How To Choose A Realtor For Buying A House?
Are you planning to buy a house but aren’t sure where to start?
Buying your dream house is always a special and sentimental experience. However, it can quickly turn stressful when not planned carefully.
Thus, the first and most crucial step before investing financially in a property is to hire a professional realtor.
Experienced agents act as guides to help you find a perfect home within a preferred budget. Since they are familiar with the technicalities of the process, they ensure smooth and quick navigation for the clients.
However, finding a realtor that fits your preferences can seem highly daunting. Therefore, seek the help of online services, ratings, and recommendations to hire a desirable agent.
Get Referrals
Seeking referrals from a close network of family and friends is an old and proven method of hiring a realtor.
Since there is a wide range of options available at our disposal, it is natural to feel lost when shortlisting an agent. Thus, it is recommended to get authentic references of potential candidates that fit your budget and requirements.
Furthermore, inquire about their skills, behavior, and client service before interviewing the agents.
Do Background Research
When finding a realtor, it is mandatory to do a preliminary check of their work and credentials. Thus, make sure you explore their website and social media accounts to track past performance.
Also, ensure to look at online reviews to further verify your facts. While an authentic realtor has a mixed set of opinions posted on their website, one-sided reviews are a huge red flag.
A desirable realtor is a certified and licensed candidate with no record of disciplinary complaints. Therefore, do not forget to ask for license details and references before making a final decision.
Prioritize Local Market Experience
Knowledge of local market trends is an underestimated factor that must be considered when shortlisting a realtor for your home.
A realtor familiar with the nuances of the local real estate market can help you find your dream house in no time.
Since experienced professionals stay up to date with the newly listed homes and average sale prices, they can further help you get better deals and impressive discounts.
Focus on Communication and Compatibility
Buying a house is a complicated process that can be highly strenuous especially for first-time buyers.
Thus, it is advisable to opt for a compatible agent you can easily communicate your vision to.
Additionally, finding a realtor who can answer all your queries and ensure you don’t feel overwhelmed is an essential part of the home purchasing journey and shouldn’t be rushed.
Merry Christmas to All
It’s Christmas Eve Eve! Time for me to finish wrapping the last of the presents and celebrate! I’ve got a light menu planned during the day since we’re going out to eat on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will be driving around looking at Christmas lights and popping in to see a few friends.
I’m feeling extra nostalgic because this is likely the last Christmas we will celebrate in this house. We’ve raised the family here but now we’re ready to move on. My daughter is off to college next year and my family will be looking for a fresh start.
This has been our home for twenty years so it’s bittersweet to be celebrating the season one last time in this space.
I want to say thank you to all of you who visit this blog and remain regular subscribers. You inspire me to keep writing and creating and I’m so grateful for all of you. Even though we’ve never met, you are all very special to me. I appreciate the comments and the encouraging words you share.
For those who celebrate, I wish you the merriest Christmas with your family and friends. I’ll be taking a few days off but I’ll be back next week with a roundup of lessons learned from 2021, it was an interesting year for sure!
Sending much love and feeling so much gratitude for all of you.
Ideas for Gifting Experiences
If you’re still wondering what to give that special person, there’s still time to give someone the gift of an experiences!
Perhaps they’d prefer the gift of a memory instead of a thing. What are they passionate about? What have they mentioned they’d like to try? Below is a list of ideas for gifting a great memory to someone you care about this holiday season.
Tasting Experiences
Consider a culinary or market tour your person may enjoy. Airbnb Experiences and Trip Advisor are great sources for ideas in their area. Look for specialty food gatherings, wine tours, pub crawls, local market tours, and chef led tastings available in their area.
Online Courses
No doubt you’ve seen the ads for Masterclass with all the experts and celebs they’ve rounded up to teach classes. Skillshare and Creative Live are also great sources for anyone who wants to gain more knowledge in their hobby or profession.
Fender teaches guitar to beginners and Flowkey will help them learn piano. If there is a podcaster or mentor they are inspired by, consider one of their courses as a gift too. Airbnb now offers online culinary experiences and tours for anyone who wants to travel to or taste or learn from someone in a different part of the world.
Local Excursions or Tours
I’ve had great success over the years with Get Your Guide. I’ve booked multiple tours and excursions in foreign countries and also right here at home in the Wine Country and San Francisco Bay Area. Day trips by boat, bike, or van allow one to explore different areas even in their own backyard. Each experience has multiple written reviews and a gift card will allow them to book whatever experience they like near or far.
