Author: Jeremy Wend

Research shows that 68% of Americans die without leaving wills. A will is an essential estate planning tool, yet many people never take the time to make theirs.

One of the basics of estate planning is creating a will, but you can also use other tools to plan your estate.

The goal is to protect your things and family, and one of the questions people often wonder about is their homes. What happens to your home and belongings when you die?

With an estate plan, you can predict and plan for what will happen. Here is a guide to help you learn the basics of estate planning if you haven’t started yet.

Consider Your Assets and Family

As you begin learning about the basics of estate planning, you’ll need to start by considering your assets and family.

Do you have specific people in your life that you would like to give your things to after you die? Many people choose to leave their things to their kids. If you have kids, you might want to leave your things to them.

If so, how many kids do you have? Would you like to divide your things equally between them? If not, how do you want to divide your assets?

If you don’t have children, you might have close friends or family that could be your beneficiaries. You’ll need to think about this carefully before you begin planning your estate.

It’s also beneficial to think about your assets. If you don’t own a lot, an estate plan might not be necessary. If you have a house, though, you’ll need a plan.

One of the estate planning basics you’ll learn is that you must create a plan before you die if you want to have a say in what happens to your things.

Talk to Your Family About Your Home

After thinking about your things and family, it might be a good idea to speak with your beneficiaries about your house and things.

You might discover that one of your children wants to keep your house. You might also learn that no one wants your house. The way you handle your estate plan depends on what your beneficiaries want.

Considering your family’s desires and needs is one of the basics of an estate plan. You can help them avoid problems and challenges by considering their desires as you create your plan.

Decide the Best Route to Take for Your House

Next, you’ll need to learn more about the basic components of an estate plan so you can choose the right tools for your plan. Here are some options you can use to plan for your home after you die:

Use a Last Will and Testament

The most basic tool of an estate plan is a Last Will and Testament (also called a will). A will is a legal tool that you use to name your beneficiaries and state your wishes.

The downside to a will is that your family must go through the probate process, which is lengthy and costly. Your assets won’t instantly transfer to your beneficiaries without going through probate.

The benefit of a will is that you can include other instructions. For example, you can state your wishes for cremation or burial. You can also name someone to be the guardian of your kids if you have young children.

Create a Trust

A trust is also a common tool you can use when completing your estate plan. A trust is a separate entity that allows you to transfer your house and things to others without going through probate.

Using a trust simplifies the estate settlement process for your beneficiaries. When you make the trust, you place your assets in it. When you die, the trust makes it easy for your loved ones to take possession of all your things.

Add Your Beneficiaries to Your House Deed

If your home is the main asset you have, there is one other way to handle the transfer of it to your loved ones. If you have two children you want to give your house to, you can add their names to your house deed.

By adding their names to it, the house is already theirs. They won’t have to fight with a court to get the house. They will have immediate possession of it after you die.

This idea works great in many situations, but it doesn’t cover all the other assets and estate issues you must handle.

An Estate Plan Can Also Include Other Things

In addition to planning for the transfer of your home to your beneficiaries, you might have other items to transfer. For example, do you have vehicles, jewelry, firearms, or other valuable things?

If so, you’ll want to decide who you will give these things to after you die. Again, having a conversation with your beneficiaries can eliminate problems they might face after your death.

You can find out what items each person would like and include instructions on your will to accommodate these needs.

You might also want to include instructions for everything else you own. For example, you could include something on your will that states who inherits everything in your home. You can give it all to one person or many.

If you’re not sure how to proceed with your basic goals of estate planning, contact Johnston Shaw Inc for help. Creating an estate plan alone is not an easy feat, which is why most people hire experts for help.

The Basics of Estate Planning: Start Now

You might think you have plenty of time to plan your estate, but this isn’t always the case. Learning the basics of estate planning is vital, as it helps you realize that you should start now.

Using the right estate planning tools can help you protect your things and your loved ones.

If you enjoyed this article, you may like others on our blog. Check out the rest of our site!

Did you know that 125 million US homes have hot tubs? That accounts for 4.6% of households nationwide.

Relaxing in a beautiful spa bath or hot tub may be very appealing to you, but does it hold the same appeal to buyers if you’re considering selling your home?

