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3 Ways to Decorate your Home for the Holidays

11/30/2022 in Home Tips

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are here, and a new year will be upon us before we know it. Now is the time to start thinking about decorating your home for the holiday season if you haven’t already. We at Remax at the Beach have come up with a few ways you can decorate your home for the holidays below.

Trim the Tree

One thing about decorating for the holidays is getting to trim the tree. Whether you use an artificial tree or a live one, the possibilities are endless in your home. If you’d like to decorate your tree in a coastal theme, we suggest going for beach colors such as whites and pastels and using a little burlap. If you’d like to get a new tree this year, flocked trees are all the rage now in many southern homes. Adding a cute burlap or gingham tree skirt will help add a little flair and comfort to your tree.

Hang All the Stockings

Another critical element to decorating your home for the holidays is hanging all the stockings. If you have a mantle in your home, hang those stockings with care. Command hooks are suitable for hanging them and not leaving holes in the mantle, or you can get some of the stocking hangers at the local store. If you don’t have a mantle, many people will often use command hooks or hang them from shelves they may have on their walls. No matter which one you have, decorating your mantle with some extra garland, ribbon, and lights will also help brighten up the room.

The Holiday Aroma

The last thing that can help make your home feel like it’s the holidays is by adding some new scents. If you’d like something fresh, add some fresh greenery from a local nursery, such as garlands or wreaths. You can also incorporate some more amazing scents by putting in a saucepan or pot and adding the following:

· Water

· Cranberries

· Fresh Sliced Oranges

· Cinnamon Sticks

· Whole Cloves

· Vanilla Bean (optional)

· Pine Needles (optional)

· Fresh Rosemary (optional)

Let this mixture simmer on your stovetop and let the fresh scent flow throughout your home.

There are many other ways to decorate your home this holiday season, but we wanted to share these with you. Call us today if you haven’t found your forever home in the Brunswick County area. We hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday season with friends and family!

3 DIY Home Decor Ideas for your New Home in Brunswick County

09/30/2021 in Home Tips

Have you recently purchased your home located here in Brunswick County, and do you still need to decorate it? Have no fear, as we at Remax at the Beach wanted to share a few fun DIY decorating ideas with you. Whether your home is your vacation home or your permanent home here at the beach, we’ve got 3 ideas for you. Let’s peek at those three DIY decorating ideas that you can do within your new home here in Brunswick County.

Chalkboard for Kitchen

For many families, having a whiteboard or chalkboard in their kitchen can be a good thing. You can add this to your new home by finding a spot on the wall that would be a great place to have it. Then purchase some chalkboard paint, some molding, and a few nails along with some paint for the trim. Then paint the area you’d like to put the chalkboard, frame it out with the molding and there you have your chalkboard. Write down your grocery list or make it a calendar and use it to keep up with your daily lives.

Picture Frame Shelf

Another great idea that you can do in your home to help decorate your walls is to find a few larger picture frames and make them into shelves. Head to a local thrift store or if you have some lying around your home, measure the inside of the frame where you’d like the shelf area to be. If you don’t have any extra boards or lumber lying around, a 2x4 board will work perfectly and cut and piece together the shelf. Then attach it to the picture frame, and you have created a little shelf for you to display fun things around your home. It’s a quick and easy project to let the kids get involved in too.

Rustic Mason Jars

If you’re into the rustic, farmhouse look that has become very popular over recent years, then this project is just for you. Mason jars are easy to locate, and many have them in their home already to use for storage. Start by painting each jar the color you’d like with craft paint, and then if you’d like to add lettering onto them, you can for an added look. Then take a piece of twine and wrap it around the top of the jar after the paint has dried. If you’d like to add a rustic look to the jars, take some extra fine sandpaper and sand a few spots on the jars. And just like that, you’ve made yourself some fun, rustic jars to put flowers in or other things lying around your home.

