Homeowner Tips

3 Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity

February 20, 2023 by khproperties Leave a Comment

If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years as home prices skyrocketed and you made your monthly mortgage payments. Home equity builds over time and can help you achieve certain goals. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, the average borrower with a home loan has almost $300,000 in equity right now.

As you weigh your options, especially in the face of inflation and talk of a recession, it’s important to understand your assets and how you can leverage them. A real estate professional is the best resource to help you understand how much home equity you have and advise you on some of the ways you can use it. Here are a few examples.

Buy a Home That Fits Your Needs

If you no longer have the space you need, it might be time to move into a larger home. Or it’s possible you have too much space and need something smaller. No matter the situation, consider using your equity to power a move into a home that fits your changing lifestyle.

If you want to upgrade your house, you can put your equity toward a downpayment on the home of your dreams. And if you’re planning to downsize, you may be surprised that your equity may cover some, if not all, of the cost of your next home. A real estate advisor can help you figure out how much equity you have and how you can use it toward the purchase of your next home.

Reinvest in Your Current House

According to a recent survey from Point, 39% of homeowners would invest in home improvement projects if they chose to access their equity. This is a great option if you want to change some things about your living space but you aren’t ready to make a move just yet.

Home improvement projects allow you to customize your home to suit your needs and sense of style. Just remember to think ahead with any updates you make, as some renovations add more value to your home and are more likely to appeal to future buyers than others. For example, a report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows refinishing or replacing wood flooring has a high cost recovery. Lean on a local professional for the best advice on which projects to invest in to get the greatest return on your investment when you sell.

Pursue Your Personal Goals

In addition to making a move or updating your house, home equity can also help you achieve the life goals you’ve dreamed of. That could mean investing in a new business venture, retiring or downsizing, or funding an education. While you shouldn’t use your equity for unnecessary spending, leveraging it to start a business or putting it toward education costs can help you achieve other lifelong goals.

Your equity can be a game changer. If you’re unsure how much equity you have in your home, connect with one of our Realtors so you can start planning your next move.

Time To Make Your Laundry Room Shine

January 12, 2022 by khproperties Leave a Comment

The humble laundry room is emerging as an influential part of the home for today’s buyers and renovators. Upstaged by new kitchens, many buyers rarely gave a thought to the laundry room beyond its practical function – until now. New interior designs and increasingly sophisticated washing machines have put ways of doing the wash at the front and center of many buyers’ thinking when viewing a home. Revamping your laundry room and making it a center or storage and organization can be a worthwhile upgrade before you put your home on the market. The room has become a hot button for buyers.

If you have a laundry room that needs a facelift, here are eight tips for a great renovation project.

Quality appliances: You can’t go wrong with installing excellent appliances. American and European brands are winners. Buyers love to see a front-loader washing machine next to a dryer.
Faucet favorites: The combination of a quality faucet and basin is critical to the success of a laundry. A swivel faucet is essential. You might also want to consider one where the hose can be pulled out and retracted. If you’ve got a dog, it makes washing them a breeze.
The look: Give your laundry room some style. You’ll find inspiration on the internet from sites like Pinterest and Houzz. If you’re selling your home shortly, keep the same color scheme as the rest of your home or use neutral colors and tiles.
Storage savvy: The laundry room is often the dumping ground for items that don’t belong anywhere including sports equipment that is out of season. So, focus on storage solutions to keep your space clutter-free.
Closet caper: Staying on the storage theme, you probably keep mops, brooms and vacuum cleaners in the laundry room. Consider installing a thin vertical cupboard to put them out of sight with specialized grip fittings to hold them upright.
Workspace: A striking aspect of a modern laundry room is bench space. If you can supplement that with a fold-down ironing board attached to the wall, that’s even better.
Stay dry: A rail above head height to dry shirts and dress on hangers is another popular inclusion because not everything can be thrown into a tumble dryer.

Nine Mistakes To Avoid With A New Kitchen

December 21, 2021 by khproperties Leave a Comment

No room carries more influence with a buyer than the kitchen because it’s where the everyone gathers and many memories are made. The kitchen can represent up to 20% of the entire value of a property, so it’s important to make sure it is both functional and attractive. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the common mistakes that we’ve seen in our daily lives as real estate agents to help guide you when you upgrade your kitchen.

