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Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

We talk a good bit about how to improve your home and the importance of keeping things updated and nice. Today we’re talking about the mistakes homeowners sometimes make when carrying out home renovations and improvements. Here are just a few home renovation mistakes you should avoid at all costs.

Having a Budget That’s Too Small

Of course you want to complete your project as quickly and inexpensively as possible, but having too tight of a budget from the very beginning is a big mistake. If you can find materials or labor at a cheaper price, that’s great, but don’t go into the project expecting to do so. Be realistic about the potential cost of your project, and have a 20% contingency fund set aside for unforeseen circumstances.

Underestimating Your Timeline

Don’t plan for a short timeline just to motivate yourself to get things done faster. The last thing you want is to stress yourself out and force yourself (or a construction crew) to work overtime just to stick to a certain deadline. Also, don’t plan a project around a major life event, holiday, or any big family or friend visits. You never know what might happen along the way to extend the project’s timeline.

Seeking Out Cheap Materials or Labor

If you pay for cheap materials or labor, that’s exactly what you’re going to get. Instead, spring for quality materials that you know will last, and hire only the most qualified labor. Spending more now will help guard against having to spend later on extra repairs.

Skipping Prep Work

Never ever skip any prep work steps in your home improvement project, big or small. Whether you’re painting one room or five, replacing flooring, or adding square footage, there is always prep work to be done beforehand. Time spent preparing things properly equals time and money saved later on a job well done.

Measuring Once

You know the old adage that says, Measure twice and cut once? Take it to heart. Inaccurate measurements can mean wasted materials and time, which equal unnecessary added expense. If you plan on doing the job yourself but don’t trust yourself to measure properly, you can always pay a pro to do it for you. That way you know everything is double-checked and accurate.

Relying on Trends

Trends go in and out of style pretty quickly. Be careful with the materials and styles you use in your renovation projects. Just because a certain type or color of tile is wildly popular now, it doesn’t mean it’ll still be popular when it’s time to sell your home. Think about mid-century homes with rosy pink or baby blue bathrooms. They may have been in fashion in the 1950s and ’60s, but their day in the sun faded. Instead of going with what’s new and trendy now, choose timeless, classic materials and finishes.

Not Buying Energy-Efficient Materials and Appliances

Being eco-friendly isn’t just a lifestyle. Choosing green materials and energy-efficient appliances is good for the environment, but it’s also good for your family and your wallet. While they might cost a little more up front, they will help save money on energy bills and longevity.

Overimproving

Take into consideration the state of other similar homes in your area. It’s fine—desirable, even—to be the nicest house in the neighborhood, but there is such a thing as taking it too far. Making too many improvements could keep you from seeing any return on your investment.

How-To Tuesday: Keep Staging From Looking TOO Staged

Staging a home is a great way to help buyers envision themselves living in a space. It’s much easier for some people to picture your place as their home when there are furnishings and decor present rather than yawning, empty spaces. Studies have shown that staged homes sell 88% faster than unstaged homes. However, there is such a thing as going too far. You don’t want your home to look too stark and sterile. How do you find a happy medium between a crisp, cool, beautifully appointed space and a warm, lived-in home? How do you keep staging from looking too staged?

Start with decluttering.

The very first step in the staging process is to remove all clutter from the home. Remove anything that could distract potential buyers from the house’s best features. Pack up your family photos and mementos. Buyers want to picture their family living in the home, not yours.

Don’t do matchy-matchy.

Whether you use your own furniture or rent some to stage your home, it’s important to inject a little personality and style into it. Don’t use an impersonal, matched set. It can make a room look sterile and uninviting. Choose attractive furnishings that work well together but weren’t necessarily designed to go together.

Keep lighting soft and warm.

You want good lighting that will show off the home and accentuate the positives; but at the same time, you don’t want super bright, sterile lighting that washes everything out. Switch out LED and fluorescent light bulbs for ones that cast a warm glow. Add in lamps to brighten any shadowy spots or dark corners.

Nix the white paint and linens.

It’s true that you don’t want a lot of color all over the place, but you should also stay away from bright white everything. It might look crisp and pretty, but it can also make a space feel like a museum, causing buyers to feel uncomfortable and afraid to touch anything. Don’t be afraid of color, but be careful not to add too much. If you want to use neutrals, try a dove gray or beige, or even a nice blue.

Bring in life with plants and flowers.

