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Summer Savings: 5 Ways to Decrease Your Energy Bill

July 19, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Summer is in full swing and as the temperature rises, so can the electric bill. When you’re ready to escape the sun, you shouldn’t have to feel guilty about seeking cool relief inside your home.

Here are five things that may help to decrease your energy bill this summer:

1. Use the energy saver option on your air conditioner (AC): When you leave your home, use the energy saver option on your air conditioner rather than turning it off. The energy saver will keep your house at a cool temperature. If you turn off your air conditioner the temperature in your house will rise, and when you turn the unit back on it will need to work harder to cool your house down again, which in turn, can increase your electric bill.

2. Fans are your friend: Well placed fans can keep cool air circulating in the house, which means you might be able to delay turning on the air conditioning—especially if you can also leave windows open on cool summer evenings.

3. Create a lights-out policy: Keeping all of the lights off in your home during the day is a simple way to conserve energy and lower your electric bill. Try to rely on natural light alone. At night, consider trying something new like candlelit dinners or dimly-lit game nights.

4. Use heavy drapes on the windows: We’re not saying you have to be Dracula, but try hanging some heavier drapes—especially in windows that get a lot of natural sunlight. Close the drapes when you leave the house to help keep the sunlight out and the cool air in.

5. Get your AC inspected: Inspectors can make sure your system is leak-free and operating as efficiently as possible. Don’t forget to clean air filters; some units require monthly cleanings.

Many people shivered their way through a long winter dreaming of summertime. With these tips, you can help enjoy fun in the sun without getting burned by rising energy bills!

Recommended Reading:

-How to Make Your Home Summer Ready

-Just DIY It: 5 Natural Cleaning Products

-How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

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Cents and Sensibility: 5 Mistakes That Could Decrease Your Homes Value

July 17, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Renovating or improving something too much sounds like an oxymoron, however when it comes to attracting a buyer and generating a return on investment, it is possible. The decisions you make may be best for you and your family, but it is crucial to consider the mindset of potential buyers.

Here are five common renovation mistakes that may decrease your home value:

1. Over improvement: Your home should be similar to other homes in the neighborhood. If your home costs much more than other homes in the neighborhood, potential buyers may choose that the updates you made do not outweigh the increased cost.

2. Over personalization: You may love bright paint, built-ins, and elaborate tiles but the potential buyer may see changing it as too much of a hassle. You want buyers to be able to picture themselves living in the home so it is helpful to have a neutral design aesthetic when you show your home.

3. Inconsistency: It is better to spend smaller amounts on many projects than spend a large amount of money on one project while neglecting other parts of the home. Instead of spending upwards of $30,000 installing a pool while keeping old and outdated appliances, it is a wiser decision to update the appliances.

4. Removing a wall: It may seem as though knocking down a wall between two small rooms to make one larger room is a no brainer but having more rooms is almost always better when it comes to increasing the value of your home. Your family may be smaller than the potential buyers and, for them, it may be better to have more rooms regardless of their size. Removing bedrooms can also decrease the value of your home. Turn an extra bedroom into an office or gym while you are living there, but switch it back to a bedroom when you are getting ready to sell.

5. Functional Obsolescence: Make sure that your renovations make sense. For example, potential buyers will probably not want to have the only way to enter one bedroom be to go through another bedroom. Another example would be turning a garage into a guest house. Although having a guest house might be better for your family, many families would prioritize having a garage.

Remember these mistakes when you are choosing renovation projects around your home. What seems like a good idea might not actually lead to a return on investment or, worse, may detract someone from buying your home.

Recommended Reading:

-Picture Perfect: How to Take Great Photos of Your Home

-Do This, Not That: Tips for Staging Your Home

-Your Pre-Sale Checklist

-Seller Marketing Plan

-Adding Value to Your Home

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5 Ways to Take Your Bedroom from Good to Great

July 15, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Your bedroom should be a comfortable oasis where you can peacefully start and end each day. Make your bedroom your favorite room of the house!

We’ve put together five simple ways to help take your bedroom from good to great:

1. Beautiful Bedding: Your bed is the focal point of your bedroom and a vital component for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A good night’s sleep is essential, and a comfortable bed will increase your chances of getting rest. Use our tips to make your bed beautiful and cozy!

2. Art and Personal Photographs: Surround yourself with your favorite art and personal photographs. You’ll love being surrounded by art and some of you favorite memories. Buying art doesn’t have to be expensive. There are a lot of resources for buying decor on a budget.

2. Sitting Area: A sitting area will help elevate your bedroom from good to great! Curl up in your favorite chair to read, chat with your family members while you savor your first cup of coffee, listen to music, and relax. If you are short on space, put a bench or two x-benches at the end of your bed. If you have more space, add a couch, chairs, and a coffee table or ottoman.

