Author: Jerry Starkey

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Three Home Improvement Ideas That Your Mom Will LoveThree Home Improvement Ideas That Your Mom Will Love

Some people prefer to wait until mother’s day to give surprise to their moms, and that is fine. But some others choose to make their mothers happy regardless of the day. Whichever you are, renovating your parents’ home for the better is surely an idea that they will highly appreciate.

Therefore, here are three home improvement ideas that can help you to gain the seat of momma’s boy again even after you’ve been misbehaving lately.

Upgrade the Kitchen Set (or Get One If There Isn’t Any)

a kitchen setWhat can be more heartwarming than our mother’s cooking? Even ordinary meals can feel so special if we know that our mothers are the ones who prepare them. Therefore, as a good kid, why don’t you remodel your mom’s kitchen for her? Or, if she has not had one, why don’t you get her one?

An ideal kitchen is like a pit stop for cooking

Build a Retreat Room

a retreat roomA retreat room is a detached building from the main house that is meant for relaxation and relieving stress. If your mom is an avid reader, then her retreat room should be a personal library that is soundproof and comfy. If she likes to exercise, then the retreat room can be a workout studio equipped with a complete set of fitness machine. The point here is to make a room that is personalized according to your mother’s hobby.

The best place to place a retreat room is somewhere in the yard. It’s like a shed or a workshop garage, but instead of for your dad, it’s for your mom. If you are unsure where to build the room, contact a shed contractor. Not only will they consult you with the room placement but also the proper materials and designs.

Buy Her New Furniture

If you notice worn-out tables, torn bed, and a shabby sofa, then it is time to buy the new ones. However, before you consult your mom directly, you should consider hiring an interior designer first so that you are free from the risks of purchasing oversized or unmatched furniture.

Moreover, space efficiency is the latest trend. You want your house to look spacious instead of crowded with stuff. If you can agree to such preference, then you should browse around the Internet for minimalist furniture. It will open your eyes to how multi-functional a piece of furniture can be.…

condominium

What to Know Before Buying a CondoWhat to Know Before Buying a Condo

You finally saved up enough money to buy a place for you to settle down, congratulations! Although it wasn’t easy, you finally made it. Despite a condo having its pros and cons when compared to a house, it’s worth the money. So you’re going to go to a condo hunting, but you don’t know what to look out? If so, then do not worry as we’re here to save you. In this article, we’ve compiled three tips that you should know before you buy your condo so make sure to read this article before you go out hunting for your new condo.

Budget

moneyFirst of all, you have to know how much that you can spend on a condo as they came in many specifications and sized depending on how much that you can pay. Some condos may come fully installed with everything that you need, and yet it may be over your budget. Other condos might be cheap but yet far away from where you’re working or other places such as the supermarket. Make sure you know what you want and how much that you can spend, this way you can compensate on what you can get and what you can’t get. Here are some luxury condos in Bellevue in case you have the budget.

Location

areaAfter knowing what kind of condo and how much that you can spend the next thing that you have to remember is where the apartment is located. If a condo is expensive but yet it doesn’t seem appealing it’s probably because the location is in a hotspot, meaning that it’s near a mall, school, or a supermarket. The location of the condo also determines the re-sell value of the apartment in the next years, just in case you have plans of selling your condo in the future. If you’re okay with a bit of commuting to your workplace, then consider buying a good condo outside the city as they’ll be much cheaper.

Real Estate Agent

Yes, a real estate agent cost you some money to use their services, but this is a great service when you’re not used to dabbling in the real estate industry. With a real estate agent by your side, you can tell them what you want in a condo and within the budget range that you can afford and they’ll look up the closest condo matching to your criteria and location.…

elegant bathroom plumber

The Steps to Remodeling a BathroomThe Steps to Remodeling a Bathroom

If you pay close attention to the bathrooms in commercial establishments, you will realize that the business owners invest heavily in their bathrooms. They always make an effort to maintain not only the cleanliness of their bathrooms but also its aesthetic appeal. On the other hand, customers have a lot of negative things to say if the bathroom of the commercial establishment is poorly maintained.

elegant looking bathroom

This leads us to the conclusion that the bathrooms on our house must always stay presentable. This is particularly true if you do not want your visitors to have a wrong impression on you. The bathroom must always be fully functional. The plumbing system must always be working. Of course, it should also look elegant. If you think your bathroom is already past its glory days, then it is time for you to do some makeovers on your bathroom. Read on to obtain tips for remodeling your bathroom.

Family Discussion

Before commencing your bathroom remodeling project, it is paramount to discuss it with your family. Besides letting them be in the know, it is also essential to inform them about your plans because they might have excellent suggestions on how to go about remodeling your bathroom. For instance, your wife might want to put a particular model of a bathtub in your bathroom. Moreover, your family might know a specific bathroom remodeling company that could offer premium services at a reasonable price.

