SkyFive Properties Blog

Finishing off the basement in your home is one of the smartest decisions that you’ll ever make. A finished basement will give you and your family a lot more room to stretch out.

But in the wintertime, those with finished basements often run into a problem: Their basements suddenly get way too cold to use and turn into wasted space.

By learning how to keep your basement warm during the colder months of the year, you can get a lot more use out of it. You and your family won’t mind hanging out in the basement in the winter, even when the temperature drops well below freezing outside.

Check out some of the steps you can take to keep your basement warm through any cold snap.

Make Sure Your Basement Is Sealed

If your basement has already been finished off, there’s a good chance that it was already sealed. But there is also a chance that the basement wasn’t sealed properly, which can let a lot of cold air into your home throughout the winter months.

Specifically, you should take a look at the rim joists in your basement to see if they’re sealed. The rim joists form at the point where the flooring above your basement comes into contact with your foundation.

If your rim joists aren’t sealed, they can allow cold air from outside to get into your home. It’s important for rim joists to be sealed with caulk to prevent this from happening.

You should also look around for any other areas where air could be penetrating your home and entering your basement. For example, you’ll often find air coming in around holes for plumbing pipes or through small cracks in your foundation.

Seal these entry points up ASAP, and you should be able to stop cold air from coming into your basement.

Add More Insulation

Most finished basements already have some insulation in the walls. Homeowners often have loose-fill insulation or spray-foam insulation set up in an effort to keep a basement warm.

If your walls feel cold to the touch, though, your insulation isn’t doing enough to stop cool air from gaining access to your basement. You’ll need to either replace the insulation that you have or add to it so that it starts working better.

Insulating a basement can be a little bit tricky. It’s not quite as simple as insulating one of the upper levels of your home. But when you choose the right insulation and have it installed properly, it should put up a fight against the cold.

Put in a Heating Vent

There are some people who will set up electric space heaters in their basements in an effort to keep them warm. And while space heaters will provide some heat in your basement, you’re a lot better off adding a heating vent that’s connected to your HVAC system to it.

You can tap directly into your home’s existing ductwork to put a heating vent in your basement. You can also add a return air vent to your basement as long as it’s finished.

By taking these steps, you’ll be able to gain more control over the heating situation in your basement. You’ll be a lot more likely to use your basement when you know it has hot air being delivered to it.

Install Carpeting

Lots of people have cement or tile floors in their basements. Reason being, they’re concerned about their basements getting wet and know cement and tile floors will be easier to clean than carpeting.

The downside of relying on these types of floors, though, is that they’ll often get cold in the wintertime and never get around to heating back up. They’ll make it impossible for you to walk around barefoot in your basement during the winter.

Find out more about how to keep water out of your basement in the winter and at other times of the year. Once you feel confident that water won’t be a problem, you can go ahead and have carpeting installed to warm your basement space up.

Replace Old Windows

You might be surprised by how many people have freezing cold basements in their homes simply because of the windows they have in them. Basement windows are sometimes ignored when window replacement is done in a home, which is why so many basement windows are single-pane windows that allow air to pass right through them.

If your basement windows are on the older side, they’re not doing you any favors. They should be replaced with energy efficient windows that will stop cold air in its tracks and keep your basement on the warmer side.

Take a Look at Your Crawlspace

Do you have a crawlspace that’s connected to your basement? It very well could be the reason why your basement is getting so cold in the wintertime.

You can spend all the time and money you want finishing off your basement and making changes to it to try and keep it warm. But if you have a crawlspace attached to it that is not sealed and insulated, it’s going to wreak havoc on the temperature in your basement.

Hire a professional to come in and seal your crawlspace or attempt to seal it yourself so that it doesn’t present a problem for you anymore.

Knowing How to Keep Your Basement Warm Makes a Huge Difference

Now that you know how to keep your basement warm, you should use what you’ve learned to make improvements to the space. By doing something as simple as sealing your basement or adding insulation to it, you can make a world of a difference.

When your basement is warm in the winter, it won’t be such an unpleasant place to go anymore. You and your family will be able to continue using it as you always do without having to bundle up before you go down into it.

Finishing off a basement and making it warm is one way to make your home more attractive to buyers down the line. Read our blog to see some other home improvements you can do to increase the value of your property.

In recent years, New York has become a buyers’ market when it comes to real estate as sellers are more empowered than ever. Figuring out how to sell a house in New York is more complicated than in other places because there are legal hoops to jump through. Thankfully, the goal is to protect all parties, so it works out in everyone’s favor.

Here are the steps for selling your house in New York.

Getting to Work with a Real Estate Agent

While you can always list and sell your home as the owner, it’s hard to do this well without a lot of foreknowledge about how the system works. If you don’t follow trends and don’t know what kinds of pricing is on the market, you might have a tough time selling your home. You might also get lost under all of the bureaucracy and paperwork that comes along with selling a home.

When you get together with a real estate agent, you’ll need to sign a “listing agreement”. In this agreement, you’ll be giving the agent the right to market and sell your home on your behalf. There are standard forms created by the NY State Association of Realtors to help guide you and your agent.

The agreement will cover the terms of commission related to selling your home. You’ll likely have to pay them 5% to 6% of the final price of the home when it sells. You also need to know the type of listing that your agent is putting out there, often agreeing that they get paid even if you find the buyer.

