Tips To Upgrade An Old Kitchen

Kitchen (Photo credit: Tomas Rawski)

Probably one of the biggest added value options you can consider, is to improve a dated kitchen.

I know that it’s the first thing my wife looks for in a new home and it certainly can be a deal breaker when you come to sell.

Some quick to implement, ideas for breathing new life into a tired kitchen:

• Replace existing work surfaces.
• Install new, contemporary handles to units.
• Resurface the floor.
• If you don’t have budget to replace the cooker and hob - consider having it professionally cleaned. You might be surprised how well they come up.
• For next to nothing you can buy and install a new sink and drainer.
• Repaint the unit doors.

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Lanterns Light The Way To A Better Exterior

Finding the right set of exterior lights isn't always easy. There is such a huge selection to choose from on aesthetics alone. Some of the more popular varieties in recent years come in brass or copper, but even if you select a material there's a long way to go before selecting the style.

I won't even get into selecting the style, but there are definitely some general guidelines to follow when it comes to where you put your lanterns, particularly if they're next to an entryway. These guidelines come from the folks at Light Innovations:

If you plan to place a lantern on only one side of the door it should measure one-third the height of the door. The center of the bulb should rest 66″ above the threshold of the door.

If you plan to use two lanterns they should each measure approximately one-fourth the height of the door. The center of the bulb should rest 66″ above the threshold of the door.

Another huge question to ask is whether you'll go with a gas or electric lantern. Obviously, there's going to be a cost differential and it's good to know which is more expensive in your area before making that decision. Some would argue there is a difference in lighting quality as well, and that's something that should certainly be looked into in your decision making process. 

Regardless of where you go in this decision process, making a good choice can lend an elegant charm to your exterior and possibly increase the value of your home. So do your research and speak to a professional to make sure you do the right thing.

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Finding the Right Rental Housing Option

Houses for rent offer you a less expensive way to become independent and give you the privacy of your own home, without committing to the responsibilities of actually buying property. There are many things you should be aware of if you choose to rent a house; rules and rights of both the renter and the owner should be clear and agreed upon.

Your search for houses for rent should include not only a search for the right area, but a search for compatibility. For example, if you know that you are looking for corporate housing in western Ohio, then you will want to put a list together of your favorite Dayton Ohio corporate housing options. Know the different kinds of regulations that landlords have and decide on what you must have and what you are willing to compromise. Here are some questions you may want to ask:

• Do you plan on bringing your pet? Many owners do not allow pets or require a higher deposit if you bring them.
• Do you pay for the utilities and appliances? If you use provided appliances it may be a hassle to get them maintained.
• What kind of neighborhood do you want to live in? Many neighborhoods with numerous renters have college kids, elderly residents or lots of children. Make sure you know the kind of area you would like to live in.

Once you find the property you would like to rent, the next step is convincing the landlord you should be given the opportunity to live there. One word of caution: landlords are usually more friendly at interviews than they are when you live in rented property, since they want to have people living in their properties. Talk to others who are under the supervision of the landlord to see if you will be able to live with his or her regulations. To further impress the landlord, bring a completed housing application, references and a job history so that all of your background information is available quickly.

Another important way to decide which home is right for you is to make your own inspection of the property. Check for insects, rodents and water damage. Know the age of the home and if there have been updates to it since it was built. If the building is old you are put at risk for age-related damages. You should also notice the amount of space the home has available like storage and closets and ask if the garage is included in the rental.

As you prepare to sign rental contracts, make sure you get everything agreed to in writing. Both parties should be fully aware of all responsibilities and restrictions. In addition, read all rental agreements carefully. When you rent a home, you may be responsible for more than you would if you rented an apartment, townhouse or condo. House renters often need to be accountable for their own lawn care, garbage hauling, repairs, etc. Also, to protect your possessions, get renter’s insurance in case problems arise. Finally, take pictures before you move in and out. This will keep your deposit safe in the event of any disputes over the condition of the home.

