Fall in Love with the Season – Fall Cleaning Tips

Fall in Love with the Season – Fall Cleaning Tips

Fall is a favorite season for many of us. Who can resist the beauty of the orange glow of pumpkins, the falling leaves and the much anticipated cool weather?

Fall means the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays and delightful nights in front of the fireplace with your family.

The change of a season is a wonderful opportunity to launch a major house cleaning. It is a great time to brush away the remnants of summer and prepare the home for that cozy and homey feel.

Here are the few fall season cleaning ideas to follow now that the new season is upon us.

• Wash the windows – Wash and brighten the window so light can get in as much as possible giving your home a magical look. Leaves are falling everywhere so make sure that the windows are clean to watch the show.

• Freshen the carpet – This is the best time to clean your carpets as you will be staying indoors most of the time snuggling in front of the fireplace. Get your carpets professionally cleaned or a good sweep from a vacuum will do.

• Change or clean the window treatments – It's time to either clean or take down your curtains as they may have been pulled back during summer and may be looking a bit dingy and dusty. If you decide to replace curtains; match the tones and colors for a more elegant look appropriate for fall.

• Clean Chimneys – A chimney sweep will ensure that the chimney is free from any soot and residue that are built up on the chimney walls.

• Dust ceilings and walls – it's a good time to banish summer dust build-up. Clean from top to bottom. There are the obvious places for dust, like TV screens and lampshades. Dust also accumulates at the tops of bookshelves, wall hangings, air vents and ceiling fans.

• Clean patio and clean furniture inside – If you live in a cold climate, store your outdoor furniture in the garage or shed to prevent winter weather damage.

• Clean the kitchen – Prepare the kitchen for holiday cooking. Clean and organize cabinets that hold baking supplies and pans. Replace and restock your pantry as there will be plenty of cooking and baking ahead.

• Check gutters and downspouts - Clear of debris if necessary. In cold-weather areas, consider installing heating cable to prevent ice dams. This is never fun but this is the best time of the year to clean out gutters.


• Organize and bring out the season's decorations – Whether it is Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations, it is better to organize and unclutter the storage and start decorating your home for a cozy feel.

What feels better than freshening up the house after the hot summer and give it a more refreshing start. As summer is almost over, everyone is looking forward to crisp mornings, cool weather and the leaves turning into beautiful autumn colors!

For more information, please visit our website.

Color Me Wonderful

[caption id="attachment_9403" align="alignright" width="250"] Color me Wonderful[/caption]

Accenting your home with colorful furniture and home accessories can brighten up a room, adding life and color in ways you never thought possible. Gone are the days where neutral-colored furniture is scattered around the house. This is the perfect time to paint your home a new color and give your home a new style.

With the various colors, making a theme-based room and designing a furniture along with it, seems easy. However, there is a need to be careful in selecting the correct color combination since colors that do not complement each other can disrupt the total look of the home.

Here are a few ideas you can start with:

Yellow- Painted in the color of sunshine, daises and butter, this color will give warmth to any room. A bright yellow accent chair in the corner of the living room makes everyone smile. Yellow creates a sunny disposition.

Pink and Brown - The color combination of pink and brown is cute and  feminine with a grown up feel. Bright pink in particular will work in any style and work in any space. This color works for a dresser with a mirror giving a young sophisticated look. Not too bulky and not too small, this dresser will fit right into any girl's dream room.

Olympian Blue – This color is an appealing and a vibrant shade of blue. It is perfectly suited to a seaside cottage or a sleek loft as it offers lots of personality to a space.

Orange – A less popular color choice, but offers twice the fun, tangerine items are perfect if you want a color that will stand out. Orange-colored wallpapers , chairs or a writing desk is best as the popularity of this color continues.



To decorate your room further, there are items that can be added on your living space:

Candles and Candle Holders - There is nothing like a unique candle holder to brighten up your dining room. Who says special occasion is needed to light some candles? Useful in romantic dinners, these candle holders are a modest decorative item.

Plants and Pots – Plants inside a home creates a feeling of calmness and peace. Even when it's cold outside, a few beautiful plants and pots will always mean spring and summer at home. Further, it makes a home happier.

Children's Decorative Lighting - Suitable for a child's room, these pleasant and child-friendly lights add color and fun to the spaces around any home, the designs paving child's imagination to grow, learn and develop.