In this article, we’ll take a look at whether getting a spa bath installation can increase home value and aid the selling process.

Is It a Portable or a Permanent Hot Tub?

The first question that you need to ask is whether or not the spa bath you own or are considering buying is portable or permanent.

Just like with swimming pools, in-built hot tubs are more likely to net you a greater resale value than freestanding spa baths. Although, on the flip-side of the coin, the cost of installing an in-built spa bath will be much greater, whereas a freestanding hot tub cost may be lower, so your returns may be better on a freestanding unit.

Do You Live In a Hot Or Cool Climate?

If you live in a hotter climate, you’ll probably not get the same use out of your hot tub during the peak of the summer months. If you live in an area with a cooler climate, you’ll be more likely to get all-year-round use out of it.

Getting the use out of it more frequently will mean that the spa bath will be of more value in comparison to something that’ll just take up a lot of space for most of the year without getting used.

Do the Neighbors All Have Hot Tubs?

If you live in an area that is geared toward spa bath ownership, it stands to reason that you wouldn’t want to miss out and be left behind.

Not only that, but your neighbors play a huge part in your home’s value. If you live in an area that’s targeted towards families and children and homeowners looking for longer-term ownership, a spa bath is a great investment.

If you live in an area that’s geared toward affordable or temporary housing, a spa bath may be looked upon as an unnecessary luxury.

Did You Buy a Good Quality Hot Tub?

Finally, the quality of the hot tub is a factor. If you bought a cheap, low-quality spa bath, it’s unlikely to have any impact on the value of your home. If, however, you bought a good-quality spa bath, this will be more likely to add value.

If you’re looking to add value, make sure you shop around for the best hot tub you can get.

Does Adding a Spa Bath Increase Home Value?

The answer is yes—adding a spa bath can definitely increase value when selling a house. How much it will increase the value will depend on the type of hot tub you buy, how popular they are in your area, and how much use the homeowner will get out of it.

For more helpful home articles, check out the rest of the blog.

Does your home have curb appeal? People say not to judge a book by its cover, but most of us will judge a house based on its exterior home design. How does your house stack up?

Your home’s exterior makes a strong first impression on visitors. You want it to be a good one, whether you’re looking to impress guests or trying to sell your house at the best value.

So, what are the best ways to make your home’s exterior the best it can be? Read on for three simple but effective exterior home remodel ideas.

1. Light Your Home’s Exterior

If you want a truly modern home exterior, you need to add some lighting. Exterior home lighting can really make a house pop thanks to elegant fixture designs and soft, attractive visuals.

There is a multitude of different lighting options. No matter your personal style and lighting needs, you’ll be able to find something that looks great and emphasizes the best features of your house.

Exterior lighting doesn’t just look great, either. It also makes your home safer. Lighting up walkways and yards prevents people from stumbling around and possibly getting hurt.

2. A Fresh Coat of Paint

Exterior home painting is one of the more popular ways of adding a personal touch to a house. Whether you’re painting your door, your trim, or your entire exterior, a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference.

Painting is good for more than changing up your home’s exterior look, too. In many cases, painting a home can increase its value.

It’s important to note that different exterior home colors can impact home value in different ways. If you’re painting with an eye toward selling, do some research to see what colors are currently popular.

Of course, neutral colors never go out of style, so they’re always a safe bet!

3. Love Your Lawn

Another home exterior idea is to update your landscape. Good landscaping is key to having an attractive home; even the prettiest house is going to look bad if it has a messy, unkempt front yard.

There are plenty of things you can do to make your lawn look stunning. Plants are a great way to make your lawn stand out, whether they be lush bushes or colorful flowers.

Landscaping companies like Lawn & Snow Landscape Complete LLC can help you plan out the perfect outdoor space. Expert landscapers can assist with plants, irrigation, and more.

People are going to see your lawn before they see your house. Your yard is your first chance to wow someone, so don’t skimp out on it!

Maximize Your Curb Appeal

Your home’s exterior is the face you present to your neighborhood. That’s why it’s so important for it to look its best. If you’re getting ready to sell, better curb appeal means better value.