While there are many other easy DIY decorating ideas, you can do in your home, and we wanted to share these with you. If you’re still on the hunt for your perfect home located here in Brunswick County, we’d love to help. We hope that you and your family will enjoy these fun DIY decorating ideas for your home!

Create a Living Room Your Family Will Love

10/31/2020 in Home Tips

Have you recently moved into a new home here in Brunswick County, and you’re looking for a way to decorate it? We know that moving into a new home can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we at Remax at the Beach want to share how to create a living space the whole family will love. Let’s look below how you can make that living room that everyone will love in your new home.

Living Room Furniture

We know that one of the most daunting tasks for creating that perfect living room that the whole family will love is furniture. If you have small children, we know that finding the right fabrics for your couches is the key. Look at the different fabrics available in most furniture stores to see which will hide stains or have a protective coating on the fabric. Darker colors will help hide stains or other imperfections that happens when you have kids. There are so many other options available for you to choose from now that will be perfect for your family.

Make the Space Functional

Another great thing that will make sure your living room is right for your family is to make it functional. If you have a space that may not be that large and you will want to make it work for your family. Have some built-ins put into the room for extra storage for the kid's toys or other things you may need? Add a bookcase or two to hold all of the family books on as well as decorations. Allow the kids to add a few things to the decorations to help make it their space as well. Getting everyone involved in making sure the living room is functional for the whole family!

There are many other ways that you can make your living room perfect for the whole family to love. We, however, wanted to share these few with you. If you still haven’t found your dream home, then give us at Remax at the Beach a call today!

4 Ways to Use Your Bonus Room

10/28/2019 in Home Tips

Do you have a bonus room in your home but not sure how to use it or decorate it? We know that having that extra space in your home can be repurposed to your needs. Instead of the room being a catch all room, repurpose it for something that your family needs or want. Bonus rooms are more popular in the southern states because many don’t have basements unless you live in the mountains. Let’s look below at the 4 ways that you can use and decorate your bonus room.

Playroom

If you have kids, then you know that keeping their toys all in one room can be a little difficult. Having a designated playroom to keep their toys in and more is just what any household needs. Use the bonus room to create a welcoming playroom where you can corral the toys into. Let the kids help pick out the paint color and add furniture that is perfect for them to relax in every day. Building or buying storage furniture such as bookshelves and cabinets will help keep the toys organized in the room as well. Just let the kid’s imagination run wild as you convert the bonus room into the playroom.

Home Office

Another great idea that you can convert the bonus room into is a home office. If you have a business that you run out of your home or you just like to have an office in the home, this would be perfect for you. Purchase some home office décor such as a new desk, chair, file cabinet and more can transform the room quickly. Just make it an inviting area that you can run your business out of or just relax while playing on the internet in your own home office.

Spare Bedroom

Do you have a spare guest bedroom in your home for friends and family to stay in during the holidays? If not, then changing the bonus room into the spare guest room is a perfect idea. Transform this room into a space that your guests will feel at home in. Purchase a daybed with a trundle bed, or a full-size bed just the right size to add to the room. Decorate it in a beachy theme or any theme you’d like that will make your guests not want to leave to head back to reality.

Craft Room

Have you ever wanted a room to put your craft supplies in and where you can craft all you want without putting anything away? Many families love to do crafts together as a family and why not have a dedicated craft room. Get shelves, tables, chairs and desks to complete the craft room. Never put away your silhouette machine and vinyl or your unfinished crafts because you can just close the door on the bonus room. What a great room to have in any home where you have someone who loves to make things to give to gifts or sell.

There are many more options where you can transform your bonus room into a room you won’t want to leave, but these are just a start. If you are looking for a home on the coast of North Carolina, allow us at Remax at the Beach to help you with your search. We can’t wait to hear what you want to design your bonus room as!

