Posts in category 'Home Ownership'

One of the most important decisions you'll have to make when remodeling or adding on to your home is finding the right contractor for your job. After all, you're putting a whole lot of trust into one person by giving them a lot of money and letting them and their crew in your home. You also expect them to deliver solid and satisfactory results without major confrontations. With that in mind, our real estate agents have compiled five questions to ask potential contractors that can help you find the best fit for your project.

1. Are You Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
   A resounding yes is the answer you want to hear in response to this question. A license shows you that the contractor is qualified for the job you're looking to have completed and keeps up to speed on code changes and best practices. Having a surety bond is a security that if the contractor does not complete the job, you're protected by the surety company. The contractor should have general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance to protect you from liability if something in your home is damaged or someone is injured while working on your property. Don't just take their word for it; ask for copies to ensure the contractor is current on credentials. If they can't provide papers, that should raise a red flag.

   Click Here to Read More...

With so many people staying at home during the pandemic, cooking has become a popular activity. Trying out new recipes and brushing up on cooking skills has created a surge of new cooks in the kitchen. At Josey Young & Brady Realty, our real estate agents are noticing a renewed interest in Atlanta homes for sale that offer well-equipped, functional kitchens.

One popular cooking trend that's making a comeback is bread baking. Even people with little cooking experience are baking homemade loaves of wheat, sourdough, and gluten-free bread from scratch. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a little patience. Here are 5 tips for baking the perfect homemade bread for your family:

1. Use the Right Ingredients
   When baking bread, you only need four main ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt. You can use white flour or wheat flour, as well as dry or wet yeast. If you're making sourdough bread, you don't need commercial yeast. You can use a sourdough starter, a live fermented culture, which acts as a natural leavening agent. All of these ingredients can be found in local grocery stores.

   Click Here to Read More...

Adding a dedicated workout space to your home promotes health and wellness. It's also a great way to customize your new home or get the attention of buyers if you'll be selling soon. And the best part is that it's an upgrade that can work with any budget. Our real estate agents have seen a wide variety of gyms in Atlanta homes for sale, and we can tell you it's an upgrade you'll be glad to have. Here are some ideas to get you started

• Think about your training goals and workout style.
  This will help you decide on equipment and how much space you'll need. A home workout space can range from containing little or no equipment for bodyweight training workouts to the latest high tech cardio and weight training equipment that can cost thousands of dollars. You can use almost any space for a gym. A corner of the garage, an extra room, a basement, or even outside can offer all kinds of options for your own workout space.

  Click Here to Read More...

2021 is the perfect opportunity to spruce up your home and make it a little bit more comfortable. If you are looking for a fast and cost-effective option that will add value to your home, a fresh coat of paint is something our real estate agents highly recommend. Of course, it always pays to stay up-to-date on trends so that your paint choice matches the tastes of prospective buyers.

• Pantone Returns to the Classics
  Pantone's Color of the Year for 2020 was Classic Blue. This simple color makes a statement that is as soft and subtle as it is timelessly elegant. When you look at the world's most extraordinary homes and palaces, you will find plenty of Classic Blue walls, ceilings, and trim.
  
  For 2021, Pantone has chosen to stick with a more subdued color of Ultimate Gray. Soft and refined, it's a practical color that works well in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and more. However, as with Classic Blue, it's best to use these colors in rooms with plenty of natural light; otherwise, it can feel a bit confining. In addition, Illuminating, a bright, sunny yellow, has also been showcased by Pantone for 2021 and provides a welcome pop of color when paired with Ultimate Gray.

  Click Here to Read More...

To see, or not to see — 'tis not the philosophical question anyone wants to grapple with while cooking their favorite meal. If you ask our real estate agents the one ingredient that can make a beautiful kitchen seem dull and drab, the top answer will almost always be the lighting. In particular, task lighting makes it much easier to achieve culinary perfection. Whether you are building a new home or renovating your kitchen, pay close attention to the illumination you put into the plans.

• Under-Cabinet Lights are Worth Their Weight in Golden Saffron
  Under-cabinet lights banish shadows from your countertops. They make it easier to fill the coffee pot, roll the dough, or chop the carrots. They also make these tasks safer and less likely to spill all over the floor when you miss your mark. These lights are simple and inexpensive to install. You can choose DIY plug-in puck lights and mounted strip lights for fast and inexpensive installation. However, the best option which will add significant value to the kitchen is professionally mounted hard-wired lights.  
  
  Because these lighting options fit snugly beneath the cabinets, they are an unobtrusive feature that won't eat up valuable storage space. They can be controlled by switches or operated via smart home systems. Connecting your under-cabinet lights to your smart home offers a considerable advantage: you won't have to wash your hands to turn the lights on or adjust the lighting. This can make cooking a little faster and easier.

  Click Here to Read More...