Author: Cami Jones

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With stay at home orders lasting another couple weeks in the Kansas City area, many are trying to figure out new ways to pass the time. At first, people were binge-watching Netflix, baking bread, trying to remember how to divide fractions so they can help their kids with school work, and more. Although we are still figuring out the fractions thing, we are also looking at ways to easily update areas our homes and make changes that have been on the to-do list for longer than we would like to admit.Right now is a great time to try your hand at DIY home updates while everything is still closed down. Whether your home is on the market currently, you are thinking about putting your home on the market when things pick back up, or you just want to make some improvements, this post includes ideas and updates that you should definitely consider!Read: Should You Renovate Before Selling Your Home?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

DIY Home Updates to Make While Stuck Inside

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1. Switch Up the Hardware on Your Cabinets

Changing out the hardware on your kitchen and/or bathroom cabinets can change the entire look of the room. It may seem small but this simple upgrade can make a huge difference.When shopping for new hardware, there are a lot of choices out there. Some are extremely ornate and a bit impractical while others offer clean lines and more functionality. We suggest choosing hardware that errs on the side of functionality – especially if you are selling your home.Brushed metals and clean lines have been huge for a while now and we don’t see that trend going away any time soon.This project is easy peasy if you are choosing to replace your current knobs or pulls with a similar style but different finish – all you really will need is a screwdriver. But, if you want to replace the knobs you currently have that are fastened in one hole with pulls that require two holes will take a bit more work.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

What to Buy:

• New hardware
• Screwdriver
• Screws
• Drill and pencil (if replacing knobs with pulls or vice versa)
• Wood putty (see above)
• Putty knife (see above)
• Paint to cover old drill holes (see above)
• Damp cloth

How to Do It

This is how to change the placement of your hardware, replace pulls with knobs or vice versa.

1. Remove cabinets and old hardware using a screwdriver
2. Fill in old drill holes with putty using putty knife
3. Mark where new holes will go using a pencil (most hardware kits come with a guide you can use)
4. Carefully drill holes where you made your marks
5. Use screw driver to attach new hardware and put cabinets back in place

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2. Paint

Painting is one of the easiest updates out there and can completely change the look of a space. If your walls are a white or light beige color, you likely can just paint over them with your new color of choice. For other things in your home like cabinets or wooden doors, you may need to take a few extra steps in order to get the look you want.

2.1: Interior Walls

If you are selling your home and want to freshen up some of your walls, we suggest choosing colors that are a bit muted. Think light greys, taupes, or extremely subtle pastels. When someone comes to view your home, you want them to be able to picture themselves living there and bright, bold colors might not be their cup of tea.Read: Home Staging Tips from the ProsYes, it is easy to paint over bright reds or yellows, but many buyers won’t want to put in that effort.You will also want to make sure that you do two coats of paint. One coats tends to be a bit too transparent and uneven.Note: You can definitely get creative with accent walls by using modern patterns or textured wall paper to inject a bit of personality!

What to Buy:

• Good quality paint
• Primer (if not included in the paint you bought)
• Brushes and rollers
• Paint pans
• Painters tape
• Tarps
• Ladder (will vary depending on ceiling height)

How to Do It

1. Take everything off of the walls and move furniture
2. Tape off the walls you would like to paint with painter’s tape to protect the trim, ceiling, etc.
3. Lay down tarps in the area where you will be painting, mix paint, and pour a liberal amount into pan
4. Start with rollers and evenly coat the large areas of the wall while staying an inch or so away from the trim and ceiling
5. While that coat is drying, use smaller brushes to paint around the trim and ceiling
6. Once the paint is dry, repeat the last two steps for the second coat
7. After the second coat is completely dry, remove painter’s tape and see if touch-ups are needed

2.2: Painting Cabinets

Right now darker cabinet colors are fairly popular (think dark grey and navy) but choose a color that fits with your decor tastes. If navy or dark grey seems too dramatic, choose a lighter grey.Wooden cabinets that are already stained or painted will take a little extra elbow grease.

