Jeff Cook Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts in the category - DIYhttps://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/Copyright JeffCookRealEstate.com2024-02-02T14:13:43-07:00tag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:18632Preparing For Your Summer Garden<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Untitled_design-3.jpg" width="940" height="788" />
Soon the days will lengthen, the temperatures will rise, and it’ll be time to turn our attention to the outdoors and embrace the joys of summer gardening. Preparing for a successful garden requires thoughtful planning, a bit of elbow grease, and a touch of creativity. In this guide, we'll walk you through essential steps to ensure your summer garden flourishes with vibrant blooms, lush foliage, and a bounty of fresh produce.
Assess Your Space and Sunlight:
Before diving into the world of summer gardening, take a close look at your outdoor space. Evaluate the amount of sunlight different areas receive throughout the day. Most plants thrive in full sunlight, so choose spots that receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Consider the layout of your garden beds, containers, or designated planting areas.
Choose Your Plants Wisely:
Selecting the right plants for your summer garden is crucial for success. Consider the climate and hardiness zone in your region, as well as the specific needs of each plant. Whether you're interested in vibrant flowers, aromatic herbs, or homegrown vegetables, make sure your chosen plants are well-suited to the conditions in your garden.
Prepare the Soil:
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. Test the pH of your soil and amend it accordingly, adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. This enhances soil structure, improves drainage, and provides essential nutrients for your plants. Prepare the soil in advance to give it time to settle before planting.
Plan Your Garden Layout:
Sketch a rough layout of your garden, considering the height and spread of each plant. Grouping plants with similar water and sunlight needs together makes maintenance more manageable. Think about creating focal points, borders, or even incorporating container gardens to add visual interest to your outdoor space.
Invest in Quality Tools:
Equip yourself with the right gardening tools to make the process more enjoyable and efficient. Essential tools include a sturdy shovel, rake, pruners, and watering cans or hoses. Invest in high-quality tools that will withstand the rigors of gardening and make your tasks more enjoyable.
Implement Watering Strategies:
Proper watering is key to a thriving summer garden. Develop a watering schedule based on the specific needs of your plants. Consider using mulch to retain soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and regulate soil temperature. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses can be efficient alternatives to traditional watering methods.
Consider Companion Planting:
Boost the health and productivity of your garden by practicing companion planting. Certain plants have natural synergies that benefit each other, such as deterring pests or enhancing nutrient uptake. Research companion planting strategies to maximize the harmony in your garden beds.
Preparing for your summer garden is a delightful journey that promises the reward of a vibrant, flourishing outdoor space. By carefully assessing your garden space, selecting the right plants, preparing the soil, planning the layout, investing in quality tools, implementing watering strategies, and exploring companion planting, you're setting the stage for a summer garden that will bring joy and beauty to your outdoor haven. Happy gardening!2024-01-10T14:08:00-07:002024-02-02T14:13:43-07:00Patricia Utseytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:16499 Steps to Get Your Home Guest-Ready<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Guest_Ready.jpg" width="5245" height="3497" />Hosting guests in your home is one of the joys of being a homeowner. Regardless ofwhether your guests are there for a short period or a long-term stay, preparing for your guests is essential. You and your guests will both enjoy the experience with some forethought and planning.
General Home Preparations
Some general items to add to your list of home preparations before your guests arrive include:
A Good Cleaning
A good general cleaning of all spaces your guests may use is always warranted. Clean bathrooms, tables, chairs, floors, and other areas leave a good impression — not to mention a thorough cleaning helps prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. Use general-purpose, non-scented cleaners to avoid any allergy complications with your guests.
WI-FI password
Alarm code
Operating instructions for appliances
TV channels, apps, and other entertainment amenities
What to do in emergencies
Your children’s bedtimes
Pet schedules and peculiarities
Your work and different schedules
Spare keys for your guests
Your specific home and lifestyle may have other important factors that your guests should know to make their stay more comfortable. Review your everyday living arrangements and habits and determine what your guests need to know.
Food Preparations
If your guests share a meal (or meals) with you, it is often best to know about any allergies or dietary restrictions in advance. Ask for this information so you can prepare menus and shop appropriately.
Long-term guests may appreciate some meals prepared in advance and frozen that can be easily reheated and enjoyed at their leisure. Some other tips include:
Menus for local restaurants
Names and menus/apps for local food delivery services
Lists of favorite foods/dishes to prepare and share
Stock up on favored snacks and drinks
Bedroom Preparations
Long-term guests appreciate accommodations for comfort and privacy. If you have a guest bedroom, wash and replace all bed linens and provide adequate towels. Ensure the proper storage space for clothing and personal belongings. Provide extra pillows and blankets and travel-size toiletries.
We recommend staying in your guest bedroom to “test” the comfort level and amenities. You may need to add a lamp or other items to ensure your guests’ comfort.
If you don’t have a guest room, be sure your sofa is comfy, with adequate sheets, blankets, and pillows for comfort. A blow-up mattress can be used in a pinch; just make it up with sheets and blankets to be as comfortable as possible.
Entertainment and Amenities
Entertaining guests always requires some advance planning. There are many simple ways to ensure your guests have a great time for one evening or several weeks or months.
Will your guests be staying for an evening? Learn what your guests enjoy and plan an evening of doing those things together; cards, games, shows, beverages, cooking, relaxation, and indoor and outdoor activities.
Will your guests be staying for an extended period? Provide information about local attractions, shows, restaurants, movies, parks, and other entertainment options. Add some books and magazines to your home in open spaces for guests to enjoy.
South Carolina has much to offer, and introducing our state’s plentiful amenities is a great way to build memories with your guests. Try to share as much Low Country culture and cuisine as possible to make your guests’ stay enjoyable and memorable.
2023-05-18T06:25:00-07:002023-05-25T13:53:30-07:00Patricia Utseytag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:9359Budgeting for Home Improvement Projects<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/Home_Improvement_Budgeting_and_Planning.png" width="1200" height="800" alt="Home Improvement Budgeting and Planning" />
Very few of us like sticking to a budget, but setting a budget is key when you are planning to take on a big home improvement project. Whether we are talking about a $20,000 home energy makeover or a $3,000 <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/how-to-renovate-your-attic-on-a-budget/">attic renovation project</a>, it’s important to make a financial plan and stick to it. Without a proper budget, you will eventually pay much more than you initially planned.
Determine Your Goals
Before you set a budget, you need to be clear on why you want to renovate. Drill down to the specifics. You need to pin down decisions and select finishings and the materials before you start the actual project.
Before you start tearing up floorboards, do some research. One of the most important things you need to do is figure out whether you need <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/sep/20/home-improvements--essential-guide-planning-permission">planning permission</a> for your home improvement project. You may need a permit to install a new fence, replace a water heater, etc. A building permit for a larger project can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000. Definitely consider these costs when determining your budget.
Get a Hard Quote
If you want to formulate an even more accurate budget, put together a list of exactly what you want and provide it to a contractor. Keep in mind, it takes time to formulate a proper quote. Home contractors are usually too busy to give free quotes. They may give you a free estimate, but it may not be as accurate as you would like.
If you want to receive the timeline for the job as well as a detailed outline of all the costs, it is worth paying for a hard quote. Regardless, there will likely be some hidden expenses. When tearing down walls, you may find mold or asbestos hiding behind the plaster. For this reason, it's a good idea to allocate 10% to 15% of your budget for surprise costs.
Factor in Home Insurance
Your project may affect your home insurance. If some damages occur during the project, you wouldn’t want to pay for them out of pocket. Your insurer may not cover the work being done or may require you to pay an extra premium. In some cases, it could help to take out specialist renovation insurance or consult a property management accountant.
Keep Track of Improvements
Setting a home improvement budget is one thing, sticking to it is completely different. To minimize surprise expenses, you should record everything step-by-step. It can be easy to lose track of the side projects being done simultaneously.
You need to divide everything into <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/5-diy-projects-to-tackle-this-weekend/">smaller projects</a>, and then closely track the progress. For instance, if you hire an electrician to do some wiring, you will want to track their work as it happens while taking note of what the plumber or carpenter is doing.
Use Spreadsheets
Keeping track of all the work going on in your home is easier said than done. Spreadsheets can be a lifesaver. You don’t need to be an Excel genius to do this. Thanks to apps like Google Sheets, you can create spreadsheets easily and free-of-charge. A spreadsheet could help you track progress, budget, and prioritize the projects that need to be done first.
Financing
You can do the work in stages or take out a loan in order to complete everything in one go. Obtaining a home equity line of credit is a popular way of financing big home improvements. In this case, the equity in your home serves as collateral and you can borrow money on an as-needed basis.
Another option is to apply for a home equity loan which typically offers fixed rates. If you want to get a home equity loan, know that many lenders won’t give you one for less than $25,000. Unless you plan on doing a huge kitchen remodel or add a new room to your home, a HELOC may be a better option.
Wrriten by: Kevin jefferson
Kevin has gone through an extensive home renovation with his son, which he has both thoroughly enjoyed, and dreaded every morning. He is now the proud owner of half his dream house (the other half is waiting for spring). You can read more of Kevin’s work on <a href="https://plainhelp.com/author/kevin/">PlainHelp</a>.