4. Storage Space: Create a place for everything so that your room always looks neat and tidy. Getting rid of clutter will also make your space feel much larger. Buy multipurpose furniture, storage bins for under the bed, and a bookshelf. If you have a large closet, you could optimize the space by getting built-in shelving, shoe racks, and drawers.

5. Paint or Wallpaper: Choose paint or wallpaper that matches your style and decor. We have put together a few different color palettes to choose from. Paint or wallpaper can make a huge difference in making your room come together!

One great thing about these changes is that they do not have to be expensive. You can take your bedroom from good to great in just one weekend. These small changes can make a big difference in making your bedroom your new favorite room of the house!

Recommended Reading:

-Sweet Dreams are Made of These: How to Style a Bed

-Good to Great: Take Your Kitchen from Good to Great

-How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

-How to Style a Nightstand

-Serene Spaces: 5 Tips for Creating a Calm Bedroom

Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/19G4iNz_q0w/

10 Ways to Baby-Proof Your Home

July 14, 2014 By CENTURY 21

What do cabinets, countertops, bath spouts, toilets, and outlets have in common? They are all areas of the home that can be dangerous for your baby or toddler. Baby-proof your home to make it a safe place for creating family memories with your loved ones.

There are dozens of ways to baby-proof your home, but here are ten crucial steps:

1. Outlet plugs: Buy outlet plugs that go inside the outlet and prevent children from being shocked by sticking fingers or objects inside.

2. Non-slip bath mats: A non-slip bath mat allows you to make bath time fun without worrying that your child will slip and fall.

3. Safety gates: Use safety gates once your baby starts crawling and walking. Place them at the tops and bottoms of staircases and in the doorways of any rooms that aren’t baby-proofed and don’t have a door.

4. Corner guards: If you have sharp-edged furniture like cabinets and tables, put on corner guards. This is especially important for furniture that is low to the ground, like coffee tables.

5. Window locks: Install window locks so that your child can’t open the windows.

6. Door locks and door knob covers: Door locks and door knob covers keep children from being able to access things that could potentially be dangerous like cooking utensils, cords, medicine, and cleaning supplies.

7. Oven knob covers and oven latches: Oven knob covers and oven latches keep your child from opening the oven or turning it on.

8. Bath spout covers: The bath spout might get too hot when you are running water. Use a bath spout cover so that your child doesn’t get hurt if he or she gets too close to the faucet.

9. Pool gates: If you have a pool at home, it is essential to have a gate around it. Your baby should never be left unattended in the yard or pool, but a gate provides an added security measure.

10. Toilet locks: Babies try to get into everything! Install locks on toilets.

These safety measures can help keep your child safe around your home. You’ll have one less thing to worry about and more time to spend enjoying time with your family!

Recommended Reading:

1. Good to Great: How to Take Your Kitchen from Good to Great

2. Serene Spaces: 5 Tips for Creating a Calm Bedroom

3. Just DIY It: 5 Natural Cleaning Products

4. 10 Secrets for Making Your Small Bedroom Feel Larger

Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/EAC4JqQmaZg/

Landscaping 101: Great Grass Alternatives

July 12, 2014 By CENTURY 21

People say the grass is always greener on the other side and there may be some truth to the statement. Keeping a grass lawn healthy takes a lot of work! Lawns require frequent mowing and edging, plus they need to be watered during heat waves or in desert climates. These alternatives are more eco-friendly and they do not require the use of chemical fertilizers and lawn care products.

If you’re looking to reduce or completely decrease the grass space outside your home, here are some appealing alternatives:

1. Sedges: A sedge is a grasslike plant with small flowers. Sedges do well in temperate and cold regions. There are thousands of types of sedges so you can choose a type that fits your preferences and your climate. Some sedges need more water, hotter weather, or more sunlight than others. (Canadian Gardening)

2. Moss: Moss filters the air, purifies rainfall, and is the oldest terrestrial plant! Moss gardens do well in shade and moisture but they can handle partial sunlight. Moss is a good grass alternative for areas partial to drought. You need to water the moss for the first two or three months but then it will be able to grow on its own. You can also ditch the chemical fertilizers and treatments – moss gets all of its necessary nutrients from the air. There are twenty-two thousand species of moss – choose the one that works best for your region and space. (Martha Stewart)

3. Clover: Clover is a perennial lawn alternative that fertilizes itself and can grow in bad soils and a wide pH range. Clover needs to be mowed occasionally but less often than grass. (Organic Gardening)

4. Artificial Grass: Artificial grass can look like real grass! It is also environmentally friendly because it doesn’t require water, mowing, or chemical products. There are many types of artificial grass and their prices range depending on the number of blades per square inch. (Gardenista)

5. Patio, Pool, or Rock Garden: If you want to minimize the amount of grass in your yard, you can build a large patio, pool, or rock garden to take up space in a way that is both functional and fun!

