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How-To Tuesday: Improve Your Home for Less Than $100

Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest differences in life. Small changes in your home can have a much bigger impact than you’d expect, and they’re easier on your wallet to boot. Check out the following tips for a few ways to improve your home for less than $100.

Switch Out Your Hardware

Get rid of the tired old brushed nickel door knobs and drawer pulls. Check hardware stores, home decor shops, Amazon, and even antique malls for stylish modern or vintage options.

Organize the Closets

You don’t have to invest in a pricey closet organization system to make your closet more appealing. Install some shelving and multiple rods for more hanging and storage space. Hanging shoe and sweater organizers are great for storing shoes, but they’re also the perfect home for bags, scarves, costume jewelry, and other accessories.  

Install Under-Cabinet Lighting

Add track lighting or just small LED lights under cabinets to add some brightness to workspaces. Add a dimmer switch for extra appeal.

Amp Up the Entryway

Transform your entryway into a functional space with shoe and coat storage. If you have the space, add a bench with built-in storage; if you have less space, a small table will work to hold keys, purses, and daily mail. If you barely have an entryway, think about adding some shelving or hooks to help create storage.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

Ditch the manual thermostat and buy a digital programmable thermostat. This will save energy and lower your electric bills. If you want even more convenience and savings in the long run, spend just a little bit more and spring for a smart thermostat.

Paint the Kitchen Cabinets

Give kitchen cabinets a makeover with a fresh coat of paint. To give your kitchen a super modern look, paint lower cabinets one shade and upper cabinets a different one. Blue is currently a very popular color choice for cabinets. Paint just the lower ones a royal or navy blue for some dimension and depth.

Update Light Fixtures

Get rid of those boring old contractor-grade light fixtures and boost your home’s style quotient with modern (and affordable!) fixtures. This is a simple change that can actually make a pretty big impact.

Revamp the Backsplash

Peel-and-stick backsplash options make adding or changing out a backsplash easier than ever. There are tons of cool options out there, from faux brick to tile to pressed tin. Bonus: this job can be done in just a few hours, depending on how large your kitchen is.

Add Some Oomph to Your Bathroom

Purchase some wood trim and frame out the mirror. Add extra shelving. Refresh the paint color. Change the hardware and/or faucets. Add some artwork, a new shower curtain, rugs, and other accessories, and voila! A like-new bathroom for much less cash than anyone would expect.

8 Things to Think About Before You Become a Landlord

Being a landlord comes with great responsibility. Make no mistake of that. It might seem like an easy way to make a little extra income, but there’s a good bit more to renting out your home than just collecting a rent check each month. Being a landlord requires time, money, and the ability to deal with tenants fairly and with a level head. Here are eight things you should think about or research before you make the final decision to become a landlord.

Location of the Property

We all know that “location, location, location” is the one of the most important things in real estate. Finding a great deal on a fixer-upper is always nice, but if it’s not in a location where people tend to rent, you might be hard pressed to find a tenant. Look for properties near universities, hospitals, desirable neighborhoods, public transportation, corporate campuses, and even some military bases. These are areas that attract a large number of renters, so finding someone to rent your place should be a little easier.

Landlord-Tenant Law

It’s a smart idea to study federal, state, and local laws and regulations before you decide whether or not to become a landlord. Pay careful attention to things like zoning ordinances and homeowners or condo associations. Some properties might be located in areas that don’t allow rentals. Look for any special fees or taxes you may have to pay as well. Other laws regulate things like tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities. They may also spell out what items are required to be covered in the rental agreement.

Professional Advice

Even if you’ve read all the books and websites and gotten all the necessary forms in order, it’s a good idea to consult a real estate attorney or your trusted Realtor® for a little advice. They can provide feedback and suggest any changes or additions to the rental agreement that might further protect you or your tenant further on down the road.

How to Enforce Rent

Say you have a tenant who’s regularly late with the rent. Or maybe you have one who always pays on time but suddenly loses their job; they promise to pay all the back-rent once they find a new one if you just cut them a break for a month or two. Do you have a plan for any of these situations? How will you enforce rent and guarantee that you don’t lose money on tenants that don’t or can’t pay on time? You should also have a plan for collecting rent. With so many online options these days, this is more convenient than ever, so there’s no excuse for tenants to be late with rent.

Screening Potential Tenants

How will you screen potential tenants to make sure they’re who they say they are? You’ll need to run background and credit checks on all prospective tenants, as well as contacting their previous landlords for references. Will you pay for background checks each time? Will you hire a property manager to take care of keeping the property rented? Either way, it’s incredibly important to know who you’re renting to and whether or not they can actually afford the rent they’re agreeing to pay.

Maintenance Plans and Emergency Funds

It’s inevitable—something in your rental property is eventually going to break. The key to keeping tenants happy is having a maintenance and repair plan in place before something needs repairing. If you’re happy to be the handyman for your own property, go for it, but realize that it could mean a lot of side work and back-and-forth depending on how many rental properties you own. If you’re not so great with that sort of thing, look for a few trusty repair companies to keep on speed dial. As far as routine maintenance like yard work, decide whether you’d like tenants to keep up with it, do it yourself, or hire a lawn care company. You’ll also need to make sure you have enough money set aside in an emergency fund to cover any major repairs quickly, keeping your tenants happy and safe.

Lease Customization

A standard, printed-from-the-internet lease will never be completely perfect for any landlord and tenant relationship. There are lots of details to think about. For example, will you allow pets? What kinds? Will there be a pet fee or deposit? Will you allow the tenant to have overnight guests for more than a couple of nights without charging a fee? What about parking spaces? Usage of pool and other recreation areas? Is there an extra fee for that too?

Property Inspections

Don’t forget you’ll need to inspect the property periodically. Stipulate in the lease how often you will inspect the property. The tenant has the right to quiet enjoyment, which means that the landlord cannot just pop in anytime they feel like it unless there’s good cause. A landlord must notify the tenant in advance. When the tenants move in, do a walkthrough with them to establish a baseline and document any previously known issues. Then when you do your regularly scheduled inspection, you’ll have a benchmark to work from.

As you can see, there’s quite a bit more to being a landlord than turning over the key and cashing rent checks. Being a good landlord takes commitment, planning, patience, and organization.

Friday Five // February 8th, 2019

TGIF! It’s time for another brand new edition of the Friday Five, our weekly roundup of five fun events happening throughout the Charleston area this weekend. Sample beer, wine, and chocolate, stroll through romantic gardens with that special someone, take the family dog out for some pampering, and more. Whatever you choose to do, the staff and agents at Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company wish you a safe and happy weekend!

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens invites you and that special person in your life to a Valentine Chocolate Walk through America’s oldest romantic-style garden. Your passport will guide you through country-themed stations throughout the gardens, where you will enjoy live music and sample sweets from around the world. String musicians will serenade couples as they stroll along and take in all the gardens and the Chocolate Walk have to offer. This event takes place on both Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 3pm and is free with paid garden admission ($20/adult, $10/age 6-12, 5 and under free).

Show the family dog some love at his/her very own event this Saturday at Magnolia Park and Community Garden in West Ashley. Valen-Dog’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your favorite furbabies that they hold a special place in your heart. Pamper them with a grooming salon, pet portraits, and more. Local food trucks Platia and Holy City Waffles will serve up delicious snacks while McKenna Andrews provides some live music. Beer and wine will be available for purchase (cash only) from MIX Bartending. Other features include a canine agility course and a Bark Boutique area. Eunoia Rescue and Bullies 2 the Rescue will be on hand as well. Admission is free for people and pups, but please register in advance so activities can be planned accordingly.

Wine lovers (and beer lovers too!) should check out the Charleston Winter Wine Fest this Saturday from 1pm until 5pm at Memminger Auditorium. This event features over 50 wines to be enjoyed, a selection of beer, and a DJ spinning tunes. Your $50 ticket includes entry into the event, entertainment, a souvenir acrylic wine glass, and all the wine and beer samples. Food will also be available for purchase. Please note that this event is for adults ages 21 and up only. No children, babies, or pets allowed. No outside food or beverages are allowed, but bottled water will be provided for free.

Grab your gal pals and head to Kaminsky’s on Sunday from 11am until 2pm for a Galentine’s Day Brunch. New Friends in Charleston in hosting this event at one of the sweetest places in Charleston. Stop in for some quiche, a mimosa, a specialty coffee, and some sweet treats, and mingle with some great ladies in the Charleston area. Bring your friends along or make some new ones!

“Once upon a time, three visitors came to Charleston and invited you to the most magical event, Enchanting Princess Storytime!” This Sunday afternoon, Curiouser Entertainment and 34 West Theater Company present Valentine’s Day-themed, interactive stories told by Rapunzel, The Magical Nanny, and a surprise guest. Children will receive one-on-one time with each character for a meet and greet, and a professional photographer will be on hand to capture each special moment. Popcorn, snacks, and beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets include entry into the event, a goodie bag for each child to take home, and downloadable photos taken at the event. Get your tickets for $15 online or $20 at the door. Children 12 months and younger do not require a ticket.

6 Things Your Homeowners Insurance Probably Doesn’t Cover

It’s easy to feel a little more at ease about protecting your home when you know you’re covered in the event of fire, theft, and other damage. But have you checked into your homeowners insurance policy lately? Do you know what’s covered and what’s not? You might think you’re safe if your home floods, but that might not be true. Make an appointment with your insurance agent to see if you’re covered for any of the following issues that aren’t typically covered by basic homeowners insurance.

Flooding

Your standard insurance policy will not cover damage suffered by your home in the event of a flood. If you live in an area that floods easily, you probably already have additional flood insurance. If you’re not required to carry it, you might want to look into it just in case.

Earthquakes, Landslides, and Sinkholes

Earth movement—whether it’s caused by natural disaster or human interference—isn’t usually covered by a standard policy either. If you live in an area prone to one or more of these threats, it’s a good idea to look into getting a separate policy for them.

Sewer Backups

There are a few different reasons your sewer might back up, including but not limited to growing tree roots, outdated sewer systems, sanitary main blockages, etc. The bad news is that damage caused by a sewer backup isn’t typically covered. The good news is if you’re concerned about it, you can purchase coverage in a separate policy or an endorsement to your homeowners policy.

Negligence

Your policy likely doesn’t cover issues caused by neglecting to properly care for and maintain your home and its systems. Pest infestation and mold growth not caused by a covered peril are two things that probably won’t be taken care of by your insurance. To keep these issues from arising, the Insurance Information Institute recommends cleaning bathrooms with mold killers like bleach; maintaining your roof; avoiding installing carpet in damp areas like basements and bathrooms; cleaning your gutters regularly; and installing dehumidifiers.

Attacks By Certain Dog Breeds

Certain possibly aggressive dog breeds like German shepherds, Rottweilers, and Chows, among others, aren’t covered by some insurance providers. While your “aggressive” breed might actually be the sweetest pup in the world, it’s the insurance company’s job to weigh the risks in general. If your dog’s breed is covered and bites someone on your property, your policy would cover a claim up to the limits of your liability coverage.

Expensive Jewelry, Art, and Heirlooms

Your policy probably covers personal items like jewelry, but chances are it doesn’t cover any pieces that are considered especially valuable. Jewelry has a high risk of being stolen, so insurance companies often limit coverage per claim to about $1,500. To protect your pricey jewelry or heirlooms, have them appraised and then purchase a rider to cover them.

There could be several gaps in your coverage that you’re not aware of. There are more that we haven’t mentioned here, including cash, collections, and some electronics. If you’re concerned about a lack of coverage in any of these areas, talk to your insurance agent soon. They’ll be able to tell you exactly what’s covered and the coverage limits.