When to Clean a Chimney Flue

There's no one-size-fits-all rule for how often to clean your chimney flue. But in this article, we'll explain how to check your chimney to know when it's time for cleaning. Having a clean chimney can eliminate chimney fires.



For more information about when to clean a chimney flue read more at: http://www.familyhandyman.com/cleaning/when-to-clean-a-chimney-flue/view-all#ixzz3MkMtl7rd

5 Tips for Increasing Your Home’s Appeal Without Spending a Fortune

Whether you want to update your home before selling it, or if it’s simply time to make some changes, you’ll find that these five simple strategies will help improve your home’s atmosphere and even increase its appeal to potential buyers.  By choosing improvements that don’t cost a lot of money, you’ll give your home a completely new lease on life and keep your bank account in the black, all at once.


Tip #1: Eliminate Obvious Flaws
Worn out carpet, holes in drywall behind doors, grubby looking kitchen appliances, and clutter are all things that ought to be eliminated before you start looking for other ways to make improvements.  In addition, look at the little things you might have become used to – for example, burned out light bulbs or dirty grout around faucets and in tubs and showers makes a home look as though it has been poorly kept.  If your kitchen appliances are older, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they need to be replaced, although they may need a deep cleaning or some updating; for example, you can give a refrigerator a new lease on life by replacing door seals, and by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting it.  Go around your house and make a checklist of things that need to be cleaned and repaired, and work on fixing those things on a case by case basis.

Tip #2: Make the Most of Living Spaces
If you have a three bedroom home and are a couple with no children and no plans to have any in the near future, you might want to retain one guest bedroom and decorate it well, and transform the third bedroom into a study, a lounge, or even a media room.  If you have a lot of open floor space and much of it is unoccupied, create various nooks to suit your purposes.  Attics, bonus rooms, and unused dens can be easily repurposed to act as craft rooms, man caves, and more.  Use your imagination; and, if you are selling your home, talk with your realtor about what it is that people are looking for in homes within your selling price range.


Polly Godwin is the owner of IndoorFountains.com, a company specializing in indoor fountains as well as home and business décor.


If you would like to know more about 5 Tips for Increasing Your Home’s Appeal Without Spending a Fortune : http://dailyproperties.com/category/home-buying-selling-strategies/advice-for-selling-your-home/home-staging-tips/

Five Tips to Stage Your Home to Sell

Staging your home so that it looks attractive to potential home buyers can add thousands of dollars to the final sale price of your home. When people think of preparing for a home tour, they often think of de-cluttering and cleaning, but staging is more than that. It’s really about making your home an inviting and welcoming place by preparing its interior and exterior so potential buyers can envision their lives in it.
Though you can get great results and end up making more money when you use a professional stager, it’s understandable that some buyers want to save a buck or two. Here are five DIY tips for anyone looking to stage their home themselves.

1. Start on the outside

The exterior of your house, often described as your home’s curb appeal, provides the first impression for any buyer. Make sure buyers feel welcomed by mowing and raking your lawn, trimming your shrubs and bushes, and sweeping your driveway and walkway to tidy everything up.

2. De-personalize and make it spotless

Buyers want to envision themselves in their new home, and if they’re distracted with the details of someone else’s life, it can really detract from the home tour. Remove photographs, general clutter, and distinctive style elements like doll collections or an avant-garde sculpture. Once you’ve made the space more neutral, attack dust bunnies and grime with a vengeance. Steam clean your carpets, pressure wash patios, and scrub the bathroom grout. Cleaning your home can really enhance buyer perception.

3. Arrange your furniture

You’ll want to remove all but a few key pieces of furniture, and preferably those that really define your space. In a living room, that’s probably a couch, a coffee table and two comfortable chairs. In a bedroom, it might be a bed and a bedside table and not much else. It sounds obvious, but make sure the furniture is spotless too. Spot a stained cushion? Turn it over or artfully drape a blanket to conceal it.

4. Pay special attention to rooms with plumbing

Kitchens and bathrooms really sell your home. Because these spaces are sometimes more intimate, make sure they are especially clean and well lit. Move most appliances out of view in your kitchen, leaving one or two out like a blender or a polished toaster. In the bathroom, add a single dish of soap.

5. Emphasize storage

Buyers love storage, so do what you can to emphasize the space in your closets. Remove half the clothes and make sure you can see all the way into the back. Space hangers evenly, match shoes, and make sure everything is generally tidy.

10 Cleaver Uses for the Space Under the Stairs

Petite Powder Room: Who wouldn't love an extra half bath? The space under your stairs can perfectly accommodate such a luxury. Elegant details, like the graphic wallpaper seen here, lend a sense of refinement to this cozy room. (See also "11 Tiny Bathrooms We Love" on BobVila.com: http://bit.ly/11TinyBathrooms)





The Ultimate Bookcase: In homes where a narrow staircase makes a powder room or worktable infeasible, a fabulous bookcase can be built in with ease. You might choose a cubby style, as shown in this chic interior, or opt for shelves that vary in height and width to accommodate both books and decorative objects. (See also "Weekend Projects: Build a Better Bookshelf" on BobVila.com: http://bit.ly/BuildBetterBookshelf)




Stealthy Storage: Every home can use more storage. Fortunately, the often-neglected space under a staircase provides an ideal spot for built-in drawers and cabinets. This stylish example demonstrates the important role paint and hardware play in matching the surrounding decor. (See also "10 Cabinet Hardware Styles" on BobVila.com: http://bit.ly/CabinetHardwareStyles)





Space-Saving Bike Storage: Many people, especially city dwellers, struggle with finding a place to store their bicycles. As this straightforward storage solution demonstrates, the space they've been looking for may have been underfoot all along.




