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While many people believe that working from home was a trend that would fade away at the end of the pandemic, a reported “36.2 million Americans will be working in remote positions by 2025.” This is likely due to the fact that there are many benefits associated with working from home, such as:
However, if you are going to be remotely long-term, you need to set up the perfect work-from-home space. After all, you may otherwise find yourself prone to distractions, making it difficult to stay on top of your work.  Photo by Windows on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are some top tips for decorating and designing your home office! 1. Don’t work from your bedroom. If you don’t have a spare room, you’ll have to set up an office within a pre-existing space within your home. In doing so, you may feel tempted to use your bedroom. However, studies have shown that “if you work in your bedroom, your brain may start to associate your bedroom with working. This can make it harder to get to sleep at night. “ As your bedroom needs to be a relaxing space, it is far better to set up your office elsewhere, such as in your dining room or living room. You could even renovate unused spaces such as your attic or basement. 2. Embrace natural light. Various studies have explored the benefits of natural light in the workplace. For example, it is often found that natural light promotes productivity and heightened focus, whereas artificial lighting can leave us feeling sleepy and distracted. As such, you should position your desk in a place where you’ll get plenty of natural light while also protecting your screen from the glare of the sun. For example, you could install custom window treatments, such as wooden blinds or plantation shutters, so that you’re able to better control the amount of light filtering into the room. 3. Think about the color scheme. The majority of offices or workspaces are painted white. This is because neutral colors tend to be associated with professionalism, meaning they serve as the perfect backdrop to a working environment. However, you can afford to be more experimental with color schemes when decorating your own office. For example, studies have found that “blues and greens create a sense of balance and serenity to help you concentrate on the task at hand,” which means they could be an excellent choice for a home office. 4. Invest in high-quality furniture. Working from often gives you control over your work schedule. However, if you’re working a standard 42 hours a week, that’s a lot of time to sit at your desk, which means that you need to invest in your comfort. For example, you should purchase an ergonomic chair so that you receive the appropriate neck, back, and shoulder support. 5. Ask your employer for financial support. It is the responsibility of your employer to provide you with access to the tools and materials you need to do your job - even when working from home. This means that many companies have set aside funds to help employees cover the cost of WFH tools. For example, this could include second screens, keyboards, and ergonomic mouse pads. As such, before you start shopping for supplies, reach out to your employer. Otherwise, you can save a great deal of money when decorating your home office by shopping for these items second hand. For example, many people who are required to return to the office full-time are selling office equipment they purchased during lockdown on online groups such as Facebook marketplace. Some online sleuthing may even help you to find these items for free of charge, though you may have to pay for them to be delivered to your home. 6. Surround yourself with inspiration. If you struggle to maintain high levels of motivation when working and worry that you may be more prone to distractions when working from home (especially if you are at arm's length of your TV), try to surround yourself with inspiration. For example, you could hang up some posters that feature your favorite motivational quotes and sayings. This way, you only need to look up from your screen to find a source of inspiration. Alternatively, many people find that being surrounded by pictures of friends and family can give them a boost of productivity!
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Becoming a homeowner is a great accomplishment in life. However, it’s also an incredibly stressful one! After all, being a homeowner puts you in charge; if you’ve only ever rented until this point, that’s a big step to take. If you’re thinking of buying a house at this point in your life, it’s very important to understand what you’re getting into. Because owning a house isn’t just exciting; if you don’t know the length of the work you’ll need to undertake, this period in your life is going to be super frustrating! So take the points below into account. When you know what’s going to be annoying, and take a lot of effort, you’ll be much better equipped to keep your budget in check and make homeownership work for you.  Pexels Image - CC0 Licence
Being Responsible for Everything If there’s a hole in the wall that needs patching, it’s up to you. If there’s a broken or cracked pipe in the bathroom, it’s up to you. If there’s a wasp infestation in the attic, it’s up to you. As a homeowner, everything is your responsibility now! You can’t call on the landlord and get a service done as part of your rent payment. You either take care of the problem yourself or have to find a tradesperson to get the work done for you. And for the latter issue, we highly recommend calling in a specialist! Being a ‘Good’ Neighbor You’re probably going to be a bit loud at times. You’re probably going to let the garbage build up because you’re busy with work. You’re also probably going to forget to smile and wave at the neighbors when you pass on the street, because you’re busy walking the dog or attending to your kid. None of these one time incidents are a big problem. You’re still a good neighbor! After all, you care about making sure you’re a good person to live next door to. Bad neighbors don’t think about any house other than their own. Don’t let this stress get to you; if you think you’ve genuinely annoyed them, you can always take some brownies around to make peace later. Finding an Accurate Price for Renovation Work If you decide not to go the DIY route, you’re going to need to call a professional in. That’s going to cost you money, and if you choose the wrong person for the job, who knows how long those costs could go on for? Don’t make a mistake. It’s why it’s so important to get recommendations from friends and family. If