There will be a time period on the listing that sets the duration for how long it’ll be up. You’ll also have to include the price of the home at the time that you list it to ensure that there’s legal documentation of the amount of money you’re agreeing to.

The agreement will cover property included in the sale like any built-in appliances or structures on the property that are or are not part of the price.

Disclosures are Important

When you’re listing a property in New York, the law requires you to have a disclosure statement. This statement is where buyers can find all the pertinent information they need about a property before they invest. Rather than buying a property and finding out about problems later, they can be informed in advance.

If the statement isn’t made, the seller can instead credit the buyer $500 at closing. However, this might not be an ideal situation for all buyers, so it’s often better to put together the disclosure.

In this statement, the seller needs to note the presence of any hazardous or toxic substances within their knowledge. If there are major material defects to the plumbing, structure, HVAC, or other systems, the seller needs to let their buyer know. They also need to inform buyers of any pest issues like rodents, insects, or wildlife that have infested the home.

If there are any elements that are commonly owned between multiple neighbors, like a driveway, or if there are homeowners’ association fees, let buyers know. There’s also a section in disclosure forms for sellers to let potential buyers know about water source information.

Making a Purchase Agreement

Any buyer looking to get a home in New York will have to submit a written offer to the seller. This agreement will include the price but isn’t required to be a complete contract that’s ready to sign like what is required in California.

If the seller agrees, which can be done verbally, the buyer is then allowed to conduct inspections as they please. Once these inspections are completed, there’s a short window for then adjusting the price accordingly based on what’s found. If the seller offers to do some repairs, the buyer might not ask for a change in price.

No one is under contract yet nor are they bound to the contract. The next step requires the seller’s attorney to help compose a final contract to be negotiated over and then signed by both parties. The buyer pays a percentage as a down payment to secure the home and set the contract in motion.

There’s a 72-hour review period for attorneys to look over the contract. There can be last changes made and if there’s an extreme situation, one party can walk out of the deal in this period.

Then a final agreement is created with all of the terms of sale, pushing the transaction into escrow.

Understanding Escrow

Escrow is when the purchase agreement has been signed but the house hasn’t closed yet. The seller’s attorney becomes the “escrow” or the title agent for the property and supervises the whole process. They prepare title reports and get title insurance to settle property liens and prepare the final closing documents.

During this period, the buyer needs to hustle to finalize financing and remove all of the buyer’s contingencies. The property should be appraised and title insurance should be obtained to secure the home and the deal.

Sellers need to help to make the property available for inspections and a final walkthrough.

If the buyer struggles to get financing, they have the right to back out. They may get to keep their down payment even if they back out of the deal after it’s been paid.

If you’re worried it’ll take a while, read more here to understand the process better.

How To Sell A House Is All In The Closing

Now that you’ve sold your house, you need to go through the process of closing. There’s a formality in how to sell a house and so you’ll be expected to go to an in-person meeting with the buyer, seller, and their lawyers. Here is where everything is signed and final things are exchanged.

If you’re thinking of adding an extension to your home before selling, check out our guide for tips on getting it done right.

Almost 80% of people say they feel stressed at some point during the day. This stress can stem from a variety of things: work, relationships, or just feeling like there’s not enough time in the day to get everything done.

But chronic stress has a lot of negative effects on your health. Over time, it can cause depression, anxiety, obesity, high blood pressure, and even heart disease.

Luckily, there are small things you can do every day to lower stress. One of the best is to relax in a luxurious bathroom with a nice aromatherapy bath.

If your current bathroom is looking a bit outdated, it’s probably time for a remodel anyway. Just follow these tips to create the ultimate spa-like getaway in your home, so you can relax and feel the stress melt away.

Go Big

Although it’s not impossible, it will be harder to achieve that luxurious look in a tiny bathroom. You may not be able to fit everything you want, or everything may end up looking cramped or cluttered.

But, if you can expand your bathroom, you’ll have much more space to work with. You can feel free to include a nice large tub or shower (or both!) as well as some nice decorative elements that can help tie the room together.

Pick Your Colors Wisely

The color palette is typically one of the first things you notice when you walk into a room, so you want to make sure you chose the right colors for your bathroom.

Using neutral colors is perhaps the easiest way to create that spa-like appearance. Beige or tan is a great way to go for something warm and relaxing while blacks and greys will give you a more modern look.

If you want to use colors, opt for something deep and rich—think royal colors, like deep blue or purple. Whatever you decided, make sure you stick with a monochrome color scheme.

Focus on the Shower and Tub

When you want to use your bathroom to relax, the shower and tub will be the most important elements. After all, it’s hard to get a good start to the day when you’re constantly banging your elbows into the shower door.

Make sure you go with a spacious shower and tub, so your bathroom really is a luxurious retreat for you. You could even take this one step further by going for a rainfall shower or a jetted tub. There will be a lot of options available to you, so make sure you check out this helpful link before making a decision.

Use Tile

Tile is a great option to use in your bathroom because it’s so versatile. You can use it on the floors, around the tub, and in the shower to help give your bathroom a cohesive design.

This is also a way to add a little extra interest to certain areas. You may decide to do an intricate mosaic design inside your shower or keep things timeless by adding a glass tile ribbon along your shower walls.

Don’t Forget Your Sinks

Your sinks are another huge part of your bathroom. If you splurge everywhere else and go with a basic sink design, it’ll lower the overall look of your bathroom.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a ton here. A unique vessel sink can add interest and make the area appear luxurious without costing much more than a regular sink.

