How To Choose the Best Appliances For Your Home

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Home appliances are a large yet rewarding investment for any home. Whether you are moving, building a new house, or renovating, you have to be keen on the type of appliances you choose because there are so many options in the market.

The appliances you purchase while furnishing your home can determine your home’s appearance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. With so many options available for you to choose from, you’ll need to do your research and determine which options work best for you. Once you purchase an appliance, don’t forget to look into home warranty companies to keep your appliances running well for years to come!

In this article, we’ll go over different ways you can choose the best appliances for your home based on preferences and money. Keep reading to learn more.

Know your space

You can’t buy appliances without knowing how much space you have. Every component of an appliance should be appropriate for the available space. A refrigerator takes a bigger space than most home appliances, and if you take the wrong measurement, you could mess up the entire functionality of the kitchen. Take the measurements of the width, length, and height of the place you will be installing a washing machine, oven, and microwave. Each appliance should be able to be moved in and out without disarranging the entire cabinet.

Tailor to your requirements

You’ll need to pick your appliances based on your personal needs. You shouldn’t be shopping for an appliance only based on what you like the best, but rather should be shopping on which appliance will cater to your needs the best. If you have a big family, you should choose a large refrigerator that can accommodate plenty of leftovers and groceries. Also, if you prefer to be energy-efficient, you may opt for an efficient appliance. You’ll also want to think long-term if you plan on ever moving, downsizing, or replacing your appliances.

Budget accordingly

Before researching appliances, budget appropriately. Go into your appliance shopping experience knowing what the maximum and minimum costs you want your appliance to be. This will help narrow down your options and pick the best quality appliance that fits into your budget. 

Shop around

You are free to compare the prices of the appliances in the market from other brands. Don’t settle on one price without checking what other competitors are offering. Many dealers try to offer the lowest price any other brand can offer. While it may take time to find prices and compare them all, it can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run. Also, don’t be afraid to compare different types of models as well. There’s a seemingly endless variety of features in modern appliances, so do your research and pick out what works best for you and your home.

Get help from an expert

A professional hand can make a huge difference, especially if you are buying home appliances for the first time. With all the different features and prices, making a decision can be overwhelming for many people. A person with experience in home appliances can help you narrow down your options. Look for someone who can help you understand each appliance’s key features and how one of them stands out from the rest. Even with detailed research, you can miss some key points that a seasoned expert can point out.

Finishes and style

After establishing your budget, it is now time to select the finishes and style of the appliances you want to match your kitchen decor. Stainless steel is trendy in today’s luxurious kitchens. It’s not only durable and long-lasting but also features a sleek surface that is easy to clean. Whatever finish you choose, make sure it matches the look you want your kitchen to achieve! Other options include built-in appliances or traditional white or black appliances.

In the end, remember to not rush the process of purchasing appliances. If you need to buy them as soon as possible, at least try to take the time to make a decision that isn’t too ambitious. By figuring out your needs, style preferences, budget, and using professional resources, you should have 

5 Things Real Estate Agents Don’t Want You to Know

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Selling real estate is one of the most expensive financial decisions most people ever make. Due to the high monetary stakes, many people look for a real estate agent to guide them through the process, but before diving in and calling just any agent, there are some things you should be aware of. Here are 5 things real estate agents don’t want you to know. 

Agents don’t want you to know: The MLS has lost its power

One of the biggest advantages to selling a property with a real estate agent is their access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Before the days of the internet, the local MLS was the only location where all for sale properties were posted and the information was only available to licensed real estate agents. While the MLS system is still used today, it has been largely democratized by large listing portals like Zillow or Realtor.com. In fact, these portals tend to have direct relationships with MLS organizations meaning that the portals get property information almost as quickly as real estate agents can. If you list your property with a real estate agent, you can request that they add your property to these portals for you however if you choose to sell on your own, listing on these portals is free. 

Agents don’t want to you know: Many properties sell themselves

The real estate industry is HOT right now. Even with the financial and societal chaos caused by COVID-19, cities across the US are reporting a sellers market with a lot of competition among buyers. Many real estate agents are hardworking professionals who will do the necessary work to properly position your property for success. They take good photos, write compelling descriptions, and do additional marketing to get your property as many offers as possible, but in this market many properties will sell quickly without that professional touch. 

