3 Practical Ways To Increase Home Value

posted by on 2022.11.15, under Get the Look
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Image Credit: Tkoch from Pixabay.

If you’re considering selling your home, you’ll naturally want to get a decent price out of it. At a minimum, you’ll want to make some kind of profit. That often seems more difficult than many people would want, but it shouldn’t be.

Instead, it’s a matter of focusing on a few specific areas. Three practical ways to increase home value can be recommended, as they’ll be relatively easy to do and should have a dramatic impact on your home value.

You shouldn’t have a problem making a profit on your home.

Ways To Increase Home Value: 3 Practical Options

1. Focus On The Bathroom & Kitchen

Potential buyers will pay attention to specific rooms over other ones. The kitchen and bathroom are the most notable of these, so you’ll have to put some effort into both of these. You wouldn’t need to spend a lot of time and effort into these, but they could use a few updates.

Even something as simple as updating the faucets and other minor areas could be enough to make the rooms more appealing. Carrying out any needed repairs is also recommended, and it’ll make sure potential buyers are interested in both of these rooms.

It should make your overall home seem more appealing.

2. Refurbish The Landscape

When you’re looking for ways to increase home value, you’ll likely focus on the interiors. The kitchen and bathroom will be notable examples of this. They’re far from the only areas you’ll have to look after, however, and your house’s exterior also makes a difference.

You’ll need to have as much curb appeal as possible when you’re trying to sell your home, so make sure to put effort on the landscaping. The more appealing and attractive you can make this, the more you should sell your property for.

It makes potential buyers more likely to put an offer on it.

3. Install Solar Energy

Quite a few home improvement and selling trends come and go, with solar power being one that’s still popular. Everyone wants to make sure their bills are as low as possible while also taking care of the environment. Solar energy is an effective way of doing this, so it’s worth getting in touch with some solar companies to help with this.

In many cases, it can be a matter of a simple installation and you’ll see a drastic improvement in your home value. It’s one of the easier ways to make your home look as appealing as possible to potential buyers.

Ways To Increase Home Value: Wrapping Up

There are quite a few ways to increase home value that you mightn’t be aware of. While it’ll always take a bit of time and effort, it shouldn’t be a stressful experience. By getting solar power, refurbishing the outdoors, and focusing on the kitchen and bathroom, you shouldn’t have a problem doing this.

They’ll not only increase your home value, but they should be relatively easy to do. You’ll see more of a profit from your house’s sale than you could’ve thought.

The Ultimate Guide to Moving Solo

posted by on 2022.11.14, under Get the Look
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If you’re moving solo, you’re in for a unique experience. Not only will you have to worry about all the logistics of moving your belongings, but you’ll also have to take care of everything yourself. This can be daunting, but it’s definitely doable with a bit of planning. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about moving by yourself.

Via Pexels

Start by finding a place to live. 

This is probably the most stressful part of moving solo. Not only do you have to find an affordable place, but it also has to be in a safe neighborhood and close to public transportation. You could choose an apartment, a house, or a condo. 

Apartments: 

If you’re looking for an apartment, you should keep a few things in mind. First, decide what kind of apartment you want. There are studio apartments, which are usually more expensive but have everything in one room. There are also one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. 

Being a part of an apartment community has its perks. For example, some buildings have doorkeepers or security guards, which can make you feel safer. There are also often laundry facilities and gyms on-site, which can be convenient. 

However, apartments can also have their downsides. For example, you may have to deal with noisy neighbors or thin walls. 

Houses: 

If you’re looking for a house, you’ll have to decide if you want to buy or rent. Buying a house is a huge investment, and it’s not something you should do lightly. If you’re renting, you’ll have to sign a lease, which is a legal contract that outlines the terms of your rental agreement. 

Houses usually have more space than apartments, which can be nice if you want to entertain guests or have pets. 

However, houses also come with more responsibility. You’ll be responsible for maintaining the property and paying for repairs. 

Condos: 

Condos are a cross between apartments and houses. They’re usually individually owned but often located in buildings with many other units. This can give you some of the benefits of living in an apartment community, such as doormen or security guards. 

Condos are a good option if you want to own your own place but you don’t want the hassle of maintaining a property. 

Once you’ve found a place to live, it’s time to start packing. 

If you’re moving by yourself, you’ll have to pack everything up on your own. Start by making a list of everything you need to pack. Then, start packing one room at a time. Be sure to label all of your boxes, so you know where everything is when you arrive at your new home. 

