Posts in category 'Homeownership'

Since the COVID lockdowns began last year, almost half of U.S. employees shifted to remote work. The dining table was fine for some time. But as weeks turned into months and months into a year, we started looking for working spaces out on the patio, in the kitchen nook, or behind closed bedroom doors. Now more than ever before, people are saying goodbye to open floor spaces and seeking to find designated home office spaces from which they can be as efficient and productive as possible. And so the "cloffice" trend re-emerged. According to the 2021 Pinterest trend report, there has been a two-fold increase in the volume of searches for "cloffice ideas" on the platform over the past year.

If you're unfamiliar, a cloffice is a closet that has been converted into a functioning office space. It offers a functional yet design-savvy way to create a feasible workspace at home when square footage is tight. Here are tips for creating a stylish, affordable cloffice as recommended by our REALTORS®.

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Choosing the perfect paint color for your home can make a huge difference. After all, the color of your walls provides a backdrop for all your interior. If you just bought a new home, painting is a great way to put your personal stamp on the home and begin the next phase of your life. Conversely, if you're putting your property on the market but it's looking a little too "well-loved," a crisp coat of paint can help create a better first impression and potentially increase your home's value.

But with the vast array of color choices available today, choosing the right color can be a painstaking process, especially if you get things wrong and have to start all over again. So skip the do-overs and find the perfect paint color by doing your homework and evaluating your options before you don your overalls or lay down the drop cloth. No matter what aesthetic or shade you're looking for, these foolproof tips by our REALTORS® will help you select the perfect paint color every single time.

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Your home is more than a place to live; it's an asset you want to protect. Whether you're remodeling a room, building an addition, or simply changing an appliance out, our REALTORS® strongly advise all of our clients to vet and question any potential contractor thoroughly. Asking the following five questions will help ensure that the contractor you hire will get the job done efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

1. Are You Licensed & Insured? 
   Never hire a contractor that isn't licensed and insured. Licensure helps ensure the contractor will adhere to all building codes, fire codes, etc. It is more than an indication that they have sufficient knowledge of their trade to perform the necessary tasks. Additionally, never hire a contractor that isn't insured. If something happens and the contractor doesn't carry insurance, you could end up footing the bill for injuries.

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Spring brings warm sunshine that motivates people to get outdoors. It's the perfect time to buy or sell a home and make that move you've been dreaming about. If you're considering a change this spring, our REALTORS® at Haring Realty can help you with selling your existing home, as well as searching for Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale that fit your lifestyle and financial goals.

Whether you're a buyer or a seller, one thing that's important to any home is great curb appeal. That means having a front yard that's picture-perfect with a well-maintained landscape. With spring just around the corner, it's time to give your front yard a makeover that deserves attention.

• Lush Green Grass
  Winter can leave your lawn with patches of missing grass, weeds, and pests. With a little effort, you can fix a lackluster landscape and give your front yard a whole new look. Building a lush, green lawn starts with getting rid of weeds, then adding new turf or grass seed and good fertilizer. Water lightly each day until the grass is about 2-3 inches high, then mow the lawn weekly or bi-weekly on a regular schedule.

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We're all thrilled when the winter storms are gone and it's time for the spring thaw. But with that warmer weather comes a multitude of pests, both in our yards and sometimes our homes. 

To prevent pests in the house you've chosen among Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale, follow the tips below.

Keeping Pests Out of Your Home

Not surprisingly, most of the pests homeowners in our area are quite common, rather than some of the newer, exotic species that have just begun invading the South and the West, such as certain species of exotic ants and mosquitoes. Here are some of the main ones to be on the watch for.

1. Mosquitoes
   There are several species of mosquitoes in our region, and like anywhere, they are mainly a problem during warm, rainy weather. The best preventative is not allowing stagnant water to collect in containers, birdbaths, or ponds. Water in a pond or birdbath is fine as long as it's being aerated or changed frequently. Remove old flower pots or containers and store them away. Cut back on dense foliage, where mosquitoes like to hover during the heat of the day. If you decide to spray, talk to your pest control specialist about measures that won't kill beneficial insects such as butterflies and other pollinators.

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