Choosing a house among the available houses for rent is an excellent option for those just getting started or for residents looking to save money. To make sure you have the best house renting experience, be aware of your rights as a renter and of the condition of your prospective home.

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Tips for your Swimming Pool or Spa

Following are few tips that will be very helpful when using the swimming pool or spa. Your water will be cleaner and save you some money. Use Brand Name Products from Sun, GLB, Guardex, Leisure Time to keep your pool clean. For your convenience I've attached informational links and links to purchase some of the items mentioned (from Swimtown, my personal favorite place to shop - great prices and they have real people that answer the phone!)

• Water Testing    Always check for water balance and ph of the water. Maintain proper level. Buy brand name products like Sun, GLB, and Guradex to keep your water balanced. Shop for test strips.
• Automatic Cleaners    Make sure your automatic cleaners are working and all the debris are getting removed. Check all the hose and working of skimmers. There are a lot of great pool cleaners out there from manufacturers like Polaris and Aquabot.
• Sanitizers    All the sanitizing equipement should be in proper working conditions. Make sure your sanitizers are working
• Oils & Soaps    When in using pool do not use soap or cleaning products like Formula 409, shampoo etc. It will be helpful if your body does not have skin lotions this can be done by having a pre-bath or cleaning your hands, legs and face before entering the pool.
• Plastic Caps    Use Plastic Caps. They tend to keep hair spray and hair products from getting into the pool.
• Scumballs    Scumballs are good oil removing agent. Scumball products drastically reduce the amount of oils that actually get sucked into the filter. Squeeze the Scumball after each pool uss and replace them when they start to detriorate. You can also use Enzyme based oil removers sold by Sun and GLB brand chemicals. The break down the oil into smaller particles and keep water crystal clean and fresh for long period of  2 - 3 months.
• Pool Filters    Your filter (purchase here - http://www.swimtownpools.com/pool-filters-s/173.htm) should always be in proper working condition. Make sure all the inlet and outlet valves are functioning properly. Check for the Filter Pressure. Keep filter catridges, Sand or D.E. Grids handy to change them. Recommend changing the elements every 1 - 2 years or as per the use of pool.
• Bromine/ Chlorine Tablets    Use Floating feeders to keep your water always in good condition by using Bromine or Chlorine Tablets. Make sure of dissolve rate and add them as needed. Shop for these here.

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Lots about Lots

When deciding between purchasing a new home and purchasing a lot on which to build a home, you may find a lot fits your needs perfectly. With a lot, you often have more flexibility because you can custom build the home you want on the property of your choice. Your local real estate agent can help you find a lot suitable for your needs. Together, you can carefully consider the lot’s location. While the area you are interested in may be desolate and peaceful at the moment, you should educate yourself regarding future zoning and plans for construction. The land nearby, for example, will probably already be zoned for residential or commercial development. You may want to purchase a lot that will not end up near a busy strip mall or restaurants. Or, you may learn that homes or buildings planned for the future will eventually impede your beautiful view. Also, you will want to consider the lot’s proximity to schools, to your job and to other areas of interest. After looking at numerous lots, you should consider any potential adverse conditions associated with each.

When looking at the lots you are interested in, hire a surveyor to look over the property. He or she will inform you if there are any problems in the land of which you should be aware, including steep drop-offs, drainage problems or poor access roads. You should also make sure all utilities are available in the area, and gas, electricity, sewer and water lines will be able to be run easily into the property. Visit the lot in the morning, afternoon and evening to get a complete feel for the land and environment, including sun and shade patterns and traffic in the area.

Once you have a better idea that a particular lot may be the right one for you, you should hire an architect to ensure your plans for building a home on the property are feasible. Certain lots may be difficult to build on and will call for higher building costs. This could be true, for example, if the grade of the land will require expensive work to put in retaining walls or a driveway on a steep area. Your architect will sit down with you and discuss what you would like to build on the lot, including the square footage, number of floors and rooms and style of the home. Depending on the size and features you are hoping for, you may find one lot will work better for you than another.