Next, you’ll need to arrange transportation. 

If you’re moving solo, you’ll have to figure out how to get all of your belongings to your new home. This can be tricky, especially if you’re moving a long distance. The best option is usually to hire a professional moving company. They’ll be able to transport all of your belongings safely and efficiently. 

Finally, once you’ve arrived at your new home, it’s time to start unpacking. 

Again, this is something you’ll have to do on your own. Start by unpacking the essentials first, such as clothes and toiletries. Then, move on to the rest of your boxes. Be sure to put everything away in a place where you can find it easily. 

Moving solo can be a daunting task, but it’s definitely doable with a bit of planning. By following this guide, you’ll be able to successfully move to your new home without any help.

Get the Look: The French home of Isabelle Townsend

posted by on 2022.10.21, under Get the Look
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In the October 2010 issue of Vogue, I came across a romantic write-up about the new home of Isabelle Townsend (former model for Ralph Lauren) and her husband Patrick DeedesVincke. The cottage, Le Moulin de la Tuilerie in France, was a former weekend home of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. I’ve featured the living room from the story and how to get the look below.

The Living Room.

The glossy red cabinet adds the perfect juxtaposition to the natural feel of this room. It’s the perfect balance of color in my opinion, and you can get a similar version at Ikea for $99. Great for storage too:

Ikea PS Cabinet, $99

A rug from West Elm, very similar to the one pictured above increases coziness:

Jute Boucle Rug, $19.99-$159

And finally, the arc lamp modestly ties the room together without taking attention away from the decor. It reminds me of this lamp from IKEA:

Regolit Bow Floor Lamp, $49.99

A fuzzy sheepskin throw makes a casual butterfly chair luxurious and anything but cheap:

Buttefly Chair from butterflychairs.com, $64.95

Ikea Rens Sheepskin $24.99

For the coffee table, try putting two matching end tables side by side, or a simple elegant table that matches the theme:

Ikea PS Bruse Coffee Table, $149

Thanks for reading, stay tuned for my coverage of the other rooms!

10 Old Inherited Possessions That Could Be Worth A Lot Of Money

posted by on 2022.10.15, under Get the Look
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Pexels. CCO Licensed.

When a loved one passes away, we can often end up inheriting a lot of junk. Sure, some of it is likely to be useful or of sentimental value. However, a lot of it is likely to be of no value to us. However, that doesn’t mean that it won’t be of value to someone else? Before you start donating items or chucking items away, it could be important to check that there aren’t any hidden valuables. Something as innocuous as a soft toy or a pack of Christmas baubles could fetch a lot of money. Below are just a few different inherited possessions to check the value of.

Books

Certain old books could be valuable – especially if they’re first edition and in good condition. Some first edition copies of popular novels are so rare that they can fetch hundreds of dollars. If you inherited a small library of books, it could be worth valuing them online. There are sites that you can use to value old books using the ISBN number. 

Vinyl

Was your loved one an avid vinyl collector? If so, it could be worth looking through some of the records to see how much they are worth. There are some rare first pressings of records that are worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Even a few records valued at $30 each can add up and be worth selling. 

Toys

Some old toys including beanie babies, board games and action figures are now worth a huge amount of money because of their rarity. Such toys are typically more valuable if they’re still in the box. It could be worth checking if there are any old toys or board games among your inherited belongings that never made it out of the box – some of them could be worth a fortune now. 

Jewelry

Many of us inherit jewelry belonging to parents, grandparents and even older ancestors. It’s possible that you could have some valuable antique jewelry in your possession – if you’re willing to sell it, you could potentially make hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Seek the opinion of an expert to see if any of your inherited jewelry is worth anything. 

Silverware

A lot of households used to collect silverware including silver plated cutlery and silver dishes. Some of this silverware could be quite valuable and worth researching. It’s worth noting that the quality of silver is more to do with the craftsmanship and condition than the silver content – a large silverware collection that is damaged or poorly made may not be worth much. 

Fine china

Did your loved ones own any fine china pieces? These items could also be worth a lot of money – particularly if made from fine bone china or made by a renowned manufacturer. Your best option when valuing china items is to talk to an expert. They will be able to authenticate it and determine its worth. 

Rotary phones

Rotary phones have largely disappeared from homes, but they’ve made a comeback in recent years as a collector’s item. If your loved ones owned a rotary phone and kept it in good condition, there’s a chance it could be worth a lot of money. Some original rotary phones are even worth hundreds of dollars. 

Tools

Don’t throw away that old toolbox. Many old tools that have been kept in good condition are also prized by collectors. This includes old hammers, drills and wrenches. Specialist rare tools can be particularly valuable – even if they may not have a use today, they could be seen as an exciting piece of history by some people. Matching sets of old tools can also be worth a lot of money.

Artwork

It’s also worth valuing old artwork. While it’s unlikely your loved one had an original Monet painting on their wall, there’s still a chance that some of those old paintings may have been painted by someone who is now famous. Old paintings of locations that have since changed could be valuable to some locals. If you’ve got any old paintings of locations and you don’t want to keep onto them, consider selling them. 

Xmas ornaments

Old Xmas ornaments that have been passed through the generations could also potentially be valuable. This could include old baubles or an angel. There are collectors that look out for these decorations in the lead up to Christmas. If you have some old ornaments that you don’t want to hang on your tree, why not get them valued? They could be worth more than you think.

5 Best Businesses To Start in 2022

posted by on 2022.04.05, under Get the Look
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The global economy is changing at a rapid pace. Entrepreneurship and the freelance economy are becoming more and more important in this new world. As jobs become more scarce and the competition for jobs becomes fiercer, entrepreneurs become the new job creators. With the continuing increase in demand for goods and services, there are more opportunities than ever for those willing to take the risk and go after their entrepreneurial dreams. And, of course, there are plenty of ways to start an entrepreneurial venture aside from founding a company. The following are the five best businesses to start in 2022.

Image credit

Consulting

The world of consulting is not going anywhere anytime soon. People will always need guidance on several different topics, and if you know how to provide that direction, there is a market for your services.

Three things set consulting apart from other businesses:

  1. Consultants are experts on their topic.
  2. They work one-on-one with clients.
  3. They can be hired for short or long-term contracts.

Because consultants are experts in their field, it is relatively easy to find success in this business model. Moreover, consultants don’t need to produce the product themselves, so customers looking for a specific item can be directed to another place where they can buy it.

Consulting offers flexibility, as well. You can decide what type of contract you want to sign and how many hours per day you want to work. Consulting also has high earning potential because people will often pay more for quality advice from an expert than a generic service or product sold at a low price.

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a low-risk and inexpensive way to start a business. Dropshipping allows entrepreneurs to offer items without having the inventory in stock or picking, packing, and shipping the items. It’s easy to get started because you don’t need any inventory.

Dropshipping is a great way to test the waters of entrepreneurship by starting with an online store before investing heavily in inventory. Many platforms will allow you to build your store and then upload pictures of the products you want to sell and let them handle the rest–taking care of everything from collecting payment to delivering the product.

Online Sports Betting

The online sports betting industry is on track to be worth $60.7 billion in revenue by 2020, according to Statista. This is an industry with a lot of growth potential that will likely continue to grow as the number of Americans who gamble on sports continues to rise.

Many websites allow you to bet on sports online, like Pinnacle Sports, Bet365, and Bovada (though this list is not exhaustive). And the beauty of being an entrepreneur in this space is that you don’t have to start from scratch—most sites allow you to create your account and place bets as soon as you’ve passed their verification process. With just a little bit of start-up capital and some research into how the betting market works, you can start your own sports betting business online, making it possible for anyone who wants it enough to get started in this booming industry.

App Development

There are plenty of online marketplaces with a variety of apps available. This is one business that would be an easy start-up for someone looking to make some extra money on the side. You need a computer and some basic coding knowledge to get started. However, you don’t need formal training, just the desire to push through your skills and practice so you can become better at what you do and how you do it.

The app development industry is booming, and there are plenty of opportunities for those who want to pursue this type of work. But, you need to make sure that your app will have broad appeal to find success.

Cyber Security

Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. With hackers constantly finding new ways to steal information and attack networks, the demand for cyber security will continue to rise exponentially. Over 20 million cyber-related jobs are created globally, with an estimated increase of more than 25% by 2022. This rapid growth is fueled mainly by companies developing new ways to protect their data and digital infrastructure.

Cyber security might be a perfect business for you if you have a knack for computers and enjoy problem-solving. To start this business, you would need to know how to hack into systems and how networks operate. However, if you want to learn about cyber security or take your skillset to the next level, plenty of affordable online courses can help you do just that!

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