Lifestyle

Interested in renting an apartment? You might find that a good one is hard to come by.

There are more than 20 million apartments situated throughout the country at the moment. But experts are warning that the U.S. needs for almost 5 million new apartments to be built between now and 2030 to keep up with the rising demand for them.

It’s not always easy to track down a great apartment in a city of town, even if you’re very familiar with the area. But by learning how to pick an apartment, you can give yourself an advantage over others searching for apartments and put yourself in a better position to find the right one for your lifestyle.

Check out some useful tips that will help you choose an apartment below.

Look for an Apartment in the Right Location

You’ve no doubt heard the cliche “location, location, location” used time and time again in reference to real estate. But there’s a good reason for that: Location is the most important aspect when shopping around for a home or apartment.

If you absolutely love spending time shopping and eating out in the middle of a big city, the last thing you want to do is rent an apartment on the outskirts of town where you won’t be able to do those things. You need an apartment situated near the places you like to be day in and day out.

Your apartment should also be at least semi-close to school or work so that you don’t have a hard time getting to where you need to be every day. You’re going to make life harder than it has to be by picking an apartment on the wrong side of town.

Consider Which Type of Layout You Like for an Apartment

Do you want an apartment that is one big open space—or would you prefer one that has a bunch of different rooms that each have a specific purpose?

You’re going to want to ask yourself this question before you begin looking at apartments. You can narrow down your options by choosing the type of layout that you like from the very beginning.

Some people don’t mind studio apartments at all. They’re able to use different design tricks to make them feel larger than they are.

Other people need for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas to each have their own designated areas. It’s all a matter of personal preference and what you like the most.

Create a List of Amenities That You Need in an Apartment

There are certain apartments that come with hardly any amenities at all. There are others, like these apartments, that seem to have every amenity in the world.

Which amenities do you need to see in the apartment that you rent? Do you want an apartment that has:

• Furniture already in it?
• A washer and dryer?
• A parking spot that comes with it?
• Internet and cable services included?

You will, of course, have to pay the price for these amenities. But if you consider them to be must-have items for your lifestyle, you won’t mind shelling out a little extra for them.

Check Out Who Lives in Neighboring Apartments

When you’re taking a look at an apartment, you should be prepared to scope out more than just what’s happening inside the apartment. You should also be aware of what’s going on around it and, more specifically, who is living in the apartments that surround it.

If you’re a young person who enjoys having people over and letting loose on the weekends, you might not want to rent an apartment that has nothing but families or older people living in it. If, on the other hand, you’re a middle-aged person who enjoys peace and quiet, an apartment building full of young people might not be ideal.

Try to find out who your neighbors would be if you were to move into an apartment. They could make or break the experience of living in the apartment for you.

Make Sure an Apartment Isn’t Out of Your Price Range

How much can you afford to spend on an apartment every month? This is yet another important question that you should consider prior to starting your search for one.

The average cost of an apartment in your city or town is going to depend on where you’re located. The median cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Wichita, Kansas is under $500, while the median cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Atlanta, Georgia is up over $1,500.

But generally speaking, you should take the same approach to budgeting for an apartment no matter where you live. Crunch the numbers to see what you can afford and resist the urge to talk yourself into renting something out of your price range.

Be Decisive When You Find an Apartment You Love

At some point, you’re going to find an apartment that you love while hunting around for one. It’s going to have the location you want, the layout you’re looking for, and a price that you can afford.

Don’t hesitate to say, “I’ll take it!”

When you’re thinking about how to pick an apartment, it’s very easy to overthink things. You’ll drag your feet at times and hem and haw while trying to make a decision.

If you do this, you could miss out on the perfect apartment for your lifestyle. So be decisive and snatch up an apartment as soon as you know that it’s what you want.

Learn How to Pick an Apartment Before You Begin Looking for One

Many people make the mistake of starting an apartment search without learning how to pick an apartment first. This often makes the process more stressful and challenging than it has to be.

