Smart Home Decorating: Things that Make Your Home Interiors Look Cheap

“Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love”-Nate Berkus

One of the excellent ways to home our creativity is to decorate the interiors of our homes.

The possibilities of expressing ourselves are practically endless and the ways you can create a home fit to your liking are limitless. In this regard, home decorating can be seen as an avenue to convey our artistic thoughts and transform them into expressions in furniture placement and décor application. However, most homeowners are under the misconception that decorating their homes is an expensive endeavor. Consequently, they would then cut corners in a misguided attempt to mitigate home decorating costs and still end up with a home that is passably beautiful at the very least. Unfortunately, while you might be saving yourself some serious cash in cutting corners, you are also inadvertently compromising the overall aesthetic quality of your homes. The result of a home that is cheaply decorated (and with too many corners cut) would be anything but beautiful.

Keep in mind that interior decorating does not always have to be expensive. And the best part of all this is that a cheap-looking home is not actually synonymous to a cheaply decorated home. There is a myriad of ways you can decorate your home for cheap and end up with an elegantly sophisticated result without breaking the bank—you just need to be extra careful about what you buy and how to apply it. Remember, regardless of what your decorating budget might be your main goal should always to improve your home’s interiors and beauty. More importantly, you should endeavor to create an aesthetically inviting and pleasing space that would beckon you inside. Create a space that makes you anticipate coming home instead of dread it. So, whether you are decorating your condominiumin Ortigas Center or elsewhere, here are some of the things you might want to avoid applying in your interiors if you do not want your homes to look cheap:

Mass produced art

One of the integral elements of a well-decorated home is art--more importantly, a homeowner’s particular taste in art. Unfortunately, a collection mass-produced art that often comes cheap do not emulate the same effect as artworks that are uniquely curated and chosen. Even worse, it can greatly cheapen the interiors of your home as well. An original piece of artwork can do wonders even in a simply decorated room when appropriately applied. However, if you are unable to afford original artworks and paintings, look around in websites such as Etsy which would make it possible for you to afford original and unique art at any budget. Alternatively, if you have a keen eye for decorating and would like to attempt the DIY route, you can even choose to do your own original artwork. This novel idea would then inject a bit of originality into your homes and make it look even more beautiful.

Overstuffed Entryway

The minimalist approach is the way to go. Keep your entryways tidy and devoid of too much stuff as it tends to create visual noise. More importantly, make sure that the objects in your entryway are organized and clean. To make this possible, you should apply as little décor and furniture as possible. Entryways should look sophisticated and polished. Remember, this gives visitors a brief impression of what the rest of the house looks like. So, in this regard, make an excellent impression by investing only in a select few pieces of functional furniture and original artwork. While you may want to keep the place beautiful, it should still be functional first and foremost.

Overdone Themes

Themes are great and they are an excellent way for providing cohesion in the décor and furniture items you buy. However, overdoing them is another thing. You might have wanted a nautical themed living room but trust us when we say that is going to look tacky. After all, it is not like the room is solely for the use of a thirteen year old. In this regard, it might be best to replace decorating themes with decorating styles which is an entirely different space. One of the fastest ways you can cheapen any space is to have too much of one thing. Yes, you love the beach and plan on putting ocean themed accents in your living room but a little too much of it would give off the vibe of a themed motel room. Skip the theme and insert a bit of panache by opting to do styles instead.

Rug that is too small

A rug that is too small would be easily overwhelmed by other objects and furniture in the room. More importantly, it would somehow be telling of how you cannot afford an even bigger rug for which you opted with the much smaller one. Sometimes, a rug might be an extraneous décor. Sure, it can go with everything in your living room but the size seems off and would consequently make the rug feel like an afterthought. In any case, if you are committed to adding a rug, be sure to pick one that fits right under your furniture so that it does not appear as if it is just floating in the room. Be careful not to choose one that is too large as well or it would make your homes look too full.

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Home Organizing Endeavors: Five Decluttering Techniques We Can Learn from Marie Kondo

“For the longest time, I thought I needed to be more organized. Now I know I just needed less stuff”-Author Unknown

If someone told me that a show about sprucing up and organizing homes would be such a hit series, I would dismiss them as raving lunatics.