someone has worked with them before, take their word for it when they’ve found a good tradesperson! Deciding to Sell You’ve just moved in - why would you ever want to sell? Well, one day you might have to make the decision. Whether the area is too expensive, you don’t like your neighbors, or you’ve found a dream home somewhere else, selling will be on the list at some point in your life. That is one of the most annoying things about being a homeowner. At the very least, going through the process of selling can take months, and for a lot of people it’s upwards of a year. Even with an experienced realtor like Peter Heim on your side, you might just find the whole thing overwhelming! Gardens Tend to Grow Fast And you’re never going to quite keep up with the green explosion that can happen out there. As such, it’s best not to stress too much about how to keep the grass short and the trees trimmed back. Instead, have a general gardening timeline to follow and cut back at strategic times of the year. As long as you keep things neat and tidy and you’re genuinely happy with the look of your garden, even if it’s an accidental wilderness garden, you’re not going to lose value or disappoint the neighbors. And no, that housing association isn’t going to fine you for having slightly long grass! You’ve got at least a couple weeks before the appearance becomes a ‘problem’, so calm down and get the mower out tomorrow. Owning a property is one thing. Living in and looking after that property is another. Determine your needs ahead of time using pointers like these and spend your time and effort wisely. You don’t have to be a perfect homeowner, but you should have a good action plan when it comes to DIY fixes and trying to find a reliable plumber!  Pexels
Owning a home is a big responsibility. As a homeowner, there’s a lot that requires your time and attention on any given day. You may feel like you’re in a slump living in your current residence and moving may not be a practical option. The good news is that you can take actions that will help you enjoy your time more while living at home. Be happier and feel more content living in your house by implementing the following tips and pieces of advice. Make A List of the Positives Sometimes all it takes to be happier at home is to change your mindset and outlook. You should avoid focusing on the negative or what may be lacking and missing. There have to be things that you like and enjoy about your property currently. Therefore, sit down and make a list of positives and go over it regularly. You may also want to make a list of what you are most grateful for and review these items daily. For example, maybe you like your neighborhood or feel thankful that you have a big and cozy bed to sleep in each night. Practice Self-Care & Treat Yourself Be happier and more content living in your house by taking good care of yourself. Make self-care a top priority so that you feel your best and are full of energy. You may also want to treat yourself every so often. For example, you can have a spa day at home or go out and get a new piercing. In this case, you’ll want to review dimple piercing aftercare instructions in greater detail. You’ll want to make sure you take good care of your piercings so that they don’t become infected. You will feel much happier overall and be a better caretaker when you put your needs above all else. Decorate & Display Sentimental Items You may not like living in your home because you haven’t taken the time to decorate your home and make it look nice. Now is your chance to go room by room and put out items that you love. It’s also important that you furnish your rooms and have comfortable places to sit. You should also focus on displaying sentimental items that put a smile on your face daily. One idea is to make a gallery wall of family photos or trips that you’ve taken. Once you are done decorating you can also think about painting the walls a soothing color that helps you feel more relaxed and at ease. Keep it Clean & Organized A messy home can make you feel stressed and anxious. You may also waste a lot of time looking for what you need. Instead, make it a point to keep your home clean and well-organized. You’ll be happier and feel more content living in your house when you keep up with regular cleaning. You may also want to perform a deep clean every so often or with the change of seasons. Keep the cleaning supplies handy and get your family members to pitch in and help you maintain your home inside. You may also want to invest in more storage solutions so you can avoid tripping hazards and place your belongings out of the way. Create Relaxing Spaces You may find yourself around your home more often these days. It’s one reason why you might feel bored or not content living at your property currently. Don’t be afraid to create relaxing spaces that are made for you to enjoy. For example, you can create a reading nook where you can get lost in a good book. You may also want to set up a meditation and yoga room where you can retreat to and take up these practices in your free time. You’ll want to have quiet and attractive spaces you can go to when you want to regroup or take some time off from thinking and doing. Think about adding plants and outdoor elements and choosing areas that get a lot of natural sunlight. Conclusion It is possible to be happier and more content living in your house. These are some ideas that will help you achieve your goal. Consider implementing these tips and noticing what a difference they make. You’ll feel less inclined to want to move and can get more comfortable staying put and living in your current home. Moving can be stressful and overwhelming so be glad that you have some ideas for enhancing your property. Notice how much more you like living at your house when you put these suggestions into practice. Hello, dear reader! Yes, you, crammed in that corner of your “cozy” studio apartment, wondering if your coffee table should also serve as a dining table or, perhaps, a bed? Worry not! You’re about to embark on a whimsical journey to transform your humble abode into a functional wonderland where space is merely a concept.  Via Pixabay