Set a Realistic Budget

Speaking of reasonable price, it is essential to set a realistic budget before buying constructions supplies or contacting any service provider. As much as possible, put a cushion on your budget to avoid problems if you underestimate the cost of the bathroom remodeling project. On the other hand, think twice if you are considering buying low-cost materials. Keep in mind that it is not economical to choose cheap materials because such products will not last long. It is also vital to avoid service providers that offer extremely affordable services because they might not meet your expectations. The worst that could happen is that they will give you a substandard work.

Look for a Bathroom Remodeling Company

Remember that a DIY approach when it comes to bathroom renovation is only ideal for small repairs. If you plan a total makeover, then make sure to seek the services of a bathroom remodeling company. The truth is that this is the most important factor to put into consideration if you are planning to renovate your bathroom. Consider hiring the services of Paramount kitchen & bath in des moines because this company is one of the top rated companies when it comes to bathroom remodeling. Not to mention that they also specialize in kitchen makeovers. Hence, this company can also be to your assistance if you want to renovate your kitchen.

bathroom with a bathtub

The good thing about working with a reliable bathroom remodeling company is that they will take care of everything that concerns the bathroom remodeling project. All you need is to tell them what you want to get done. If you agree to their pricing offer, then they can start working on the project.

When in search of a bathroom remodeling company, make sure that you check their previous projects to have an idea about how your bathroom will look like after they are done with the project. You should also look for testimonials to know what the other clients have to say about them.…

elite estate

How to Increase a Real Estate’s ValueHow to Increase a Real Estate’s Value

When we buy an estate, we use it as either a shelter or an investment. And whatever the intention is, if we improve the real estate’s value, it is going to be beneficial to us. However, the estate must meet two conditions first.

Before you spend your money on commercial property, you need to evaluate the surrounding neighborhood. A high-value estate is placed in a high-value estate complex. When the developer built those estates, they had thought carefully about the potential of the location. It does not matter how much money you spend on an estate if it is in the wrong area, the value will not increase.

The second condition is that the estate must have the permission to be modified. Some estates are sold at a low price, and it may seem like a profitable deal. But you should be careful because, usually, the permission to improve the building is restricted. You have to educate yourself about this legal matter if you want to be a bright estate investor. Try to check a list of the best online real estate schools. They can give you authentic information about how property business works.

Adding Support Services

The support services in this context will be security service, lift, and parking facility. One way to invest in a real estate is by buying one that is built with general standards and improving it by making it serve a particular purpose. For instance, you may target a car collector as your tenant. And thus, the parking area should be indoor and equipped with humidity measuring device, air conditioner, and vents.

And with the same case, partnering up with a security company can also increase the house’s value. Wealthy business people may stay in a place for a project. And they often want to rent a luxury, comfy, and safe home for their stay. And they can also be your target tenant.

Building Amenities

spacious lawnMany things can be included as a house’s amenities, but here are the conventional ones: a swimming pool, a landscaped garden, a jacuzzi room, a spa room, a garden shed, and a playground. People who rent a house bring their family together with them. And the mentioned amenities serve to pamper them.

But building those amenities can be expensive. Therefore, you can calculate your budget and plan them step-by-step. Do not make all the improvement all at once. For instance, if you think family tenants are more likely to rent your property, then you can start with landscaping the garden, building a shed and installing recreational playground things on the lawn. But if you think that your clients will be wealthy bachelors, then swimming pool, jacuzzi bathtub, and a minibar will attract them.

Maintaining the Essentials

tubing systemThe three essential facilities of a house are safety, electricity, and water. No matter how luxury a house is, if it fails to provide those three facilities, it will lose its value drastically. Besides, you can even get a lawsuit for not renting a house that does not meet the general standards.

To prevent unwanted things from happening, call a roofer to check the quality of the house’s roof. Replace any broken shingles as they may allow water to enter the ceiling. Also, a roofer can check if there are animal infestations at the top part of the house.

The second service you will need is a plumbing system audit. Pipes can degrade over time. They may leak the water and cause disgusting stains on the wall. Also, you do not want any clogs in the drainage system because they can let pollute the air with stench.…

cat eating food

Cat Food for Sensitive StomachCat Food for Sensitive Stomach

If your cat is having digestive problems, then it is important to adjust the diet. You need to look for a way to look for cat food that will reduce the discomfort. It is important to remember that cats are similar to humans and they experience discomfort whenever they have digestive issues.

