tips Archives - Page 2 of 3

Wallet Wisdom – 5 Tips For Saving Money on Your First Home

January 18, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Buying your own home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in your life. It’s complicated and even a little scary, but there are a few simple things you can do to make it easier and save yourself money at the time you’re making your purchase and over the life of your mortgage.

Continue reading for five great money saving tips you can employ when buying your first home.

Plan ahead

Whether you are dreaming of a ranch in the country or a project home in Sydney, one of the best things you can do to prepare for home ownership is to reduce your debt. Not only does it make room for the mortgage payment in your budget, you’ll get a better interest rate that can save thousands over time.

What Can You Afford

Don’t base this off of the highest loan amount that you can get approved for because going for the maximum can leave you in over your head later on. Instead, look at your budget and decide what you are comfortable with for a monthly payment. You can start with a home loan eligibility calculator to help you choose a price range.

Get Expert Help

Getting a professional home inspection will help you to find problem areas before you buy and save you money on repairs. Even if you are a handy person, it’s better not to assess things on your own. If the inspector finds something you can ask the seller to deduct that amount from the price or to fix it before you sign the contract, plus you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into.

The professionals helping you to find your dream home should also be willing to help you, from your realtor or your mortgage broker to your conveyancer. Ask questions and be suspicious of anyone who doesn’t seem willing to explain the process. Remember, they are working for you.

Know What Your Agreeing To

There can be costs that are separate from the mortgage, such as Homeowners Association fees. These can range from $50 to hundreds per month on top of your mortgage and taxes. Read HOA agreements thoroughly and be sure you understand what the additional cost will be. Take into consideration concessions such as stamp duty or removal costs if you plan to renovate part of the property.

There are also helpful options, such as a First Home Owners Grant, that you may qualify for to help with the cost of buying your first house. Look at the whole picture, not just your monthly house payment.

Kinds of Mortgage

All mortgages are not created equal, so do some reading and see which kind of mortgage will be best for you. It’s smart to talk with your realtor or mortgage broker, but in the end, you will be the one making the payments so it’s important to understand what you are signing up for.

Having Money Saves Money

It’s not a requirement, but if you save up a deposit of at least 20% not only will it improve the interest rate you will be offered but you can avoid having to pay for Private Mortgage Insurance. A PMI agreement protects the seller in case you default and it can add up to thousands over the life of your mortgage.

Ready To Make An Offer

Once you fall in love with a particular house chances are someone else will be interested too, so be prepared to act. By knowing how the process works, what you can pay and being ready to make an offer you will be in a position to snap up that perfect house before anyone else can.

The Household How-To: 10 Tips For Decorating a Master Bedroom

December 27, 2017 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

Master bedrooms are arguably one of the most important rooms in any given house. It’s the room you, the owner/renter of the house spend quality time by yourself or with your partner, it’s where you sleep, it’s where you have privacy and it’s where your more personal items are stored. It isn’t a room for anyone or everyone, it’s a private room, and that’s why it’s important.

Making sure your master bedroom is set up the way you want it to be set up is key in ensuring the bedroom feels like your room, and getting it right can be a finicky project. To help you out with this all-important task, we have written down 10 tips for decorating your master bedroom.

Use of Space

While some people like bedrooms to be spacious and relatively uncluttered to promote a clear and free feel, others feel like this wastes crucial space in your home on nothing more than floor space. If you lean more toward the latter kind of person, getting yourself a two-storey bed frame might be a good idea. It elevates your bed to above head height, making room on the floor while still keeping a bed set up.

Lighting

The lighting in your room helps to contribute to the mood, and therefore has a direct impact on how you feel about this personal space of yours. Warmer coloured lights give a more homey feel to a space, while cooler lights in white or blue give a less personal, more sterile feel to your space. Whichever you prefer is what you should go with, after all, it is your bedroom.

Curtains

The curtains in your room should reflect your personal sense of style, as they are the covering for the entryway for the most light in your bedroom. Blinds are just as effective as large, heavy curtains, and often cost less too, so exploring based on taste and preference can be more affordable than you previously thought possible.

Art

The art in your room or lack thereof is entirely up to you, but many people feel that the presence of art makes the room feel more personalised and comfortable. Large sculptures are usually only appropriate in larger rooms, however paintings and small sculptures work well in master bedrooms and promote a healthy artistic outlook on life.

Furniture

The furniture in your room is usually decided by how much space you have, although a couch is often a good addition to a medium to large sized bedroom for working on or to have as a place to sleep if a friend comes around.

