With energy costs climbing annually, keeping your house cool in summer can be a wallet-emptying exercise. Finding natural ways to keep cool can save you hundreds of dollars in a single season.
Plant deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your house where you receive the most sunlight. Their leaves will provide cooling shade in the summer, and, when they shed in the winter, allow the sun to help warm your home. According to the USDA Forest Service, trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 to 50 percent of the energy used for heating.
Use trees or shrubs to shade your air conditioning unit, windows or the sides of the house receiving direct sunlight.
Open your windows at night when it's coolest and shut them during the day to keep the cool air in and the hot air out.
Place a fan at the open basement door to bring cool basement air onto your main living level. Likewise, ceiling fans set to blow down provide exceptional cooling. Oscillating fans will also mimic tropical breezes, and, combined with some Hawaiian music and a cool fruit drink help remind you of why you waited all winter for summer heat.
Install white (reflective) window shades, blinds, or curtains and keep them closed during the days to keep the heat out.
Check out the latest green "air cooler," such as mini eco-ice coolers and ice air coolers. They use up to 75 percent less energy than air conditioners and can cool up to 150 square feet.
Realize that up to 60 percent of the heat entering your home comes through the ceiling and walls. If your attic insulation isn't up to snuff, upgrade it. Moving from three inches of insulation to 12 inches can cut cooling costs by 10 percent.
Finally, check into the feasibility of outdoor awnings over windows, and window tinting such as 3M ScotchtintTM which reflects up to 79 percent of the heat that would come through windows. Strategic investments today can pay for themselves in months and make summer much more enjoyable. Also, any upgrades you make to lower cooling costs will be beneficial when listing your home.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
Is your home as efficient as you want it to be? Use the interactive tool, brought to you by Lowe's (Click HERE to access the tool) to find out. Learn how you can save money by making your home more efficient through:
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
All Sellers need every advantage when showing their home to potential buyers. Because flooring is one of the first things that people notice when they enter your home, it's a great place to invest maximum clout at minimum cost if you're trying to improve potential resale.
Are hardwood floors really worth it?
Hardwood is beautiful, durable, and complements virtually any style home. If your home is draped in wall-to-wall carpet, consider pulling it up and refinishing hidden hardwood floors. If you have sub-floor and can't afford new hardwood, there are a number of less-expensive options, such as laminate, that resemble wood and will give the home a more polished appearance. Reconsider finishing your floors with carpet, as many buyers are moving away from petrochemical-based home furnishings.
Give existing floors some TLC
Potential buyers are weary of grout or other areas of existing flooring that are dirty and difficult to maintain. Cracked tiles, stained carpets, and any broken flooring should absolutely be repaired prior to showing your home. If replacing the entire floor is out of the question, replace individual tiles. If your goal is to improve existing hardwood, consider hiring a remodeling service that specializes in flooring.
Keep things clean
Seeing Hoover tracks criss-cross your carpets will leave a great impression on potential buyers. Before every showing, dust, vacuum, and mop your floors to make sure they shine. Also, you may be able to avoid replacing flooring if you give it a thorough cleaning. For dingy carpets, consider hiring professional carpet cleaners.
Cork, linoleum and other flooring options
New flooring choices are always entering the market and are perfect for redecorating. For instance, cork and bamboo are durable flooring products that last longer than carpets. Laminate flooring is a cost-effective solution when you can't afford hardwood or carpet. Linoleum flooring works well to brighten up bathrooms and kitchens. If you're working on a tight budget, talk to your sales associate and flooring experts about what options will work best.
Bring in the pros
We know weekend warriors really want to get their hands dirty with home improvements. But replacing flooring, especially hardwood, can be challenging and expensive. Almost anywhere, you should be able to source reliable remodeling companies that specialize in flooring. Consider hiring professionals for carpet and hardwood replacements. Remember, whatever the cost, new flooring is an attractive selling feature for a home, and you'lll almost always get a reasonable return on investment.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
Proceeds to benefit Food Bank of the Hudson Valley
DATE: Thursday, Nov. 5
TIME: 5 to 8 p.m.
PLACE: Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 201 Central Valley, N.Y.
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty's Central Valley office will host a Charity Vendor Night on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. to benefit the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y. The nonprofit organization is a member of America's Second Harvest and distributes food to more than 370 member agencies in six counties throughout the Hudson Valley. A variety of vendors - selling jewelry, food, handbags, crafts, etc. - are expected to participate.
Admission is free; attendees and vendors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry. Additionally, the vendors will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the pantry.
"In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we wanted to host a benefit that would help feed the hungry," said Renee Zurlo, Regional Development Manager of Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty's Central Valley office. "We're expecting a great turnout and hope to help make the holidays a little happier for those in need."
For additional information about Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty's Charity Vendor Night, please contact Renee Zurlo at 845-928-9691.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
6. Store spice bottles one deep, on their sides with labels visible, in shallow drawers, instead of stacking them, says organization consultant Ginny Scott of California Closets in Portland, Oregon. The best location for spice storage is below a cooktop or to the side of your range. The flavor of spices stored above a cooking surface may be adversely affected by the heat.
