Maximizing Your Space: 3 Multi-Purpose Room Ideas

Most people consider a house to be a place where they eat, relax, and sleep. They do not know that there are many other things that they can do while at home. For instance, modern lifestyles are seeing people work, entertain their friends, and undertake many other activities while at home.

Because of this, multi-purpose rooms have become common in most homes. However, the problem is that most people do not know how to create space for every activity. They find themselves having to squeeze too many things in one area, and it makes it difficult for them to be effective. Here are three of the best multi-purpose room ideas that can save your day.

1.    Turning your closet into an office

Usually, a closet is used to store clothes and other accessories such as jewelry. However, you can easily turn it into an office by using its existing surfaces and adding a table. With the right chair, you can place your computer and other office equipment in the closet. In addition to that, it can be turned into a guest-welcoming area. You can expand this home office by adding more shelves and table hooks. If you add a foldable table, it will be more flexible as you can tuck it away to create more space when not working.

2.    Using multi-purpose furniture

The kinds of furniture that you use in a multi-purpose room will determine the amount of space you have. Some furniture will take up too much space because they serve a single purpose. You will have to buy a chair, bed, sofa, and other furniture that will occupy a lot of space, for example. However, if you can buy one that serves all these purposes, you will be better off. For example, purchasing a sofa bed means that you will use it as a seat and sleeping space even though it takes up less space. A Kali Duo Sofa, for example, will ensure that you have enough space in your room for other items.

3.    Utilizing the corners

Corners are often overlooked when it comes to creating space in a multi-purpose room. These spaces are underutilized because nobody knows what to do with them. However, have you considered buying a corner desk? This is the kind of furniture that is designed to fit into the awkward spaces that are left in the corners. With such an item, you will have enough space to write your next project, check your emails, and work on your assignments. It can also be used to install a television and other items that you may need in the room. Corner seats can also utilize these spaces.

Creating space in a multi-purpose room should not be a difficult task if you plan properly. You may also want to create a unifying style so that even though there are too many things in one room, they do not look cluttered. You will notice that the right color themes will help to create a pleasing aesthetic. No matter what you choose, invest in the best for longevity, functionality, and style. 

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Our Favorite Summer Spots For Seafood

New Yorkers can experience the flavors of the ocean throughout Manhattan without having to go as far as New England or even the Hamptons. From Mediterranean-inspired dishes to the Lobster Dumplings and classic Shrimp Cocktail here are some of our favorite seafood restaurants.

Tavern62 by David Burke, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is an American tavern serving up an array of dishes from the mind of culinary titan Chef David Burke. Some of the seafood highlights include the Lobster Dumplings, spicy tomato, lemon confit, basil; Pretzel Crusted Crab Cakeold bay tomato jam, chipotle tartar sauce; and Ginger & Pepper-Crusted Salmon, chickpea puree, beet tartare and Fresno chili. 

Pretzel Crusted Crab Cake

Marea, set in a chic Central Park South setting, offers a variety of high end seafood and home made pastas from Chef Michael White. Boasting an array of crudos, oysters and caviar, Marea also offers an extensive selection of seafood inspired pasta dishes, seasonal fish and meat dishes, and whole fish dishes. With two Michelin stars, one of the must have menu items is the fusili with braised octopus and bone marrow.

Catch NYC A globally influenced seafood-restaurant, set in a landmark building at the heart of Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, CATCH New York features contemporary renditions of classic seafood preparations, successfully fusing great food, service and an exceptional scene as it appeals to the tastes of today’s modern diner.  Serving up dishes that are both sophisticated and approachable, CATCH’s streaming, sharable style of dining continues to achieve success as it resonates with the owners’ original vision of marrying deliciously simple yet elegant seafood with excellent service and a superior, interactive atmosphere. This combination, coupled with the extension of CATCH Roof and its al fresco dining.