2020-11-09T09:00:00-07:002022-02-17T07:40:23-07:00Matt Serratotag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:8897Tips on Painting Your Home's Interior<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/interior_home_painting_tips_2.jpg" width="1800" height="1200" alt="Home Painting Tips" />
If you are a first-time homeowner and have never painted a home interior before, you may find the task daunting and challenging. But then again, don't give up. You can still successfully paint your house interior, change its appearance, and increase your home's value in general.
With the right guidance and tips, any homeowner can DIY and successfully paint a house interior. To get started on the right foot in your painting undertaking, look at the steps to prepare, and gather the necessary items you need for the task.
Prep Your Home
The first step to hold at your fingertips is to prepare your wall for the exercise. This is a critical step if you want to achieve perfect results. Here is how to prepare your interior walls:
Clean the walls
Remove the old paint if planning to repaint your interior.
Find invisible flaws and repair damaged parts of the wall and ceiling.
Prime your walls for perfectly painted walls
Don't stop there. Go on and figure out what more to do and prepare for a taxing project. Other crucial steps include; carefully choosing your colors and you have to decide whether to invest in warm paints or cool paints. Don't forget to clear the area you are painting. Safely remove your furniture out of the room you are painting.
Gather the Necessary Supplies
Pick the right painting tools and materials. You will need different tools depending on the paint you plan to use and your wall condition, and the interior design. Here are the must-haves:
Paint
Primer
Paint roller with an extension pole
Paintbrushes
Paint tray
Painter's tape
Sandpaper
Rags
Putty knife
Drop cloths
Ladder
Overwhelmed by all the paint colors to choose from? Read more about what mood each color can bring into your home in our recent blog <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/paint-colors-that-can-brighten-up-your-home-and-your-mood/">Paint Colors That Can Brighten Up Your Home</a>!
Get to Work!
With all the painting tools and materials in place, it's time to get down to serious business. This may be a taxing project, but there are tips to follow and produce perfect results. They include:
1. Mix cans of the same paint in a larger bucket. You will enough to use and for consistency purposes.
2. Prime and texture interior wall patches to avoid a blotchy finish. Fix the flashing on the wall with a primer and use a roller to prime and improve the wall's texture.
3. Paint the trim first and then move to the ceiling and wall of your house. It's easier to tape off the trim than other areas.
4. Apply paint from top to bottom. Make sure you use your roller with an extension pole to apply the color from the ceiling downward.
5. Roll your paint along the edges for unswerving texture. Brush on the color and roll it out before the paint dries for guaranteed texture consistency.
6. Don't pull the tape off the trim while the paint is still gummy. You don't want the entire job to look sloppy. Wait for the color to dry before cutting the tape loose. Give it time, and wait for 24 to 48 hours and result assured of pleasing results.
7. Use cotton drop cloths to wipe out spatters and spills of your carpeting rather than plastic drop cloths. Paint spills will stay wet on a plastic cloth and might end up causing more damage.
8. Using your sandpaper, trim between paint coats to get an ultra-smooth finish before applying another paint coat. You will avoid a grainy texture and rest assured of exceptional results.
Feeling like a paint pro yet? Check out these <a href="https://www.hgtv.com/design/design-blog/how-to/5-painting-crafts-to-refresh-your-home">5 DIY Projects</a> to freshen up your home's interior!
Once you have finished your home interior painting exercise, make sure you clean up. Clean your brushes with water and soap, especially if you used water-based or latex paints. Painting is fun with the right skillsets, and you will, without a doubt, enjoy the experience.2020-08-28T07:10:00-07:002021-12-02T18:24:57-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:8719How to DIY Your Kitchen Backsplash <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/diy_your_kitchen_backsplash.jpg" width="1280" height="1600" />
The backsplash is the area that extends from the bottom of the cabinets down to the kitchen countertops. Its primary purpose is to protect the wall behind the countertop from food debris and spilled liquids that can run down through it. In contrast to most kitchen projects that require technical expertise, <a href="https://www.tileclub.com/blogs/news/styling-tips-to-coordinate-countertops-with-backsplash-tile" target="_blank">tiling your kitchen backsplash</a> is one that can truly be called a DIY project that can be done in only a few hours, with minimal tile cutting.
Moreover, these countertop and wall protectors not only make cleaning easy, but they also add a gorgeous visual element to your kitchen design, which adds value to your home. Now, let's delve into the steps on how we can incorporate these into our kitchen.
Step #1: Prep the Walls
Begin by marking the centerline of the cabinets. This will serve as a guide to help you align the tiles upon application. But before you install the tiles, make sure to clean any food or liquid residue that is left on the wall with a damp sponge. Remove all of the hardware, ripped wallpaper, electrical plug outlet plates, or other detritus on the wall to make the surface as smooth and clean as possible.
Step #2: Spread Adhesive for the Tile
Use a palette knife or margin trowel to load the notched trowel with tile adhesive. Make sure to work with extra care and wear protective gear, since this DIY project can be a messy one. The next step is to comb the tile adhesive by holding the trowel at about 45 degrees until the entire surface is fully covered with tile adhesive.