4 Ways to Add a Little Fall to your Home

09/30/2019 in Home Tips

October is right around the corner which means you can start decorating your home with fall decor. Of course this is if you haven't done so already. We understand that when you purchse a home or have a home on the North Carolina Coast, it may not feel much like fall. We at Remax at the Beach have come up with 4 ways that you can add a little fall to your home. Let's look below at some of the easy and affordable ways you can do so.

Fall Colors

Whenever you look at a home magazine, you may see something that you'd love to do inside your home. This year the many colors that people are loving this fall are copper tones and neutral tones. The neutral tones will go well with any home whether it's on the beach or away from the beach. These colors are going to be off-white, tan, light green and light blue. Some colors that are vibrant would be orange, copper, reds and golds. You can even mix and match these colors together to decorate the mantle with or the front porch. The possibilities are endless when it comes to finding the right decorations for your home.

Front Porch Livin'

Whenever you live in the south, you're able to take advantage of the front porch. Decorating the front porch can be the highlight of your home because it's always seen by others. If you haven't grabbed yourself some rocking chairs, go right on ahead and do so. Adding some indian corn, pumpkins and even a bale of hay will not only add some color but will look beautiful as well. If you're not sure where to grab the indian corn or pumpkins, head to the farmers market or to a local nursery. Not only will you find these, but they will be affordable too!

Decorate the Table

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, so finding things to decorate your table now is ok. Run to the store and grab some new tablecloths, napkins, dishes and more will help add some color to the dining room. Have the kids make up some fun fall decorations with paper and include them onto the dining room table. You can also repurpose things that you may have lying around the house into making it for the fall. We promise you that you're going to love decorating for the fall every year.

Do Fall Crafts

If you are a more do-it-yourself kind of person, then these ideas will be perfect for you. Grab together some art supplies from the local craft store and have fun making things. From making a pumpkin using lids from mason jars to painting a picture or two, there is something that iwll go with your fall decor. And if you're not as crafty as some, then head over to Hobby Lobby and grab some of their fall decorations. You will find many of them on sale and you may go a little crazy in there. Just enjoy the time you spend either alone or doing the crafts with your family as you bring the fall indoors.

While there are many other things that you can do to add a little fall into your home, these are the few we thought you'd like. If you still haven't found your forever home on the North Caroina Coast, then contact us today. We hope that your family can enjoy the cooler weather and time decorating the house together!

Organize Your Garage this Summer for Under $50

07/14/2019 in Home Tips

Summer is here and the kids are out of school, but that also means that your garage may look like it needs some organization. We understand that sometimes finding the time to organize your garage is at the bottom of your “to do” list. Since the kids are home from school, you can enlist their help to get the space cleaned up. We at Remax at the Beach have come up with a few ways that you can organize your garage this summer for under $50. Let’s look below to see how you can organize it and keep it tidy all year long.

Skates & Bikes

Many families have children who have more than one thing that they enjoy doing during the summer time. This can be riding a bike, skating or even using a scooter to get around the neighborhood. If you have many bikes that say the kids don’t ride or use anymore, get rid of them. You can either donate to a local charity, or you can give to another family in the neighborhood. For helmets, skates and skateboards you can purchase a specialty designed wall rack that you can keep everything on for safe keepings. This will not only keep you organized but can also keep the floor clear too of clutter. To keep the scooters and bikes out of the way, you can purchase hooks from the hardware store to hang them on the wall or ceiling of the garage.

Sports Gear

Sports gear is another number one thing that many families have stashed in their garage. Being able to keep all the equipment for the kid’s sports, fishing rods and more may seem like it’s out of control. Having a few things in your garage to keep the sports gear in is just what every family needs. You may be able to go to a hardware store and search for a rack that has several different shelves on it. To We suggest getting a clear storage box that will fit on one of the shelves to keep all of the balls. You can also grab another storage bin that can hold the gloves, cleats, and other sports gear. Store your fishing gear by hanging two wire shelves from your garage ceiling and slip the rods on top of the shelves. Grab another clear storage bin and store your other fishing gear into it. No matter what you need to store on the shelves, there will be plenty of space to do so.

