Downsizing? Ways to Squeeze Storage into a Small Space

10 Ways to Squeeze Storage into your Small Space

Written on February 16, 2017 at 8:00 am , by Chelsey Andrews,

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I’ve mentioned this many times before, but I live in a pretty small home and I LOVE gathering small-space organizing ideas. Today I found even more smart ideas, and below you will find 10 ways to squeeze storage into your small space.

1) I have a ton of craft supplies and they get messy. Set up a little crafting space with a pegboard and rolling cart, and you’re all set. Found onThe 36th Avenue.

2) This is so clever. A corner rod creates a little extra hanging storage in an unused corner! Found on Radical Possibility.

3) There is unused space under your sink! Organize it with these ideas on the Mrs. Meyers blog.

4) This is actually a problem we are dealing with in my home. We need a little table space behind the sofa, but we don’t have the space to put any store-bought tables behind it. Maybe we should make this! Found on Always Never Done.

5) I don’t like how many boxes I have in my small storage space. We would save a little room with this garbage bag dispenser idea. Found onMartha Stewart.

6) I love this little bar table by the window. It’s like having a little cafe in your home. Found on Offbeat and Inspired.

7) Most of us have that little space right behind the door that is not used for anything. Why not use it? This is a clever way to organize kid books in a small space. Found on Yellow Bliss Road.

8) In my home, we REALLY needed more room to store food in the kitchen, so we squeezed a little pantry into the smallest of spaces! See how I did it on the Home Depot blog.

9) Magnetize a cutting board and you can hide it under a kitchen cabinet. Plus, this makes it easy to get to when you need it. Found onFamily Handyman.

10) I know I’m not the only person that has purchased drawer organizers only to find out they don’t fit or they are flimsy and fall apart. This blogger made a drawer organizer on a small budget that fits perfectly into her drawer! Found on Organized Mom.

http://www.bhg.com/blogs/better-homes-and-gardens-style-blog/

Housing Projections - Better or Worse under Trump?

Will Housing Become Better under Trump? Half of Americans Think So

RISMEDIA, Tuesday, February 07, 2017— Americans are "cautiously optimistic" about the housing market, with 69 percent recently surveyed by ValueInsured believing 2017 will be a better year for real estate than 2016, and 52 percent believing housing will become more favorable under the Trump Administration.

The outlook is primarily felt among millennials who are not homeowners. According to the survey, 62 percent of millennials believe the housing market will turn in their favor this year, while the level of confidence held by millennial non-homeowners has gone up the most in the past quarter, to a score of 61.3 in the ValueInsured Housing Confidence Index. (The Index is based on a 100-point scale.) The Index overall, however, has trended downward to 68.0 since September 2016—the first decline since March 2016, driven largely by homeowners.

The sentiment comes in contrast to the drop in share of first-time homebuyers who plan to purchase a home during the spring real estate season this year. A recent report by realtor.com® reveals the percentage of first-time homebuyers who plan to enter the housing market this spring has gone down 10 percent since October 2016—before the presidential election—due to concerns over higher mortgage rates. Mortgage rates rose for the first time in 2017 last week, after falling since the start of the year.

Forty-four percent of millennial non-homeowners in the survey are also confident they can afford a down payment, and 41 percent are expecting it to be easier to buy a home. Research out of Freddie Mac bears out a related trend, showing 40 percent of millennial non-homeowners are making saving for a down payment a priority. (Affording the ideal 20 percent—which ensures better mortgage loan terms—remains elusive.)

Attitudes toward home value, as well, have shifted, with homeowners feeling less confident home prices in their market will rise and their homes are worth what they paid for them, according to the survey. Zillow reports home values grew at an annual rate of 6.8 percent in December 2016.

Still, with the new administration, more than three-quarters of those surveyed believe owning a home is essential to the American Dream, and buying a home, ultimately, is better than renting one.

Source: ValueInsured 

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Furniture That Grows With Your Children

Convertible Furniture: A Boon for Growing Kids

         

RISMEDIA, Tuesday, February 07, 2017— Active kids require bedroom and playroom furniture that is tough enough, and adaptable enough, to offer years of fun and flexibility throughout a child's toddler and early school years—and manufacturers are meeting those needs with a growing number of choices.

Children's room furniture designs previewed at a recent show included pieces new or improved for 2017:

DaVinci-Kalani 4-Way Bed – This flexible bed with a $199 price tag converts from full-sized crib to toddler bed and then daybed, or, with the aid of an optional conversion kit, to a full-sized bed your child can sleep in until he goes off to college. It's made of solid wood that wipes clean with soap and water.

