It’s amazing how my clients, Lauren and Mikel Cressman, made a huge impact on the curb appeal of their home by adding colorful accents and a fence.
First, Lauren painted the dark front door a beautiful, chalk blue. Then, they built three sets of shutters and painted them a dark green. Lastly, they added a white WamBam fence to enclose their side yard.
Cost for all came to about $850.
These great updates give the Cressman’s home so much charm and personality, which matches Lauren’s personality perfectly.
Their next projects will be to spruce up the yard by adding low maintenance xeriscaping, and installing an exterior back door and doggie door for Booker.
Gary and Laura Carmack have the ultimate off-grid energy system.
Their three-part system includes solar panels (including the PV panel and Smart Switch); a battery reserve, and a natural gas generator. This system allows the Carmack’s 5,000 sq ft home to stay up and running in the case of a blackout.
They also save hundreds of dollars a month on their electric bill. Gary says they were paying $380/month to run the A/C in the summer. Now they pay $30-$70/month.
Gary explained that the power generated by the solar panels is shared with their local energy company, and if the solar panels aren’t generating enough, the power company gives them the power back at half cost.
He even has an app that tracks the energy and lets him control the systems.
The whole system cost about $80K, and with all the energy savings it will pay off in about 20-30 years.
The Carmack’s say that the peace of mind of having power independent of the energy company is worth every penny.
Thank you Laura and Gary Carmack for sharing your solar knowledge!
How do you make a house a home? It’s not just the bricks and mortar, but the warmth, love, and personal touches that we add to our living spaces. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Lisa Schuring’s home, and I was inspired by the way she’s turned her house into a place of joy and comfort. Lisa shared with me her secrets to making a house truly feel like home, and it all comes down to creativity, meaningful decor, and finding joy in what you have.
The Art of Personal Touches
When you walk into Lisa’s home, you’re immediately struck by the unique and personal decor choices that fill every room. It’s not about buying the trendiest furniture or the most expensive artwork; it’s about infusing your home with pieces that resonate with you.
She used her creativity to take an unwanted dresser from her husband’s great aunt and turned it into a beautiful, useful tv stand. Lisa painted this dresser a soft gray and lined the drawers with a vintage newspaper print.
The gallery wall at the end of her hallway displays artwork of her home town, paintings from her daughter, and a tender mothers day card she gave her mom when she was little. This wall not only looks beautiful, but holds meaning and joy for Lisa and her family.
Discovering Treasures in Thrifted Finds
One of the most charming aspects of Lisa’s home is her love for thrifted finds. Vintage bedding, cottage-style furniture, and rustic accessories all add a unique character to her space. Lisa has an eye for finding hidden treasures in thrift stores and garage sales, and she’s transformed these second-hand items into the very heart of her decor.
Her guest bedroom has been decorated completely with thrifted items. Lisa says she loves to fill her spaces with things that feel found and collected.
A Quote that Says it All
On Lisa’s wall, there’s a quote that perfectly encapsulates her home’s aesthetic: “When you love what you have, you have everything you need.” It’s a reminder that joy doesn’t come from having the fanciest things but from cherishing what you have and the love that fills your home.
What Makes Your House a Home?
Now, I’d love to hear from you. How do you make your house a home? Is it through personal touches, meaningful decor, or something else entirely? Share your tips and stories in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to turn our houses into warm and welcoming homes.
Remember, it’s not about having everything; it’s about cherishing what you have and making it truly yours. After all, when you love what you have, you indeed have everything you need.
My clients are about to close on a new construction home, and as always, the opportunity came up to have a home inspection done. This raised the question: “Is a home inspection really necessary if you’re buying a new construction home? It’s a common question among homebuyers, and the answer might surprise you: Yes, even on new construction houses, home inspections are incredibly valuable!
In my experience, an inspector has caught issues that would have been costly if not caught in a timely manner.
On my client’s home, our inspector Andy Torgerson of 360 Home Check found two items that the builder should address. The first was a small gap in the front door that should be a quick fix. The second issue he found was on the A/C unit which had been running nonstop leading to ice buildup on the line and in the unit. This issue would have eventually been caught by the builder, but by catching this early the life of the unit may be extended.
What questions do you have about home inspections?
This is NOT your grandma’s method for folding a fitted sheet. 👵🏼
If folding fitted sheets drives you crazy, Kelly Miller’s lazy method is for you. Kelly Miller, HomeFree Organizing, shows us the lazy organizer method for folding a fitted sheet.
First, she folds the sheet in half twice, and then, folds it down to make a square. It doesn’t need to be perfect and you don’t need to tuck the elastic.
Once you have your square, you will tuck the fitted sheet inside the fold of the matching flat sheet (which is already folded into a square as well).
You can take your matching pillowcases and lay them on top of the fitted sheet, and then, fold over the flat sheet so the set is nicely contained and easy to take out of the linen closet.
This method takes less than a minute and you still have a well organized system for your bed linens. Thanks for the great tip, Kelly!
What other organizing hacks would you like to see?
I’m thrilled to give you a sneak peek into my client’s home office transformation here in beautiful Bluffdale, Utah! Penny and Brian Elwood turned their dining room off of their entry way into an amazing office space that functions for business and creativity.
This double office space is a game-changer, offering both functionality and style. Those double French doors not only flood the room with natural light, but also add a touch of elegance. With a dedicated craft area, Penny’s artistic pursuits have found their own cozy corner.
But that’s not all – let’s talk about our hidden monitor setup! On Brian’s side, the monitor is tucked away discreetly so there is no clutter, just clean lines and focused work vibes. And for those virtual meetings, the pull-out laptop table is an absolute lifesaver!