What to Buy:

• Screwdriver
• Cleaning cloths (one dry and one wet)
• Sandpaper block
• Tinted primer/sealant
• Paint (semi-gloss latex paint works best)
• Medium and large paint brushes

How to Do It

1. Remove cabinets and hardware using a screwdriver
2. Clean cabinets
3. Sand to rough up the surface (you do not need to remove all of the previous paint; you will want to remove glossy finishes completely)
4. Remove all debris from cabinets (use a vacuum and then the cloth to do this)
5. Use a medium brush to apply an even coat of your primer/sealant
6. Apply paint in thin, even coats (let each coat dry before reapplying)
7. Repeat the steps above for exposed areas in between cabinet doors
8. Reattach hardware, put cabinets back up, and touch up as needed

Use the same method above to paint wooden doors.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

3. Swap Out Light Fixtures

It is amazing how changing outdated light fixtures can make a home look more modern. If some rooms in your home still have frosted glass pendants or a wood grain ceiling fan with bright gold accents, it may be time to consider an update.Glass globe fixtures with Edison bulbs or modern chandeliers with clean lines are very appealing and can give any room an awesome glow.Since you already have the wires in place, this project is extremely fast and easy. The only things you may need is an extra set of hands, a ladder, new bulbs, and maybe a screwdriver.Here are some of our current favorites:

• Edison bulb chandelier
• Large globe pendant clusters
• Sculptural metal ceiling pendant

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4. Add Shelves to Bare Walls

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We know what you are thinking, “This was supposed to be an easy DIY list and now you’re asking me to build shelves?!” No, we wouldn’t do that to you. There are a ton of easy kits on the market that offer aesthetically pleasing shelving options to display books, plants, and more. If you do want to build your own shelves, there are a ton of awesome step-by-step guides and videos on how to do it!Floating shelves are a great option because they don’t make a space look too busy or cluttered. You can also go for shelves that nestle right into the corner of the room.Shelving kits are extremely budget-friendly and people will think that you spent a fortune on custom installation. Now, kits do require some assembly but the assembly is much easier than cutting and sanding wood to make your own.Some of our favorites include:

• Simple floating shelves
• Tiered corner shelves
• Rustic floating shelves with exposed hardware

5. Hang Up a Few Mirrors

We know this one isn’t exactly a “get your hands dirty” DIY upgrade but it does require a hammer and nails so it counts, right?Strategically placed mirrors can work wonders in smaller rooms by reflecting light and making them look larger than they are. If you have a room that doesn’t receive a ton of natural light and feels a bit cramped, try hanging a large mirror in there and see if it makes a difference.You can also hunt for interesting mirrors to replace the boring ones in your bathroom. This type of extra touch is something buyers definitely notice!We usually like to shop at second-hand stores for our mirrors but you can definitely find some cool ones online![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]We’re here to help you sell your home and make the process as easy as possible even during uncertain times. We know the Kansas City market and have experience selling a wide variety of homes in all price ranges. Click below to learn more about selling your home with Cami Jones and Company or give us a call at (913) 521-8806.[vcex_button url=”https://www.camijoneshomes.com/selling/” size=”medium” align=”center”]More Information on Selling Your Kansas City Home[/vcex_button]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kansas City’s stay at home order was put into place on March 24th and it has been an adjustment, to say the least. Many are looking for ways to pass the time that they have and maintain some sense of normalcy, but it is difficult.Between homeschooling, trying to track down what you need at the grocery store, and keeping some sort of a routine in place, the balancing act is overwhelming and some are also still working from home – a challenge in and of itself.Keeping your home organized is probably not the highest thing on your list of priorities but it isn’t as overwhelming as it seems. It is especially important if your home is on the market – you don’t want to get stuck clean for hours and hours on a Sunday when people start shopping again.Not only will cleaning and organizing help your home look aesthetically better and sell faster when business resumes, having less clutter around can help you be more productive when it comes to other parts of your life, too. It has also been shown that those who have a clean and organized home have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those with cluttered, messy homes. Less stress is something we definitely all need right now.We have created a guide to help you with spring cleaning and organizing your home during this time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

General Tips

• Make a list of what you want to accomplish that day
• Go at your own pace
• Turn on music, a podcast, or a show that you enjoy
• Get the family involved
• Reward yourself with a delicious treat or beverage
• If something doesn’t get done, give yourself grace

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1. The Kitchen

[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing size=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”2847″ img_size=”500×325″ alignment=”center”][vcex_spacing size=”15px”][vc_column_text]When people talk about cleaning and organizing, the first things that come to mind are usually bedroom closets and playrooms and the kitchen is kind of an afterthought.We are all spending more time in our kitchens these days and noticing things that we aren’t exactly loving. The counters may be clean and the sink empty, but the pots and pans are in disarray, the pantry makes no sense, and we are wondering why we have so much mustard and four containers of cinnamon.If you haven’t deep cleaned and organized your kitchen in a while it may seem like a big thing to tackle but it feels great when you are done – we promise! Here is how to get started.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Take Everything Out of Your Pantry/Cabinets and Edit Your Inventory

