How to Organize Your Mudroom

How to Organize Your Mudroom

First of all, mudrooms are fantastic; there is just no other way to say it. Any floor plan that includes a mudroom is a good one. The downside to a mudroom is that the mess can get out of hand in a hurry. But that's where these five mudroom organization tricks to keep you sane come in handy.
 
1. Set expectations and be realistic, because there is no point in venturing off to find the ultimate mudroom organizer if it doesn't match your lifestyle. Keeping the clutter to a minimum is the goal. What is the best means to an end for your household? Consider the most urgent need and buy accordingly. If you're a 1,000-pairs-of-flip-flops family, find the right shoe system for you. The same theory applies if your Hunter rain boot collection appears in lifestyle magazine features.
 
One suggestion is that before you purchase anything, you address your flooring situation. Are you happy with it or could it use improvement? Rugs or carpet tiles absorb sound and outside debris, which means less noise and dirt in the house.
 
2. The simple route is to buy a mudroom organization kit, and if you're not into DIY, have someone else put it together and install it. This course lets the experts do what they do best, and you reap the rewards. A win-win for everyone.
 
3. For the DIY crew out there, mudroom organization is an upcycler's dream come true. Repurpose old lockers, TV stands, bookshelves or shoe racks for storage containers. Get crafty with paint colors, stains and structural engineering to create a customized schematic for your busiest room.
 
4. Pegboards are ideal for families with youngsters. As the wee ones grow, the pegboard adjusts to fit their needs. You can insert coat hooks made from durable materials in shapes safe for the age of your child. Bags, baskets, shelves, cubbies or whatever container works best for you all fit nicely onto pegboards.
 
5. You can never own enough storage baskets — end of story. Somehow they manage to wander off to some distant basket vacation land. For mudrooms, baskets (in theory) keep matching shoes together and act as a hamper for dirty socks, and they look good. And, if you have budding athletes, baskets are good targets for practicing one's aim.
 
Bonus trick: Do a test run before committing to your final scheme. The placement may work great in your head, but what about in real-life application? Additions like a bench or other seating might be necessary to maximize the organizational possibilities. Or, in the desire to avoid clutter, did you overbuy containers? Does the room still feel chaotic? Don't forget about wall space to keep things off the floor.
Good luck with your new super-useful mudroom!

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4 Reasons to Consider Investing in Real Estate

4 Reasons to Consider Investing in Real Estate

Many serious investors are looking for ways to diversify their investments. Once you have maxed out your IRA or 401(k), you might look into investment strategies that do not involve more stocks and bonds. One popular way to diversify an investment portfolio is to purchase real estate. Investment properties can help increase your net worth over the long term, but they also have the added benefit of increasing your monthly cash flow.

Parents may also be considering buying a home for their young adult children, who can pay rent to their parents, perhaps splitting it with a roommate. Read on to learn about some of the reasons that investing in real estate is a great idea.

Reason #1: Real estate is an appreciating investment

While some markets can become stagnant or temporarily decrease in value, the long-term real estate market trend usually follows an upward trajectory. Over time, your property is likely to increase in value, allowing you to make more money if or when you eventually sell the property. As with most investments, there are no guarantees; but real estate can be an important part of a long-term investing plan.

Reason #2: Real estate can boost your monthly cash flow

A real estate investment can increase your monthly cash flow in the form of rent. This is a major selling point for many investors, since they may not reap the benefits of traditional investments until much later in life. 

That being said, do not underestimate the cost of owning and managing a property. In addition to your mortgage payment, you will be responsible for property taxes as well as ongoing maintenance on the property. Some years, this might be a very small amount, but you should make sure that you are prepared for inevitable, pricey repairs as well. A good rule of thumb is to save between 10 and 20 percent of your rental income for future maintenance issues. In the long term, you will want to ensure that the rent payments you collect are enough for you to cover all of these costs and have a little extra left over as profit. 

Reason #3: The longer you own an investment property, the more profitable it becomes

Every investor's goal is to increase his or her monthly cash flow and, in the long term, increase his or her net worth. Achieving this through investment properties becomes easier the longer you own a property. This is because rent prices and home values typically rise over the long term, but a fixed-rate mortgage remains the same.

Reason #4: Investing in real estate can provide immediate gratification

Some people prefer to own something concrete rather than relying on the volatility of the stock market. As long as you have a well-planned strategy for how you will pay the costs associated with your investment property, real estate is a relatively safe and stable investment. 

If you have extra money that you would like to invest outside of your more traditional investments, and have carefully considered your long-term investment strategies and the risks involved, give us a call about properties you can buy to improve both your long-term investing prospects and immediate cash flow.

