They say that everything old becomes new again eventually, but looking at the couch from your parents’ basement (which now dominates your living room) you might not think the axiom applies. In fact, you’re pretty sure that the lumpy, sprung, stained piece of furniture has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. And yet, despite the deterioration of the fabric and the stuffing, the structure of the piece may be sound and salvageable. Or it could also have sentimental value. The point is, you don’t want to be too quick to dismiss a long-lived item of furniture just because it has gotten a bit uncomfortable or it doesn’t match your color scheme. While there’s nothing wrong with passing it along to new owners so that you can update your décor with a more suitable piece, you might find that it’s worth it to keep what you’ve already got. So here are just a few things to think about when you’re trying to decide whether to reupholster your old furnishings or replace them with something new.

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Is your furniture style outdated?

The first thing to consider is whether or not the style of your piece fits with your aesthetic. Suppose, for example, that your home is midcentury modern but your lumpy old couch and chairs are from the Victorian era. If these pieces are heirloom antiques you may wish to hang on to them so that you can one day pass them along to your kids. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you want to put money towards reupholstering them now when they clearly don’t suit your design sensibilities. In this case a new swath of fabric won’t solve the problem, so you should probably put them into safe storage for now and find something new for your current residence.

Reupholstering can save you money

On the other hand, pieces that match the style of your home or fit in with other furnishings can certainly be reupholstered, and there’s every reason to do so. For starters, this option will almost surely cost you less than buying new, especially if the frame and stuffing are still in excellent condition. As a bonus, you’ll have the ability to select whatever textiles and trim you desire, so you can make all of your pieces match in order to avoid purchasing a single item that doesn’t go with the rest of your set. And if you have an overall color scheme in mind for an entire room design, reupholstering will make it easier to pull off a precise look.

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New furniture has its advantages

Of course, sometimes it happens that you’re simply ready to pass along a piece of furniture to a new home for someone else to enjoy, usually because it lacks the value that would prompt you to bother with reupholstering as opposed to purchasing something new. There’s nothing wrong with this if you don’t mind spending a little more to get the pieces you want. And while you can splurge on some furniture from Domayne or save a few bucks by going with IKEA offerings, you might also consider buying used replacement pieces yourself (say, from estate sales) in order to get the items you want, save a little money, and support the principles of greener living.

For more home furniture ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Having a home comes with a responsibility to clean up and clear out the clutter. A clean and organized home provides pleasant surroundings and promotes healthy living. The time and efforts exerted in cleaning will definitely pay off. In addition, a clutter-free home prevents potential accidents to take place.

Cleaning can be very tiring and time-consuming. It requires keenness to do it efficiently and effectively. Cleaning and clearing your home can be planned so that you don’t waste your valuable time and energy. When cleaning your home consider writing down what rooms you will tackle on what day. Consider having a chore for each member of your family to take the stress off of one person and to share the responsibility of a clean home.

Here are some of the systematic procedures to clean up and clear out the clutter at home:

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Decide what to keep and what to toss

This process involves assessment of personal belongings to keep and throw away. It can also be your home decorative items and accessories that are not functional or damage. Instead of throwing your stuff away, you may gather them all and have a garage sale. Also consider selling them online, donating to a charity, or repurposing into new items to use around your home.

Sort and assess

After deciding what to keep, sort out your things accordingly. This may take you some time but sorting your things will definitely provide better accessibility in the future.  Sorting will also ensure that a certain belonging is really something to keep or not. Try sorting out items by what you can use now, what is seasonal – for example holiday, special occasion or for unique events and what items are just taking up space. Sorting can also be a mental decluttering process. The more items you have around you, the more you feel you have to hold on. Assess what is important and what is just ‘there’ taking up valuable space.

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Organize your belongings

This procedure will avoid potential clutter. Organizing your personal belongings, home decors, tools, accessories and other things at home will help you regain the control of your time. You can do this by using storage boxes, cabinets and containers in placing your stuff. Take some time to put labels on your storage for easy access and retrieval.

This can be easier read than done. But bear in mind that knowing how to clean up and clear out the clutter at home is absolutely worthwhile.

For more home organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Should You Take out a Loan to Fix up Your House?

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Should you take out a loan?