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]This will seem scary at first. A lot of us have no idea how much food we actually have until it is all laid out.Food and Spices

1. Take all of the food items (including spices) out of your pantry and cabinets then put them on the counter.
2. Check expiration dates and toss expired items.
3. See if you have doubles (or triples) of anything and group them together – those four containers of cinnamon, for example.
4. Combine items like sugar, flour, cocoa powder, spices, etc., that you have multiples of into one container. Small glass jars for spices and air-tight containers like these from Amazon work great.
5. Label as you go if you are combining items into jars or other containers. You can use a piece of tape and a sharpie or get creative with chalkboard paint or stickers.
6. Create a donate pile for unopened, unexpired items that you will not use and give them to a local food pantry.
7. If you have a spice rack, wipe down the rack and replace your spices.

Pro-tip: Organizing your spices alphabetically makes sense for a lot of people. You can also organize your spices based on which ones you use the most.Glassware, Plates, Bowls, and CupsThis is the time to be honest with yourself and figure out what you truly need to have in your cabinets. Yes, those novelty coffee mugs that you’re SO love from your trip across the country are great, but do you need 10 of them in the cabinet? Probably not.

1. Decide what you use on a regular basis and keep those items in the cabinets.
2. Pack up sentimental items and put them in storage.
3. Donate what you don’t want anymore.

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Clean the Shelves and Replace Items in a Way that Makes Sense

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]After you have your pantry and cabinet items “edited,” it is time to refresh the shelves.

1. If you have protective liners on your shelves, consider replacing them. If your liners are rubber, soak them in the sink with hot, soapy water and let them air dry.
2. Clean the shelves with a sponge using mild soap and warm water. You don’t want to use bleach or harsh cleaners as they can strip paint and potentially leak into plastic food packaging.
3. Dry shelves with a cloth or paper towel.
4. Replace all of the items on the shelf based on what you use the most. If you often are reaching for olive oil, it should be more accessible than say breadcrumbs. Again, some people like to go the alphabetical order route, but that is completely up to you.

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Tackle the Pots, Pans, and Drawers Using the Method Above

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Follow the same steps that you did for the glassware, plates, and bowls to organize your drawers and the area where your pots and pans live.If you have the space, we highly suggest hanging your pots and pans if possible. They are actually extremely affordable on Amazon. We like this one that can go right above the stove.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Time to Hit the Fridge

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The way you clean and organize your fridge will be similar to what you did for the pantry and cabinet but on a smaller scale with a few changes.

1.  Remove all items from the fridge and toss what is expired.
2. Do not combine things you have multiples of because expiration dates can vary.
3. Move more delicate items to the freezer while you clean. i.e. raw meat and dairy products.
4. Wash shelves. Shelves in many modern fridges are removable so you can take them right to the sink.
5. Use hot soap and water to clean the shelves and interior of the fridge.
6. Replace shelves.
7. Put delicate items back into the fridge and close it.
8. Wipe down all condiment bottles and put them back in the fridge.

Note: Try to keep the fridge closed as much as possible when cleaning. You don’t want to reduce the temperature and risk putting your food in the danger zone![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Other Kitchen Cleaning Tasks

• Clean the kitchen cabinet and pantry doors with warm soap and water.
• Clean all hardware and doorknobs with a germ-killing cleaner
• Clean the outside of the fridge with a germ-killing cleaner
• Wipe baseboards
• Sweep and mop the floors
• Clean out the microwave with warm soap and water

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2. The Bedrooms

Ah yes, the bedrooms. The places that we don’t want guests to see. Kids, especially teenagers, are the biggest culprits when it comes to just throwing things wherever and not putting things away. The biggest project you will have to tackle in these spaces is likely going to be clothing organization.No matter how hard some of us try to keep clothes and shoes in their place, they end up on the floor or thrown haphazardly in a drawer. Will the closets in your home be 100% organized all the time after you do this? Probably not, but if you fully-reorganize everything now it is much easier to go in once a week for 5 minutes and hang up a few tops, put shoes back in their place, and then enjoy the rest of your day.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Closet Organization

Think of closet organization as a way of sifting through your old stuff and curating a store of your own. If you have older kids at home (pre-teens and teenagers) you can try to get them into this mindset also but we can’t guarantee that it will work.The key here is to put each family member in charge of their own closet organization. Some will definitely need supervision – so make a schedule and do your best to stick with it. Remind them when their closet organization time is and do not falter no matter how much complaining ensues. You can do this!Note: a good rule of thumb to follow when deciding what to keep, toss, or donate, is to think about if you have worn or used the item within the last year. If the item is truly sentimental consider putting it into storage.

