. Article written by Erin Reynolds
Tips to Convert Your Property Into a Vacation Rental Tips to Convert Your Property Into a Vacation Rental Over the last several years, the vacation rental industry has changed rapidly. More than ever before, it’s easier to rent out your condo or home for short-term stays. Whether you’re looking to convert your home to vacation rental permanently or on a temporary basis, you need to make it attractive to visitors if you want a good return on investment. Redesign + More offers decorating services, both online and off, and can help you create a vacation rental to love. Here are suggestions you could use to prep your home as a vacation rental. Clean Your Home The first thing when preparing your home as a vacation rental is implementing the vacation rental cleaning checklist. The home must be in good order to ensure when guests arrive they can have a stress-free stay, which would help you get good rates and attract more bookings. Ensure the beds are made up and have clean linens. If you want a thorough job, you could hire housekeeping services. Research Vacation Rentals in Your Area You also need to research vacation rentals in your area to know who your competitors are. Learn everything, including the kinds of permits you need to run the business. If necessary, invite a professional like a real estate attorney to streamline the legal process. Once you submit your paperwork, do competitive research to know what other properties do correctly, as well as find out what they lack that you could implement. Vacation listing sites are among places you can find a lot of valuable information about your competitors. Add Luxurious Touches to the Property To attract visitors, you must have some identifying features that make it worth the investment to stay at your property. One idea would be adding luxurious touches. According to Architectural Digest, you can make minor changes like swapping out knobs on cabinets and applying solid colors to make over the rooms. For things like the showerhead, you can find gorgeous designs, some with massage functions. Other elements you could implement include placing greenery into a planner that will wow guests. Install Smart Home Security Systems There are many reasons you want to get a smart home security system. The system will give you and your guests peace of mind as many people prefer booking accommodation at a rental with good security technology. You can find different components to fit into the home, including smart locks, security cameras, and other features that can improve monitoring and security around the property. Leave Detailed Instructions Written instructions will help renters have an easy time staying on your property, as well as make it easier for you to manage it. They don’t need to call you every time they have questions or need something as you have provided sufficient information on how to operate different features. Cover things like local rules on parking, where to take trash and recycling, and a list of local gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. In addition, provide contact information like your email and phone number. You could also list emergency numbers and addresses for the nearest hospital. Create a Rental Agreement Letter It’s also important to have a rental agreement for your guests. Write a rental agreement that lists your expectations and have policies that instruct guests on things they can and cannot do during their time on the property. Also, the agreement outlines house rules, rental fees, and check-in or check-out policies. Provide details on what vacationers must do if they damage property. Other details you can have on the rental agreement include rules on smoking, pets, occupancy, and parties. If you have a property and want to earn money running it as a vacation rental, consider these steps as a part of your preparation. Work on all legal requirements, then make the space attractive for guests. With minimal touches to improve the appearance and feel of the home, you can make the property more attractive to guests. A Beginner’s Guide to Real Estate Management A Beginner’s Guide to Real Estate Management If you’ve been searching for a way to diversify your portfolio and bring in some extra cash, you may be considering purchasing an investment property. Managing a rental is a great opportunity for those willing to put in the work. Here’s a look at a few of the things you should consider, as well as how to figure out if it’s the right move for you. Looking to make your home more desirable for renters? Bring in Redesign + More to create a beautiful and inviting interior! For all inquiries, call 704.880.7901 or submit this contact form Skills for Landlords Running a rental property is a tough job. Do you have what it takes? What It Takes to Be a Landlord Is Becoming a Landlord Worth It? What You Need to Know Before Renting Out Your Vacation Home Picking Your Property If you’re ready to get started, you need to make sure you have the right property. Here’s how to select — and care — for your rental investment. Types of Apartments and Multifamily Buildings – Complete Guide How to Pick the Perfect Investment Property in Nine Steps Best Places to Buy Vacation Rental Property How to Passively Invest in the Vacation Rental Market Rental Property Care and Upkeep All properties will need repairs, upgrades, and tweaks now and then to keep it looking great. 