DIY, Design, Money, and More

Welcome home! Thanks for joining our adventures in DIY, home and life hacks. This blog is here to empower you with practical tips, step-by-step tutorials, and creative ideas to fall in love with home. Let’s roll up our sleeves, grab our tools, and make something awesome.

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We built our dream home in Austin, TX. Watch this video for a quick reveal. My wife, April and I are real estate agents and lifestyle bloggers living in Austin, Texas with our 3 kids (Sienna, Willa, and Dax) and 2 dogs (Leo and Lulu). We share advice on real estate, blogging, DIY, and design. Join us for interior design, DIY, and lifestyle tips and advice. We were working on some marketing material for our real estate company and shot this amazing video of the home we built. We've already done a handful of DIY projects including: - A DIY pool build with artificial turf in between concrete pavers - A Butler pantry transformation - A garage gym and workshop And a few other small things. We plan on doing an attic renovation, an outdoor kitchen, and much more.
We Built Our Dream Home – House Reveal
DIY Home Security Options Home security is a big business, but you don’t need to go with a professionally installed and contracted alarm system just to protect your property. Thanks to smart home technology, there are many do-it-yourself home security options that you can both install and maintain on your own — and none of them require you to rig a system that looks like it came off of the set of Home Alone. According to a report from the University of North Carolina, 60% of home burglars seek alternative targets when they identify the presence of a security system. Among those who notice home security devices after initiating a burglary, about half discontinue their attempt. While burglaries in the United States are on the decline overall, it’s still a good idea to put in some measures to protect your home, your family, and your belongings. Home security options run the gamut in terms of cost and efficacy, but all of them should in some way help deter — or entirely prevent — criminals from entering your home. If you’re interested in boosting your home’s security but don’t want to go all in on an expensive monthly alarm system, here are four home security options you can put into place on your own, plus some advice on making the right choice for your home.
4 DIY Home Security Options
Do you need a home inspection when buying a house? This question is becoming more common among homebuyers in strong seller’s markets. When desperate buyers compete against multiple offers, they’re tempted to waive the home inspection to appease the sellers. Some folks wonder if it’s worth paying for a home inspection at all. I’m Nick with Designer and the DIYer, when I’m not DIYing something I’m selling real estate in Austin, TX and in today’s video let’s dive into home inspections and why you should get one before buying a house. In today’s market we are inching closer to a neutral or even a buyer’s market, so you aren’t having to waive home inspection contingencies. The home inspection is the most substantial contingency that a buyer possesses once they’re under contract. The home inspection process allows the buyer to spend more time investigating the overall health of the home. Homebuyers are often very curious about the home inspector’s findings. They wonder what steps happen during the inspection and how to fix the problems that arise from the home inspection report.
Buying A House? Do I Need To Get A Home Inspection?
Looking for ways to refresh your home and make the most of your weekend? Here are five practical (and fun!) home projects that you can tackle over the weekend to spruce up your home.
5 Designer Approved DIY Home Projects to Tackle This Weekend
In this video, learn 10 of my best tips to boost your curb appeal if you are planning on selling your house with or without a real estate agent. First impressions are crucial, especially when selling a home. The landscape and curb appeal often serve as the opening act to potential buyers’ experiences, setting the stage for what lies beyond the front door. A well-manicured exterior can tell buyers that the owner has been committed to maintenance and attention to detail of their property. In this article, we will explore practical steps to increase your curb appeal and leave a positive impression with buyers.
Selling Your House? 10 Tips To Boost Curb Appeal
Selling your house fast and for top dollar has less to do with luck and more to do strategy. To sell your home fast, you have to take an active role in the process. Don’t sit back and wait for the buyer who can see past potential flaws. Do your homework, make fixes, and go out of your way to show just how great your property is. Here are 10 tips to guide you through the process. More tips for selling your house fast Invest in professional listing photos — First impressions matter, so make sure your home’s listing photos highlight the home’s best features. Invest in a professional photographer who has experience with real estate photography specifically. Your realtor should be able to help you enlist one. Plan an open house — If you can, host an open house. They are a great way to attract all sorts of buyers and buyers’ agents. They can also help avoid multiple showings. Market your home effectively — Choose a realtor with marketing know-how, such as using social media channels, emails, mailers, and events. A good realtor should be able to harness different marketing strategies to find potential buyers. Avoid over-improving your home — While it’s important to get your house in top condition when listing it, you shouldn’t tackle costly additions and improvements – especially if you want to sell the home quickly. For one, the buyer might want to make their own improvements. And simple improvements such as decluttering, repainting and fixing holes in the walls can go a long way. Thanks for watching and I hope you learned a few things to help sell your home.