Agents don’t want you to know: Not every agent offers the same service

Agents don’t all offer the same service when listing a property. Some real estate agents offer professional photography and drone images as part of their basic service. Others offer staging or guidance on how to improve the curb appeal of a property. Yet others don’t offer any of these services or require additional payment or fees to cover these charges. When looking for a real estate agent to sell your property, make sure you ask exactly what services they will provide. 

Agents don’t want you to know: Beware of dual agency

No matter if you’re buying or selling real estate, you want to work with someone who has your best interests in mind. As a buyer it may seem obvious to call the phone number on the real estate listing or sign, but that’s not always the best idea. Listing agents have what’s called fiduciary duty to the sellers meaning that even if an agent is working with both the buyer and the seller in a real estate sale, all choices they make must be for the best interest of the seller. As a seller, this might seem like a good thing. You have the “in” with the agent on the other side of a deal, but this can also work against sellers. While an ethical agent wouldn’t do this, there are cases where an agent encourages a seller to accept an offer from that agent’s buyer client — even if it might not be the highest or best offer. 

Agents don’t want you to know: You can negotiate rates

Using an agent to purchase real estate costs nothing, but sellers can expect to pay an average of 6% of the sale price of the home in commission to their real estate agent. When a property is sold, a commission is paid to the listing agent (the agent who represents the property). The listing agent then pays the agent who represented the buyer as a “thank you” of sorts for bringing a buyer to the property. As a seller, you are able to negotiate the percentage of your sale price that you are willing to pay. 

Looking for an easier way to get a discount when selling real estate? While some agents and real estate brokerages offer discounted rates for discounted service, RealtyHive has created a program that negotiates with agents on your behalf to get you a discounted rate with full service. This program is available for any property almost anywhere in the US and helps sellers save thousands of dollars in real estate commissions with absolutely no cost to them. Interested in buying? Contact RealtyHive to connect with an agent who will save you money when buying your next property!

DIY Backyard Fun

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During this time of restricted social interaction the more fun we’re able to have at home the better. The goal of this article is to show you some easy and cheap ways to have fun right in your own backyard. Depending on how many of these DIY projects you choose to take on, your backyard may end up resembling more of a small carnival rather than a backyard. Personally, that seems like something worth bragging rights to me, but if you don’t hope to reach small carnival status then maybe just one or two on a sunny day will do. 

Giant Jenga

Jenga is pretty popular so I won’t bore you with an explanation of the game. I will simply tell you one way to improve the game, and that is to make it giant. This oversized outdoor game is cheap, easy to recreate, and tons of fun! So if you’re ready to kick some butt at Jenga below!

Instructions here!

Slingshot/ Angry Birds IRL

I’m sure we’ve all heard of the game Angry Birds, but if you haven’t let me summarize. It’s an iPhone game where you aim and shoot little colorful birds at piled up boxes with mean looking pigs sitting on them. If you’ve never heard of the game you probably think I’ve completely lost it, but I promise it’s a thing. So much so that a smart parent created a real life version of the game. This is the perfect outdoor game to get the kids off their phone and out in the sun!

Instructions here!

Jungle Gym Bars

This was my personal favorite activity as kids so i can assure you the kids will love it. When I was young I spent all my time doing flips forwards and backwards on the bars.  I swear I thought I was Simone Biles or something. This DIY project isn’t just affordable it’s also an excellent way to keep the kids active. As a former child, I highly recommend it.

Instructions here!

Backyard Big Screen

A pandemic is probably not best time to sit in a room filled by strangers. That being said, it is probably best to move the movies to the backyard. This genius DIY outdoor theatre project is a perfect activity for the family during this time of  quarantine. 

Instructions here!

Kerplunk

Kerplunk is a classic, but there’s a chance you haven’t heard of it so I’ll explain just to make sure we’re all on the same page. Each player upon their turn removes a stick from the tube, if any balls fall they go to that players total. When all the balls have fallen, the person with the smallest number (least amount of balls fallen) wins. This is a very easy game to recreate and it’s lots of fun with the family or with friends!

Instructions here!

Slip-n-slide Kickball

I’m confident we’ve all played kickball, but this isn’t just kickball, this is slip-n-slide kickball which is obviously superior. Same rules apply, but instead of running across a base you get to slide into a kiddie pool. Hot summer day? This would be the perfect activity for the family or the neighborhood kids to enjoy! Don’t believe me? Try it out!

