Updated on July 8, 2020
Budget Friendly DIY’s During The Pandemic
These Are All the Budget-Friendly DIYs You Should Tackle During the Pandemic
Erin Reynolds of diymama.net | erin@diymama.net
While restrictions are lifting in many areas, it’s arguably safer and less stressful to continue staying home. But for many folks, that means finding ways to stay busy without leaving the house. Fortunately, there are tons of budget-friendly DIY projects you can enjoy that make your time in quarantine more productive.
Clean Up Your Garden Area
Heading outside to the garden is beneficial for both your emotional health and physical wellbeing, notes UNC Healthcare. Getting sunshine helps top off your vitamin D stores, and you may also burn some calories. Plus, weeding and tending an existing garden doesn’t cost a thing.
Add Mulch for a Neater Yard
Mulch is one of the cheapest ways to improve your yard and garden’s appearance. Installing mulch helps freshen up your garden area, accentuates plants, and adds curb appeal. With curbside pick-up, you may find it easy to grab gardening supplies at your local hardware or home supply store.
Use DIY Hacks to Get Rid of Pests
Whether you’re struggling with indoor or outdoor pests, banishing them for good is an excellent way to spend your time at home. Farmer’s Almanac recommends household ingredients like diatomaceous earth (for ants and stinkbugs) and hot peppers (for aphids) to get rid of creepy crawlies.
Order Online to Save
Ordering online is the new normal, whether you’re grabbing food to go or working on home improvement. And thanks to stores with free shipping, you won’t have to pay additional fees to get the items you need. You can even find promotional codes and discounts to make your project even more affordable.
Start with Seeds
You can easily bust your budget by splurging on full-grown plants and even trees. But a cheaper way to DIY is to start with seeds. You can order seeds online and grow them at home, which makes gardening that much more rewarding. Whether you’re starting vegetable seeds for a new garden or trying your hand at perennial flowers, you can start enjoying yourself even before the first bloom.
Want more of a challenge—and one that’s free? Use leftover scraps from store-bought produce to begin growing.
Make Small Changes for Big Impact
You may not think that a gallon of paint can make a big impact, but even this budget DIY can help your house feel more like home. For example, repainting your home’s front door can help the property fetch a higher sales price. You can even touch base with a reliable real estate company like Michigan Homes and Cottages to find out if particular colors are trending in your area.
But even if you’re not looking at real estate listings or considering a move, a gallon of paint can go a long way. Elements like an accent wall can brighten your space and won’t take multiple trips to the paint store, either.
Want to Go Big? Replace Your Flooring
A DIY re-flooring job may take some time and effort, but it doesn’t need to break the bank. Plenty of cheap flooring options—like vinyl or carpet tiles—allow you to install at your own pace. In many cases, ripping out flooring is the toughest part of the job, but it’s also free. Choosing an inexpensive flooring option helps upgrade your home’s ambiance without requiring a larger budget.
Refinish Your Furniture
Refinishing furniture is another task that takes a bit of time, but can be cheap or free. From sanding the existing surface to adding varnish, you can spend a few dollars and completely re-do an entire bedroom set. If you set up in the garage or backyard, you can spread the project out over weeks or even months as necessary. In the end, you’ll have customized furnishings that make your home even cozier for the lockdown period.
Finding ways to keep busy often means turning to DIYs around the house. With these ideas, you don’t have to overextend your budget or pass on household projects due to cost. In no time, you’ll have a more comfortable and more enjoyable home to pass the pandemic in—and you might not mind a bit.
Photo via Rawpixel
Posted on July 3, 2020
Single Story For Sale in Park Township, Holland
Lake Macatawa Masterpiece
• 9664 sqft , 5 bath , 2 half bath , 6 bdrm single story – FOR SALE USD3,750,000 .
MLS® 20025134
in Park Township, Holland
Exquisitely crafted, coastal inspired, Lake Macatawa masterpiece. Built on a quiet bay amongst the woods, in one of Holland’s premier lakefront communities, this custom home will amaze you with nearly 10,000 luxurious square feet, and only the finest high-end finishes. 6 bedrooms, complete with 2 suites, 5 full and 2 half bathrooms, along with a laundry room on 3 floors, this home is built for maximum comfort and livability. The master bedroom, with connected home office has his and hers closets, lake views, and relaxing shower with wall jets. The gorgeous exterior and grounds are highlighted by the brick driveway with complete snowmelt system, steel seawall, lakeside pool and spa, and outdoor kitchen. A boaters dream, the 150′ figure 4 dock has 2-50 Amp and 1-30 Amp service.