If possible, consider going for a double sink. Not only will it be more convenient as you and your spouse are getting ready in the morning, but it’ll also help your bathroom look high-end.

Include a View

Do you have an amazing view from your home? Whether you can see the beach, the mountains, a lake, or just a fabulous backyard, you can utilize that in your bathroom.

Placing large windows next to your tub will help create the ultimate spa-like feeling as you can soak while enjoying the view.

Of course, this only works if your view is private. If your neighbors are close by, this may end up making you feel self-conscious.

Bring Nature In

When you think of a fancy ski resort, you probably picture those rustic rooms with floors and walls all made with wood. Well, it’s easier than you’d think to recreate this in your own home.

Just make sure you use horizontal wood on the walls and use neutral paint colors on any walls not covered. You’ll want to finish off the design by using plants or other pieces of natural decor.

If this ski-lodge look isn’t for you, you can still create a relaxing atmosphere by utilizing nature. Use light and flowy window dressings to let a lot of natural light in, hang nature-inspired artwork, use plants as decor, and include a stone shower wall. You’ll feel like you’re in a fancy hotel on a tropical island!

It’s All in The Details

While the “big ticket” items like a tub and shower are important, it’s the details that wrap the entire look together. This is also the perfect way to incorporate a little bit of your personality to really make your bathroom stand out from the rest.

If you don’t have a lot of extra room to play with, consider getting an ornate mirror or fancy light fixture to complete the space. If you have an empty corner, fill it with a large vase or even a decorative chair.

Creating a Luxurious Bathroom at Home

Who says you have to go to the spa to relax? By creating a luxurious bathroom, you can take the edge off at home. Just follow the above tips to create the ultimate bathroom that you’ll never way to leave.

Are you on the lookout for a new home to create this amazing bathroom in? Then check out our home listings in South Florida today.

If you are looking for ways to upgrade your backyard, there are many ways you can go. Adding an outdoor deck is a wonderful way to enhance your outdoor space.

A deck is a great space for relaxing or entertaining friends and family outdoors. It adds beauty and value to your home without a huge investment.

There’s a wide variety of styles depending on your taste, home design, and the contours of your land. If you’re tired of a concrete patio or slope in your yard, an outdoor deck will be a major improvement.

Let’s take a look at some benefits you get when you add a deck to your backyard.

Visual Appeal

You want your outdoor living space to be beautiful, and a deck adds visual appeal and value to your home. There are many types of wood and many colors or stains you can choose from.

Some homeowners choose a composite material instead of wood because it’s easy to care for. No matter the size or design of your home, you can add a beautiful deck to enhance your outdoor area.

Indoor Outdoor Living Space

Combining indoor and outdoor space is a popular design trend. Today’s home buyers look for a home that extends their indoor living space.

They want a home that flows from the inside out. They want function and beauty.

An attractive wood deck is a great way to extend your indoor living space to the outdoors. You can choose a design that complements the structure of your house and leads to easy access to your yard or swimming pool.

Enjoy Your Back Yard

If you stay indoors due to a lack of outdoor seating area, a deck is a perfect solution. You can have your morning coffee on your back deck with a view of nature or enjoy a drink at the end of a tiring day.

When the weather is nice, you can enjoy the sunshine as you sit on your deck. Or watch the sunset as you relax in the evening.

You can enjoy family meals together on your deck. Some people use their deck as an area for exercise such as riding a stationary bike, walking on a treadmill or even practicing yoga.

Having a deck will increase your opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Entertain Guests

If you enjoy entertaining, a back deck is a must-have. A deck offers the perfect space for barbecues, family parties, and get-togethers.

Consider adding festive lights and some comfortable outdoor furniture to your deck to make it fun and inviting. A deck is a perfect spot for hanging out and enjoying your friends and family.

A deck is a great place for neighborhood parties or intimate conversations with friends. It’s a beautiful spot for an evening dinner party with lights and candles.

If you lack the space to entertain guests in your kitchen or dining room, an outdoor deck may be the solution.

A Quick Addition

If you are looking for home improvements that don’t take a lot of time, a deck is a good addition. An experienced builder can construct a deck quickly.

A deck can be completed in as little as a week’s time, although the time frame varies depending on the size of the deck. Of course, you will need skilled builders with the right equipment. Find out more.

Large home additions are intrusive and costly. In contrast, a wooden deck is a quick addition that won’t disrupt your life.

Low-Cost Investment

Compare to other home additions, building a deck is much less expensive. It surprises people when they see how affordable adding a deck can be.

This is good news if you’re on a budget but still want to extend your living space. It’s certainly less expensive than adding an additional room to your home.

The price of wooden decks varies depending on the size and the materials you choose. Choosing high-quality materials is important for the longevity of your deck.

You want a deck that not only looks beautiful but also lasts and adds value to your home. A deck is a low-cost investment that you can enjoy for years to come.

Increase Your Home’s Value

You may not plan to sell your home anytime soon, but you never know what tomorrow will bring. Adding a wooden deck is an easy way to increase the value of your home.

Buyers prefer homes with beautiful outdoor living spaces. They’re more likely to take a second look at a home they can picture themselves enjoying.

Buyers want to envision their family barbecuing or having a birthday party on their outdoor deck. It’s a definite selling point.