The main aim of sensitive stomach cat food should be healing the digestive problem and also reduce pain associated with indigestion. Make sure that you buy cat food that is easy on the digestive system. Reasons to buy cat food for sensitive stomach:

Encourage Absorption of Nutrients

cat foodYou need to buy cat food for the sensitive stomach to encourage absorption of nutrients. When your cat is experiencing digestive problems, then there are chances that most of the nutrients are not being absorbed.

You will notice that at this point your cat starts losing weight or it gains weight rapidly. Lack of nutrient absorption is bad for the health of your cat. If the nutrients are not absorbed, then your cat will start experiencing other health problems.

Reduce Indigestion Symptoms

Introducing your cat to cat food for sensitive is a good way to reduce the symptoms. When your cat is experiencing indigestion problems, then you will experience problems like vomiting and bloat. These are symptoms that make your cat feel sick and reduce appetite. Once you give your cat the right food, then the symptoms will start reducing, and the cat heals after some time.

Make your Cat Energetic

cat food for sensitive stomachGiving your cat the right food will make your cat feel energetic. When the cat is taking foods that are difficult to digest, then it will be weak and tired all time. Some foods are difficult to digest, and this means that the cat uses a lot of energy to digest the food. When you give your cat foods that are easy to digest, then they will be absorbed into the bloodstream and give your cat energy to play. An energetic cat is a happy cat, and you will love playing with a happy cat.

Healthy Hair and Skin

Cat food for sensitive stomach will give your cat healthy hair and skin. Poor digestion affects the appearance of the skin and hair of your cat. This is because the minerals responsible for keeping your cat healthy are not being absorbed. Once you start giving your healthy cat food, the appearance of skin and hair will be automatically transformed.…

clothesline

Your Laundry Woes Are Finally OverYour Laundry Woes Are Finally Over

Laundry is a chore that has many different sides to it. This is the reason why it takes a real mastermind to sort them out especially when they come in massive piles. Many factors could either give it the push it needs or the opposite. This includes the detergent used as well as the kind of water in use. All these could affect the outcome either positively or negatively.

Since we are all after one thing – clean laundry – it is good to play by the rules. When this is in place, we are assured of a huge load being taken off our backs.

laundry shop

Fresh Smell

Don’t we all love the fresh scent that comes from clean laundry? Sadly, this is not always the case especially when so much is at stake. This only happens when the water used is pure and professionally formulated. Not many of us will understand how this comes about especially when all kinds of water look and feel the same. This is not the case when you have been doing your laundry for the longest time. With a fresh smell coming from freshly done laundry, you are sure to boost your family’s confidence in every way.

The Right Products

detergent powder We are all aware of how impossible it is to do the laundry without any form of detergent or soap, which is why we must pay attention to the kind of laundry detergents we choose for our clothes.

Currently, so many laundry products seem to be catching up with us. Most of us are unable to tell what is right for our clothes. Client reviews are always there to help us at such times of difficulty. The trick here is to go with the majority, and you will find the right footing.

How to Use Them

Not every brand of laundry works the same as all the others. On the contrary, each one of them has a particular method of use that must be followed, failure to which might wreak havoc on your pile of laundry.

Do plenty of research before you can even set your eyes on them at the store. You need to know just what you are getting your family’s laundry into. You will also be affected as you will have to deal with the consequences if things do not go according to plan. On the bright side, laundry products are not as hard to use as most of us would think. Once you get used to them, you are assured of nothing but the most brilliant results that you would want the whole world to see.

Your Family’s Skin

Most of us have never really known about the effects of various detergents on our family’s skin. When you use certified and gentle products, your family is assured of fabrics that will caress their skin rather than scratch it. This has to be top on the list of factors to consider when shopping for an ideal laundry product.…

home

Buying a House Compared to a CondoBuying a House Compared to a Condo

After a long day of work or taking care of your business, you will end up in your home, resting after being outside for a long period. While working, you might be thinking to save money to buy a house or a condo instead of renting forever. And this question might pop into your head, should you buy a house or a condo? In this article, we have several reasons on why you should buy a house instead of a condo. Make sure to read this article to find out more about it.

You have a green thumb

yardIf you’re someone with a green thumb, then there’s no better choice than getting a house compared to a condo. A house will most likely come with a garden or a backyard, which means you can customize your yard to your heart’s content, and you can plant anything that you want including flowers and fruits that you want. You can also plant a mini-garden in a condo, but it will not be the same feeling like taking care of your garden in a house.

Tip: Thinking to buy a house? Consider checking out Property for sale St Johns Wood.

You want to have dogs or cats

puppyYou can always keep a fish or a hamster or perhaps a turtle inside your condo, but the same can’t be said when it comes to cats and dogs. Most condos don’t allow them inside, and if you insist on trying to keep them inside your condo, there’s a chance you’re going to get a complaint from your neighbor in case your dog barked during the night. So, what’s the solution to this problem? Opt for a house instead of buying a condo.