Utility Items

Utility items are things like dirty clothes baskets, wardrobes, or bedside tables. Having a bedside table with power point facilities and a lamp is a good idea, as this allows you to charge your phone, plug in an alarm clock, and read by lamplight if you want before bed.

Entertainment

Having a television in your room is a divisive issue, as many people like to fall asleep watching movies or at least like to have the option to watch something if they can’t sleep. There are studies, though, that have proven that a television in your room restricts your sleep cycle significantly, so do your research before plugging in that new 50” screen.

Storage

Storage options in your room could be limited, depending on the space, so making use of all of your available room is important. Try buying plastic tubs and storing them under your bed, packed full of items. This will prevent them from getting dusty while keeping your room clear.

Walk-In Wardrobe

A walk-in wardrobe is an incredible thing, and if you happen to be lucky enough to have one you’ll understand all the space you save in your main bedroom. Try using the space for all of your clothes, and not just the hanging ones. This frees up a lot more room in your main room than might seem possible from such a small adjustment.

Ensuite

One of the best features of a master bedroom is the ensuite. Decorating your ensuite should be fun, because it’s your own personal bathroom. Put a speaker in there for music, and some scented candles for those times when you just need to relax.

With these 10 tips in mind, your master bedroom will basically decorate itself. Have fun with setting up your personal space, and remember to make it represent you!

4 Vital Tips for Hiring an Electrician

August 21, 2017 by Painter Mommy 14 Comments

Let’s face it – even the best maintained houses most certainly need electrical repairs from time to time. After all, you can’t possibly expect things on the electrical front to run smooth as butter till the very end. That’s just not going to happen.

However, it is vital to note that taking matters into one’s own hands in this regard is extremely foolhardy, to say the least. Not only because you don’t have any expertise in this area, but there is also the dangerous possibility of you electrocuting yourself, if you end up fiddling around too much with wires.

Hence, whether it is a electrician in Melbourne or anywhere else for that matter, make sure that you leave the work to the real experts who know that they’re doing. Sure, you might have read a bit about how to fix electrical problems, but that most certainly does not mean that you can translate that knowledge into practical application.

You’ll be much better off hiring a professional electrician. As simple as that. However, the catch is that these services are anything but reasonably priced, plus there are a couple of important aspects that one needs to keep in mind before zeroing in on a particular electrician. On that note, here are 5 vital tips to keep in mind while looking out for the best electrician for the job.

The hourly rates of an electrician are misleading: This is an aspect that too many people pay attention to. Just remember – a well-equipped, skilled electrician charging close to 70 dollars an hour is a much better bet than an amateur electrician working with inadequate parts charging 35 dollars an hour.
Compare the travel charges of different electricians: In some ways, these are easier to compare than hourly rates in general. For instance, on a longer job, a low hourly rate and a trip charge does make sense. However, for a shorter job, a electrician that charges a higher hourly rate is better.
Be prepared before the electrician arrives: This will ensure that you save both time and money. Let’s face it – the less time the electrician spends dealing with petty issues, the more money you end up saving.
For instance, you can make a list of things to inspect and service as soon as you call the electrician. Then when he comes over, all you need to do is show him the list.
Make sure you install money-saving electrical fixtures: This can be something as simple as switching from ordinary light fixtures to fluorescent ones, or even motion detector switches to help conserve on outdoor lighting. Not only that, but this will also provide an extremely cost-effective security to your home. Additionally, creative landscape lighting is also an aspect that will ease up the pressure on your huge electricity bill.

Ultimately, you need to do whatever it takes and make absolutely sure of the fact that you hire the best electrician for the job. That is absolutely vital. It is equally important for you to realise that there’s really no need for you to unnecessarily rush the process of looking for a electrician that suits your needs.

Just remember – A electrician who is not well-equipped or experienced enough to deal with your particular home surroundings can very well end up causing a lot more harm than actual good. People who are looking to get the job done as soon as possible and on a shoestring budget would do well to keep that fact in mind at all times.

4 Tips for Making a Painting Studio in Your Home

July 14, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Whether you’re a professional painter or a budding novice, setting up a painting studio in your home is a wonderful way to develop your skill and encourage more time with your hobby. Make your art space both functional and inspirational with these tips.