If you decide to sell your home later, a deck only increases its desirability and value.

Extra Space

A backyard deck adds functional space to your home. There’s room for a grill, outdoor furniture, plants, and more.

You won’t need to have these things scattered around the yard anymore. Having a deck solves that problem.

A deck is a great spot for kids to play or teenagers to gather. It’s the perfect place to gather as a family and enjoy each other’s company.

And you will have the ideal space for entertaining. Guests like to move about at parties, and a deck allows them to enjoy your outside space without feeling cramped inside.

Add a Deck to Your Backyard

A beautiful deck can transform your backyard and extend your indoor living space outdoors. When you add a deck to your backyard, it’s a solid investment that will increase the value and appeal of your home.

The right deck will compliment your home and provide an ideal space for family get-togethers and entertaining. As long as you choose a reliable contractor or builder and high-quality materials, you will enjoy your outdoor deck for years to come.

Before you go, be sure to take a look at our website and our many helpful blogs.

Perhaps you’re building a home from scratch? Maybe you’re looking to make some changes to your existing home? In any case, you’re trying to find a suitable flooring option.

These days, there are all types of flooring options available to homeowners, some that are better suited for luxury homeowners and others that are better suited for budget buyers.

Wondering what’s the best type of flooring for you? Keep on reading! We’re going to compare the most popular flooring choices of 2019!

2019’s Best Flooring Options

There is no shortage of flooring materials available in 2019. Regardless of your aesthetic and functional preferences, you should be able to find one which accommodates you. The best of 2019’s flooring choices are as follows.

Hardwood

A classic flooring material, hardwood looks great regardless of where it’s installed. With a variety of hardwood species available, it’s capable of providing a number of aesthetics, some of which are rustic and some of which are polished.

Functionally speaking, hardwood is superb. If properly maintained, it can last for the span of your life and beyond. Of course, in order for it to do so, you’ll need to sand it and seal it on a regular basis.

While it’s not the most costly flooring option on the market, hardwood does lean toward the expensive side. However, considering its durability and performance, it’s well worth the price.

Natural Stone

A decidedly high-end flooring material, natural stone is used almost exclusively in luxury homes. Why is this? Because it’s far and away the most expensive flooring option there is.

Of course, there’s a reason for its high cost. Not only is it exceedingly durable, but resistant to water and scratches as well. Not to mention, it requires almost no maintenance whatsoever.

In terms of aesthetics, natural stone is an absolute beauty. It will provide an instant air of regality to any home in which it’s installed. Read more about natural stone flooring now!

Tile

One of the more popular flooring options is tile. Available in both ceramic and porcelain, it’s highly resistant to water, and therefore is ideal for use in bathrooms and kitchens. In addition to this, it’s durable, scratch-resistant, and low-maintenance.

Aesthetically, tile can meet a number of different preferences. Whereas some types of tile are embroidered with intricate designs, other types of tile are made to look like wood or stone. Price-wise, tile sits somewhere in the middle of the totem pole.

While tile flooring is generally very reliable, it is susceptible to cracking. Not to mention, it’s known for being loud and cold. Nonetheless, it’s a solid material to utilize, specifically for areas which are prone to water.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is one of the cheapest flooring options on the market and therefore is used on a fairly regular basis. Often placed in the same class as carpet, it’s highly functional but is also very vulnerable to water. For this reason, it’s best kept out of bathrooms and kitchens.

In terms of aesthetics, laminate flooring is sufficient, but not great. It’s best referred to as a mimic flooring material. This is to say that it’s cheaply designed to look like high-end wood flooring.

If you’re buying flooring on a budget, laminate flooring is not a bad choice. It’s durable, low-maintenance, and attractive enough to add a spark to a home. However, it’s not a high-end material.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is similar to laminate flooring but is different in the fact that it consists of 100% synthetic materials. Not to mention, it’s laid down in sheets as opposed to planks.

This flooring material is designed to appeal to a number of aesthetic preferences. However, it’s a mimic material. While it does a passable job of mimicking wood and stone, it’s still very obviously vinyl.

As affordable as flooring materials come, it’s one of the more popular options for homeowners. Resistant to water, it could conceivably be used in every room in a house.

Unfortunately, vinyl flooring has its flaws. While it’s soft texture allows for warmth and quietness, it also allows for tearing and ripping. Over time, you’ll start to notice its deterioration, spurring you to replace it within 10 to 20 years of its installation.

Cork

Cork flooring has grown in popularity as of late, most likely due to its unique aesthetic and its versatile array of characteristics. Suitable for use in every room within a house, it’s resistant to both water and scratching.

Price-wise, cork lies toward the bottom of the totem pole. However, it’s generally more expensive than both carpet and vinyl.

Soft and absorbent, it’s not only very easy on the feet, but it’s also as quiet as flooring materials come. Not to mention, it acts as a terrific insulator.

Note, though, that there are downsides to cork. Due to its softness, it can become compressed by furniture. Plus, if exposed to sunlight, it can fade over time. However, overall, it’s a great flooring choice for budget buyers.

Carpet

Carpet isn’t going to knock anyone out aesthetically, but it’s more than sufficient enough to get the job done. As cheap of a flooring material as you’re going to find, it’s great for living rooms, bedrooms, and basements.

The perks of carpet are that it’s soft, cushioned, slip-resistant, and quiet. Not to mention, it’s exceedingly easy to install.