Suitable for 3 to 4 boats, the dock has enough room for a 75′ boat, kayaks, and personal watercraft from your 100′ of private frontage.
In the heart of the home you will find a beautifully laid out kitchen with professional grade appliances, a snack bar built for gathering, walk-in pantry, cocktail pantry with Sub-Zero wine cooler, and an ice maker. The upper level features 3 bedrooms plus a nursery, a recreation/media room, complete with kitchenette, and separate 2nd laundry. Enjoy the most amazing lake views from the 3rd floor loft, which is an ideal play space or relaxing retreat, and finished with a rich wood ceiling.
The lower level boasts a completely renovated guest suite with cozy fireplace, a 6th bedroom, a workout room, a kitchenette, and a 3rd laundry room. The full sized garage/workroom with vehicle access and lakeside overhead door, makes it easy to store and retrieve all of your toys for a day of play on the water.
With a list of upgrades and improvements the current owner has made, this home has been unbelievably maintained and cared for—truly move-in ready in anticipation of the next lucky owner.
*Whole house fan *Epoxy garage floors *In floor heat *New water heater *New water softener *New lighting control system *Sealed LED lights – in & out *Wall mounted TVs throughout *Control 4 System *AV rack with distributed audio *Wired for ADT Pulse security system *2 extra 36″ Sub Zero “party” refrigerators *New pool filter and heater *New outdoor fridge & ice maker *New wood decking on boat dock *Upgraded attic insulation *New HVAC (AC & furnaces).
For floor plan details visit https://www.planomatic.com/mls340157
Posted on June 25, 2020
2 Story For Sale in Park Township, Holland
Olde Hunters Crossing
• 2744 sqft , 3 bath , 1 half bath , 4 bdrm 2 story – FOR SALE USD449,900 .
MLS® 20024093
in Park Township, Holland
Exceptional architectural design in Holland’s most desirable neighborhood- Olde Hunters Crossing. Park township’s most convenient location tucked away in a park- like setting surrounded by all custom homes- close to downtown, Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan parks. This Prairie style Frank Lloyd Wright inspired custom home features eclectic interior elements including diamond plate aluminum staircase, versatile open floor-plan with Main floor Master Suite with private patio, gourmet kitchen boasts loads of natural light stunning backsplash and stainless appliances.
Posted on June 24, 2020
Single Story For Sale in Holland, Holland
Holland South Side Condo
• 2254 sqft , 2 bath , 3 bdrm single story – FOR SALE USD219,900 .
MLS® 20023583
in Holland, Holland
Come see this fantastic, updated 3 bedroom 2 bath end unit on Hollands South Side! This is a large unit in the desirable Spring Lane Condominium Development! From the 2 car garage, step into the open concept main level with a large, updated kitchen perfect for entertaining! This condo has newer flooring, fresh paint, new lighting and new stainless steel appliances! The main floor master has a very large walk in closet and a very spacious master bathroom. Relax and enjoy the tree lined view on the expansive deck. This is a hard to find beautifully updated condo. The lower level is light and bright with a large family room with built in bar area, two bedrooms and one full bathroom. There is also a large storage area and laundry.
Posted on June 17, 2020
2212 North Bristol Street in Park Township, Holland is Sold!
in Park Township, Holland The single story at 2212 North Bristol Street has been sold.
Posted on June 17, 2020
Other For Sale in Benona Township, Shelby
Incredible Lake Michigan Views
• 3008 sqft , 3 bath , 1 half bath , 4 bdrm other – FOR SALE USD599,900 .
MLS® 20022414
in Benona Township, Shelby
Incredible Lake Michigan views and easy access to 400′ of beach from this custom built home in Michabou Heights. With nearly 3,000 sqft of open, airy living space, this beach house is an ideal retreat for family and guests alike. 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths with a generous master suite complete with wood fireplace. The living room with soaring open beam ceilings, and beautiful pickled cedar, offers plenty of room for gathering, and enjoying the water views from the wall of windows overlooking the lake. Cozy up to the second fireplace and watch a storm roll in. Separate guest quarters offer privacy for visiting guests, or could be converted to a master suite. Outside you will find 2 levels of decking, one of which offers a gas fire pit, where taking in a sunset has never been more enjoyable.