7 Ways to Choose the Best Neighborhood for You

7 Ways to Choose the Best Neighborhood for You

If you're starting a family, you might want to consider a neighborhood known for its good schools. Or if your children have graduated, you might want to move to a "hipper" neighborhood. Perhaps your company has moved, and you want to be closer to work. Any of your priorities may have changed over the years. Here are seven ways to evaluate a possible move.

#1: Time the Commute to Your Job
 
Perhaps you have been spending hours stuck in traffic to and from work and are looking for a much shorter commute. Just because one neighborhood is closer does not mean that you will get there faster. Time the commute from the different neighborhoods you are considering.
 
#2: Meet the Neighbors
 
You want to get a feel for the neighborhood? Talk to the neighbors. Just by walking around the neighborhood, you'll get a vibe to let you know if it's right for you. Are the people a little standoffish? Are they hesitant to make eye contact with you?
 
Are people friendly and neighborly? Maybe a little too friendly and neighborly…? Take a walk around and strike up a conversation with your potential future neighbors to get a good feel for the community.
 
#3: Go for a Walk Around the Neighborhood
 
One of the best ways to pick the best neighborhood is to look around it. Go for a walk and drive through the neighborhood on the weekend and on weekdays. Do the same thing at different times of day. Note where there are areas that look a little unsafe or dilapidated. How will that affect your quality of life there?
 
#4: Attend a Local Festival or Event
 
Kill several birds with one stone by attending a local event or festival. You'll meet people in the neighborhood and get a sense of the type of community that it is; is it tight-knit? Young? Too old? A little too country? Local events can tell you a lot about the spirit of the neighborhood.
 
#5: Go Out to Eat at a Local Hot Spot
 
While you're checking out houses, go to a popular eatery in the neighborhood. Check out the vibe and take note of people's moods. Do they look at you suspiciously? Is the customer service lousy? Is it great and are the people great? You can glean a lot about a neighborhood by simply people-watching at a diner.
 
#6: See a Play or a Game at a Local School

If you have kids, the quality of the local schools in your neighborhood may be priority No. 1. Before you buy a house and enroll the kids, visit the school. Go to a school play or watch one of the local school's sports teams to get a feel for the level of community support for the school and athletics.

#7: Read About the Local Job Market/Main Industries

Having a job today does not guarantee that you'll have one tomorrow. And even if you do, it's important to know if you are moving into a neighborhood that is growing and thriving or one that is crumbling. Get a local paper and read about the main industries in the area and the state of the local job market.

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Keep Your Patio Furniture Looking Its Best

Keep Your Patio Furniture Looking Its Best

It's the time of year when the days are longer and outdoor furniture comes out of storage. Whether you lounge in handcrafted teak Adirondack chairs or pull up your favorite metal frame seat to your vintage glass-top table, patio furniture requires some necessary maintenance. Read on for our seven tips for maintaining your patio furniture.
 
1. Clean it periodically to prevent dirt and debris from dulling the finish. Regardless of the material, the finish will eventually lose its sheen if left unattended. Besides that, you don't want pollen pants after sitting down on an unkempt chair in the springtime.
For that initial cleaning at the start of patio season, do not be afraid to rent a power washer. You'll save time and elbow grease by enlisting the help of a power washer in that scrub session.
 
2. Cover patio furniture when you're not using it. Sun, wind and rain will eventually take their toll on fabrics, paint and stain. Using a custom cover or all-purpose tarp will help extend the life of your furnishings.
 
3. Keep rust under control by addressing the problem as soon as you notice it. If you're in a humid climate, your metal patio furniture (or components like nails) is susceptible to rust. The brown, flaky stuff is the result of exposure to oxygen and moisture, unavoidable for outdoor furniture. Grab some WD-40 and a wire brush and scrape off the iron oxide before it spreads.
 
4. Mildew is not your friend for many reasons. It's smelly and unsightly and can cause health problems. It is a survivor, though, and will cling to surfaces like gum on the bottom of your shoe. Mildew does not fare well in the presence of vinegar or baking soda. Both readily available agents will eliminate blight on the surface and the interior of cushions. Plus, you can use it to clean umbrellas or other colorful accessories without the adverse effects of bleach.
 
5. Paint is your friend when it comes to maintaining your patio furniture. If your metal table and chairs need a facelift, grab a few cans of spray paint formulated for outdoor use. Refresh the appearance with minimal monetary investment.

6. Water always wins. Even if the fabric or treatment claims to be waterproof, at some point water will penetrate the coating. If at all possible, move furnishings indoors when the season is over. Inside is also the best place to avoid damage from high winds and hail.
 
7. Table glass looks best when you can see through it. Prevent scratches, residue buildup and other blemishes by grabbing the rubbing alcohol and newspaper. Pour or spray liberally and wipe down with something you can recycle.
 
Whether you're cleaning for houseguests or planning to list your home for sale, connect with me for more ways to keep your home in tiptop shape.

 

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