To retain flavor, store spices away from a direct heat source.
Make the most of shallow storage space.
7. Claim shallow storage spaces. It's easier to see what's on hand when items aren't hidden behind each other.
8. Divide your drawer space. Adjustable inserts help organize flatware and other items inside your drawers. When designing custom drawer space, specify shallow drawers to store utensils one deep for easy viewing.
9. Choose full-extension pullouts. Drawers and trays that extend fully allow the use of back corners without having to reach deep into cabinets to retrieve a pot or small appliance. You may prefer drawers because they save having to first open a set of doors.
Save precious space with a door storage rack. Image courtesy of Merillat Industries.
10. Attach racks to the inside of cabinet doors to boost storage options. Be sure to allow enough clearance within your cabinets for racks that tidily stow paper products.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
Cleaning and organizing are important aspects of preparing to show your home for sale. Don't overlook one of the most important rooms: the kitchen. It's an area that can easily become overrun with, well, stuff. Stuff to cook with, stuff to help you cook, stuff from the mailbox, stuff from the car. The kitchen is usually a place to drop things off as people move through the house.
Some simple changes will make a big difference in the appearance and organization of your kitchen. It will benefit you and can also impress the potential buyers. Show them how accommodating your kitchen can be. From customized cabinetry to no-install containers, find out what you can do to clear up the clutter fast.
1. Bring the pantry closer to you. A pullout pantry system has wire shelf sides that prevent items from falling out and allow easy viewing of the contents. Pullout pantry systems, especially those that extend into toe-kick space near the floor, must be installed perfectly level and plumb to operate smoothly.
2. Take cabinets to the top. If you're planning for new cabinetry, choose designs that reach the ceiling rather than those topped by a soffit. Although high-rise storage is more difficult to reach, it can conveniently conceal infrequently used items.
3. Specify upper cabinets that rest on the countertop. Shelves positioned between your shoulders and waist require no reaching to store stacks of dinnerware.
4. Shift dry goods into airtight, stackable containers. Often, packaged food products can be stored more compactly when transferred from their packaging into stacking containers.
5. Install a wire wall grid to keep kitchen tools handy. Turn a bare section of wall into a hook-and-hang center. For more storage, add accessories, such as spice racks and cookbook holders.
Stackable containers provide compact storage. Image courtesy of Rubbermaid.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
Vintage Lighting. Great style options that are unique and things that can get rewired for use in your home now.
Bath tubs. Old claw foot tubs are great. You can get them resurfaced inexpensively, treat yourself to some new modern faucets and have a whole fixture with character in your bathroom.
Old doors. Doors are such a great thing to repurpose. They can be stripped of old paint or stain and simply oiled or polyurethane to give a unique look to your room entrances. The character of the old doors comes through. You can even use the old doors as doors for entertainment centers, home office armoires, or even do-it-yourself headboards.
Vintage doorknobs and hardware. Give your doorways, cabinets or furniture pieces new hardware for an instant new look. You will find styles they don't make anymore. You can hang them up on a board in your mud room and give yourself creative coat hooks/pegs.
Old windows or storm windows. These add visual interest to interior walls that divide rooms but still allow light through. You can remove the glass and add peg board or plywood sprayed with chalkboard paint for an instant kitchen message board.
Old sinks. I have seen some amazing soapstone sinks that I wished I could have grabbed up for a kitchen or even stainless steel work sinks that could be perfect for a workshop or garden room.
Cabinetry. You can find cabinetry that can get used in bathrooms, office spaces, kids' playrooms or in that storage room where you want to add some character. Old mantles. Give that fireplace a new look. Strip it down or paint it. There are so many styles to choose from. You can even use old mantles where you don't have a fireplace. They can help you create a focal point in a room.
Unusual Find. My favorite find on my recent visit was an old ice cream shop counter - complete with swivel stools and a solid wood countertop. My mind was racing with creative ideas for that to be repurposed into a new kitchen or family room. The possibilities with architectural salvage are endless. Go be creative.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.
Anthony Stokes-Pereira | Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty | (845) 770-2188
14 W. Sneden Pl, Spring Valley, NY
PRICE TO SELL - Spring Valley, NY - 1 Bed / 1 Bath , well
maintained 2nd floor Co-Op.
1BR/1BA Co-Op
offered at $113,000
Year Built
1972
Sq Footage
Unspecified
Bedrooms
1
Bathrooms
1 full, 0 partial
Floors
1
Parking
Unspecified
Lot Size
Unspecified
HOA/Maint
$483 per month
DESCRIPTION
This Elegantly 1 bedroom, 1 Bath Co-Op is just waiting for you to move in located in the desirable Hillcrest Point Complex Move Right In! Excellent Deal! .Ideal location close to Shopping, Transportation and Restaurants. What are you waiting for? ALSO AVAILABLE COMPLETELY FURNISHED!
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