Moving into a new house is exciting, but let’s be honest— it takes time for a house to truly feel like home. If you’re staring at blank walls and wondering how to put your personal stamp on your new space without breaking the budget, these summer DIY house projects are perfect for you. Not only are they budget-friendly and beginner-friendly, but they’ll help transform your new house into a space that truly reflects your personality and style.

Why Summer is Perfect for DIY House Projects

Summer offers the ideal conditions for both indoor and outdoor projects. The longer daylight hours give you more time to work, warm weather makes outdoor projects comfortable, and if you’re a new homeowner who moved during the popular summer season, these projects will help you settle in and connect with your new neighborhood.

4 DIY Projects to Transform Your New House This Summer

01. Create Instant Curb Appeal with Front-of-House Updates

What you’ll do: Combine multiple small projects for maximum impact

• Fresh mailbox: Replace that builder-grade mailbox with something that reflects your style
• Neighborhood pride: Add a subtle neighborhood flag, welcome sign, or house number upgrade
• Power washing magic: Clean your driveway, walkways, and front porch – you’ll be amazed at the difference
• Front porch furniture: Add a small bistro set, planters, a door wreath, or a welcoming bench

Why it matters: Your front entrance is the first thing you and your neighbors see every day. These updates immediately make your house feel like yours while helping you connect with your new community.

Budget: $100-300 | Time: One weekend

02. Paint Your Way to Personality (Interior & Exterior Touch-ups)

What you’ll do: Strategic painting for maximum impact

• Accent wall: Choose one wall in your main living space to make a bold statement
• Fresh paint touch-ups: Address any scuffs or nail holes from moving
• Front door refresh: A bold front door color instantly adds personality
• Cabinet hardware upgrade: Swap out builder-grade cabinet knobs and pulls for something more stylish

Why it matters: Paint is the most cost-effective way to transform a space. An accent wall adds personality without overwhelming the room, while fresh paint throughout makes everything feel clean and intentional.

Budget: $75-200 | Time: One to two weekends

03. Build Your Garden Oasis

What you’ll do: Create outdoor growing space that fits your lifestyle

• Raised garden bed: Perfect for herbs, vegetables, or flowers
• Container garden: Great for renters or those with limited yard space
• Porch planters: Add greenery to your front entrance
• Herb garden: Start with easy herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary

Why it matters: Nothing says “home” like growing something yourself. Fresh herbs from your own garden make cooking feel more special. Plus, gardening is a great way to meet neighbors and enjoy your outdoor space. In Atlanta, it’s not unheard of to have neighbors welcome the new neighbor with homemade pickles or a basket of freshly-picked squash from their garden. 

Budget: $50-250 | Time: One weekend to set up, ongoing maintenance

04. Design Your Perfect Outdoor Living Space

What you’ll do: Create an inviting backyard retreat

• DIY fire pit: Build a simple stone or brick fire pit for evening gatherings
• Outdoor seating area: Arrange comfortable furniture for your deck or patio
• String lights or lanterns: Add ambient lighting for evening enjoyment
• Weather-resistant storage: Create storage for outdoor cushions and supplies

Why it matters: Your backyard should feel like an extension of your indoor living space. A fire pit becomes a natural gathering spot for making new friends and creating memories in your new home.

Budget: $150-400 | Time: Two weekends

Tips for Success with Summer DIY House Projects

Start Small: Choose one project that excites you most and complete it before moving to the next.

Shop Smart: Check local Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, and estate sales for affordable materials and furniture.

Get Social: Share your project plans on neighborhood apps – you might find neighbors willing to lend tools or offer advice.

Document the Process: Take before and after photos to track your progress and share your transformation journey with friends and family.

Know When to Call Pros: These projects are designed to be beginner-friendly, but don’t hesitate to consult professionals for electrical work or anything involving structural changes. When in doubt, call a pro, especially if you’ve gone down a DIY rabbit hole that could potentially require a permit.

Making Your House Feel Like Home Takes Time

Remember, transforming a house into a home doesn’t happen overnight. These summer DIY house projects are just the beginning of your journey. Each small change you make helps create a space that reflects your personality and lifestyle.

The best part? Many of these projects will help you meet neighbors and become part of your new community. Don’t be surprised if your garden becomes a conversation starter or your fire pit becomes the neighborhood gathering spot.

