Re-Purposing Your Spaces
March 25, 2016 by
Filed under Blog
If you’ve been in your house for many years, it may not be working for how you live today. Downsizing is the answer for some people once the kids have left home, but it’s not for everybody.
You don’t need a major remodel to make yourself more at home in your home. Simply using spaces differently (with some new cabinets or shelves) can be just what you need to enjoy them a lot more.
For FunHave you always wanted a big model train layout, or a sewing and craft room all to yourself? Now is the time! If you just have one spare room, use lots of efficient storage which gives you the space to put in a day bed or futon so it doubles as a guest room. Also take a look at the light–maybe this could be the perfect houseplant nursery too.
Another thought about having space for fun is to move stuff out of the living room and into a back bedroom to give yourself an area for entertaining. “Home theaters” have gotten a lot more affordable–all you need are a big screen television, surround sound speakers, enough comfy seating for you and your friends, and a table for snacks and beverages. Doesn’t this sound great for a movie night or big ball game?
For Business
So many people have a home business these days. Joan and me, for example! Our paperless world of the future never happened, so if you have a business, you probably need an office. A spare bedroom is perfect for this purpose. You can even turn an extra walk-in closet into a micro-office with just a desk for your computer (no mothballs needed).
For Accessibility
As life goes on, some of us may need to use walking aids, scooters, or wheelchairs. Re-purposing, to you, could mean grouping your essential stuff close together to make it easier to get to. Or it could mean installing special low counter tops, widening areas for a wheelchair to fit, installing grab bars and ramps, or changing out the old bathtub to a shower that’s easier to get in and out of.
The YardThese days with so much concern about drought, a lot of people are getting rid of their lawns. Maybe you’ve had a lawn for years for the kids or grandkids to play on, or for your dog. If the lawn doesn’t really get used any more, now is the time to re-purpose the yard too by putting in drought-friendly landscaping, paths, and seating areas. You could even add a gazebo in the middle to entertain friends (plus, it’s a fun playhouse for the kids).
It’s time for spring cleaning, and spring rearranging.The Fix-It Professionals can help you with nearly everything in this article! We can assemble shelves and storage, move furniture, install outlets where you need them, put in your flat-screen television and speaker system, work on your landscaping, and help make your home more wheelchair friendly.Give us a call today to get started, and be sure to ask about hiring us on retainer for our very best rate.
Tips to Avoid Downsizing Surprises
March 14, 2016 by
Filed under Blog
You’ve done the math and the research, and you’ve decided the best choice for you is to downsize to a place that’s more in line with your current needs. Maybe it’s been a while since your last move (maybe even decades!) so you may run into some surprises when selling your old place and moving into your new one. Here are some things to consider:
Repairs Before You Sell
As you de-clutter and box up your things, you’re likely to uncover issues that you didn’t even know about, like cracks in the walls or foundation, pest or water damage,
weatherstripping that’s gone bad, leaky pipes, termite damage or dry rot in wood, and so on. Your house inspector may have missed those too, if they were hidden behind stuff, or under old carpet or paneling. This could get into some sticky legal issues, but as long as you did everything you reasonably could to disclose or fix issues before the house was sold, you’re unlikely to be held responsible if the buyer should try to sue.
weatherstripping that’s gone bad, leaky pipes, termite damage or dry rot in wood, and so on. Your house inspector may have missed those too, if they were hidden behind stuff, or under old carpet or paneling. This could get into some sticky legal issues, but as long as you did everything you reasonably could to disclose or fix issues before the house was sold, you’re unlikely to be held responsible if the buyer should try to sue.Repairs Before You Move In
Of course, repair issues when moving into a new place is the other side of the same coin. If you knowingly buy a “fixer-upper,” and have signed off on the problems that the inspector found, the new repairs are up to you. Some things may need to be done before you unpack so that you can get at trouble spots. Plan ahead and consider things like refinishing floors before you need to walk on them.
This Old House
Older properties will probably need more help than new ones. Over time, things just fail–water gets into masonry and wood, rubber seals dry out, window treatments need replacing, and so on. Another consideration is if your new place is in a historicbuilding or neighborhood, you may be restricted on what changes you can make, including what’s allowed in your yard, and the color of paints you can pick from. Be sure you know what the limitations are before moving in and making plans for clothes lines, bird feeders, and awnings.
Howdy, Neighbor
Speaking of neighborhood requirements, it’s important to know exactly who is responsible for maintaining what and when. In some areas, you’re responsible for everything out to the curb, including the publicly-used sidewalk. In other neighborhoods, the home owner’s association (HOA) takes care of common areas like sidewalks, curbside strips of lawn (or even all exterior landscaping), parking spaces, benches and picnic areas, and so on.
Different Strokes for Different FolksBut what about the different kinds of units that aren’t simply the old-fashioned single family house type of dwelling, like condos, apartments, a duplex, or the planned unit development (PUD)? All of them are different, depending on the rules of who owns them. In some places you can’t touch a blade of grass, but the property owner does all the maintenance, inside and out. In others, you’re completely responsible for all the maintenance and landscaping of your unit.
When you’re ready to move on down to a smaller place, make sure you understand everything that you’re responsible for maintaining, and get it all in writing so there are no nasty surprises after you’re handed the keys to your new home.
If you’re considering moving out, or moving in, let the Fix-It Professionals help you get everything ship shape, inside and out. We can even help with your heavy lifting! Whole-house (and yard) maintenance can be a lengthy process, so be sure to hire us on retainer to get the very best price and make your move easier.