And yet here we are, craving for the next season of Netflix’s innovative, albeit unconventional series: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Capitalizing on her book series (and presently, TV series) Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant who shows us alternative home organizing methods that do work. The fact that the series is such a big hit amongst homeowners can give us two key takeaways: Primarily that many homeowners struggle with the general mess and clutter in their holds. Secondly, alternative methods—no matter how unconventional-- do work. While Marie Kondo already made waves with her book, she garnered international acclaim and fame through her Netflix series and sent homeowners and netizens all over the world in a cleaning frenzy and a decluttering craze.

In sum, the book’s radical cleaning method can be broken down in a two-pronged approached to tidying. First, you have to take stock of everything you own which means you have to put your hands on everything that you own. Ask yourself whether a particular item sparks joy and if it does not, thank it for its service and get rid of it. Second, when everything that has remained sparks joy then put every item in a place where it is visible, accessible and easy to grab and put back. As a result, you will then experience the nirvana of housekeeping and may never have to clean again. So, if you have any cleaning endeavors lined up for the week, you might want to take a leaf out of Marie Kondo’s book and apply it in sprucing up your homes or your ready for occupancycondo in Ortigas. Here are some of the critical takeaways of her book that you can apply in your cleaning method:

Tackle categories, not rooms

In lieu of tackling clutter by room, do it by category instead. While this technique may seem more overwhelming than simply going room to room and getting rid of the clutter, it yields better results. Kondo’s first rule is to tidy by category. Deal with every single item in a category before you proceed to the next one. Start with the least emotionally loaded household item you have: your clothes. From there, you can work your way up until such time that your homes are devoid of unwanted items.

Respect your belongings

You might have been content seeing your clothes squashed together and looking like a general heap of messiness. Kondo’s technique is to consider your household belongings’ feelings: Do they like being mashed together? Are your clothes happy that they are being crowded onto hangers or that they have seemingly no space? It might not occur to you now, but it might just be that your things are seemingly discontent with the general disarray of everything.

Do not cling onto items because you are nostalgic

Nostalgia is not your friend. Yes, some items spark fond and nostalgic memories that make you reminisce of good times, but they are rarely worth it. Focus on only one category and do not get laid by sentimental feelings by recalling the good days you had with a particular household item. You might ask yourself what the point in purging your closets is. More importantly, you might even ask yourself if you can manage with little clothes. However, do not fret. While it might seem like a significantly big and sudden change, you will manage.

Fold. Do not hang

Once you have properly sorted all of the things you wish to keep and discarded the ones you wish to get rid of, it is time to organize what is left. More often than not, our first instinct when it comes to our clothes is to hang them immediately. However, hanging every article of clothing can quickly spiral down to having closets bursting at the seams with clothes. This is because hanging clothes takes less time than deliberately and meticulously folding them. However, Kondo suggests that you fold your clothes using her special technique which would not only save you space but would actually take you less time to complete as well.

Any box will do

A rather unfortunate occurrence that happens in most cleaning endeavors is that people would seem to think that the lack of appropriate storage is a setback which can really waylay your plans. But the truth is tidying up your home does have to mean several trips to the storage store and purchasing more storage items. Doing so would be counterintuitive and would only add to the clutter. Do not get hung up about the lack of storage space as practically any box will do. Marie Kondo even uses a shoebox to organize bedroom and bathroom items. Take note: If you need more storage items, you might have an unreasonable amount of clutter left behind.  

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The Big Sell: Avoid the Pitfalls of Real Estate Selling

Like other careers, being a realtor comes with a list of responsibilities to clients and the property in the market. The obligations may pose as challenges, but the payoff makes it worth it. A house and lot for sale in Laguna that has a history, for instance, can open opportunities for you and serve as the big break you wish to have. For others, it can be real estate properties in Cebu which are priced beyond the typical household’s capacity. Either way, being a real estate agent can result in a rewarding career as long as you follow the guidelines for selling a house, condo or apartment complex.

If you’re at the beginning of your career, it can be challenging to identify the things you must do to close a deal successfully. The same goes for knowing the things to avoid when dealing with a client. There’s a high chance that your encounters with clients and other professionals in the industry are far from a smooth sail. Fortunately, this list provides a few pointers on how to avoid the pitfalls of real estate selling.

Here is how you can sell the property under your belt without waiting to gain experience.