Step #3: Place the Tile
Start working upward one row at a time by pressing the tiles firmly into place, but avoid squeezing the mastic into the joints. It is also important to periodically check your work to ensure that the application of the tiles is well secured on the wall. Remember to work in small sections because some adhesives tend to dry quickly. After applying, wait for about 20 minutes before you fine-tune it.
Step #4: Cut Tiles for Small Edges
It is important to ensure that you're ending your wall at the right spot because installing tile where the edge is visible will leave your project looking unfinished. Do this by cutting tile sheets in order to seal the gaps around the exposed edges.
Step #5: Apply Grout & Clean the Wall
Apply the grout into the joints between the tile using the float, then scrape off the excess grout by moving the float diagonally across the tile to give it a clean look. Make sure to take away all the excess grout because you do not want the grout to dry and stick to the tile.
The most popular material for this home improvement project includes glass tile, marble tile, and ceramic tile.
These tile backsplashes can be extremely affordable or high-end depending on the material you use. If done correctly, adding a backsplash can bring dimension and design to your kitchen, and with so many different options to choose from, you can design a kitchen that's not only functional but also visually appealing. 2020-08-17T04:32:00-07:002021-02-10T07:35:34-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:8303Summer Decor Ideas <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/jeff_cook_real_estate_summer_decor_.jpg" width="800" height="533" />
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to finish up your spring cleaning and get ready for the new season. It’s easy for a house to feel stuffy and hot during the summer months. With a few selective design choices, however, you can make your home feel light and breezy. Here are five tips to make your house look and feel stylish during the summer.
Use Light and Fun Colors
Keep the base colors of your home as light as possible to open up the space. Dark colors can make your home feel stuffy, so instead of dark grays and browns, opt for pale grays or even whites. To avoid making your house look boring, however, be sure to include a few bright accent colors. Throw pillows, flower vases, and curtains look great in bright pinks, greens, yellows, and oranges. It will make your home feel just as playful as summer was meant to be!
Bring the Beach to You
Regardless of where you live, adding a beach theme to your home will always scream “summer!” Including motifs of shells, starfish, and coral will all bring the air of summer into your home, and it will feel like you are just minutes away from the beach. Try to keep it subtle, however; you don’t want to assault any guests with too much beach decor. Blue and white stripes on furniture and blankets can help to remind people of a beach house without being too obvious about it.
Embrace Nature
Summer is all about growth. Incorporating subtle greens can help remind you of all the plant life blooming outside. If you want to go the extra mile, consider bringing plant life right into your own home. Macrame flower pots look gorgeous hanging from any ceiling, and you can fill your windowsill with succulents. Low-light plants look lovely on top of bookshelves, especially if they have long, trailing vines. You can also incorporate floral motifs around your house through wall art, throw pillow fabrics, and countless other ways.
Focus on the Outdoors
If you have a deck or patio, this is the time to go big. Colorful outdoor furniture and a fire pit will bring your house to the next level. Summer is the time for being outside! Grow bright flowers in your garden, <a href="https://blog.fantasticgardenersmelbourne.com.au/grow-lawn/" target="_blank">trim your lawn regularly</a>, and strive to make your backyard as comfortable as possible. You can hang string lights around your deck to make your backyard a wonderful place to be any hour of the day. If you have a tree or two, you might even consider getting a hammock to spend some lazy summer days reading or relaxing.
Open Up Your Space
Summer is an excellent time for getting together with friends and family. Lots of people in one house, however, can quickly make a space feel crowded. Spend some time decluttering your house, and arrange your furniture in a way that makes the space as open as possible. That way, no matter how many guests come to visit, you can all feel comfortable in your gorgeously decorated home.2020-06-04T05:49:00-07:002020-08-11T09:34:46-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:8145Paint Colors That Can Brighten Up Your Home (And Your Mood!)<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/How_to_Apply_for_a_Home_Loan.png" width="1236" height="619" alt="Paint Colors That Can Brighten Up Your Home" />
These days, we are witnessing a pretty unusual situation in the world when almost every one of us has a little extra time that we are spending in our homes. As much as we love our warm and comfortable homes, they can sometimes become uninteresting and even boring, and this certainly has an effect on our mood. Also, a lack of obligations or a forced break from work may result in a change in mood.
The good thing is that we can put together nice and useful, and get rid of our bad mood and make some really nice changes in our homes too. We are all aware of the power of colors, how they can enrich space, and evoke pleasant emotions in us. It doesn't matter if it's about small detail or even furniture and walls, adding certain colors will certainly have great consequences.
Here are some suggestions for choosing colors and ideas that you can turn into DIY projects and have fun with your family.