1. Gather up every item of clothing and put it on the bed.
2. Separate clothes into loose categories. i.e. shirts, underwear and socks, pants/skirts, etc.
3. Set a stack of hangers next to each pile except for items that are never hung up i.e. socks and underwear
4. Go through each pile and decide what you want to keep, toss, or donate and put items in the appropriate spot.
5. Put items that need to be hung up on the hangers and fold items that belong in drawers as you go through the piles.
6. Match up socks. You can use socks without matches for a number of other things!

We highly suggest you do your closet first to figure out what type of system works for you and set an example. Have a trash bag nearby for items you will throw away and another bag for things that you will donate.

Putting it All Away

There are several ways you can organize your clothes. Choose which method works best for you and your lifestyle.

• By color
• By type
• By occasion

Hang items based on the organization method you choose and put items away into dressers. When it comes to shoes and bags, choose storage solutions that work for the space you have. Many like to put their shoes on shelves like these while others prefer more discrete forms of storage like this piece from Ikea.Will this ensure that the closets stay perfectly organized forever? Probably not, but spending an hour or two in full-blown organization mode now means that you only have to spend 5-10 minutes per week hanging up or putting away clothes that found their way to the floor, later.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Other Bedroom Cleaning and Organization Tasks

• Organize miscellaneous items (see below)
• Gather up bedding, blankets, and other linens so that they can be washed.
• Dust ledges, shelves, dressers, ceiling fans, etc.
• Go through papers on desks. Put necessary documents in folders and toss what is not needed
• Wipe baseboards
• Vacuum and/or shampoo carpets

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3. Toys and Miscellaneous Items

[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing size=”15px”][vc_column_text]We aren’t going to lie, toys are probably going to be tough. Even if kids haven’t played with something in months, they suddenly develop a special attachment to a toy once they think it will be gone – we will talk more about that below. If your children are small (ages 2-5), you may want to just take on this task yourself – if you do decide to go this route, do your organizing gradually and with stealth.If your kids are a bit older (ages 6-8), you can have them help you go through the toys to decide what will be kept and what will be donated. You can use this method with items in the toy room, your room, and other rooms that house miscellaneous items, also.

1. Grab items around the room that currently don’t have a home and place them on the floor
2. Go through those items and decide what to keep, donate, and toss
3. Find homes for the items in the keep pile.
4. Go to an area where items are stored i.e. a toy box and repeat steps 2, and 3
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 until everything in the room has been organized

Kids may have issues letting go of a toy that they don’t play with and has no sentimental value. If this happens, tell them that the toy will go to another little boy or girl and make them super happy. Pro tip: act like this is the most exciting thing that could possibly ever happen to the toy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

4. Bathrooms

[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing size=”15px”][vc_column_text]Bathrooms are the easiest spaces to organize but sometimes the hardest to deep clean – especially if you haven’t done it in awhile.The level of effort involved with bathroom cleaning and organization will vary from household to household. For example, homes with people who buy a lot of skincare and makeup will have different challenges than those ones with two pre-teen boys. For that reason, we are going to keep this section pretty general.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Bathroom Organization

1. Go through toiletries and toss old products.
2. Go through the medicine cabinet and toss old products or medication
3. Get rid of bulky packaging and replace with labeled containers when possible
4. Give all items a home

That sounds easy enough but what if space is limited in the bathroom? Well, you can definitely buy a home with a bigger bathroom (kidding!). You can find space-saving storage solutions pretty much anywhere these days. Some of our favorites include:

• Floating shelves
• Standing cabinets
• Adjustable shower caddy
• Storage baskets with lids

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Bathroom Deep Cleaning

There really is no trick to making this part easier, unfortunately. We suggest giving everyone in the family one bathroom element to focus on so you don’t have to do all of the cleaning yourself. For example, one person takes on the tubs and sinks, another the toilets, someone else mops the floors, etc. If you do not have the extra hands in your home, go bathroom by bathroom and clean each one completely.