Cantonses Lobster

The Regency Bar & Grill, Loews Regency New York Hotel’s signature restaurantin the Upper East SIde offers approachable and ingredient-forward dishes. Under the direction of new Executive Chef Catherine Medrano, the restaurant is working with regional, organic farms and supporting ecological fishing practices. With perennial and recognizable ingredients, guests who are looking for sustainable culinary options can enjoy quality food time and time again.

Shrimp Cocktail

In the heart of Union Square resides the iconic seafood staple, Blue Water Grill. Offering a modern American seafood menu, courtesy of Executive Chef Chris Meenan, Blue Water Grill featured a decadent raw bar and innovative, market fresh dishes. The iconic seafood restaurant boasts delicious dishes, cocktails, an expansive wine list and an outdoor dining area perfect for Summer.

The 4 Hidden Costs of Home Ownership

Buying a home is one of the largest financial decisions a person will make in their lives, which means when you're finally purchasing a home of your own, you want to be absolutely sure you're making the right call. Not every first-time home buyer realizes, however, that the listing price is usually far lower than what they'll end up paying for the home by the closing date, and that's without even considering later expenses. Be on the lookout for these hidden costs and fees when you're purchasing your home to make sure you're getting the best possible deal on your real estate purchase.

Community Costs

When your real estate agent tells you that location matters significantly, there's a good reason for it. Not all neighborhoods have the same costs associated with living in them, even if they might be incredibly similar in every other respect. U.S. homeowners paid approximately $88 billion in assessments toward community associations in 2016. Check before you fully close on your home of choice to see if there are any home ownership associations or community associations in your area; it's possible you could end up on the hook for fees and costs associated with them. If you're looking to avoid these costs, consider looking at a home nearby that isn't technically within the bounds of a more expensive neighborhood.

Material Matters

Believe it or not, the materials your future home is built out of could impact the cost you pay, even if you're not purchasing a new construction home. Remember that all material types have costs in some capacity, whether you're paying them directly or not. A study conducted by Architecture and Design reports that 16% of all the fossil fuel consumed annually is converted into concrete, steel, aluminum and brick building materials. On the opposite end, wood reduces its carbon footprint. Consider what you're willing to pay for when it comes to your home and its materials - more eco-friendly materials might come at a premium, but if that's a priority for you, it could be worth the cost.

Remembering Repairs

Even if you think your home is in perfect, move-in ready condition, you'll likely find a few small fixes and repairs that will cost you a bit of extra cash once you've moved in and settled. For example, when you're moving in at first, you might notice that the bathroom needs a bit of work - nothing too big, just some tile repairs and a leaky faucet. These two small items can end up costing more than you might think. If you're planning on purchasing tiles, be sure to budget for extra. When laying tiles, it's important to factor in an extra 10% of materials to account for trimming and waste. Likewise, that small leak will end up costing more the longer you let it sit unaddressed. 10% of U.S. households have leaks in their plumbing that can waste up to 90 gallons of water per day. Be ready to spend some extra money once you first move in to address these smaller issues that will end up adding up.

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

Last, but certainly not least, are the costs that you'll end up paying in property taxes for your new home. Taxes will vary by state, county, city, and individual property, so it can be hard to account for your increased taxes leading up to your home's purchase. Do what you can to research your local taxes before you commit to a purchase, or you could end up with a surprisingly large amount of money to pay later.

Real estate comes with plenty of extra hidden costs associated with it, and lots of them can be difficult to account for earlier on. However, using this list as a guideline can help you adjust your budget to avoid expensive mistakes later on in your home buying process.

Inside The Macallan Estate Launch Event

On Wednesday, June 19th, The Macallan teamed up with Douglas Elliman to bring their Scotland estate to life with an immersive and experiential evening in celebration of the launch of their newest expression, The Macallan Estate. The event, dubbed “The Macallan Estate Open House”, was hosted at 40 Riverside Drive, a gorgeous Upper West Side townhouse, currently on the market for $13M with Vanderberg, The Townhouse Experts at Douglas Elliman. The residence was fully transformed to mimic the luxury whiskey brand’s Easter Elchies Scottish estate, which serves as the inspiration behind this latest expression.

