Real Estate Blog

Courtesy of: Zillow 

How HGTV's Christina and Tarek El Moussa go from finding a diamond in the rough to rehab to sale.

When we look for a flip house for our real estate investing business, Tarek and Ibasically go through the same thought process that anyone goes through when they buy an investment property.

Even though we’re working on a shorter timeline than most homeowners, the journey is essentially the same.

Understanding our thoughts as we go through each step of the process might give you a clearer road map for your own fixer-upper journey, or it might inspire you to test the waters of real estate investing yourself.

Finding a great deal on a property

If you’re looking for a really great deal on a fixer-upper house, you’re

Whether used as a parking spot or hobby hub, your garage is valuable real estate. Don't let that extra square footage go to waste! Clear the clutter and take back your space with our expert garage organizing tips and a few super-handy DIY storage hacks you can knock out in a day or less.

Consolidate Like Items – Keep your garage tidy and convenient by grouping similar items together on shelves or in storage bins for easy accessibility. This will make your life easier and save you time later when you are searching for items in your garage. 

Save on Storage Systems – Save your money, and garage space, by replacing a big shelving unit with a DIY vertical tool rack. Make your own storage system by repurposing a shipping pallet into your own

Invite indoors outside by creating a fabulous outdoor space for everyone to enjoy! These patios feature custom-built furniture, extravagant fire pits and folding glass walls that add instant style to any dull, outdoor space.

Glass Walls- Use fabulous folding glass walls to take advantage of gorgeous outdoor views year-round.  These glass walls can open up any space and enhance your living area by blurring the line between inside and out.  

Durable Patio Furniture- Built in seating is a great option if you want a patio that stands up to weather and other outdoor elements. Create something that will last and be the ultimate gathering space for years to come.

Add Flair with a Fire Pit- A majestic fire pit like this is an ideal

As the hub of the kitchen, a great island is part pre station, part gathering spot and part dining area. Make your kitchen centerpiece stand out with these stylish and hardworking details. 

The Power of Paint- This bright blue island stands out in this white traditional kitchen, demonstrating paint’s power to completely change the mood of the space. Pick a happy hue, like this shade of blue, to make the room feel less formal and more on-trend. 

Fit for a Chef- Any chef would be happy to work with a large industrial style island like this. With plenty of counter space to spare an heat-resistant concrete countertop, this island is sure to fit any pro and also make a mod statement in any kitchen.

Customize it- When planning a custom

Celebrate Independence Day in the most delicious way. Check out some of these easy recipes to dish out this Fourth of July! 

Grilled Potato Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette- Firing up the grill? Go ahead and throw on some potatoes, this adds the perfect crunch to this delicious salad. Trust me, its worth the effort. 

Red, White and Blue Deviled Eggs- Get in the holiday spirit by dying some deviled eggs red, white and blue! This classic summer dish will sure to be a guest favorite. 

Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders- Spice up your favorite childhood sandwich by making this Hawaiian Ham and Cheese slider recipe. The best part about this recipe: It's made with King’s Hawaiian bread! 

Savory Watermelon and Blue Cheese Salad- After

For the Tech-Savvy Dad

Amazon Fire TV Stick- Amazon’s HDMI streaming stick allows media junkies to enhance their viewing by mirroring content from their smartphone or slate onto an HDTV. Move your Netflix binges to the big screen with this tech-savvy tool. 

For the Sophisticated Dad

8-Piece Whiskey Set- Handcrafted using traditional methods of glass blowing and cutting, this handsome decanter is perfect for the sophisticated dad. Go the extra mile and throw in a bottle of his favorite whiskey. 

For the Classic Dad

HyperChiller- The hyperchiller is able to chill hot coffee in about a minute- without diluting the beans! If that's not enough, it’s also able to chill whiskey, wine and any other liquid your Dad may have. 

For

By: Zillow 

You can't see into the future, but you can make an informed decision! 

Buying or selling a home at the ‘right time’ is tougher than it sounds. People usually take these actions because of a life event or financial issues. The economy and real estate forecasts tend to be secondary considerations. Yet both buyers and sellers often pose the question, “When is the best time to buy or sell?”

If you have the luxury of choosing when you enter the real estate market, here are some points to consider when timing a home purchase or sale.

Every market is different

There’s no longer one national real estate market or forecast like there was 20 years ago. And just because the 24×7 national news outlets tell stories of hot real estate

 Sometimes it’s just a matter of turning a decorating “don’t” into a “do” to make a small space feel a whole lot bigger. Take a look at these top designer tricks to open up your space!

Don't Overwhelm a Room With Too Many Patterns- Pick one patterned piece as the focal point of your room, like a bold sofa or colorful rug. Then use a nix of quieter neutrals around the room to accent the focal point.

Don't Use Cabinets in a Small Bathroom- Cabinets in a small space can take up a lot of space, instead create storage by using hanging baskets, and then use accessory containers to organize the small stuff.

Don't Clutter the Table With Lots of Chairs- Maximize your seating with a banquette that runs the length of the room; pull the table

By: Zillow 

It’s easy to get tunnel vision while house hunting. When you fall hard and fast for a house, you may be willing to do just about anything to make it your own. But even if you’ve found what seems to be your dream home, take a closer look outside before you make an offer. Any home you consider calling yours should go through a thorough exterior inspection.

Read on to learn what outdoor considerations you should keep in mind while home shopping.

Trees and foliage

Susan Krus of Texas Realty One suggests evaluating trees and foliage first. How close are trees to the foundation of the home? When trees get too big, they can cause foundation problems. And if a mature tree is removed, the foundation can drop when the roots decay.

“It may

Make your guest’s stay memorable with a bathroom that caters to all your guest’s needs.

Mirror Magic- Add a glam touch to your guest bath with mirrors. A large reflective wall like this one above will visually open up the small space. Invest in a larger framed mirror for a more formal staple for your guest bathroom.

Fabulous Fixtures- Update your bathroom fixtures for a new look to an older bathroom. Get rid of the leaky fixtures and update to faucets and showerheads that complement the style of your home and fit with your bathroom décor.

Handsome Hardware- After updating the fixtures, move on to the guest bath hardware. Switch to bright and timeless chrome or nickel finish on knobs, drawer pulls, towel bars, and cabinet latches.