Whether you’re getting ready to put your house on the market or your list of DIY weekend projects seems to be getting too long, you can tackle several jobs on your own, usually in a short amount of time, to increase the value of your home.

Storage

Storage space ranks high on homebuyer’s lists as something they want in a new house. For this reason, keeping closets, carports and basements clutter-free and organized is important.

Weekends offer plenty of time for purging and restructuring. If you’re handy with a hammer and nails, basic wall shelves can be constructed in just a few hours. Also, home improvement store aisles are packed with ready–to–assemble shelving units and closet organization systems. Take a few days to decide what stays and what goes, and then reorganize your home’s basic storage areas.

Outside

We all know the importance of curb appeal. Homebuyers that see a messy yard and unclean driveway upon arrival at a showing will undoubtedly have a poor first impression of your home.

Pressure washing is a weekend warrior job that does a great deal to improve the appearance of your house. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent one from home improvement stores or appliance rental places. It takes some elbow grease and a few good hours of work to wash away accumulated grime, but the clean driveway, deck and even siding will truly improve your home’s curb appeal.

Dated Fixtures

One of the most recommended tasks for a home seller is replacing dated fixtures. Whether this means exchanging old copper sink faucets for shiny silver ones, or taking down the ceiling fan from the ‘70s, fixture updating is definitely a weekend DIY project.

One idea, take pictures of the sinks, lighting units and mirrors in your home. Head to a home improvement store with the images in hand and ask to speak to an associate. Typically, he or she will be able to help you decide if its time to update them and provide you with some ideas.

Paint

Over time, houses settle. Sometimes, a roof will leak, and water stains will show the ceiling’s paint. Cracks in corners and dingy paint are major turnoffs for homebuyers. Plus, a freshly painted home is cleaner, brighter and generally more comfortable.

Take a quick survey of your home’s rooms, paying close attention to corners and molding. If you see cracks, chips or stains, it’s probably time to repaint. The same goes for paint as it does for fixtures – if you aren’t sure what colors would be best. Take measurements of the rooms and pictures before heading to the paint store. There will be someone there to help guide you.

Owning a home requires constant upkeep, and selling a home requires some additional fixing up. These smaller weekend warrior tasks will help keep your home looking fresh and modern, and they will definitely make your house more appealing to potential buyers.

You’ve decided to work with a builder to create the home of your dreams. Where to start? The process of deciding on every detail of your new house will be a daunting one.

Many people think if they’re building a house, they don’t need a realtor. In reality, it’s a sound decision to start with an experienced realtor. He or she will be knowledgeable about the area and can help you pick out the perfect plot of land. A local Realtor, like Todd Taylor, is also an excellent source of knowledge regarding who in town is great to work with, where the best schools are located and where city amenities can be found.

Next, it’s time to pick a floor plan. Many people overlook the fundamental importance of picking the correct floor plan. The design will decide on which side the garage is located, what floor the bedrooms are on and how many, the layout of the kitchen and much more. Have in mind some basics you know you want in your home – a formal living room, a covered patio or a third floor attic. Then work from there, modifying the layout of the rooms. Be sure not to overlook storage. You want sufficient closet and storage space built into the floor plan.

Windows and their placement. You want to be sure your new home is adequately lit and that the windows face in the appropriate directions. You don’t want the bay window above the garden tub facing the kitchen window of your neighbor’s house. Voice these concerns to your builder while working on the floor plan.

The exterior of the home can be constructed in many ways. Talk to Todd Taylor and your builder about your wishes – stone, brick, stucco, siding. Many people have a color in mind and work from there. The roofing options are also important – shingles or metal. Don’t overlook the life expectancy of the materials you decide to use. You want your house to last for as long as it possibly can with minimal repairs and structural maintenance.

Don’t forget the small things. If you want a large fridge, be sure the space built for it is big enough. If you have several phones, fax machines and computers, concern yourself with the number of outlets in the house. Small issues regarding lighting, such as whether or not you want fans, dropped lighting, track lighting or recessed lighting, must be deliberated.

Building a house should be exciting, but the details can quickly become burdensome. Sit down with your realtor and builder before embarking and make a checklist. This will help guide you through the process and ensure you don’t overlook something that you will grow to regret.

If you’re on the hunt for a new home or condominium, the process can seem daunting at first. Preparation and forethought are key. You want to ensure that you settle into a space that you can grow comfortably in for years. Here are some simple steps and points of thought for keeping your house hunting expedition on course.

Choose a good realtor. Many people underestimate the importance of this step. Get references, learn about the types of properties your potential realtor shows and make an educated selection. The convenience of having a realtor will become clear to you as you begin viewing properties.

