[Sponsored Post: This post is brought to you by Justin Singletary]
According to real estate investment expert Justin Singletary, your home is a very important part of your life. That may sound obvious, but until I recently started working from home full time, I didn’t realize just how much of a difference having a comfortable living arrangement makes in your day-to-day happiness and success. But whether you are renting or buying, what features are the most important for you to consider? That is something I was unfamiliar with during my home-search process. Recently, I spoke with Justin Singletary, who is one of the most respected figures in Georgia’s property investment community. He has written extensively on real estate investment, and he offers some tips that will go a long way to increasing the quality of your home, and in turn, the quality of your life as a whole. So without further ado, here are 3 ways to improve your home and your life.
When renovating or improving your home, focus on projects that will add the most value.
Justin Singletary recommends spending your resources on areas of the home that will return the most value (obviously this is especially true if you are a homeowner). The kitchen is the best place to start, according to Singletary, followed by the bathroom, as those projects have been proven effective in his experience. “Something like a new bathroom countertop or a stainless steel appliance upgrade is always going to be the best bet for homeowners looking to increase property value,” he concludes. Here, it’s important to remember that improvements you make to your home should be ones that a wide variety of people will find attractive in a property. This is why the kitchen and bathroom are good places to start, because no matter who you are, you are probably going to spend considerable time in those two rooms.
There is no need to do anything over-the-top, aim to make your home comfortable.
Again, Justin Singletary advises that homeowners and tenants invest in small improvements to make their living quarters more comfortable, instead of installing flashy elements like a swimming pool or tons of brand new appliances. “Upgrades should be consistent to maintain a similar style and quality throughout the home. A home that has a beautifully remodeled and modern kitchen can be viewed as a work in progress if the bathroom remains functionally obsolete,” Singletary offers. Another interesting tip that he believes can make a big difference in a home is removing antiquated elements, such as wood paneling, a popcorn ceiling, or flowered wall-paper (that last one I’m throwing in on my own, though I’m sure he’d agree!). It is a good point, that it doesn’t take an exceptional amount of resources to make a notable difference. A couple of cans of paint and a new countertop can drastically transform the look and feel of an out-dated home.
Realize that YOU are capable of making a positive change in your home.
Justin Singletary often speaks about the common myths of real estate investing. Two of the biggest myths are, “only real estate experts can fare well in property investments,” and “real estate investment require you to invest both your time and your money.” While of course it is true that it takes money to make a positive impact on your home, if you approach it in the correct way, the return you will see (both monetarily and in regards to your lifestyle) are well worth your commitment. Also, as we identified before, it doesn’t take a ton to make a sizable difference in the comfort and value of your home. It’s about taking one step at a time, and tackling your home improvements in manageable chunks so that you don’t become overwhelmed.
Justin Singletary has spent many years helping people to improve the value of their homes, and his advice can help anyone to take steps to make their lives more comfortable. As I mentioned, as a remote worker, it is important to me to make sure that my home is comfortable and conducive to productivity. What is important to you in your home? Thanks to Justin Singletary for sharing his expertise.
Author:
Bill Connolly is a marketing/personal branding expert, career advisor & improvisational comedian. He is the author of Funny Business: Build Your Soft Skills Through Comedy, and host of an online radio show by the same name on the UR Business Network. For more information, or to contact him, visit his website at TheBillConnolly.com, or follow him on Twitter: @billconnolly.