Memberships to Museums, Parks, & Gardens
Are there local museums, galleries, parks, academies, or botanical gardens they love to visit? A membership will allow them access anytime they want. Are they off on a road trip next year? Consider the America the Beautiful pass with access to all National Parks.
Local Classes
Who are the makers in their neighborhood? Creatives can learn from local artisans, and foodies can learn from local chefs or take cooking classes at Sur La Table. Do they want to learn to dive or paint or become a beekeeper? Getting them started on a new hobby is very thoughtful and they’ll think of you each time they show up for their new class. 🙂
Daycations
Perhaps there is somewhere close by where they could relax for a day? Most busy moms would appreciate that, but also anyone with a busy schedule who could use a day off . Check out Resort Pass for local hotels and resorts offering use of their amenities for a day!
all images courtesy of Canva pro membership
4 Great Tips for Decorating the Wall with Canvas Prints
Gone are the days of standard prints on the wall, nowadays you can completely personalize what you hang on your wall at home.
Whether you’re having precious photos printed on canvas, or ordering your favorite fine art reproduction, there’s plenty to choose from.
To be honest, that doesn’t always make decorating your home easy. How do you ensure that your wall decoration still fits well with the rest of the interior, and that the whole looks tasteful and also original? Here we give you 4 great tips for decorating the wall with canvas.
Don’t be afraid to mix
When it comes to wall decoration, there are few rules. So don’t stop yourself from experimenting and mixing different media. For example, combine a photo printed on canvas with that large clock, smaller photo frames, a cool wall lamp and a shelf with a plant. Other ideas for wall decoration include musical instruments, found objects, beautiful pieces of cloth or fabric, dream catchers, crockery and mirrors.
To make it a whole, make sure that the colors and style of all decoration objects match. For example, a modern, sleek clock should have a more minimalistic image, while a classic wall lamp fits beautifully with a lush ivy hanging plant and a beautiful photo of a special family moment. Also consider the color of the wall itself when choosing the pieces, and the rest of the interior in the room.
Go for the right print in the right space
The living room is probably the first room where you think of hanging canvas prints. But don’t forget the rest of the house either! Where a stylish photo collage or a large statement piece works well above the sofa, the hall, for example, is a nice space to hang a medium-sized family portrait. This way, everyone who enters immediately knows which household they are in, and this is also the last image that visitors see when they leave the house.
The kitchen? Of course, images of food items do well there. Keep in mind that shooting food is a specialty, so make sure that if you take your own photos, they are also of print-worthy quality. It can be fun to combine the images with a chalkboard for the groceries and pans on the wall.
In the toilet you can play with prints again. Will it be some inspiring sayings, or just that one slightly embarrassing, but super funny photo from an amusement park? The study, on the other hand, does better with a calm image, a favorite piece of art for example, or a more artistic portrait in black and white. In the bedroom you can take advantage of the more intimate atmosphere with photos from the wedding, or a special photo shoot you did with your partner.
With or without frame
The great thing about most canvas prints is that they can be hung without a frame. If you want to protect the print a little more, or simply give it a different style, consider putting a frame around it. The print gets a more chic look with a frame, and you immediately have the chance to play with color and style. A classic frame for a classic photo, a clean frame for a clean image. Or you mix it right!
Involve the whole household
Do not make the selection of canvas prints for the wall a lonely task but give everyone in the house a voice. Children will especially enjoy being able to pick out their own picture for the wall.
Beautiful canvas ideas for the baby and children’s room are of course photos of the whole family, images of moments that the child is proud of (such as that one successful birthday party or the presentation of the swimming diploma) and of course prints of the favorite heroes the little one. Or how about officially framed versions of the most beautiful works of art the child has created?
But your partner will also have their own ideas about what she or he would like to see on canvas on the wall. And who knows, very nice ideas, which you would not have come up with so quickly! So discuss the options together and make sure everyone agrees with the final choice. This way everyone in the house enjoys looking at the pieces on the wall.
How The Kitchen Changed With A New Door & Our Holiday Decor
It’s wild to think that this is our second year of decorating this house for the holidays (what even is time?!) but first a ton of you were asking to see what happened to the kitchen side of the space once the new door went in. Our last post covered all the photos and angles of the new kitchen porch we created outside – just steps away from our cooking area inside. So let’s take a look at what went down inside. Here’s what the kitchen is looking like these days:
table | chairs | sconces | pendant | floating shelves | wall shelf | hardware | cabinet color: SW Artsy Pink
It’s always fun to rewind, so if we take a step back in time, this is the kitchen as it looked when we bought this house in Feb of 2020:
We talked about our initial updates to the room waaaaay back in this post from May of 2020 (before we moved in).
Continue reading How The Kitchen Changed With A New Door & Our Holiday Decor at Young House Love.
Yarn and Bead Tassel Ornaments
At the last minute I decided to embellish my tree with a dozen of these chunky yarn and bead tassel ornaments. I spied wood beads on sale at Michaels at 50% off and paired them with two colors of blanket yarn to create these ornaments with a boho vibe.
Each one takes just a few minutes and ten simple steps.
Supplies include chunky yarn of choice , 25mm wood beads, a variety of 10mm decorative beads, floral wire, scissors, a piece of 8×10” cardboard.
I’m sharing a video on Instagram Reels today to show the step-by-step process of making each one.
Written instructions below!
1. Wrap the yarn around the cardboard about 30-35 times. 2. Secure the tassel at the top with a 1 ½ foot piece of yarn to create the hanging loop.
3. Trim the bottom of the yarn with scissors to remove it from the cardboard. 4. Using tape to secure the end of the loop piece, insert it through the large 25mm wood bead.
5. Create a loop by inserting the yarn in the other direction through the wood bead. 6. Blend the end of the loop into the other yarn pieces.
7. Make a knot at the top of the wood bead to secure it in place and create the hanging loop. 8. Tie the top of the yarn with a separate piece of yarn to create a tassel shape.
9. Using floral wire, create a strand of decorative beads and wrap around the tassel. 10. Trim the bottom of the tassel so the yarn is even at the bottom.
Super easy! I finished a dozen in 2 hours while I watched a movie.
I love the combination of the yarn and wood bead textures!
You can use these as ornaments, as gift toppers, or make a beautiful boho garland with them too. 🙂
4 Great Tips for Decorating the Wall with Canvas
Gone are the days of standard prints on the wall, nowadays you can completely personalize what you hang on your wall at home.
Whether you’re having precious photos printed on canvas, or ordering your favorite fine art reproduction, there’s plenty to choose from.
To be honest, that doesn’t always make decorating your home easy. How do you ensure that your wall decoration still fits well with the rest of the interior, and that the whole looks tasteful and also original? Here we give you 4 great tips for decorating the wall with canvas.
Don’t be afraid to mix
When it comes to wall decoration, there are few rules. So don’t stop yourself from experimenting and mixing different media. For example, combine a photo printed on canvas with that large clock, smaller photo frames, a cool wall lamp and a shelf with a plant. Other ideas for wall decoration include musical instruments, found objects, beautiful pieces of cloth or fabric, dream catchers, crockery and mirrors.
To make it a whole, make sure that the colors and style of all decoration objects match. For example, a modern, sleek clock should have a more minimalistic image, while a classic wall lamp fits beautifully with a lush ivy hanging plant and a beautiful photo of a special family moment. Also consider the color of the wall itself when choosing the pieces, and the rest of the interior in the room.
Go for the right print in the right space
The living room is probably the first room where you think of hanging canvas prints. But don’t forget the rest of the house either! Where a stylish photo collage or a large statement piece works well above the sofa, the hall, for example, is a nice space to hang a medium-sized family portrait. This way, everyone who enters immediately knows which household they are in, and this is also the last image that visitors see when they leave the house.
The kitchen? Of course, images of food items do well there. Keep in mind that shooting food is a specialty, so make sure that if you take your own photos, they are also of print-worthy quality. It can be fun to combine the images with a chalkboard for the groceries and pans on the wall.
In the toilet you can play with prints again. Will it be some inspiring sayings, or just that one slightly embarrassing, but super funny photo from an amusement park? The study, on the other hand, does better with a calm image, a favorite piece of art for example, or a more artistic portrait in black and white. In the bedroom you can take advantage of the more intimate atmosphere with photos from the wedding, or a special photo shoot you did with your partner.