Yellow
Yellow makes many people excited, energetic, and happy, and yet yellow - especially lighter shades - can cause fatigue and agitation when there are too many of it.
It has been observed to increase concentration and is therefore often used on notebooks. It is considered a cheerful and upbeat color. Anyway, in the long run, a gentle, buttery yellow is a better solution. It is easier for the eyes and has a soothing effect than the stronger yellow color. It reflects light and is perfect for dimly lit rooms, which also makes a great choice for ceiling color.
Also, if you like decoration, certain bright yellow items can have a great effect on the overall interior. Sew a pillowcase or paint a bottle and turn it into a vase, if you have children it will be especially interesting to paint together.
Red
Red is powerful and has the longest light spectrum length. It is associated with love, warmth, and comfort.
Red is also associated with passion and energy. It can raise energy levels - it is proven that it can increase blood pressure and heart rate - and is known for stimulating appetite and conversation.
If you want to paint your bedroom or living room red, look for a muted red color that has a more gentle and elegant look and it will be the best If you can choose only one or two walls to paint them red or to combine them with some other color.
Blue
Blue is considered a soothing color, but also a color of the business world. For this reason, many rooms are blue because it is a color that helps to cause a calming effect on people. It can also create a state of depression because a lot of blue is cold and sad.
Blue is one of the most popular colors. And it looks like it has the nicest choice of shades, but as with any color, it doesn't have to be too much of it. With the blue color, the space gets clear dimensions, visually looks bigger, and looks really elegant. too
Blue is a great choice for furniture, It is mostly used for chairs, armchairs, as well as for those small details like lampshades, vases, and pillows.
So, here are just a few suggestions, everything else is your choice, you can play with the colors and materials as much as you want, awake creativity in yourself and improve your home, change is always good.2020-05-07T08:19:00-07:002020-10-21T12:33:33-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:7956DIY Family Earth Day Projects<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/DIY_Family_Earth_Day_Projects.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" alt="DIY Family Earth Day Projects" />
Even though Earth Day happens once a year, it's still important to take care of our home. Not for just one day a year, but every day. With some ideas, you and your child can have fun crafting items while keeping the Earth safe.
Natural Wreath
Wreaths make a great addition to your home and now you can make your own natural wreath. The main component of the wreath is vines.
To make it look prettier, add some leaves and pinecones if you have some nearby. Cutting off some little branches from trees really adds to the look. The best part about this is that you can pretty much get most of the supplies from your back yard.
Recycled Art
Nothing screams Earth Day like recycling. For this project, you and your child can grab a bunch of items you no longer use and put them together to create art. What the project will be is up to you. I recommend letting your child decide what to make so they'll have more fun.
Grow Plants
If you have a bottle, cut it open and place some dirt inside. Make sure the hole is big enough for the plant to grow out of and also receive enough oxygen.
This one will take a little longer to see the result of your hard work but it's worth it. Knowing you helped create a little plant is very rewarding and you may find a new hobby to be interested in. You never know, this project can make your child love gardening and they will have a life long hobby that started all because you decided to grow a plant out of a bottle.
Wind Chimes
Most of us have some type of cans inside our house. Instead of throwing these cans away, make a little wind chime out of them.
All you need to do is hang up the cans and let the wind do the work for you.
But that's not the best part. Cans can be designed in a number of different ways. You can paint them or cut up some paper and glue them onto the cans. This is probably one of the most fun activities for children because it lets their creativity shine.
Recycled Crayons
This one is very fun but can be dangerous so you need to keep an eye on the children.
What you do is grab some crayons that are broken up and place them in a muffin tin or baking pan and place them in an oven. After about 15-20 minutes you take them out and boom! They're done.
This doesn't seem like much at first but you can make a bunch of different designs with them. For instance, you can make a heart-shaped crayon that consists of a bunch of different colors. It's like baking cookies except you're not eating it. They're used for decoration only.
Build Memories
No matter what you choose to do for Earth Day, make sure everyone has fun. The Earth is our home and it needs to be protected. Teaching them this lesson in an entertaining way will help them learn but also build happy memories for you and your family.2020-04-08T07:29:00-07:002020-09-21T08:15:54-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:79555 Backyard Gardening Tips for Spring<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/5_Backyard_Gardening_Tips_for_Spring.jpg" width="1600" height="1067" alt="5 Backyard Gardening Tips for Spring" />
Spring is just around the corner and April is National Garden Month! You now have a great opportunity to start thinking about what you are going to do with your garden - think what flowers and vegetables you want, how big it will be, and how beautiful it'll look when the harvesting season comes.
You don't know where to start? Here are five quick tips to harvest a great gardening season!