The primary downside of carpet is that it’s difficult to clean. Even vacuum cleaners will struggle to suck up every dirt particle contained with a sheet of carpet. Plus, with carpet, irreparable staining is a very real possibility.

In Need of Real Estate Services in Miami?

Each of the flooring options reviewed above provides something unique in the ways of functionality and performance. While they all have their flaws, the truth of the matter is that you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Are you, by any chance, looking to buy a home? Maybe you’re looking to sell your current home? If so, and if you’re in the Miami area, Skyfive Properties can help you.

Contact us today to get the ball rolling!

5.5 million homes in the United States sold in 2018.

If you’re planning on selling your house in 2019, you’re going to have a lot of competition. No one wants their house to sit on the market for months on end so you need to stand out against the competition.

Need to sell your house as soon as possible? Don’t wait around for a buyer to come around. Read on to learn how to sell a house fast!

1. Make Sure the Time Is Right

For a quick home sale, make sure the time is right.

Like many animals, home buyers tend to hibernate in the winter. The best time to sell your home is in the spring, and more specifically May. People hate to move during the cold winter months, so always opt for a warmer time when you think about selling.

The best part? Homes sold during this peak time average $2,500 more in revenue.

2. Price Competitively

If your house isn’t selling, it may be because you are asking too much for it.

Make sure that you are pricing competitively compared to other homes of similar size in your area. And if you’re screaming, “I need to sell my house ASAP,” try listing your home below market value. Nothing gets the buyers knocking at your door quicker than a deal.

3. Deep Clean

To help sell a home faster, make sure it’s deep cleaned. And we don’t mean just hiding everything under the bed!

Take the time to clean everything in your home. This includes closets and drawers that normally attract clutter. Your goal is to make your home look as attractive as possible to potential buyers.

Don’t be ashamed to hire a professional service to clean your home.

4. Do Minor Repairs

After your home is clean, take a look around and search for minor repairs.

Paint that room with the peeling walls. Change out the hardware on your kitchen cabinets. Replace the tile grout in your bathroom.

These little repairs make a big difference to homebuyers. Not many people want to buy a home that comes with a laundry list of repairs to do.

Leave the bigger projects, like a new roof or window replacements, for the new owner.

5. Stage Accordingly

After repairs, it’s time to stage your home accordingly.

Take out anything that appears as clutter inside your home. Keep only the minimal belongings needed to make your home appear lived in. Also, remember to hide away any personal belongings, like family portraits or childhood mementos.

If you need to, spend the money and rent a storage unit to place your excess belongings in. You’ll see a return on your investment by finding a buyer quicker.

6. Upgrade Your Curb Appeal

The outside of your home is the first thing that a potential buyer sees. First impressions matter.

Take the time to spruce up your landscaping with fresh mulch and blooming flowers. A bright, colorful front door or mailbox gives your home a welcoming vibe. Don’t forget to decorate your patio to create an appealing, outdoor living space.

7. Get Professional

To sell your home, sometimes you need the help of professionals.

One professional you shouldn’t pass on is a professional photographer. In the digital age, most people shop for homes online first. And if you have bad photos or no photos at all, the right homebuyer may never consider your home.

Instead, a professional photographer will take the best possible photos of your home. They know how to make your home appear brighter, bigger, and more welcoming.

8. Hire a Realtor

Speaking of professionals, consider hiring a realtor to help you.

A realtor has both education and experience in the home buying process. They have inside knowledge of the market and other homes on the market. They have what it takes to put your home in the right light in front of the right people.

Better yet, they handle all of the paperwork and legal aspects of selling your home. Since they have experience, they can close on a home faster than you’d be able to on your own.

This all results in your home selling quicker.

9. Market Your Home

Even if you hire a realtor, you should still market your home on your own.

Use those professional photos and get your home online. Make social media posts and share them with your friends and on local for sale sites. Also, take advantage of a classified ad in a print newspaper.

Make sure your home has a visible for sale sign with a phone number. Print out fliers advertising your home and place them in high traffic areas, such as the bus stop or the post office.

There’s no such thing as too much marketing — you want to get your home in front of as many eyes as possible.

10. Use a Fast Sale Company

Are you still asking “how do I sell my house fast?” If so, consider using a fast sale company.

To get a fast sale offer, you tell the company details about your property. The company then gives you a cash offer within 24 hours, which you can accept or deny. Once you accept an offer, expect to close on your house in seven to ten days.

The best part about using these companies is that you don’t need to repair anything in your home or prepare it for a sale. This option is great for someone facing foreclosure, handling a divorce, or relocating suddenly.

Beyond How to Sell a House

Now you know how to sell a house, but do you know how to buy a new one?

You should be looking for your new home while selling your old home. You don’t want to sell your home but have no place to move into. Instead, make it an easy process by searching for your new home online!

View our online listings and find your dream home today.

It’s beginning to look like the days of cable TV are over. Last quarter, the four biggest cable providers lost a combined 887,000 subscribers, making it the worst quarter on record.

Despite record numbers, many are still on the fence about cutting the cord, fearing that they’ll miss out on their favorite shows and movies.

Services like PlayStation Vue, Hulu With Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling are banking on that fear, hoping customers will instead choose to use one of their monthly subscription services. While these services are awesome alternatives to cable, most services cost around $40 per month.

But what if there was a way to watch all of your favorite shows without having to pay for anything other than your Internet?

