The holidays: preparing for out of town guests

The holidays are coming and for some of us, that may mean hosting out of town guests.  If you are hosting relatives or friends this year, here are some helpful tips for preparing your home for the occasion:

Declutter your home

With a few extra people in your home, you are going to need some additional room. It's time to declutter and create some much needed space. Your living room, family room, and other common rooms used for entertaining should be free of any furniture that you won't use.

Do house repairs

If your family has been dealing with a drippy faucet, squeaky door, or broken steps you should get these things taken care of before your guests arrive. A few small house repairs and improvements can make your home safer and more comfortable for your holiday houseguests.

Childproof your home

If babies or children are among your houseguests, it's time to do some simple childproofing: keep all cleaning products, knives, medications, and other potential hazards in a locked cabinet or out of reach.

Prepare the guest room

If your guest room is rarely used, it's time for some heavy duty cleaning. Make sure all the bedding is fresh, vacuum the floor (don't forget under the bed), and make space in the closet for your guests' clothes.

Cook ahead

Who wants to spend all your time in the kitchen when you have houseguests? Cook ahead and freeze some meals for dinner. Also, make sure your pantry and kitchen are stocked with staple items.

Decorate

You don't want to be hanging Christmas lights and setting up displays while your guests are in town. Prepare by decorating a little early.

Relax

Although entertaining guests can be stressful at the holidays, it can be a lot of fun too. Relax and de-stress a bit before their arrival.

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Finishing your Basement

A favorite trend when making home improvements is basement remodeling and finishing.  Here are a few reasons you may want to consider finishing your basement::

 More Space-

The most obvious benefit to finishing the basement is adding more livable space to your home.  It is also much less expensive costing almost half the price of adding out or up. 

Health Benefits-

An unfinished basement can often produce dampness and mold which are associated with common health problems, such as asthma, and other respiratory diseases.  When the foundation is well finished and insulated it can potentially save you from some of the dangers of an unfinished basement.

Improved value-

Most homeowners are looking for ways to improve the value of their homes and give its appeal a boost to potential home buyers.  If you have the means to do so, finishing your basement is a great way to add value to your home without breaking the bank.

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First things first- moving into a new home

When you move into a new house there is always so much you want to accomplish.  There are a few things you should put at the top of your list to get settled and start making your house a home.

Deep Clean-

Cleaning your new home is the first thing you should do so that you feel you are entering a shiny new place. It’s a great way to help you feel comfortable and is also gives you a chance to see the home at every angle so you can start coming up with decorating ideas.

Fresh Paint-

What is the fastest way to make your house feel fresh?  A coat of paint will do the trick. Consider the lighting in the room when choosing colors and try to make a nice contrast with the trim.

Add Light-

Mirrors, lamps, and overhead light fixtures will brighten up dark spaces and will make them feel larger.

Get to know your storage space-

The feeling of having tons of belongings to unpack when you move into a new home can be overwhelming, but   organizing some storage space as soon as you move in will help you quickly sort through things. Look for interesting nooks to turn into storage space like an indent in the bathroom or an opening at the end of a hallway.

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