These alternatives are economical, eco-friendly, and will work well for climates that aren’t conducive to grass. Because they don’t require chemical fertilizers, they are a safer alternative for families with pets and small children. You’ll be keeping in up with the Joneses… and they may even come over to ask you for a cup of sugar and your lawn care advice.

Recommended Reading:

-How to Style a Patio

-How to Make Your Home Summer Ready

-Everything’s Coming Up Roses: 10 Popular Spring Flowers

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How to Style a Gallery Wall

July 10, 2014 By CENTURY 21

After moving into a new place, the biggest question you’re asking yourself is likely, “How am I going to decorate?” A great use for all that blank, white space is a gallery wall. This is an easy way to feature your favorite framed artwork and personal photographs.

Follow our tips to style your own gallery wall:

1. Decide what to hang: Choose your medium (painting, drawing, photograph), size, and frame (including color, material, and shape). Don’t be afraid to mix and match! When adding variation, just make sure it’s balanced and doesn’t clash. If you have a collection of various frames but want to make everything uniform, consider painting them all the same color.

2. Plan the arrangement: Play around with the layout before you start putting nails into the wall. Decide if you’re going to group multiple pieces in a shape (diamonds, squares, and rectangles work well) or in a straight line. You might want to do a little sketch on paper (to scale). Then lay out your collage on the floor. Place each frame approximately one or two inches apart for cohesiveness. If you’re mixing sizes, start with the biggest piece and work around them with the smaller ones. Consider choosing one piece of art as the focal point and place it in the center.

3. Test your layout: Once you’re happy with the arrangement, cut out pieces of paper that fit each framed piece. Mock up your collage on the wall with paper and tape to help visualize the result. Make tweaks, and move the pieces around until the layout is just right.

4. Start hanging: This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Break out your hammer and nails. Place the frames over the paper, replacing each cut-out with the actual piece.

Once you’re done, take a few steps back to admire your work! One of the best things about a gallery wall is that you can swap personal photos and art if you find a new piece that you want to feature.

Recommended Reading:

-How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

-How to Style a Nightstand

-How to Style a Coffee Table

-How to Style a Bookshelf

-Sweet Dreams are Made of These: How to Style a Bed

-10 Secrets for Making Your Room Feel Larger

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Productivity Tips for Working From Home

June 29, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Working from home is not a catalyst for less productivity. In fact, it can lead to increased performance according to a recent Stanford University experiment. Regardless of studies and statistics, skeptics still argue that people who work from home will slack off.

We’ve put together tried and true tips for increasing your productivity while you’re working from home:

Don’t turn on the TV: Resist the urge to binge-watch your favorite TV shows and movies. While studies show that listening to music can improve productivity and creativity, the same doesn’t hold true for movies and TV.

Let people know that you are working from home: Email the people you work closely with to let them know that you will be working from home. Make it clear that you will be available by phone, online chat, and email. Stay accessible throughout the day.

Work at a desk or table: It is much easier to stay focused when you are working at a desk or table instead of your couch or bed. If you regularly work from home, and you have the space, you may want to turn a spare room into a guest room that doubles as a home office.

Get away: If you are having difficulty concentrating, it can be helpful to go to a coffee shop, library, or coworking space.

Dress professionally: Don’t wear your pajamas, gym clothes, or sweatpants–even if you just rolled out of bed or went to the gym. According to the clinical psychologist Dr. Jennifer Baumbartner, how you dress can affect your demeanor and performance. Wear an outfit that makes you feel confident.

Set working hours: If you work for yourself, it is helpful to set working hours. You’ll be more productive during the time that you’ve designated to be your “work day” and you can fully turn-off when that time is up. It can be hard to have your office also be your home. Setting work hours can help you set boundaries without always feeling like you should be working.

Working from home is an opportunity to get a lot of work done without distractions and interruptions. We hope that these productivity tips help you leverage the benefits of working from home.

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The Secrets to a Perfect Staycation

June 26, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Booking a “staycation” (or a vacation at home) can be a stress-free, budget-friendly way to take a break. And, if done correctly, it can feel like a dream vacation.

Here are some tips to help you have the perfect staycation at home:

Clear your calendar. Block off at least 2-3 days. During this window, don’t book appointments, do errands, or plan to do work. Be protective of your vacation days. It may be tempting to keep to your regular schedule, but in order to truly relax and feel like you’re on vacation, you have to set aside quality time for yourself.

