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Flipping Houses: Turning a Wreck into a Gem


About Me

Flipping Houses: Turning a Wreck into a Gem

Five years ago, I decided to start my own side business. Along with keeping my job as a construction worker, I decided to use my savings to purchase an older residence. The plan was to fix up the place and then sell it at a profit. It didn't take me long to figure out that while my side business would take up most of my free time, it would make me a lot of money. Today, I still flip three or four houses a year. My strategy developed through trial and error, and I've learned how to evaluate the potential of a property first, then buy second. I know what must be done in the way of exterior painting, making the place secure, and ultimately finding the right buyer. If you are thinking about trying this kind of sideline, read on. What I've learned will help you a lot.

3 Design Tips To Make Your Home Office More Productive

Having a home office is a fantastic way for you to be more productive with your work and more involved with your family. It can be difficult, however, to maintain that productivity, especially when the two spaces—home and office—begin to meld together. Below are tips on making your home office more productive so you can put your work time to better use.

1. Keep the 'Home' Out of the 'Home Office'

When you work from home, it can be difficult to minimize distractions and keep your work life and home life separate. This is why it's important to keep all non-work related things out of your office.

Designate your office as a work-only environment. Don't bring anything into your office that will distract you from your responsibilities and ensure that your family understands how important it is that you stay focused during your work hours. If you must use your home office as a storage room or spare bedroom, be sure to physically separate the areas with the use of a curtain or room divider. It's important that each time you step into your office you're able to mentally prepare yourself to work—reducing the distractions and keeping your home space and office space separate are two ways to do that.

2. Make Small Investments That Make a Difference

There are many benefits to having your business office located within your home—no commute, reduced overhead costs, and business-related taxed deductions. But another cool benefit to having a home office is the ability to make small investments in your work environment that lead to increased productivity.

When you work in an office environment, you likely have very little say over the kinds of lighting or seating available. When your office is truly your own, however, you can make your office as comfortable as you'd like. If you're sick of getting eye strain after staring at your computer for hours, consider investing in a better light source for your office. Does your lower back begin to hurt after only just starting your work day? Perhaps you need to invest in a more structured office chair that gives you the proper support. Small investments can make a world of difference in the way you work and can lead to greater productivity and increased effectiveness.

3. Leave Your Options Open

If you'd like to keep your creative juices flowing but don't want to spend a fortune, consider using furniture and fixtures that can be easily rearranged.

After a few months of the same office configuration, your home office environment may begin to seem a little stale. A great way to keep you excited about your office and the work you do within it is to make it as flexible as possible. For example, perhaps you'd like to increase the natural light you get in the wintertime to keep your spirits up. If that's the case, consider arranging your office around natural light sources, such as putting your desk by the window or under a skylight. In the summer, however, you may appreciate having your workspace closer to your home's central cooling system. With office furniture that's easy to rearrange, you can make your office environment as comfortable and productive as you'd like.

Working from home offers you a large amount of freedom, but it's important to ensure that you're still working effectively. With the three tips above, you can increase your productivity levels and strike the perfect balance between your home life and your work life.