Hard wired speakers in the home and on the deck, an adorable playhouse, cable, 2 stall attached garage, gorgeous Saltillo tile, and central vac, you will love the amenities this cottage has to offer, and love the memories you will start making.
The addition has been reinforced with helical piers for added stability, and 50 year roof has been recently inspected. All furnishings negotiable, offering a perfect turnkey experience and the ability to start enjoying the lake life.
Updated on June 11, 2020
Fabulous Downtown Holland, MI Restaurants
Downtown Holland, MI offers a host of fabulous restaurant options
With two of the members from the Michigan Homes and Cottages team having a history in food service, and with restaurants open for business, we thought it was appropriate to pass along great restaurant options our home town has to offer.
As you take a stroll down 8th St in Holland, MI, doing some shopping, or just enjoying the outdoors and the lake breeze coming off Lake Macatawa, the inevitable question is going to arise, “where shall we eat?” Well, let us offer a few choices we like to patronize on a regular basis. This is just the first of a multi-part series, starting with the southeasterly portion of downtown and moving west towards the lake.
Starting on the far east side of what would be considered downtown, you will come across a quaint little unassuming pizza joint, called Skiles Tavern. Once inside you quickly realize why Skiles needn’t put a whole lot into flashy marketing. Upon first glance you’ll find a simple menu of nachos, tacos, a smattering of basic sandwiches, and a full bar, complete with canned beer–but the star of the show is the pizza! Once you’ve had Skiles pizza, you can finally consider yourself a “local” in the know on the subject of best pizza in Holland, joining a group of regulars that have enjoyed the pies eaten on paper plates for decades. The crust is thin, the toppings are plentiful, and the flavor is memorable (in a good way). The restaurant is usually bustling with people listening to the jukebox and playing pool, while waiting for their table to come available. Make this a stop after a day of boating or relaxing at the beach, you won’t regret it. And while you’re there waiting for your pizza, pop a tab and poor yourself a cold one!
Skiles Tavern
Heading west, on the same side of the street (south) is one of our favorite “go to” spots, Hops at 84 East. An eclectic menu with anything from award winning burgers to more refined dishes such as the Sustainably farmed North Atlantic salmon, white bean hummus, asparagus, roasted carrots, bok choy, spring herb and ramp pesto, and grilled lemon. The pizza is pretty good, too! With what seems like a million beers on tap, a full bar with just about any liquor you can think of, along with a host of signature alcohol and non-alcohol drink options, Hops is a great spot if you’re not quite sure what you’re in the mood for. The staff and management is knowledgeable and professional, and always makes you feel taken care of throughout the dining experience. Weekly live entertainment and several TV’s for catching a game, the restaurant ambiance is great for the entire family.
Hops at 84 East
Making your way just a bit farther west you’ll come across New Holland Brewpub, the flagship restaurant for the craft beer brewers and distillers of fine spirits. New Holland Brewpub offers a more earthy flare to its menu, the cornerstone being the must have pepperoni pinwheels (I’m drooling just thinking about them). A nice selection of meal-worthy salads, delicious sandwiches, and pizza that makes you feel good after eating it, New Holland has a host of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options in each menu category to keeping everyone happy. On a sunny day, the outdoor beer garden and bar is a perfect place to eat and drink into the evening. Weekly entertainment featuring local musicians, and friendly, hard working staff, New Holland is a must stop for at least one meal…and a beer…and maybe one more.
New Holland Brewpub
Look for more restaurant options in the following blogs from Michigan Homes and Cottages, and as always stay healthy, stay safe.
To contact us direct visit us on the web at the Michigan Homes and Cottages website
Updated on May 22, 2020
Important Things to Remember When Building Your Home Office
Photo via Pixabay
By Erin Reynolds of diymama.net | erin@diymama.net
Important Things to Remember When Building Your Home Office
Have you thought about putting together your very own home office? The advent of the Digital Age has changed the way we work in some very exciting ways, freeing up the modern employee to do things by whatever method works best. Many individuals are now able to enjoy the comfort and familiarity of their own homes, as opposed to commuting to and from an office each day. Workers can now spend more time with their families, live happier lives, and produce much better results for having done so. However, what about those of us without the luxury of a dedicated workspace in our homes? What does a person do when he or she lacks a readily-available “office space” that can be used for day-to-day productivity? Why, we build our own, of course! You can make just about any space into a home office, and for many of us, the garage is a prime candidate. Whether you’re using an existing garage or plan to build a new one for the purposes of productivity, the right plan can make all the difference. Check out these tips for creating your very own office space at home.