Instructions here!

Squares game

The squares game isn’t as popular as other games in this article so I will briefly explain. Players take turns making a line from one dot to another(not diagonally). If when you put down the line that creates a complete square you get a point. Players continue to play until no further squares can be made, and at that point the person with the most points wins! This is a fun and easily storable game that you can play with kids or friends!

Instructions here!

Outdoor Chalkboard

Kids love to draw… half the time we can’t tell what it is they’re drawing but as long as they’re entertained it doesn’t really matter does it? Plus this is an easy way to get the kids their daily Vitamin D and it keeps them from getting any mess inside, so a win-win situation if you ask me. This easy DIY project would make a great addition to the “fun backyard”

Instructions here!

Lawn Twister

Twister is the epitome of fun children games. I played Twister all the time as a kid, and I personally sucked, lost just about every game. Regardless, I loved the game and I’m confident your kids will too!  I should also mention this is one of the easiest DIY projects in this article, so even if it’s just for a day or an event, I think it’s worth it. I wish you much more success in the game than I had!

Instructions here!

DIY Dunk Tank

Have you ever seen a dunk tank on a TV show and had major dunk tank envy? I first saw a dunk tank on an episode of George Lopez and I remember having a strong desire to experience a dunk tank. Both to be the dunkee and the dunker. In fact, at the time I had a short list of people I’d like to dunk. If you can relate, get your list out, send an invitation because our dunk tank dreams are now a reality.

Instructions here!

Velcro Darts

Just 3 pieces of fabric and a hot glue gun and you’re good to go! This DIY project is such an easy way to bring a fun atmosphere to your backyard. This game is easy for everyone and anyone to play even the kids (since we’ve taken out the sharp/pointy darts)!

Instructions here!

Football Throw

I’m from Green Bay, Wisconsin, so football is kinda a big deal here. That being said I felt a need to add this into the article, because maybe it will help breed the next Aaron Rodgers. This isn’t the easiest DIY project but it can be done in various levels of complexity. It can be as easy as cutting holes in a sheet to a nicely decorated board such as this one above. Whichever level you choose, this activity can either be target practice or just a fun pass time.

Instructions here!

Rainbow fire crystals

This one isn’t necessarily a DIY project, it’s more of a fun product. I want to type “Your little kids will love the fun colored flames!”, but in all honesty… I’d love it too. When I first saw a color flamed fire I was overly mesmerized and excited. So with that said, I can personally recommend this product to you. It will add a little character and color to your backyard!

Product available here!

These are the perfect activities to stay entertained while social distancing and spending time with family or friends. Quite honestly, that quality time with the family is probably worth the prices to make these affordable DIY projects. If you do find yourself attempting one of these projects, we’d love to hear about your results! Feel free to leave a comment below about how it went for you and any helpful tip for future readers!

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dad with dog

Not Your Dad’s Real Estate Advice

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Dads have some of the worst jokes & best advice. In honor of Father’s Day, here are some of the best dad-isms to keep in mind for your real estate business.

Dad says: “Don’t take no wooden nickels” 

What he means: Don’t believe things that are too good to be true

Being a real estate agent calls for a healthy amount of skepticism. Your offers are only good if they’re put in writing, your buyer is only as valuable as their proof of funds or pre-approval letter, and the seller will almost always overvalue their property so you better come prepared with comps. It’s not that you have to distrust everyone, you just need to remember that you’re the expert and not everyone understands the process.

Dad says: “Work smarter, not harder”

What he means: You’ve got the tools to make your life easier, use them!

From tracking your mileage to showcasing your listings, there is a lot of technology out there for agents to use. These tools don’t have to be the most expensive things on the market to work — in fact some of the best ones are free! From having a social media page set up for your real estate business to allowing your listings to be syndicated to other sites through your MLS to partnering with pay-for-success marketing programs like Marketing Matters, there’s a lot of low-to-no cost options out there that are more cost and time effective than pouring money into lead gen systems or knocking on doors. 

