Homeowner Tips

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.

5 Halloween Ideas To Turn Your Home Into A Creepy Nightmare

October 25, 2021 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Being cool and creepy at Halloween takes effort. You know the house, you’ve walked by it in your neighborhood – it looks like a horror movie set and you find yourself jealousy wishing your Halloween ideas would come together so perfectly. So if you’re about to swing your attention to Halloween, here’s some super-scary Halloween ideas to turn your dream home into a nightmare!

Make a plan: Don’t arrive at the decorations store or Walmart and go mad with the credit card, buying everything that looks dark and evil. Instead, make a plan of how you’d like to decorate your porch or front yard, and then shop with focus.
Pick your poison: Stick to one ghoulish theme. Don’t take the shotgun approach and scatter shot your porch with zombies, vampires, and ghosts. Choose one dark direction and execute without mercy.
Crazy clutter: Avoid making your display too busy. Creating a clutter of pumpkins, creepy crawlies and fake spider webs will lack impact. Know when to stop, which is hard because Halloween is so much fun.
Scary sounds: Stream some super-creepy soundtracks and play them on repeat over a Bluetooth speaker. Spotify’s four minutes of “Scary Clown Laughing” is a total freak-out. “Evil Girl” is even worse, which is why it’s had 1.2 million downloads.
Lights: Invest in striplights with a remote control or app to manage the colors and brightness. It will allow you to really create a mood and occasionally plunge your neighbor’s kids into darkness to really creep them out. Avoid lights that are white and bright.

Of course, Halloween is all about fun, so don’t stress and enjoy the season.