Add in amenities. Turn your home into a five-star resort with a few upgrades:

● hang a hammock in the backyard

● build a firepit

● give your bedroom a makeover

● turn your bathroom into a spa

● fix up the patio to enjoy dinners al fresco

● add a porch swing.

Play tourist. Get to know your city better, and see it with a fresh perspective. Do all the things you don’t normally have time for and treat yourself to the experiences that don’t fall into your daily routine. If your friends or family visited from out of town, where would you take them? Check out the current events at local theaters, museums, and concert venues. Find the new (or best) restaurant in town. You might even consider buying a guidebook to cover the most ground.

Bring the fun to you. You don’t have to go far to enjoy yourself. Tackle your lengthy reading list by curling up in a deck chair with a tall, refreshing drink. Break out the s’mores and take a mini camping trip. Binge-watch the popular TV series everyone is talking about, but you haven’t had time for. Host your own mini film festival. Transform your backyard into a water park.

Vacations are all about indulgence. Buy yourself that plush bathrobe you love to wear at hotels. Sleep on those super-high-thread-count sheets. Get a massage, manicure, or facial (or all of the above). Order “room service” (a.k.a. delivery). This is a chance to really spoil yourself – you deserve it!

Recommended Reading:

-Serene Spaces: 5 Tips for Creating a Calm Bedroom

-10 Secrets for Making Your Bedroom Feel Larger

-Sweet Dreams are Made of These: How to Style a Bed

-How to Style a Patio

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Good to Great: Take Your Kitchen from Good to Great

June 23, 2014 By CENTURY 21

You and your family spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Whether you are cooking a family meal, eating dinner, or enjoying a midnight snack, the kitchen is a family gathering point. Little renovations and adjustments can take your kitchen from good to great.

Island: Add an island. An island provides extra counter space, room for more seating, and much-needed storage space. If you are on a budget and can’t get an island installed, purchase a stand-alone version or even put a small table in the middle of the kitchen.

Range Hood: Range hoods draw up steam and smoke, circulate air, and keep your kitchen from smelling like whatever you’re cooking. Your neighbors will also appreciate it because it decreases the likelihood that your smoke alarm will go off when you are simply cooking pasta! There are a wide variety of range hood options. You can find one for almost any budget and, to decrease costs, you can install it yourself.

Countertops: Beautiful and durable countertops help to take your kitchen from good to great. If you are looking to sell, they are a great selling point for potential buyers. You can remodel your countertops without spending a fortune. The prices vary depending on the type of material you choose to use.

Backsplash: Cooking can be messy. Sick of oils and sauces making marks on the walls? Get a backsplash. Similar to countertops, the price varies based upon the material you choose. If you are on a budget you can also do it yourself!

Appliances: New appliances make a big difference. Prices range depending on the technology but they make cooking easier and more convenient. New appliances can also attract sellers and increase the offer price of your home.

Eat, drink, and be merry in a kitchen you and your family will love for years to come! We’d love to hear your thoughts on the next room we should tackle taking from good to great. Tweet your recommendations to @Century21!

Serene Spaces: 5 Tips for Creating a Calm Bedroom

June 19, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Your bedroom should be an oasis. It’s the last place you escape to after a long day and the first place you see when you wake up. With the stress life throws at us, it’s essential to come home to calm space. Creating a tranquil bedroom is easier than you think.

Follow our tips to make your bedroom a serene space:

Neutral Paint Color: Use neutral paint colors in your bedroom to create a soothing space. Bright and vibrant colors tend to be more distracting when you’re trying to relax. Incorporate shades of ivory or pastel blues and greens.

Soft Lighting: Strong overhead lighting, like fluorescent bulbs, is bright but distracting. Light bulbs that cast a warm light will give your room a cozy feel.

Aromatherapy: Give your bedroom a spa like feel with aromatherapy. Light candles or incense (safely) in order to create warmth and tranquility.

Hide Clutter: Conceal clutter. A clean and organized space will make it easier for you to relax and unwind. As Benjamin Franklin said, “A place for everything, everything in its place.”

Minimal Electronics: The ultimate way to make your bedroom a calm place is to skip out on electronics as much as possible. Your bedroom is a place for you to recharge. Electronics can be disruptive and even make it harder for you to fall asleep. Your bedroom should be reserved for sleeping, reading, and relaxing.

There are enough stressors outside the home. Make your bedroom a place you want to come home to at the end of a long day.

Recommended Reading:

-How to Make Your Home Summer Ready

-How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

-10 Secrets for Making Your Bedroom Feel Large

Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/iTxtxgqCsW4/

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