Dad says: “Nobody said life was fair”

What he means: Don’t take it personally when things don’t go your way

Sometimes friends and family will choose someone else for their real estate transaction. It won’t feel good, but try not to take it personally. There can be many reasons they would choose someone else from an impending (yet hush-hush) divorce to a reluctance to mix business and personal lives to something completely different, but most of the time, this choice has less to do with you than it does them.  

Dad says: “Go get ‘em, Tiger!” 

What he means: Try your best, even if you’re not sure it’ll work

Whether you’re just starting out in the business or you’ve been an agent for years, everyone gets nervous before a listing presentation sometimes. Maybe you’re going up against a well-known agent for the listing or the potential client is a VIP hot-shot, but Dad would tell you to brush off those nerves, practice your presentation, and “Go get ‘em!” Remember, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!” 

Dad says: “Money doesn’t grow on trees!”

What he means: Keep track of everything when it comes to your money!

From your tax deductible business expenses to your marketing efforts, what gets measured gets managed, and what gets managed doesn’t have money wasted on it. Don’t continuously pay out for services that don’t provide a good return, systems that don’t work, or extras that you simply don’t need. 

Dad says: “Safety first!”

What he means: Be Safe!

When you think of the most dangerous jobs, “Real Estate Agent” doesn’t tend to make the list, but that doesn’t mean there’s no risk. This job requires meeting people you barely know in places that are often vacant, secluded, dark, or all of the above. You may arrive to a showing and find that squatters have invaded a property. Or maybe you’re showing an occupied property and  tenants are not happy their home is being sold. Or maybe there is drug paraphernalia, chemicals, biological waste, or unsafe physical conditions — your day-to-day can involve a lot of unknowns and “It’s better to be safe than sorry!” 

Have you gotten any advice from your father that has helped you in real estate? Let us know in the comments below!

What Is Confidential Real Estate?

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When we think of selling a house, we think of the traditional: “For Sale” sign in the front yard, a social media post, a listing on a real estate platform, and maybe asking around for any realtor recommendations. This might be common practice, but it’s not always the best option for sellers (and it’s certainly not the only way).

Confidential real estate offers a more private alternative to selling, ideally without losing much buyer reach or selling potential. There are several reasons why a seller might go this route. Find out if working with a confidential real estate company is a better option for you.

Why do people choose to sell confidential real estate?

Selling isn’t always a joyous occasion that marks an exciting next chapter. For some sellers, putting their property listing out there for all the public to see is the equivalent of airing dirty laundry. Confidential real estate is a way for sellers to list their property with more discretion.

Who can sell their property confidentially?

There are several instances where people might choose to sell with a confidential real estate company:

Divorce

Moving is painful enough as it is, add divorce into the mix and you’ve got yourself a living nightmare. For many people undergoing divorce, listing their house traditionally means having neighbors, acquaintances, and anyone else in the area gaining access to news that they might not want to share. Confidential real estate offers some much-needed privacy.

Foreclosure

Just like divorce, there can be a lot of shame with losing a house to a foreclosure. The last thing anyone wants in that situation is for random neighbors or people at work asking them about their money troubles. Confidential real estate can stop someone losing their house from becoming the talk of the town.

Businesses

Businesses move and it might not always be for dire reasons — in a lot of cases, it’s to a better location or bigger space (all positive things). That being said, a “For Sale” sign in your favorite restaurant’s window can send anyone into a panic.

Business owners usually go the confidential real estate route — they don’t want to scare their clients into a panic. It’s why you’ll notice most businesses announce their move right as it’s about to happen, after the sale.

Are there any downsides to confidential real estate?

Yes, but only if you don’t work with the right company. We’ll dive into that in a minute, but in the meantime, here are some of the drawbacks a confidential seller might run into:

  • Less exposure: Keeping a house sale out of the public eye could mean fewer potential buyers.
  • Fewer resources: Homeowners don’t list with the MLS and Zillow doesn’t list commercial properties.
  • Lower offers: With less exposure, fewer resources and subsequently, fewer interested buyers, property owners might not get as high of an offer.

RealtyHive: An Unmatched Confidential Real Estate Company

Zillow can’t help business owners, but RealtyHive can. We frequently list commercial properties in a confidential manner, but that’s not all we do:

  • Non-MLS marketing: We provide strategic marketing to get your property the exposure it needs.
  • Selective listings: Don’t want to list your foreclosure in your neighborhood? No problem. We can exclude cities, states, and even countries from marketing.
  • Screened calls: Our customer service reps answer calls for you (or on behalf of your agent) for another layer of protection and privacy.