Don’t be bashful. Ask any and all questions you have as you select properties to view and as you tour possible new homes. You don’t want to be left with ‘what ifs’ when narrowing your choices.

Take notes. Pen, paper and a camera should always be in tow. You’ll want to take notes to remind yourself of each properties’ pros and cons, and photos will really prove valuable when making your final selections. Informational flyers and pamphlets are often available at locations on the market. Take them. They contain basic need-to-know information about room numbers, the asking price and the properties’ highlights.

Be on watch while driving. If you see a house that you’re interested in that isn’t on your realtor’s route, take down the information and pass it along. Your realtor will do the digging and appointment setting for you.

Have a critical eye. Once you’ve narrowed your options, you’ll want to do a second walk through. Again, don’t be shy. Turn on faucets to look for drips. Schedule your second viewing for a rainy day so that if the ceiling leaks, you’ll know. Look in closets and under cabinets, respectfully if the sellers still reside there. You want to be keenly aware of the space you’re purchasing before you do so.

Lastly, hire a home inspector. Most first time home buyers are wary and consider this step in house hunting imperative. Even if it’s your second or third home, hire a reputable inspector before your closing date. Often, your realtor can provide you with a list of recommended inspectors if you don’t know any in the area.

It’s a great time to move to Nashville. If you’re looking for a new home or condominium, keep these basic steps and tips in mind when embarking on your house hunting journey.

Whether your family has a new addition, you found a job across the country or you just want a change of scenery, moving is unavoidable. Moving can be chaotic, time-consuming and frustrating event, but if you make smart choices and hire a good moving company you’ll find yourself in your new home in no time.

Packing is definitely the lengthiest portion of the moving process. Use space saver bags for wardrobes. They’re clear, compact, you can easily recognize what’s inside and you can label them boldly with permanent markers.

Have all your packing materials ready and accessible – boxes, newspaper, packing peanuts, tape guns, markers. It’s less frazzling when you don’t have to hunt for things when packing.

When you pack up the kitchen, mark the boxes “kitchen” and leave them in the kitchen. Do the same for the other rooms in your house. This helps the movers know exactly what goes where and saves time.

If you have extremely valuable belongings, move them yourself if you can. Family heirlooms, expensive jewelry, artwork – if it will fit in your car and you would be devastated if it were lost, move it yourself if at all possible.

Prep for the movers. Walk through your new home to make lists, even diagrams, of where you want the furniture and in which rooms all the pieces should go. If you have fragile boxes, mark them with very large, dark print. And don’t be afraid to delegate. Considerately give specific directions to avoid miscommunication and confusion during the move.

Do a final run through. Just like when you’re leaving a hotel room, you need to do a thorough walk through before the final lockup. You never know if maybe a knick-knack fell out of a basket or one shoe was left in the back of a closet.

A final cleaning is not only a consideration for the buyers, but it will help give you a sense of closure and finality. Leave your former home in nice, clean condition before moving to another or hire a moving crew with experience in move-out cleans.

Winter weather takes its toll on our houses. From fallen limbs to icy driveways and power outages, the effects of harsh climate can be devastating. This season, keep these tips in mind to protect your home from snowstorms and unkind Winter conditions.

• Review your homeowner’s insurance policy. Make sure that your policy covers more than the basic burst pipes, fallen trees and water damage from ice dams melting.
• Wrap outdoor drainage hoses, faucets and spigots with foam to prevent them from freezing. If they freeze regardless, try using a low temperature heat gun to thaw them.
• Remove ice and snow from basement windows and doorways. As this ice melts, water leakage into the home becomes a threat.
• Remove trees and / or limbs that come too near to your house before the season’s first snow settles in. This will eliminate the risk of falling limbs damaging your home and will save you from the danger of needing to shake collected snow from limbs after precipitation arrives.
• Snow gathering on the roof can quickly melt, freeze in the eaves and create ice dams that then force water under your shingles. Use a roof rake or hire a roofing professional to remove snow buildup from your roof.
• Move basement shelves away from the walls and clear the floors as much as possible to minimize damage should excess water seepage occur.
• Clean all drains and gutters to ensure they are free of dirt and debris. This will help divert roof runoff away from the base of your house by giving the liquid a clear, flowing path.
• Insulate your attic. By insulating your attic, you help it maintain a cooler temperature to prevent rapid melting of the snow buildup on your roof.
• Leave water trickling overnight to prevent the back freeze and bursting of your pipes during the coldest temperature periods of Winter.
• Prepare for unexpected flooding. When heavy snow melts, the frozen ground is unable to absorb much moisture. Keep water removal companies’ numbers available, ensure your sump pump is fully functional and be keenly aware as the snow around your home turns to water.