We promise it isn’t too good to be true — keep reading to discover 10 of our favorite free TV streaming sites.

1. YouTube

You might think YouTube is only good for checking out tutorials, makeup tips, or animal videos.

But a few years ago, YouTube decided to take a stab at competing with Netflix and Hulu by offering video and TV shows of its own. While you can purchase all of your favorites, if you know where to look, you can actually find tons of your favorite shows streaming for free.

Shows like “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” “Game of Thrones,” and full-length sports games get uploaded or live streamed to YouTube within moments of airtime.

But you’ll have to act fast. The upload of these videos goes against copyright laws, so they tend to get yanked down within hours.

2. Dailymotion

People like to write Dailymotion off as a YouTube copycat, but the streaming site has carved out a nice niche for itself.

After a rebrand, Dailymotion began courting some of the most popular cable networks like Bloomberg and The History Channel. Even local affiliates like ABC, NBC, and CBS post clips from their shows on Dailymotion.

While you may not find full episodes on the site, a Dailymotion account combined with an aerial antenna should cover all of your TV watching needs.

3. Crackle

PlayStation Vue isn’t Sony’s only online streaming service. Its lesser-known site, Crackle, features a robust selection of free movies and TV shows.

From anime and sitcoms to fan favorites like “Community” and “The Critic,” Crackle’s library has hundreds of hours of content, so you’ll never get bored.

The site also hosts its own original programming if you’re looking to discover a new favorite.

4. Popcornflix

Popcornflix is one of the Internet’s best-kept secrets. For whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to draw the same level of attention as its competitors.

But a quick glance through the Popcornflix library shows that it isn’t due to a lack of content. In fact, Popcornflix hosts some of the strangest, most obscure films and TV shows you’ve ever (or never) heard of.Right now, it seems to be the only place to legally stream the 1989 animated series based on “The Legend of Zelda.” Yes, it exists. And yes, it’s every bit as bad as you think. So while Popcornflix isn’t a household name, it’s a great place to discover some hidden gems you may not know about.

5. Pluto TV

With a tagline like, “It’s free TV,” it might not come as a surprise that Pluto TV makes the cut. In fact, Pluto TV just may be the best place to stream free TV shows on this list.

Not only is it completely free and legal, but it’s full of licensed curated channels. Here’s just a quick sampling of what you can find on Pluto:

• Impact Wrestling
• Bloomberg
• The Young Turks
• Rifftrax
• Stand-up TV
• The Onion
• IGN
• Crime Network

Pluto TV has the potential to replace your cable bill entirely, especially after Viacom’s recent buyout.

6. Yahoo View

If you’ve never heard of Yahoo View, you’re not alone. Yahoo’s own website hardly acknowledges the service’s existence.

Still, View is a great alternative to Hulu. TV lovers can catch up on their favorite late-night shows, anime, reality shows, and more.

7. The Roku Channel

Roku and streaming services are practically synonymous at this point. The company’s line of media players is among the most affordable and best-selling streaming devices on the market.

But strangely, Roku didn’t offer much in the way of its own content until recently.

In 2017, Roku finally launched The Roku Channel. The platform promised to be a great source of free movies and TV shows. So far, we think they’ve done a good job of keeping their promise.

Their selection of TV shows isn’t the most up to date, but it’s hard to beat free entertainment. And if you do feel like spending some cash, you can now add on premium services such as HBO or Showtime.

8. Tubi TV

Tubi TV is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, its selection of TV shows and movies is vast. Unfortunately, Tubi is a prime example as to why quality is better than quantity.

Many of the films and TV shows on the streaming service aren’t exactly A-list. Still, if you’re willing to spend some time digging through Tubi’s selection, you can still find a few great shows like “Masters of Horror” and “The Dresden Files”.

9. Hoopla

Here’s a fun fact: Your local library is good for more than just borrowing books.

Many libraries have gotten with the times and now include streaming services as part of their membership.

Hoopla is one such service. Users can access thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, comics, TV shows, and movies. So if you don’t already have a library card, you may want to reconsider.

10. Viewster

Like Tubi TV, Viewster isn’t known for its quality. But it does offer a ton of content to check out.

Gamers, in particular, should check out Viewster, as it has a heavy focus on gaming-related content.

Say Goodbye to Cable With These Free TV Streaming Sites

Ditching cable doesn’t have to mean a TV-free existence. By using these free TV streaming sites, you can save money while still enjoying countless hours of entertainment.

For a more film-focused list, be sure to check out our guide on the best free movie streaming sites.

Over 40 percent of phobias are related to bugs.

More people are afraid of common house bugs than being a victim of violent crime or even dying.

You should know the different creepy crawlers around your home. Some of the bugs you’ll have seen before, while others may surprise you.

Check out the most common household bugs below. Here we go!

1. Bed Bugs

Most children are familiar with the saying “Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

While for many Americans bed bugs evoke a cutesy rhyme we used to sing as kids. For New Yorkers, the bed bug is a terrifying nightmare.

The resurgence of bed bugs in the US was named “the year of the bed bug” by CBS in 2010.

What do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Bed bugs are round-shaped and flat insects. They are a light brown color. And, they are around the size of a grain of rice.

What do They do?

They drink your blood.

However, they don’t have to eat much or regularly to stay alive. They can live for over a year without a bite to eat.

That’s why they’re capable of living in your mattress or furniture without your knowledge.