You deserve as much of peace of mind as possible when selling your house. RealtyHive makes that happen. Work with us to get the best confidential real estate experience possible.

The 5 Ws of Building a Custom Home

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We’d like to think that building a dream home is like building a LEGO home or a house on the Sims, except we all know that’s not the case. Building a custom home is a lot of work, but the rewards are pretty incomparable.

We’ve talked about the differences between buying and building a home in past blogs. But if you’re finding yourself more ready to take the leap, there are some essential questions to answer. RealtyHive takes a look at the who, what, where, when, why, and how of home building to help get you started.

Who should build a house?

You’d be a good candidate to build a house if you:

  • Meet all the financial criteria of home ownership
  • Are you looking to live in a developing area
  • Are excited by the idea of building
  • See an opportunity where the building is more beneficial than buying
  • Need or want a custom home (and buying an existing home and renovation would be more expensive).

You don’t have to meet everything on that list to qualify for building a home, it’s more of a guideline. If you have no desire to build, there’s no reason to force yourself to. However, if the type of home you’re looking for is so custom that it’s impossible to find (or way more expensive to renovate), then maybe you should consider the building after all.

What’s the cost difference between buying and building a home?

It depends. In most cases, buying a house is cheaper than building, but that’s not a guarantee. There are plenty of instances where people buy a house that needs a lot of work, and the renovations + house cost ends up costing more than if they had just built.

How do you pay for house building?

When it comes to building, you can get a construction loan that only requires you to pay the interest during the building process. The rest of the loan rolls into your actual mortgage at closing. If you’re worried that you can’t afford to build a house, just know that the payment process isn’t all that different from buying.

Plus, some states offer tax credits to alleviate some of the expenses that automatically apply for homeowners, but homeowners who built their home have to apply for. Homeowners in Wisconsin, for example, get a tax credit through the lottery system. Those who had their home built can get this same credit, but they have to send a form to do so. Do some research on what rebates exist in your state.

There’s another hack that many people are unaware of: you don’t have to put everything in all at once. Adding some things now that can set up for later is a huge cost (and time) saver. For example:

  • Don’t add air conditioning yet, but get forced air heating. Adding A/C later on is extremely easy if you already have forced air.
  • Don’t build the deck right now, but do install a patio door for it.

Where’s a good place to build a custom home?

Building locations depend from state to state — even if you own land, you’ll likely have to consult with local municipalities about building (or contact a general contractor with insight on building permits).

In the case of subdivisions, there are a couple things to note:

  • Builder exclusivity: Some subdivisions only allow you to use certain builders.
  • Restrictive covenants: You’ll have to play by the subdivision’s rules. Often this means no sheds or outbuildings or that your home exterior has to meet certain requirements (i.e. siding colors or incorporating brick for one-fourth of the exterior). 

When is the best time to build a house?

If time is of the essence, spring or summer is a good time to build. Except, of course, if you live in warmer climates, in which case winter might actually be more ideal.

However, if you’re not in a rush, you might want to talk to a building company about starting in the fall. In extremely cold climates, they might be unable to work through the winter. But the benefit to starting in the fall is that work and demand slow down a ton, which could lower your costs.

Why should you build a house?

Other than the appeal of building a custom home, there are several other reasons why people go this route:

  • Building for the future: You can create a highly sustainable, environmentally-friendly smart house from the start.
  • Meets your needs: Did you know that nearly 13% of the population has a disability? Not to mention, most of us eventually need adaptive assistance as we get older. Most homes are built assuming that homeowners can walk up and down stairs or have functioning hearing or vision. Building a custom home means many homeowners can have a home that truly adapts to their needs.
  • Houses are still in demand: The population continues to grow, and people need space to live. 

How do you get started?

You’ll want to have a general outline in mind. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Two-story, ranch, or split-level? How big of a plot are you looking for? In a subdivision or out in the country? What’s your time frame?

Next, do some research on building teams in the area (if building in a subdivision, talk to them directly). They’ll help you narrow down what you’re looking for and what they can provide, and hopefully have a crew that includes a surveyor, engineer, plumber, and electrician. They will help you clear the land to prepare the area as well.

