Home Improvement

Love this idea – the name “dropzone” says it all. We cannot afford to have a mudroom at our home but we can designate a space for “dropping” all stuff when we get home from work or school here, we just need to illuminate a dark corner with a led light bulb. It is better to organize things like this so nothing gets lost!

We don’t have space for an entryway or a mudroom but I will take note of this when we build our own home:

Source: tinyandlittle.com.au via Aggie on Pinterest

Imagine having a command center at home that will allow you to see everything that needs to be done – carpool, assignments, projects and even the maintenance of your car to avoid breakdown service – in a jiffy! If only our house was as organized as this!

I might just make one myself – this looks easy to do!

Home improvements are a great way to have greater peace of mind and a nicer place to relax at the end of the day. They’re also awesome if you ever decide to sell your house. However, you need to make sure you make use of the best resources available to you. The following are four great tips for a successful borrowing experience.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

1. Use the right lender.

Some people think every lender is the same, but it ultimately comes down to getting great customer service and a reasonable rate. This is why a lot of people love online loans provided by Plain Green Loans. An easy process, good follow-up and repayment terms you can handle will keep you from biting off more than you can chew.

2. Don’t bother with a mortgage broker.

Some people think that a mortgage broker is the best way to find the best borrowing options, but this isn’t usually the case. Typically, a mortgage broker will charge you thousands of dollars for the privilege of having him do what you can easily do for yourself.

3. Don’t be in a hurry to mortgage your home.

A mortgage is usually a massive ordeal that takes months and makes you burrow under your financial records. And if you’re self-employed or just started your job, you can pretty much forget about the whole idea. Unlike with online loans provided by Plain Green Loans, mortgages also attach a lien to your home, making your monthly mortgage payments higher than they’d otherwise be.

4. Assume you’ll need more than your initial cost calculations.

Professional contractors typically assume that they’ll need at least ten percent more materials than they originally calculate. Consider that they’re assuming they have “a few left over” from the last job, and that they’ve been practicing their trade for many years. As a novice, you don’t have a previous job to scavenge materials from, and you also likely lack the necessary skills to tightly estimate how much material you’ll need. So assume you’re going to need between 20 and 30 percent more. While it will be more expensive, it’ll save you frustration and having to take out another loan and go back to the hardware store.

Taking out a loan to make your home better is okay in moderation. Just be sure you know what you’re getting into and you take out only enough money to make real improvements. Also, be careful how many “experts” you involve in the process.

A great way to invest your money is to maintain and improve your house. Now only will you enjoy living in a home that’s kept up, but you’re also more likely to make money when you decide to sell your house. Here are some tips for turning your house into a home and a profitable investment that will pay off in the future.

Fix Problems as They Arise

There are some emergencies such as a leaky roof, a busted water heater, and a broken window that need immediate attention. Even if you don’t have the cash on hand, installment loans from Great Plains Lending can help you get these repairs done in a timely manner.

Do Your Research

When you are contemplating adding a new feature to your home such as a deck, patio, or sun room, take the time to read articles, blogs, and product information. You’ll also want to look at photos of completed projects to get a feel for what style you prefer, and when it’s time to select a company to do the work, request references.

Think About Outside Space

Increasingly, buyers are interested in homes with attractive outdoor spaces, especially if they appear to extend the living area into the back yard. Outdoor kitchens, water features, rain gardens, fish ponds, and walking paths are just some of the features that can add value to your home. The costs of these projects vary greatly, so you can find one to fit almost any budget.

Image Courtesy of Flickr

Create Additional Living Space

Professional architects and builders can assist you in developing plans to truly transform your home and increase the living space. From adding another story to finishing a basement to converting a screened in porch to a sunroom, you can expand your square footage in a number of ways.