2. Ants

There are more ants than human beings in the world. In fact, there are over 10 billion ants in the US alone.

Small in size, ants can enter your home easily and hide. They wait for you to drop crumbs on the floor to eat.

Although ants cannot do much damage to your home, it’s important to stamp out the problem immediately.

Remember ants always return to the nest. So follow an ant until you find the nest where you can eliminate the problem.

3. Cockroaches

For many people, the most disgusting bugs you can find in your home are cockroaches. These creatures are attracted to damp areas of your home and the food left behind.

You’ll most often find cockroaches in either your bathroom or kitchen. The cracks and crevices of the walls in your home also make excellent habitats for cockroaches.

It’s important to handle your cockroach problem as soon as you notice it since it can be harmful to human health.

4. Flies

We talk about the problem of flies in the home during the warmer months. There isn’t a single species of fly. In fact, there are over 16,000 species in the US alone.

You’ve probably mostly encountered the common housefly.

Even though flies don’t live very long. They have an especially high birth rate, which means that they can spread around your home in just a few days.

In warmer climates, it can be almost impossible to keep out flies. However, make sure you always store away food if flies are around.

5. Mosquitoes

Many of the bugs on our list are harmless, mosquitoes are commonly feared because they carry disease, such as the Zika Virus.

During the summer months, many people are terrorized by the mosquitoes, which bite and suck the blood of victims.

Damp places and water which are humid are especially appealing for mosquitoes. make sure you keep your doors and windows closed during warmer months.

6. Beetles

Beetles are often confused with cockroaches by people. While beetles do not pose any risk to the health of human beings, they are a threat to your furniture.

Beetles consume the fibers and woods around your home. This can damage valuable items of furniture.

When the beetles lay their eggs in the wooden cracks, the damage is often beyond repair. Act immediately with the earliest signs of beetles.

7. Ticks

Ticks are not especially attracted to the warm environment of the home. Instead, you’ll encounter these bugs during grasslands or woods.

However, you can hook onto a person or pet to be carried back into the home. Ticks latch on and suck the blood of the host.

When you return home from walking in the warmer months, make sure you check your body (and the body of your pet) for any signs of ticks.

8. Centipedes

Centipedes are perhaps the creepiest of the crawlers. They can have more than 300 legs. During the winter, centipedes enter homes for protection from the cold weather.

Centipedes are not harmful to humans. Unless you pick one up, they’ll extremely unlikely to bite you.

Larger than many of the other bugs on this list, centipedes eat cockroaches and other insects that are found in your home. Therefore, there may be a reason to turn a blind eye to these yellowish creatures.

9. Termites

Termites could already have infested your home without your knowledge. Only when they are ready do they show themselves. If you notice damage to your wooden furniture, then you could have a termite problem.

You can only do so much to prevent termites from destroying your home. This reliable company says eventually you have to call a pest control company.

10. Fleas

The smallest insect on our list, fleas also feed on blood.

You need to regularly check your pets for signs of a flea infestation. If you spot signs of fleas on your dog or cat, immediately seek treatment.

There are also flea prevention strategies, such as a flea collar and flea repellents.

Watch Out for Common House Bugs

Common house bugs are simply part of homeownership.

Make sure you keep your home clean and tidy and you’ll significantly reduce the probability of common house bugs getting out of hand.

You just have to regularly check your home for signs of infestations.

Are you in the market for a new home? Check out our listings today to see all your options in sunny South Miami.

It’s estimated that homeowners spend between $12,594 and $33,118 remodeling their kitchens, or $21,751 on average.

That’s a lot of money! So, what are you to do if your kitchen needs a tune up but you don’t want to fork over that kind of money? Or, what if you simply don’t have the time or energy to put towards a full kitchen remodel?

For those wary of going all-in on a remodel, there’s a solution. There are actually many kitchen updating ideas out there that don’t require a lot of money or time but that will still do wonders for your kitchen.

What are these updates, exactly?

Read on to learn about the top kitchen updating ideas that don’t require a remodel.

1. Paint the Walls

Giving your kitchen walls a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most affordable kitchen updates you can do.

All it takes is a simple color change to give your kitchen a whole new mood and atmosphere. When it comes to deciding on a paint shade, make sure you keep color psychology in mind. If you don’t know, color psychology is the idea that certain colors help promote certain moods and feelings. For example, blue gives one a feeling of safety and comfort, while red gives one a feeling of passion and desire.

Once you decide on a color, you should decide on whether or not you want to paint your walls yourself or hire someone to do it. We definitely recommend going the DIY route on this one. Even if you aren’t a serious DIYer, painting walls is a really simple and straightforward process.

In order to paint your walls you will need:

• A painting brush: This is the one material you don’t want to skimp on, as a proper painting brush will help you paint faster and with more accuracy
• Painter’s tape
• Roller kit
• Drop cloths

Once you have all of these materials gathered, you’re ready to spruce up your walls with a new paint color!

2. Replace a Major Appliance (Or Two)

When’s the last time you replaced your kitchen appliances? Can’t remember?

If so, that may be a sign that your appliances are in need of an update. Updating your fridge, dishwasher, or other appliance can really make a big difference, especially if the appliance happens to be rather dated.

If you aren’t sure about what new appliance style to go for, we recommend stainless steel. Stainless steel is a timeless choice, and it blends seamlessly with nearly every design style.

