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Lisa Finks, Compass Real Estate

Lisa Finks, Lourdes Arencibia and Carolyn Duris, REALTORS on Chicago's North Shore.

Bob Shannon

DIY Home Projects to Help the Time Fly During the Pandemic

October 5, 2021 by Bob Shannon Leave a Comment

DIY Home Projects to Help the Time Fly During the Pandemic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:  Special Guest Contributor, Bob Shannon of Seniorsmeet.org

Staying at home more often means you’re doing your part to stop the spread of infection, but it doesn’t mean you have to be bored. When you’re not working or going out as much, there are plenty of DIY home improvement projects you can do to help pass the time. Working on small renovations can help boost your mood by giving you a fresh perspective. It can also boost your home’s value, which will come in handy when it’s time to list. Learn about a few of the best DIY projects you can do while staying closer to home below.

For exceptional real estate service, work with Lisa Finks, Lourdes Arencibia & Carolyn Duris! Call (847) 778-0540 or complete this form.

Give Your Cabinets a Makeover

Doing a full kitchen remodel might be tempting, but it’s a large scale project that requires the help of several professionals. If you’re trying to practice social distancing, it’s probably best to avoid such projects for the time being. Luckily, kitchens can be freshened up with many smaller-scale projects, too.

For example, there are so many possibilities for making your cabinets look like new. Repainting your cabinets or updating the hardware can give your kitchen an entirely new feel. Good Housekeeping says there are a lot of mistakes to be made when painting cabinets yourself, but knowing the pitfalls will help you get the best results. Plan ample time and buy the right materials, and you’ll love your refreshed space!

Revamp Your Master Bedroom

You probably spend a lot of time in your master bedroom, which is why it deserves a makeover every now and then. Looking at before and after is a great way to get inspired. Something as simple as a fresh coat of paint can enliven a dated bedroom. Or you can take it a step further by getting a new area rug, adding storage solutions or updating your window treatments to make the room look bigger.

Update Your Fixtures

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to revive your interior design is to update your hardware and fixtures. Installing new light switch covers, towel bars, door handles or shower heads is a great way to make dated features look new. You can replace all of these things with basic tools you probably already have around the house.

The best part of updating these fixtures is that the parts are small enough to be delivered to your house without racking up major shipping costs. You can also support small local businesses such as hardware stores by calling to order the parts you need. Many local businesses will ship items or allow you to pick up your order outside the store.

Put in a New Door

Many homeowners get fixated on interior improvements because it’s what they see the most. However, many exterior projects can be worth the time and money. In fact, when you consider the return on investment (ROI), many exterior renovations will give you a higher ROI than interior jobs. On top of that, you gain health benefits from being outside that are welcome at any time but especially during a pandemic, like stress reduction and an immune system boost.

Projects such as adding a deck, overhauling your landscaping or putting in a new garage door are great ways to boost your home’s value, but they usually require help from the pros. A smaller job to consider is a front door replacement.

Installing a new steel entry door costs about $1,300, but your return is around $1,200, according to Budget Dumpster. If your current door is in good condition, giving it a fresh coat of paint is a cost-effective way to boost your curb appeal.

When to Call a Pro

It’s not in your or your home’s best interest to attempt certain projects. Roofing, electrical, structural, and major plumbing work is best left to the professionals as tackling these projects on your own could be dangerous and possibly damage your home. For example, if you need a roof replacement or repair, reach out to the skilled and reliable professionals. If you want to surround the perimeter of your property with a fence, work with reputable contractors instead of doing the work on your own, as professionals will be aware of underground utility lines. As you vet fence companies, read reviews and feedback from past customers.

Doing DIY projects is a great way to be productive when you’re self-isolating. Many projects are cheap and easy to do, while also increasing the value of your home. Plus, when you take on small-scale projects, you can usually get the items you need delivered to your door, making it easier to practice social distancing.

*****

Bob Shannon created SeniorsMeet.org, along with his wife, Mary, to have a website that allows seniors to meet up and talk about topics that are relevant to their daily lives. They hope to build SeniorsMeet into a community of like-minded seniors.