Flowers and plants can do a lot to make a space feel fresher and more inviting. They bring a little life into what can otherwise seem like a blah, vacant space. As an added bonus, houseplants help refresh the air that might seem stale in a house that’s not currently being lived in.

Add decor back in.

Once the house is decluttered, clean, and all set up, it’s time to bring some of the decor back in to warm the space up a little. Throw pillows and blankets add warmth and dimension. Setting the table and adding a beautiful centerpiece add to the homey, lived-in feel. In the bathroom, keep towels on the racks and soap beside the sink. And a few books and ring dish or water decanter on the bedside table are the perfect personal touch. Add your most beautiful wall art on those freshly painted walls, and you’re done!

Staging has become an important step in selling a home, but the last thing you want is to make buyers feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. Use these steps to keep your staging from looking too sterile, and your efforts won’t go unnoticed.

Don’t Let a Neighboring Eyesore Drag You Down!

You know your house is amazing. You’re pretty sure home buyers will agree. It has lots of space, tons of upgrades, a perfectly manicured lawn, and is smack dab in the middle of an incredibly desirable neighborhood. There’s just one problem. You live next door to the neighborhood eyesore! What happens when you’re ready to sell, but a neighboring home threatens to downgrade your listing? You and your agent will need to put on your creative thinking caps and tackle the problem head-on by keeping potential buyers’ focus on your home.

Look For the Silver Lining

Maybe the lawn is unkempt because the homeowner is a quiet, elderly woman who can’t get out and do the yardwork herself. The plus here is knowing that you have a sweet neighbor who’s not throwing any loud parties and who might not mind the sound of kids playing outside. Or perhaps there are a lot of tools and yard equipment lying around next door. Highlight the fact that having a handy neighbor could mean paying less for jobs that need to be done around the house. Offer a little insight into how great your neighbors are (as long as they actually are great) to diminish the house’s appearance.

Create a Buffer

If there’s really not a way to find a bright side to the unsightly neighboring house, find a way to hide it or downplay it. A privacy fence or a landscape buffer (think beautiful trees or thick hedges) makes for the perfect way to create an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude. In addition to hiding the nextdoor eyesore, fences and landscaping add value to your listing.

Highlight the Good

To draw potential buyers’ eyes away from the neighboring house, you’ll need to do a little extra work to make your home shine brighter. Pay close attention to curb appeal. You may want to hire a professional landscaper to add some appeal. Give the house a good pressure washing or a brand new coat of paint, if applicable. Paint your front door an inviting color. Some buyers might even see your house in a better light once they see how well maintained it is in comparison to the one next door.

Find Out the Cause

There could be good reasoning behind an eyesore of a home. Materials littering the yard could mean the owners are remodeling inside or working on a backyard project. A house that’s fallen into a state of disrepair could mean that the owners have fallen on hard times financially or medically. It never hurts to ask if you can help out in some way. But make sure to do so with pure intentions and in a compassionate way.

A little creative thinking mixed with some elbow grease and a dash of compassion are all you need to help buyers look past the eyesore next door and fall in love with your home!

Friday Five // June 15th, 2018

It’s time once again for the Friday Five, our weekly roundup of five fun events happening throughout the Charleston area over the weekend. Celebrate Father’s Day with Dad this weekend by taking him out for some live music and drinks; an event to benefit veterans and their families; World Juggling Day; and more! Whatever you choose to do, the staff and agents at Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company wish you a safe and happy weekend…and a very happy Father’s Day!

Board the Carolina Queen at the City Marina on Friday evening for the Jam on the Water Concert Cruise. This 21+ concert cruise series sales once a month through November and costs just $23 per person. This month’s feature is the music of Jimmy Buffett played by Folly Pirates Over 40. Drifter Merch will be on hand to sell music-inspired t-shirts, and there will be seasonal selections from Sweetwater and a full wine and liquor cash bar. Pre-cruise gathering starts at 5pm at Salty Mike’s.

If jazz is more your speed, check out the Jazz on the Harbor After Hours Event at the South Carolina Aquarium Friday evening. Enjoy the open-air concert on the water or listen to the lilting tunes as you make your way through the Aquarium’s galleries. The event is 21+, and tickets are $45 for non-members and $40 for members. The all-inclusive ticket includes sustainably-sourced small plates from Good Catch partners and a beer and wine bar.