Rather than going in blind and trying to learn how to pick an apartment on the fly, use the tips found here to prepare yourself in advance. You’ll have a much easier time finding an apartment, and you’ll enjoy the experience so much more overall.

Learn more tips for finding great apartments by poking around on our blog and reading through our other articles.

While you know that redecorating your home to give it a new feel is a refreshing experience, you likely didn’t know that there are scientifically proven health benefits to doing so.

Redecorating a room helps to improve mental health by giving the person who lives there higher self-esteem and lowering the risks of depression. It also helps people to move forward with the times ensuring they’re not mentally stuck in the past.

One of the biggest factors that makes a room great is an area rug. Since large area rugs are such a prominent feature in any room, there’s no getting around the need to find the perfect one. These central features to any room come in a variety of shapes, styles, and colors that tie the rest of the decor together.

Here, we’re going to give you a few pointers on how to choose a large area rug to go with any room in your home.

Do Your Research

Before deciding on what kind of rug you want to buy for any room in your home, it’s crucial that you do your research. This means that you’ll want to look at images on sites like Pinterest to get home decorating ideas. You can then emulate what you like and make more informed decisions about your rug purchases.

Another important thing to consider is your budget for redecorating your home. It isn’t worth going into debt because you want a ridiculously expensive rug. You’re also going to want to save for other parts of your home decor, so don’t spend all your money on one thing.

Instead, head over to this site and shop for rugs in a variety of styles at an affordable price!

Look at Varying Styles

There is an infinite amount of aesthetics for home decor, and therefore there are an infinite amount of rug types that you can choose from for your home. Some of the most common styles are shag carpets for that 80s groove, soft wool carpets that feel luxurious between your toes, and silk that gives your room an aristocratic feel.

When selecting a style of rug, whether or not you want it to be patterned is also a consideration. Solid color rugs are nice, but why not add a border to it for a multicolor scheme? Also, geometric and oriental rugs make almost any room look alive because of their creative and unique patterns.

Sizes and Shapes

Once you know the aesthetic you’re aiming for, you’ll need to take care of practical concerns regarding the size and shape of your area rug.

Before you can get shopping, get out a tape measure and figure out how much space you have to cover. Be sure that you’re precise with your measurements. A miscalculation of even an inch can look awkward, and you can’t cut part of a rug off.

You’re also going to need to consider the shape of your room when selecting a rug. Unless your space is a perfect rectangle, which is unlikely, then you may have to get creative. You can get multiple area rugs and lay them out across the space if you want to fill the entire floor up!

Consider Your Colors

It’s a scientific fact that color affects our mood. It puts us in specific states of mind, making us associate the space we’re in with certain emotions. This means that choosing the right color area rug is crucial in making your space somewhere you enjoy being.

Of course, everyone is different. We all have our own likes and dislikes, so simply getting an area rug in your favorite color and using varying shades of it for decor is a great way to go!

If you aren’t sure what you want, though, color psychology can help. For a calming, mellow space, blues are likely the right option for you. If you want to feel energized in a space used for productive purposes, yellow’s a great choice.

Decide on Your Decor

A lot of people forget to match different parts of their decor to each other, but this becomes incredibly problematic once the varying items are installed. For example, if you choose a bright pink area rug but fail to remember the forest green lamps you bought earlier, that all will clash pretty badly with your dandelion sofa.

This can also happen with patterns, and a lot of people accidentally mix and match in ways that become a terrible eyesore. If you have opposing patterns or make the room too busy by having too much going on, it can really make the head spin. Be sure that you have a good mix of similar patterns and corresponding colors.

That isn’t to say that you need to make everything exactly the shade of purple. There are productive and gorgeous ways you can mix and match your decor to make each piece both stand out and blend in.

Get Large Area Rugs

While redecorating is always a challenge, it’s also a lot of fun. Choosing an area rug for each room is one of the most fun tasks of all. After all, there’s a lot to explore and a lot of ways they can be used to give your home a fresh feel.

Now that you know how to choose the best large area rugs for every room in your home it’s time to learn more about decorating so you can draw everything together. Check out the “lifestyle” tab on our page to get more tips for living your best life.

Everyone knows that Australia is home to some nasty critters, and there is no reason why it’s a surprise. The climate provides excellent chances for numerous reptiles, creatures, and more. Not only that, but if you have loved ones or children, you want to know they’re safe, and that your pool is safe from intruders, and so much more. That’s when you’ll want to consider glass pool fencing, especially if you’re in the Gold Coast area. In this guide, we’re going to talk about how you can find and buy the best glass pool fencing on the Gold Coast.

Standards of Quality are Important

If you’re looking to build a glass pool fence, you need to know that every single panel must conform with Australian standard regulations, which state that they can’t be manufactured with equipment or in processes that are outdated, and that are conventional. Otherwise, you can also make sure that each glass panel is properly certified with the highest grade possible.

Consider Your Thickness

If you’re looking to get the most out of your glass panels, you want to ensure that your panels on average are anywhere from 6mm to 12 mm in thickness. If you’re wanting extra security, you can even choose thicker panels. Most people recommend thick panels, because they’re more durable, and can hold up to not only extreme punishment and abuse, but also from the various weather ailments that plague the Gold Coast area.

Size of the panels also matters on how choose you want to make your thickness of each individual panels. The larger the panel, the thicker it should be. This is because you’ll avoid breakage a lot more, and every panel needs to be big enough that people won’t try to climb over them and hop into your pool for security measures.

Framed or Frameless?

This is a matter of personal choice really. Some people think that framed glass panels are more secure, but that’s merely an illusion. Anything that’s glass can eventually get broken. Therefore, it’s important to know that framed glass panels, while being only a little bit more secure, can add some design elements, but it doesn’t give you the full visibility of having beautifully crafted frameless panels. That being said, you need to know this could actually make your pool more visible to people, and attract attention to your area. Not only that, but if you’re at the wrong angle, you may not see someone fall into the pool due to the fact that frames are in the way.

Conclusion

Total Vision pool fencing offers high grade quality panes of glass specifically designed for your pool or hot tub area and you can find more info here. This allows you to have full visibility, and have the elegance and style of living in luxury, even if you don’t. If you have any questions, they have accredited registration and licenses in order to professionally install any of your glass pool fencing solutions as well. The company is a family owned company and they’ve been around since the early 2000’s.

 

Bathrooms are reclaiming their throne!

Kitchen renovations are stepping down and bathrooms are stepping up. Studies show a bathroom update is the first choice for 81% of homeowners.

So, why are kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms making their way to the bottom of the to-do list? People are realizing the impact a less expensive, small scale bathroom renovation has to offer.

All across the country, homeowners are transforming their ordinary bathrooms into extraordinary spaces. On top of enjoying the space more, they also are saving money, improving reliability, increasing their home’s value, and more! Read on to learn the 5 key benefits of remodeling your bathroom.

1. Increase Value with a Bathroom Update

You can add value to your home with both major and minor bathroom renovations. A minor bathroom remodel would include things like replacing the tub, floorings, fixtures, and vanity. To add in even more value, you would want to go a step further by adding in an extra coat of paint.

If your main goal is to add value, rather than enjoy the space, you’ll want to plan accordingly. Rather than adding in the colors or decor style you prefer, you’ll need to think long term.

Will the colors you’re choosing still be trendy in the future? Renovating a bathroom just for resell purposes means having to predict what sellers will be looking for.

Avoid redoing your bathroom with any extreme new styles that only you might prefer. Instead, you’ll need to choose decorating trends that are likely to stay popular for years to come.

2. Improve Bathroom Functionality

When a bathroom isn’t intentionally designed and decorated, it invites in a hodgepodge of clutter. When you give your bathroom a makeover you can add in extra storage space to get rid of the mess.