Ready to get started on your summer DIY house projects? Pick one project that speaks to you and dive in. Your future self (and your house) will thank you.

Just moved to the Atlanta area? I’d love to help you find the perfect house to transform into your dream home. Contact me to start your home buying journey.

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Why Sage & Cedar may not be the listing team for you

01. Negotiating with other agents and their buyers – Who needs a skilled negotiator to navigate the treacherous waters of real estate deals? Certainly not you! Forget about those pesky negotiations and just let the buyers have their way. After all, it’s not like money is at stake or anything. Let’s leave your hard-earned dollars up to chance!

02. Communicating with lenders, other agents, closing attorneys, inspectors, appraisers, contractors, and so many others – Ah, the joy of juggling multiple phone calls, emails, and appointments. Who needs a real estate agent to handle all those pesky details? You’re a master multitasker, right? So what if you’re in a meeting and the deal is falling apart, you’ll get back to them tomorrow, if they haven’t terminated the contract by then…

03. Covering the cost of professional photography and marketing – Why bother spending money on professional photography and marketing when you can just snap a few iPhone pictures and post them on your favorite social media platform? Who cares about making a great first impression or attracting serious buyers? The blurry, poorly lit photos of your house will surely do the trick!

Why Sage & Cedar may not be the listing team for you

04. Attending appointments, making phone calls, answering emails, hosting open houses, etc – What fun spending hours on end attending appointments, making endless phone calls, answering countless emails, and hosting open houses. Why would you want to delegate these soul-crushing tasks to a real estate agent when you can do it all yourself? After all, who needs a social life or any semblance of sanity anyway? You were looking for a challenge, right?

05. Knowing the market in the neighborhood you are selling in. Knowing how to read and use current market data – Who needs market knowledge when you can rely on your gut feeling? Forget about understanding the trends, analyzing market data, and pricing your home competitively. It’s all just a wild guessing game, and you, my friend, are a natural-born guesser!

So there you have it, folks—a foolproof guide to sabotaging your home sale. Hiring a real estate agent is for amateurs! Why would you want someone with experience, expertise, and a proven track record to help you navigate the complicated world of real estate when you can stumble around in the dark like a blindfolded toddler?

JUST KIDDING – We are full of jokes here at Sage & Cedar. Listing your home for sale is a full time job, and an agent with experience is necessary for success. Want to learn more about working with a Sage & Cedar agent? Visit us here!

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Contract to Closing

01. Inspection Period – Before putting your home on the market, it’s essential to address any necessary repairs. A little bit of prep work can go a long way in making sure your home inspection goes smoothly and helps you sell your home with ease. 

02. Appraisal – If a buyer is getting financing, it’s inevitable that the home will be appraised. Don’t let your home appraisal take a hit! Your listing agent should prepare you with a CMA and, if it’s an option, make sure you request an appraisal gap stipulation from the buyer.

Selling made Easy

03. Buyers Mortgage Loan Approval – Typically a buyer has 35-45 days for loan approval, but this does depend on the terms accepted on an offer from the buyer. A good tip is to make sure the lender has already taken the buyer through underwriting before accepting the offer.  

04. Closing – Embrace the bittersweet nature of closing day. Celebrate the accomplishment, reflect on your memories, and look forward to what’s next. Selling your home can be an easy process if you’re prepared and willing to put in the time and effort. With the right preparation and approach, you’ll be able to find a buyer quickly and move on to your next adventure.

Looking to start the selling process? Visit us here for a free home valuation and to find out your next steps!

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A few reasons you should hire Sage & Cedar Real Estate!

01. We have specialized knowledge of the real estate market and can help you find the best deal on a property – The agents with Sage & Cedar are well-connected in the industry and can access resources that you may not have access to, such as market insights, off-market listings, and more. 

02. We can also help you navigate the legal and financial aspects of a real estate transaction – Real Estate contracts are wordy! Sage & Cedar is all about education when it comes to working with our clients. Making sure you understand these legally binding contracts is so important. 

03. We have experience negotiating the best price for buyers and sellers and can help you determine a fair market value for a property – There are so many things that go into pricing a home for the market AND pricing a home when making an offer. Making sure we price your home right the first time and we help you make the most informed offer we can isn’t luck. It’s skill and know how!

