Be the Best on Your Block

The 7 essentials to boost curb appeal (and bragging rights)

*Taken from “This Old House: Your New Home, Spring 11’ Pg. 7

1 Highlight with Paint:

Set off architectural details and textures by painting them in separate colors. Moving away from a monotone palette brings definition, and choosing historically appropriate colors enhances character.

2 Spruce up the Siding:

See that clapboards, shingles, or masonry sheathing are in top condition. They add color, texture, and polish to your home’s exterior.

3 Perk up Windows:

Trim windows in a contrasting color to the siding, or add window boxes or shutters to highlight them. Breaking up the façade in this way creates interest.

4 Liven up the Landscaping:

Plant layers of greenery and bright blooms-along the walk, in hanging pots, and in window boxes. Nothing offers such a cheery “hello” from the sidewalk.

5 Roll out the Red Carpet:

Create a welcoming walk to your front door with brick or stone pavers flanked by plantings, and the stroll to your entrance becomes an event.

6 Play up the Porch:

Replace metal poles with period appropriate columns or posts, repaint railings, and lay wood over a concrete slab to warm up a porch or portico. Don’t have one? Start collecting ideas and add on when the budget allows.

7 Tend to the Roof:

Keep tabs on the state of your wood shakes, asphalt shingles, or tiles to make sure they’re in good repair. Not only does the roof protect all the other architectural details, it’s very visible.

Floor the Competition!

Buyers entering your home usually look down before up. That first step is vital for making a great first impression. It’s one reason why more people are installing hardwood floors in their home. Hardwood flooring enhances the look of any room and can create a classic ambiance that will beautify the interior design of your home.

Residential real estate agents agree that homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster and fetch higher prices. Last year, 99% of real estate agents responding to a national survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association agreed that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell. Also, 82% believe they sell faster and 90% sell for more money.

The American Hardwood Information Center adds that restoring hardwood flooring in the home is one of the best long-term investments one can make. “Hardwood floors are environmentally friendly, forever fashionable, and will last for generations,” said Pembroke Jacobs, president of the Hardwood Manufacturers Association. “Plus, with an expected life span of up to 100 years for certain premium hardwood flooring, you can be assured that the hardwood really is a one-time investment with a very long-term payoff.” Real estate agents agree that carpeting does not impress potential buyers, but hardwood floors are always a draw.

Engineered wood floors impart warmth, depth and richness that can’t be matched by carpeting, tile or vinyl flooring. Despite the existence of modern architectural trends in flooring, hardwood still competes with tile and other materials. It comes in a variety of colors and grains; light, medium, or dark shades; and a variety of sizes, styles, finishes and species. Maple, mahogany and oak are the most popular woods, but some homeowners are investing in exotics such as Brazilian cherry and purpleheart.

The EPA claims that indoor air quality is one of the top health threats.Wood floors can help contribute to a healthy living environment. In fact, a recent EPA study found that pesticides used in gardens and homes accumulate on floors and other surfaces in the home. But wood floors greatly reduce the accumulation of such toxins. Hardwood floors also do not trap or harbor dust mites or molds like carpet. Though wood floors will probably need to be refinished at some point, they properly taken care of they are much easier to maintain than other floor surfaces.

The NWFA recommends regula

r sweeping of hardwood floors with a soft-bristle broom or dust mop to remove surface dirt and debris. If your floor contains beveled edges, it recommends using a vacuum with a soft bristle brush attachment to remove dirt and debris from between the floor boards. Hardwood floors could make the difference between a sale or watching a potential buyer walk out the door.

Home Staging: How to Best Sell Your Home

Sell Your Home: Watch this video for the best home staging tips

Living Green: Article from Realty Times

Green Living: Low-Impact Summer

June 21, 2011 -- Realty Times Feature Article by Carla Hill

It gets so busy during the summertime. Sometimes it feels as though time has literally sped up. Softball games, family reunions, and camps mean running from point A to point B in a hurry. It's easy to lose sight of the small things. Little changes are how we make a big difference with the environment. From taking shorter showers to

upgrading our appliances, there are ways each day we can help Mother Earth enjoy the Summer as much as we do! How can you have a low-impact Summer? Our experts give us the following tips. First, support your local growers. Get produce at your area's Farmers' Market. Buy fruits and veggies in the "grown local" section of your favorite grocery. This may not seem like a big deal, but it supports local commerce and reduces the amount of fuels needed to transport your produce. The next step also pertains to our food. Grow it yourself! Growing a simple vegetable garden is easier than you think. Most of the work goes into good prepping. Periodic weeding and harvesting are simple manual tasks that deliver real fruits of your "labor." Save money on your electric bill and contribute to a "new" way of living that is spreading across the country. If you grow your own garden, consider being as natural or organic as possible. There are a plethora of wonderful products on the market that help keep bugs at bay. Natural bug repellants are available for humans, too! Geraniums secrete a scent that drives mosquitos away. Mix a few drops of essential oils (citronella, orange, and rose geranium) into a spray bottle of water. Use this to spray down your legs and arms before any trip outside or to the garden. Not only will you smell good, you'll be a "no bug zone." Are you looking for ways to save on energy and fuel costs? Start with your travel habits. Cars, even the most energy efficient models, consume mass amounts of gasoline, which has been refined from oil. The amount of energy and pollution that is involved in refining these products would astound you! Be organized and plan trips to the store. Also consider carpooling or using public transit! Your city may have HOV lanes, or high occupancy vehicle lanes. This means if there is more than one person in your car, you get a free pass around the rush hour traffic! If you have a walkable city, use your legs to walk or bike. On the inside of your home you can save energy by upgrading your appliances. Newer Energy Star appliances use a fraction of the energy that their older counterparts did. You'll be surprised how much your electric bill drops in the first month! Keep your home and yard cool for years to come by planting shade trees. Trees give our environment so much. They deliver loads of oxygen, all while consuming our nasty carbon dioxide. They help to reduce global warming with this effect! And of course, the give us shade to enjoy those evening glasses of iced tea. Little habits add up to big change. Don't be too hard on yourself. Every day is a new day. Pick one thing to change today. PIck another next week and start a new habit.

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