But before you can jump into any of that, you need land to build on! Look through RealtyHive to find vacant land for sale, and best of luck in your building process.

Apartment vs. Condo vs. House: Which Is Best?

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The birds are chirping, the snow is (hopefully) melting, and that can only mean one thing: the May-June rush to find housing is nearly upon us.

Leases are ending, jobs are changing, and if you’re like one of the countless people in need of a place to live, you’re probably trying to decide between your three options. Should you live in an apartment, a condo, or a house?

Renting Out an Apartment

Pros

Less permanent. Renting an apartment is perfect for the tenant who doesn’t know how long they’ll be in this location. Even if you’re on a year lease instead of month-by-month, you usually have the option to sublease if something comes up and you need to leave. Apartments offer a lot of flexibility.

Less upfront costs. Apartments typically come with an oven, fridge, and access to laundry. Not having to pay for these appliances is a huge money saver.

Less responsibility. Leaking sink? Broken heater? Your landlord will (or at least, they should) take care of it. This frees up a lot of costs that, as a homeowner, you would otherwise have to pay for.

No property taxes. The average homeowner pays nearly $2,300 a year in property taxes. In states like Illinois or California, property taxes are even higher.

Location. You’re more likely to find apartments in the heart of a city or downtown area than you are houses. Apartments are ideal for the renter who loves being near the hustle and bustle. 

Cons

No equity. Oftentimes, monthly rents are not much different than a monthly mortgage payment. The difference is that with a house, you’re paying off a massive financial asset. Unlike an apartment, homeowners get something back for their money. 

More rules. Painting, pets, and even how you hang stuff up in your apartment are all subject to the landlord’s rules. There’s a lot less freedom in renting an apartment.

Buying a Condo

Pros

You own the unit. You can sell later on if you choose, you can potentially rent out this property down the road, and you’re definitely getting more of your money’s worth and building equity.

Less work than a house. No need to worry about shoveling, replacing the roof, or getting new siding. That traditional “Saturdays are meant for yardwork” mentality that many homeowners maintain can be replaced with lounging on your balcony and sipping some coffee.

Potential for more amenities. Condo complexes often are in highly desirable locations. They also sometimes have amenities like workout rooms or swimming pools (things that would cost homeowners much more to install).

Cons

Less privacy than a home. Hopefully, your neighbors are monks practicing an extended vow of silence and meditation, but the odds aren’t likely. Owning a condo still means you’ll have to share walls in most cases instead of having your own plot of land with a house.

Condo fees (and property taxes). Condo association fees are pricey — they range anywhere from $1,200 to $8,000 a year, on average.

It could be tougher to sell. Families, buyers looking for more space, or people wanting some distance from a city will likely lean towards getting a house than a condo. This isn’t to say selling a condo is impossible, but there might be limits on who’s in your buying demographic.

Buying a House

Pros

More freedom. Decorating, landscaping (unless you’re in an HOA), remodeling — the sky is practically the limit for how custom you’d like your home to be.

Equity. As soon as you start paying off your mortgage, you’re starting to build your equity. Owning a house (and making responsible, timely mortgage payments) also helps build your credit.

More space. Condos and apartments are less likely to come with yards. They also are typically surrounded by more tenants (and people in general). Houses have more space (both inside and outside) than apartments or condos.

Sometimes cheaper than renting. If your goal is to live in, say, the Chicago area, there’s a good chance that mortgage payments on a house will cost less than an apartment or condo — even if they’re smaller in square footage. 

This isn’t only true in cities, either. Mortgage payments usually aren’t that different from rental prices, but the difference is that one gives you equity and one does not.

Cons

More responsibility. We can’t stress this enough. Owning a house is a lot of work, a ton of maintenance, and if you’re not financially ready, it will sink you. Buying a house should only happen when you’re thinking long-term and have the foresight to take on the financial and laborious responsibility. Homeownership is highly rewarding, but not for nothing.

More permanent. If you plan on leaving your area and selling in the next few years, buying a house might not be the move. For one thing, many homeowners are subject to paying a capital gains tax if they sell before the 2-year ownership mark. 

Secondly, if there’s anything to be gleaned from 2020, anything can happen. The selling market can change pretty rapidly. If you’re dead set on moving in the next few years, owning a house will complicate things much more than leaving at the end of your apartment lease.

