5 Summer Home Renovation Tips that Won’t Break the Budget

High-impact home renovations don’t have to break the bank. As you use up some vacation days over the summer, consider spending some of your time at home to work on these low-cost, high-impact home renovations. Not only will they freshen up your space, they could also add value to your home.

 

1. Dresser Makeover

If you want to update your bedroom but don’t want to break the bank, simply give your old dresser a facelift with a new coat of paint and some new hardware. Popular colors for this summer include cobalt blue, sky blue, navy blue, lime, Kelly green, and neutral grays. These colors not only draw attention to the piece, they also mix well with other summer colors like yellow, pink, and white. Unique drawer pulls can be found at hardware stores, antique shops and sometimes even local garage sales. Applying textured wallpaper to drawer fronts is also a creative, affordable way to update your bedroom furniture.

 

2. Outdoor Overhaul

Have a garden that’s been neglected over the years and could use a little love? Spend some of your weekend sprucing up your garden with some new mulch, low-maintenance shrubs, creative edging, and a welcoming seating area. Install some solar lights to draw attention to the space at night. Consider incorporating planters to add interest to the space. Not only does tending to a garden benefit your home’s exterior appearance, it is also good for your mental and physical health.

 

3. Brighten Up Your Space

Nothing screams “summer” quite like warm, natural light flooding into your windows. One way to bring more of that light into your home is by installing interior glass doors. There are many ways to incorporate glass doors into your home, such as using them as entryway doors to your sunroom or office, or installing frosted glass doors to your pantry in your kitchen. Glass doors are inviting and promote openness, yet they still help separate spaces when necessary.

 

4. First Impressions

Surprise your guests with an updated entryway to your home. Start with a new entryway mat that welcomes your guests. From there, hang a lovely wreath on your door. Take advantage of the space with a storage unit that also functions as seating. Get creative with your decor. If you enjoy the natural decor, make your own coat or key hanger. Using a stick or some driftwood, install a few hooks and then hang it on the wall. You could even take it a step further and spray paint your custom coat hanger with metallic or summery colors. If space allows, bring more nature indoors with plant stands.

 

5. Bathroom Brilliance

Little changes can make a huge difference in your bathroom. Since updating bathrooms can add a lot of value to your home, first determine what updates are needed so you can budget properly. Any issues relating to plumbing, electric, and structure should be taken care of before other updates are made. If you plan on selling soon, determine if your shower, toilet, sink, or floors need updating. If you don’t plan on selling anytime soon, consider making minor changes to freshen up space by painting the walls a neutral color, adding storage to keep the clutter off counters, updating the sink faucet, and purchasing new towels.

 

Conclusion

The summer is a great time to tackle home renovations. Small improvements can make a huge difference both in the aesthetics and the value of your home. Even with a tight budget, some creativity and a little elbow grease can work wonders for freshening up space.

 

Indulge In An Experience, Not Just A Movie: How To Change A TV Room Into A Theatre Masterpiece

 

Having a home theater used to be considered a luxury reserved only for the wealthy. Key theater elements such as impressive sound systems and high-quality seating were once entirely too expensive for the average homeowner. However, today these things are affordable, meaning that anyone can build the theater of their dreams in their own home.

If you are looking to elevate your TV room to a theater masterpiece, there are some key accessories that will transform your movie-watching experience in no time

1. Black-Out Curtains:

A good set of black-out curtains is one of the most inexpensive items on the list, but a necessity nonetheless. Movie theaters are dark for a reason; by keeping the room dark, the picture on the screen can look its best as it is unaffected by light interference. Invest in a pair of black-out curtains which will completely block light out of your room.

2. A Quality Sound System:

One major difference between watching a movie in a movie theater and at home is the quality of sound. Movie theaters use surround sound which allows you to hear sound all around you. Also, movie theater sound systems pick up a wider range of frequencies so that the sound is much more realistic.

Investing in a good sound system is essential, and luckily, quality sound systems are more inexpensive than ever, with many exceptional systems costing under $2,000. Plus, most of these new models take up less physical space than they ever have.

Despite the fact that they are more affordable than before, this is definitely not a place to skimp as the quality of sound will make or break your movie-watching experience.
3. A Large, High-Quality Screen:

You can’t watch a movie without a screen. To really mimic the feel of a movie theater, you will want a screen that is at least 50 inches wide. There are countless high-definition LED televisions on the market that come in a range of sizes. These can be fairly expensive, however, especially when you opt for a larger size.

Luckily, there are many high-quality movie projectors which will cost you under $1,000. Many projectors offer features like 3-D capabilities and high-definition viewing.

To complete the theater experience, invest in a wall mount so that your screen is attached to the wall. These mounts are inexpensive but make a big difference when it comes to creating the feeling of a real movie theater in your own home.

4. Comfortable Seating:

No matter how good the movie is, it’s hard to enjoy a film when you are sitting in an uncomfortable chair. Comfortable seating is a crucial part of the movie-watching experience.

Reclining chairs are a favorite for home movie theaters, allowing the viewer to truly relax while enjoying their favorite film. Quality back support is a must as chairs with poor back support will cause pain and discomfort which will ruin the movie-watching experience. Extra features like heating and drink holders add an element of luxury and will be loved by all your guests.

Now that you have all the elements you will need to create a movie theater in your own home, there are some important tips to keep in mind while you put the room together. First, it is crucial that you do not place your speakers on any pieces of furniture. This will muffle the audio as the furniture will absorb much of the sound.