While looking at lots, you should work with a local real estate agent to find the best properties for your wants and needs. Whether investing for the future or looking to build, together you can find the right lot for you.

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How Not To Sell a House

johnny cash port richey house (Photo credit: the past tends to disappear)

We often rant about real estate in Lebanon Oregon and ways to help you sell your home at a great price. Here a few of the big mistakes people make when looking to sell a home or get a good offer. Many of these are simply common sense items, but they are the most common ones for some reason.

A. Going in without a plan - This is the biggest problem when people want to accomplish any goal, and selling a home is certainly no small goal. When you finally decide that you want your home to be sold, know what price range you will be willing to take, the way you will be advertising your property, and how long you expect it to be on the market before reconsidering your game plan. The homes that are on the market for years upon years are the ones that are missing one of these key steps and are stuck in a rut going nowhere fast.

B. Not bringing in help - Real estate agents can sometimes be a bit pricey in the long run, but the good ones that know your local market and have been in the business for a long time can provide you with valuable tips and ways the help you sell your home faster. Remember, they have the same goal as you, and although they may want to sell your home at a faster rate, they still want to help you sell it.

C. Not having enough Open Houses - Sometimes biting the bullet and making your home available for an open house on a great weekend is what you have to do to make your home easier to sell. Most people would rather have their open houses in the middle of the workweek, but not everyone can accomodate those plans, and you have to find ways to get everyone interested the opportunity to take a look at your home. If there is anyone in particular you know that is interested, make special arrangements for them to look at your home, and always ask your agent their opinion before opening up your home.

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Oregon is the State of the Day

Oregon (Photo credit: B_Zedan)

Oregon is one of the most visited states in the US in terms of internal visitors, and for a population so small, tourism makes up a big chunk of their industry. Along with tourism, it is one of the few states where real estate is a positive thing to talk about. Some markets like real estate in Albany Oregon has been doing great. What else can we learn from this great state? Here are a few interesting things to note about its history.

The first people to live in Oregon came in around 15,000 years ago, and have been living there ever since. Cave markings have been found on the walls, found mostly along the lower Columbia River. The first European explorers to come to the area were actually Spanish, but they never set up any major bases, which is why most of the present day cities have no Spanish names.

Everyone has heard of the Oregon Trail, but why was the destination Oregon? Simply because it had some of the most fertile soil in the US, making it an ideal place to farm. The great migration of people to Oregon set up strong economies and trading routes for many generations to come, and eventually led to Oregon being recognized as a state in 1859.

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Fanatical Mower Man

We used to live on a fairly quiet tree-lined street in an older "Beaver Cleaver" type home. Our two-story home was neat and tidy, and we had a picket fence out front, a lovely garden, and well-manicured lawn. Our home blended in with most of our neighbors, though we added a few more plants and fixtures to make it our own.

Down on the corner lived "Anal Mower Guy." We called him that because he was a fanatic about his yard. He had what you would call a "postage stamp" lot, with a few mature trees and some shrubbery. His home, garage, sidewalk and driveway took up most of the green space, however, so there wasn't a lot of grass to mow.

It took "Anal Mower Guy" approximately five hours to do his yard every week. He cleaned his mower. He edged the yard around the sidewalk and drive. He mowed, a different direction each week. He pruned shrubs. He raked the grass (even when it wasn't fall)! He weeded the two little flower beds. He blew the grass clippings off the pavement. He swept the edge of the street where tiny bits of grass clippings wandered. He went around each tree with his electric trimmer. He cleaned his mower. He put everything away. He stood back and looked at his creation.

There's something to be said for taking good care of your yard. Don't you wish everyone did?

(Don't you wish someone would sneak into your yard in the middle of the night and perform this miracle of mowing on yours?)