Of course, what’s an office without the essentials? Their printer and paper station is all set and ready to roll. From important documents to creative projects, they’ve got it covered in style.
Thanks Penny and Brian for sharing your gorgeous double office space with us!
Are you a homeowner with equity looking for ways to maximize your financial well-being? Refinancing could be the key to unlocking new opportunities and improving your financial situation!
I sat down with Miles Pitcher, owner Superior Lending, to talk about how refinancing can be a powerful financial tool for homeowners. Here are some reasons why:
Lower Monthly Payments: Refinancing can help consolidate your debt and reduce your monthly mortgage payments, providing you with extra breathing room in your budget.
Cash-Out Options: If you’ve built up equity in your home over the years, refinancing can allow you to access that equity in the form of a cash-out option. This additional cash can be used to pay off high-interest debt, cover unexpected expenses, or update/remodel your home.
Debt Consolidation: Managing multiple debts can be overwhelming. By refinancing, you can consolidate high-interest debts, such as credit cards or medical bills, into one manageable monthly payment.
Change Loan Terms: Refinancing gives you the flexibility to change your loan terms to better align with your current needs.
Plan for Retirement: Be strategic in your long-term planning so you’re set for retirement. Investing in income-producing properties or adding an apartment to your existing home may be the key to a comfortable retirement. Another option may be to convert your loan to a reverse mortgage when you’re in your 60’s, to alleviate the stress of a monthly mortgage payment.
Don’t let your home’s equity go untapped
Your home is not just a place to live; it’s a valuable asset that can potentially enhance your financial well-being. Refinancing offers numerous benefits for homeowners, from reducing monthly payments and consolidating debt to unlocking equity for important expenses and retirement planning. Take the first step towards maximizing your financial potential by exploring the possibilities of refinancing with a professional lender. Take a look at our full interview below.
Earlier this year, Utah legislators allocated $50 million to help first-time homebuyers purchase a new home.
I visited with lender and mortgage expert, Miles Pitcher of Superior Home Lending to talk about the ins and outs of the loan, who qualifies for it, and how to get started.
Here’s the gist: Each recipient will receive up to $20,000 (0% loan) to help with down payment, closing costs and/or interest rate buydown.
The application process will begin July 11, so now is the time to start your pre-approval process with a Utah Housing Participating Lender.
Program Requirements:
Must be a first-time homebuyer (haven’t owned a home in the last 3 years)
Purchase price limit is $450,000
Home must be new construction
Can be single family, twin, townhouse or condo
Must be a Utah resident for at least 12 months.
Money is lent at 0% interest (must be repaid upon refinancing or sell, or when the home is no longer your primary residence).
Applications must be submitted through an approved lender with pre-approval letter.
After you’re approved, you’ll have 90 days to identify the home you wish to purchase (will be possible to extend)
Money will be available for disbursement July 25
Your long-term mortgage type can be conventional, FHA or VA.
Income limits vary per county – here are a few examples:
Utah county – (family size) 1-2 people – $121,200, Over 3+ people is $141,400
Salt Lake Limits – $110,750, $127,350
Box Elder – $105,350, 122,900
Happy to provide info on other counties
Money is expected to go fast so there is no time to lose. I’m happy to assist you or someone you know take advantage of this opportunity! Visit utahhousingcorp.org for application details and info on approved lenders.
Let’s talk chickens 🐔 I had the pleasure to visit with Nadia Booker about her flock, and get her tips for raising happy, healthy chickens.
The Bookers purchased their home 2.5 years ago. Fortunately, they were a client with vision! Since that time they have transformed their back yard- including adding a chicken coup and a spacious run. They made the coup from a metal shed by adding ventilation, a pop hole door, and beds for laying. Their chickens usually lay one egg a day in the spring and fall seasons which Nadia says is plenty for their family.
Nadia also tells us that what you feed your chickens greatly impacts the quality of their eggs. Their chickens are fed organic feed, dried worms, oats, and table scraps. This gives their eggs hard shells and are rich with nutrients.
Bonus Tip: Introducing new members to the flock can be tricky because if the flock suspects an outsider they will fight. To ease the tension, wait until your baby chicks have grown so they are the same size as the rest, and then place them in the coup at night when the brood is asleep. Nadia has found this technique most effective to keep the peace in the coup.
We are back with color expert, Lisa Schuring, to talk about how to use items such as plates, cake stands, and rugs in decorating your home in new and interesting ways. Dive into a world of endless possibilities and unleash your creativity, as we explore how incorporating these items as decor can transform your home into the sanctuary of your dreams.
Lisa shows us an ingenious way to use thrifted plates as vibrant accents on your walls. By mixing and matching various patterns and hues, you can create a visually striking gallery that reflects your personal style. Whether you prefer bold, eclectic designs or subtle, harmonious arrangements, the possibilities are limitless.
To hang plates on the wall, Lisa suggests using a sawtooth hanger attached with epoxy to the back of the plate. This simple and inexpensive technique allows you to securely display your favorite plates.
Cake stands, with their intricate designs and playful colors, can take center stage on your dining table, kitchen counter, and entry table. Adorn them with seasonal decor, greenery, or delectable treats, instantly adding a delightful focal point to your gatherings.
Rugs also offer a myriad of decorating possibilities. Use them as wall hangings, bedspreads, or even a table runner as shown below to add warmth and texture.
One of the perks of using these items as decor is their affordability. Lisa shares that she collects plates found at thrift stores and yard sales for under a dollar. These cake stands and rugs can be found at Ross and HomeGood for a great deal. This budget-friendly approach allows you to experiment and curate a truly eclectic collection without breaking the bank.
Finding new ways to use common household items as decor offers a wealth of creative opportunities. Embrace your creativity, and let your home become a reflection of your unique style and personality.
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