Here are a few suggestions to improve the storage space in your bathroom:

• Extra towel rack
• Dual-purpose mirror
• Basket shelf
• Tiered storage
• Adhesive hooks

Now towels, toiletries, kids’ toys, and cleaners will all have a place to go. It’s amazing how much better you’ll feel walking into a decluttered bathroom.

On top of looking and feeling better, decluttered bathrooms are also safer. No longer will you have to worry about tripping on items laying about the floor.

Instead of looking like a disaster your bathroom will be a place of peace. An area you look forward to spending time in.

3. Save Money

You probably don’t think of saving money when you hear the words “bathroom update”. After all, aren’t updates supposed to cost money, not save it?

Well, it turns out updating your bathroom can do both! When you update your bathroom with energy-efficient technology you’ll save money over time. In some cases, the money you save outweighs the entire expense of the update.

One of the best ways to save money with your bathroom remodel is to install low-flow fixtures.

These fixtures reduce the amount of water used and the energy needed to heat the water. There are a lot of water-saving products you have to choose from.

Here are some of the different low flow fixtures that can save you money:

• Low-flow toilets
• Low-flow showerheads
• Low-flow faucets

Studies show that these water-saving fixtures can reduce water consumption by 20% or more. For example, a regular shower head uses 2.5 gallons every single minute, while a low-flow showerhead only needs to use 2 gallons of water per minute. This can save over 2,000 gallons of water every year!

4. Enjoy More Luxury

Do you dream of living a more luxurious life? A bathroom update is a fast way to turn a boring room into a special spa-like experience.

It may be hard to imagine your restroom as a place for serene relaxation. However, with a few simple additions, you can easily add in a little luxury.

The best part is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make your bathroom area appear expensive. Here are a few ways you can turn an ordinary bathroom into a place of luxury:

• Gold accents
• Potted plants
• Chic containers

Gold accents made the top of our list because of their ability to transform small spaces. Gold-toned metals will infuse your bathroom with a warm and welcoming feeling, similar to the feeling someone might have when using a bathroom at a 5-star resort.

Realistic-looking fake plants (or real potted plants, if you have a window) will help bring your bathroom space to life. Choose plants that have a fresh look to help brighten up the room. If you want to make your bathroom into a tropical paradise, pick plants that have colorful flower blossoms.

5. Re-Energize Your Day

Every day you get up and look at yourself in the mirror. What if instead of looking in a regular boring rectangular mirror, you were looking into a piece of art? Installing unusual looking mirrors can elevate your bathroom decor to a whole new level.

Try installing a larger than a normal-sized mirror that has an unusual shape. Here are a few of the different types of unique mirrors you should consider:

• Oval
• Triangle
• Circular
• Oblong

Next, make sure the mirror you choose has an original type of finish. A tortoiseshell or gold finish will be sure to help your mirror stand out from the rest.

Find Inspiration

Now you know more about the benefits of completing a bathroom update. Saving money, enjoying your space, and living in luxury are all motivating factors to start remodeling today.

As you approach your upcoming bathroom remodel, you might find yourself wondering, “Where do I begin?” If you’re looking for inspiration, make sure to check out the other articles on our site.

Approximately 87 percent of homes in the U.S. have an air conditioning system. In fact, air conditioning is more common in homes these days than garages, dining rooms, and even dishwashers.

An air conditioner is a must for many homeowners, especially those who live in warm parts of the country. They can definitely be a drain on your energy bill, though, especially when you don’t set them to the right temperature.

If you’re not sure what the best temperature is for your AC thermostat, keep reading. Listed below are some tips to help you keep your house cool and comfortable during the hottest months of the year.

Choosing the Right Temperature

First of all, how do you determine which temperature is best for your thermostat?

Setting your thermostat to one temperature will help to regulate it and ensure that your house stays cool throughout the day. That way, you don’t have to turn it on and adjust it every time things get too hot to handle.