Show the property’s best features 

As a realtor, you should be on your clients’ side while leaning a bit towards the property. It is important that you remain objective and serve the client as much as possible. But if you are assigned to sell a particular property, you should also be bent on offering it to house hunters. You should always highlight the house or unit’s best features, so people take an interest in it. 

Showing the property’s best features might pose a challenge especially if it’s a fixer-upper. The key is to look into the trends in real estate. Knowing your clients’ wants and needs also help in finding the features that would help you sell the property without a hitch. Before offering the property, you must first look into a clients’ background and assess if what the look for in a property is present in what you are trying to offer them. If it is, then you should point them out during the visit. If not, you should highlight the structure and other aspects of the home that can make potential homeowners reconsider it.

Use natural light and other types of home lighting 

Sufficient lighting indoors is a game changer. When you have enough light in a room, the property transforms into a warm and cozy space ideal for growing roots and raising a family. It helps house hunters and property buyers to see the potential of the house, apartment or condo you offer to them. Therefore, you must ensure that the property for sale has access to natural light and have working bulbs installed.

The first thing you should do is to have a room-by-room audit. Open the windows, push away the curtains and blinds while all of the lights are on. Look at each room through a buyer’s perspective. Taking photos of each room helps you see objectively. You should also do this at different times of the day—in the afternoon and night. It’ll help you address light issues such as dimming bulbs, shadows, and energy efficiency. The light audit also applies outdoors. Don’t forget to check them after you finish inside the property’s structure.

Wait for the right time

Like other things in life, there’s a right time for buying and selling real estate properties. Do not rush to find a buyer. If you do have a buyer, you should not pressure him or her to reach a decision overnight. Most buyers like to think about their choices before having a final decision. In that case, it is much better if you busy yourself with other clients. It prevents you from pressuring potential buyers and offering the property less than its original price.

Part of timing is having a buyer who can afford the price you offer. You might have clients willing to buy the property on the spot, but they won’t take it with the amount you set. Sometimes, the change in price isn’t under the influence by the buyer. It can also be from the ongoing market conditions. The supply might be higher than the demand which pushes you to slash the property’s price. Always consider these things before prioritizing the property in your sell list.

Cooperate and retain your professional stance

Real estate selling is a service. As a realtor, you assist people in finding the right home or office space. These people are placing their faith and trust in you to match them with a property fit for their needs and personality. It’s only right you provide the service they need. Thus, you should always remain truthful and hands-on with all your transactions. As much as possible, you must dispense the information you know about the property to clients.

Being a real estate agent also means you must remain professional during real estate transactions and negotiations. When you are calm and relaxed, you can quickly deal with all kinds of people. Whether they are crass, loud or fussy, you can be useful and seal the deal when you choose to be objective and level-headed. Choose your battles wisely and be alert when facing money matters. It can help you in the long run and make you the best realtor out there. Most of all, it becomes a smooth sail to sell properties.

The pitfalls of real estate selling often come from a lot of factors. However, most of them are with your influence and control. It means you can determine if you are successful in an endeavor when you think of how you can improve your skills and change your tactics.

These tips can serve as a hack for selling properties. You can also use them as a guide to improving your selling skills as a realtor. Whatever purpose these may serve, the tips are-without a doubt-a huge help in advancing your career.

Note: This article was first published on April 8, 2015, as "4 Things Home Seller Must Avoid." It was updated to serve as a guide to all realtors and professionals in the real estate industry.

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Real Estate Scams Everyone Must Know

No one relishes in being deceived by a trusted realtor or partner in growing your real estate Cebu investments. Though every scam story points to the scammer, it is also essential to note that each has participation. The scam can be a result of negligence from the buyer, seller or agent. Either way, no one looks forward to the event.

There are several factors involved in executing the crime - the property, documents, lenders, sellers, buyers, agents, and third-party entities. All of these can perform the violations or be an accomplice. Hence, it's best to be aware of the real estate scams in the Philippines. Below are the crimes rampant in the industry and how they operate.

Abrupt Change in Lender

The property owner receives an official notice regarding the transfer of load to a different lender. Besides the change in the lender, the letter will also inform you that your remaining balance will be carried over a different account name.

If you didn't request for any changes on your loan structure or anything connected to it, it's best to disregard the letter. Moreover, you must verify instructions before accepting any of the terms.