10 Issues to Address Before New Tenant Move In Landlords: Save Time With These Low Maintenance Landscaping Design Tips Long-Distance Rental Property: 8 Ways to Oversee Vacation Rentals Beautify Your Home by Hiring Redesign + More Financial and Legal Concerns Working in housing means taking on legal and financial responsibilities. How to Set the Perfect Rent Price for Your Rental Properties What Are Typical Apartment Building Operating Expenses? Safeguard Your Assets by Creating a North Carolina LLC How to Price Your Vacation Rental Property 4 Things Landlords Are Not Allowed to Do There’s a lot to learn for the investment property first-timer. Researching the ins and outs of becoming a landlord is a vital step. Now you must ask yourself: Are you ready to take on the challenges — and reap the rewards? Photo Credit: Pexels Article By Suzie Wilson Recession-Friendly House Hunting Tips for First-Time Buyers and Investors Photo via Pexels Recession-Friendly House Hunting Tips for First-Time Buyers and InvestorsThe real estate market is showing a strong recovery following coronavirus-related shutdowns. Despite financially uncertain times and social distancing recommendations, people everywhere are still buying and selling homes. In fact, the current recession is an enticing opportunity for many buyers. Whether you’re thinking about buying your first home or looking to invest in real estate, the recession may be a great time to purchase property and lock in a low mortgage rate! Here are some things to keep in mind before making your big purchase. Ensure You’re Financially Prepared For many people, the recession could be a great time to buy a house. But is it the right time for you? If you’re not financially prepared for this major purchase, don’t rush your plans just so you can secure a low interest rate on a loan. Do some research to find out how much home you can afford so you can get a better idea of your options. Looking into home loans is a good place to start. According to PennyMac, a conventional mortgage can be a good low-cost loan option for both primary homes and investment properties. Plus, you can choose between a fixed rate and adjustable-rate mortgage and enjoy a range of down payment options.Of course, financial preparedness will look a lot different depending on whether you're buying a home as a principal residence or investment property. It’s a good rule of thumb to keep your mortgage expenses under 28% of your gross income. If you’re buying an investment property, make sure you will be able to charge enough rent to come up with a positive cash flow. Be Careful About Buying a Home ‘As-Is’ As you start looking for homes, you may notice quite a few selling “as-is. ”These homes are more common during recessions as many owners can’t afford to make repairs before selling. Banks also list foreclosed homes “as-is”. While buying an “as-is” home may help you get a great deal on your dream property, it’s important to be cautious. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into by purchasing a home that may need substantial work. For example, Redfin warns that “as-is” homes could have major defects like structural problems, pest infections, or mold issues. If you decide to go after an “as-is” home, get a home inspection before closing your sale and be prepared to cover any maintenance issues yourself. These homes may not be your best choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance first home or a turnkey real estate investment. Try to Be Flexible
When house-hunting during a recession, flexibility is key. Don’t limit yourself to your favorite neighborhoods. Whether you’re investing or buying your first residence, look into areas of town where you won’t get a lot of competition from other buyers. Working with a great real estate agent can help you discover up-and-coming neighborhoods where homes are more affordable and prices are projected to rise over time. Consider Your Plans for the Property