Daytime Recommendations

During the daytime, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees. This temperature, for most people, helps them to feel cool (as long as they’re dressed for the weather) without running up their energy bills.

If you really want to lower your bill, you may want to try raising your thermostat to 85 degrees. It will be warmer inside your home, but it can also cut your cooling bill by 5-15 percent.

Nighttime Recommendations

In the evening, since it’s naturally cooler outside, you can turn your thermostat up a little higher. If you set your thermostat to 82 degrees, you can lower your air conditioning bill quite a bit.

Many people find they can still sleep comfortably while doing this. For those who prefer a cooler bedroom, though, opening the windows or running a ceiling fan can be a good compromise.

If you sleep with the windows open, just make sure you close them early in the morning while it’s still cool. This traps that cool air inside so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your house back down.

Out-of-Town Recommendations

Nobody wants to come home from vacation to an extra-hot house. At the same time, though, they also don’t want to pay a ton of money to cool down a house that no one’s living in.

When you’re heading out of town, compromise and set your thermostat a little higher (88 degrees is a good setting for most people). This will keep your house from turning into an oven, but it’ll also save you from racking up unnecessary charges on your energy bill.

Maximizing Coolness

There are lots of other steps you can take to maximize the coolness of your home without being too reliant on the air conditioner. Keep these other strategies in mind so you can keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature while also staying cool:

• Draw the curtains or close the blinds to block out sunlight during the hottest part of the day
• Seal your windows and doors to keep cold air from flowing out
• Minimize the use of heat-generating appliances like ovens, stoves, and dishwashers, during the daytime

Installing and running ceiling fans can help you to spread the cool air from your air conditioner a bit farther. Ceiling fans use way less energy than the air conditioner, too, so try to utilize them whenever you can.

Maintaining the Right Temperature

Once you’ve set your AC thermostat to your preferred temperature, chances are you want to keep your home at that temperature while the warm weather lasts. Sometimes, that’s easier said than done, though, especially if your air conditioner is not functioning properly.

If you’ve noticed that it doesn’t maintain temperature after you’ve set it, it’s possible that you need to invest in professional ac repair or more thorough ac maintenance.

Here are some tips to help you keep your air conditioner working properly:

Change the Filter

During the hottest months of the year, when you’re running your air conditioner a lot, it’s best to change the filter once per month. This helps the unit to run in the most efficient way possible. It also helps you to improve the air quality in your home.

Clean the Fins and Coils

Keep the fins and coils on your air conditioning unit clean and in good repair, too. If you notice any damage to the fins, get them replaced as soon as possible.

Bent fins can cause inefficient airflow, and dirty coils can prevent your air conditioner from absorbing heat and running in an efficient way.

Inspect the Drain

Make sure you’re inspecting the condensate drain, too. If this drain gets clogged, your air conditioner won’t drain well and could be more prone to inefficiency or breakdowns altogether.

Schedule Maintenance

Finally, don’t forget to schedule regular AC maintenance.

Have a professional come out and check your unit at least once per year to ensure everything is in good working order. This will help you catch potential problems right away before they turn into larger, more expensive issues.

Time to Adjust Your AC Thermostat

As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the ideal temperature for your AC thermostat. Everyone’s preferences are a little different, of course.

If you keep the tips listed above in mind, though, you’ll have an easier time determining the best temperature that keeps you cool in your home without causing your energy bill to skyrocket.

Do you need more advice on keeping your home cool and comfortable? If so, check out some of our other home repair and home renovation articles today. We’ve got lots of great pieces on our site that will give you all the tools you need.

More and more Americans are moving into smaller houses.

These houses are often cheaper, and some believe they can actually encourage a happier lifestyle. However, there is one big challenge that comes with small houses.

They don’t have a lot of space.

This isn’t always a problem, but it does mean you have to get creative with every square foot. And one of the biggest features that sucks up space is your staircase.

We’ve put together this quick guide about staircase ideas for small spaces to help you get inspired. So let’s get started!