Also on Friday night, join Palmetto Warrior Connections for the Red, White, & Blue Jean Ball, benefitting local veterans and their families. The event takes place at Charles Towne Landing’s Founders Hall from 7pm until 10pm. Take in the live entertainment under the stars as you sip libations and enjoy food from some of Charleston’s favorite restaurants. A $50 General Admission ticket includes unlimited beer, wine, and food, live entertainment, and more. A $75 VIP ticket includes the above as well as early entry, a sneak peek at the silent auction, a commemorative glass, and access to an exclusive VIP lounge with a special bar.

For a fun family event, head to White Point Gardens to celebrate World Juggling Day with the Charleston Juggling Club. The theme for this year’s event is “Joggling and Juggling,” which means there will be a full-sized joggling board for people to juggle on, under, or around…or simply play on! Everyone from experienced jugglers to those who have always wanted to learn is invited to drop by and join in this fun, free event. As an added bonus, there will also be watermelon.

Sunday is Father’s Day, so we’re going to give you a few bonus options here! No matter what Dad’s into, there’s fun to be had on this Father’s Day Sunday. Start the day out with Bendy Brewski Yoga at Holy City Brewing. Then head on over to Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park, where Dads Climb Free! If Dad would rather watch sports than participate, you might want to take him to Bay Street Biergarten for Germany vs. Mexico in the World Cup Soccer series, or take him down to The Joe for some RiverDogs Baseball. Maybe trivia is more Dad’s speed. If fun and games are more Dad’s speed, take Dad to Ghost Monkey Brewery for Name the Music or to Oak Road Brewery for Brewery Bingo. For even more Father’s Day fun, check out the events calendar over at Holy City Sinner.

What You Should Know About Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Finding the right homeowner’s insurance is a vital part of buying and owning a house. Your insurance policy can protect you from a lot of—but not all—losses and damage. Knowing what’s included in your homeowner’s insurance policy can save you a lot of money and heartache when you have to make a claim. Here are some of the things you should be aware of. If you’re not sure about any of these, be sure to ask your insurer.

Coverage Exclusions

A big part of being smart about homeowner’s insurance is knowing what’s covered and what’s not. It’s very important to know what your particular policy will pay for in the event of a disaster. Most insurance policies don’t cover flooding or earthquakes, so you might need separate policies if these are concerns in the area where you live.

Dollar Limitations on Claims

There might be a limit on how much your insurance company will pay for certain damages. If there are items in your house that are particularly valuable and would cost a lot to replace, you might want to think about insuring those separately. Your regular homeowner’s insurance policy might not completely cover the cost of stolen jewelry, for instance.

Replacement Cost

If your home is totally destroyed, you’ll only receive the maximum amount of your coverage. If your home is insured for $200,000 and it costs $250,000 to replace it, you’ll still only receive $200,000. So if you know the value of your home has gone up a significant amount, it’s definitely time to update your policy. The last thing you want is to be stuck with one that won’t actually help you recover completely from a disaster.

Actual Cash Value

If your home is destroyed and you don’t plan on rebuilding, you can opt to receive a cash payout of the amount of your policy minus a deduction for depreciation. This is also sometimes called market value coverage.

Your Liability

Your homeowner’s insurance policy typically covers your liability for accidents that might happen on your property. This usually covers medical care, court costs, and anything else awarded by the court. But there are limits to the amount your insurance will pay out. Make sure it’s enough to cover yourself and your assets.

Pet Coverage

Sometimes our four-legged friends can throw a wrench into insurance coverage. Your liability coverage usually covers any damage done to others, including dog bites, which make up about a third of all liability claims. But there are some exceptions. Certain large breeds of dog may be excluded from coverage or could cause your rate to go up. These might include Akitas, Boxers, Chow chows, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, Great Danes, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and more.

Claim Deadlines

Make sure that any deadlines for making a claim are clear. Many insurance policies have a 14-day reporting window. This ensures that any damage that’s been done doesn’t get worse before an adjuster can review it. Missing that window for making claims could have disastrous results. You might very well be forced to pay for any repairs or replacements out of pocket.

Potential Discounts

Make sure to ask your insurance provider about any discounts you might qualify for. Certain home improvements and technology upgrades can help make your home safer, which is definitely of interest to your insurer. Smoke detectors, alarm systems, deadbolts, and upgraded doors, windows, and roofing are all features that could potentially get you a discount on your homeowner’s insurance. Bundling your insurance policies is another great way to score a discount. Some people feel weird inquiring about discounts, but it never hurts to ask!