With or without frame
The great thing about most canvas prints is that they can be hung without a frame. If you want to protect the print a little more, or simply give it a different style, consider putting a frame around it. The print gets a more chic look with a frame, and you immediately have the chance to play with color and style. A classic frame for a classic photo, a clean frame for a clean image. Or you mix it right!
Involve the whole household
Do not make the selection of canvas prints for the wall a lonely task but give everyone in the house a voice. Children will especially enjoy being able to pick out their own picture for the wall.
Beautiful canvas ideas for the baby and children’s room are of course photos of the whole family, images of moments that the child is proud of (such as that one successful birthday party or the presentation of the swimming diploma) and of course prints of the favorite heroes the little one. Or how about officially framed versions of the most beautiful works of art the child has created?
But your partner will also have their own ideas about what she or he would like to see on canvas on the wall. And who knows, very nice ideas, which you would not have come up with so quickly! So discuss the options together and make sure everyone agrees with the final choice. This way everyone in the house enjoys looking at the pieces on the wall.
Eco-friendly flooring: Top 8 trends to watch out in 2022
The time has come! 2022 is almost here and it’s time to remodel your home with the hottest flooring solutions. However, if you are environment-savvy, just like me, then you may find it difficult to create the space you have always dreamed of.
The good news is that you don’t have to worry anymore. This blog post is all about sustainable flooring solutions that are going to rule the flooring industry in 2022 and beyond. Let’s begin:
Eco-friendly is the new flooring trend
Flooring is often a challenging thing to decide since it comes in different types, forms, shapes, materials and prices. When it comes to sustainable flooring, gone are the days when the options were limited. Thanks to the latest technological advancements, buyers have an array of choices, ranging from engineered wood to natural stone tiles
Sustainable flooring makes use of eco-friendly materials that look ultra-chic. This is an added bonus for environment-conscious people who believe in opting for sustainable solutions. However, it’s not easy to choose the right one from a plethora of eco-friendly options. To assist you in your journey, we have compiled a list of the hottest sustainable flooring solutions for 2022. Some are new, some are old and a few will blow your mind. Have a look:
Sustainably harvested hardwood
Hardwood is timeless, classic. It’s all-natural, durable, cosy and eye-pleasing, making it the most sought-after flooring material in the world. But if you want to make sure the flooring product you choose has a positive impact on the environment, then invest in certified hardwood products that are sourced from responsibly managed forests. Be sure to verify your hardwood floor is ethically and sustainably obtained.
Bamboo flooring
Bamboo is the perfect example of sustainable flooring. Although it often resembles traditional plank wood flooring, bamboo is much harder than oak and maple. On top of that, it expands and contracts less than hardwood, making it extremely durable and tough.
The best thing about bamboo is that it is a type of grass, not a tree. It is obtained from six to seven years old plants, generally available in a variety of colours, ranging from darker tones to natural light tones. Remember, carbonised bamboo isn’t as long-lasting as stained bamboo. So, try to invest in stained bamboo flooring.
Cork flooring
Cork comes from the bark of the Mediterranean oak tree, which regenerates itself in eight to twelve years, making cork flooring a sustainable solution. Some flooring experts even use recycled industrial materials, such as scraps from wine stoppers.
Cork flooring is available in both tiles and planks and provides nice cushioning and insulation. Also, it’s a great option to reduce noise and maximise comfort in the busy areas of your house, such as bedrooms, dining halls and living rooms. Be sure to keep it away from moisture-prone areas.
Natural linoleum
People often think of vinyl when they hear the word linoleum. Yet, the two aren’t relevant to each other. Vinyl is a synthetic material, whereas linoleum is organic. Though natural linoleum isn’t new to the flooring industry, it was left behind after the introduction of vinyl. As manufacturers, engineers, architects and designers are asking for it again, it is going to re-emerge with a great force in 2022.
Reclaimed hardwood
If you love rustic and vintage flooring, reclaimed hardwood is your thing. It is a popular choice in all sorts of buildings and decor motifs. Why? Because hardwood isn’t the best choice for people like us, who are environmentally conscious.
However, reclaimed wood is different. It is obtained from old wood, instead of a new one. It has the same aesthetic appeal as hardwood and can last for years when you take good care of it. In addition to being eco-friendly, reclaimed wood is pocket-friendly too.
Engineered hardwood
It’s cost-effective, eco-friendly and beautiful; there’s nothing like engineered hardwood. In fact, it’s more sustainable than its hardwood counterpart because of the way it’s manufactured. Engineered wood is produced by attaching a hardwood veneer to a plywood core, leaving more area to use the tree.