Bogus Buying

A woman under the alias Virginia "Virgie" Manalang had gone around Manila to trick real estate agents and homeowners into giving her cash. She presents herself as a potential buyer of a property. She says she can purchase the unit or house and lot as she is married to an engineer in Australia who sends his monthly pension. To prove it, she issues a check worth hundred thousand as initial payment. However, she initiates to draft the deed of sale and handle the transactions from there. Her acts are questionable as she asks the agent or seller for cash so her lawyer can write the deed of sale. She asks additional amount to cover attorney and notarial fees. She also requests for photocopies of valid IDs and signatures which she uses to target other real estate agents and realtors. Her check is also a bouncing check and the bank account used for it belongs to a different entity.

Copycat Rentals

The person would post an online listing of his or her rental that seems harmless at first. The photos look valid as there are images of the rooms of the unit and its amenities. Fake agents use this tactic to ask renters for a deposit without meeting them in person.

Double Sale

It may be a case of an initial buyer of the property may neglect the registering and transferring the title, or a seller accepting a higher price thought a potential buyer already placed payment.

Fraudulent Schemes by Agents

Agents advertise properties that aren't for sale or currently handled by a different agent. They offer the properties at a low price to bait people. Once the client sends inquiries on the property, the agent will claim it as sold or unavailable. He or she will then offer their own listing which may have a higher price than the previous property.

Some brokers and realtors may take advantage of their skills in selling and building rapport. They may misrepresent a property and neglect to disclose the most important details. Though it is the duty of the agent to be transparent on the pros and cons of choosing the land, condo unit or house and lot, they may not comply to close a sale.

On the other hand, other agents connive to raise their commission fees. One acts as the listing agent, while the other represents the buyer. Both the seller of the property and its buyer aren't aware of the setup which distorts the value of the property. The practice violates the Code of Ethics and Responsibilities for Real Estate Service Practitioners.

Predatory Lending

Loan sharks and small time, unscrupulous financial institutions lure home buyers and house hunters to unfair and abusive loan terms. They coerce their victims through deceptive or exploitative actions to acquire a loan. Most of the time, the forced borrowers don't need, want or can't afford the mortgage.

Property Title Fraud

This type of scam involves the use of old property titles and use it to generate fake titles. The scammer provides supporting documents keep buyers from doubting the deal. Another way of doing it is by presenting a fake title over an existing an existing property regardless if it has an owner or not. People who neglect due diligence are potential victims of this scam.

Sale of Foreclosed Properties

This scam is rampant and likely to happen with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) wanting to invest in a home in the suburbs like Vermosa. Scammers, who act as a homeowner or realtor, offer foreclosed properties to potential buyers who cannot check and inspect the property (due diligence). They forge the documents to make the transaction as real as possible. Once they close the deal and the buyers are ready to move in, they disappear. They are out of reach while buyers deal with the bank.

Unfinished Developments

Lesser known developers or names you haven't heard in the industry must be taken with a grain of salt. Scams involving unfinished developments include asking for reservation fees or amortization on a property without the advertised amenities and facilities. These add-ons can also be pending or abandoned by the developer. These developers may refuse to return the money leaving the owners empty-handed.

Part of this scam is pre-sold properties with low rated that remain unfinished until the turnover date. The developer promises a different period. They move it several times until the buyer gives up.

“Too-good-to-be-true” Real Estate Champions

Individuals advertise themselves as experts who can provide insights on the market and valuable pieces of advice. They sell themselves by conducting seminars promising quick returns and strategies. They market immediate success which is far from reality.

There are also individuals posing as real estate agents. They set up a website full of property listings copied from legitimate realtors. They trick home buyers by presenting forged documents and contact information to pay a security deposit or initial payment.


You can avoid these schemes by raising awareness and spreading them to communities. That way, other people recognize the signs and report them to authorities and institutions immediately. Moreover, you must conduct your research when inquiring in a real estate property in Cavite or any place in the South. You'll have your notes to compare with your broker which can prove their reliability on the transaction.

Note: This article was first published on May 5, 2015, as "Top 3 Real Estate Scams You Need To Avoid." It was updated to raise awareness of potential buyers and sellers of real estate properties.

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Why Rent? A List of Pros and Cons for First-Time Homebuyers

Renting a condominium unit, apartment or a house and lot may be a wise decision for others. Some people may think it's the right one for them. The answer always depends on the homebuyer. What are their needs? What are they looking for in the space? Is it crucial to be at a walking distance in their workplace? Can their salary cover monthly mortgages? There's a lot more to consider before settling on a home.