More reasons you should hire Sage & Cedar Real Estate

04. We can provide valuable advice on everything from staging your home for sale to making sure the paperwork is in order – We cover everything from a to z. Listing your home and managing the sale is a full time job. A few examples include listing your home on the mls, managing showings, negotiating contracts, keeping up with timelines, etc.

Whether you are a buyer or seller, Sage & Cedar is the right call for you. Interested in starting your home buying journey? Click here. Getting ready to list your home? Chat with us here!

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3 Reasons to Sell your Home Now!

01. The Buyer Pool is Expanding – Interest rates have gone back down, which means the buyer pool has opened back up! Buyers are entering the market again after a slow fall and winter market. Spring is usually a great time to list, even more so in 2023.

02. More Buyer Competition means a Quicker Sale – More buyers in the market usually means more competition between buyers. More competition between buyers creates better terms for sellers! These terms include higher prices, shorter contingencies, and quicker home sales. 

Experts say the Atlanta home market is one of the strongest in the county

03.  Taking advantage of your equity – Experts say the Atlanta home market is one of the strongest in the county! Home owners are slated to collect on 5-10% more equity in 2023! With the small amount of inventory pushing home prices north over the next year, your home could fly off the market over list price if you’re working with the right agent!

If you’re considering a sale, make sure to consult with a real estate agent and other professionals to ensure you get the best possible outcome. Our Sage & Cedar agents will take you through the process, give you price suggestions, and connect you with the appropriate vendors! Click here to start your home selling journey! 

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Why do I need a listing agent to list my home?

Your listing agent is someone who can navigate you through this process of prelisting, listing, choosing offers, appraisal issues, legal issues etc. Working to maintain the listing and all that comes with it is a full time job! Let’s look a little more into the job of your listing agent:

01. Setting a listing price – Your agent will visit your home, inquire about updates, repairs, defects, etc. They will also check the market for comparable listings in your neighborhood. After becoming well informed, your agent will suggest a list price for your home.

02. Suggest repairs and upgrades – Experienced listing agents know what it takes to sell. Any repairs or upgrades suggested by your agent will help the home stand out from other properties in a potential buyers price point.

03. Staging – Having a home staged and decluttered will show your home in the best light possible. Your agent can suggest local stagers to help you declutter, design, and even bring in new furniture during the listing period to help potential buyers see themselves in your home!

04. Photograph – Your agent will hire professional photographers to take listing photos for the MLS. Photos are the public’s first impression, so professional photos are important. Good lighting and photo quality will make your home stand out from the crowd!

Hiring a real estate agent to list your home is one of the most important things you can do.

05. List – Licensed agents have access to the MLS (multiple listing service). This is where they list your home to share with partner websites, other agents, and qualified buyers. Agents will make sure they have all the correct information from public records, builders, and surveyors before they list.

06. Market – Open houses, virtual tours, and email blasts are just a few ways your agent will market your home to agents and their buyers. During the marketing period, your agent will be fielding phone calls, emails, and text messages about your home. They will also make sure the agents and interested buyers has all the correct information they need to make an offer. 

07. Negotiate – Knowing the process, how long certain contingencies take, and what buyers are qualified are just a few of the ways your agent will help you negotiate any potential contracts. Having the knowledge to keep you protected is a huge part of your agents job. 

08. Keeping up with timelines – Once you have a contract your agent will keep you updated on any upcoming timelines and coordinate with the lender, attorney, appraiser, inspector, and buyers agent. Missing a timeline could end up costing you money. 

Interested in listing your home with Sage & Cedar? Click here for a free listing guide or to connect with a Sage & Cedar agent!

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NAR stats from 2020 reveal the average home sat on the market for about 24 days before being scooped up, and the average time from binding contract to closing is about 24 days. That puts us at about 48 days total before we hit the closing table. 

So list it and be at the closing table in 48 days! Easy right? Not necessarily. There are some things that can impact the timeline of your sale:

Things that can impact the timeline of your sale:

01. Buyers/Sellers market – What’s the condition? If there are a lot of listings to choose from, you will need to make your listing stand out to sell quickly

02. Condition of the home – does the home have visible signs of wear and tear? This equates to dollar signs in the eyes of buyers

03. Pricing – The goal with any agent is to price the home correctly. Statistics show that the longer the home sits on the market, the less the seller will get for their property. 