10 Tips To Sell Your Home Fast For Top Dollar
Real estate staging is a popular method of ensuring that your home is attractive to as many buyers as possible. The process of staging your home requires you to remove personal flourishes so that you can create a more neutral appearance that will appeal to a broader audience. Real estate staging is essentially the process of creating a polished resume that reflects the best of what your home has to offer to potential buyers. Focusing on key details can help make staging much more manageable and affordable. And staging doesn’t have to be costly, here are 6 ways for how to stage a house for sale inexpensively. If you want to save money and have the time and the desire to do what it takes to present your property in the best way, the DIY option is the way to go. The tasks you might need to perform will be repairs and home design: rearranging furniture, decluttering, removing personal photos and decor, adding new curtains and throw pillows, repainting, touching up the walls, and a whole lot of cleaning. You can also add homey touches like cut flowers and house plants, and make sure your house smells amazing (candles, a diffuser or even a plate of fresh-baked cookies will work). And don’t forget the exterior! #realestate #realestatestaging #staging #realestateadvice
6 Home Staging Tips To Sell Your House For Top Dollar
6 Simple Home Renovations To Make Before You Sell So, you’re looking to sell your home? Selling a property can be an exciting time, a significant life change, a move to a new destination, or simply a way to turn an investment property into some long-awaited profit. However, amid all the excitement and a little stress, there are some essentials you need to consider if you wish to maximize your home’s sellability. Maximizing your home’s appeal to potential buyers is a way to squeeze every piece of profit from your property. These renovations, and last-minute home upgrades don’t have to break the bank and can all be done over a spare weekend through getting stuck into a touch of DIY. Before selling, let’s take a look at what home renovations are worth it. I’m Nick, my wife wife April and I are real estate agents in Austin, TX and we are also the creators of Designer and the DIYer. Let’s discuss these home improvements that can help sell your home for top dollar.
6 Home Updates To Make Before You Sell
Ever walked into a room and thought, "Wow, how did they make this place look so fancy?" Well, hold onto your throw pillows because I'm about to spill some interior design tea that'll have your home feeling like a palace fit for royalty! This is Nick with Designer and the DIYer, my wife the designer came up with these ideas, but she’s not quite ready for the camera, so here I am DIYing some interior design advice. 8 Valuable Lessons I Learned From an Interior Designer (my wife) Are you getting ready to list your house or are you just ready to unlock the secrets of chic decor? Buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into the fabulous world of interior design! Lesson 1: Rug Size Matters Let's kick things off with everyone's favorite decor accessory – rugs! Turns out, the size of your rug is more than just a floor covering – it's the anchor that holds your room together. So, ditch the postage stamp-sized rugs and go big or go home. Lesson 2: Curtain and Rods Matter Ah, curtains – the unsung heroes of window dressings! If your room still feels like a dungeon, it might be time to give your curtains a makeover. Hang those babies high and wide, my friends, and watch as your room transforms into a palace fit for royalty! Lesson 3: TV and Art Placement Matter Now, let's talk TV and art – the dynamic duo of wall decor! Don't be that person with their TV mounted so high you need a neck brace to watch it. And as for art, keep it eye level, folks! No one wants to crane their necks just to admire your masterpiece. Lesson 4: Direction of Plank Flooring Matters Got plank flooring? Listen up, because this one's a game-changer! The direction those planks are laid can totally change the vibe of your room. So, before you go laying them willy-nilly, think about whether you want your space to feel wider or longer. It's like a magic trick for your floors! Lesson 5: Avoid Matchy-Matchy Items Say goodbye to boring, matchy-matchy furniture sets and hello to eclectic vibes! Mix and match those pieces like a pro and let your inner designer shine. Trust me, your room will thank you for the dose of personality! Lesson 6: Keep It Neutral When it comes to major furniture pieces, remember – less is more! Keep those walls and sofas neutral and let your accessories do the talking. Who wants to repaint their walls every time they get tired of that neon green sofa, anyway? Lesson 7: Less Is More Repeat after me – less is more! Channel your inner Marie Kondo and declutter like there's no tomorrow. Your room will thank you for the breathing space, trust me. Lesson 8: Add Plants And finally, let's talk about the power of plants! Whether you're a green thumb or a certified plant killer, there's no denying the magic of a little greenery. So, grab your watering can and let's turn your home into a lush jungle oasis! And there you have it, folks – eight valuable lessons straight from the trenches of interior design! So go forth, my fellow decorators, and may your homes be as fabulous as you are!
8 Things I've Learned from an Interior Design
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