Lee Morof's Real Estate Blog

Some simple home improvements increase the attractiveness of a home and may help with a sale. If you are getting ready to sell your home or if you just want to beautify it a little, here are some low-cost tips for home improvements to consider.

Go Green

Adding indoor plants is nice and improves interior air quality. If you have the room for it, consider a vertical garden. A vertical garden may use the entire ceiling-to-floor area of one wall. With the proper type of grow lights, it is possible to create the feeling of a lush tropical forest inside the home.

You can grow a herb garden in a window box, so you always have fresh herbs for cooking. Flowers, which make a lovely fragrance, are wonderful for aromatherapy to create positive feelings. Hang a sprig of fresh eucalyptus in the shower for a spa-like experience.

Water Elements

A water fountain or birdbath in the garden is a pleasant touch. Use a solar-powered water pump so there is no need to connect it to electricity. It will attract birds that are enjoyable to watch.

A small fountain in the home will have a soothing effect from the sound of the falling water. The Chinese art of Feng Shui recommends having some water elements in the home for a more peaceful living space. It can be something as simple as a desk or tabletop water fountain to have a nice effect.

Wall Decor

To spice up a room and give it a fresh look, consider changing the wall decor. Give the wall a fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper and hang new things on it in an attractive way.

Throw Rugs

Colorful throw rugs are helpful to cover a worn area of old carpet. Rugs improve the look of a room without the expense of replacing the carpet. In a larger room, a throw rug may create a space for a certain use, such as a sitting or dining area.

Add Some Color to the Front Door

One quick and easy technique to give a dreary home exterior a bit of curb appeal is to power wash the siding on the front and then paint the front door a dramatic contrasting color. A superbly-colorful front door is very attractive and welcoming.

Summary

With a little imagination and a modest budget, it is possible to make attractive home improvements that have appeal. Just try some of our suggestions and make improvements that you enjoy.

Telecommuting has significantly changed the housing market. More people than ever before are working from home. Younger people are especially likely to do this and become part of what is called the “gig” economy. Many are working as freelancers or starting online businesses.

Advantages Of Working From Home

There are many advantages to working at home. It is less stressful. There is no commute. This saves money and is better for the environment. There may be lower income taxes because currently, the IRS allows a tax deduction of the expense of a home office. 

Homeworkers find clients online. They also can work from anywhere that has an Internet connection. There may be an opportunity to have a working vacation and keep their online presence going. They can maintain business efforts, perhaps at a reduced level, when also taking some time to enjoy themselves.

Staging A Home With An Office

Staging a home for sale is a useful technique used by real estate agents and homeowners. Staging beautifies the home to make it ready for viewing. This may improve the sale price when selling a home.

Staging may also help sell the home quickly by making it attractive to more potential buyers. Staging includes cleaning the home to make it spotless and strategically decorating the rooms to make them look nice.

One way to increase the attractiveness of a home is to have a room that is set up as a home office. If possible, choose a room with a view. It should be bright and comfortable, to entice buyers who want to work from home.

Buying A Home With An Office

When looking at homes for sale consider buying one that has an extra room or space that can easily convert to a home office. Think about the home design if you will live and work there. The office room needs to be in a quiet part of the home that creates a working environment where there are fewer chances for disturbances.

It is important to be serious when working at home. It is best to have a routine that encourages proper work habits in the home office space. Also, be able to leave the home office at the end of the workday. Avoid the temptation to overwork and set time limits for working hours.

If you plan to have business guests or clients come to your home, you may need to get commercial insurance. Talk this over with your insurance agent.

Summary

A home with an office is highly desirable. Consider retrofitting your home with an office when staging it for sale. For buyers, think about the possibilities of having a room for a home office when viewing homes for sale.

If you are in the market for a new home or interested in listing your current property, be sure to contact your trusted real estate professional.