04. Buyer setbacks – Once you have your home under contract there are things outside of your control that could stall the sale of your home. Buyer setbacks include inspection, appraisal, and buyer financing.

Whenever you decide to sell your home, the first step is reaching out to an agent! Talking with a professional will help you decide if now is the right time to list!

Interested in listing your home with Sage & Cedar? Click here for a free home valuation!

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01. Prepare financially – This can mean different things to different people but the big takeaways here are 1. Paying down large debts  2. Improving your credit score and 3. Putting aside funds

02. Talk to an agent – Your agent will take you through the process and answer any questions you may have up front. It’s important to have this meeting sooner than later. Before having your credit pulled by a lender and paying out any money

03. Talk to a lender – A lender will tell you what you can afford and help you nail down an ideal purchase price. A lot of buyers work backwards with their lender. They will tell them what they’d like to pay in a monthly mortgage and decide on the price point from there. After meeting with a lender, they will ask you to fill out a pre approval application to confirm your financial situation.

04. Determine your wants/needs – Lots of things go into choosing a home, and neighborhood is a deciding factor for some people… others are more concerned with square footage and finishes. 

When you see a home you’d like to tour in person, let your agent know and they will schedule the tour and accompany you.

05. Tour homes with your agent – Your agent will set you up on a client portal that allows you to see all homes listed on the MLS within your criteria. When you see a home you’d like to tour in person, let your agent know and they will schedule the tour and accompany you.

06. Submit an Offer – Find a home you love? Let your agent know and they will start the offer process. This includes talking to the listing agent, putting together a CMA, and completing the offer forms.

07. Offer Accepted – Once your offer is accepted, you will start the escrow process. This means the seller takes the property off the market while you secure financing. This can take anywhere from 14-60 days.

08. Closing – Once financing has been secured, you can close on your home. This is when the downpayment and closing costs are paid. Once you sign your closing documents you can take possession of the property! 

Interested in starting your home buying process? Click here to connect with a Sage & Cedar agent, talk about the market, your wants/needs, and next steps!

Want to browse the newest listings? Search for property here!

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Let’s see how to get your home ready to sell!

01. Do your own walkthrough as if you were a potential buyer – Buyers see things you may be looking past. Enter your home as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Make note of things that pop out and things that aren’t ideal. Make those changes if possible. 

02. Make sure all landscaping is refreshing & tidy⁠ – Your curb appeal will let potential buyers know what to expect inside. If the yard is a mess and the exterior of the home is unkempt, they may not make it past the front door. Clean up your front yard by mowing the lawn, mulching, and planting some bright flowers. 

Confirm the age of your home’s roof, HVAC, water heater, & gutters

03. Consider hiring a professional real estate photographer⁠ – Professional photos will draw buyers to your home online. It will showcase your home in the best light and give buyers the incentive to come see this wonderful home in person. 

04. Fill out a Seller’s Disclosure – Confirm the age of your home’s roof, HVAC, water heater, & gutters. Buyers will want to know this information⁠. You can provide it, along with what is being included in the sale of the home (think chandeliers, mirrors, washer/dryer, fridge) on the seller’s disclosure.

Thinking of listing your home? Click here for a FREE listing guide and home valuation! We look forward to hearing from you!

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Here’s what you need to know:⁠

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01. Investors looking to operate short-term rentals are now required to have a permit⁠.

02. The permit is only valid for 2 properties (one of which must be the investor’s primary residence).⁠

03. Investors must be a resident of Atlanta to operate a short-term rental in the city⁠.

So what does this mean for you on your home search?⁠

Since most investors are cash-ready, their offers are more likely to be accepted. But…⁠
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Now that the city has gotten more strict on who can operate short-term rentals & how many they can operate at one time, this means you’ll have less competition with investors.⁠
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Which ultimately means you have a MUCH better chance of securing your dream home!

Interested in starting the home buying process? Click here to connect with a Sage and Cedar agent. They can take you through the process, talk to you about lenders, closing costs, and the current market!

Want to start your home search online? Click here!

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