This article was written by Caron and originally appeared here

Manufacturing is Picking Up

Great Seal of The State of Alabama (Photo credit: Wikipedia)One way to know how well a region real estate market is doing is by taking a look at how their local industries are doing. That's why we'd like to put the Southern state of Alabama as places to watch for real estate developments. The state was just featured on CNN Money today for enjoying the best increase in industrial manufacturing within the last five years. Not only is it benefiting with local companies and industries, foreign manufacturing companies have been racing to the state to take a piece of the manufacturing opportunities the state of Alabama has made so enticing.
Alabama is not the only state however that is seeing growth in a surprising industry. States like Indiana, Florida and Georgia have all seen stronger increase in their industrial industry. Car manufacturers and valve manufacturers like the Valtorc Flow Control Valves have taken off nationally and internationally, and are all thanks to the strong growth.
So if you're in the manufacturing industry and are looking for new work or a fresh start, Alabama might not be such a bad idea!

City of Corvallis

The logo for the Oregon State University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the most beautiful areas along the Pacific coast in the United States is the entire state of Oregon. Luckily, I had a chance to make a few stops throughout the state, a few years ago and I was able to come across the great city of Corvallis. I loved the time I spent in that town more than any other place I visited. Here a few reasons why I enjoyed the town so much:

Academically, the state of Oregon is well known for the University of Oregon, which consistently has a powerful football program with funky uniforms. However, Oregon State University is known as one of the top universities in the United States, and is just a short drive down from Corvallis. All the students there have a great passion and understanding of the environment, and actively recruit their community to do their part to save the planet.

Because the area is populated with thousands of college aged students, there are always things to do and places to go out to. Going off of this, USA Today ranks Corvallis as one of the top places to live for both young adults and families. Nightclubs, bars and late eateries are all over the downtown area, but there are also restaurants, parks and great schools throughout the area, truly making it an excellent place for any age.

If you're ever considering getting up and moving to someplace new, Corvallis might be a great spot. Take a look at homes for sale in Corvallis Oregon to see if there's anything that fits your fancy.

Visit Switzerland!

View of Matterhorn and Dent d'Hérens from Tête Blanche, Switzerland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Whether you are a thrill seeker, looking to explore the great outdoors and mountanous terain of Switzerland, or you are looking for a great place to ski in the Alps for you next winter vacation, Switzerland is a terrific place to visit. Here's a few reasons why:

Friendly people
Switzerland is known to have some of the friendliest people in Europe. Meeting someone fun and friendly on your vacation trip can make the experience even more memorable.

Scenery
If you're not coming to Switzerland to partake in physical activities, then taking in the scenery is certainly entertaining enough. The Alps are relatively young mountains, which results in majestic mountain peaks and extreme cliffs that you can't find anywhere else in the world.

Adventure Activities
The unique and intense terrain of Switzerland offers a mecca for adventure activities. Paragliders, bungee jumpers and rock climbers flock to Switzerland every year. If you are not experienced in such activities, you can always hire the help of trained professionals.

If you're looking for a place to stay in Switzerland, there are plenty of options. Many hostels, including the Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof, offer great amenities at a nice low price. For as nice of a town Interlaken is, Interlaken Hostel prices are quite low.

Why do you ask?

This puzzles me. I showed a home last night to a lady who is thinking about writing an offer on the house. Her own home just sold, and she has limited time to move out. We're getting ready to go out to the driveway when she asks, "So what commission do you have on this house?"

When I was young and living at home, if I had asked someone a question like that, my mother would have scolded me up one side and down the other. That's just like asking someone "How much money do you make?" 

Before I go on, let me remind everyone that the SELLER pays the commission to the agent. The SELLER. That's right, SELLER. I can't say it enough. So regardless of the price offered to purchase a home, it's not the buyer, but the SELLER who pays.

So, back to my buyer. I explained to her, "the commission on the house is an agreement between myself and the seller. Why would you ask that question?"

She smiled a funny kind of smile. "Well, if you won't tell me, I can always contact another real estate agent who can tell me that from the MLS." 

So I'm really puzzled. This sounds like a challenge! Why does my commission have anything to do with whether or not she will buy this house?

If you have a thought on this, please post a comment below. I'm curious for your feedback.

This post was written by Carol