Invest in High-Quality Equipment
Think about it: You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your new home office. The work you do in this office is going to dictate the paycheck you bring home, so it only makes sense to give yourself the proper tools for the job.
Now, there is certainly something to be said for budgetary limitations. Not all of us have the capability of investing in top-of-the-line equipment for our home office. The good news is that this isn’t required. What is recommended, however, is that you take the time and spend the money on equipment that will help you get your work done to the best of your abilities. Don’t skimp on things like your desk chair and a fast and reliable laptop, and definitely don’t skimp on something like your computer desk, for that matter.
Consider Building Your Own Office
For those who don’t have a garage they can easily cordon off, it might make sense to build a small structure that can be used as a home office. Not only is this a great way to give yourself a fulfilling project, but it can help you to truly take ownership of your workspace, crafting a home office that is truly tailor-made to suit your needs.
Of course, things like building materials will need to be considered. Wood, for example, is often less expensive to work with, but requires a bit more maintenance and regular upkeep over the years. Steel, on the other hand, tends to be both lighter and stronger than its naturally-occurring counterpart. Either option will produce a sturdy structure, but budgetary considerations might wind up impacting your choice.
Alternatively, if you’ve been thinking about buying a new house, you could always look into properties that would easily and comfortably accommodate your office needs.
Make Sure You Can Stay Connected
Unless you happen to have a home whose garage is ready to go and wired for the internet, you’ll need to get a little creative when it comes to connectivity. Setting yourself up with a reliable internet connection is far from impossible, however. Hardwiring is one option, but it might be a bit more costly to have an IT professional come out to your house and get you all set up. A good alternative might be using your smartphone or a WiFi hotspot to piggyback off your data plan. You’ll want to touch base with your phone service provider first, to make sure that your data plan can accommodate all the increased bandwidth, so as to avoid those notorious overage charges.
Work Your Way, Like You’ve Always Dreamed
Leaving the nine-to-five office grind behind doesn’t have to be a pipe dream anymore. Not only are there more and more remote-work jobs popping up every single day, but your current employer might even let you spend some time working from a home office.
No matter what your circumstances may be, working out of a home office is certainly the way of the future. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to working on your own terms, in no time at all!
Posted on May 15, 2020
Other For Sale in Sheldon Dunes, Holland
Incredible 200' Of Private Lake Michigan Frontage
• 2996 sqft , 2 bath , 1 half bath , 4 bdrm other – FOR SALE USD2,500,000 .
MLS® 20016431
in Sheldon Dunes, Holland
Incredible 200′ of private Lake Michigan frontage in a fantastic Holland location. Enjoy the cool lake breezes from the screened-in porch at this fun and friendly 4 bedroom 2 1/2 beach house with a mix of wide open spaces, traditional cottage feel, and water views beyond compare. The lower level is finished with a bunk room and modern spa-like bath. Geothermal zoned heating recently installed and more room for possible expansion. Stucco exterior makes for clean lines, and metal roof makes for lasting durability. Medium bluff height for easy access to the beach, and 1,000 feet of lot depth offers many options, including splitting the lot. Private and beautiful, this property is one of a kind, and a rare find along the Lakeshore. Schedule a visit and see what makes this area so special.
Agent Only Remarks:
Posted on May 7, 2020
2 Story For Sale in Park Township, Park Township
Quiet Street In Popular Timberline Acres
• 3868 sqft , 3 bath , 2 half bath , 4 bdrm 2 story – FOR SALE USD499,900 .
MLS® 20014669
in Park Township, Park Township
A stately, brick two-story tucked away on a quiet street in popular Timberline Acres. Enjoy relaxing by your pool in a private oasis protected by a dune. You’ll never run out of room in this 4 BD, 3 full and 2 half BA home with a spacious, updated kitchen with quartz countertops, and nearly 4,000 sq ft of finished living space. Ideal floor plan for work or play, with easy access to your back deck complete with retractable awning. On the main level, you will find a formal dining room with access to butler’s pantry, a quiet office with coffer ceilings, and a living room with a cozy, gas log fireplace. Custom finishes abound in this home and the second floor is no exception with built in arched nooks, an elegant master suite with cathedral ceilings, 3 more bedrooms, and 2 more full baths. Lower level is finished with a fun game/rec room, a wet bar and a half bath. This home is ready for its next lucky owner, don’t miss this one.