Tools & Garden Gear

If you are living at the beach or living elsewhere, having enough storage for your tools and garden gear is a must. Get another shelving unit and store your tools on the shelves. And if you have an old file cabinet, you can paint it and reuse it for putting some of the smaller tools inside it and even your garden gear too. You can also take a pegboard and hang it on the wall near the tools. Hang up several different tools that you will use more often on the board and place the other things inside the cabinet. Also, if you happen to stop by a store, you can get a few smaller clear storage bins to hold other things like nails, screws, tape measure and box cutters. For your lawn mower or other yard tools, you can hang a few things and just leave some extra space to park your lawn mower in the garage.

While there are many other things that you can do to help organize your garage, these are the best options that we thought you’d enjoy at a low cost. If you still haven’t found your forever home with that wonderful garage, allow us at Remax at the Beach to help you with your house hunting needs. We hope that you and your family have a wonderful summer as you spend time together!

Top 5 Cleaning Tips for your Home this Spring

04/25/2019 in Home Tips

Now that spring has arrived on the North Carolina coast, it’s safe to say it’s time for a little spring cleaning. As homeowners, you will always have things to do around your property during certain times of the year. Spring time is the best for many different tasks as you can get a head start for the summer months. If you are selling your home this summer, then doing these things this spring is essential to complete these maintenance tasks. Let’s look at our top 5 things to clean this spring around your home below.

Gutter Cleaning

During the course of the fall and winter months, you may notice that your gutters are blocked with debris and gunk. While this is not a favorite for many homeowners this can save you money in the long run. Doing a good cleaning of the gutters will help you in the long run so that there is no damage to your roof. Having a good runoff away from your home will help keep the pooling of water from forming at the base of your home. This can be a danger when it freezes or can even cause extensive damage to the foundation of your home as it sits. Just grab a ladder, gloves and a water hose to clean up the gutters.

Clean the Dryer Vents

One thing that many homeowners forget to do during their spring cleaning is cleaning the vents on your dryer. Having dirty dryer vents can cause fires and this is something that you don’t want to happen. Taking a look at the vents on both the dryer and where it leaves your home is going to be the key. This task will take less than a few minutes to make sure that the vents are clean and not dirty to help prevent a fire later down the road.

Get your Mower Ready

During the fall months it’s always a good idea to winterize your lawn equipment since the grass normally won’t grow much. Now that it’s spring time, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have your mower ready for the season. Check the spark plugs and cables and make sure that the blades are ready to cut the grass for the season. This can allow for a more evenly cut lawn without missing patches throughout the yard or having to go over the same spot a few times. It will also help save you money by getting the mower ready now rather than having to have it fixed later during the summer months.

Clean your Siding

During the fall and winter months, your home’s siding can take a beating. From the rain and cold weather, it can cause for a few things to collect on the side of your home such as dirt, dust and algae. This can make your home look dirty and unattractive and can increase the wear on the siding when it’s not cleaned for months or even years. This can be an easy clean up with a little soap, brush and water hose to get it cleaned up. Or to make things a little simpler than renting or purchasing a pressure washer can be a better investment for years to come.

Clean your Deck & Re-Stain It

Part of a good spring cleaning of your home would be to clean the deck of the dirt, dust and grime and re-stain it. This can help give your deck a new look by pressure washing the deck and can help make the wood last longer. Re-staining your deck will also help protect against the rain, sun and other elements outdoors. If you have a screened in porch, then this can also help preserve the wood and last longer without having to replace pieces of the deck later down the road. There are so many different color stains or even sealants that you can choose from, so just head to the hardware store and choose the one you like.

While there are many other things you can do to clean during the spring time, we felt these are the best ones to tell you about. If you are thinking of placing your home for sale, we would love to help you and your family with the process. If you are in the search for a new home in Brunswick County, we can help you. We look forward to helping you and your family find the next best home this year!