1. Scrub and sanitize the toilet
2. Scrub and sanitize around the toilet base and the floor
3. Get a new rag or sponge for scrubbing and sanitizing the sink. Pay close attention to the grout around the faucet.
4. Scrub and sanitize the tub and shower
5. Scrub and sanitize the outside of the tub
6. Mop the floors
7. Get a paper towel and wipe down the door and door handles
8. Clean the mirror with glass cleaner

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The beauty of this guide is that you can go at your own pace. If you want to knock everything out in one day with a double-shot latte in hand, go for it! If you want to use those hours that you would have spent commuting to work and driving the kids to practice to tackle a few tasks during the week, that works too!Also, if you planned to clean the fridge on a late Saturday afternoon but aren’t feeling up to it and would rather video chat a friend with a glass of wine, there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing that instead. Right now is a time to focus on things that make us feel comfortable, happy, and healthy because that is truly what is most important.Many were in the process of buying or selling a home before this situation took hold. Our team is here to answer your real estate questions when you need us. Feel free to call our team at (913) 521-8809.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vcex_spacing][vc_column_text]The hunt for a new home doesn’t have have to stop because of social distancing. Click below to view our featured listings.[/vc_column_text][vcex_spacing][vcex_button url=”https://www.camijoneshomes.com/homes-for-sale-featured/” size=”medium” align=”center”]View Featured Listings[/vcex_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]

At some point in your life, you may decide that it is time to buy a new home. It is important to remember when this day comes that you set yourself up for success. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or you have purchased a home in the past, you may be wondering when is the best time to buy a home is and when you can get the most bang for your buck.

The Best Time to Buy a Home in Kansas City

We are going to be looking at when the best time to buy a home is, and by the time you have finished reading, you can start creating a plan and start the home buying process!

The Best Months to Buy

There are certain months that are going to be better for you to purchase a home in than others.You may want to avoid buying a home at the beginning of summer, especially if you are a first-time home buyer. This is when most people put their house up for sale, and it is also when most of the sales happen which means more competition.Toward the end of August or the beginning of September through March is probably the best time to buy a home. With sellers looking to move homes quickly, you will usually find that at least one or two of them are willing to lower their prices. You should also look into specifically buying during the holiday season, but we will talk more about that below.Now, don’t let this be the end all be all if you want to move in June. You can still find a home that is within your budget and suits all of your needs – we do suggest that you partner with an agent who understands the market to help you negotiate price and find the home that is right for you.

Shoot for the Holiday Season

We know that the holiday season is a stressful time, but if you can make it work, October-January is a great time for the budget conscience. During the holiday season, sellers typically receive the lowest premiums, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, a national firm that provides real estate and property data. Lower premiums for sellers mean better deals for buyers.There is also a lot less competition during this time of year and people are extremely motivated to sell. So, if you can handle buying a home during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, do it!

When You’re Financially Ready

Buying a house is a big commitment, and you need to make sure that you are financially ready before you jump in.In almost every case, you sign a long-term agreement that says you will pay your mortgage. It is going to be a hard time if you pay your down payment, get a mortgage and then aren’t able to keep up with the payments. The bottom line is that you need to be realistic about how much house you can afford and if that budget can accomodate the type of home you want.A good rule of thumb is to keep your mortgage payment at or below 28 percent of your pretax monthly income.

When You’re Emotionally Ready

If you are not emotionally ready to buy a house, then it is not going to work no matter what you do. Like we said above, it is a big commitment and one that needs to be considered carefully.Sitting down and doing your research is vital, but being able to get the right loan, pay it back, keep on top of maintenance, etc. is a whole other animal.If you are someone who feels like you get stressed very easily, then owning a home on a shoestring budget might not be the best idea.Staying in one place for years to come might seem a bit daunting, but if you are emotionally ready to do it, then there are a ton of benefits that come with homeownership.If you don’t think that you are going to be able to stay in one place, or you don’t think that you are going to be able to handle all of the stresses that come from purchasing a home, then now might not the right time for you.If you do have some fears when it comes to buying a home, but you feel you are emotionally ready to do so, make sure you work with an agent who can help effectively guide you through the process.Let our expert team help you buy your home today! You can reach our team at 913.521.8806.  Want to come and see us?  Our office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.