1. Get Ready for Spring
When people think about gardening, they think about either harvest season too soon or getting ready to work right away. They are both the wrong options! One of the most important things about gardening - and what you should be focusing on right now - is prepping.
A good gardening season requires tools, creativity, and patience to work with. I'm sure you have creativity and patience already - but what about tools? And if you do, are they in good shape? The preparation time before you start to work on your garden is crucial.
You need to make sure your gardening tools are in great shape, that you have the seeds to work with, and that you have a plan ready to go!
2. Get Your Garden Ready
Once the strategy is laid out and the tools are ready, you can get to work. This is when the fun begins. But don't get too eager to grab your seeds just now. Before that, you need to clean things up!
Remove needless debris like leaves, garbage, and leftover snow. Trim old plants and start making space for new things. You should also look for weeds and how to dispose of them and remove them from the root. Take care of existing pests and work on preventing possible ones.
3. Prepare Your Soil
Now your backyard is looking like the perfect place to start gardening. Take a moment to think about how beautiful it will all look when the harvest season arrives. Close your eyes and see that beautiful garden soon-to-come. That's what you should strive for!
Once you know how you want your garden to look like, start making the arrangements to make that happen. Revitalize the soil you want to work on by adding moisture with either compost or manure. Divide your backyard and make sure you know where seeds are going before you plant them.
4. Plan, Plant, and Play!
This is the best part of it all! Now you can get to work and let your garden become real, little by little. By this time, you should have seeds at hand and be ready to go. But if you are not sure about what you want to harvest, here are some quick recommendations:
Vegetables look great in your garden and are delicious on your plate. Spring is a great time for lettuce, peas, and tomatoes.
Flowers will make your garden look stunning. Lilacs, pansies, and pansies look beautiful and Spring is the perfect time to let them bloom.
5. Harvest Time!
Seeds are planted, time went by, and you gave your garden regular maintenance. Is there anything else to do? Of course! Harvesting! One day, not too far from today, you are going to look at the window and all that hard work will pay off! You will see beautiful flowers back to back, next to delicious-looking vegetables ready to be picked up! Walk around your garden and take a look at your hard work paying off!2020-04-08T07:25:00-07:002020-09-21T08:16:55-07:00Megan Garrelltag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:75195 DIY Projects to Tackle This Weekend <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/1451/image/5_DIY_Projects_to_Tackle_This_Weekend.jpg" width="578" height="300" alt="5 DIY Projects to Tackle This Weekend" />
Weekends don't exactly need to be spent on the sofa enjoying your TV time and eating your favorite snacks. They are also a great time to ensure that you can indulge in some exciting DIY projects that can benefit your home and increase its value should the time to sell come soon enough.
A Little Paint Goes a Long Way
It's a proven fact that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but when it comes to old paint, the opinion may just be unanimous. Your house will be valued by a prospective buyer by the way it looks, so if the initial impression is of an old and neglected exterior and interior, then your price range will also reflect that fact.
If you invest some time laying paint in areas in need - even if just a small bathroom or a room - it will give a positive and lasting impression to its next owner and one that you can surely capitalize on.
Get Rid of the Excess
You know you have things that don't exactly look great in your home - we all do! They are there to be useful and provide enough storage space, but ultimately, they will not look appealing to a prospective buyer. By getting your house neat and clean from excess clutter, you're not only doing a favor to yourself turning your living space into something more enjoyable straight away, but you're also increasing its value when the first visitor comes through the door.
Gardening Done Right
Have a look at a neglective neighbor's garden. Perhaps he doesn't have the time or doesn't really care about his garden - ultimately, perhaps you don't have much time either - but when you look at a house for the first time, that first impression is always a lasting one. A poorly attended garden will have a negative impact on your house's value as opposed to getting it all sorted out and clear from weeds and clutter before the first visitor comes around.
Upgrades That Are Worth It
You know that old sink you have in the bathroom? It won't take long to replace nor will it cost a fortune. If you pick your options right, you can make small upgrades for a couple of hundred dollars that will value your house on the thousands. We're not suggesting you should go ahead and spend huge sums to upgrade it with the very best materials, but always approach each room as if it was the first time you were entering it.
With that in mind, you may find little things that could look and work better throughout your home that will increase your own enjoyment of the space whilst you're living there as well as its value.
High-Tech Your Home
Again, you won't need to go ahead and bring the latest innovations indoors, but there are some affordable pieces of technology that impress buyers and make wonders for your home. Whether you're opting for smart thermostats or smart lighting, younger and more tech-savvy buyers will be impressed by those small improvements. They should only set you back a few hundred dollars and you're benefiting from them as well as far as you're living in the house.
These small upgrades can be done in a weekend's time and they will not only do wonders for your home's value but also for your sense of achievement, along with your own enjoyment whilst living in the premises surrounded by improved living space.