Million-Dollar Baby 4-Way Bed – With its carved posts and classic arches, this $399 model made of New Zealand pine adds plenty of style and flair as it converts from crib to toddler and/or full-sized bed. It's available in Espresso or Grey and is carried at Target stores. Conversion kits are sold separately.

Chicco Urban 6-in-1 Modular Stroller – While the $399 price tag may seem daunting, this versatile product is a stylish and complete solution for baby's changing needs. Comes with a click-in car seat adapter for Chicco's top-rated Keyfit infant car seat, and converts to an infant carriage, toddler stroller, and more.

Crayola Wooden Table and Chair Set – Budding young artists deserve a workspace as bright and colorful as their artwork. At a cost of about $90, the set features chair backs shaped like Crayola crayons, and each table corner has a fabric pocket to hold art supplies. Flip over the erasable whiteboard top and a black chalkboard surface awaits.

Little Tykes Picnic Style Set with Umbrella – This indoor-outdoor polystyrene set features bench seating and an umbrella to shield your kiddos from the sun. Bonus: It's inexpensive at under $50, lightweight enough to move easily, and folds flat for storage when not in use.

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8 Trends in Real Estate in 2017

JANUARY 11, 2017

Eight Real Estate Trends to Watch in 2017

By Jeff Detwiler, President & COO, The Long & Foster Companies.

This year could bring more commercial properties being revamped into residential developments.

Price appreciation and low inventory dominated real estate news in 2016. Looking ahead, housing market experts foresee a moderating yet healthy real estate market in 2017. The two largest population groups—millennials and baby boomers—are anticipated to have the biggest impact on real estate, along with rising mortgage rates and increased access to credit.

Here are some of the top trends to watch this year.

Rising prices and rising net worth: While rising prices challenge first-time buyers, homeowners benefit from increased home equity and a higher net worth. According toCoreLogic, home values were up 7.1 percent year-over-year in November 2016, and home equity wealth accumulated by Americans has nearly doubled in the past five years as a result. Values have been rising for a few years and CoreLogic says the average homeowner gained $11,000 in home equity in the past year. A total of $1 trillion could be added this year if home prices continue to rise by the company’s projected 5.2 percent. Even if the gains come in lower—Moody’s predicts a 3.5 percent rise and Realtor.com, a 3.9 percent—the outcome is still positive for the year.

Higher mortgage rates: Mortgage rates jumped to just over 4 percent after the Presidential election in November. They are anticipated to stay between 4-5 percent in 2017, which is higher than recent rates but still comparatively low historically. Older borrowers may remember rates of 18 percent in the 1980s, so even 5 percent seems like a bargain to that. Homeowners who want to refinance and prospective buyers should consider locking in a loan as soon as possible since mortgage rates are not expected to drop this year.

Loosening of mortgage restrictions: According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index, mortgage approvals are easier to get, with the pendulum slowly swinging back from overly restrictive guidelines. In addition, low down payment loans are more readily available than in recent years. Jumbo loans also are easier to qualify for and have competitive interest rates with conforming loans. Higher mortgage rates mean lenders will get more competitive for purchase loans as their refinance business fades. Lenders also anticipate looser regulations from the new administration.

Inventory remains tight: The lack of homes for sale has been driving prices up for the past several years and frustrating buyers, and the issue shows no sign of easing this year. TheNational Association of Realtors says nationwide inventory was down 9.3 percent year-over-year in November and has continually fallen for the past 18 months. At the end of 2016, there was a four-month supply of homes for sale, far below the six months of supply that is considered a healthy market. In the Philadelphia metro area, for example, inventory was down 23 percent year-over-year in November, according to Long & Foster’s Market Conditions. Similarly, inventory was down in the Washington, D.C., area by 23 percent and in Richmond, Virginia, by 19 percent.

Repurposing of buildings for residential use: With urban areas and close-in suburbs lacking space for residential development, 2017 will bring more commercial properties being revamped into residential developments. Washington, D.C., has already seen a few office buildings converting into mixed-use developments with both office space and residential space. The Adele, a new residence in downtown D.C., is a great example of this type of transition. Churches in Baltimore and D.C. whose congregations have shrunk or moved to the suburbs are also being sold for redevelopment into unique condos.

Millennials in the market: The number of first-time buyers, most of whom are millennials, increased to 35 percent of all buyers, according to the National Association of Realtor’s 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, up from 32 percent in 2015. While that doesn’t quite reach the norm of 40 percent of the market, housing experts anticipate that more millennials and first-time buyers will purchase homes this year. Not only is job security increasing for this demographic group, but also more millennials are beginning to form households, marry and have children, all of which trigger a home purchase.