Install new Appliances and Hardware

It may not sound as glamorous as adding a room to your home, but upgrading your appliances, door knobs, and fixtures can have a big impact on the look of your home. Stainless steel is a popular choice for stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers and other kitchen equipment. If you install new sinks, think about a bowl style basin that sits on top of the counter. As for counters, consider the look and utility of granite counter tops in the kitchen.

Image Courtesy of Flickr

By staying on top of maintenance, addressing problems quickly, and being proactive in developing new features for your house, you’ll create an inviting space for your family and possibly earn some money when you go to sell your home. If money wasn’t an obstacle, what features would you add to your home to increase its appeal and value?

Choosing the best wireless intercom system for your home, office, school, or business.

Communications have come a long way because of technology. Nowadays, many home, offices, schools, and businesses are equipped with wireless intercom systems that help the people inside to communicate better. Although many of these establishments still use wired intercom system, wireless intercom systems are increasing in popularity because of the many benefits that they provide.

Wireless intercom systems are so much easier to install than the traditional wired intercom systems. There is no need to connect any of the units with wires and you can easily transfer one unit from one area to another.

To help you choose the best wireless intercom system for your home, office, school, or business, below are some things that you need to consider.

Frequency. Different wireless intercom systems use different frequencies. In the United States, there are several frequency ranges available but the most commonly used are 49MHz, 900MHz, and 2.4GHz. Very few wireless intercom systems use 49MHz because these are short range frequencies and are often used by cordless telephones and baby monitors. Since they are often picked up by other wireless devices, wireless intercom systems that use this frequency often get interference. Some wireless intercom systems use 900MHz frequency and they often use analog transmission technology. For those who prefer their intercom system to have video capabilities, the 2.4GHz frequency is often used. However, the 2.4GHz frequency is often used by WiFi networks so you can expect interference from products that use WiFi.

Range. The range of your wireless intercom system depends on its frequency. A relatively new frequency range in the wireless intercom system market is the Multi-Use Radio Service or MURS. MURS uses VHF or very high frequencies and wireless intercom systems that use it can be used even in expansive areas such as between buildings or homes. You can even add an antenna to boost your transmitter. MURS intercom systems can transmit up to four miles or more with an external antenna.

Security. How do you plan to use your wireless intercom system? If your priority is privacy, make sure that your wireless intercom system is not susceptible to interference. Also, some frequency ranges like those using 900MHz make it easy for other devices in the same frequency to listen in on conversations.

Features. Check for other features that you want in your wireless intercom system such as a PA system and a bell system. You may also want to get an intercom system that has an outdoor unit that is water resistant and specifically designed for outdoor use. Other features that you can find are wireless remote switches, motion detectors, solar power option, and many more.

Cost. You can get a basic two channel wireless intercom system for as little as $60 while more sophisticated ones can go up to as much as $700. The price range of wireless intercom systems is very wide so make sure that you identify the features and specifications that you want before making any purchase. If you are on a limited budget, choose a basic wireless internet system that will allow you to purchase other add-on features later.

(From ApartmentTherapy.com)

Here are some great interior design ideas for craft rooms. I seriously would kill to have a room dedicated to my hobby – enjoy!

According to this article in ISBN Magazine, the previously online-in-Europe-only home collections (which launched in 2009) will finally become available online for the US market as well this coming Spring, 2012.

The article includes some other interesting tidbits on the home division of the affordable retailer; the Home collection gets updated four times a year and relates its trends to seasonal fashion shifts. 8 designers work on the home goods, compared to 120 in the fashion division.

Taking a peek at the current home items available online at H&M in Great Britain, one can see that they are broken down into specific collections that vary widely in style, color and potential target customer, from Bohemian Vintage and Authentic Autumn (both with interesting components) to Playful Style (LOTS of pink and puppies), with plenty of basics filling out the offerings.

As you can probably tell I am obsessed with walls lately. I have been trying to decide what to do with a wall along side my work desk and between choosing pictures and a work/central command area, I am torn. These clipboards on a wall are very nice. I wonder if it can work as a house number plaque too!

Decisions. Decisions.