EASY HOME IMPROVEMENTS TO DRIVE AWAY THE WINTER BLUES

Whether you’ve just moved into a new house or are preparing to sell, don’t let the fact that it’s cold outside stop you from getting started. Here are some projects you can tackle even if the snow is piling up outside!

Change the Paint

During the winter months the inside of your home typically is drier making it the perfect time to brighten up those walls with a coat of paint. Your paint will dry more quickly and you can get the affected room put back into place sooner. Since you will have less ventilation during the winter, make sure to choose low voc paints that have lower odors and fumes. Paint a whole room or create a chalkboard wall in your kids’ playroom.

Upgrade the Fixtures

This simple upgrade can give new life to kitchens, baths and doors. Changing out faucets, doorknobs, outlet covers and light fixtures can upgrade your home and give you a whole new outlook. Consider switching round knobs for lever-style so that children and elderly family members can operate them more easily. Simply switching out the bathroom vanity light fixturecan change the entire appearance of your bathrooms.

Trim the Walls

Add pizzazz to your walls with crown molding or chair railing. Even if you don’t have a garage full of power tools, you can cut foam molding — molding that is not made of wood and can be cut with a simple saw and miter box—and create beautiful designs on your walls and ceilings.

Scrape the Textured Ceilings

If you’re very ambitious, you can scrape the “popcorn” or “cottage cheese” texture off your ceilings. Before you begin this project, check to make certain the texture is not made of asbestos. Homes built prior to and in the first few years after the 1978 asbestos ban often had asbestos fibers mixed into the texture. After the ban, paper, Styrofoam or other products were used to create the texture. If your home is affected by asbestos texture you should consider having a licensed professional handle the removal since the asbestos must be disposed of properly in accordance with prevailing laws.

Install New Flooring

Winter is an ideal time to have new carpet or hardwood installed. Your professional carpet layer is only too happy to have winter work when construction typically slows down and the controlled indoor heat speeds up drying time for flooring adhesives.

Modernize Your Thermostat

If you haven’t already done so, winter is a great time to change out your old thermostat for an energy-saving programmable model. In fact, according to the US Department of Energy, you can save up to ten percent (10%) on your energy bills in both summer and winter by programming your thermostat to match your family’s lifestyle. You can set your heating and air conditioning unit to adjust upwards or downwards when you are sleeping or away from home at work and school.

BUYING WITH RESELLING IN MIND

If you know that the home you are buying my have to be sold within a few years, you have a few extra items you need to pay attention to prior to purchasing. This is particularly true if you’ll need to sell within a short time period due to a job transfer or similar pressing requirement.

So, while these suggestions are true for everyone that will want to resell their homes eventually, if you know that you’ll have to sell at short notice, you’ll want to add these suggestions to your home search.

Pay attention to the view:

Homes with a pleasant view out the windows will sell more quickly and at a premium to homes with a less pleasant view. While you should buy a home that you plan to live in with your own pleasure in mind, when reselling, what the buyer sees out the window has an impact on the sale.

Avoid views with the following:

• Water towers — in may parts of the country, you cannot avoid a water tower, but if the angle of the view can avoid having the water tower in the direct line of sight, your resale value will be higher and your home will sell more quickly.
• Power lines — for the same reason as the water tower, a view of power lines can impede a quick sale. In addition to the view aspect however, many people subscribe to the belief that high voltage power lines emit electromagnetic radiation that can cause illnesses and cancer. While much of the research is inconclusive, and power lines emit extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation (according to the American Cancer Society), the belief that they could cause a problem will hinder a quick sale.
• Railroad tracks — this is especially true for freight trains, but any home with a view of tracks might have in impediment to a quick sale.
• Retail establishments — if your home backs up to or is across the street from retail stores, restaurants, bars or other businesses, you may face a slower selling experience. For example, while there may be a high block wall between your backyard and a car wash, the sounds of the dryers or the potential for extra traffic into the neighborhood may hinder a quick sale.

How do you avoid these potential pitfalls?

When you look at a home to buy, check the view from EVERY window. Take the time to visit the property at different times of the day, especially if there are retail establishments nearby so that you can gauge the traffic and noises that that may come from them.

What if your home already has a water tower or power line in view?

When you’ve purchased a home and did not buy with the view in mind, or if the view has changed, there are some things you can do.

• Plant trees — If you can plant a tree that adds beauty while blocking an unfavorable view, do so.
• Mitigate sounds — if you can hear noises from nearby retail establishments, railroad tracks or nearby busy streets or freeways, consider replacing the windows with more insulated ones and adding insulation to the walls for soundproofing can overcome some of these negatives.

5 WAYS TO HELP KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE WHILE ON VACATION

Vacation plans may have you planning on leaving your home in the near future. Don’t forget to take a few preventative measures to ensure the safety of you and your home while you are away. You’ll find that being prepared and aware of potential risks makes for a better vacation and homecoming.

5 Things To Remember When Vacationing Away From Your Home

Summer is definitely here and vacation plans may have you planning on leaving your home in the very near future. Don’t forget to take a few preventative measures to ensure the safety of you and your home while you are away. You’ll find that being prepared and aware of potential risks makes for a better vacation and homecoming.

5 Things To Remember When Vacationing Away From Your Home

• You cannot control your level of visibility entirely once you leave. If you post to social media, including Facebook and Pinterest, while on vacation you may be putting your home at risk. Sharing vacation photos are an obvious way of showing that you are away and may create an easier target for your home for thieves.
• Lock it up. From windows and doggie doors to gates and garage doors, the security of your home requires diligence on your part. Don’t let the rush of leaving for vacation make you forget to batten down the hatches throughout your home.
• Ask for some help. A trusted neighbor or friend can notify you if something looks out of place or odd while you are away. Or you can employ a house sitter for greater peace of mind. You may even find one who will water your plants, too!
• Consider installing an alarm or timed lighting system prior to your vacation. Both can deter possible intruders.
• Truly vacation while away and plan a day to get organized when you get back. Placing your mail and delivery services on hold while you are away is critical, too. 4-5 newspapers or forgotten milk bottles on your porch signal to everyone that something is amiss. Plus, having planned an extra day to recover from your travel to go through mail and grocery shop may also allow you time for the first tip mentioned… post your awesome vacation photos to social media!

A 5 Star review from Sterling!

Hey, I got a 5 star review from Ted in Sterling.

Ted, thanks for giving me a chance to help you sell your home and good luck in Virginia Beach!

A 5 star Review from Sterling