Set a Designated Space

You don’t need a large home to have a designated art studio. You simply need a specific corner you can devote to the task. Choose an area large enough to accommodate an easel and art cart, at a bare minimum. If you can set aside an entire room for this purpose, so much the better. Make sure you keep other items out of your art studio. Don’t let bills pile up on the desk or toys creep onto the floor. Be vigilant about keeping this area for one purpose only.

Keep it Organized

Organization is essential in your home painting studio. You don’t want to waste your time searching for the right brush or paint color when you’re feeling that invigorating spark of inspiration. Make sure your tools are always at the ready so you can get to work at a moment’s notice when you have a vision in your head.

For paints, consider using a tiered spice shelf or layered cupcake stand to keep several colors visible at once. If you use small squeeze bottles, glue a magnet to the bottom of each and mount a metal tray to the underside of a cabinet. You can then hang the bottles upside down so the paint is always ready to flow. Stick paintbrushes in a planter filled with marbles or hang them from rows of hooks mounted to the wall. Keep it all neat so you always know where everything is.

Include Inspiration

If you’re working in a stark, dreary space, you may find inspiration frustratingly elusive. Create a bright and beautiful area that entices your inner muse to come out and play. Fill your art studio with things that you love, whether these are vases of bright blossoms or sleek modern sculptures. Make this a place that invigorates and invites.

Control the Climate

Artwork prefers a stable climate with minimal fluctuations in temperature and humidity. If you’re storing finished pieces in your painting studio, you should make sure the temperature stays within a 20-degree range and humidity doesn’t vary more than 20 percent. Low humidity is best to keep your pieces safe and help new paintings dry in a reasonable amount of time.

You can control the climate in your art studio independently from the rest of your house with HVAC zoning. This enables you to set different conditions for each zone of the house. You can keep your art studio cool and maintain a lower humidity level by running the air conditioner regularly there, while setting a higher temperature in the rest of the house.

Your newly organized painting studio will give you everything you need to create masterpieces and store your art safely. All that’s left is to find some quiet time to create!

5 Laundry Room / Mudroom Design Ideas

June 9, 2014 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

A mudroom or a laundry room, whatever you name it, is a multi-purpose area that is invariably becoming one of the most important spaces around the home. Whether you’re renovating your current abode or building a new home, your laundry room design and decoration deserves to gain the same attention as your kitchen and bedroom.

Although not the biggest room, but for some, it certainly is one of the most important and most used spaces around the home. From adding a space to store hockey bags to incorporating a project work area, laundry rooms are extensively being used as multi-functional spots for more than just cleaning clothes.

Here’s presenting a comprehensive list of 5 useful tips to help you design and build an ideal laundry room:

Let’s Begin With Flooring

Your laundry room is exposed to consistent foot traffic so make sure you opt for a floor that is easy to clean and is also durable. Linoleum, concrete or tiles constitute some of the best choices while selecting suitable flooring for your laundry room.

Also, if you could incorporate a space where you can wipe off your feet while entering the room would simply be amazing. You can add in a circular right at the entrance of the room, plus it would also help in enhancing the décor of the room.

Equip It For Rainy Days

If your laundry room, also doubles as a mudroom, then it will be helpful to have a dedicated space to hang hats and coats. This area should be loaded with sufficient amount of hooks. Be sure to hang the hooks over a rug so that the water can be easily absorbed in case it drips off the clothes.

Enhance Your Walking Space

The more storage space you have the better. Make sure you build spots to store muddy shoes such that you don’t track dirt and mud throughout the house in rainy seasons.

This place would also constitute an ideal storage space for toys that are meant for exterior activities only.

From Laundry Room To Cozy Niche Space

There are laundry rooms which don’t even look like one. Even you can transform the look and feel of your laundry room and make it a cozy place by working on its color palette. Try feminine cottage style décor with softer hues to make it a comfortable niche space.

Just a little forethought and you can transform your boring laundry room into a cozy space to read on your favorite book away from the family. Such an environment is certainly going to make laundry feel like a less chaotic task and more of a tranquil getaway.

Have Your Way To Storage Space

Storage is certainly the most important aspect of laundry rooms, so make sure you take advantage of ever inch you can. Build up your storage space as close to the ceiling as you can.

Place shelved cabinets which run horizontally above the washer or dryer unit. There you’ve build a perfect place to hold you laundry essentials.

About Author: – Bob Fortune is a professional writer & worked as an Customer Service at Fortune Restoration. Fortune Restoration is one of the best companies in Chicago for providing Services like Painting, Restoration services for residential homeowners from Hyde Park to Lincoln Park. To Connect with Bob Fortune in Google plus click here.