Easy Ways to Update your Bathroom

Bathrooms are more than just functional – they are one of the selling points in a house. A clean, modern bathroom will increase your home’s value and make every day feel like a spa day. If your bathroom needs some updating, but you don’t want to spend the time and money on a complete renovation, read on for some tips that can help transform your bathroom with minimal time and on a budget.

Accessories A super quick and easy way to change the look of any bathroom is to change the accessories. Switching it up with lighting and color scheme will make a huge difference. You could replace knobs on doors and cabinets, get a new shower head and shower curtain/door, bring in candles and bath salts, change light fixtures, swap out towels and towel racks, soap dishes and dispensers, and whatever else typically resides on your bathroom counter. These seemingly small changes will make your bathroom feel like new and allow you to play with a new color palette. 

Tiles If you want to make a bigger impact and spend a bit more money, consider replacing your floors, counter tops, shower stalls, or back splash. New tiles will really transform the space. You could do all of the above or just tackle one at a time. Roll up your sleeves for a DIY floor project. If you don’t currently have a back splash, consider creating one with a unique design that will brighten up the space. If a new shower stall is out of the budget, consider using some of the leftover tile pieces from the back splash project, and incorporate that into the shower space. Get creative and have fun with it.

Paint If you’ve read any of my previous home improvement blogs, then you know that I am going to mention paint. Painting is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to redo a room. A fresh coat of paint will help make the space feel new again. All white walls are crisp and clean; pastels like light blues and greens are spa-like and relaxing; dark, jewel-tones are edgy and elegant. You could even have an accent wall and just paint one wall a different color from the rest. Another quick hack is to choose a wall and hang different types and sizes of frames, like a gallery wall. The theme is up to you, and the frames will serve as accent pieces.

What are some things you’ve done to update your bathrooms? 

How to Save on Summer Travel Plans

Looking to get away this summer? Whether you’re looking for a relaxing and quiet few days off the grid, or to explore a new place, you want to get the most bang for your buck. Read on for a few money-saving tips for your next summer vacay.

Book Early Summer sales aren’t just for fashion or big ticket items like appliances and electronics. They apply to flights and hotel rooms as well. Since the months of June – September are a popular time for travel, if you can, try and book as far in advance as possible. This will ensure you have enough time to research different sites and compare rates, to get the best possible deal. It will also allow you to lock in a lower price than if you were to book last minute. You don’t want to settle for a hotel that doesn’t fit your budget or style, or for a flight that’s inconvenient and expensive. Book ahead and save some cash to spend on your trip!

Try Somewhere Unexpected There are so many popular warm-weather destinations that see tourism sky-rocket during summer. While some of those places might be at the top of your list to visit, why not think outside the box and visit a place that’s not as popular but can provide an equally amazing experience. Beaches and big cities can get a lot of traffic, and your dream vacation might consist of long lines, crowded cafes, and tourist-centered activities. If you’re looking for a more unique but equally awesome vacation, look for places that aren’t on top ten lists on travel sites. You'll get to actually relax or explore a new place without any added stresses.  

Stay Local If budget and time constraints won’t allow for exotic and opulent travel, you can always look to stay local and experience your own city or state in a new way. For example, if you live in LA, you can book a weekend getaway to: Palm Springs for a desert escape; Santa Barbara for a beachfront haven; Disneyland to bring out the child in you; Las Vegas (Nevada, but still a close enough drive) for world class dining and gambling; San Francisco for shopping and site seeing; Sacramento for history; and the list goes on. The point is, booking a hotel or AirBnB in your town or somewhere nearby will make it feel like a vacation and you won’t have to spend as much money or take extra time off work.

Happy travels! What are some of your summer travel tips?    

Get your House Ready for Prospective Buyers

When you’re ready to sell your home, there are a few things you can do to help make the space more welcoming. Small changes can make or break a potential buyer’s first impression, so it’s important to ask your realtor what fixes you can implement to help prepare your home for open houses and private showings. Here are some quick and inexpensive fixes to try.

De-clutter A messy space is a turn-off for most people. A clean and tidy living space, on the other hand, will help prospective buyers see the space and not the stuff that occupies it. Removing personal items will not only help de-clutter the space, but also allow the buyer to imagine his or her own items on display. That’s ultimately the goal – for the buyer to imagine living in the home. And, if all of your stuff is scattered everywhere, that will be harder for them to do. You can keep a couple of things out on counters, mantles, and tables, but scaling down on accessories or adornments can go a long way in preparing your home for showings.

Outdoor Space A clean and tidy outdoor space is equally as important as an indoor one. Whether it’s your front porch, driveway, balcony, deck, backyard, garden, or pool house - keeping these spaces clean and clutter free will allow the buyer to imagine spending time in those spaces, and utilizing them. Pool toys or garden tools should be stored away. Outdoor furniture, grills, and kitchenettes should be clean. If you have a balcony, keep the furnishings so the buyer can see how big the space is. This might be the one place where you might not need to put away any furniture or accessories.    

Scent Realtors sometimes like to light candles, or bake chocolate chip cookies, when hosting open houses. The reason we do this is because scent can make the space feel more homey, cozy, and inviting. What’s better than the smell of freshly baked cookies right out of the oven; or, the fresh scent of vanilla, pine, or citrus from a newly lit candle? Many scents evoke feelings of calm, and providing a fresh clean or warm scent while buyers are touring a property can make for a more positive experience, and one they’ll remember on their home search.

What are some things that stand out to you at open houses?