Even if you’re not, there’s no reason not to live in a fabulous home!

If you want the inside of your house to look as good as the outside, check our home décor blog! You’ll find tons of articles for improving your interior design.

Did you know that 40% of American families will take at least one vacation every calendar year? While getting away from time to time can be nice, having your own private getaway in your backyard is ideal for most homeowners.

The good news? You can achieve this with the right in ground pool design choice.

Below we’ve broken down 4 awesome in ground pool designs that are worth considering. So, keep on reading if you need some help figuring out how you want your pool layout to come together.

1. A Pool with Waterfall

If you’re thinking about installing a swimming pool, and you want to make the most out of your purchase, consider going with a pool that has a waterfall. This will not only give you a centerpiece to build your entire backyard around, but it really can make those days spent swimming in your pool that much more fun.

The best part? A waterfall can even help you keep your pool cooler on those super hot days. That way you can go for a refreshing dip, even when the temperatures reach around 100 degrees.

2. A Pool with Waterslide

Not a fan of waterfalls? Want something that is more kid-friendly? If so, consider going with a pool that has a waterslide for your backyard.

It goes without saying, but everyone will have fun using your pool and your waterslide, especially the kids. With that in mind, the adults can have a good time with a waterslide, too, so don’t overlook this idea if you don’t have any little ones in your life.

3. Embrace Your Natural Space

Do you have a wonderful backyard that has tons of awesome views? Or maybe you have a well-landscaped yard that has plenty of beautiful plants and flowers planted throughout?

If that sounds like your yard, embracing your natural space and letting your yard do all the heavy lifting for your pool is more than a good idea. All you need to do to do this is pave the area around your in ground pool and you’re good to go.

4. A Pool/Hot Tub Combo

One of the best ways to maximize your pool space is to get a 2-in-1 pool that is both a pool and a hot tub. We’ll be honest. Doing this will most likely require you to spend a bit more money.

But any professionals who have tons of experience with pool installation should be able to bring this idea to life for you.

That way you can have both a pool and a hot tub, giving you your very own relaxing getaway in your backyard.

Need More Help With In Ground Pool Design?

As you can see, the possibilities with in ground pool design are limitless. With that in mind, if you stick to any of the ideas that we mentioned on this list, you should end up with a pool that you and your family and friends are more than happy with.

Looking for more backyard decor tips and tricks? Check back with our blog often.

Despite a challenging year, home sales in the USA are skyrocketing. In fact, USA home inventory demand was higher than any time since 2006. Just because sales are 22% higher than 2019, it doesn’t mean that 2021 will be a cinch to sell in.

Smart homeowners savvy in real estate marketing have been able to sell no matter the challenge — economic or otherwise. What are their secrets? We’ve collected seven of the best tips a smart home seller needs to employ in their arsenal.

Keep reading to find out what they are.

1. The Only Impression That Matters Is the First One

The best-case real estate marketing scenario is to sell your house fast. Unfortunately, if you don’t have good curb appeal, you’ve lost your most potent weapon.

The curb appeal of your home is the first impression you can make. The “second first impression” is the moment they walk through the door to see their future lodgings. That’s why you can’t only spend your beautification budget on the inside.

If you didn’t spend time on the outward appearance of your home, they’ve already decided to pass before walking to the front door.

Make sure to develop a green thumb leading up to your home sale. Buyers love well-tended and designed gardens. It’s good, then, that plants don’t have to be expensive to buy or upkeep.

As for when they walk in the door. Make it welcoming with treats or a tasteful indoor plant. Try to have flowers that aren’t too pungent or known for causing allergic attacks, if you decide to go that route.

2. Kitchens Sell Houses

Kitchens are well known to be a focal point for homes. The expected range for a kitchen remodel is between 5% to 15%, but definitely no more or less. This makes sense because a kitchen usually makes up 10% of the value of a home.

Bathrooms, though, are a close second to decision points on the price and purchase of a home.

If your kitchen and bathrooms look dated, you could end up selling your home for $10,000 to $20,000 less than you had hoped. All of this assumes, though, that you have followed through on the next point.