Guests enjoyed whiskey tastings throughout the home, along with specialty Macallan-based cocktails and light bites by Peter Callahan.

Notable attendees included Dexter Guerrieri and Jane Ordway of Vandenberg, The Townhouse Experts at Douglas Elliman, Morag Ralph, Hospitality & Visit Manager for The Edrington Group and Raquel Raies, National Brand Ambassador for The Macallan.  Several members of the press and social media influencers were also in attendance.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Staying Healthy During a Move

Moving house is hard. It’s a massive physical and emotional strain. From the day that we decide that we want to move, we need to find a new house, secure a mortgage, go through conveyancing and surveys. You might also need to sell your current home. You have to deal with solicitors and realtors, and it’s tough. There’ll be setbacks, upsets and sleepless nights along the way. It’s stressful. And that’s before you get anywhere near to actually moving. 

The actual move itself is even more of an exertion. There are boxes to pack, a lot of heavy lifting and long days. It’s tiring, your body and mind are working overtime, and it’s all too common to wake up the day after a move suffering from tinnitus, colds and other bugs, pulled muscles, achy joints and extreme fatigue. 

Unfortunately, there’s still no time to rest. There’s unpacking to do, people to tell, utilities to sort out and even more moving things around, and, of course, the rest of your life doesn’t stop just because you are moving. Staying healthy during your move can help you not just to feel better, but also to settle into your new home quickly. 

Book Plenty of Time Off

House moves don’t always go to plan; in fact, they rarely stick to a timetable. Many of us are forced to move house on our day off, leaving us with a huge rush, and plenty to do around our jobs and other commitments. 

If at all possible, book at least a week off work, more if you can. This gives you time to take your time. You’ll get more time to rest and look after yourself, and you won’t have to rush. 

Eat Well

One of the reasons that we get sick during a move is that any kind of healthy eating goes out of the window. It’s hard to cook when your kitchen is packed up, and when you are short on time, a quick takeout or unhealthy snack is easy. But, it won’t help your immune system. Try to prepare some healthy meals in advance, and if you do need to pick up food on the go, try to include some sandwiches and salads. 

Get Some Rest

If you want to stay healthy, you need to rest. Getting up early, spending the morning moving and then being able to finish for the day early and get a rest before you got to bed will help you to sleep. 

Ask for Help

The more help that you can get, the less you have to do for yourself. Hiring movers can be a great choice, but if it doesn’t fit your budget, get as many helpers as you can. Even if people can’t help with lifting, they might be able to start some unpacking, prepare you healthy food or take care of the kids and pets to ease your stress. 

Warm Up

It might sound silly, but you wouldn’t lift weights at the gym without warming up your muscles first, so don’t try to lift boxes and furniture either. Perform some simple stretches before you get started, and once you have finished and your body will cope better. 

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

How Technology Can Help You Purchase the Perfect Property

Investing in real estate is a great opportunity to either benefit from making money from an investment property or investing in your future with your own home. Of course, you need to find the right property for your needs, and there are various factors you have to take into consideration before you make your decision. You have to remember that if you fail to keep up with payments on the property, or you choose one in the wrong area, you could be left facing serious problems.

With this in mind, you need to make sure you do your research thoroughly before you make any decisions. Fortunately, it is far easier to do this these days thanks to having access to modern technology. You can even use tools that enable you to do everything from a people search to a DBS check, and get public records access, so you can even find out more about the neighbours at the property in which you are considering investing.". In this article, we will look at some of the ways in which technology can help when it comes to finding the right property at the right price.

Some of the Ways Technology Can Help

So, how can technology help when it comes to finding the right property for a home or investment? Well, one of the things you can do with greater ease is research different areas, so you can decide where you want to purchase a property. You can use different sites online to check everything from the local amenities and facilities in the area to checking the crime levels. This will make it easier for you to make an informed choice in regards to the area you choose.

