Perception | South Eastern Connecticut Landscaping

07 Dec

Mental Perception: How a Home Changes With Your Mood

Author: admin // Category: Home Gardening, Tips

I will admit that I am having a rough morning today. It’s one of those days where the world seems stacked against you and you’re firmly planted behind the 8-ball. As I sit here and think about what to write concerning the vast field of home and garden, my thoughts turn to perception.

Einstein’s theories state that a person’s perception governs the reality around them and time itself. You can stare in the mirror on a day you are feeling good and think there is one sexy beast staring back at you, and on a bad day, the person staring back at you isn’t so great.

It’s the same way with a home. The perception you have of your home will dictate the mood and look of it, not only for you, but also to others. It’s why renters tend to not take as good care of property they rent versus someone who has a vested interest in the home. A rental property is a place to live, but a house is your home.

That’s why, when the time comes to redecorate or paint a room, it is important that you perceive your home in the best light. Imagine going to a paint store when you are depressed and have to pick out colors for your living room. Do you think the bright and shiny yellows and pastels will pop out at you when the only thing you want to do is go back to bed?

No. You are going to gravitate to darker colors that block out and absorb the light rather than reflect it. I am not saying that dark colors are all bad; quite the contrary, but the decision should be based on what puts the home in the best light. Curtains will darken the same way.

The same goes for the general feeling and tone of your home. I have three small children, and my house is always a mess. There are toys spread everywhere and there is always a mystery stain to decipher. When I look at my house and see it a mess, it brings me down. I need to clean, but the house in its state depresses me, and I find it hard to motivate myself.

I now perceive the house as messy and depressing, and the entire mood of the house darkens with it. That’s why, when I feel that way, I look past it and get done what needs to be done. When the house is clean, my mood lifts, and so does the feeling in the home.

Your home is your safe haven. It’s the one place in the world that you should be able to feel good when there is nowhere else to go. The winter is here and the cold weather will keep you inside more and more, so it’s best to perceive your home in the best light, because you will spend a lot of time there.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/gotjenna/5132343476

Comments (0) // Add Comment

17 Jan

How to Get a Higher Appraisal For Your Home

Author: admin // Category: Tips

If you’re trying to sell your home in today’s market, you may be faced with a lowball appraisal that could threaten a loan. Even the nicest houses are being downgraded, and if your area has had a lot of foreclosures, getting a good appraisal may be next to impossible. However, there are some great techniques that you can employ that can affect your appraisal value by more than 15%.

First, it is important to know where to start in your home. If you have a basement that is not yet finished, you may think that adding some rooms and living space down there will help your appraisal. In actuality, it is the above ground living space that is worth more, so you will want to focus your efforts on the first floor.

While painting, cleaning and generally keeping the house tidy can affect an appraisal, it won’t do much good if you’re looking for a big jump in the amount. What you need to do on the inside of your home is work on bringing in appliances and fixtures that are valuable, both in perception and in use. For example, adding a marble countertop to your kitchen will add more value than covering an old one with contact paper (and yes, that is pretty common.)

Likewise, completely redoing and remodeling your kitchen to include brand new stainless steel appliances will also bump your appraisal up. When you’re looking at the interior of your home, the focus needs to be on items that matter, such as those mentioned above. However, the interior is secondary to the exterior when it comes to a high appraisal value.

By focusing on the exterior of your property you can see a huge improvement in the overall appraisal amount. Landscaping alone can be responsible for a low or a high appraisal, depending on how it is done. According to a Gallup poll, landscaping can increase the overall value of a home by 7 to 15%. Let’s say your home is worth $250,000. The right landscaping has the potential to change that to $287,500 or more.

One tree can be worth anywhere from $1000 to $10,000, once it is mature. If you think about how little it takes to plant one tree, that is very impressive. So, your first focus should be on the yard area and your overall landscaping. Hiring a professional company can help, but most of these tasks can be completed on your own.

How your house looks will also have a big impact on the appraisal value. If it has been a few years since you painted, or your yard is full of junk, this will result in a lower appraisal. Your goal is to make your house look like a million bucks from the street, and this will help you get a higher appraisal. In addition, by focusing on that curb appeal, you’ll be much more likely to sell the home for the full amount that you need.

Comments (0) // Add Comment