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying your first home or investment property. But don’t forget to think about the future! What are your plans for the property? How long do you plan to live in the home? Will you be making renovations or upgrades? Do you intend to rent out the basement suite to help with your mortgage payments? Investors also have to consider their future plans. If you want to rent out your new property as a short-term vacation home, you may need some extra money in your budget to make attractive renovations or interior design upgrades. When personal finances are in the right place, recessions can be exciting opportunities for prospective home buyers. This may be your only chance to score a historically-low interest rate on your dream home. As long as you’ve thought ahead, calculated your home affordability, and researched your loan options, this could be a great time to buy your first home or investment property! Article By Suzie Wilson Amp Up Curb AppealsBuyers are quick to judge a home by what they see on the outside. Are your sellers ready for the scrutiny? SEPTEMBER 2012 | BY MELISSA DITTMANN TRACEY  A property’s curb appeal naturally makes a critical first impression. “If everything within the front space is well-chosen and in perfect repair—from the mailbox and house numbers to the walkway and landscaping—buyers will think, ‘This house is obviously well-cared for,’ ” says Lisa Grant Vail, a real estate professional with Keller Williams Atlanta Perimeter and coauthor of Creating Curb Appeal (Schiffer Publishing, 2009). “This message is imprinted on their brains, even if the rest of the house is actually not as well cared for. It’s very hard to change a first impression.” While most real estate professionals advise their clients to tend to the yard work, trim the trees, and put out a new welcome mat, they may miss other opportunities to help sellers improve a home’s curb appeal. Staging and real estate professionals offer some compelling ideas for sprucing up exteriors. Front door A front door can be a home’s focal point—but you don’t want that to be because of its peeling paint or dinged hardware. Replacing an entryway door with a new steel door (which costs about $1,200) actually offers among the biggest bang for the buck at resale (an average of 73 percent of the cost may be recouped, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2011–2012 Cost vs. Value Report, which analyzed 35 remodeling projects’ payback potential). Sometimes a front door can be salvaged with a fresh coat of paint. Just don’t overdo it: Vail recalls when her clients went too bold with their door’s hue—a vivid blue that didn’t complement the home. It had dated brass handle and lock hardware, too. (Satin nickel and black or oil-rubbed bronze are more the trend these days.) Windows Wash them—inside and out—and remove the screens for added sparkle. Then, try dressing up the windows with flower boxes, suggests Peggy Johnson, owner of Redesign + More, a Charlotte, N.C., interior design and staging firm. Also, consider a new color for shutters. The trend is a shift away from high-contrast green, red, or black to more monochromatic palettes that blend with the rest of the house, according to the Paint Quality Institute. Garage Depending on its orientation to the house, a garage can make a huge impact. Does the door need paint or repairs? Should it be replaced? While sellers might not be willing to spend on a stylish new cedar wood door, they can find more budget-friendly options in metal or fiberglass. A new steel garage door can cost about $1,500, but sellers, in average, recoup nearly 72 percent of that investment at resale, according to the Cost vs. Value Report. Front porch Don’t overlook this key selling point. “It’s an iconic symbol of American living,” Vail says. “‘Sell’ your front porch as additional square footage by staging it with as much care as you would other rooms. Invite buyers to ‘sit a spell’ with a pair of rocking chairs, Adirondacks, a porch swing, or even an outdoor living suite.” And don’t forget to “add a coffee and a side table for writing up contracts,” Vail notes. Driveway Is the driveway covered with cracks and oil stains? If sellers can’t afford a complete resurfacing (which may cost about $2,000 for concrete driveways), encourage them to look into patching up cracks using premixed concrete materials, Johnson says. Driveway cracks a quarter-inch or smaller may be able to be filled with asphalt or concrete that comes in caulk-like tubes. A patching compound for asphalt can be used for larger cracks. Some experts recommend kitty litter for removing oil stains, though hardware stores offer designated products, too. After dark Evening curb appeal also matters. “Conceal a couple of portable outdoor lamps and aim them at the house or a beautiful tree for low-cost, high-value impact,” Vail says. Have outdoor lights on a timer so they’re always on for nighttime showings. Interior lights, too, work to create a warm glow from the curb. If the home isn’t wired outdoors, line a pathway to the door with solar lights. “The technology has improved considerably over the past few years, and solar lights are much cheaper to install than hardwired lights,” Vail says. “Plus, sellers could probably take the lights with them when they move. Welcome Spring: Longer Days, Cleaner HomeSpring Into Action With a Clean Sweep of Your Home By Craig Tomashoff, Contributor  When you think of the four seasons, certain images immediately come to mind. For summer, it’s barbecue grills, swimming pools and lawnmowers. For fall, it’s pumpkins, turkeys and footballs. Winter is hot chocolate, snowmen