Pictures and Frames – What a better way to hang the fondest memories on the wall. Frame your children's artworks, favorite pictures or any smile-inducing mementos. Whatever decorations you choose, let your personality lead the way.

It's a lot more fun to decorate your home while playing with your imagination with colors and designs. Opt for those that catch your attention and give off an instant good feeling.

 

Color me Wonderful

How To Package Your Home To Sell

How To Package Your Home To Sell

While it's true most buyers will personalize the homes they buy, they still look for a clean slate on which to plan their creative ideas. Most people don't have the time, imagination or money to cope with a run-down, untidy property. Don't know where to start on your home fix-up? Painting is an inexpensive way to freshen up your home's look and give it a "neutral palette" that buyers can create on. We would be happy to walk through your home with you, identifying areas that can be improved upon.

“Should You spend a lot of effort fixing-up your home because buyers want to put their own touches in the homes they buy?”

After a full day of house hunting, even the hardiest shopper has difficulty remembering each home visited. A selling display featuring your property's benefits is a great way to be sure your home stands out in the shopper's memory. We've used the following marketing strategies to successfully sell many homes. They could work for you too!

Creativity Counts

Your home's memory points can be mounted attractively on a poster or in a loose leaf binder or photo album and displayed on your dining table or near the front door.
Home shoppers appreciate a memory-jogging take-home flyer, summarizing the display information for later study. The flyer should always include the property address, price, brief description and agent's name and phone number.

Focus On Features

Each home will have its own outstanding features. When we talk about a marketing strategy for your home, we will consider what to include in your display and on the flyer. Here are some worthwhile ideas

Capital improvements

Include project description, year completed and your investment in the improvements.

Upgrades or replacements

List new appliances, paint, wallpaper, attic fan -- anything you've accomplished that buyers won't have to do after move-in. Mention special features and benefits. For example: "Easy-care kitchen range with self-cleaning oven, sealed burners, electronic ignition, digital controls; 1992."

Energy-saving features

Cite money-saving extra insulation, high-efficiency heating/cooling system, thermal double-pane windows, etc.

Average annual utility bills

Also mention affordable property taxes. Buyers want to know!

Floor plan

Show room arrangement and dimensions. New-home builders and renovators can often provide floor plans, or one can be drawn for your home.

House illustrated

Picture your home in your display and on the flyer. Architect's renderings may be available from the original builder.

Gardening highlights

Sketch the landscaping plan to show the work you've done. Identify trees and plants, especially if you have unusual ones. Provide photos of bushes and flowers in full bloom, if you're selling off-season.

Pre-listing home inspection report

Impress buyers with proof of your home's excellent condition. Show receipts for correcting any problems the inspector noted.

Neighborhood map

Highlight nearby schools, convenient transportation, shopping, parks, libraries, hospitals, and any other amenities or points of interest. Your kids can help color the map!

School data

Feature excellent schools. Mention honors and awards, good student-teacher ratios, sports and athletics, drama presentations, and special programs (i.e. for learning disabilities or English as a second language).

Neighborhood information

List neighborhood association dues (if any), annual community events, Neighborhood Watch programs, and the like. If yours is a friendly, quiet neighborhood, be sure buyers know it!

Community services

Include helpful information such as days for recyclable-material and bulk trash pick-ups, availability of swimming pools, children's summer day-camps, adult education, and so on.

Should you fix up your home before you sell?

In a word, Yes. Improving your curb appeal will get prospective buyers out of their car and up to your door. That foyer or entryway that has ooh’s and ahh’s associated with the visual experience will set the stage in viewing the rest of the home. A little paint and attention to staging your home doesn’t cost a lot and it will pay dividends on the sale of your home.

How To Package Your Home To Sell

For more information, please visit our website.

How To Package Your Home To Sell

 

[caption id="attachment_9235" align="alignright" width="230"] How To Package Your Home To Sell[/caption]

While it's true most buyers will personalize the homes they buy, they still look for a clean slate on which to plan their creative ideas. Most people don't have the time, imagination or money to cope with a run-down, untidy property. Don't know where to start on your home fix-up? Painting is an inexpensive way to freshen up your home's look and give it a "neutral palette" that buyers can create on. We would be happy to walk through your home with you, identifying areas that can be improved upon.

“Should You spend a lot of effort fixing-up your home because buyers want to put their own touches in the homes they buy?”

