Home Office Must-Haves

If you work from home, you know how important it is to have a home office. But what constitutes as a home office, and how can you help make your space feel more like, well, an office? Read on for must-haves for your home working space.

Dedicated Space The most important attribute of any home office is a dedicated working space. It is hard to be productive when you are constantly moving from room to room, searching for somewhere quiet, or for a stronger WiFi signal. It’s imperative to have a specific room, or area in a room, where you can set up your work space and only use that space for work. This way, you are always going to that spot to work, kind of like you would go to an office. And, if you work from home, having that private work office can help with managing tasks and productivity.

Electronics No matter what kind of job you have, when you are able to work from home, you should have all of the necessary electronics and tech gadgets that you would need to perform your specific duties. Think anything that you would normally have access to if you were to work in a traditional office. Items you may need include a computer, laptop and/or tablet, scanner, printer, and phone. If you have what you need within reach, you will be able to be more productive.

Desk The main thing your home office should have is a desk. A table top or work desk can house your laptop or computer, and your documents and files. This is where you can take calls or attend video meetings, and it can serve as a place to store what you need to get your work done. It doesn’t need to be fancy – your dining table, kitchen counter, or side table can all stand in for a work desk. Whatever surface area you use, make sure it is both comfortable and functional, and conducive to you working efficiently.

Do you have any tips on how to make your home office more efficient?

Home Safety Tips for Summer

Summer is finally here. It’s time to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days. It’s also time to make sure your home is ready for a safe summer season. Here are some important tips to help you get started. 

Pool Safety What’s better than having your very own pool in your backyard to enjoy all summer long? To keep your pool ready for use, make sure to have it cleaned weekly. Saltwater and chemically treated pools must be cleaned often and consistently in order to be safe for use by you and your family and friends. Additionally, whether you have children or not, it’s important to follow certain safety precautions. A four foot tall fence/gate around the entirety of the pool, and/or an alarm notifying you of movement in and near the pool can prove to be lifesaving, especially when children are around. Supervision while the pool is in use will also ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

Maintenance As a homeowner, maintenance is an important privilege and responsibility. Staying on top of repairs can help prevent major damage and costly problems in the future. Here are a few things to consider doing seasonally: replace air filters, clean out vents and gutters, pressure wash the driveway, clean outdoor grills, kitchenettes, and furniture, change water filters and check water heater settings. There are also easy changes you can make inside the home, such as unplugging appliances when not in use, running dishwashers and washer/dryers in the early morning or late evening, turning off lights and TVs when not in the room, and dusting ceiling fans.  Routine maintenance can help protect your home.

Home Security System This time of year, most families take vacations and leave their homes vacant and unattended for days and even weeks at a time. This could leave your home vulnerable to maintenance related damages, natural disasters, and even vandalism or burglary. Installing a home security system could help protect your home and all your belongings in the event that something goes wrong while you’re not there. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can alert the fire department of imminent danger; security alarms can alert the authorities of intruders, and a surveillance system can help you monitor any and all activity in and outside your home. 

What are some safety tips you implement in your home? 

Double Duty Items for Small Outdoor Spaces

If you love to entertain, but feel that you don’t have enough space to do so, keep reading for tips on how to make the most of your outdoor areas with items in your backyard that can perform double duty.

Dining & Gaming Maybe you want an outdoor dining room set, but your spouse wants a ping pong table instead. Which do you choose? Why not both? Turn your large wooden dining table into a ping pong table by adding a removable net. You can use it as a buffet table or for a sit-down meal. Afterwards, once all the plate wear and food is removed, add the removable net, a couple rackets and a ball, and you’ve got yourself a fully functioning ping pong table. You can search online for DIY tutorials on how to make the net. Now, you’ve got dinner and games covered!

Fire Pit What’s better than a bright, roaring fire on a cool summer night? S’mores, of course! You can have the best of both worlds by using your outdoor fire pit as your very own s’more station. Center your above- or below- ground fire pit and add seating around the perimeter to allow for both an entertaining and relaxing area, as well as an easy space to assemble your deserts. Having your guests partake in putting together their own treats adds to the fun and gets everyone involved.

Storage & Décor When you’re short on space, every inch counts. And storage is sometimes non-existent in a smaller backyard or balcony. Here’s where you can get creative. If you have coffee or side tables, you can add shelving underneath. Benches, stools, and ottomans can serve as hidden storage as well as seating. Put a towel rack against a wall and use it as a place to store tools, utensils, pool accessories, or even for decorative purposes. Think of what can pull double duty weight and maximize the potential of your outdoor space.

What are some other double-duty tips you love to use?   

How to Start your Home Search

Searching for a home can be a long, frustrating process. But, it doesn’t have to be. As a prospective home buyer, there are steps you can take to help ensure a smooth transaction.

Get an Agent This might seem like the first and obvious choice, but so many start their home search online months before contacting an agent. This might make the process confusing. A real estate agent has access to properties (via the MLS and off-market listings) and can hone in on more specific listings that fit the parameters of your search. Why do all the work, when an agent is there to do it for you? Your agent can make the searching phase of the process easier by showing you homes within your budget and that check off most (or all) of your wish list. Speaking of budget…

Get Pre-approved Most real estate agents won’t show properties to prospective clients without a pre-approval letter from a lender. Once you decide on an agent to work with, you should meet with your preferred lender (or ask your agent for recommendations) and get a pre-approval letter. This letter will state the amount you will qualify for a loan, which will allow your agent to confidently show houses that will fit within your budget, and to make an offer on the house you fall in love with, without waiting or second-guessing. Without this letter, your offer may not be accepted, and you may miss out on an opportunity.

Make a List of Wants/Needs Another important step is to make a list of what you want to have and what you need to have in your home. Your wants list will include any amenities, features, designs, fixtures, etc that you want your house to have. They may be negotiable if you do find a house you love – as you can always customize it later on. Your needs list will contain anything that is an absolute must; and, your agent will show you properties that meet your needs list. It’s important to differentiate between the two lists so as to better narrow down which homes are right for you.

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