These projects can be carried out by yourself and are easily achievable, offering enough diversity and increasing any home's attractability to prospective buyers.2020-02-06T10:58:00-07:002020-09-21T08:50:30-07:00Thomas "Jeff" Cooktag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:7025How to Make a Home Feel like 'Yours'Guest Blogger: Austin Winder
The moving process can be quite draining, so much so that it may take a while to truly feel at home. If you’re feeling as though you haven’t quite moved into your new place, don’t worry. With the following tips, your new house or apartment will have all the comforts of your old home.
Unpack ASAP
After taking on all the work that goes into packing and moving to a new home, it can be tempting to wait a while to unpack the unnecessary items. However, leaving boxes everywhere can eventually become stressful, and prevent you from truly enjoying your new home.
An easy way to start is by going room to room. Get the larger items like furniture arranged how you’d like them, and then move to the smaller, more fragile items once you’ve got a place for them. By breaking down the unpacking process to one room at a time, it makes it a much easier project to tackle. The quicker you’re <a href="https://www.northamerican.com/blog/view/all-blogs/2019/07/10/how-to-keep-your-move-organized-and-on-track">organized and on track</a> with the rest of your scheduled activities, the sooner you’ll feel like you are home.
Set up the Wi-Fi
A home without the Internet can feel particularly empty. Be sure to have your wi-fi set up immediately so you can spend time relaxing and watching your favorite shows or getting back into your regular work schedule. With you wi-fi up and running, you’ll feel less as though you’re in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable environment.
Decorate Your Home
As you continue unpacking and setting up your home as you like it, don’t forget to decorate. Bring out your favorite art pieces from your last home and start hanging them up. Similarly, don’t be afraid to go ahead and buy new artwork, signs, <a href="https://www.lovelyroses.com/home-collection">flowers</a>, or anything else that will help you express your personality in your new place. Check out these popular <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/2020-home-design-trends/">home design trends</a> for more inspiration!
Set up Outdoor Furniture
If you’ve moved into an apartment or home with a backyard, taking advantage of this open-air will help you feel more at home. When <a href="https://pergoladepot.com/outdoor-patio-design/" target="_blank">designing your outdoor patio</a> and garden, have a plan in mind for how you’d like the space to function, and fill in the gaps with foliage to provide a truly striking place to relax.
Invite Friends Over
What’s a new home or apartment without a housewarming? Celebrate this momentous occasion by inviting your friends and family members over to ring in this new step in your life. Whether you host a dinner party or have a game night, getting your old gang together will help you to feel like you belong in your new space.
If you’ve still yet to finish unpacking or painting, consider asking friends to come over to help you. Doing so will give you the opportunity to spend time with loved ones while getting a break from having to do all the work yourself.
Don’t spend another day in your new house or apartment feeling as though you are out of place. Put these five tips into practice or <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/5-diy-projects-to-tackle-this-weekend/">tackle these 5 DIY projects</a> to help transform your new space into the home of your dreams.2019-11-12T07:25:00-07:002021-01-22T12:50:19-07:00Thomas "Jeff" Cooktag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6072Entryway Inspiration: Fresh New IdeasGuest Blogger: Talia Spero
Make a <a href="https://homedesignlover.com/interior-design/inviting-entryway-tips/">welcoming entryway </a>to your home with stylish accessories or a bold color palette to enhance your front entry’s style.
A fresh and stylish entryway is one of many <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/2020-home-design-trends/">popular home design trends</a> that will allow guests to feel welcome and right at home. Giving your front entry walk way doesn’t have to cost money or require a lot of work; these tips will help you decide the best route to take to give your entry a boost and increase your curb appeal – for an open house or your own pleasure!
Style Made Simple
A simple yet stylish touch to your entryway is adding unique house number stickers. Whether you want to add brushed-metal numbers for a contemporary accent or crisp white house numbers for a traditional touch, they are all easy to apply – just peel, stick, and enjoy.
Classic Charm
A mahogany door with matching molding sets a timeless tone, and a do-it-yourself address plaque features self-adhesive letters and numbers for your full address to be on display in front of your home. It can be matched to the overall tone of your house with the background and frame color.
Add Greenery
A fresh finish can definitely be achieved by adding evergreens and shrubs into planters. Add visual interest by varying their heights and type of plants. An entryway garden – even when they are in individual planters – adds a fresh appeal to any entryway.
Refresh a classic entry
A few <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/5-diy-projects-to-tackle-this-weekend/">DIY projects</a> can completely change a space like a fresh coat of paint does. Instead of the expected red door, try orange or blue for a vibrant and fun look.
Customize accessories
Not willing to go as far as a colorful door? Forgo a traditional doormat for a colorful round rug that’s suitable for the outdoors. PVC planters can be painted to complement your color palette, plus they are maintenance-free and easy to move around to different areas. A different and stylish door handle will also attract your guests.
