STORAGE SOLUTIONS TO KEEP YOUR GARAGE ORGANIZED AND CLEAN

GET ORGANIZED


KEEP YOUR GARAGE TIDY WITH THESE STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Many people like to use the garage for storage. It can be somewhat challenging, however, as this space lacks any real furniture for organizing anything. If you’d like to use the extra space in your garage for storage, here are several storage options you may want to consider to keep the space neat and clean. 

Keep in mind that none of these suggestions will work to store everything and you’ll likely need a combination of storage solutions to declutter and organize your garage. 

CABINETS, COUNTERS, AND DRAWERS

Some people like to install cabinets, drawers, and countertops just like you’d see in a kitchen. Having several storage options like these give you plenty of room to store all kinds of objects out of sight. It’s important to consider how you use the garage, however, as these solutions take up valuable wall space and can be quite expensive to install. 

LOFT STORAGE

The space between the ceiling and the roof of your garage is ideal for storing large items or items you don’t use often. While many people simply place these kinds of items in the rafters, you can purchase wire garage lofts that hang about four feet from the ceiling to store your things long-term. 

Alternately, you can make your own loft storage out of wood, too. The sky – or the roof – is the limit with this type of garage storage. 

SPECIALIZED STORAGE SOLUTIONS

If you look hard enough, you’re sure to find a specialized storage rack for just about anything. From bike and ball racks to racks for gardening supplies and more, you can organize everything in your garage on or in a specialized rack, shelf, or cabinet. While most people opt not to spend extra money on special storage solutions for these things, if you’re passionate about something, you may want to invest in the ideal way to store it for the ultimate protection and ease of use. 

METAL SHELVING UNITS

You’ve probably seen them. These are the multi] purpose, heavy-duty shelving units that can hold just about anything from hand tools to motor oil and beyond. The beauty of this type of garage storage solution is that they take up less space than some of the other suggestions as they are typically only about 12-18 inches deep. 

PEGBOARD

Pegboard is an ideal garage storage solution as you can organize and store just about anything on it, keeping everything within sight and easy reach. You can store tools, bikes, garden equipment, etc. on sturdy hooks secured within the holes of the pegboard. Lining your garage walls with pegboard gives you a way to utilize a space that’s typically ignored as a storage solution. 

The garage is full of space that can be used for storage, and with the right furnishings, you can utilize it in an organized way. Consider the storage solutions above if you’d like to utilize your garage’s storage potential. 

REDECORATING YOUR KITCHEN? HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS


REDECORATING IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR KITCHEN A WONDERFUL SPACE

The kitchen is an integral part of any home. It’s often a place where busy families come together at the end of the day to eat, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. It may also be a multi-purpose room where parents work from home as children do their homework. Whatever your kitchen is to you, it should showcase your personality through its décor. 

If you’ve decided to spruce up your kitchen with a fresh, new look, consider the ideas listed below. 

KITCHEN ISLANDS

If your kitchen lacks enough counter space, consider adding an island to its current countertop layout. While most islands are permanent fixtures in the middle of the room, you can create a similar feature using a rolling cart or some other piece of furniture. Just be sure to choose something with plenty of shelving and/or drawers to store things within easy reach. 

KITCHEN CABINETS

Aside from the appliances in a kitchen, the cabinets are probably the most important feature. Designed to not only house your pots, pans, dishes, and food, these storage spaces play a huge part in the overall aesthetics of the room. 

You have many choices in material and design when it comes to kitchen cabinets, so you should be able to find something that fits your particular budget.

KITCHEN BAR STOOLS

Bar stools look really nice in all types of kitchens. From wood to steel to wrought iron and beyond, bar stools come in a variety of styles to fit any décor. 

If your kitchen and dining room are combined in an open-concept space, incorporating bar stools in the kitchen that coordinate with the table and chairs in the dining room is a nice way to bring the two rooms together in a cohesive design. 

KITCHEN TABLE AND CHAIRS

Some kitchens are big enough to accommodate a small table and chairs for a less-formal dining experience. If your kitchen falls into this category, consider a matching table and chairs set that suits the look you’re going for in the room. 

Keep in mind that even if you change nothing else about the space, simply adding a lovely table and chairs can instantly add warmth and functionality to the room. 

POT RACKS AND SHELVING

Many people like to use their quality cookware as décor pieces in a kitchen. Pots hung on the wall or from the ceiling on racks designed for the purpose make attractive displays, especially when the cookware is clean and shiny. 

Alternatively, displaying and storing pots and pans on shelves hung on a wall rather than in a cabinet will also be a treat for the eye as well as place your cookware within easy reach. 

If you’re like many people, the kitchen is the central hub of your home. As such, its décor should reflect your personal style and tastes. If you’re thinking of redecorating your kitchen, consider the ideas mentioned above to make it a more functional, welcoming place to enjoy your family and friends. 

REAL ESTATE TERMS EVERY BUYER AND SELLER SHOULD KNOW

Real Estate Terms Every Buyer And Seller Should Know


REAL ESTATE TERMINOLOGY FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS

Whether you’re selling your third home or buying your first, the real estate industry is full of new things to learn. From complicated terminology to confusing acronyms, buying and selling homes can get a bit overwhelming if you don’t know the lingo. 

Below, we’ve put together a list of some of the more common terms and acronyms you’ll likely hear as you navigate the buying and selling process. 

REAL ESTATE TERMINOLOGY FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS

Appraisal – The appraisal is an estimate of a home’s worth. It is conducted by a trained professional who looks at things like the value of similar homes that have sold in the area, square footage, and the home’s condition to determine its value. 

Contingency – a stipulation in the real estate contract that places a condition on the buyer’s willingness to proceed with the purchase. If a contingency isn’t satisfied, the buyer may back out of the sale or get their earnest money back. 

Down Payment – Money paid upfront by the buyer to the seller usually ranging from $0-20 percent of the purchase price. 

Greatschools Rating – greatschools.org provides details of school districts so parents can make informed decisions about the schools their children attend. This website is especially helpful for homebuyers with children looking to buy homes in good school districts. 

Homeowner’s Association (HOA) – an organization that manages housing complexes and communities and enforces rules for the properties within. 

List Price – the price of a home as set by the seller and/or his listing agent. 

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – a collection of databases that lists homes for sale. Only licensed real estate agents can list homes on the MLS, and each agent pays dues to become a member of each one. 

Net Proceeds – the amount of money a seller ends up with after selling a home once agent fees and closing costs are paid. 

Pre-approval – an analysis by a lender of a buyer’s ability to repay a loan. Getting a pre-approved mortgage tells you how much home you can afford.

Short Sale – when a seller sells his home for less than his mortgage balance. This is usually the last step before a foreclosure. 

Title – a legal document that shows rightful ownership of a property. Once a property is sold, the buyer receives an updated title that shows his name as the rightful owner. 

Upfront Costs – includes all the costs a buyer pays including earnest money, inspection fee, and the appraisal fee. 

VA Loans – mortgage loan options offered by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs that cater to former and current members of the military and their families. 

Walkthrough – the last inspection of a home, done by the buyer and his agent, before the closing takes place. 

Zero Lot-line Property – a building that sits on the property line on at least one side.

This list isn’t all-inclusive as there are many terms in the real estate industry. It does, however, contain some of the more common words and acronyms you’ll come across as an average buyer or seller of residential real estate. If you hear any terms not on this list that you don’t know, be sure to ask your agent for an explanation before committing to anything.