Natural stone tiles
This one is quite an obvious one – natural stone tiles. As the name implies, these floor tiles are totally natural. They are highly durable, extremely comfortable and easy to maintain. Plus, natural stone tiles won’t emit toxic gases, unlike white subway tiles.
However, their place of origin might become a concern for you. This is because some natural stone materials are mined on a large scale, which can leave a negative impact on the environment. Thus, it’s better to ask your local flooring expert about how they obtained natural stone tiles in Melbourne.
Glass tiles
Have you ever wondered what happens to the beer and wine bottles that are recycled? They get converted into glass tiles. Yes, tiles! These bottles are a good renewable source for manufacturing floor tiles that are great for bathroom and kitchen walls. Glass tiles have eco-friendly characteristics and are non-absorptive, stain-resistant and easy to clean. Unlike terrazzo tiles, glass tiles reflect light, adding additional light to the room. Plus, they come in a wide range of colours, patterns and finishes.
There you have it – a list of eco-friendly flooring solutions for 2020. Which one is your pick and why? Do let us know in the comments below.
https://www.passivehouseca.org/?p=740
2022 Printable Calendar Collection
My friends, a new year is just around the corner! While you settle into these last few weeks of December, you can still plan for next year!
Introducing my new Calendar Collection for 2022! Over at my print shop, find six different designs to frame. These are all year-at-a-glance style. If you’re like me and like to look ahead or glance at a year then you’ll love these large scale calendars!
These are perfect for an office or kitchen or anywhere you need to quickly remind yourself of dates. I’ve created six different designs using my sketches and photography. I’ve blended artistic touches with the practicality of a calendar in an instant download!
These printable calendars are fantastic framed in poster size at 24×36” but you can also print them at 18×24” or 50x70cm (see below how they’re a perfect fit for the IKEA RIBBA frame).
Here are the six designs up close:
Boho Flourish
Watercolor botanical flourishes in earth tones surround this year-at-a-glance calendar.
Olive Leaves
Illustrated palm leaves surround this calendar with months identified in a script font.
*also available in a teal background, see the listing!
Blue Leaves
Cascading blue leaves beautify this calendar with months backed by blush pink squares.
Black Scallop
Sketched abstract scallop shapes surround this calendar in minimalist type.
Retro Surf
A retro style calendar featuring surfboards in a line with months displayed in minimalist type.
Beach Walk
Find instant serenity in this wall calendar in soothing blue tones and an ocean view.
I’m very excited to share these new designs with you!
Earlier this year, I wrote about the easiest way to frame large scale art under $50.
Each one of these prints can be framed and hung on the wall as a reference all year.
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Each digital download includes a 2to3 ratio which prints as large as 24×36” as well as a 3to4 ratio which print as large as the 18×24” size.
Also included is the 50x70cm size which sits perfectly inside this $15 IKEA RIBBA 19¾x27½” frame (also available in black). The 24×36″ IKEA RIBBA frames are only $20!
Find the 2022 Calendar Collection here.
Cabin Getaways Across the USA
This time of year I always look around for weekend winter getaways and cozy cabins always come to mind. How lovely it is to escape to a little cabin in the woods! In winter, nature is mostly dormant and invites us to slow down and recharge in anticipation of new seasons of growth. How lovely it would be to explore outdoors by day and sit and read by the fire by night in these featured homes.
Last year I featured cabin getaways and desert getaways. Today I’m back with even more cabins available for rent across the USA. These cabins offer appealing interiors that are just as lovely as their outdoor views. As much as I love a classic log cabin, it’s refreshing to see unique twists on traditional style or more contemporary looks on display in these getaways. They’re fun to glance at for design inspiration but you can rent them too! Click on the header links to explore more images and check out their availability calendar.
Sky Cabin | Washington
Coastal Hilltop | Oregon
Big Bear Lake | California
Lake Arrowhead | California
Mountain Chalet | Montana
Modern A Frame | South Dakota
Blushing Beaver Cabin | Oklahoma
Long Lake | Wisconsin
Frame | Pennsylvania
Fairytale Cabin | Vermont
Tiny Home | Tennessee
Catskills Cabin | New York
Modern Mountain | North Carolina
Lake Hartwell | Georgia