Finding a home and moving is stressful, but there’s some excitement in thinking about the future as well. If you’ve decided to keep renting for now, we wish you the best of luck. But if you’re ready to take the next step, look through our condos and houses for sale to find your dream home!

Woman working at a home office

Best Use of Space: Home Office Edition

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With the spread of the COVID-19 virus causing offices to close, it looks like we’re all gonna be working from home for a while. So, for productivity purposes, it’s a good idea to set aside a space in your home for a home office. But what if you don’t have any room for a home office? The answer is: you do. It doesn’t matter if you’re working out of your garage or inside a tiny closet, a home office is essential for productivity. With that in mind, here are 5 ideas for the best use of space for a home office:

Under the Stairs

It may seem a little unorthodox, but that little space under the stairway is a great place for your home office! It’s quiet, it’s out of the way and just by adding some office supplies and decorations, you can give it a workplace feel that’s just right for you.

Inside a Closet

For those of you with smaller one-story homes, this’ll be a good option. You don’t even need to have a walk-in closet for your work space to be effective, just add some shelving and other supplies and it’ll be like you never left the office!

In the Garage

If you have a garage – use it. The best home office spaces are spaces that you already associate with work. Put your office in a spot that you wouldn’t have to move around too much (like if you park your cars in the garage, make sure your office wouldn’t be in the way), and set your office up with comfy furniture and a work desk.

***Tip: when you’re going to work, act like you’re actually going to work, i.e. dress professionally, grab your lunch and briefcase and head out to your office

Out in the Backyard

It might be risky, because you never know what the weather will be like, but working from your backyard is a great way to be productive while also staying healthy. During times like these, its important to get outside as much as possible. So, if you can, set up your home office in the backyard!

Young woman walking in a field of tulips

Celebrate National Garden Month

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Greenhouses, xeriscapes, courtyards, who knew there were so many different kinds of gardens? This April, celebrate National Garden Month by planting your garden! Whether you’re a homeowner looking for a way to spruce up your front lawn, or you just wanna enjoy the beauty that springtime has to offer, take a look at these 8 different types of gardens for National Garden Month:

Vegetable Garden

There’s nothing better than the taste of homegrown fresh vegetables, and you can grow your own vegetables by planting your own vegetable garden! If you don’t like cucumbers, no problem! There’s so many kinds of vegetables you can grow, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, it’s up to you!

Backyard Garden

This one is self explanatory. Your backyard is the perfect place for a garden! Whether you want to plant flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, or create your own concoction, your backyard is the place to go.

Window Sill Garden

If you live in an area where the weather isn’t ideal for an outdoor garden, or if you don’t have a big yard, try growing a window sill garden! First, you need to find the window in your home that gets the most sunlight. Then, decide how you’re going to set up your garden. You can place a bunch of different planters on the window sill, or you can use a raised garden bed. The best part about window sill gardens, is that not only can you keep them year round, but you can grow whatever kind of garden you want – no matter the climate!

Pollinator Garden

A pollinator garden is a garden that is planted in order to attract pollinator animals like butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. Pollinator gardens aren’t just good for the environment, they are fundamental to the ecosystem. Plus, all the different colors and scents make some of the most beautiful gardens out there!

Herb Garden

Another type of garden you could plant is an herb garden. Herbs are good for cooking, flavoring, fragrances, dyes, they’re even beneficial to your health. Check out some of the different types of herbs you can plant here. 

Vertical Garden

A vertical garden is a technique that you use to grow plants on a vertical surface, like a wall or a fence. There are a number of reasons that gardeners use vertical gardens – one reason is to take advantage of all potential space in a garden. Another is to be able to have a garden in a place where there’s usually no room for one, like in a big city. No matter where you live, you can brighten up your home by making your own vertical garden. 

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Vertical garden | Madrid flashback

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Fairy Garden

It’s exactly what it sounds like. A fairy garden is a miniature garden that you keep in a container or a flower bed. It includes a bunch of tiny sculptures and structures along with actual living plants! Fairy gardens are super fun for both kids and adults to create, and you can keep them anywhere you want!

