Remodel: Wood vs Stone

When it comes to rentals, value is king. Profits always need to be at maximum potential -thats a given. So what does that mean when you’re investing in your space? High design and low overhead. It doesn’t mean junk materials because theres plenty of good quality materials AND then there is over the top/last forever/crazy expensive materials. A great example is countertops- butcher block versus quartz or other high quality stones. I love the look of quartz, paperstone, corian countertops and if we’re talking about what I really love….carara marble! Butcher block is easily SIX TIMES cheaper than quartz. It doesn’t last as long (I’d say 10-20 years) but do you really want it to last forever? Let me remind you of the early 2000’s granite countertops- that was a fast trend for a countertops that is now a forever dated look.

I favor butcher block countertops. I put it 4 of my remodel kitchens. It’s eco-friendly, it’s affordable and it looks fantastic! It gives a kitchen the look of sophistication with the best value and biggest transformation in a kitchen remodel!

DIY: How to revamp an old dresser

A project in up-cycling! This ‘had better days’ dresser was one car ride away from being thrown into the many Goodwill furniture piles.

The top was already so scuffed and peeling, it was a perfect candidate for a DIY revamp! Honestly, the only offensive part about this dresser was that it was dated because everything else could be overlooked. It was made of solid wood, dovetailed drawers, beautiful curves and has maintained it’s shape (no warping). Someone in my neighborhood Buy Nothing Facebook group was just giving it away! I see these diamonds in the rough all the time. Maybe you do too? An old piece from mom’s house or a neighbor’s give away pile at their garage sale.

The key in this project is juxtaposition- pairing new and modern touches to the existing old dresser shape. Paint and new knobs go a long way!

Do you have a great old piece (even better if it has sentiment) that you’re thinking could use some up cycling? Check out my tutorial for revamping a piece in 5 steps!

https://youtu.be/34XugBgCV7Y

2 coats of grey and new handles from Anthropologie

*scroll to see the ‘before’ process photos

Short Term Rental vs Long Term Rental

So you decided to be a landlord and not sure which way to go- short term tenants or a long term tenant? I know it seems that I’m biased towards short term rental but I also own long term rentals and I am constantly weighing my options.

Of course you have to consider if the location of your rental makes sense for short term or better for long term rental. Heres a few pros and cons to consider:

Note: short term rental = any lease less than 28 days long

PROS to short term rental:

1. More Income: You can make up to double the annual income of a regular long term rental (ie Long term: $24,000/yr vs Short term: $40,000/yr)

2. Flex space: You can use your space anytime you want. If you have guests in town, you can easily time it so they can stay with you in their own private space.

3. More control: You can keep a constant eye on your investment and see it on a weekly or monthly basis when tenants check out opposed to yearly and hoping your long term tenant was keeping up the place.

4. Your space, your rules: Depending on your city you can be more choosey with your tenants without being subjected to discrimination clauses (Of course don’t be an asshole by discriminating) and eviction proceedures.

CONS to short term rental:

1. Constant turn-around: Having to find tenants to fill your unit multiple times a year

2. Inconsistent Occupancy: Having to abide by off-peak and peak seasons will directly affect your rental income

3. Fully Furnished: You’re creating a home not just a space for someone. Which means you also need to account for all the furnishings in the space, replace it when its damaged etc.

4. Paying taxes and obtaining permits: depending on your city you may have to pay hotel tax and get permits. For city of Seattle, all short term housing landlords must register their space, be subjected to inspection, have a business license to operate and pay city taxes.

5. You might not be covered: Some home owner’s insurance companies DO NOT cover short term rentals. If you had a long term tenant, the unit (not the tenant - they would need renter’s insurance) is insured under your home owner’s insurance umbrella. Check with your insurance company as you may need to switch.

SO BAD that it's GOOD!

Have you ever seen a pattern that is SO BAD that it's GOOD? 

I'm usually a black, white, grey and sometimes tan kind of a person. When my clients ask me what color they should choose for their couch, chair, sheets etc, I typically always say the same thing - 'black, white or grey'.  So when I found this $12.99 vintage chair at Goodwill, I looked at the sad, stinky and dated fabric and thought 'I must go NEON!' 

There was too many good ones to choose from. And when I say 'good' I mean BAD, loud, obnoxious and I wanted to reupholster a zillion chairs in ALL those fabrics! 

Ta-Da!