Secondly, arrange your room in a way that those entering or leaving the room will not be walking in front of the screen. This can majorly disrupt the viewing experience for the rest of those watching the movie.

Lastly, remember that the space between your screen and your seating has a large effect on your viewing experience. Sitting too close or too far away will negatively impact the way you perceive the quality and details of the movie. There are online calculators which will determine the ideal space between your seating and your screen based on the size of your room and the size of the screen itself.

Building a theater in your home is easier than ever, and by following these simple instructions you will have the ultimate theater masterpiece for friends and family to enjoy forever.

 

Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent: What’s the difference and How to Choose one?

Before someone can hold him or herself out as a “Real Estate Agent,” he/she must be licensed by the state in which he/she plans to work, either as an agent/salesperson or as a broker. Before a license is issued, minimum standards for education, examinations and experience, which are determined on a state by state basis, must be met. After receiving a real estate license, most agents go on to join their local board or association of REALTORS® and the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, the world’s largest professional trade association. They can then call themselves REALTORS®.  An agent may still practice Real Estate without being a REALTOR®, however this means that the agent has not completed the steps in becoming a REALTOR®.

As a consumer, you are not bound to choosing only REALTORS® or Agents, you may work with either.  There are many excellent agents that are not REALTORS®, however read on to discover some strategies in choosing the best REALTOR® or Agent for you.  Real Estate Agents, whether REALTORS® or not, are bound by certain legal obligations. Traditionally, Agents must consider and weigh your interests ahead of anyone else’s; maintain the confidentiality of your information; obey your lawful instructions; be responsible for reporting anything that may be useful or of consequence to you; and account for any money involved in your transaction.

A REALTOR® is held to an even higher standard of conduct under the NAR’s Code of Ethics. In recent years, state laws have been passed setting up various duties for different types of agents. As you start working with a REALTOR®, ask for a clear explanation of your state’s current regulations, so that you will know where you stand on these important matters.  The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics (which in many cases goes beyond state law). In most areas, it is the REALTOR® who shares information on the homes he or she is marketing, through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Working with a REALTOR® who belongs to an MLS will give you access to the greatest number of homes.

 

 

 

Mitra Karimi-Paydar

Crestico Realty

(310) 362 – 0828 (TEL)

(877) 881-2929 (FAX)

[email protected]

P Go Green!  Please consider the environment before printing this email 

 

 

Realtor(R) vs. Real Estate Agent: What’s the difference and What does it mean to you?

Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent: What’s the difference and How to Choose one?

Before someone can hold him or herself out as a “Real Estate Agent,” he/she must be licensed by the state in which he/she plans to work, either as an agent/salesperson or as a broker. Before a license is issued, minimum standards for education, examinations and experience, which are determined on a state by state basis, must be met. After receiving a real estate license, most agents go on to join their local board or association of REALTORS® and the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, the world's largest professional trade association. They can then call themselves REALTORS®.  An agent may still practice Real Estate without being a REALTOR®, however this means that the agent has not completed the steps in becoming a REALTOR®.

A REALTOR® is held to an even higher standard of conduct under the NAR’s Code of Ethics. In recent years, state laws have been passed setting up various duties for different types of agents. As you start working with a REALTOR®, ask for a clear explanation of your state's current regulations, so that you will know where you stand on these important matters.  The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics (which in many cases goes beyond state law). In most areas, it is the REALTOR® who shares information on the homes he or she is marketing, through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Working with a REALTOR® who belongs to an MLS will give you access to the greatest number of homes.

As a consumer, you are not bound to choosing only REALTORS® or Agents, you may work with either.  There are many excellent agents that are not REALTORS®, however read on to discover some strategies in choosing the best REALTOR® or Agent for you.  Real Estate Agents, whether REALTORS® or not, are bound by certain legal obligations. Traditionally, Agents must consider and weigh your interests ahead of anyone else's; maintain the confidentiality of your information; obey your lawful instructions; be responsible for reporting anything that may be useful or of consequence to you; and account for any money involved in your transaction

The Iranian Community’s #1 Real Estate Services Firm

Crestico Realty –

Speaking farsi isn’t enough!   There is more to being the Iranian Community’s #1 real estate services firm than speaking the language.  Not only do we speak your language, but we understand your needs.  Crestico Realty was founded by an Iranian-American to help serve Iranian community in the Southern California area.  At Crestico, your Iranian agent will be the difference between a pleasant, satisfying, and stress-free home buying or selling experience and an unhappy, stressful, dissatisfying one.  Many agents hold themselves out to be specialists in the Iranian community, but they are not. 

At Crestico, our agents spend time understanding and discovering your needs.  Many Iranian families are larger and more expanded than the typical “American Nuclear” family.  We understand you may have special needs when searching for a home.  We also understand the culture.  We know Iranians are warm hospitable and generous, which makes for wanting homes that are designed with entertaining lifestyles in mind.  We cut straight to the point to get you what you need.

Crestico Realty has helped numerous Iranians achieve the American dream of home ownership.  We get the job done and we do it smoothly with no hassles and stress.  We understand Iranian tradition and culture, ways of life and working, financial management strategies, faith, concerns, goals, needs, and dreams. We look forward to adding you to growing family of happy homeowners.

For more information please visit www.crestico.com or call (818) 784-2929