Xeriscape Garden

If you live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of rain, try xeriscaping! Xeriscaping is a landscaping process where you use plants that don’t require a lot of water, and they’re pretty popular in the western part of the US. Although people often think that xeriscapes just consist of desert plants (even though desert plants are pretty cool), most xeriscapes consist of a wide variety of colorful and vibrant plantlife. You just have to figure out how you want your garden to look!

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Soft morning light today ??

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Creating the Best Home Office for Remote Work

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Remote work has taken off in recent years as an overall trend. But with the current coronavirus pandemic, tons of people are sent home to work remotely for the foreseeable future.

Even when going to coffee shops and libraries to work is an option, we live at a time where it’s good practice to have a designated home work space. Working from home is cheaper than going to a cafe or driving to a library, and who knows? You’ll likely have a time again in your life (such as staying home during a blizzard or with a sick kid) when it makes sense to work remotely. 

But if you’re looking at your studio apartment or 3-bedroom house with kids’ toys everywhere and are wondering how to make a home office possible, fear not. We’ve got you covered.

If remote work is for 2+ weeks, designate a space for work.

When working remotely is super short-term (2 weeks or less), you probably don’t need to overhaul your home for the sake of an office. But no matter the amount of time you’re working from home, it’s good to set up a designated work space.

How to do this:

Where’s an area of your home that you could take a phone call without disruption? A room with a door that you can close is the best option (particularly if you have kids at home). If that’s not possible, find a quieter area where you can set up a flat surface for working. In a place where you share walls with neighbors, maybe go to the wall where your neighbor is the quietest.

In this designated space, it’s also good to remove distraction as much as you can. Interestingly enough, one of the biggest distractors is if your space is near the fridge. The second you get bored, it’s way too easy to get up and find a snack or beverage and it can be a challenge to refocus after that.

Don’t forget — just as you leave your desk at the end of the work day, leave this space too. Creating distance between your work and your home is essential for your mental health, especially when the two spaces coexist.

Try to be as ergonomic as possible.

As great as working from the couch sounds, your back definitely disagrees. Keeping good posture is sometimes easier at work when you’re forced to be at a desk; being in the comfort of your home is a different story. Considering office ergonomics makes all the difference for your body and overall health.

How to do this:

Ergonomic Ideas That Cost $0

  • Take frequent breaks (at least once an hour) to get up and move away from screens.
  • Follow the 20-20 rule for vision — for every 20 minutes of work, look away from the screen for 20 seconds.
  • Look up yoga poses or stretches that specifically help your back, neck, shoulders, and wrists.
  • Spend 30-45 minutes over lunch taking a walk, stretching, or doing yoga.

Ergonomic Investments

  • Buy a standing desk.
  • Purchase an ergonomic chair.
  • Invest in physical therapy at-home tools (such as foam rollers).
  • Buy a headset so you can walk hands-free while taking a call.

For the things that cost money, you might be able to write them off as tax deductions, or your company may consider reimbursing you. Keep receipts just in case!

Don’t overlook the lighting.

Working in offices with bright overhanging lights can give anyone a headache, but working in a dark, dimly-lit basement isn’t ideal either. Lighting makes a huge difference in our work day, whether we realize it or not. It’s important to create a space with ideal lighting — this impacts everything from our eye strain to our mood!

How to do this:

Download f.lux for free on your laptop — it adjusts your screen to warmer tones — or get blue screen glasses. You can also put a warm lightbulb in a lamp to set an equally warm tone to your workspace. If working near some windows, save on electricity by turning off lights and opening up the blinds for natural lighting.

Create boundaries between work and home.

It is extremely easy to “just keep working” when you work from home. There’s always something more to do, and it’s challenging to separate your work and home when they’re one in the same.

How to do this:

Use an online timer to track how many hours you work (if you don’t already have set hours). Even if you have set hours, still use a timer to remind you to take breaks, a lunch, etc. 

Additionally, decide on a time that you’re going to be done for the day and stick to it, as hard as that can be!

Working remotely for the long haul? Build an office (or find a home that has one).

If working remotely is going to be a long-term thing, it’s in your best interest to create a permanent home office. It’s not just helpful for you while living and working from home, it also adds value to your home. 

Or if you’re thinking about selling and don’t want to go through the trouble of adding an office this late in the game, keep that in mind before you buy. Look through some of our RH homes that have offices already in them!

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