After a full day of house hunting, even the hardiest shopper has difficulty remembering each home visited. A selling display featuring your property's benefits is a great way to be sure your home stands out in the shopper's memory. We've used the following marketing strategies to successfully sell many homes. They could work for you too!

Creativity Counts

Your home's memory points can be mounted attractively on a poster or in a loose leaf binder or photo album and displayed on your dining table or near the front door.
Home shoppers appreciate a memory-jogging take-home flyer, summarizing the display information for later study. The flyer should always include the property address, price, brief description and agent's name and phone number.

Focus On Features

Each home will have its own outstanding features. When we talk about a marketing strategy for your home, we will consider what to include in your display and on the flyer. Here are some worthwhile ideas

Capital improvements

Include project description, year completed and your investment in the improvements.

Upgrades or replacements

List new appliances, paint, wallpaper, attic fan -- anything you've accomplished that buyers won't have to do after move-in. Mention special features and benefits. For example: "Easy-care kitchen range with self-cleaning oven, sealed burners, electronic ignition, digital controls; 1992."

Energy-saving features

Cite money-saving extra insulation, high-efficiency heating/cooling system, thermal double-pane windows, etc.

Average annual utility bills

Also mention affordable property taxes. Buyers want to know!

Floor plan

Show room arrangement and dimensions. New-home builders and renovators can often provide floor plans, or one can be drawn for your home.

House illustrated

Picture your home in your display and on the flyer. Architect's renderings may be available from the original builder.

Gardening highlights

Sketch the landscaping plan to show the work you've done. Identify trees and plants, especially if you have unusual ones. Provide photos of bushes and flowers in full bloom, if you're selling off-season.

Pre-listing home inspection report

Impress buyers with proof of your home's excellent condition. Show receipts for correcting any problems the inspector noted.

Neighborhood map

Highlight nearby schools, convenient transportation, shopping, parks, libraries, hospitals, and any other amenities or points of interest. Your kids can help color the map!

School data

Feature excellent schools. Mention honors and awards, good student-teacher ratios, sports and athletics, drama presentations, and special programs (i.e. for learning disabilities or English as a second language).

Neighborhood information

List neighborhood association dues (if any), annual community events, Neighborhood Watch programs, and the like. If yours is a friendly, quiet neighborhood, be sure buyers know it!

Community services

Include helpful information such as days for recyclable-material and bulk trash pick-ups, availability of swimming pools, children's summer day-camps, adult education, and so on.

Should you fix up your home before you sell?

In a word, Yes. Improving your curb appeal will get prospective buyers out of their car and up to your door. That foyer or entryway that has ooh’s and ahh’s associated with the visual experience will set the stage in viewing the rest of the home. A little paint and attention to staging your home doesn’t cost a lot and it will pay dividends on the sale of your home.

 

How To Package Your Home To Sell

Cool off This Summer in Your Home: Reduce Your Cost

Cool off This Summer in Your Home Reduce Your Cost

Flowers are in its full bloom and the fragrance waft in the air. Summer is the best time to play in the sun and on the beach of course, and this is the season where everyone seems to feel happier than any time of the year. For some, going to the beach or pool is the best destination to escape the summer heat and to cool off.

However, for those who would rather stay at home, things can get sweaty especially in the Arizona heat. And most of the household's concerns during this time of the year is the higher electrical bills. But there are time-tested tips you can use to cool off this summer within your home and reduce your cost.

Shut off Heat Sources

Incandescent light bulbs are a mini-heaters in disguise. During the day, keep the majority of your lights since it produces energy and heat. You should also turn off the TV since it gives a lot of heat.

Insulate your Attic

This should be on your things-to-do list. In the summertime your attic is really hot and the heat is always trying to transfer to a cooler space. The right insulation can decrease the heat that is transferred from the sun to your house. Another bonus is that there may be government grants to help offset the cost for this kind of upgrade.

[caption id="attachment_4837" align="alignleft" width="250"] Shut off Heat Sources[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4838" align="alignright" width="250"] Insulate your Attic[/caption]



Close and Open the Windows Strategically

Closing the windows and blinds in the daylight will help block the sun's heat. Do this even before the sun hits your home and keep it closed until the night falls and it's cool enough to open the windows for the night.

Cool Down your House with Fans

Position a ceiling fan, an upstairs window fan or an attic fan to draw off the heat collected in upper rooms and push the heat outdoors. Set up your portable fan so that the fan sucks up cooler air from the floor below, and blows hot air upwards towards the ceiling.