Stay on budget
Set a spending limit. The cost of renovating a kitchen can go into six figures if that’s what you really want. So, be disciplined and work out what you can afford and what will offer a return on your investment. Talking this through with your agent can be a big help.

Going DIY
Unless you’re a kitchen designer, then put your new kitchen into the hands of experts. They know the tricks to maximize space and storage. They’ll also be familiar with the latest trends, which change all the time.

Follower of fashion
Don’t choose popular, fad colors that will date the kitchen in a few years. Keep your ambitions stylish and traditional, especially if you plan to sell in the short to medium term. Many buyers might not share your taste, and your hard work and money will have been for nothing.

Small countertops
It’s a mistake to try and create more floor space by sacrificing the countertop. You need to plan the use of every square foot of a kitchen, and priority needs to go on where you prepare your meals.

Storage shortage
It’s fashionable to take the gadgets off the countertops these days to deliver an uncluttered appearance. Every kitchen needs lots of storage, not just for equipment but food and drinks, too. Buyers will walk through your kitchen, opening and closing doors to see if the storage meets their expectations. They love corner-storage spaces.

Smoke gets in your eyes
Never forget the importance of ventilating your kitchen. A vent fan will push the smoke and smells outdoors so the rest of the home doesn’t take on the smell of old cooking.

Poor lighting
Illuminate the sink and areas where you will prepare food and eat. During viewings, agents will turn on the lights, as this makes the home feel bigger. Badly positioned lighting in a kitchen can be exposed.

No plug, no play
A common mistake is to have insufficient electrical sockets, especially around the countertop, where you will use a blender, juicer, coffee maker, and so on.

Waste of space
Be smart about where you place your trash. External bins on the floor are unsightly and unpopular. Your new kitchen should integrate a bin into a cupboard, preferably under the sink.

9 Ways To Avoid Housefires

December 15, 2021 by khproperties 1 Comment

A fire in your home can happen at any time of the year, but with colder months upon us it’s easy to see how the danger increases with the setting of wood-burning heaters and the use of candles to create a cozy atmosphere. Most fires start in the kitchen and are caused by neglect. You set something on the stove and then get distracted by the phone, children, or daily life – it happens that easily. Heaters are the second most common cause of a house blaze and, of course, the risk of this increases in the winter months when we find ourselves trying to warm up just a bit.

Signs that your wiring needs an upgrade include lights dimming when you use an appliance and regularly blown fuses or trips of your circuit breaker. If that’s the case, call a professional electrician immediately.

As we head into winter, here is a list of potential issues and how to ensure you and your family stay safe.

Install and test your smoke alarms. Make sure the battery is in good condition (change them every time you set your clocks back). When you’re sleeping, you won’t smell the smoke. Research suggests you might fall into a deeper sleep.
Check your chimney to ensure there is sufficient airflow. If your chimney blocks up, smoke will pour back into the residence. The collection of dirt and soot represents a fire risk. It’s a good idea to clean your chimney annually. Even if you don’t use your fireplace very often, other problems can occur that could lead to a devastating fire, so have it checked out and cleaned.
Another annual exercise is a check of electric blankets if you have them. Watch for loose wires and cords that have frayed. If in doubt, throw it away. They’re not expensive to replace.
Portable heaters are a great cold weather solution but don’t put them near curtains or tablecloths. If you need to dry clothes, leave them at least 1m away from the heater. Think of it as social distancing for clothes!
Electrical overload is always a risk if you load up one power point. Avoid doing so and always unplug and disconnect appliances that are not being used.
Before you hire an electrician, lookup his license number. It is important that any electrical installation work is carried out by people who have the knowledge, skills and experience needed to avoid the dangers that electricity can create.
Another appliance danger lurks in the laundry. Check your dryer for lint build up. Clean away anything that shouldn’t be there. It doesn’t take much for lint to light up. The #1 cause of house fire is dryer vent maintenance.
Candles in the living room, or even when you’re soaking in a bath, are romantic and relaxing. But you must extinguish them when leaving the room for an extended period or going to bed.
Kids and matches are not a good combination. Always stow matches, lighters and fireplace lighters out of their reach. A common mistake is to keep a gas stove top lighter in a handy drawer.
Never leave cooking unattended, especially if you’re deep frying. Fat fires can destroy a kitchen in minutes and are one of the most common causes of fires.