1. Staircase with Storage Space

One of the best ways to fit a staircase into a tight space is to make it double as a storage solution. Turn each step into a drawer where you can put clothing, install shelves under the steps for books, or keep seasonal items tucked away into an under-the-stairs cupboard.

Turning your staircase into a storage space can also make it a beautiful feature for your home. Not only will it save space, but it can also be a creative design element.

2. Pull-Out Stairs

You only need your stairs when you need them.

This might be an obvious statement, but there’s no reason to let your stairs take up space when you don’t need them. Pull-out stairs can slide in and out of the wall, so you can put them away to free up some floor space.

3. Vertical Staircase

A vertical staircase is similar to a traditional staircase, but the slant is much steeper. Think of a ladder, but this “ladder” has the same stability as stairs. Because of this, you may need to add handrails to make climbing up and down safer.

If you really want to save space, you can choose to skip the staircase and use a loft ladder instead.

There are many different types of loft ladders you can find. So if you don’t like the traditional look of a loft ladder, you’ll be able to find something else that matches your design preferences.

4. Ribbon Staircase

Ribbon staircases are also more vertical than normal staircases, but they aren’t as steep as vertical stairs. They’ll help you save space, but you won’t feel like you’re climbing up a ladder.

These stairs also double as an artistic eye-catcher.

Instead of normal steps, ribbon staircases wind each step like a piece of ribbon candy. The back of each step is also left open. This allows light to get through, which can make a small space feel much more open.

5. Extra Thin Staircase

If you don’t want to make your staircase nay steeper than normal, you can also save space by making it thinner than normal.

But be careful.

These stairs should always have a safety rail to prevent you from falling. It’s also a good idea to keep at least one side of thin staircases against the wall.

6. Floating Staircase

Floating staircases don’t touch the ground (except for the bottom step). Instead, the staircase is fastened to the wall.

That leaves all the space underneath the steps open. You can fit entire pieces of furniture in this space, including tables, desks, TVs, couches, etc. Because of this, floating stairs are a good choice for small living rooms.

7. Hanging Staircase

Don’t have enough wall space for a floating staircase? You can install a hanging staircase instead.

These steps hang from the ceiling, meaning you can put them anywhere.

And they don’t look as out of place as you might think. Since the space between each step is open, it makes the room feel airy and open. Just make sure you have the proper handrails at each step. Otherwise, falling is an easy mistake.

8. Spiral Staircase

You might think a spiral staircase would take up more space than a traditional staircase. But actually, the opposite is true.

Spiral staircases take up much less floor space. You can fit a spiral staircase in a corner without having to climb up and down a steep slope.

These types of staircases can also serve as an interesting design element, spiral stairs are uncommon, and they can complement other unique features of your home.

9. Mix and Match

If you’re trying to find the right staircase for your small home, you aren’t limited to these options. You can mix and match your favorite elements from each choice.

For example, do you like the idea of an extra narrow staircase, but do you also want to turn your stairs into additional storage space?

Do both.

Narrow stairs might smaller than normal, but you can still turn each step into a drawer or bookshelf. And the same is true for many other stairs on this list.

Like the idea of both a floating and hanging staircase? Keep the stairs against the wall, but hang each step from the ceiling to make a creative design.

Picking the Best Staircase Ideas for Small Spaces

When it comes to picking the best staircase ideas for small spaces, you have to get creative. Let these ideas give you inspiration, but don’t let them limit you. There are several other staircase designs out there to choose from.

And don’t rush into a decision.

You can always use a loft ladder in your home until you find the best staircase design for your needs. If you hurry through the stair installation process, you might get stuck with stairs that really cramp up your space.

Want to learn some other helpful home design tips? Make sure you check out some of our other posts!

Nowadays, wall water fountains are not that hard to come across in relatively recent homes. They are appealing to many, but that’s not the only reason they are becoming more and more popular. In this read, we are going to take a look at some of the great benefits of indoor wall fountains.