Get Wet

If you're hot, cool off your core temperature by immersing yourself in cold water. Take a cold shower or go swimming but don't stay in sun-exposed water for too long. For quick relief, wet your wrists and other pulse points with cold water, and then keep those spots cool by holding an ice cube wrapped in a face cloth against them. It cools the blood in your veins, and instantly makes you feel cooler. You could also run your pulse under some cold water or just splash some cold water on your face to stay at a desirable temperature. The relief is immediate, and this method will cool down your entire body.

[caption id="attachment_4839" align="alignleft" width="250"] Close and Open the Windows[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4840" align="alignright" width="250"] Drink Plenty of Water[/caption]



Dress Appropriately

Wear summer clothing. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in natural fabrics like linen and cotton will help to keep you cooler. Also, wear light colors. Darker colors will absorb the sun's heat and stay warmer longer than light or white clothing, which reflects light and heat.

Drink Plenty of Water

During summer you sweat more and you have to replenish the lost water in your body. Drink a glass of cold water and keep a bottle with you always. The last thing you want to do is to pass out from dehydration so don't risk dehydration.

In Arizona the electric companies offer incentives to help reduce your cost of electricity in your home.

The following are retrofit improvement services that AZEEH provides with their corresponding APS rebate amounts:

• Air Leak Sealing:Up to $250 for improving the insulation efficiency by decreasing infiltration due to air leaks


• Insulation Improvements & Addition:Up to $250 rebate on insulation improvement where the existing insulation has a R-value of R-19 or less.


• Leaky Duct Sealing:Up to $250 to fix, repair, or seal leaks in the ac duct system


• Solar Window Screens:Up to $250 to cover the South, East, West windows with solar window shade screens


• Other rebates provided by APS include but are not limited to upgrades in cooling systems, lighting, appliances, pool pumps and timers.

In places like Arizona where there is no shortage of sunshine every day feels like a great day, however, when it gets warmer enjoy the cool while reducing your cost – It’s the green thing to do.

Cool off This Summer in Your Home: Reduce Your Cost

For more information, please visit our website.

Update Your Kitchen on a Budget

[caption id="attachment_8975" align="alignright" width="300"] A Kitchen on a Budget[/caption]

It is possible to update your kitchen on a budget. Remodeling a kitchen can turn out to be one of the most expensive projects in a home, as the price of new cabinets, new appliances, new plumbing, new counters, and installation can all add up to a hefty price tag. Of course often a kitchen is what sells a home, and considering the kitchen is one of the most lived in rooms in a home this makes sense.

If you are considering selling your home and do not have a lot of money to pour into it to prepare it for sale, consider some low-cost improvements that will update your kitchen without breaking the bank.

The kitchen sink is a great place to start. Faucets are in and come in a wide variety of modern forms these days. A simple faucet replacement can make the area around your sink look new.

Cabinet knobs and drawer pulls offer another inexpensive kitchen upgrade. Every kitchen has them and changing the knobs and drawer pulls out can give a fresh look to your cabinets.

Examine the interior of your cabinets. Can you replace your current shelves with glide out shelving? Can the space inside your cabinets and cupboards be reconfigured without total replacement?

A lot of people feel that granite is the only way to go with counter tops. There are other options that are less expensive and equally attractive. Consider engineered surfaces if you counters must be replaced.

The more the bones of your kitchen remain the same the less expensive remodeling it will be. Updating kitchens and bathrooms is the most effective way to achieve a return on your investment.

The statistics for the 2011 – 2012 remodel cost vs. value model delineates cost-to-construction benchmarks for a set of common remodeling projects, then estimates how much of that investment will be recovered at resale in today’s market.

Update Your Kitchen on a Budget

A Clean and Fresh Carpet for your New Home

A Clean and Fresh Carpet for your New Home

Would it not be nice to walk into your new home with a soft, warm and fluffy carpet?. It's such a great feeling when your feet sink into that clean and plush new carpet. A clean and fresh carpet for your new home could be just what you need. However clean the carpet is, it is a reality that over time it will get dirty and will wear down.

Investing in a good quality carpet can be expensive so it is only fair that we take necessary precautions in protecting the carpet. There is several carpet cleaning tips we can use to maintain and keep our carpets as clean as possible for a long period of time.