2019-10-28T06:27:00-07:002021-01-22T12:18:42-07:00Cory Towlertag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:6001Decorating Your Home on a Budget Most of the time it is hard to get inspired. We get in a funk and have a hard time visually planning what our dream home should look like. That’s why we all need inspiration for decorating. But, making time to look for what appeals to our interests, or is eye-catching, isn’t always the trick when it comes to decorating our home.
I bet you have the same issues that most homeowners do when it comes to creating a more functional way of living. There is always the constant battle of where to get the right kind of inspiration.
Of course, there is always Pinterest. It has an overabundance of inspiring, aesthetic photos of beautifully decorated rooms and organized living space. Oh, how amazing it would be if MY home could be that wonderfully laid out.
But, as much as we want our homes to look “Pinterest Perfect” we have to face reality and try to make it work with what we already have.
For most, it isn’t easy to throw everything out and redecorate. I know most budgets don’t allow homeowners to redecorate hardly ever. Even though most crave the beautiful kitchen or family room, there is a way to stay inspired and keep pushing towards your end goal without starting from scratch.
Instead of pushing the budget or taking out a line of credit so you can have those awesome sofas you want, wait…take a step back.<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/5-diy-projects-to-tackle-this-weekend/"> Little touches over time</a> can go a long way.
Shop your home!
This is usually the first step in decorating your own home. Look around your home and see if you can repurpose furniture, or if you have some accessories that you can use in a different place or for a different purpose. Use books as décor accents, recover throw pillows, switch up your lampshades. The options are endless!
Simply…paint!
Never underestimate the power of a<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/tips-on-painting-your-homes-interior/"> fresh coat of paint</a>. Paint old chairs, dressers, cupboards, mantels, or even a wall. This s a super affordable way to get a big update and get inspired.
DIY Art
Pieces of art always tend to be very expensive. So, try saving money by <a href="https://www.hgtv.com/design/design-blog/design/have-a-big-space-to-fill-on-your-wall--7-diy-art-projects-to-try">creating your own pieces</a>! Simply picking out a favorite frame and printing out your favorite design can create a perfect art piece for any room. <br />Thrift Shop!
There is no shame in your game when finding what treasures you can find at your local thrift store. Sometimes you can score with great pieces that are perfect just the way they are, and sometimes you need to get a little creative with what you find! Either way, thrift shopping can be a great way to find pieces you wouldn’t normally see in stores.
By completely some simple steps, homeowners can collect, create, or recover pieces to create their very own “Pinterest Perfect” home.
And, remember, it is a process. It will all eventually come together as long as you keep an optimistic attitude.
“Focus on Improvement, Not Perfection”2018-07-05T07:15:00-07:002021-08-30T12:32:43-07:00Thomas "Jeff" Cooktag:jeffcookrealestate.com,2012-09-20:60093 Components of a Dream Kitchen So you’ve got your dream home, but now it’s time to design your dream kitchen. Whether you have a large family, or you live alone and simply like to entertain, you know that they say “The kitchen is the heart of the home” for a good reason. So here are a few tips to help you design the kitchen of your dreams, no matter what your budget may be.
1. Consider style AND function.
Sure, <a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/paint-colors-that-can-brighten-up-your-home-and-your-mood/">picking out paint colors</a> and finishes is fun. But think about what would make your life more comfortable in the kitchen. Love to cook, host dinner parties, or feed a big family? Double ovens are right up your alley. <a href="https://fantasticservicesgroup.com.au/blog/how-to-clean-a-kitchen/" target="_blank">Hate the cleanup?</a> Check out dual-drawer dishwashers
2. Open up your floorplan.
Think about how you move in the space and interact with others. Do you want to be able to chat with your family or hold conversations with your friends while you’re prepping, cooking, or cleaning? Do you want a statement kitchen island offering that casual dining element? That’s what an open concept kitchen is all about! And spending a little more on a kitchen redesign to attain it is something you’ll never regret.
3. Storage, storage, storage.
Being able to access what you need in your kitchen easily is crucial. So making sure everything has its place is just as important. And get creative with your storage. Consider open shelving if you have nice dishware you’d like to show off that works with your color scheme. Think about things like shelving for cookbooks, or a cute wine or spice rack. <br /> <br />There you have it! Your kitchen isn’t just a place where you cook or dine—it’s a place in which laughs are heard, and memories are created. So take these tips home with you and add this to<a href="https://www.jeffcookrealestate.com/blog/5-diy-projects-to-tackle-this-weekend/"> your weekend DIY project list</a>, or let the pros at Jeff Cook find you a home with your dream kitchen!2018-06-14T07:29:00-07:002022-03-19T03:34:41-07:00Thomas "Jeff" Cook