Increases Home Value

The installation of wall water fountains calls for special skills and expertise. As such, if you have one in your home, the value of the property will automatically increase. Wall fountains not only make a house look more appealing, but it makes it look more expensive as do outdoor water features. If you are planning to sell your home in the near future, a water fountain would be an excellent addition.

Health Benefits

There are various health benefits that indoor wall fountains have to offer. These include alleviation of stress, relaxation, and also acting as an air purifier. These features help keep you happy and healthy. The indoor atmosphere is transformed into a place where you can rest easy without having to worry much. Such an atmosphere is what many people want in their homes, especially those leading busy lives.

Great Noise

Most homeowners like to have sound insulated homes, but the sound of a water wall fountain is one that you will really appreciate. You will love the sound these features produce, which really helps in getting into your zone, allowing you to forget about the stressful outside, keeping you in a relaxed mode.

An Appealing Humidifier

There are times during the air when indoor air become dry. Well, with a wall fountain, you do not have to worry about that as it helps keep the air moist. This is beneficial in that it prevents cases of sickness like dry skin and other health concerns. Also, an indoor wall fountain helps keep the indoor plants healthy.

Improves Indoor Air Quality

The water in the fountain will naturally create negative ions which draw dust and other harmful elements present in the air. This results in improved indoor air quality. You and your loved ones will always stay healthy by inhaling good air at all times.

When combined, all these benefits ideally add the comfort of the house. Most of the benefits in this list on the health side. If you like the idea of these benefits in your home, then you should not hesitate to have an indoor wall fountain installed in your house. However, ensure you use a professional to ascertain quality.

 

During their lifetime, the average American will move more than 11 times. This may be due to starting a new job, wanting to move into a larger house, or downsizing after the kids have moved out.

If you’ve been asking yourself “should I sell my house?”, you may be feeling a bit nervous. However, 2019 is a great time to put your home on the market.

Do you want to know why? Then keep reading to discover 3 reasons that make 2019 the perfect year to sell your house.

1. It’s a Seller’s Market

If you want to get the most money for your home, you’ll want to list it while it’s still a seller’s market. There are fewer homes available, so buyers will often pay more or go into a bidding war with other buyers in order to purchase the home they want.

You may think the higher prices would scare most buyers off. However, those who are moving for a new job or to upgrade their home to meet the needs of their growing family will still be in the market for a new house.

Of course, there is a catch. With more homes being listed, it’s expected that a buyer’s market will take over soon. So, if you’re planning on moving in the near future, it’s better to list your home sooner rather than later.

2. Millennials Are Entering the Market

Millennials are known for renting longer and putting off home-buying. However, the generation is finally entering the housing market. In fact, millennials accounted for 45% of all new mortgages at the end of 2018!

While there are older millennials who are looking to trade up into something bigger, it’s the demand for first-time homes that’s really on the rise. So, if your current home is under $300,000, now is the perfect time to list it.

3. A Recession May Be Approaching

Many experts have predicted that a recession will soon hit. When this happens, the country may be dealing with fewer wage increases and a higher unemployment rate.

This means that fewer people will be in the market for a new home, and the ones who are will be trying to snag a lower price. While there’s no way to predict exactly when the recession will hit, many believe it will be in the next couple of years.

If you’ve been thinking about moving, consider doing it now. Once the recession starts, you’ll find fewer potential buyers and may end up selling your home to one of those companies with the slogan “we buy houses”.

Should I Sell My House in 2019?

We hope this article has answered the question, “should I sell my house before the year is up?” With a buyer’s market and a recession looming in the near future and a large influx of millennial buyers currently in the market, now is the perfect time to sell your home. If you wait much longer, you may miss this opportunity and end up selling your home for less than you could fetch today.

Are you looking for ways to upgrade your home before you list it? Then check out the rest of our blog for the best renovation and interior design advice.

The windows in your home do so much more than let light in. They also provide ventilation and keep drafts out when it’s cold.