Must Have Tools for your New Home

12/16/2018 in Home Tips

Owning your home can be an adventure in itself, but when something breaks you want to fix it yourself, rather than hiring someone else to take care of it. So, having your own tools is a must when you become a new homeowner and we know which ones to have. Luckily, you don't need an arsenal of tools to handle most home maintenance fixes. We at Remax at the Beach know what tools you must have for your new home in order to help keep your home in order.

Drills & Drill Bits

Having a multipurpose drill can be handy with a multiple of tasts around your home. From hanging up curtain rods to building a project in the garage, it's nice to have a battery powered drill in the house. And when it comes to having drill bits in the house, we know that these can be important for fixing things that may need some reinforcement. Getting a quality drill and drill bits can be found at just about any hardware store and sometimes you can find a good deal on one.

Crescent Wrench - Adjustable

While many others may suggest you have a wrench set, we don't think you need to. The reason being is getting an adjustable crescent wrench will be just perfect. If you'd like to have a few that is better than spending a lot of money on a set that you won't use often. The adjustable wrench we like because you can adjust it to the size of the nuts or bolts that you will be working with in your home repairs. Some self-adjusting wrenches are self-ratcheting which means that you won't have to remove them from the bolt to tighten.

Hammers

Having more than one hammer in your home is ideal for every homeowner. You might want to get a heavyweight one that can handle the larger nails and the lightweight one for smaller projects. For most project just a basic hammer with the claw on the back is what you will need. We have found that having one inside you home and one in the garage is all you should need to complete any home project. From haning pictures on the walls to working on a new project for your home, having the right hammer is all you need.

Hacksaw

Many have seen others use a hacksaw in the movies to cut trees down in the forest, but having them in your home is good too. They are a good cutting tool that you can use that is larger than a utility knight and can get one for less than $20 at the hardware store. For some home projects that are good to have around in case you'd like to cut pipes (plastic or metal), tubing, wood, brackets, and bolts. It's a great tool to have around for those home projects that you may want to do.

Variety of Hardware

Keeping a good selection of general purpose nails and screws on hand is what you want in your home. You can get a small organizer to store them in your garage or workshop. Having a good selection on hand can come in handy when you are working on a specific project, you know where to head. Plus, if it's clear then you can see if you are running low and need to grab more from the store.

Utility Knife

Utility knives are always good to have throughout the home but kept away from children. They can be used for all sorts of things such as opening boxes, making precision cuts, scoring and so much more. Many homeowners like to keep a small supply of them and they aren't too expensive to replace either. But if you happen to get a good quality one, then you can just purchase replacement blades and hang onto the good ones for years to come.

Step Stool & Ladder

As a homeowner you want to get a sturdy step stool that you can keep inside your home. We know that standing on a chair can be just as simple, but what if that chair isn't high enough to reach the light in the kitchen. Having a step stool will not only help you reach those lightbulbs or cobwebs in the corners, it will help keep you safe as well. Getting a good extension ladder is ideal for any outdoor project you may have. From cleaning the gutters to putting lights up during the holidays, having one in your home is just what you need.

Screwdrivers

Yes, you may have your drill but sometimes a drill may not be needed for a certain project. So, having a set of screwdrivers is perfect for your toolbox and home. There are many different types of screwdrivers so make sure you have a Phillips, slotted or one that has interchangeable heads will do. No matter how big or small the project is, having a good quality screwdriver is necessary in any home.

While there are many other tools that you can keep in your home for handy projects, these are the ones we thought would help get a good start on things. Having a few other items around the home such as safety gloves and eye protection are a must in any home! If you aren't a homeowner yet but have been thinking of purchasing one or a vacation home in the Ocean Isle Beach area, we are happy to assist you. We look forward to helping you find your next dream home today!