and stockings. And spring? How about buckets, brushes and a mop? While the season is a sign of new birth, it's also when most people take the time to clean up. “It’s a good thing to get in the habit of," said Newell Turner, editor-in-chief of "House Beautiful." "It’s out with the old, in with the new, a fresh start. Spring connotes all those things.” Brightening Things Up Inside For centuries, spring has been the season for cleaning. In Chinese culture, they have traditionally swept their floors and cleaned out their houses to purge any bad luck and prepare for the coming of a new year. According to Jewish lore, Passover is a time to clear out the home of all leavened products. This led to a full spring cleaning of the home. Meanwhile, in America, the idea of spring cleaning has become a tradition for very practical reasons. The cold and darkness that trapped you in your house all winter fade away and are replaced by longer days and warmer weather. “Spring cleaning is psychologically important,” said Danny Lipford, a veteran remodeling contractor and frequent contributor to CBS’ "The Early Show." “We’re ingrained with the idea of cleaning up once we’re unleashed from the house in the spring.” For Peggy Johnson, a North Carolina-based specialist in budget-friendly redesign, spring cleaning is more than just tidying things up. It’s about change and shaking things up for a whole new look around the house that suits the spirit of the season. For instance, she suggests using bright baskets rather than plastic containers to organize items like newspapers and keepsakes. It’s a way to clean up and “create texture, as well as adding another element to the room, something fun.” If your cleaning is mostly about changing the look of your place, it does not have to be expensive. Something as simple as moving artwork to different walls can give your home a different look. “Rearranging your furniture is good,” Johnson said. “Or you can take that large, dark piece you have and give it a light-colored paint job to make the room feel fresh and clean.” After all the gray gloominess of winter, painting a chair, table or plant stand a sunny color, or getting new pillows for the sofa, is the perfect way “to do something bright and cheery,” Turner said. “These things elevate the mood of a room, and they aren’t big projects.” The same goes for the bedroom, where Turner recommends just buying new sheets or a duvet to alter the look of the space. The dining room can get a spring facelift, too. It’s getting brighter outside, so try the same inside by doing what Johnson likes to do: put a bowl filled with colorful, seasonal fruits like oranges and lemons apples on your dining room table. While it may be a little more time consuming and expensive, spring is also the best time of year to install ceiling fans. “Without a doubt, they help you save energy but also have a cooling effect in the summer,” Lipford said. “They can keep fresh air circulating and make a room feel seven or eight degrees cooler. So March or April are the perfect months to install ceiling fans, before the heat of summer sets in.” The Great, and Clean, Outdoors As the weather warms up, you know you will leave the windows open to catch a nice breeze. That makes spring the time to free the screens of dust and grime. Lipford creates what he calls “a screen bath" for the job. He fills a watertight object like a kiddie pool with soap and water, then places the screens in the mix. They only need to soak for several minutes before they're ready to go back in the window. Spring also offers the first chance in months to get out and spruce up your yard. Lipford suggests starting with improving the curb appeal of your home by working on the first thing you see when you come home and the last thing you see when you leave -- your mailbox. “Straighten it up, plant a plant there, put some new numbers on it,” he said. “You’re looking at it every day, and with just a little work, you’ll have a big impact.” Spring is traditionally the time for planting, but you also need to get the soil healthy enough for flowers like the summer hydrangeas. According to Lipford, pH testing kits are cheap and available at most home and garden stores. They’ll let you determine if your yard has an acceptable level of lime to allow plants to thrive. They must be used early in spring so you have plenty of time to improve the situation if your soil isn’t healthy. “If necessary, you can help by aerating the yard,” Lipford said. “You can rent a machine for $25 or so, and it well help loosen the soil in spring so the grass has more avenues to flourish and not choke.” The earlier you can start on spring cleaning projects, the longer you’ll have to enjoy your handiwork. “It’s good to start all this in the spring so you can enjoy the work you’ve done through the fall,” Johnson said. “Do it all now, and you’ll have it behind you.” Read more: Welcome Spring: Longer Days, Cleaner Home | eHow.com www.ehow.com |
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