Covert Kitchen Pantry: Every cook dreams of a pantry with floor-to-ceiling shelves and ample room for canned goods, baking supplies, and all manner of kitchen necessities. But did those dreams reveal that such a space can be built in under a staircase?! In this clean-lined interior, the large wooden doors were stained a pleasing spring green, adding an upbeat, modern sense to the space. (See also "7 DIY Pantry Hacks and Kitchen Storage Ideas" on BobVila.com: http://bit.ly/DIYPantryHacks)




A Wall of Wine: Custom shelving built under a staircase can give you the "wine cellar" you always wanted, without making you head down to the basement every time you want to raise a glass. The eye-catching arrangement will likely be a conversation starter among family and friends, as well. (See also "5 Easy DIY Wine Racks" on BobVila.com: http://bit.ly/DIYWineRacks)




Cheerful Home Office: If you've always wanted a work area but thought you didn't have enough room, claim the space under the stairs as your own. A pretty chair, a work surface attached to the wall, and cork board for pinning inspirational images are all you need to create a fun and functional home office. (See also "Ingenious Alternatives to a Traditional Home Office" on BobVila.com: http://bit.ly/HomeOfficeAlternatives)




Streamlined Entertainment Center: The depth of space under a staircase can be sufficient for a built-in entertainment center that houses a flat-screen TV and a bookcase to boot, along with drawers for remotes, movies, and game accessories. You bring the popcorn!
 











Read More information on 10 Cleaver Uses for the Space Under the Stairs : https://homes.yahoo.com/photos/10-clever-uses-for-the-space-under-the-stairs-1385000754-slideshow/

Which Home Improvements Can I DIY and Which Should I Leave to a Pro?

Dear Lifehacker,
My home is screaming for a redo. I'd love to try my hand at doing some of the upgrades myself and save a ton of money in the process, but I'm sure some projects are better left to the professionals. What do I need to know before I go all Bob Vila on my place?

Signed,
Worried Weekend Warrior

Dear WWW,

DIY home improvements can definitely be very rewarding, both in terms of saving money and the sense of accomplishment you'll feel as you turn your living space into your dream home. Choose the wrong projects, however, and all your time and effort will be wasted—not to mention you'll end up paying more to have the work redone correctly. Also, some improvements are just plain dangerous for regular homeowners (even experienced DIYers) to do themselves.

So before you pick up that drill, ask yourself the following questions to figure out which projects you can do yourself and which are best suited for the pros.

 

 

Is It Worth Your Time and Effort?

Going the DIY route can save you money, but it comes with a cost: Time (and sweat). Before you even consider whether you're capable of doing a project, think about how much time you have available to complete it and whether it's worth that time investment.

For example, if you want to replace all the cabinets and countertops in your kitchen but only have the weekends to do it, make sure you're comfortable having your kitchen an inaccessible mess for weeks or even months. Polishing wooden floors can also be a DIY project, but it's not only time-consuming, it's tricky and absolutely no fun (sand everywhere! Footprints and dust stuck in the finish!). On the other hand, many projects you can complete in a weekend or that can be more comfortably spread out over time are great for DIY. Examples are painting, landscaping, and finishing a basement.

Keep in mind also that while you might save on labor by doing a project yourself, the materials themselves could cost more than you think, especially since the pros tend to get better pricing. (Reuse centers, however, including architectural salvage stores, can help you save a ton on home improvement projects.)

Use Home Advisor to estimate the cost of a professionally done home improvement project and this calculator from LearnVest to calculate what an hour of your time is worth so you can decide from a financial standpoint whether you should hire a pro, even if you could do the project yourself.

 

 

How Risky Is It?

We can also rule out certain types of projects right away: Those that have the potential to seriously injure you or severely damage your home. These include anything involving main electrical lines or natural gas pipes. Because, obviously, you don't want to burn your house down or cause an explosion.

Depending on the project, you might also want to avoid plumbing work. Lifehacker reader Kyle Phillips says he's comfortable doing electrical work, but (wisely) knows his limits when it comes to plumbing:

Electrical (to me) is pretty straight forward. You just have to know which place to hook up the two wires, and avoid getting shocked. :) Plumbing on the other hand requires (IMO) more knowledge, and definitely more tools than electrical work. For example, it's not difficult to fix a toilet or put in a new faucet, but anything more than that is beyond my ability.

HowStuffWorks lists more reasons you should proceed with caution when it comes to plumbing and electrical work, as well as three other projects to skip: asbestos removal, roofing repairs, and gas appliance repairs.

Some projects also present greater risks to your home itself. For example, knocking down a wall sounds pretty simple, but if it's a load-bearing one or you don't know there's electrical wiring or plumbing behind it, you're in serious trouble. (Ask the Builder says these structurally important walls can be as dangerous as a stealth bomber.) Beware of any projects that could affect the structural integrity of your home, such as tearing down walls and converting roof space.

One warning sign a project may be over your head is if your town has building codes for it, mandated for safety purposes. You might be required to get a permit to do the work, and that might mean you have no choice but to hire a professional. Definitely find out the local rulings on what you can and cannot do yourself.

 

 

Do You Have the Knowledge, Skills, and Equipment Needed to Do It Right?

Lifehacker reader Megan Powers, who's done everything from re-grading landscape to a minor bath remodel, offers this rule of thumb that covers the first two concerns:

I hire pros when the consequences of messing up are severe (e.g. non-obvious plumbing issues) or when the cost of my time would be too high, like a kitchen remodel. Otherwise, I like to do the work myself or with my husband.

The last element is you. Do enjoy doing DIY projects? Are you capable of doing them well? Make a list of the projects you would like to do or have done around your home. For each of them consider:

• Do you know all the steps it will take to do the job?
• Do you have all the necessary tools or can you borrow them or rent them?
• How much skill or expertise is needed to do this project properly—and do you have it?
• What are your recourses if the project turns into a DIY disaster? (Many pros charge more to redo work or refuse to do it at all.)

Try to be realistic about DIY improvements. (Don't be fooled by all those HGTV shows and This Old House articles which make these all look so easy). Some tasks, such as tiling a shower wall, look simpler than they are and require an artisan to do correctly. Others, like changing cabinet pulls or installing a dishwasher can be done with a little research and just carefully following directions.

 

 

How to Get Started with DIY Home Improvements

Start small. When you're just starting out, build confidence with small projects and grow from there. For example, change an electrical outlet before you tackle rewiring a room. Build a raised garden bed before you build a deck. Small fixes, such as replacing cabinet hardware or installing new light fixtures, can also often be big upgrades in terms of look and functionality.

DIY parts of the project. You can also save a lot of money on bigger projects by doing a partial DIY. Tackle the parts of a project that are more labor-intensive (for example, the National Education Association says 30% of the cost of painting is labor) and outsource the rest. With a bathroom remodel, for example, you could hire contractors for the plumbing and tile work but do the painting and small fixtures yourself.

When it comes to your home, nothing's worse that investing time and energy into an upgrade that you screwed up. On the other hand, nothing might make you prouder than an improvement you did yourself. Just choose your projects carefully by knowing your risks and capabilities.

Looking for weekend projects you can get started on now? Here are three home improvements that can save you the most money in the long run and from elsewhere on the web:

• 100 DIY Upgrades for Under $100 (This Old House)
• Top 10 DIY Projects (Family Handyman)
• Improve Your Home: 30 Weekend Projects (Better Homes and Gardens)

Enjoy your power-tool-filled weekends, you handy person you!

Love,
Lifehacker

 

 

 

 

 

Read more and get more info from: http://lifehacker.com/which-home-improvements-can-i-diy-and-which-should-i-le-487207936

Smart Shopper Tip!

SMART SHOPPER TIP: Are you looking for a new home in 2014 or 2015? Shop now to beat out the flood of buyers once the warm weather hits.

Something we all have in our homes started this fire. This is the most important thing I learned all day.

You won’t believe what caused the fire in Dave’s home. His one lesson about the cause of the fire is incredibly important.

 

This lesson applies to ALL batteries, new or used. Dave is sharing his lesson and he has one request from you, “Please share this message with friends and families so that they can learn to be safe with batteries.”
If you appreciated this article, please LIKE us on Facebook and let us know that you’d like us to publish more helpful articles like this.
And make sure you SHARE this by clicking the button below.




Read More From: http://www.reshareworthy.com/batteries-can-cause-house-fires/#jDVtEtY7F5j6xmSu.01

7 Scientific Tricks for Making Your Home More Comfortable

From: http://mentalfloss.com/article/57269/7-scientific-tricks-making-your-home-more-comfortable

10 Turn-Offs for Potential Buyers

1. A garage turned into something else.

If you’ve sacrificed the garage for something other than the garage, the trade-off might actually be a turn-off, especially to people where parking is at a premium. Even in the suburbs, most people want a covered, secure place to park their cars. Don’t forget that a garage often doubles as a storage location. The garage houses everything from lawn mower to the excess paper towels and cleansers. If you convert your garage into something else, you’re likely to force a buyer to look elsewhere.

Flickr: Apuch

2. A bedroom turned into something else.

Aside from location, one of the first things a buyer searches for is number of bedrooms. Why? Because it’s an important requirement. You might think having a wine cellar, with built-in refrigerators, in your home will make it attractive to potential buyers because it was attractive to you. And while it’s true many people work from home today at least part of the time, that doesn’t mean they want a dedicated home office—especially one with built-in desks or bookcases that would need to be removed. If you must convert a bedroom into something else, make sure you can easily convert it back into a bedroom when you go to sell.

3. Carpet over hardwood floors.

Many people today like hardwood floors. They are cleaner looking, add a design element, don’t show dirt as much, and they’re definitely preferred over carpets for people with allergies. If you have nice hardwood floors, show them off. Let the buyer decide if he or she wants to cover them. It’s easier for a buyer to purchase new carpeting of their choosing than it is for them to get past yours.

Flickr: Nancy Hugo

4. Over-the-top lighting fixtures.

A beautiful chandelier can enliven a dining room. But it can also turn off buyers who prefer simpler, less ornate lighting fixtures. Did you fall in love with a dark light fixture on a trip to Casablanca? That’s great. And you should use it for your own enjoyment. But when it comes time to sell, replace it with something more neutral.

Photo: Zillow Digs

5. The kid’s room that is a miniature theme park.

Little kids have big imaginations. They tend to love Disney characters, spaceships, super heroes, and such, and their parents are often all-too-willing to turn their rooms into fantasy caves. But the more you transform a kid’s bedroom into something resembling a Disneyland ride, the more you’ll turn off most potential buyers. Your buyer might have teenage children who will see the removal of wallpaper, paint or little-kid-inspired light fixtures as work. If you can, neutralize the kid’s rooms before you go on the market.

Flickr: Chris Graziloi

6. An above-ground pool.

Does it get hot in the summers where you live? Wish you had a backyard pool but can’t afford to have a ‘real’ pool installed? Then you might be tempted to buy and set up an above-ground pool. For most potential buyers, though, these pools are an eyesore. Also, an above-ground pool can leave a big dead spot of grass in your backyard — another eyesore. If you must have it, consider dismantling it before going on the market. Of course, be sure you’re really ready to sell or you may be stuck without a place to cool off next summer.

7. An in-ground pool.

You might assume that a gorgeous backyard pool will make a splash with potential buyers. Except in warm climates, where pools are truly an important amenity, many people see a backyard pool as a huge maintenance issue — not to mention a liability. If you live in an area where pools aren’t that common, seriously consider your decision. If you’re planning to be in the home for the long haul and you’ll get lots of use out of it, go for it.

Flickr: Laura D’Alessandro

8. Avocado-green kitchen fixtures.

If your home is decades old and the kitchen looks like something from The Brady Bunch, consider investing in a quick once-over. Some new stainless steel appliances and granite countertops can be installed in no time and the cost and hassle is a lot less than you think. More buyers prefer to move right in. Do the work for them and you increase your bottom line.

Flickr: Jocelyn

9. Cigarette smell through the house.

Over time, the smell of smoke permeates your home. It gets into the carpet, drapes, wood paneling, just about everywhere — a big turnoff to most buyers today. Getting rid of the smoke smell can be a big job. If you’re a smoker, seriously consider how you want to present your home to the market. For a long- term smoke-filled home, it means new paint, removing carpets and doing lots of deep cleaning.

Flickr: Tom Childers

10. Keep Fido’s bed and toys front and center

Let’s face it; family pets bring a lot of joy to the home. But, they don’t always bring the same joy to a prospective buyer. Dog’s toys, filled with saliva, dirt and dust can be a sore both for the eyes and the nose. If you have a pet, put a plan in place to move the food and water bowls as well as the toys and dog’s bed to a better location, like the garage. Homes that smell and show like animals can scare buyers off.

It’s your home — for now

Part of the joy of owning a home is that you can do whatever you want with it, to it, and in it. You should enjoy it. But if you want to sell it easily and for top dollar down the road, try to picture how others might react to any renovations, additions or modifications you make. The more specific you get — such as turning your kid’s room into a miniature castle from Cinderella — the harder it will be to sell your home later, and the less return on investment you’ll get. When considering changes to your home, always consider resale.



Read more from:  http://www.zillow.com/blog/10-turn-offs-for-potential-buyers-151383/

10 Exterior Design Lessons That Everyone Should Know

While we all want a spectacular home that stands out amongst the rest; we also want a home that blends with its surroundings and neighborhood.
Designing the exterior of a home can be a complicated process of color choices, materials, balancing shape and lines— it is not a job for novice designers.
Do you ever wonder what makes a home exterior visually appealing? Why are there certain homes on the street that make you stop in your tracks and gawk in awe of its beauty?  It is more than likely that those jaw-dropping homes have followed some key design principles.  Yes, every design, interior or exterior, needs to follow some simple “rules” of design in order for the final outcome to be visually appealing.


Let’s look at 10 basic exterior design principles that will help make your home a haven:

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Follow these  basic design principles to achieve an amazing home exterior. Image Source: Vanbrouck

1) Balancing Shapes With Symmetry

Like in all types of design, balance and symmetry play an important role in achieving a well-designed space. The facade of every home needs some semblance of balance and symmetry in order to appear pleasing to the eye and properly designed.
Whether it is the eye-catching appeal of a symmetrical Georgian home, where the door is centered and the windows equally flank either side, or a home where the balance is achieved through pointed roof lines or dormers that are equally placed among the exterior.
There are numerous ways to achieve a proportional home exterior—some through obvious symmetry, while others are not as apparent. Either way, a properly designed home has  an exterior that is proportional and balanced.

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A home exterior should be properly balanced. Image Source: Highmark-Builders

2) Form Follows Function

Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright’s mentor, coined the phrase, form follows function. Essentially, this means that the purpose of the building should be the starting point of the design.
What is the purpose of your home? What do you plan to use your home for? Consider all your families needs and then decide what is required in your home in order to accommodate those needs.
The exterior of your home will mimic the form of the interior designs that you have chosen. Maybe you are an artist who chose large windows because you need natural lighting to paint/create. Maybe you needed a granny suite over the garage, so the exterior of the home has a dormer in order to make the window in that room look balanced. Always remember that your interior design affects the exterior one, as well.

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The form of your interior design will always drive the exterior design. Image Source: Avalon CBG

 3) House Materials and Textures

With the plethora of options, it is very difficult to decide what materials we should use on our home exterior. Between cedar shingles, vinyl siding, aluminum, brick, wood, stucco, steel…how do we choose?
It is best to balance durability with aesthetics. Of course, you want the exterior of your home to reflect your personal style— are you a country guy/girl? Then you may want tumbled stone and cedar shingles. Are you a modern minimalist? Then you may prefer the lines of sleek steel or simple wood panels.
In order to avoid costly mistakes, it is always best to consult with a skilled design architect. There are also a lot of online visual tools that can help you see what your material choices will look like before you make that final financial investment.

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This house is a nice mix of stone, stucco, roof tiles and wrought iron. Image Source: Steigerwald-Dougherty

4) Exterior Color Combinations

Oh, the cornucopia of color choices! How do you decide what is the right color for your home exterior? Do you go bold or basic? As in all decorating, color choice is vital—it can hide flaws or when done poorly, draw attention to flaws.
Sherwin Williams suggest that a safe and effective approach to color placement is to select two tints or shades from the same color strip a few shades apart. Either the lighter or the darker shade could be used for the body and the opposite for the trim. The a third contrasting accent color could punctuate the door.
Color can play up so many features of your home exterior. Paint your front porch a bright fresh white to draw the eye to the cozy entrance, or make your too-tall home look shorter with a dark color on top and a lighter color on bottom. The ways that color can trick the eye and play up the positive are endless!

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Try choosing 3 colors or shades for your home exterior. Image Source: Sortun-Vos

5) How to Choose the Right Roof

A durable roof is imperative—choosing a roof for your home is more than just deciding upon color and aesthetics.
There are so many building options, with varying costs and life-expectancies.  Material like slate and tile may seem ideal but remember that they are very heavy, so be sure your home can carry the load.  Asphalt shingles seem to be most prevalent due to their lower cost and easy install. Surprisingly, wood is also a viable option with the same life expectancy ( 25 years) as asphalt shingles. Slate and metal are costly and heavy options, but may work for some designs.
While there are numerous choices, they do not all work within budgets and home design. Always consider cost, durability, weight, and what suits your homes style best.

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Deciding upon roofing materials and color can be difficult. Image Source: Design Guild Homes

6) How to Choose Your Garage Doors

One may not think of a garage door as part of our homes style statement—but they would be wrong.  Door manufacturer, Wayne Dalton, suggests that buyers go through their online tutorial before choosing a garage door for their home.
Aside from design style, you need to gain knowledge in the doors insulating properties, safety features, material durability spring designs, warranties and cost.
Once you are past the nitty gritty of mechanics, then you can have fun deciding upon the style that best suits your home design.  Whether it’s a clean, classic  steel door or a cozy carriage house design—the options are endless.

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Garage doors are a balance of form and function for the home exterior. Image Source: Witt Construction

7) What Windows Look Best

Just like garage doors, your homes windows are much more than functionality—windows are like the soul of your home, shining light onto all the moments shared within those four walls.  We can offer you numerous tips in choosing the right window style for your home.
First and foremost, the windows you choose need to be durable. Secondly, your windows should reflect your homes character. Modern homes look best with large expanses of  floor-to-ceiling windows, while a traditional home may look best with symmetrically placed, white-paned, rectangular windows.
Other factors to consider are: UV rating, privacy, proper ventilation, ease of cleaning and outdoor views. Consider all your options in order to open the soul of your home with durable and aesthetically appealing windows.

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Windows look into the soul of your home. Image Source: DJ Architects

8) Design An Amazing Entryway

The most common question: What color should I paint my front door? As we touched upon above in the section titled, Color Combinations, choosing 2 shades or tints  from the same color strip is best for the main exterior trim and siding colors. Then a third color should be chosen for the front door.
You can go bold by adding a contrasting color that is opposite on the color wheel of your trim and siding colors, or you can choose a third lighter/darker shade that mimics the trim and siding.  In order to make your entry stand out , it is best to choose a darker or bolder shade than the rest of your home.
Aside from color, there are a lot of other features that can freshen up your entryway and speak to your homes style—lighting, plants, door knobs, door knocker, door kick plates, rugs, and porch seating all add to the  overall appeal of your homes entry.

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Make your entryway amazing with pops of color and plants. Image Source: Dennis Allen Associates

9) Landscaping Is Essential

Landscaping your home involves much more than simply plunking a tree in your front yard.  Most often it is well-placed plants that add that jaw-dropping appeal to a home, making it stand out amongst the rest in the neighborhood.
It is difficult to know what plants to choose for your landscape, so we suggest researching local soils and native plants. Greenhouse staff are usually very knowledgeable in plant species; they know what works best locally, and they can even draft a landscape plan for your yard.
Get your green-thumb on and start planning your lush landscape today. Remember it takes time for plants to establish and fill in, so patience is a must. The sooner you begin, the better.

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Landscaping is the final decorating touch for your home exterior. Image Source: Princetonscapes

10) Light Up Your Home

Don’t let your home fade into the darkness. Proper lighting is paramount for home safety and nighttime appeal. Aside from the obvious light fixtures that straddle your doorways and garage doors, there are other outdoor lights that should be placed around your home.
Choose lights that mimic your homes style. Traditional homes look great with lantern-style chandeliers hanging over a covered entryway, or flanking the garage.  Angular steel lights add appeal to the entryway of modern homes. Then you must consider what other features of your home could use some nighttime light.
The picture below  shows a well-lit home; there are lights on the rise of the stone steps that leads to the entry (adding a nice safety feature and visual appeal), pot lights under all the roof lines and lanterns flanking the garage.

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Light up the night with exterior lighting for your home. Image Source: Stonewood

While the design of your home exterior is a complicated process that is fraught with decisions and choices, do not give up—a well-designed home CAN be achieved with patience and a little help. During the design process, we suggest that you follow all 10 tips offered here with regard to color, materials, form & function, balance & symmetry, lighting, doors, landscaping, windows and roofing.
Remember that there are a lot of online tools available that can show you a virtual picture of what your design could look like—it’s always best to see it and love it before you make the final financial investment.
What exterior materials are your favorite? Do you have any unique materials incorporated into your home exterior?

 

Read more: http://freshome.com/2014/08/22/10-exterior-design-lessons-that-everyone-should-know/#ixzz3LKmCRdWP

4630 Fern Creek Drive, Tobaccoville, NC 27050, USA - Tranquil country living with city convenience! - real estate listing

4630 Fern Creek Drive, Tobaccoville, NC 27050, USA - Tranquil country living with city convenience! - real estate listing

A Rocking Recipe: Honey Ham and Fresh Pineapple Pizza !

Honey Ham and Fresh Pineapple Pizza is what will be for dinner tonight.  Flour tortillas stand in for the crust and are topped with a spicy marinara sauce, monterey jack cheese, diced ham and pineapple and a sprinkling of herbs.  A few minutes in the oven is all that is need to melt the cheese and crisp up the crust.

Your family will never know you are serving "leftover ham," and there is no need to tell them ;)



Honey Ham and Fresh Pineapple Pizza
serves 4

4 (9-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 cup marinara sauce
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
1 1/3 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
1 cup diced ham
1 cup diced fresh pineapple
dried oregano
dried basil
chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Place tortillas on 2 large baking sheets.  Combine the marinara and barbecue sauces and spread about 2 heaping tablespoons on top of each tortilla.  Sprinkle 1/3 cup of the cheese on top of the sauce followed by 1/4 cup each of the ham and the pineapple.  Sprinkle with a little oregano and basil.

Bake in oven for 6 - 8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden brown and the tortillas are crispy.  Let cool 2 - 3 minutes before cutting in pieces and sprinkle with the parsley.



Recipe from http://dinnersforayear.blogspot.com/2012/04/honey-ham-and-fresh-pineapple-pizza.html

10 cheap home selling tips

Easy ways to make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

From: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/299348706456394300/

                    

Getting ready to sell? Move your property fast – and for the highest selling price possible – with these easy, affordable staging tricks. These deal-sealing changes will make your home attractive to the largest pool of potential buyers, and the best part is, you can start at any stage in the game. Who knows – you may love your home’s new look so much that you decide not to list after all!

 Paint!
Dollar for dollar, a fresh coat of paint gives you more bang for your decorating buck than anything else. Even if your current palette is relatively new, any scuffs or wear marks will channel an unkempt vibe. And an unusual color choice – even if the height of fashion – may limit your home’s appeal. So break out that roller and slap on a couple coats of crowd-pleasing warm white or sand paint.

 Improve the lighting
Replace any dated light fixtures ASAP. How can you tell if it has to go? If it’s over 15 years old and looks it – yet isn’t a vintage (50-75 years old) or antique piece (older) – it should probably go. “Retro” is not something most homebuyers are looking for.

 De-clutter
Take the collectibles off the mantel, put the mismatched armchair into storage (or better yet, donate it) and pare your closets down to what you’re actually wearing this season, packing away the rest. Ideally, all this extra stuff would head to charity (if in good, saleable condition), the garbage dump, or into storage. The more you store onsite, the more cluttered and small your home appears.

 Give dated bathrooms a faceliftA nice bath helps sell a house but, don’t invest in a total renovation. Renos are costly, and you won’t recoup your costs unless you find your exact décor doppelganger. Bring an out-of-date bath up to speed with gleaming white walls whether via a fresh coat of white bath and kitchen paint or ceramic tile and new lighting (Home Depot excels at affordable, stylish bathroom vanity lighting). Buy neutral new shower curtains, a simple new bath mat and vanity set, and have fresh flowers in the room during open houses.

 Take down curtains
Dated window treatments need to come down, pronto (if it’s over 10 years old, get rid of it). If privacy isn’t an issue, just leave the windows bare to maximize natural light and make the room’s dimensions seem more generous. Otherwise, buy basic-issue cotton or linen drapes from Linens ‘N Things or another well-priced retailer. Always tie drapes back during viewings and open houses.

Put up mirrors Make small rooms appear bigger and dark rooms seem brighter by adding an attractive wall mirror. A boxlike dining room will benefit from a leaning floor mirror (Lowes sells well priced ones, and Home Sense often has great deals) and an entranceway more welcoming with a console mirror.

Update porch hardware
Increase your home’s curb appeal by updating the hardware on your front porch. Buy a doorknocker or bell, mailbox, kick plate, doorknob and lockset in a set or in complementary styles. Brushed nickel is a neutral finish that will never date, while oil-rubbed bronze is another favorite.

And the porch light
Update your porch light to coordinate with the new hardware, if needed. They don’t have to be an exact match or even come from the same period, but the finishes and styles should look pleasing together.

Spiff up the front yard
Refresh your front yard according to the season. In spring, summer and fall, trim back dead plants and foliage and plant attractive annuals or perennials in flowerbeds. In winter, keep the walkway shoveled and cut back any tree or shrub branches damaged by heavy snowfall. A pair of planters flanking the front door and filled with seasonal arrangements instantly conveys pride of ownership.

 Tend the backyard
Simple fix-its will make the most of your existing yard layout. Replace any damaged boards on your deck or fence, and apply a fresh coat of paint, or stain and sealant if the finish needs it. Weed and groom your garden and add some perennials for color when in-season. If kids’ toys are taking over the space, put some in storage. Think “tidy,” “update” and “refresh”: never do anything costly or major like adding a swimming pool or pond, which may put off potential buyers.



For more information and to read more visit  http://www.styleathome.com/homes/real-estate/10-cheap-home-selling-tips/a/1868/2 

Recipe Thursday:Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup uncooked wild rice blend*
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (from about 1 small onion)
• 1 cup diced carrots (from 2 medium)
• 1 cup diced celery (from 2 - 3 stalks)
• 7 Tbsp butter, diced, divided
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (measured from 3 14.5 oz cans)
• 1/4 tsp of each dried thyme, marjoram, sage and rosemary
• Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts halves
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Directions

• Prepare rice according to directions listed on package.
• Halfway through the rice cooking, in a separate large pot, melt 1 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery and saute until slightly tender, about 4 minutes, adding in garlic during last 30 seconds of sauteing. Add chicken broth, thyme, marjoram, sage, rosemary and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Increase heat to medium-high, add chicken and bring mixture to a boil. Cover pot with lid and allow mixture to boil 12 - 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (rotating chicken to opposite side once during cooking for thicker chicken breasts - if they don't fully immerse in broth). Remove chicken and set aside on cutting board to cool 5 minutes then shred into small bite size pieces. Meanwhile reduce heat to low and add cooked rice. Add shredded chicken to soup.
• In a separate medium saucepan (I just rinsed and wiped out the rice pan), melt remaining 6 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook 1 1/2 minutes, whisking constantly. Then, while whisking vigorously, slowly pour milk into butter/flour mixture. Cook mixture, stirring constantly until it thickens. Add milk mixture to soup mixture in pot and cook about 5 minutes longer, or until soup is thickened (at this point, you can simmer the soup for a longer period of time if you want the rice to soften more, just cover with lid first and stir occasionally. You can also add what's left in the remaining can of chicken broth). Stir in heavy cream and lemon zest and serve warm.
• *I used Lundberg Wild Blend Rice which I recommend for this recipe if you can find it.
• Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Gardening To Do List - November in the Garden

A November gardening calendar really highlights the differences in regional gardens. For many there is no November garden to speak of. Others can't wait for the cool days and slower pace of fall vegetable gardening. But even if your garden is already covered in snow, there are still garden tasks calling. Unfortunately insect pests are much hardier than their tiny size would suggest.

Take a look at what you should be doing in your November garden and try to schedule a little time outdoors before the holidays claim you.

In General

• Rake leaves and make leaf mold or compost
• Clean, sharpen, and oil garden tools.
• Finish winterizing your water garden
• Start forcing bulbs like paperwhites, hyacinth and amaryllis for the holidays
• Add organic matter to beds
• Cover compost so that rain doesn't flood and leach the nutrients
• Keep weeding

Frost Free Areas

• Perennials can be divided now
• Plant Roses, Azaleas, Camellias & Tropical Fruit Trees suited to your areas, as they become available
• Prune flowering trees as they drop their blossoms
• Keep planting bulbs that don't require a cold period (amaryllis, anemone, calla lily, freesia, homeria, lilies, oxalis, Ranunculus, Sparaxis, watsonia) and annuals with cool season bloomers
• Keep your fall vegetable garden going.
• Sow wildflower seeds
• Keep an eye out for insect pests

Frosty Zones (Zones 6 and down)

• Keep watering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes
• Protect your roses by mounding soil around the crown and covering the bud union. Tie down climbing rose canes to protect them from cold winds.
• Clean up garden debris and cut back and remove any diseased or infested foliage.
• Protect evergreens from deer damage by circling with stakes and burlap.
• Protect young trees from mice damage by wrapping wire around the bottom portion of the trunk
• Protect plants from vole damage by not mounding mulch too close to the plant
• Get those bulbs into the ground NOW
• Drain and store hoses
• If you're planning on buying a live Christmas tree with the intention of planting it this winter, dig the hole now, before the ground freezes. Remember to keep the soil covered, so that it too does not freeze and can go back into the hole.

  
  Borderline Zones (Pacific NW, Southwest & Southeast)

  
  Indoor Plants

  • Plant cool season vegetables
  • Plant asparagus and cut back tops of existing asparagus plants after they are yellowed by frost
  • There's still time to plant a cover crop in the vegetable garden
  • Watch for frost warnings. Extend the harvest by protecting plants with row covers
  • Sow wildflower seeds
  • Beef up snail patrol
  • Ward of cankerworms on trees by applying sticky barriers, like Tanglefoot, once leaves have dropped (Southeast)
  • Check that indoor plants are receiving enough water, humidity and air circulation.
  • Keep an eye out for pests like spider mites and scale, and take care of them before they become a problem. 

Read more:   http://gardening.about.com/od/fallinthegarden/a/NovGarden.htm

How to Naturally Freshen Your Home

Living a “green” life means reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals. One of the big ones to watch out for is artificial “fragrance,” which can contain a number of chemicals that are often hormone disrupting at worst and irritants at best.

While you may not want a spray can of fake flower smells, you may find that you do want a way to “freshen up” your home. These tips can help!

Eliminate Odors Before They Start

This is sometimes easier said than done, but it’s a good idea to reduce odors whenever possible.

• Choose non-toxic cleaning products that won’t leave smells or residues.
• Vacuum, sweep and dust regularly. Hair and dander from pets can cause lingering odors, so regular vacuuming can be a big help here.
• Speaking of pets, be sure to groom your pets regularly to cut down on smells.
• Change your HVAC filter to help cut down on dust and remove odors and other particles from the air. You will want to invest in quality filters for the best results.
• If you have room, any food waste can be placed outdoors in a composter or in the freezer until trash day. This will help cut down on smells considerably.

• Absorb Odors

  Try these:
  
  • Baking soda can be left in small, vented containers around your home to help absorb odors.
  • Kitty litter placed in small containers or on upcycled lids around your home (try a natural and unscented brand)
  • White Vinegar. Clean with it to help lift odors. The vinegar smell will fade – promise!
  • For your refrigerator, try placing a couple of slices of bread out to absorb odors.

  Scent Naturally

the following ideas:

• DIY your own air freshener by mixing up a spray bottle with water, a splash of vodka and your favorite essential oil.
• Place citrus peels in a pot of water and heat to gently fill your home with a subtle fragrance from the natural oils.
• Simmer cinnamon sticks, cloves, or any other scented spice in a pot of water until scent permeates your living space.
• Place a small amount of vanilla extract or other natural flavoring in a small bowl and set it out of the way.
• Slice a lemon or other citrus fruit and leave the slices out on a dish in your kitchen.
• Place a few drops of a favorite essential oil on the inside of your toilet paper roll.
• Add essential oils to homemade cleaning solutions.
• Open a few windows. There's nothing as refreshing as fresh air!

With these tips, you can have a fresh smelling home without the use of synthetic fragrances.




read more: http://greenliving.about.com/od/greenlivingbasics/fl/How-to-Naturally-Freshen-Your-Home.htm

Attic Pest Removal: How to Get Rid of Overhead Guests

Attic pests are a home owner’s nightmare. But you can’t let mice, rats, and bats — oh my! — set up house in your attic. Here’s how to remove the freeloaders.

Attic pest removal can seem like Groundhog Day — the movie, not the holiday. No sooner do you shoo away pests that make your attic their home sweet home, than the little buggers sneak back inside.

But attic pest removal doesn’t have to be a revolving door. If you understand how pests enter your attic and the options for removing them, you can rest pest-free. Here’s how.

Know thy enemy

Wild animals living in your attic can cause damage — chew through electrical wires, shred insulation — and spread diseases, such as hantavirus and salmonella. To rid your attic of these pests, you must know exactly which critter has become your housemate. To identify — then kill or trap — the animal, you must learn to identify the shape, size, and pattern of its scat.

Nick Petti, of the Enviro-Tech pest management franchise, provides a little cheat sheet on pest poo.

• Mouse: 1/8 inch long, pellet-shaped

• Rat: ¼ inch long, sausage-shaped

• Squirrel: ½ to 1 inch long, sausage-shaped

• Raccoon: Up to ¾ of an inch wide, 2-3 inches long; sausage-shaped

• Bat: ½ inch, pellet-shaped, found in piles

Once you identify the scat, follow the Centers for Disease Control’s advice on how to clean it up. Here are a few tips:

• Open windows to air out the infested area for at least 30 minutes before cleanup. Don’t hang around during this part.

• Wear protective gloves and masks so you don’t touch or breathe the urine- and feces-contaminated dust.

• To disinfect, spray the area with a bleach solution (1 part bleach; 10 parts water).

• Use paper towels to clean up the area, and then dispose of trash in a sealed plastic bag.

Attic pest removal techniques

Here are some tips on getting rid of attic pests.

Mice

Because mice multiply rapidly, a small problem can become a huge problem within a few weeks. As soon as you know mice have entered your attic — they crawl up drainpipes or follow electrical wires within walls — set those mousetraps.

Plan to lay several mousetraps ($1 each) because as soon as you hear scurrying overhead, you probably have more than one mouse living in the attic. Don’t bait the traps with cheese, which rodents don’t particularly like; they do like peanut butter, says Petti.

Also, remove traps as soon as the deed is done. A bunch of dead mice will discourage other mice from taking the bait.

Professional fee for mice removal: $500 for trapping, removal, and follow-up.

Rats

Never send a small mousetrap to do a bigger and stronger rattrap’s job. Take a look at this videoto see the size and strength difference between the two.

“A mousetrap will only irritate a rat,” Petti says. And make it unwilling to take the bait from a trap of any size.

Unlike mice, which are curious critters, rats shy away from new items in their environment. So scatter traps around the attic for a week before you bait and engage them.

If you find traps are disappearing — larger rats are known to take off with traps clamped around their bodies — screw the next traps into floor boards, or place them in rattrap covers ($15), which will block escape.

Professional fee: $600 to $700 for trapping, removal, and follow-up.

Squirrels

Before you attempt to remove a squirrel or raccoon from your attic, contact your state extension service or wildlife agency to determine what laws and permits apply to trapping and relocating these pests. A professional trapper may have to do the deed.

If you may trap and remove the squirrel yourself, use a one- or two-door metal cage that traps and allows you to set the pest free outdoors ($27-$47).

Professional fee: Starts at $250.

Raccoons and bats

Don’t attempt to get rid of raccoons or bats yourself. Raccoons can be aggressive when cornered or separated from their young; bats are difficult to roundup and escort out.

Professional fee: $300 to $500 per raccoon; $600 to $2,000 for bat infestations.

Humane attic pest removal

The most humane way to cope with attic pests is to make sure they don’t come into your house in the first place, says John Griffin of the Humane Society of the United States. That means inspecting the outside of your home and repairing holes even as small as a dime, which are frequently found in roof flashing, behind gutters, in rotting fascia, foundation cracks, and tears in vent screens.

Trim tree and shrub limbs 8 to 10 feet away from your house, which will make it harder for squirrels to jump onto the roof.

Once the animals are in your attic, terms such as “humane removal” no longer apply, and the conversation turns to “least inhumane” ways of getting them out, Griffin says. Spring traps, for instance, are preferable because they cause a quick death, whereas glue traps torture struggling rodents that eventually die from stress and dehydration.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/pest-control/attic-pest-removal/#ixzz3Iy9d5jxF