#AblazeBlog: Alaska Real Estate Market Analysis

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Monday, June 1, 2015

Interior Design on a Budget

Interior Design on a Budget

Whether you're planning to furnish a new build, or you're simply seeking to give your current home a makeover, you don't have to break the bank to do so. There are countless ways to make a big impact easily and affordably. There are also several do-it-yourself options that can save a bundle on unnecessary labor costs. Here are some ideas to design your interior spaces on an easy budget.

Add or Change Your Color Palette

Adding a splash of color, or changing the hue in a room, is a very simple way to make an immediate impact. Paint is relatively affordable, and if you tackle the project yourself, it becomes an extremely economical way to make a dramatic statement.
Consider painting an entire room, or just an accent wall for a more subtle impression. Fresh paint can also do wonders for old furniture. Consider a completely new color for furniture, or a weathering technique to provide a rustic or even vintage look.
A whole kitchen remodel can become extremely pricy. Painting old or slightly dated cabinets is a great way to offer a fresh look at a fraction of the cost. Adding new hardware and drawer pulls provides extra character and charm both easily and affordably, to kitchen or bathroom cabinets.

Do It Yourself

One of the best ways to furnish or decorate an interior on a budget is to do it yourself whenever possible. Utilize your existing personal talents, but also don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and attempt a new project. Instructional videos and books can assist in walking you through new projects step-by-step. Of course, YouTube is a great place to find inspiration or instruction, should you need either.
Consider installing your own tile, laminate or linoleum floors or refinishing the wood floors you already have. Install updated plumbing fixtures or light fixtures to add a modern touch, and also save on utility costs.
Refurbish previously-owned or antique furniture as opposed to buying new. You could even consider crafting your own unique window treatments, utilizing the many ideas and tools available online.
Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration for do-it-yourself project ideas, including wall décor, unique shelving options, headboard ideas, fireplace makeovers, coffee tables or even crafty light fixtures.
When considering do-it-yourself decorating options, see if you can use things you already have around the house that will cost you nothing. Cut and display decorative grasses, ivy, cattails or seasonal flowers. Dry the flowers and grasses to create wreaths or swags to be hung, or use them for display in vases or decorative bottles and vintage jars.
For a project the entire family can enjoy, consider hand-crafting your own scented candles that can be used in any room. Another family decorating idea: Frame and display your child's artwork, family photographs or landscapes that hold meaning, as opposed to purchasing pricy artwork in stores.

Furnishing Your Home on a Budget

Be mindful and creative when shopping for home furnishings on a budget. Shop at flea markets, antique shops and garage sales for statement pieces such as bedroom sets, dining sets or armoires that can be refurbished to fit your style and taste. Browse websites such as Craig's List for unique bargains, or even look for contractor specials on premium, previously unused items.
Keep function in mind when planning budget kitchen décor, as opposed to purchasing unnecessary knick-knacks. Hang pots and pans for both use and charm, or fill and showcase decorative jars or canisters with kitchen essentials. Display large serving platters and baskets, and fill them with edibles such as seasonal fruits or vegetables. Hang everyday mugs on a fashionable rack and store cooking utensils in a trendy wire caddy or unique piece of pottery – or even hang them from metal brackets or a utility rail to add style and save counter space.
Decorating or refurnishing a home on a budget can be both fun and easily achieved. Remember to be clever and creative, shop wisely, and do what you can to save money while in turn crafting a unique and meaningful environment the entire family will enjoy.
Sources:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/budget-decorating/cheap/cheap-living-room-ideas/
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/makeovers/furniture/fabulous-furniture-makeovers/#page=7
http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/practically-free-crafts#slide-1
http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/12-ways-to-repurpose-home-furnishings/pictures/index.html

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· ABLAZE State-Wide Map Search

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Sellers Behaving Badly: The Top 3 Ways to Turn Off a Buyer

Not all real estate transactions turn sour. In fact, few do. But once in a while, a bad apple ends up either selling or buying a home, and can throw the entire transaction into chaos.

From buyers allowing their children to run wild through a house they're viewing to sellers trying to hide home defects, the potential to behave badly in a real estate transaction is ever-present.

Let's take a look at some of the ways homeowners sabotage the sale of their homes.

Dirty Houses

If you've ever sold a car instead of trading it in, you probably spent some time spiffing it up: cleaning the upholstery, vacuuming the interior, washing and waxing the exterior. Why? Because you know that to get top dollar for the vehicle, it needs to look like a car worth paying top dollar for.

Yet so many homeowners don't seem to understand the value of thoroughly cleaning their homes before putting them on the market. A home is the one thing most people own that is probably worth more than any other possession, but many don't take the time to ensure that it brings top dollar in a sale.

A messy, cluttered house screams out to homebuyers that you don't care. They may imagine that if you put off cleaning your house, you might have put off maintaining it as well. This, in turn, justifies lowball offers.

Clean the house until it is immaculate. If you don't have the time, consider hiring professionals to do the job for you.

Overpriced Houses

Pricing your home over market value does not leave room for negotiation. It leaves your home sitting on the market for so long that homebuyers get the impression that there is something wrong with it.

When a new listing hits the MLS, it begins the "honeymoon" phase, with a flurry of showings. It's during this phase that you are most likely to attract the highest offer. By overpricing the home, you are wasting this valuable marketing time, and the home may eventually end up listed for less than market value just to attract attention.

As special as we all think our homes are, they are not worth more than a buyer is willing to pay for them – which is market value. If your home is in good condition, yet still sits on the market for more than 30 days, your price is too high.

Failure to Disclose

If you've ever sold a home before, chances are good you are familiar with the disclosure process. If you aren't familiar with the process, you will need to get up to speed before you respond to an offer to purchase.

As the seller, you are required to provide the buyer with any information about the house that might affect his or her desire to purchase it – including any material facts that might affect the home's value or desirability.

For example, if you painted the ceiling to hide water stains, you wasted your time. Leaks must be disclosed to the buyer. The items that must, by law, be disclosed vary by state. California, for instance, has some of the most stringent disclosure requirements; such as deaths on the property, neighborhood problems like barking pooches or loud parties, and more. Environmental hazards must be disclosed, as well as known sex offenders in the area.

In other words, the very things you think might sabotage the sale must be disclosed to a potential buyer. Some sellers still keep secrets, which is a big mistake.

The penalty for nondisclosure? Big, fat lawsuits with big, fat payouts for the buyer. Sellers run the risk of having the contract rescinded as well.

No matter how tempted you are to keep quiet about problems with the home or the neighborhood, don't do it. Disclose every defect that is not readily observable and that is significant to the home's desirability. In other words, disclose everything.

There are few simple steps to avoid behaving badly when selling your home. Cleaning well, making small repairs and pricing the house right will bring in a buyer. Then treat that buyer with the respect the law demands, and you'll have yourself a sale.

#AblazeBlog

Monday, June 1, 2015

Interior Design on a Budget

Add or Change Your Color Palette

Do It Yourself

Furnishing Your Home on a Budget

Sellers Behaving Badly: The Top 3 Ways to Turn Off a Buyer

Dirty Houses

Overpriced Houses

Failure to Disclose

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