Over time, you may notice signs that you need to replace them.

When this happens, you have 2 options: you can either go with the original style, or you can switch things up and try something new.

Thinking of doing the latter? Then here are the different window styles you can consider for your home.

Double-Hung or Single-Hung

Double-hung windows are the most popular type you see in homes. It consists of 2 sashes, which are the panes of glass. They sit right on top of one another.

With a double-hung window, you can either slide the bottom pane up or the top pane down. A single-hung window will be similar, but you can only open the window by sliding the bottom pane up.

These 2 types of windows are great choices because not only are they affordable, but you also have a wide variety to pick from when it comes to manufacturers. Also, they’re easy to open and close, so you can get excellent ventilation in your home when you desire.

However, you’ll need to get regular maintenance performed on these windows since things like the sash cords and counterbalance springs can break. Also, if you live in an area that’s prone to crime, it may make it a bit easier for burglars to get into your home.

Casement

Casements are also very popular in homes. They look similar to double-hung and single-hung windows, but instead of having 2 sashes, they only have 1.

Another major difference is the hinges. The first examples are hinged horizontally and open by sliding up and down. Casement windows are hinged vertically and open by swinging outwards through a crank. Basically, it pivots on one side and opens how a door would.

If you live in an area that has colder weather, they’re better at keeping drafts out than double-hung and single-hung windows are. They’re also better at deterring intruders.

The only downside is if you live somewhere particularly windy, you risk your windows breaking off if they’re open. Their crank mechanisms are also not so tough, and they have a high chance of breaking.

Awning

Awning windows are similar to casements; they also open and close through the use of a mechanical crank.

Awning windows are hinged across the top and open by swinging out on the bottom when you turn the crank. These are popularly found in bathrooms for ventilation, but you can use them anywhere in the house you wish.

These are great to have if you live somewhere that gets a lot of rain. That way, you can get some fresh air in without getting anything wet. This type of window is also excellent if you want to deter intruders.

Because they operate similarly to casement windows, awning windows are also prone to breakage, regarding their crank mechanism.

Slider

As the name implies, slider windows open by sliding from one side to another. These usually comprise of 2 panes so you can completely close the window when they’re both on either side. Some slider windows will let you slide both panes, while others will only let you slide one.

If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, slider windows are optimal since they don’t swing inwards or outwards. They’re very cheap and are also very durable.

The only slight disadvantage they have is the tracks may gather dirt and dust over time. But this can be easily remedied with regular cleaning.

Fixed

This is the simplest type of window on our list. This is just a single pane of glass that’s affixed to a frame.

Since it’s solidly attached to the frame, this means it won’t open or close. All it’s good for is keeping the cold out (it’s permanently sealed) and letting light in.

For those of you looking for something cheap, this is definitely it. However, do be aware that if you live somewhere warmer, it can cause your house to heat up, sometimes to uncomfortable temperatures.

It also doesn’t provide you with fresh air, so you’ll need to think about implementing other types of windows.

Skylight

Skylights are a fantastic window choice if you want ventilation and/or light but have limited wall space and can’t install a regular window.

This is essentially a fixed window, but up top. It works great for lighting up a dark room in a natural way.

If you want a skylight that opens up, consider getting a roof window. These are beneficial in spaces like attics where you need fresh air to ward off mold and mildew. It can also help you cool down the house in the summer.

However, these types of windows get weathered quickly. This means you’ll need to replace them more frequently.

Regardless of the styles you choose, we highly recommend using professional window replacement services. Not only do they have a large selection of brands and styles, but they’ll also ensure your windows are installed correctly on the first try.

Consider These Window Styles for Your Home

Hopefully, this article’s helped clarify things about window styles and now, you have a better idea of what’s ideal for you.

The best thing about all these choices is you don’t have to just stick with one. Feel free to pick a few that you like and give your house some interesting windows that’ll let in a good amount of light and air.

For more interesting articles, please check out our other blog sections.