Is It Time To Call A Plumber?

December 9, 2021 by khproperties Leave a Comment

As a homeowner, you’ll inevitably have to call a plumber to deal with plumbing problems at some stage. It’s one of the ‘pleasures’ of owning property! Choosing the right contractor can feel a little overwhelming, but it is always important that you take swift action to remedy problems, or even ask a contractor to mitigate an issue before it arises. So here is a quick guide to help you select a plumber.

When seeking a quote, be clear on what you need. You can’t obtain comparable estimates if each plumber is asked to price a slightly different job. Always get a minimum of three quotes.
There’s no set price for plumbing work. A plumber will charge what they think is reasonable for the work requested, so don’t expect identical pricing.
Should you accept the lowest price? That will depend. The cheapest isn’t necessarily the best. Arguably, you’re best served by hiring the individual who listened to your issues, asked questions, and communicated their solutions clearly.
Ask for each plumber’s license number. Texas has license obligations for plumbers and varying abilities according to license type.
Be very careful of unlicensed plumbers. If you take the risk, there’s a much greater likelihood you’ll have problems, and your insurance company will show zero leniency. Run an online check of each plumber’s license number to validate it.
A license isn’t the end of the paperwork. Plumbers must hold appropriate insurance cover, too. Ask for details of their public liability insurance – this will cover any breakages, accidents, or injuries incurred on your property.
Did you know that not all plumbers are equal? Here’s the deal: Some can work on gas supply, and others will be qualified in handling drainage and roof plumbing issues. These tasks are all separate skills above and beyond traditional home plumbing.
Many plumbers work hard and will take on routine jobs on weekends. If they offer to come to your non-urgent job on a Sunday, check they’re not going to charge additional fees.

Design Ideas For Your Bathroom

November 2, 2021 by khproperties 1 Comment

Are you ready for some bathroom renovations? As anyone who’s completed a bathroom remodeling project will tell you, the most significant influence on design is the humble bathtub. Because of its size, its placement will dictate where other elements, such as the vanity, shower, and toilet, can be installed. If you’re dealing with a tight space, you should consider combining a bath and shower. This is often a better option than excluding a bathtub from the project altogether. If you’re living in a family sized home, you must have a tub. The reason? When it’s time to sell, you’ll exclude many young families as potential buyers if there’s no bath for the kids. There’s a lot to think about when buying a tub. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, of course, so below is a list of the eight most common design options to consider.

Remember, the design you ultimately select may require the relocation of water pipes, so build the cost of plumbing into your budget. Contact a bathroom renovation company to get an estimate of the project based on the design you prefer.

Recessed: Also known as “alcove baths”, these models are installed against three walls. Usually, you’ll find them against the back and side walls, as this location provides the greatest design flexibility in an average sized bathroom.
Freestanding: Popular choices include the infamous clawfoot tub. Usually, freestanding baths are made of enameled steel or cast iron but new models are fiberglass. Before you fall in love with one, you should be aware that they can be heavy. If you’re installing it upstairs, you may require engineering advice to ensure structural integrity.
Whirlpools and spas: These are extravagant, fun options. Different jet designs will dictate whether the model is more a whirlpool or a spa.
Soaker: With luxury and relaxation in mind, soakers are extra large models in which you can totally immerse yourself. Again, if the installation is upstairs, you may need to get advice about the structural impact of its weight.
Garden: Similar to soaker tubs, garden tubs are typically deeper and oval in shape. Named garden tubs because in the 1700s, French aristocrats often opted to place their tubs in or with views of their gardens.
Corner: As the name suggests, this model is placed into a corner of the bathroom. It’s perfect in a large space that offers lots of design options.
Undermount: These baths are spectacular but need space and budget. They’re freestanding and can be placed in the middle of the bathroom. Tiles usually encase them on all four sides with storage shelves added.
Platform: This is a freestanding bath that sits proud on a platform that is perhaps a one-step-height above the rest of the bathroom floor. They can look amazing.
Drop-in: The opposite of a platform bath, drop-ins are sunken into the floor or platform, which minimizes the visual impact.