Baby boomers on the move: The second-largest demographic group—the baby boomers are reaching retirement age in record numbers, with 10,000 turning 65 each day. As their home equity increases, more of these boomers are anticipated to move, sometimes to new markets. Among the popular destinations for retirees, North Carolina and South Carolina offers numerous communities that appeal to residents of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast who are looking for warmer weather and, most importantly, tax advantages. North Carolina residents, for example, are exempt from paying state income taxes on federal and military retirement benefits thanks to a tax settlement known as the Bailey exclusion.

A return to the suburbs: Census data released in 2016 showed that more people moved to the suburbs than into cities in 2015, with urban counties growing by 0.8 percent to about 77 million people and suburban counties growing by nearly 1 percent to about 159 million residents. That trend is expected to continue in 2017, particularly as first-time buyers and downsizing baby boomers look for affordable homes. But the suburbs are changing, with the development of more mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods with urban-style amenities. The John Burns Consulting Group says 80 percent of new homes are being built in what they term “surban” areas, which offer the safety and good schools of suburbia along with the walkability and excitement of the city.

Overall, a strong market is expected in 2017, and professional Realtors at Long & Foster | Christie’s International are here to help you, whether you’re planning to buy your first home or retire to a new location. Contact us today at LongandFoster.com.

Low Cost - High Return Home Renovations

JANUARY 20, 2017

Low-Cost Home Updates with the Highest Return

By Suzanne Whitenight Pilcher, Marketing Coordinator, Long & Foster Companies.

If you are planning to sell your home, it’s hard to know what improvements you can do now that will add value to it – without spending a fortune. To help, each year Remodeling magazine releases their Cost vs. Value Report, which estimates the average cost of a project and the percentage of the investment that will be recouped if the home is sold within a year.

Based on the 2017 report, here are four of the least expensive projects, costing less than $10,000 with the highest return at resale.

• Attic Insulation
  • Adding fiberglass attic insulation produced the top return on cost in this year’s survey. With an average cost of $1,343, it would return 107.7 percent of its cost.
• Front Door Replacement
  • A new steel entry door with an average cost of $1,413 will recoup 90.7 percent of its cost.
• Stone Veneer
  • Replacing the bottom third of your home with manufactured stone veneer costs an average of $7,851, and you’ll see an 89.4 percent return on your investment.
• Garage Door Replacement
  • Traditionally ranked as one of the highest returns on your investment, the average cost is $1,749 and you’ll recover 76.9 percent of the cost.

Home Safety Recalls - Is Your Home Safe?

Home Safety Update: Major Recalls Impact Millions

 FROM:  Home Actions - Albert Clark

Home Safety Update: Major Recalls Impact Millions

Certain items in your home may have been recalled. If you have purchased any of these, you'll want to make sure that you contact the company and get the item fixed as soon as possible or that you receive your money back. Take a look at these items that have recently been recalled.

8 Million Cuisinart Food Processors Recalled

The food processor’s riveted blade can crack over time and small metal pieces of the blade can break off into the processed food. This poses a laceration hazard to consumers. Click HERE for what to do next.

Baby Bath Seats/Chairs Recalled Due to Drowning Hazard

The bath seats/chairs fail to meet the federal safety standard, including requirements for stability and the bath seats can tip over while a baby is in it, posing a drowning hazard to babies. All the details are HERE

IKEA MALM Dresser

After child fatalities, IKEA has recalled 29 million MALM and other models of chests and dressers because of the tip-over hazard the furniture poses. If you own an IKEA MALM dresser, you need to anchor the chests and drawers or return it for a refund. The chests and dressers do not comply with the performance requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard. Learn more about the recall here.

Pacific Cycle Jogging Strollers

Pacific Cycle has recalled over 217,000 jogging strollers due to a defective front wheel. The front wheel can become loose and detach from certain Schwinn and Instep stroller models. There have been over 200 injuries from cuts on the head to sprains due to the faulty front wheel. Consumers are asked to stop using the strollers and contact the company to receive a repair kit to secure the front wheel. Find out more details here.

Hoverboards

More than 500,000 hoverboards from ten different companies have been recalled due to the reports of serious injuries. There have been at least 18 injuries reported such as burns to the legs, arms and neck after hoverboard battery packs have exploded or caught fire. Swagway had the most recalled hoverboards with 267,000 being recalled. Swagway's X1 hoverboards also have the most injuries reported at 16. Find out more about the recallhere.