And yet,  with interest rates remaining low and businesses doing everything they can to secure the consumer dollars needed to stay afloat (including undercutting the competition), now could be an excellent time to do the upgrades on your home that will show a major return when the housing market rebounds and you’re ready to sell.  So is this the ideal time to take out a loan in order to fix up your home?  It depends entirely upon your situation, and there are several factors you’ll need to consider before you make a decision.

Evaluate your credit:

You’ll want to start with your credit.  Lenders have essentially tightened the purse strings.  While they were handing out home loans like candy a few years ago, it appears the rash of foreclosures (complete with insurers refusing to pay), has left most banks with a sour taste and no keen desire to repeat mistakes of the past.  Unfortunately this means anyone seeking a loan will have to work a lot harder to get it.  So if you have anything less than stellar credit, you might want to take some time to clean up your report before you go looking for handouts.

Consider the equity in your property:

But you should also consider the equity in your property.  For most homeowners, the easiest route for securing money for upgrades is to seek a home equity loan from BB&T, the amount of which will be based on your current equity. This is determined most simply by what you can make on the sale of your home (as appraised) by what you still owe.  Since many homes have dropped significantly in value over the last few years your equity could be much lower than you suspect; in fact, your home could be worth less than you owe on it, leaving you with negative equity.  In this case, don’t be surprised if no offer of an additional loan is forthcoming.

However, if you happen to be one of the few lucky homeowners that still has an unblemished credit history and actually holds a decent amount of equity in your property, there’s no reason why you should not be approved for a home equity loan.  The only question is: should you take it?  Again, there are a few caveats.  If your job/income is stable and you plan to hang onto the property for an extended period of time (at least until the market recovers, although that could be several years away), then you are well positioned to take a loan and make some upgrades.

As long as your plans improve the overall function and appeal of the home (rather than simply addressing your personal, aesthetic desires, which other buyers may not share), there’s no reason not to move ahead with fixes, although you may want to check with a consultant or contractor to see if you can cut costs or hold off on certain repairs without causing more damage down the line.  Remember, not everything upgrade will show a return on investment, so it behooves you to spend wisely.

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Despite the fact that the housing market is currently ideal for buyers, with low prices allowing many to get into bigger and better properties than they could have imagined just a few years ago, many homeowners still have to settle for fixer-upper opportunities that require a little work in order to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing space.  In some cases the upgrades are merely cosmetic, but others may find themselves facing major construction issues in their efforts to turn their dream home into a reality.  So here are just a few tips for the would-be fixer-uppers out there looking to do some upgrades.

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Asses what needs to be done

First you should assess the level of work that needs to be done.  Go from room to room (and don’t forget exterior spaces) to determine what needs to be done to make the space livable, as well as what you would like to do to improve the appearance of your home.  Once you’ve got a laundry list of deeds to be done, you’ll want to sit down and plan a budget.  With these two things in hand you can start the process of prioritizing your upgrading goals in order to stay within your budget.  Of course, you can also take steps to make every dollar count, but you’ll first need to think about what you hope to accomplish with your renovations.

Why are you upgrading?

If your main reason for upgrading your home is to attract future buyers and see a return when you go to sell your property, you’ll want to make sure that you opt for upgrades that will help you to meet this goal, which generally means renovations in the kitchen and master bath.  However, these can quickly prove to be some of the most expensive areas to work on, so if you’re thinking more about how you can improve your home for your own satisfaction, you may want to skip the major overhauls if possible and go for more cosmetic changes.  In fact, if your cabinets, counters, and fixtures are sound, you should leave these rooms alone or make only minor renovations so that you can focus your attention (and money) elsewhere.

Seek professional advice if needed

But how do you know when you need to shell out for major upgrades and when you can stick to less expensive options?  A contractor can help you here by looking for issues that will only compound over time, such as poorly-framed cabinetry that is starting to sag or leaking pipes that will lead to major water damage.  These problems are better addressed early on and you may as well do some upgrades while you’re at it.  Other than that, it is basically a matter of personal preference, and you can save a lot on some projects through the selection of materials and a DIY attitude.  While you should definitely hire professionals for plumbing, carpentry, and other in-depth jobs, you can get yourself a home-repair guide in order to cut costs as you tackle simple endeavors on your own (installing tiled backsplashes, laying wood flooring, and even replacing fixtures, for example).

Plus, you can find ways to secure the money you need to do upgrades if you don’t happen to have cash on hand.  Start by seeing if your home mortgage lender (or your personal banking institution) will extend you a line of credit (a home equity line) in order to make improvements.  Or look into an FHA refinance to lower your monthly mortgage costs so that you can save for your upgrades.  Purchasing a fixer-upper property can come with a lot of heartache and money down the drain, but if you plan accordingly and spend wisely you stand to enjoy a functional, beautiful home during your residency and make a sizeable return on your investment when you’re ready to sell.

For more fixer upper ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

If you are home shopping, then you know how very stressful the process can be. After all, there is a lot to think about. Not only do you need to find the find a home layout, size, and location, but you also need to find a neighborhood that you can see yourself living in. That can be a difficult prospect, when you consider that the best way to find out about a neighborhood is to actually live in that neighborhood, and you don’t exactly have that option when sizing up potential residences. Fortunately, there are ways to assess neighborhoods before you move in, so that you can find a good fit. Here are some tips for how to choose the best neighborhood:

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Prioritize your needs

Before you know what type of neighborhood is best for you, you must first identify your neighborhood style. What is important to you in a neighborhood? Consider access to local conveniences like stores, libraries, and hospitals. Also, determine if you need to be near a school. Is privacy important to you? Or you do prefer tight-knit neighborhoods where everyone knows everyone else? Think about these things and make a list of what you want out of your neighborhood before you begin your search.

Property values

It’s safe to say that you don’t want to live in a neighborhood that is going to devalue your home. Check out the property values and sales histories of the homes in a neighborhood, either by visiting the local property appraiser’s office or asking your Realtor, and choose a neighborhood where the properties are increasing in value. Also, take some time to drive around the neighborhood to see if the neighbors take care of their properties, or if they make you want to run in the other direction.

Commute time

Whether you like it or not, your career will have to play a part in the neighborhood you choose. A neighborhood that you love can quickly become a neighborhood that you resent if you have to spend hours in the car every day commuting to and from work.

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Community features

Consider the perks some communities offer: swimming pools, tennis courts, parks, nature trails, etc. If you are willing to pay homeowner’s association dues, then you may want to look into neighborhoods that provide a more full-on living experience for residents.

When shopping for a house, it is important to remember that the neighborhood is just as important a consideration as the house itself. Take these useful tips into account when sizing up your housing prospects and you can rest assured that you are doing the most to secure a living environment that is best for you.

Danilo Boyar is a real estate specialist who enjoys helping people look not only for new homes, but for new neighborhoods in areas they’ll truly love living in. He recommends sites like Tenant Hunter to those who’d prefer to rent instead of buying or selling a home.

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.

If you are thinking of changing jobs and relocating to a new city, state, or even country, have you thought about the cost, time, and wear and tear on your family? While job relocating can be beneficial, think of all of the factors to help you and your family make an informed decision about moving. My Guest Blogger gives you 3 cost saving tips to consider.

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Job relocations have become more prevalent in recent years as job seekers have become more flexible due to changing markets, high unemployment rates, and the increasing popular of corporate relocation to cut costs. Although relocating can be a great way to boost your career and long-term employment prospects, there can be some hidden costs to such a decision. Here are some things to consider before relocating.

1. The cost of replacing lost or damaged possessions.

Moving in general is an expensive and time consuming process. It is all about taking all your possessions, packing, sorting and then moving them across sometimes vast distances. Items can be broken or damaged during the move. It is important then to make sure you enlist a highly-reputable moving company – which is hopefully something you can find with the aid of your company’s corporate employee relocation firm.

Working with a corporate relocation service can help you find a good moving company, work out other moving details (like property transfers and sales), and they can even offer advice if things go wrong during the move. These services will help you dramatically reduce the stress involved in your relocation, so hopefully your company will “spring” for one. Regardless, there’s always a chance your possessions will get lost or damaged in a move. Therefore, it’s good advice to plan for this possibility.

2. Negative equity in real estate.

Negative equity in real estate is also referred to as being “upside down” or “underwater.” Essentially, it means owing more on your home than it’s worth on the current market.