3. Don’t Spend More on Upgrades Than Necessary

Sometimes, upgrades like kitchens, baths, or new crown molding aren’t what you need to spend money on. On top of that, you don’t need to find the most exotic materials.

What you’re looking for is a return on investment of at least 100%.

This means you may have imported exotic wood for a new hardwood floor for nothing. The new owners could have decided to either cover up the hardwood flooring or tear it completely. Instead, make sure everything is in working order and in good condition.

Don’t even think about working on kitchens and baths unless roof leaks and other structural issues are taken care of. Essential repairs come first.

If the buyer knows that all appliances and major care have already been done, they may forgive a dated kitchen and bathroom.

4. Depersonalize Your Home

Many homeowners feel the temptation to show how cozy their home is by adding personal touches. You should put away family pictures, eclectic or obscure taste in art, and family heirlooms.

A general rule is to take at least one-third of your own items and put them in storage. You want to put a priority on the items listed above.

Your goal is to appeal to mass appeal, rather than people with your specific tastes. That goes for upgrade choices as well.

5. Send Your Pet on a Holiday

Rover and Felix, beloved members of your family that they are, won’t be appreciated by potential homebuyers. You don’t have to have the best real estate agent for them to tell you to hide the food bowls and mask the litter smell.

When smart homebuyers go shopping, they don’t want their clothes to collect animal fur. It can also cause allergies for people to have pet hair and dander present. This means you need to keep your home extremely clean during the process.

If you are scheduling an open house you definitely want to schedule a pet hotel stay during the same days. Put the toys away, store the food and other items, and try to hide any signs of pets that you can.

6. Keep Storage Areas Half-Full

Speaking of storing items away, a smart homebuyer will definitely test a smart home seller by snooping. During the duration of your selling process, it’s smart to get a separate storage unit to hold personal items and things you can live without.

Trying to eliminate a third of personal items, especially the most precious ones, also reduces the chances of theft.

If you are able to, try to keep in-house storage half-full. This helps you to show off the space of storage. If it’s empty or full, it could make the space seem smaller than you’re hoping to.

An exception to this rule is the garage. You don’t want to keep the garage half-full, but you do want to show off storage possibilities. If you can keep your car inside and still walk around easily, you’re doing something right.

On that note, try not to park inside the garage when you are showing it off. This way you can show off the garage floors as clean and oil or crack-free.

7. Keep It Bright

A sometimes misunderstood rule, smart homeowners will research the best lighting for their home sale. Home sales tend to do best with lighting that replicates natural sunlight for your region.

It helps if you can keep it bright inside by:

• Cleaning the windows
• Changing the lampshades
• Opening or taking down heavy draping
• Cutting away vegetation blocking light from the outside

Stay away from anything over 5000k “temperature” for your lighting. Between 3000-4500k can give accurate enough color recognition, luminosity, and warmth. It’s hard to balance warmth with being in a cave, so it’s a good idea to consult with your agent or a home-stager for optimum results of lighting tweaks.

Seven Tips Smart Homeowners Use to Sell Fast

Selling fast is what all smart homeowners hope to accomplish. With these seven tips, it’s going to lead to surefire success!

Neder is always making the best articles you can find on the web for furniture, home decor, maintenance and repair, and more. Keep browsing to find out other tips to get your home sold fast!

Storage space can become limited and cause frustrations in your home. Congested home results in stress because you always feel like a prisoner in your home. Without proper space management, personal belongings can create a chaotic environment.

Is storage a precious commodity in your home? If so, here are some space management techniques you need to try yourself.

Declutter Your Home

If your space feels congested, you probably have stuff lying in the wrong places. Some of this stuff needs a bit of cleaning or proper storage. Other things need to be purged.

Decluttering your home helps you realize what’s causing the lack of space. The best way to reduce clutter is to go room by room and categorize every item lying around. Have clear bins labeled for things you want to put away, recycle, trash or donate.

The box of things you want to put away is essential because it contains items you placed in the wrong room or place. You have to return the items in this bin to their respective storage place. Take this time to make sure everything has it’s own spot in your home.

Let Go of the Things You Don’t Need

A crucial part of space management is getting rid of the stuff you don’t need. This is also the time you need to let go of the things you’re hesitant to give out or toss away.