As a first time homebuyer, you must note the factors that can affect your capacity to select and purchase the property that fits your bill. Whether its a checklist of the features you look for in a home, you must consider how all of these affects your homebuying capacity. Sometimes, a condo near a serviced office Makati suits you better than a townhome in the area.

Are you still deciding if renting an apartment a good decision? You can read the pros and cons below to resolve your inner debate. The list starts with the advantages and directly followed by the opposing thought.

Renting Pros

1. Affordability

The monthly rental cost is ultimately cheaper than the mortgage payment and interest fee. Of course, the price depends on the type of property you will undertake. For instance, a high-rise condominium will be more expensive than a bungalow in a gated community. You always have the option to share the space and split the expenses if you wish to settle on properties on the high-end market.

2. Flexibility

A rental is much suited for people always on the move. House ownership won't tie them down. The typical property term is one to two years. Thus, homebuyers who aren't ready to commit can opt to rent. Once the lease expires, you can renew the contract terms or explore the housing market.

Moreover, renting won't drain your finances once the economy is in a depression. Losing your job only results in a delay of lease payments. As interest increase, the mortgage payment becomes higher which can push a homeowner to give up their property.

3. Hassle-free Maintainance

Since you do not own the rental, owner, landlord or a hired keeper will attend to damages and repairs in the area. They cover the fees for upgrading and fixing the features of the place. They ensure to maintain the quality of their property to satisfy their renters and keep their income flowing. All you have to do is save their number in case of an emergency.

4. Exclusive Amenities

If you choose to rent a condo unit, you won't have to worry about recreation. A modern complex comes with high-class facilities such as an Olympic-sized pool, patches of green for relaxation and a basketball or a volleyball court. Others have tennis courts and laundry services. They include these facilities to create a wholesome and stress-free lifestyle for homeowners.

On the other hand, a few apartments include pieces of furniture and appliances for the settlers. There's a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, and even a dryer. You can stock up on food and other essentials once you get the place. How sweet is that?

The advantages are great but there are downsides to renting a property as your home.

Rental Cons

1. Hidden Costs

The facilities in a condominium aren't free. Though you don't have to pay for maintenance and repairs in your unit, you have to contribute to the preservation of the common areas. Some property owners don't include the fees in your monthly rental, so you have to pay them yourself. It may consist of parking dues, hallway maintenance costs, or garbage collection.

On top of that, your landlord may decide to increase your rent. The increase will affect your budget. It will be difficult to cope in a few months since you also must consider utility bills.

2. Temporary Dwelling

Renting a place isn't sustainable especially if you plan to expand your family. As more people become part of your home, you need additional space for each person as well as the stuff they lug behind them. You might be better with buying and owning a townhome or a house and lot. The rental won't provide the roots to stabilize and establish the history of your family.

3. Common Areas

Asking a relative, friend, or colleague to join you in an apartment solves your financial woes. Unfortunately, it won't provide much privacy. You have to share the bedroom or bathroom especially if you are in a studio type or one bedroom condo unit. Other problems may arise especially if your roommate isn't fond of cleaning and organizing their stuff. Then, there's also the snoring problem, the noise from the TV or the music blaring from the speakers during ungodly hours.

4. Limited Parking

A condominium complex comes with parking lots, but they aren't designated to homeowners. Hence, looking for a spot may consume most of your time. On top of that, you are competing with others to grab the free space.

5. Pet Control

Some apartment rentals or units implement no-pets-allowed policy. It becomes difficult for you and your beloved furry companions to find a place to stay.

6. Fickle Landlords

You have the perfect place, but you can't stand your him or her. They complain whenever you remind them of repairs or maintenance. They are even grouchy when you hand him or her your rental fees. Some property owners are also unreliable as they can trick you into giving in to their price even when the property inputs low-quality materials. They also won't allow remodeling. They want to retain the color of their walls or the placement of specific pieces of furniture and home accessories.


There you have it! These are just some simple tips you should know for yourself even if you aren't a first-time home buyer. The pros and cons of renting will help you arrive at a decision. Hope this has been of help!

Note: The article was first published on June 30, 2014, with the title "The Pros and Cons of Renting a Place To Stay." It has been updated for relevance and comprehensiveness.