Negative equity has become increasingly common in recent years due to the mortgage crisis. There are many reasons for negative equity, such as depreciation due to declining property values or the fact that your house may have been overvalued in the first place. Regardless of the reasons, the end result is still the same, and unfortunately this is a problem for many people who undergo a job relocation.

If you must sell your home while you’re living and working out of state, it’s a good idea to ask a local relative (or hire someone) to check on your property regularly. If your home is vacant for a period of time, it can be vandalized or fall into a state of disrepair…neither of which help you sell.

3. Lost personal time spent dealing with your move. The personal time it takes to plan, coordinate, and then actually move your belongings can take weeks or even months to plan. Packing alone is time consuming because you have to organize everything first, buy boxes and then pack it up.

Then, once you’re packed up, you still have to coordinate the moving date, contact movers and/or rent a moving truck, and etc. This is not only costly in terms of dollars, but it definitely takes time.

Relocating is often a stressful experience that can be hard on your family, so it is not something to be taken lightly. You don’t want to underestimate the time you need to help your family both physically and mentally prepare.

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While job relocations can be very time and money consuming, it’s usually because they’re worth it. It’s a huge compliment when your company thinks enough of you and your work to move you across country, and it’s likely your career prospects are a little brighter as a result. Good luck!

Author Jason Lancaster works with TRCGS.com, a corporation that helps employees and companies relocate. If your company is relocating your office, be sure to have them visit TRCGS.com.

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.

In the new global movement that the world is participating in, there is less need for fear of moving abroad as in past years. The world has become much smaller with the use of the internet and global communication to research, explore, and seek out information about every country in the world, without leaving your living room.

Today, our Guest Blogger gives tips for deciding if moving abroad is for you. Deciding the reasons why you want to move can be an important factor as well. Look at these tips to consider first before making your airline ticket reservation.

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The grass is always greener on the other side and even if the grass isn’t going to be greener the chances are it’s going to be warmer or closer to the sea or just offer a more desirable way of life. Whatever your reason is for moving abroad you’re bound to have a list of things to do as long as your arm. Here’s a few tips for you to bear in mind if you are thinking of emigrating.

Don’t Burn Your Bridges

Leaving the country is not a free pass to tell your neighbor exactly what you think of them nor is it an excuse to tell your boss where he can stick his job. Even if you have no intention of returning right now, leaving the country does not mean you can say what you like to those you’re leaving behind. You never know what the future is going to hold and you can’t guarantee you’ll never going to need to have anything to do with these people again.

You Can’t Run Away From Your Problems

Many people decide to move abroad after coming out of a bad relationship or suddenly finding themselves out of a job but you need to recognize the difference between starting anew and running away. If you have debt problems or relationship problems moving away won’t make them go away, they’ll catch up with you either literally or emotionally and leave you feeling just as scared or worried.

Plan Your Cash

Whether you’re planning on living off a pension, an inheritance or you plan to get a job you need to make sure you’re not only planning how and where you’ll have access to money but also that you understand the legalities and banking in the country you’re moving to. There are going to be several factors to consider if you’re planning on working abroad, things like any language barriers, is there a call for your skill in your new country? You need to make sure you’ve got enough to get by on for at least a few months even if you do already have something lined up.

Put Your Health First

It’s vital that you understand the local health authorities before you need them. Waiting until you’re ill to sort out insurance is going to be leaving it too late. British expats who are used to a free NHS service often forget that most other countries don’t offer free health care and the rules are often different for non native residents. Health insurance might not seem like a high priority especially when you’re faced with so many expenses when relocating but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Try Before You Buy

It’s very common for people to choose a new country because they’ve been there several times on holiday. A country you’re visiting on holiday is a lot different when you’re living there full time so it’s always advisable to rent before you buy and if you  can make sure you’ve got a plan in place in case you do need to go back home.

Be Brave

Before you leave make a physical note of why you’re leaving because no matter how hard you plan there is going to be a point when you feel it would just be easier to go back home. Starting anew is never easy regardless of whether you’re moving with family or you’re going by yourself and when things do get hard you’re going to look back at your old life with rose tinted glasses so try and have something physical to remind yourself of why you’re doing this.

Jessica works for Live in Portugal who offer Portuguese mortgages to UK residents.

For more ideas for moving abroad on Stagetecture, click here.