1. Mirrors: Your New Best Friend First, let’s talk about mirrors. They are not just for checking out your amazing self (though that’s a perk). Mirrors are magical portals to the land of ‘My Apartment Looks Bigger.’ Strategically place a large mirror opposite a window and watch as your room not only becomes brighter but seemingly expands. Bonus: It’s a great way to check if you’ve got spinach in your teeth before a Zoom call. 2. Vertical Illusions: Walls Have Feelings Too Your walls are crying out for attention. Why waste all that vertical space? Think floating shelves, wall-mounted desks, and even a drop-leaf table that folds away when you’re done pretending you’re a MasterChef. These additions are not just space savers; they are your ticket to an organized lifestyle. Plus, you get to avoid the horror of stubbing your toe on unnecessary furniture. 3. Multipurpose Mania: The Transformer Furniture Get furniture that does more than one thing. A bed with storage, a sofa that turns into a guest bed, or a coffee table that transforms into a workstation. It’s like having Optimus Prime in your living room, but more stylish and less likely to engage in a robot war. 4. Color Me Smart: The Palette of Space Ditch the dark, moody colors. Go for light, airy hues to make your space feel bigger. Remember, every time you paint a wall dark, a studio apartment loses an inch of space. It’s science. Or magic. Or it’s just a really good design tip. 5. The Rug Revolution: Define Without Walls Rugs: not just for covering unsightly stains. They help define areas in your small space without the need for walls. Plus, they add a cozy factor. Just be sure to get the right size. A tiny rug in a small space is like wearing socks with sandals – it just doesn’t make sense. 6. Lighting: Set the Mood, Enlarge the Room Goodlighting can make a cramped space feel like a cozy haven. Use a mix of floor lamps, table lamps, and string lights to create depth and warmth. And when your mom asks why you have so many lights, tell her it’s mood lighting for your one-person parties. 7. Plants: Oxygenate and Decorate Plants are your leafy companions that make any space lively. They don’t just add color; they breathe life into your square footage. Plus, talking to your plants is a perfectly acceptable pastime. They’re great listeners. In conclusion, decorating a small space is like playing Tetris with furniture, but way more fun. Embrace the challenge, inject your personality, and remember, in the realm of tiny living spaces, creativity is king, and you’re the ruler of your pint-sized kingdom. So go forth and conquer those square feet!  Image credit
When it comes to investing and building wealth, there are so many options for you to choose from, and the best investments for you depend on your personal choices, your risk tolerance, and how much you have available to invest. Everyone is different. What is right for one person isn't suitable for someone else. Getting the right financial advice and ensuring you're making sound financial decisions can help you avoid the common pitfalls of investing, watch your money grow, and not dwindle away over the years. With that in mind, this post looks at some of the most popular investment options in the US right now. Property There are approximately 22 million landlords in America right now, and most of them are mom-and-pop investors with around 1 or 2 properties each that they rent out. But if becoming a landlord isn't for you can invest in real estate in different ways. You can choose REITs, which are real estate investment trusts, which are groups that own income-generating properties and sell dividends to investors. You can choose to invest in commercial or residential properties in this way, from malls, hotels, and offices to Multifamily property investments, which are your apartment complexes. If you want a more passive method of generating an income and building wealth via real estate options, this could be the right choice for you. Alternative Investments If you want to diversify your portfolio or look for something away from the standard investment options, investing in things like gold, art, cryptocurrency, jewelry, or hedge funds, for example, can be an excellent way to generate an income or invest your money. If this piques your interest, working with brokers or private wealth management firms can help you make the right investments and avoid the common pitfalls of investing in options like this. Stocks The most common and well-known type of investment is investing in stocks. You can invest in individual stocks or dividend stocks, and what is best for you depends on a few different factors. Individual stocks are an ownership in a company. While these can offer higher returns than, say, government bonds, they also come with higher volatility. They are typically more suited for experienced investors with a higher risk tolerance and a well-diversified portfolio. Dividend stocks are regular cash payments that companies pay to shareholders. Dividend stocks are usually associated with more stable, secure, and profitable companies as opposed to your fast-growing enterprises. And while returns might not grow as fast as companies in the growth stage, the dividends are attractive for many investors and can provide a regular income. Before you make any type of investment, you need to do your research and be sure you know what the risks and returns are and you are confident in what you are investing in. There are many scams associated with investing; however, for those who want to grow their finances or generate more passive type of income, investing needs to be something you are actively doing, not just thinking about. Your home is a private sanctuary and it's a place where you should feel secure and not violated. When you go into your house at the end of the day and you shut the door behind you and lock it, you should feel as safe as you can be and feel confident about that. Home invasions have decreased over the last year for most people, but they are still very prevalent and they are still very much a worry. You might not think about what a home invasion could do to your home on the inside or the outside, and you might not think about the personal impact it can have on you. However with the right security screens, the right locking system and even cameras installed, you could ensure that your home feels as secure as you want it to feel. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the ways that you can make your home more secure.  Image source: Pexels
You deserve to feel safe and secure within your home and these are the tips that are going to help you to do just that.  Pexels
There may be a point and time in your life when you find yourself living alone. It may be by choice or maybe it’s not your first choice and it’s just something you have to deal with. In either case, it’s important that you make the most out of your situation. It’s not so bad and you may even end up liking living by yourself once you get more comfortable with the reality of it. Here you can review four tips for when you live alone so it can be a positive experience.