Also, keep in mind that the more appliances you replace at once, the less money you have to spend on a plumber hauling out the old ones.

3. Paint the Cabinets

Your kitchen walls aren’t the only thing we think you should consider painting. We also think painting your kitchen cabinets is a great idea.

While painting kitchen cabinets takes a bit of leg work, like painting kitchen walls, this is an update that is highly affordable. Plus, painting your kitchen cabinets is a much faster process than installing new ones.

The most popular kitchen cabinet colors at the moment are white and gray. White is especially great because not only does it make your space look newer, the color will also brighten up the space and make it appear larger.

If you aren’t sure how to paint your kitchen cabinets, these tips will help you out.

4. Bring Life to Your Kitchen With Flowers or Plants

Ok, if you want to talk about an insanely affordable kitchen update, here it is. Adding some flowers or plants to a kitchen may seem like too small of an update, but trust us, it can really go a long way.

If you don’t have much of a green thumb, don’t worry. There are plenty of indoor houseplants out there that are next to impossible to kill. Some of the easiest ones to take care of are the mother in law’s tongue (also known as the snake plant), the ZZ plant, the spider plant, the peace lily, and the jade plant.

If plants and flowers really aren’t your thing, consider adding other simple decor pieces, such as a new rug or a painting.

5. Rethink Your Lighting

Just like color, lighting really helps set the mood and atmosphere of your kitchen. If your lighting is too bright, your kitchen is going to feel more like a doctor’s office. If your lighting is too dull, it can make your kitchen look old and drab.

Try to find a happy medium. Generally, you’ll want lighting that’s a bit more on the brighter side, but be careful not to overdo it.

Besides the brightness of your lighting, you should also consider swapping out your light switch panels so that they match your hardware. Matching light switch panels to hardware can help boost the overall feel of the kitchen, plus it’s a super simple project.

You may also want to consider adding in some under-cabinet lighting, as this can help you show off pretty display pieces as well as add a bit of drama to a space.

6. Enhance Storage Areas

The kitchen is one of those rooms in the house that tends to accumulate a lot of clutter.

Minimizing chaos in the kitchen will not only make the space look better, but it will also make you feel better when you enter it.

Purchase some decorative storage bins and baskets for storing infrequently used items. Then, you can tuck the bins and baskets above the cabinets.

Also consider corners, backsides of doors, and brackets as potential storage areas.

Kitchen Updating Ideas: Are You Ready to Give Your Kitchen a Makeover?

As you can see, there are many kitchen updating ideas that are both affordable and hassle-free.

And, the best part is, because they are so affordable, you can choose to do as many of them as you want, therefore giving your kitchen a whole new look.

If you have any questions about these ideas, please drop us a comment below.

And, once you’re done updating your kitchen, it’s time to move onto the outside of your home. Check out these patio decorating ideas to get ready for summer.

Is there anything better than a freshly cut and pruned lawn in the spring months?

If you pride yourself on having the best lawn in the neighborhood, then you need to invest in the best lawn care service company. As a seasoned lawn pro, you can absolutely achieve this on your own, but hiring a lawn care service company can be just as gratifying.

But with so many companies in your area, you may be left scratching your head. Do you hire the eager high school student down the street or a landscaping company with years of experience? You may also be tempted to save a buck, but will that provide equally satisfactory results?

Whenever you hire a company to do work at your home, you’re trusting them with your property. We all want to give people the benefit of the doubt, but doing our research in advance can help us to make the best decisions.

Want to learn how to select a reliable lawn care service company? Read on to discover our top tips to hire the best lawn care service company in your area.

1. Check Credentials

A reputable lawn care service company will have the proper business credentials to operate successfully and legally. While credentials such as a business license and insurance may seem like “no big deal,” they’re actually very important.

For example, if a lawn care service company doesn’t have Workman’s Comp insurance and a worker gets hurt on your property, then the worker may be able to sue you for medical bills and missed work days. Because of this reality, it’s always important to ask the company in advance about their licenses and insurance policies.

You can also check the Better Business Bureau website to see what others reported about each lawn care service company.

2. Assess Your Needs

Before hiring a lawn service company, you should assess your lawn care needs.

Do you just need mowing done every couple of weeks? Do you want complicated fertilizer and weed treatments? And, do you want your backyard, as well as your front yard, maintained?

Not all lawn care companies provide special lawn treatment, so it’s important to speak with the company in advance about what services they do offer. For any special services they offer, make sure they also have the proper licensing and certifications.

For example, does the company offer training and certifications to apply chemicals treatments? If they do, then it’s a good sign that they take their business and customer service seriously.

3. Pricing and Rates

Before selecting a lawn care service, determine your budget. Once you have a budget in mind and a reputable company, tell them exactly what your budget is.

Ask them exactly how they charge and how much each visit will cost. Some companies charge by the hour whereas others charge per job. If you’re on a strict budget, then finding a company that charges by the job will be your safest bet.

You should also inquire as to exactly what each job entails and how long it should take.

Ready to Hire a Lawn Care Service Company?

When hiring a lawn care service company, always keep in mind that your needs come first. As a homeowner, your number one goal is to protect your home and your family, so don’t feel bad about asking questions. Any reputable lawn care service company will be more than happy to answer them and to have your business.

Want to improve your lawn and landscaping? Check out our blog post for 10 ways to take the yawn out of your lawn.