You’re a hoarder

If you’re a hoarder, we’re not going to judge you as we can live our own lives differently, but having a condo might not be the best for you. A condo is designed for a minimalist and simple lifestyle, where you can keep your stuff but not a year’s storage of cereal. If you have a lot of things or you’re thinking to put many things inside your house, don’t buy a condo.

You don’t want a noisy neighbor

depressedAlthough a condo is small, compact and cute, it’s not always fun. Since you’re living with a lot of people in a big building, it might suck if you have a noisy neighbor and you’re a light sleeper. You can always file a complaint about it, but it doesn’t guarantee that your neighbor will even care about your complaints.…

roof

Benefits of Hiring a Professional RooferBenefits of Hiring a Professional Roofer

The roof is one of the most important parts of a house. It plays an essential role in protecting your possessions, family and the other parts of your Structure. Repairs done on it should be taken seriously. Hiring a professional roofer can help you in identifying the key areas that need to be replaced or repaired.

These professionals are known for offering different roofing services, such as repair, installation, and inspection. This task should not be mistaken for a DIY job. These are some people who believe that they can save money by doing it on their own. It is a process that involves climbing multi-story buildings and pulling out the ladders. A reputable roofing contractor will help you in handling all the roofing works. The following are the main advantages associated with the services of these professionals.

Expertise service

These are professionals who have handled many projects in their lifetime. They are bound to giving excellent services without any mistakes. It is their responsibility to ensure that their client’s roof remains safe and undamaged for an extended period. They are known for using suitable products and approaches. This is helpful in ensuring that their tasks are performed with perfection.expertise

Quality material

This is another major benefit that is associated with the services or these experts. They are known for using quality materials thereby ensuring that the repair done lasts for long. They are capable of identifying the best materials that fit for a specific roof. Again they have access to high-quality materials, and they can obtain them easily at a low, wholesale price. Homeowners can only access the materials that are available at the local stores.

 

Efficiency

Professional roofers or contractors are capable of inspecting and identifying the causes of the roofing problems as well as recognizing other problems that might lead to future damages on your roof. They are well-equipped with the right technology, tools, and equipment that helps them in recognizing what needs to be done. They are there to ensure that your job is done effectively and efficiently.

Cost-effective

Hiring a professional to fix up or repair your damaged roof is cost-effective. They are well-equipped with the right tools of doing this job, and the can access the required materials at a low cost. Your expenses would be very high if you were to buy the required tools.cost effective

Safety

They have invested heavily in the safety gears to ensure their safety. Roof repairs are associated with many accidents. You are therefore discouraged from repairing the roof yourself. Instead, you should hire a professional contractor who has all the safety equipment.…

home winter-snow

Efficient Methods of Keeping Your House Warm in WinterEfficient Methods of Keeping Your House Warm in Winter

Most of the house owners have bear with the rising cost of energy when they are warming their homes in winter. This is something that has affected many people. Some important tasks and activities can help you in lowering your utility bills every month. The following are some of the sensible reminders that can help you in lowering your bills as you warm your house.

Opening the shades and curtains

This is done to allow light in. Nature can help you in warming the house when it is sunny. This means that you should allow the sun to permeate the house throughout the day when you are at work. They should be closed at night when the temperatures are relatively low.windows-curtain

Reversing the ceiling fans

Most of the modern ceiling fans are designed with a special setting for the cold or winter months. They are capable of reversing the direction of the fan blades to enhance the rising of the cool air and falling off the warm air. The fan should be switched back to the normal settings when the outdoor temperatures become warm.

Moving the furniture away from the vents

The furniture’s and room’s layout should be considered when installing the heating vents. The arrangement of the furniture will significantly affect the efficiency of your heating system. Both the wall vents and the floor should be given ample space. This will in turn help in pushing out air into your home without having any obstacle that might hinder its work.

Covering the hard floors

Covering the hard floor with rags can help you in preventing the warm air from escaping and storing heat. This is mainly done in those houses which do not have the floor vents. Preventing heat loss through the floorboards is one of the effective methods keeping your house warm. In addition to preventing heat loss, these cover are helpful in making the tile and wood floor feel warm. This is an effect that keeps your feet and toes cozy and nice.covered floor

Using programmable thermostats

These are special types of thermostat that are well-designed to improve the efficiency of the central heating system especially when there is no one at home. It is beneficial in lowering the monthly energy bills by lowering the home’s temperature while people are away. It is meant to produce warming effect that makes the pets happy when you are away. The temperature is raised to a comfortable level when you are at home.…