When you are preparing to build a new home, the likelihood is that you have hired a contractor or professional builder to do the job for you. Not everyone has the requisite skill set to complete such a large task safely and successfully, so you rely on the experts. That being said, you still need to do your due diligence and understand the basics of building to have the best outcomes and your expectations are met accordingly. Keep reading to learn more about how to be an informed consumer and partner in the building process.  Image Credit Understand How Things Work You may assume that things are going to function the way you assume they will simply because an architect or builder says they are great ideas for your new home. Of course, they are experts in their respective fields, and your background may not be in the arena of building, so you rely on them. Unfortunately, that can be a grievous mistake you may regret later on. It is always good practice to conduct research yourself so you understand exactly how your choices will affect you later on when you are living in the new home. For example, if you have your heart set on a flat roof to create the perfect exterior aesthetic and clean architectural lines, you need to inform yourself about flat roof construction mistakes before signing off on the decision. A flat roof is a unique and creative choice in home building, but you need to know what you are getting into and ensure that best practices in building are followed throughout construction. Speak Up It may seem like common sense, but sometimes the whole building process can be utterly overwhelming, and you defer to the builder or foreperson. Do your best to stay informed and keep your voice throughout the build from start to finish. If there is an explanation given that seems “off” or confuses you, always ask for clarification. Bolster yourself by remembering it is your hard-earned money footing the bill for the home. They are working for you. Not the other way around. Watch this video for helpful tips on how to work with a contractor and gain a better understanding of what they do. Organize Documents and Communications There are so many moving parts, deadlines, and timeframes involved in new home construction. Unfortunately, it is easy for everyone, even the builder, to forget or overlook things from time to time. That is why keeping detailed notes of conversations and communications is essential. This way, all parties are held accountable, and there are digital and paper trails to refer back to if needed. Some vital things to track include the following:
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Take this information and make it part of your building checklist. Educate yourself on the processes, take notes, and document every step of the way. This helps to ensure you get the results you are looking for and move into your home without delay.  Photo by Scott Webb: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-gray-bullet-security-cameras-430208/
Anyone who owns a home needs to know that a simple home improvement that makes a big difference is updated security. Security updates can be easy and affordable to install. With maximum security in place, you can rest assured that your home is protected and safe. Using these tips, you can find the best ways to improve your home’s security. New gates Homeowners will be surprised to know that a gate can improve home security within minutes. Installing a gate does not take a long time or cost a lot of money. Yet, it requires professional work if you want it to be durable and long-lasting. Investing in a company like Tulsa Home Guard will allow you to install professional gates so you can maximize the security of your property. Adding new gates to the front and back will offer more protection and guarantee to deter any intruders. Make your alarms visible Making the security alarms visible in your home will ensure that they can be seen by potential intruders. An intruder would be silly to attempt to enter a property when the police can be alerted in seconds. Therefore, make your alarms as visible as you can to deter intruders. Install CCTV cameras outside CCTV cameras will also work to deter intruders. When someone sees that your home is secured with surveillance cameras and you can watch them, it will make them lose interest. Although some intruders can be clever enough to cover the cameras, they will still be seen when doing so. Plus, with the other security measures in place, they can still be caught. Store spare keys in a locked, safe place Another tip to keep your home secure is to store any spare keys away in a locked, safe place. You will want them to be out of sight and difficult to find. If you leave them at a door or under a mat, they will easily be found. Locking them in a hidden box is the best bet. Lock your car away Although your car is separate from your home, you will want to keep it secure and safe at all times. Therefore, it is good to lock your car away and out of sight so that it can remain safe. It is good to lock the car in a garage, if you have one. Or, use an external unit where you can maximize its security. Doing so will guarantee that you can remain calm regarding the protection of your car. Double locks on the windows and doors Installing double locks on your windows and doors is an excellent technique if you want to make them difficult to break into. Double locks will require a special key and reduce the likelihood of someone easily entering. In conclusion, it really is simple to secure your home. Installing alarms and cameras, along with adding new gates, can be all it takes to make your home less vulnerable and more secure. If you’re looking to sell your home, then the aim is likely to get the best possible sell in the lowest amount of time. You don’t want to be waiting for the market to take notice, you want to get interest fast. To that end, you want to make sure that you’re ready to get the ball rolling. Finding the right help can make that a lot easier. Here, we’re going to look at some of the professionals that you may want to look into working with.  