Another way in which tech can help when it comes to finding the right property is to save you a huge amount of time and inconvenience. In years gone by, people had to wait for property lists to be sent out in the mail, or go to visit real estate agents to find a suitable property. However, these days, you can simply register with a range of real estate websites and enter details about the type of property, the location, and the cost you are interested in. You can then receive listings sent direct to your inbox. Alternatively, you can go online and browse the sites of different agents to find a suitable property.

Now, why wait for buyers to come to you when you can bring your offers straight to their inbox? Cold emailing for real estate is far from dead, and you can enhance your chances of closing deals with a list of verified email addresses on hand. This is where email search tools come in; some may even help you find people who fit your ideal property buyer profile. 

One final thing you can get help with is getting the finance you need for your investment. You can apply to a number of lenders, although you need to make sure your credit is okay and will not suffer any further damage from making applications. You can even check your credit score online before you start making applications to ensure you only apply to eligible lenders.

As you can see, technology can make a big difference when it comes to making it easier to invest in real estate.

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

A Mutual Relationship: Bridging The Gap Between Landlords And Tenants

Renting is on the rise. According to a 2017 analysis of Census Bureau housing data, more U.S. households are now headed by renters than at any point since at least 1965. This is both a boon and a curse for landlords everywhere; while you're pretty much guaranteed to always have tenants, they may not be the ones you necessarily want. Ironically, the same goes for renters -- they're looking for good accommodations and reasonable landlords, which unfortunately don't always come together. Let's take a look at a few ways landlords can be excellent landlords and tenants can be excellent tenants so that everyone benefits from this mutual relationship.

Beyond Basic

Did you know that 64% of people find customer experience more important than price when it comes to making a purchase? While most people associate this statistic with in-store shopping, it absolutely applies to apartment hunting. If you want to snag the best tenants, you need to go above and beyond the call of duty to secure their attention and convince them that your building is the best place they could live. The following suggestions can make a serious difference in your potential tenant's final decision.

• Offer a warm welcome. Friendliness is underrated in today's world. By being open, warm, and genial, you can ensure that you make a good first impression -- after all, nobody wants a landlord with a stick up their ass. Offer to help them get to know to the neighborhood, and (if they choose to sign the lease) greet them with a welcome letter. Remember, a little good will can go a long way.

• Be available. Encourage your potential tenant to ask questions and raise concerns regarding their move. Let them know that you're always accessible if problems arise; take the time to walk them through the lease and clear up and confusion immediately.

• Introduce them to other tenants. Reviews are extremely important these days; what better way to show a potential renter that your building is a great place to live in than by introducing them to other people who live there? Just make sure you ask your other tenants ahead of time and you'll have an in-person review to rival the best online posts.

Respect And Communication

Life as a renter -- especially one who's about to move -- can be stressful. Not only do you have to worry about the anxieties of the move itself (always add 25% extra moving materials than you think you'll need or things will become a lot more frustrating), but you need to make sure your new space won't add to those anxieties; meeting with a landlord who seems welcoming, attentive, and caring can do wonders in relieving that stress, but you need to do your part as well. They key to that is simple: respect.

Remember that this apartment is not yours exclusively; your landlord may allow certain changes, but it is their property first and foremost. You should maintain an open line of communication regarding your issues, concerns, and any alterations you want to make. Friendliness goes both ways; while you and your landlord don't need to be best friends (and honestly shouldn't be), it's always better when there is no bad blood or attitudes interfering in your professional relationship. Pay your rent on time, keep the apartment clean, and be honest.

Studies show that the most popular definitions of a happy home are a space where people feel secure (69%), a place they can relax in (64%), and a space where they are free to be themselves (57%). When both sides of the renter-rentee relationship are committed to these ideals, life becomes unfathomably easier -- and better!