Go through your stuff to see the easiest thing to get rid of. Try the Marie Kondo method when you go through your items to beat clutter. This basically encourages you to see if the item “sparks joy” or not.

Critique every item like this if you’re having trouble giving things away. If the item does not bring you joy anymore, get rid of it.

Avoid procrastinating on what to toss away unless it’s some memorabilia. If you put off the decision, you’re likely to make the same conclusion in the future. So, save your time by being decisive the first time.

Use Loft Stackable Containers

You’re likely to remain in a crowded space after you declutter your home. You may still have bins of valuable items around or you didn’t toss away many things. You have to figure out where you will store these items to stay organized.

That’s where you consider other storage options. Your loft or attic is one of the options you can maximize to boost storage space. Instaloft.co.uk recommends stackable plastic containers to get more out of your loft. You can label these boxes to ensure you don’t waste time when retrieving items.

Loft boxes or stackable containers help reduce clutter in your home as well as in the loft spaces. Your belongings stay organized and are also free from damage or dust.

Loft Boarding and Shelving for Better Storage Space

Utilizing your loft area in the right way can help you beat clutter and use storage space to its full potential. Your loft may have vast untapped space. With a small investment, you can turn it into your favorite store.

The first thing to do even before stacking your containers is to put in place loft boards. Loft boarding provides a cost-effective way to make the space withstand large items.

Loft boards boost floor space by 50% and allow you extra room to help reduce clutter. You can maximize the space further by using stackable containers.

If your storage space is still not enough, add loft shelving. That way, you can organize the storage better and make it safer. You will reduce the risk of overloading the floor space or damaging some of your belongings.

Convert Walls and Corners into Storage

Most people think about better space management without giving thought to walls and corners. You can optimize wall space to amplify your storage space. You can also turn a dull corner into an exciting storage space.

An L-shaped bookshelf in the corner can allow for the storage of scattered books. Lighted floating corner shelves can be an excellent addition to stow a range of staff.

Another space management trick is to create shelves that run from the ceilings to floors. You can set these shelves in your living or bedroom to increase storage space. Please be sure you anchor them well to prevent them from toppling.

Use Multi-Purpose Furniture to Save Space

Multipurpose furniture is one exciting space management technique in tiny spaced homes. If you have a piece of this furniture, you can use it for many purposes in your home.

Some multipurpose furniture can serve as a cabinet, bed, sofa and study table. You can convert a couch into a bed and host a friend when you don’t have an extra room. A bed can transform into a neat cabinet and create the illusion of space during the day.

There are many types of multipurpose furniture. What you pick depends on your space needs and how you want to declutter your home.

Get More Out of Bed Space

Beds usually consume lots of space. What you may not know is that you convert this space into extra storage.

A great way to start is to install footboards that act as storage space instead of the traditional ones. This can help reduce clutter from books, clothes, bedding, and towels.

Attach wooden storage or shelves under the bed to increase your storage options. Under-bed shelves allow you to reduce clutter without altering your room’s aesthetics.

You can also maximize bed space by using hoisted cabinet beds. These beds come with cast integrated storage. They can also be handy when you’re short of cabinet storage space.

Create Organizational Systems and Routines

Adding storage spaces and decluttering doesn’t necessarily help you stay organized. Staying organized is much of a long-term commitment. You have to prevent clutter from building up again once you reduce it.

Try these simple methods:

• Install hooks in entryways for handbags and bags
• Create pantry and fridge organization rules
• Create a friendly laundry system
• Use budgets and be a conscious buyer to avoid buying things you don’t need
• Donate more often to prevent a pile of items you don’t use
• Have a daily, weekly and monthly cleaning and decluttering plan
• Get everyone on board to ensure no one pulls you back

For long-term success in space management, think about creating organizational routines and systems. Identify the spots you gravitate to with new clutter and find ways of addressing the problem.

Which Space Management Technique Do You Prefer?

Space management can be a challenge when you don’t know where to get started. But that doesn’t mean you shelve it. The sooner you declutter your home, the better.

Try these tips to start. For more advice on home improvement, check out the rest of our blog.