Source - CC0 License Realtors The very first step you should take in selling your home is to find the right realtor, or real estate agent. This is the person who knows the area and recent sales, as well as bringing a decent selling record themselves. They can help you get the ball rolling in terms of getting your home valuated, putting a sale listing up online, and managing any buyers that come your way. The best realtors are active in lining up your property with the potential buyers that are most likely to show an interest in your property. Just do bear in mind that it’s usually the seller who has to pay the commission for not just your own real estate agent, but the agent helping the buyer with the purchase, too. Inspectors Your realtor might be able to hook you up with a home inspector if you ask them but, otherwise, you should take the time to find them, yourself, as well. Aside from the basic valuation you need to do of your property, you might want to take the time to hire independent home inspectors who can take a look through the property to present a report on its condition. Not only can this help highlight any issues that you might want to take the time to fix before any buyers start taking a closer look, but this level of transparency and openness can help buyers get the idea that you’re worth trusting. Some buyers will have their own property inspectors or insist that you use one, so this can help to head off those concerns, as well. Lawyers Buying or selling a house is, at its basic form, a legally binding transactional contract. You might think that sounds relatively simple and, indeed, in the best cases, it goes smoothly, without issue. However, that’s not to say that property is a legally simple matter, by any means. It’s certainly not. The process of selling itself can experience a host of legal issues, property disputes can arise, and you might be looking for legal advice on how to handle remaining property tax. Whatever the case, it’s a good idea to have some real estate legal assistance on standby. They can also offer you help during the buying process, as well, which may go hand in hand with selling your home.  Source - CC0 License Storage facilities Aside from facilitating all of the necessities of selling a home, you should be thinking about how to best get it ready for the buyers, as well. One of the first steps that you want to take is to get rid of the clutter in the household. If you don’t already have a property to move your belongings to, then you might want to look at hiring a self-storage facility that can serve as the temporary accommodation of the items that might be making your property look a little too lived in. When they’re looking around, most buyers want to be able to envision their life there, and that can be difficult if there’s a little too much of you and your family still in there. Home stagers That said, you don’t want to leave a home entirely bare. There is a happy middle ground between showing off your home with all of your clutter in there and having a completely empty property. With the help of home staging services, you can rent and display furniture and decor pieces that help you show off the kind of potential life that can be shown in your home. Home staging design tends to opt towards more neutral looks, appealing ot as wide a base of buyers as possible, but chooses furniture and decor pieces that are designed to best fit and suit the space, to give the best possible image of what living there might look like. Photographers In a lot of cases, your realtor is going to take care of this part for you but, if you want to make sure the very best chances of selling your home, then you want to ensure that there are good photographs to post in your listings. A property photographer is important for making sure that you are able to accurately capture the dimensions and space available in each room, but can also play a role in showing off the curb appeal of the property and framing it against the landscape in a way that is as flattering as possible. You want to strike a balance between clear and informative portrayal of the property, but also making it look just that touch more attractive.  Source - CC0 License
Repairmen One of the single best tips to help you sell your home is to make sure that it doesn’t have any lingering issues that a potential buyer is going to immediately spot. Some buyers might simply point them out with the expectation that you fix them, but some might be put off the sale by the fact that they can spot blatant issues in the first place. Find your local tradespeople to help you take care of the necessary fixes in the home, or take the time and effort to make those fixes yourself. Similarly, you may want to consider hiring a local gardener or tree service provider to help improve your curb appeal, too. Depending on the particulars of your situation ,you might not need every one of the professional services above. However, if you’re beginning the home selling process and you’re wondering what you might be missing, this is a good list to start with. |
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