5 Easy DIY Home Improvement Projects to Attempt This Winter

Just because it's cold out doesn't mean you have to stay cooped up and bored in your house all winter. Instead of wasting away behind the TV or computer you can improve your living space and be guest ready by the time spring gets here. Here are some easy do it yourself projects that you can do to improve your home, save money, and avoid being bored.

Put Insulation on Your Water Heater

Add a thick blanket or insulation around your water heater in order to ensure that the water within the heater will stay hot even when it's not in use. This is a great way to save energy, and of course money, during the winter and throughout the year. Insulation kits can be purchased at most local home improvement stores.

Put in a Programmable Thermostat

Your utility bills in the winter can be overwhelming, but turning down the thermostat can be uncomfortable. By installing a programmable thermostat, you can set it to change temperature throughout the day, such as keeping the house cooler during the day while everyone is out and warmer at night when you're sleeping. This will save tons of energy and money and is an easy installment. The installation process includes hooking up a few low-voltage wires and most programmable thermostats come with instructions to help you with the set up. Most of these thermostats run around $25 and are available at most hardware stores.

Refinish Your Basement

Big, indoor projects are perfect for down time during the winter and refinishing your basement is no small feat. You can do a lot of the work on your own without a contractor, such as installing new flooring or carpet, painting walls, or dry walling. You will have a pretty basement ready for entertaining by the spring!

Paint the Walls

Spend your time inside not only repainted your finished basement but also the rest of your house. Painting can be a large task to tackle, so take your time and spread it out. You can really revamp a room with a just new shade of paint. Change the feel of the whole room or just add an accent wall to liven  it up a bit. You can get paint advice and tips from your local home improvement store employee.

Organize Drawers and Closets

While you're hibernating inside, why not be productive by dumping out those drawers and donating some of the stuff that you haven't used in ages. You can spend your winter decluttering your life and your home. You'll be feeling organized and light when the spring sun shows up.

Spend your winter months doing something productive and try one of all five of these easy DIY home improvement ideas!

About the Author: Valerie is a guest contributor from Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood, Lansing, Michigan's premier real estate company.

Home Design Trends for 2015

Design trends for 2015 seem to be all about classic luxury and versatile functionality. Modern trends combine with classic style to create a fresh and unique look for the New Year. Classic, retro, and contemporary design ideas incorporating new materials alongside traditional ones, fresh decorating colors and artist details are taking the home design trends by storm. 2015 is all about blending traditional with the modern, creating a combination of serenity, personality and versatility.

Moving? Here’s What You Need to Do First

Moving into a new apartment is an exciting part of adulthood, but besides the relocation of your belongings, there are other things you have to consider as well. Have you read and agree on the terms of the lease? How much is the rent and when is the payment due? Do you know who the official landlord is? How long is the notice period?

Five Trendy and Cheap Remodeling Tips

Office remodeling is often put off because of the time it would take as well as the costs that the budget just can never afford. But in today’s world where there are lots of innovative ideas involving the use of reused and recycled furniture, the old has now become modern and trendy. Find out some cheap remodeling tips that will help you boost employee morale and attract more customers to your business.

Hardwood vs. Laminate Wood Flooring

One important factor in determining the market value of a home is its flooring. Wood flooring is a more popular choice because of its natural and warm appearance, and wood will always look timeless. In newer homes today, it is harder to find original hardwood floors because of the high pricing. Yet to achieve that natural wood look, one option homeowners can take to increase the value of their home is to install laminate wood flooring. There are, of course, pros and cons to both hardwood and laminate wood flooring. Let’s tackle these and find out which one is best suited for your lifestyle and budget. 

Should You Rent a Studio or a One-Bedroom Apartment?

Now that you have decided to try living independently, the next decision you will have to make is to choose the type of apartment that suits you. Of course, since you are just starting out and you probably just started on your first job as well, the budget for your rent is a valuable factor when looking for a place to rent. You will typically find studios and one-bedroom apartments to fit your budget just right. Both options sound fantastic, but which one is more preferable? The answer depends on their pros and cons.

Relocating to a New City

What kind of home will you buy? Where will your kids go to school? Will you be able to find a new job? These and many other questions need to be answered when you are relocating. Maybe you have decided you need a change of scenery or maybe you have to move due to a job transfer. I did quite recently, and Oregon has treated me quite nicely! Whatever you reason, relocating can be a fun and scary experience at the same time.

To make sure the moving process runs smoothly, let a relocation service take some of the hassle away.

Find a Service Near You

Relocation services will be one of the best contacts you make when managing a big move. You can have your relocation service help with as little or as much as you need. By contacting real estate agencies, you will find individuals who specialize in relocation services. An Internet search of real estate and city websites like my local Corvallis site will also direct you to services providing assistance in the city to which you are moving. Before deciding on a specialist, you should be familiar with the types of services offered, relocation policies and the quality of customer service.

What They Offer

One of the biggest benefits of working with a service is the knowledge these professionals have of the cities. Through a relocation service you can learn everything you need to know about your new location from crime rates to the nearest shopping center to lists of schools. They can also assist in the following areas:

• Airfare, hotels and rental cars
• Temporary housing
• Selling your current home
• Buying a new home
• Moving and storage
• Auto and pet transport

Some relocation services even handle such tasks as having mail delivered to your new address or getting your utilities set up. Occasionally they even offer discounts to local businesses.

Tips from an Insider

Certain information goes a long way during a major relocation. These suggestions of things not to do and things to make sure you do during a big move are key qualities to look for relocation services.

You should have complete information on the history and demographics of the area you are moving to. If you're moving to Corvallis Oregon, take a look at information from Oregon's government website. Read through any magazine articles on local Oregon towns to learn about each of them. Learn about community information by visiting real estate websites like this Corvallis community info page to learn more about local events and things going on in Corvallis. For example, how would you know about Da Vinci Days if it wasn't for the help of local community members informing you about such an awesome local event! All of this will help you to better understand your new city and help you get acclimated as quickly as possible.

If you have family making the move with you, take time to help them adjust. Your spouse may need to find a new job and children will need to make new friends.

Make sure you find ways to become involved in your new community. Continue with activities you enjoyed in the past or find new ones. Doing this will help you feel at home more quickly.

Remember relocating to a new city will affect different people in different ways. Children, students and senior adults all have special needs to consider when making a big move. Relocation services will help make the transition go smoothly for everyone involved.