Keep in mind, however, that there are certain things we cannot control such as the normal wear and tear, or accidental spills on the carpet. If things like this happen, do not get discouraged, instead, follow these tips to get the best result. One important thing to keep in mind is that before you start cleaning, you should know the type of the carpet and the materials used in the carpet because each type needs a different approach for cleaning.

• Vacuum Carpets Regularly – By vacuuming carpets on a regular basis, you will manage the amount of dust, dirt and other debris that become buried in the fibers of the carpet. Make vacuuming the carpets a part of your weekend cleaning routine, and you'll stay on top of the dirt that threatens to make your carpets dirty over time.

• Get a Carpet Cleaning Schedule – If carpets are cleaned before they become too unsightly, the cleaning chore will be easier and more successful. Choosing the proper cleaning system is important as some systems may leave residue which accelerate re-soiling and defeats the whole purpose of cleaning.

• Sprinkle some Carpet Freshener Powder – Allow the powder to set for about 10-15 minutes or follow the instructions on the package before vacuuming. The powder will not only make the carpet fresh and clean, it also freshens the entire room.

• Deal with Spills Immediately – To stains from the accidental spill, deal with it straight away. Place paper towels on the top of the spill to soak up as much as possible. Don't rub though, as it will drive the liquid further into the carpet. If the stain remains, apply a carpet cleaning product to the stain. A good tip if you do not have a carpet cleaner handy is fizzy water – It works.

• Invest or Rent a Carpet Cleaning Machine – This can be a slight investment, but you can rent a machine with deep cleaning and quick drying technology for a day. Always vacuum first to remove debris to make the job easier and to avoid the washer getting all clogged up. For the best cleaning result, always use the recommended detergent and if you have not washed the carpet before, it's always best to try it on a small area first to make sure that the carpet is not affected by the solution.

The cleanliness reflect the personality of the home owner. People almost always get the impression the moment they enter your home. So get rid of those unsightly carpets.

Need help finding a house you can call home? The Luxury Valley Homes team has numerous beautiful properties to offer in the Valley of the Sun. For more information, visit the Luxury Valley Homes.

A Clean and Fresh Carpet for your New Home

For more information, please visit our website.

Sell or Remodel Your Home

Sell or Remodel Mesa Real Estate

Bathroom Remodel

Should sell or remodel your home be a fair question in today's market. Every year surveys confirm that homeowners get a better return on kitchen and bath remodeling than on any other home-improvement project. Although you may not get 100% of your investment back when you sell your home, kitchen and bath upgrades will help sell your home more quickly, and you'll get to enjoy the improvements until then.

It makes sense to splurge on luxuries you can afford if you plan to live in your home for a while. If you'll only be there a few years, however, maximize the return on your investment by choosing good-looking, less-expensive alternatives to high-priced finishes and appliances.

How To Get The Most For Your Money

Do the walls seem to be closing in on you? Are your cupboards and closets overflowing with stuff? Can you see more toys than flooring at your feet? If so, you need more space. And your choices are remodel your home, move to a larger one, or move to a home that you want to remodel.

How can you decide which approach is best for you? Start by considering your priorities. If you are basically happy with your current location, the relative cost of your options is likely to make the decision for you.

Wish List

Wine Room Remodel

Take an inventory of your current house to determine whether remodeling will work for you. Look at each room. Do all of them need help? If so, remodeling may be too expensive and a move might be your only practical choice. If just one area of the house needs work that can be accomplished by bumping out a wall or adding on, then remodeling may be the correct move for you. Consider what you would have to do to the basic structure of your house to arrive at your dream home.

Cost

How much money can you afford to spend? Would you need a construction loan to remodel, or would you take money out of your home’s equity? If you must borrow money to remodel, will the cost of the loan, combined with your existing mortgage payment, be more than the monthly payments for a new home with the space and amenities you want? Moving may be easier and less expensive.

Kitchen Remodel

Calculate how much it would cost you to replace your current home with one that meets your needs. What improvements could you make to your current home for the same investment? Will a new addition of, say, a master bedroom suite, be enough to satisfy your desire for a new look and more space? Or do you need more living space all over the house?

Is your desire for newer amenities the driving force for a new home? If you’re looking to modernize wiring and plumbing or increase hi-tech capabilities, it might be better to move into a house that already has these features.

Read more on this article at SELL OR REMODEL: How to Get the Most For Your Money

Sell or Remodel Your Home

For more information, please visit our website.