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When it comes to buying a home or renting, there are many things to consider. While there are tons of resources on the financial implications of both options, Iâd like to share my thoughts on buying versus renting from an intentional living and minimalist perspective. The decision to buy or rent is just as much a lifestyle decision as it is a financial one. Ultimately, if the decision to buy is made, a home affordability calculator is a great resource to get started.
Itâs important to consider how long youâre planning to be in a certain area and how much location flexibility you need when youâre making the decision to buy or rent. When renting, the leases are typically 12 months or less and there may be options to work out a more flexible move-out date with the landlord or management company. If you end up needing to move to a different area, you have more flexibility to do so.
It becomes a lot more complicated if you need to move away from a home you own. Youâll likely need to sell the house or rent it outâoptions that require more time and resources than if you were renting an apartment. With the amount of investment and time that a house requires, itâs probably best to stay in a location for at least a few years if youâre going to buy.
Think about how you want to spend your time. Similarly, itâs also important to consider how much responsibility youâre willing to take on. During the time I lived in an apartment, I barely changed a light bulb. There were no repairs, no additional investment and no worries.
For the past five years Iâve owned a home, itâs a whole different experience. I spend time cleaning the gutters, mowing the lawn, buying and fixing appliances and other maintenance activities that you never have to think about when youâre renting.   Regular or unexpected repairs can quickly add up to large sums when you own a home. Part of the benefit of renting is that you donât have to deal with or budget for anything like that.
Another thing to think about is how much customization and control youâd like to have. A home you own can be customized to your exact liking, a rental on the other hand has more limitations. From painting the wall a different color to making bigger changes to your living space, youâll have greater control if itâs your home. With a rental, any customizations would need to be approved by the owner.
Amenities are another lifestyle consideration when it comes to buying or renting.
Most likely, an apartment will have more amenities than a typical home, such as a workout room, pool, large party room or even a concierge service. Of course, you may have the option of building or adding similar amenities to a home you buy, but it can be pricey and impractical investment. If you want a pool without the cost and maintenance that owning one would require, then renting an apartment with a community pool is the way to go.
From my perspective, whether you buy or rent has a significant impact on your lifestyle, particularly over the long-term. Thinking about whatâs important to you and how you want to spend your time will help you determine what best fits your desired lifestyle.
The post Home Ownership vs Renting As A Minimalist Lifestyle Decision appeared first on MintLife Blog.
Source: mint.intuit.com
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Most home design advice applies only to commonplace rectangular rooms. Yet homeowners who have odd nooks, curvy walls, or other funny angles in their floor plan might be baffled by what to do, or put, in that space.
Fortunately, there’s some good news: You don’t have to hide these odd areas. Highlighting their quirkiness is actually recommended, says Ana Cummings of the eponymous design firm.
“Make your oddly shaped space look intentional, rather than try to cover it up,” adds Drew Henry of Design Dudes. But doing so, you’ll infuse your room with personality and energy, which is much more than any ol’ boxy shape can offer.
Here’s some advice to help you design looks that’ll work in spots with unusual angles.
Photo by DD Ford ConstructionÂ
Curvy walls are cozy, which is a good vibe to channel in a dining room.
“A round room would be a cool space for dining, so shop for a proportionally sized table, and then accent the design with a round chandelier,” suggests Henry.
Curve-backed sofas are also a fine choice against round walls, and circular rooms can work as music spaces, with a baby grand smack in the middle.
“If you have a round bedroom, I’d either go with a traditional bed enhanced with a curved headboard or a round bedâor better yet, a large custom-upholstered headboard wall,” says Amy Bly of Great Impressions Home Staging and Interiors.
Photo by Cummings ArchitectsÂ
An odd pocket of space with its own window can become a dreamy reading corner, says Henryâand all you really need are a few shelves and a soft seat. If you want to do it yourself, installing these accessories is a fun project, though others may rely on custom millwork and a made-to-order cushion.
Nooks like these can also be transformed into smart storage, a dry bar, or a place to display art or sculpture, says Cummings.
Photo by Return on Design – Because Aesthetics Sell
When it comes to furniture placement here, Henry recommends pieces that are on the petite side because they offer more flexibility for fitting in irregular spaces.
“For instance, instead of a sectional for an odd living room, you may want to look for a love seat and a few lounge chairs,” he says.
As for layout advice, group furniture in a way that’ll facilitate conversation or over an area rug, if possible, and direct attention toward a focal point such as the TV or fireplace.
“This way, you’ll re-create a traditionally styled room without calling attention to an odd corner,” says Cummings.
Photo by 8Foot6Â
A triangular space under a set of stairs can stand in for a homework station with the addition of a simple flat surface and a chair. Or designate this spot for wrapping presents or a hobby like beading or scrapbooking.
Photo by Kelly Rogers Interiors
Bly likes to even out odd bumps or cutouts in a room to make them useful and less obvious.
“Try putting a tall chest or dresser in the nook, or fill it with a bench and a large piece of art or a chair and side table combination,” she says.
A set of drawers or small chest can fit snugly, and it creates a line that seems to sit flush to the wall.
Photo by Marcye Philbrook
Mirrors add light, depth, and beauty to a roomâand they can be a lifesaver in a spot with funny angles. Mirrors can make an area with odd features look larger, and they can help create the illusion of symmetry.
Photo by Cornerstone ArchitectsÂ
Use large artwork, wall paneling, or a mural to your advantage in rooms with quirky features.
“These options can take your eye away from the asymmetry of a space and soften an oddly shaped room,” says Cummings.
You can also work around triangular spaces with strategically placed pieces.
“In this case, I’d downplay the pointy end of the room by placing furniture or two chairs ‘in’ from the point to elongate it,” says Bly.
The post How To Design Around Curved Walls, Odd Angles, or Other Tricky Spots in Your Home appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
Source: realtor.com
Looking to turn your house into a healthy haven to protect your family from COVID-19? Try these six products to transform your space.
*Cover image sourced from Home Depot.
The post 6 Products You Need to Keep Your Home Germ-free and Sanitized in 2020 appeared first on Homes.com.
Source: homes.com
If youâre the type that loves to take on a good DIY project, the winter season can leave your options ⦠lacking. Donât despair, thereâs still plenty that needs to be done around your home even when itâs cold outside. Hereâs a list of indoor DIY projects you can start tackling today.
The post 5 winter DIY home projects first appeared on Century 21®.
Source: century21.com
Trending: 10 home features that have fallen out of favor:
1. Bold color schemes
2. Industrial-style kitchens
3. Kitchen islands
4. Granite countertops
5. TVs in the kitchen
6. Over-the-stove microwaves
7. Raised-panel cabinets
8. Wall-to-wall carpet
9. Distressed wood walls
10. Mediterranean-inspired suburban McMansions
The post 10 home features that have fallen out of favor first appeared on Century 21®.
Source: century21.com