Filed Under: Home construction, Home Decor & Garden, North Shore Lifestyle, Odds & Ends, Real Estate Tips

Thinking of Downsizing? Don’t Make One of These 5 Common Mistakes

July 12, 2021 by Bob Shannon Leave a Comment

Thinking of Downsizing? Don’t Make One of These 5 Common Mistakes

Thinking of Downsizing? Don’t Make One of These 5 Common Mistakes

(Photo via Pexels)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:  Special Guest Contributor, Bob Shannon of Seniorsmeet.org

Once many individuals reach their 50s, they begin the process of downsizing. With the kids all grown up and (mostly) out of the house, there is little need to hang on to so much stuff. From old trophies to unused gardening tools, you’ve likely found that you own more than you really need or desire. At this stage of life, it is common to want to simplify your life and move on to new adventures.

About to start the process of downsizing your home? Lisa, Lourdes & Carolyn of the Compass real estate team share five mistakes you should avoid to keep the process moving smoothly.

Holding on to too many items

Do you or your partner often get sentimental about material items? Those who tie their memories to objects will likely find it challenging to do any meaningful downsizing. Throwing away your child’s grade school report cards may even seem impossible. However, if you cannot separate your memories from the items in your home, it will be incredibly difficult to get rid of anything.

If this sounds like you, there are several options that you can explore. Although it may sound extreme, therapy can be surprisingly helpful. A trained counselor can help you understand why you feel such strong emotions when trying to throw out or donate belongings. They can also provide you with effective tools to work through the anxiety and sadness that you are likely feeling. If you aren’t experiencing significant distress about getting rid of items, an alternate option is to take pictures of special papers, artwork, and other items that you want to remember.

Taking excessive time to sort through your belongings

Another common mistake that many people make when downsizing is taking excessive amounts of time sorting through their belongings. Going through so many items at once can lead you to become distracted, which can substantially slow your progress.

To prevent ruminating over your belongings, and not moving forward as quickly as needed, set a time limit for yourself. During each organizing session, use your phone timer to stop yourself from getting caught up in distractions. This will ensure that you are staying on-task and that you complete your downsizing goals on time.

Staying in your current home if it no longer suits your needs

After downsizing your material belongings, you may find that your house is far larger than you need. If you now have one (or more) empty rooms, it is best to consider selling your home and moving into a smaller property.

Why is this so important? Upon purging a large number of items from your home, the temptation to fill it back up with new purchases can arise. Also, downsizing to a smaller home can give you access to extra cash from the sale of your current residence. These extra funds can be used to travel, pay off debt, or fund important purchases. When you are ready to sell your Chicago-area home, be sure to contact our experienced team.

Allotting too little time to sell your home

When planning to move to a smaller house, don’t make the mistake of allotting too little time to sell your current home. Despite your best efforts, this can happen if you find your dream home right away. In the event that you find yourself needing to buy before the sale of your home is finalized, you are allowed to request an extended closing.

Not hiring professional movers

Moving is stressful enough as it is. You can prevent injury and damaged items when using an experienced moving team. Professional movers can quickly and efficiently help you move everything to your new home, which saves you hours of time and effort.

Downsizing looks different for everyone. Whether this means selling everything and moving to a tiny house in the Caribbean or simply getting rid of excess clutter, using the above guidance can make the process even smoother.

*****

Bob Shannon created SeniorsMeet.org, along with his wife, Mary, to have a website that allows seniors to meet up and talk about topics that are relevant to their daily lives. They hope to build SeniorsMeet into a community of like-minded seniors.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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  • DIY Home Projects to Help the Time Fly During the Pandemic
  • When Do New Listings Come on the Market in Chicago’s North Shore
  • Thinking of Downsizing? Don’t Make One of These 5 Common Mistakes
  • Preparing the Most Competitive Offer You Can

Lisa Finks, Lourdes Arencibia & Carolyn Duris, 565 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL (847) 778-0540 info@northshoreaddress.com

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© 2019 Lisa Finks, Compass Real Estate. All Rights Reserved.

LISA FINKS, LOURDES ARENCIBIA & CAROLYN DURIS ARE REAL ESTATE AGENTS AFFILIATED WITH COMPASS, A LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER WITH A PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN CHICAGO, IL, AND ABIDE BY ALL APPLICABLE EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY LAWS. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. INFORMATION IS COMPILED FROM SOURCES DEEMED RELIABLE BUT IS SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES IN PRICE, CONDITION, SALE, OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. NO STATEMENT IS MADE AS TO ACCURACY OF ANY DESCRIPTION. ALL MEASUREMENTS AND SQUARE FOOTAGES ARE APPROXIMATE. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO SOLICIT PROPERTY ALREADY LISTED. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL, ACCOUNTING OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE OUTSIDE THE REALM OF REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE.