home maintenance: Gutter Check - 09/26/12 03:47 AM
For most homeowners, cleaning the gutters is near the bottom of the to-do list.  But keeping your gutters clean can really save you a lot of headaches; overflowing gutters can damage roofs and wreak havoc on your foundation.
Keeping the water flowing properly isn’t as big a deal as you might think.  And if you clean your gutters every six months, you’ll save yourself time and money.
According to www.hgtv.com, you can tell if a gutter needs cleaning by looking up at the gutter’s top, outside rim.  If it is discolored, there’s a buildup and water is not flowing as it … (4 comments)

home maintenance: 5 Quick Fix up Tips - 09/15/11 05:16 AM
Here are five improvements you can make that might help your home sell faster in a cooling market:
1. Create a welcoming entrance.  Make sure your front door is clean, polish the hardware (or replace it if necessary) and repaint the door if it is in poor shape.  Finally, add a new doormat, update your mailbox, and place attractive greenery or flowers on either side of the door.
2. Remove clutter and put it in storage.  Box up anything you won’t use in the next few months (including holiday decorations, seasonal closthing or sports equipment, old toys, etc.) and send it … (1 comments)

home maintenance: Preparing Your Home For Sale: Fix It! - 06/05/10 05:45 AM
Before placing your house on the market, make as many repairs and improvements as you can.  It will be worth it.  "New" and "just replaced" are the magic words to attract home buyers.
Steam clean or replace carpet, fix loose door knobs and railings, make sure windows and doors open and close easily.  Apply a fresh coat of paint where needed.
But you may find yourself deliberating over larger problems.  Should you replace the crumbing driveway? Buy new kitchen appliances? Refinish the floors?  Big repairs cost more time and money.  You could simply disclose the problem and let the buyer deal … (1 comments)

home maintenance: Home Improvements - 12/05/09 04:35 AM
Updating Bathrooms
After kitchens, bathrooms are a home buyer's biggest concern. The good news here is that bathroom renovations typically realize a homeowner an 80-90% return on their investment. For a small space, $1,000 can go a long way to helping you boost your home's value.
In addition to tiling the floor, you could upgrade the vanity and sink. Depending on the size of your vanity and the number of sinks you would like to install you can buy a premade, finished piece at most "big box" home improvement stores and sink for several hundred dollars. Or opt for a pedestal … (0 comments)

home maintenance: Updating Your Kitchen - 11/28/09 04:18 AM
According to the National Association of Realtors, the kitchen is the single most important room for most prospective home buyers. If you don't have the funds to do a complete kitchen overhaul, don't despair. For just $1,000 you can make some significant changes that will have home buyers doing a double-take, such as:
Re-facing or refinishing your cabinets. Re-facing involves replacing your cabinet doors but leaving the actual cabinets (boxes) intact. Depending on the size of your kitchen you can get it done for about $1,000 professionally or if you're willing to undertake a little work you can do it for … (1 comments)

home maintenance: Lighter, Brighter Rooms - 09/21/09 04:39 AM
Choosing the right lighting fixtures can enhance the beauty of your home, but there are other ways to brighten rooms and make the most of interior light.
For example:
  • Glossy surfaces tend to reflect light, while matte surfaces absorb light. Replace dark furniture and carpeting with lighter versions that will reflect more light. For a less expensive solution, opt for pale slipcovers and area rugs. Selecting white or neutral shades of paint in a glossy finish for your walls and ceilings will also make your rooms brighter
  • Adding mirrors to your home décor also adds light, especially … (4 comments)

home maintenance: Prevent Plumbing Problems - 07/18/09 11:00 AM
Plumbing problems like a clogged drain or selly garbage disposal can be inconvenient, but are fairly simple to correct on your own.  Other problems require you to hire a professional and can be quite costly.  To avoid plumbing problems, both small and extensive, keep the following maintenance and preventative suggestions in mind:
 
In the kitchen:
•·         Never pour grease down the drain. Wipe congealed grease from pans with a paper towel before rinsing in the sink.
•·         Do not put such foods in your garbage disposal as coffee grounds, celery, corn husks, pumpkin or squash, banana peels, raw meat, bones, … (4 comments)