Falling asleep one night, you wake the next day to find out your garage has been broken into. Though being the victim of theft leaves most of us feeling angry and a bit helpless, there are alternatives. The garage is particularly vulnerable as it is almost never occupied. But it also contains items of considerable value. Here are some suggestions to help deter the bad guys.

• Routinely lock all doors before bed. Every night. Make sure the back door and garage door, as well as the house door, are all locked. Install bolt locks on all doors as well.
• If there is a window consider installing a simple curtain. If a thief is prowling don’t give them the opportunity to go window shopping.
• Cars doors should be locked and windows rolled up. If your trunk and hood are lockable then take care of this too. Buy a steering wheel lock, like The Club. Consider installing a car alarm. Burglars don’t like noise.
• Go to the local shelter and get a very large dog who likes to bark at strangers in the night. Bonus points for gaining a new friend in Fido and giving a stray a home.
• Really expensive items should not be left in the garage. No excuses.
• Expensive items like boxes of tools or containers of gasoline can be chained to the wall as a further obstacle. On this same note, when you’re done with your tools, don’t leave them out.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Spring has sprung. The flowers are in bloom. After a long winter you break out the hoe and start to dig a ten foot square plot for that garden you’ve always wanted to plant. Tomatoes, Carrots, corn, it’s all there and growing nicely. And then, after a Sunday morning paper and coffee, you step outside and realize someone has been shopping for free in your garden. Even more annoying, it is not your neighbor but the local squirrel, raccoon or deer that lives nearby. Rather than go hunting, stop by the hardware store, purchase a few items and build yourself a garden fence. Here are some items to purchase for the job:

• Four 4×4 weather treated wood posts for the corners of your plot
• Enough chicken wire to surround the area top to bottom. This should include a one foot section underneath the ground so the digging animals can’t tunnel in
• Screws to secure the wire to the posts
• A screw gun or drill to secure the screws to the post
• Wire cutters, or snips, to cut the chicken wire to size
• A shovel to dig holes and trenches for both the posts and chicken wire

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

You have finally settled in your new home. But after a few weeks you suddenly realize that spending anytime in your kitchen is like living in a cave. It is so dark in there that you just don’t want to spend any more time in the kitchen than necessary. Whatever the reason, there are options that can change the tone in the kitchen and make it a much more inviting place. From fixtures, to flooring, there are many choices available.

• Walls. Either a new coat of paint or wall paper could very well do the trick. Seek out pastel colors and prints. White isn’t the only option and can often be a bit much in the morning. Even if you’re looking for earth colors, there are light-colored options.
• Flooring. Deep-colored mahogany flooring may not be the answer. Seek out something lighter like birch. If staining is a concern, consider laminate flooring (which is also cheaper) or Kirei flooring. If tiles or linoleum are preferred, the same idea applies. Think light.
• Cabinets. Dark cabinets will suck light out of the room like a vacuum. Choose a lighter wood or go for a less expensive veneer. Alternatively, remove the cabinets altogether and install stainless steel shelving units which will open up the room more as well.
• Counters. A black counter top is not the answer. If stone, there are a number of different types that are both of a lighter color and of good quality.
• Fixtures. The obvious counter to a dark room is more light.
• Renovate. If structurally possible, you can break a hole in the wall and build another window.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

If you’re trying to sell your home faster and with the most profit, taking the time to choose the right company to represent you could make a significant difference in the whole process. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a realtor:

• How does the realtor look for buyers? Does he advertise in special publications, put out flyers, use a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? How much online presence does his company have? In this time and age, an agent who doesn’t advertise online is seriously undermining your chances of selling.
• Will you be giving enough time to pack and go? You want an agent that can work with your times. If you want to sell your home by the end of the month but not sooner than next week (so you have time to order moving boxes, moving supplies and to get things packed and ready), make sure he agrees to the option.
• How much will it cost you? What are the fees involved and are those negotiable should be one of your main questions. If the fees seem too high, see if you can get something lower in exchange for a reduction in services.
• Can you recommend a moving company? Many realtors know the business of moving well and can point you in the direction of a reliable, affordable moving company to help you get started with the packing.
• Finally, make sure that the realtor has experience selling your type of home, whether you live in a townhouse or a farm.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

As the size of your family increases, the available space in the house decreases. Even without a family, acquiring material wealth over the years can suddenly leave you without much room sometimes. One alternative is to move. But let’s say that is not an option. Another is to build an addition to your home. A better idea, but still costly. If this is the case, there is something you can do that will give you what you want without as much damage financially. Create an addition within your existing home. The most obvious example of this would be to turn your garage into a room.

After clearing and cleaning the garage out, fix the garage door to its frame and seal it from the elements. Have a contractor take care of any plumbing and electrical issues next. Then insulate and frame an interior wall around the perimeter. The rafters above can be used to hang a simple ceiling using whatever materials you like: wood, foam or panels. And the empty space above can still be utilized as an attic. Then install your carpeting or flooring and your ready to begin decorating.

All that stuff you moved out of the garage can be then stored in a simple tin shed in the backyard. Simple versions can be purchased at most big hardware stores and are easy to assemble. Cars can be left in the driveway, covered if necessary.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Everybody remembers to buy cardboard boxes to start packing things away, but buying enough sturdy packing tape may not be in the forefront of your mind. Sometimes (and especially during a stressful move), it’s the little things that make a world of difference. Here are 10 items that will help make your move a lot easier:

1. Cleaning supplies. You will need them not only to clean your present home before leaving but also your new place as soon as you arrive, especially in areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
2. Cleaning rags. They’re less bulkier than paper towels and easier to carry.
3. Disinfectant and rubber gloves.
4. Instant coffee or tea bags. A thermos or electric kettle for the hot water. This alone can make a world of difference when you need a quick pick-me-up.
5. A list. Make sure all your essential phone numbers (moving company, local contacts, hospital and others) written down together for easy access. Don’t forget addresses and specific instructions if you need them.
6. A roll of toilet paper and a few packs of tissues.
7. Permanent markers to identify moving boxes and the contents. You can mark them with something general as kitchen or bedroom, but also make notes of any specific items held inside. For example, mark which moving boxes has the coffee maker so you don’t have to go through the 10 cardboard boxes marked kitchen to find the right one.
8. Extra socks in case it gets cold or your feet get wet.
9. Wardrobe moving boxes. They’ll prevent wrinkles, so you won’t have to worry about ironing everything on your first few days at your new home.
10. Something fun, like a magazine or a game, so you can have a distraction when things get too stressful.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

There is much to consider when designing the wood flooring for your house. The first consideration is budget. How much is available to complete your project? Wood flooring is expensive. If you’re thinking about cheery, walnut or birch for example, you can expect the price to be high. If you’re not willing to substitute the beautiful look of more expensive woods but simply cannot afford the price tag, there are other options to consider that sacrifice little in the way of aesthetics.

One suggestion is laminates. Laminate flooring uses no wood at all. The composition of the flooring is created through a plastic, or resin, from melamine and formaldehyde. The result is a material that is easy to install, more durable than wood, easy to clean and, if treated with a protective covering (some are some are not), are very moisture resistant. Also, unlike wood, laminates do not stain easily or require excess maintenance like waxing or oiling.

Another option is Kirei Board. Kirei is created entirely from reclaimed agricultural fiber, specifically sorghum, and is heat-pressed into shape without the use of formaldehyde-based adhesives.  This makes Kirei a very green alternative to wood. Kirei Board is both very strong while being lightweight and is used in a number of finish applications including cabinetry and furniture.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Just as you need a first aid kit to take care of emergencies, you also need an emergency kit to ensure that the move is as smooth as it can be. Some of the items in the moving kit may be common sense, such as medicine and personal papers (drivers license, passport), but you also need others that may not be on the forefront of your mind as you’re packing your boxes:

• Essential electronics, such as your iPod, cell phone and camera, as well as any cables you need to charge them, or extra batteries if that’s how they’re run.
• Something to keep you entertained. It can be a book or magazine, your Portable Playstation or a deck of cards. For the kids, a coloring book and crayons or a favorite toy.
• Basic cosmetics. You’re probably won’t be putting on full makeup while packing, but some powder or even a little mascara may come in handy if you’re feeling like a need a little pick-me-up. Don’t forget deodorant, toothpaste and some wet wipes.
• An umbrella or poncho.
• Painkillers such as Tylenol or Advil. Chances are somebody will develop a headache at some point during the move.

Finally, don’t forget the four-legged members of the family. Bring along your dog’s favorite toy and his water dish, and don’t forget the leash as well.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Whether you’re living with roommates, alone or are in a relationship, sometimes there is just not enough space in the bedroom. If you’re always tripping over something on the way to the bathroom, slamming your knee into the bed frame on the way to the dresser or never able to get to enjoy that window view because of the massive oak desk, there are other options.

Start with the the bed. One suggestion is a Murphy Bed. These beds are mounted on the wall with brackets. When it’s sleepy time just pull the bed down and when the morning comes just push it up against the wall. The second option is to build a loft that will free up space underneath.

A bulky desk can be taken care of in a similar way. Start by building a table top. No legs. Then use two heavy duty hinges to connect a long side of the desk to the wall. Two supporting struts can be attached and mounted on the lower portion of the wall. When the desk is pulled up to a horizontal position, the top of the struts can be drawn out to support the desk. Lowered when not in use this will free up much space.

Walls can also be used in place of leaving certain items on the floor. Instead of a coat stand, install hooks along the wall or back of the door. Instead of leaving that beautiful guitar on a floor stand, head to the music store for an easy to mount wall rack. Lamps can be wall mounted or hung from the ceiling too.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Moving is stressful no matter how well prepared you are. However, being organized when packing can make some of the issues go away or seem easier to handle. Even if you’re the kind of person that just “goes along with the flow,” a list can prove an excellent ally. Here are some ideas on how to use it:

• Make a list of all the moving supplies needed to pack and go, so you only have to make one shopping trip out to the store.

• List your valuables as you’re packing them or putting them aside, so you can then mention them to your moving company and decide whether or not you need to buy additional insurance.

• List the things you need to do at your destination in order to get things ready by the time you get there. These include turning internet connection and electricity on, checking online resources to locate hospitals or restaurants in the area, making a reservation for a car rental or getting a hotel room for a night or two if you have a long way to go and will need to stop.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites