Fabulous Avenues Home For Sale

This wonderful home is listed well below other homes in the market and is a steal for someone looking to live in the wonderful historic avenues.  Call me today for information!

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Protect Your Home from Radon

If you have recently bought or sold a house, you have probably heard of radon. This invisible, odorless and tasteless gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, and it rises through the ground and into the air. The air dissipates it enough that it is not harmful. But it also can seep into your home through cracks or holes in the foundation, where it becomes trapped and can become concentrated to unhealthy levels. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for more than 20,000 deaths a year.

Luckily, testing for excessive amounts of radon and alleviating the problem in your home is a simple process. You can purchase low-cost “do it yourself” tests or hire a qualified tester. If levels in your home are found to be high, a radon mitigation system can be installed, which is simply a vent pipe system and fan that pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it outside.

Radon levels can vary tremendously from home to home, and even in the same home from season to season. The EPA estimates that 1 in 15 homes have undetected high levels of radon. So if your home hasn’t been tested, it is probably a good idea to do so and make sure you are protected from this dangerous gas. Visit the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/radon for a variety of publications and resources about radon.

Fact: Radon is heavy and collects in low areas. If you spend a lot of time in your basement, the EPA recommends you test your home for radon.

What Does Your Front Door Say About You?

We know that different colors evoke different emotions in people, but color experts say color can also be an indicator of your personality, even (or especially) on your front door.

“The front door is the focal point of the home,” says Debbie Zimmer of the Paint Quality Institute. “The color there sends a strong message – in the case of the front door, providing insight into how we view our home.”

Here is the message, according to the Institute, that you might be sending with your door of a different color:

Red – passion, vibrant and “full of life, energy and excitement”
Blue – sanctuary, calm, serenity, and relaxation
Green – health, safety, tranquility, and harmony
Black – power, sophistication, strength, and authority
Brown – warmth, stability and reliability (dark brown could signify desire for privacy or isolation)

If none of those colors work for you, also consider yellow (happiness, high energy), purple (dreamer, free spirit) or white (clean, organized). The best part is that if you try something and it just doesn’t work, changing the color is as easy as just painting over it.

Stud Space = Extra Storage

Are you limited by the lack of storage that comes with a small room? Fear not, you do have options! Between the studs that hold up your house and walls lies unused space that can be converted into built-in shelves or a storage nook.

Bookshelves — These could go in any room in place of shelving units.

Bathrooms — Keep clutter off your bathroom countertops by building in space for a few shelves to hold toiletries. Even recessing an area for your towels or bathrobe can make a small bathroom appear bigger.

Pantries — Take a look at unused wall space in your kitchen. Shallow shelves could be used to hold canned goods, spices or stemware. You could also use the recessed area to mount hooks and hang pots and pans.

Tip: Be sure to check for venting or wiring before starting this project.

Garage Security Tips

You may lock up your house like Fort Knox to keep you and your valuables safe, but the garage door is often overlooked in the process. Burglars can use this knowledge to their advantage to gain access to your house. So consider these garage do’s and don’ts as part of your home security plan.

Don’t leave your garage door opener in your vehicle. Do purchase a keychain remote opener and carry it with you.

Don’t leave your garage door open. Do consider installing a device that automatically closes the door after a set amount of time.

Don’t leave the door leading from the garage into the house unlocked. Do make sure it is as secure as your front door.

Don’t give burglars places to hide. Do install low-cost outdoor motion-sensor lighting around the garage.

Do frost or cover any garage windows so thieves can’t see what is inside or that your vehicle is gone.

Do put a padlock on the inside of your garage door when going out of town to ensure that the door cannot be opened.

Also keep in mind that most home invasions occur during the day in the middle of the week when no one is home. So always be sure to secure your house before leaving for the day.

Is Your Doorbell Smarter than You?

Forget the peephole. “Smart” doorbells are giving homeowners a brand new way to see who’s knocking on their door. The basic feature behind this new development is the ability to wirelessly connect your doorbell and a video camera to your smartphone so you can see who is at your door without having to get up and answer it.

The newest technology under development features facial recognition that will allow you to store contacts into your system and play pre-recorded messages to specific visitors. The technology available now allows you to:

• See and speak with visitors over an intercom system via your smartphone.


• Customize access for each smartphone in your home.


• Be notified when someone is approaching the door, before they ring the doorbell, via a motion detector.


• Take and store pictures and view streaming video.


• Wirelessly unlock your door.


• Receive a notification on your phone when someone rings your doorbell and then see and speak with them, even if you are at work or on vacation.

Fight the Good Fight Against Mosquitos

As long as there have been people in North America, there have been mosquitos. So the annoying and potentially dangerous pests probably aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. But we can protect ourselves from them by following “3 D’s of protection” recommended by the American Mosquito Control Association.

Dress

Try to wear long pants and long sleeves outdoors when practical, especially at dawn and dusk, when mosquitos are most prevalent. Also wear light colors and avoid tight clothes with a loose weave, which mosquitos can bite through.

Drain

Mosquito larvae float atop still water to grow and hatch, so the key to prevention is eliminating standing water around your house and in your yard. Items that encourage water collection include roof gutters, pet water dishes, children’s toys, bird baths, pool covers, and tarps.

Defend

Three mosquito repellants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency are generally safe and effective — DEET, Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Keep the following tips in mind when using repellants:

• Spray on exposed skin, not clothing.


• Apply sparingly and reapply as needed. (Saturation doesn’t increase effectiveness.)


• Keep away from eyes, nostrils and lips.


• Minimize use if pregnant or nursing.

Tip: Turn on a fan. Any wind speed of more than 1 mph disrupts mosquito flight, and they will avoid the area.

How to Lighten a Dark Room

Sometimes you get stuck with a small room or one without much natural light, but that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck in the dark. There are lots of easy (and some not so easy) ways to lighten and brighten a dark room.  

Walls

Painting the walls a lighter color can drastically change the appearance of a room. White is always an option, but light pastels can have the same effect without the starkness. Also consider using a satin gloss, which will reflect light, as opposed to a matte finish.

Floors

Most changes to floors are fairly significant, ranging from refinishing hardwood to installing lighter wall-to-wall carpet. When refinishing hardwood with a lighter stain, top it off with a high gloss to reflect light. You can also “lighten” the appearance of a dark hardwood floor with a pale-colored area rug.

Furniture

Dark furniture can really weigh a room down. Choose light fabrics and paint wooden furniture light colors. Also think about adding reflective surfaces to your furniture, like a mirrored table top.

Accents

Mirrors are your best bet for fighting darkness. Place them opposite a light source (a lamp or window) to maximize the amount of light reflected. Smaller items, like mirrored picture frames, reflect light as well.

Windows

Maximize the natural light coming in through windows. Keep the windows clean. Hang curtains higher and wider than the window frame so the entire window is exposed. Stay away from heavy drapes and thick blinds that block the light.
Lights   Use light that is cast up and down, such as wall sconces and lamps with shades that open at the top and bottom. Aim for diffused light. Use walls and corners to reflect the light around the room.

To Fix or Not to Fix?

When you’re getting ready to sell your home, that is always the question. A rule of thumb to keep in mind is that a house in good condition will sell faster than one that needs work.

Low-cost, minor improvements that increase the appeal of your home are always a good idea – you want to be sure it looks like the house has been well taken care of. Patch nail holes and repaint, fix or replace damaged flooring, repair plumbing leaks, replace outdated light fixtures, clean out and reseal gutters, and keep up with the yard and garden.

Beyond the basics, ask yourself these questions when deciding what to fix:

What is the market like? In a seller’s market, you may not need to do much. In a buyer’s market, you might have a long list of repairs and updates to make in order to keep your house in the running.

How fast do you need to sell? If you must sell quickly, you’ll probably need to make the necessary improvements so your house is move-in ready. If you have time to test the market, you can hold off on pricey fixes and see how your house fares as-is, knowing you have the option of repairing those things later on – if you’re not getting the offers you’d like.

What is the condition of comparable homes on the market? If other homeowners have prepped their houses to move-in condition, you may need to do the same.

As your real estate professional, I would be happy to discuss how to best prepare your home for the current market in our area. Please contact me at your convenience!

Simple Ways to Allergy-Proof Your House

Protecting yourself from household allergens can be a daunting task, but start simple and you might see quick results.

• Use two doormats at every house entry point – one inside and one outside.


• Take off your shoes when you enter the house.


• Vacuum carpets weekly using a vacuum with a small-particle filter.


• Damp-mop floors once a week.


• Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth once a week.


• Hang machine-washable curtains instead of heavy draperies.


• Encase mattresses, box springs and pillows in dust-proof zippered covers.


• Wash bedding in hot water once a week.


• Repair cracked or broken caulk and tile in the bathroom.


• Always run the bathroom exhaust fan when you take a shower.


• Clean out under the kitchen sink and check for leaks.


• Monitor the humidity in the air (ideal is 30 – 50 percent).


• Change air filters once a month.

If you can only make a few changes, start with your bedroom — you spend about one-third of your time sleeping. And, if possible, go to an allergist and find out what you are allergic to. This will help you focus your efforts and make sure you are treating the right problem.

Saving Water through Xeriscape

Tired of wasting water and money to achieve a lush lawn and garden? Maybe you should try Xeriscape — using creative landscaping to conserve water.

Xeriscape is a combination of seven common-sense gardening principles that save water while creating a lush and colorful landscape:

1. Plan and design for water conservation and beauty.


2. Create turf areas of manageable sizes and grasses.


3. Select low-water plants.


4. Use soil amendments, such as compost or manure.


5. Use mulches to reduce evaporation and keep soil cool.


6. Irrigate efficiently.


7. Maintain the landscape properly.

Originally developed in Colorado for drought-afflicted areas, Xeriscape is now used across the country in efforts to be more environmentally conscious. The practice offers many benefits:

• Saves water – Reduces landscape water use by 60 percent or more.


• Improves property value – Can increase property value by as much as 15 percent.


• Less maintenance – Aside from occasional pruning and weeding, maintenance is minimal.


• No fertilizers or pesticides – Using plants native to your area will eliminate the need for chemical supplements.

Choosing the right paint brush

Painting is the quickest way to give a room a fresh new look. It is also quite possibly the easiest do-it-yourself project. Most people will spend hours poring over colors, finally choosing the paint, and then just throwing the cheapest paint brushes or rollers in the cart on their way out of the paint section. 

This is a big mistake. The results you get from a high-quality paint brush will always be much better than with the "whatever's on sale" brush or rollers. 

A quality paint brush holds more paint, gives you more control and provides a smoother finish. It also covers more with fewer brush strokes, which saves you time. 

Here's what you need to consider when buying paint brushes.

Balance
You want paint brushes that have balance. It should feel comfortable in your hand and be easy to control.

Bristle density
Paint is held in the space between the bristles, so the more bristles a brush has, the more paint it will hold. A cheaper paint brush won't hold much paint and smears the paint rather than flowing the paint onto the surface.

Bristle flagging
Take a look at a good brush and you'll notice that the bristles have split ends. This is called flagging and helps to provide finer and smoother application. 

Bristle type
The type of paint you're using determines what bristle you should choose. Use hog hair or China bristle for oil-based paints. However, you can't use hog hair when using water-based paints because the bristles absorb water. Some synthetic brushes use a combination of polyester and nylon – polyester provides stiffness and nylon is soft for a smooth application.

Ferrule
The ferrule holds the bristles against the handle and are commonly metal. A high-quality brush will have either a stainless steel or other rust-proof ferrule. Cheaper brushes use lower quality metals and are subject to rusting.

Size
Surface area determines what type of brush you use. Wide surfaces warrant a 3 - 4" brush. When trimming around doors, you will want a smaller 1½ - 2" brush.

Taper
A good brush is thicker at the bottom and narrower at the top. The tapered shape makes the brush stiffer and gives you more control. A cheaper brush has bristles all the same length.

How are real estate agents paid?

Whether you're buying or selling a home, you'll probably work with a real estate professional during the transaction. If you're a seller, the REALTOR® that you work with will offer expert advice about the community and competition, provide marketing and advertising, and handle schedules for all the transactions that must occur. For buyers, the agent will help them identify properties that fit their needs, handle negotiations and also help with the paperwork and scheduling.

For all that they do, agents are paid by commission, rather than on an hourly rate. The commission they receive is based on the sale price and only after the completion of the sale. If they do not sell the home, or if they are unable to locate a home for a buyer, they aren't paid.

How much is the commission?

The typical commission is about 6 percent of the sale price, and it is usually split between the buyer's agent and the listing agent. The commission percentage that the seller agrees to pay is negotiable.

Who pays the commission?

The fee for the transaction is subtracted from the proceeds of the sale. It’s important to note that the fee comes out of the cost of the house and is not tacked on in addition to the sale price.

Easy-to-grow edibles for your home garden

Starting a garden can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you have a plot for a garden, plans for a raised garden or just a few pots around your patio, growing your own fruits and vegetables can be very rewarding.

The good news is that you can start small and add some new plants year after year. The better news is that there are some fruits and vegetables that are easy to grow.

Lettuce

There are many types of lettuce and other salad greens - head lettuce, leaf lettuce, spinach, arugula, just to name a few. They are easy to maintain, grow quickly and don’t need a lot of room. They prefer the cooler temperatures of spring and fall, rather than the heat of summer. To ensure that you have greens all summer long, you can plant seeds every two weeks.

Tomatoes

The flavor of summer comes from tomatoes. You can buy starter plants from nurseries and home improvement stores. Tomatoes prefer the sun and can be grown in pots and even upside-down hanging baskets. Opt for heirlooms and grow a variety ranging from green to yellow to purple.

Cucumbers

Vine cucumber plants need some room because they spread out. They can take over areas of your garden and choke out sun and nutrients from other plants. Opt for bush rather than vine plants. They don’t spread as much and are more resistant to disease. Cucumbers will grow all summer long.

Carrots

A root vegetable, carrots grow until they hit something, then grow around it. If you have rocky soil, you’ll get crooked carrots. Still edible, but not visually appealing. For long, beautiful carrots, you need deep soil. Carrots are ready to harvest when you can see them above the soil.

Radishes

If you like radishes, the good news is that they’re incredibly easy to grow. Spring radishes are mild in flavor, can grow in pots and are ready in three to four weeks. Hot summer soil produces spicier radishes.

Green beans

There are many varieties from which to choose. Beans prefer sun and well-drained soil. As with cucumbers, there are vine and bush types of bean plants.

Zucchini

Preferring warm soil, zucchini and other types of squash are perfect to add to your garden later in the year. They can grow just fine in pots or in mounded soil. Zucchini plants do need water in order to flourish.

Herbs

If you want to start even smaller, grow an herb garden. Herbs can be grown in pots or in a garden. Basil, thyme, dill, cilantro, chives… all can be grown with minimal effort, space and maintenance.

Whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint, explore the possibilities of sustainable food sources, or simply like the idea of gardening, if you’ve got a back yard with a bit of space, gardening can be rewarding, cost-effective and best of all, delicious!

Asbestos: Where to find it and what you should do about it

Making sure that your home is safe for you and your family is absolutely essential. If your home was built before 1960, it is important to test for asbestos. Not only is it important to know if it is present should you decide to sell your home, it is critical for your health.

According to World Health Organization estimates, more than 107,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure. Perhaps the most famous person to die from asbestos exposure is Steve McQueen, who was exposed to the material while removing asbestos lagging from pipes aboard a troop ship while in the Marines.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a fibrous, silicate mineral that can be woven into heat- and fire-resistant material in insulation for heating pipes and attics, as well as roofing and siding materials. It was used in homes built before 1960.

Asbestos can also be found in:

• Car parts, including clutches, brake pads, brake linings


• Ceiling tiles


• Siding


• Shingles


• Wallboard and sheetrock


• Spray on fireproofing


• Vinyl floor tiles


• Textured paint


• Caulk

How asbestos affects your health

Asbestos is made of long fibers that can be breathed in easily. When inhaled, these fibers become lodged in internal body tissues, and this can cause cancer.

Most people are exposed to a small amount of asbestos every day. Health problems start with prolonged exposure to high amounts of asbestos. It causes mesothelioma, and cancerous tumors form in the linings of the lungs and abdomen.

What to do if there is asbestos in your home

The best thing you can do is to leave the material alone if it is in good condition. Unless the material is damaged and fibers are released and inhaled, you are not in danger.

If you find damaged material in your home that may contain asbestos, don't sand, scrape or vacuum it. Asbestos should only be removed by trained professionals to limit exposure. If you are worried about asbestos in your home, call a specialist to do an inspection. If there is damage or deterioration, the technician will recommend remediation.

Testing your home for radon gas

Making sure that your home is safe for you and your family is absolutely essential. If your home was built before 1960, it is important to test for radon. Not only is it important to know if it is present if you decide to sell your home, it is critical for your health. Radon is known to cause cancer through repeated exposure. According to EPA estimates, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, with 20,000 deaths per year on average.

What is radon?

It is an odorless, colorless gas produced when uranium in the soil breaks down. Radon enters your home through the foundation, where the foundation comes in contact with the soil. If radon is present, it is drawn in to the home because the air pressure inside is usually less than that of the soil. It acts as a vacuum, drawing radon gas in through gaps, cracks and cavities in walls where plumbing enters, and through construction joints.

Radon is a fairly common occurrence. One in 15 homes has radon levels high enough that the U.S. government recommends that action is necessary to control the leakage. A simple home test can tell you if radon is above the safe level. You can purchase a test kit from Kansas State University's National Radon Program Services for about $15.

The kit is placed in the lowest lived-in area of the house, generally the first floor or basement, for three days or four days. If testing reveals an unsafe level of radon in the home, it is important to take action immediately. Radon remediation methods are highly effective. Radon mitigation is like many other home repairs — you may want to get a few estimates before choosing your radon contractor.

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Hear it straight from Warren Buffett!

Save money and improve your garden by harvesting seeds

At this time of year, you’re probably getting ready to plant your garden and you’re buying seeds. Whether its flowers or vegetables, you can help your garden flourish from year to year AND save money by saving seeds. It takes a little time but it's actually a very simple process.

Choosing your seed producers

The first step is choosing which seeds to harvest. As a rule, you want to take seeds from the nicest specimens from your garden. The plants that produced the best will most often be your best bet for next year's garden. Only save seeds from heirloom, self-pollinated, or openly pollinated plants. (Hybrids produce seeds, but they will give you a plant with characteristics of both parents, and you may not want that.)

When to harvest

There is a specific time that is optimal for harvesting seeds. For flowers, you should cut flower heads when their seed pods have dried out or shortly before. Hang the heads upside down in a paper bag to dry. Once they are dry, remove the seeds. Separate them as much as possible from chaff and other plant material.

For fruits and vegetables, seeds should be harvested once the fruit has become fully ripe or overripe. Thoroughly wash them before drying. For podded vegetables such as beans and peas, let the seeds dry in their pods on the plants before you gather them.

Drying

Avoiding direct sunlight, dry your seeds on a ceramic or glass plate. Make sure they are completely dry before storing them, otherwise they will develop mold. Store dried seeds in paper envelopes. Make sure to label them!

Storing

Many seeds can remain viable for several years after being harvested. Put your envelopes in an airtight container and store the container in a cool, dark, and dry location. It's a good idea to add a packet of desiccant to absorb moisture. Save one from a pill bottle.

When someone compliments your tomatoes, give them some of your seeds as a gift. Many veteran gardeners also trade seeds. Saving seeds allows you to grow the varieties of fruits, vegetables and flowers that you love, saving your most beautiful, best tasting and hardiest specimens for the next year

Keeping your trees in shape

Trees add a lot to your home. They provide a place for wildlife to live. They provide shade, which helps your utility bills stay lower in the summer. They can help prevent or limit soil erosion. And there’s no better place in the world for a tire swing.

The good news is that mature trees don’t need a lot of help – usually. The bad news is that when they do, you’ll usually need to enlist the help of an arborist to save them.

While trees are perfectly nice things to have in your yard, they can also require maintenance to help them. Healthy trees will sometimes die due to pest or disease infestation; however, in a suburban setting, they are more likely to be damaged due to environmental, mechanical, or chemical stress.

• Environmental stress – drought conditions, excess soil moisture, too little sunlight, extremely cold temperatures, poor soil quality, and soil compaction


• Mechanical stress – damage from lawn equipment or improper pruning practices and construction damage of severed roots or trunk wounds


• Chemical stress – over-fertilization and de-icing salt contamination

When to prune
Pruning is necessary to keep the tree safe for our sake and for its own sake because nature didn’t put them where they are; we did. So, occasionally, they need some TLC.

You should prune trees only when it is necessary for structure, health, and safety purposes.

When does your tree need care? Look for these warning signs:

• Dead, dying or diseased branches.


• Branches that cross one another, which rubs the bark off and makes the tree susceptible to disease entry.


• Sprouts forming at the base of the tree's trunk can be a sign that the tree is injured and is redirecting its energy.


• Remove vines, turf, or competing vegetation surrounding the tree’s trunk.


• A tight-angled V shape between the limb and the tree can indicate a weak point in the tree. Examine to see if the bark grows inward instead of outward.


• Look for nearly vertical branches that compete to be the main trunk of the tree. If they grow large enough they can split off, which can damage the tree or anything underneath it, including your home or vehicle.


• You’ll need to trim back any nuisance growth, which occurs when a tree interferes with sidewalks, roadways, or utility lines.

One thing you should never do is "top" a tree. Topping removes far too much food producing vegetation and leaves the tree in an extremely stressed state. The sprouts produced after topping are the tree’s attempt to produce enough sugars to overcome the stress. While the tree may continue to live for a time, it will be far more susceptible to disease.

Pruning can be dangerous, to you and the tree. Take safety precautions and make sure that you’re using the right tool for the job. If there is any question as to whether or not you’re able to complete the task safely, it’s a good idea to hire a professional.

Common painting mistakes and how to avoid them

Painting any room in your home is a great way to give it a fresh look. Not only is it cost-effective, it’s fairly easy and can be accomplished in a weekend. Although it can be easy, there are some common mistakes that do-it-yourselfers make that can make all the hard work look less than exemplary. The good news is that these mistakes can be remedied.

Buying cheap brushes

Cheaper brushes and rollers tend to leave their mark on your wall with bristles or roller lint. Spend a few extra bucks and get the good ones.

Skipping the prep

Most D-I-Yers don’t have the skills to get straight lines and clean edges. A few minutes of prep time makes your work that much better.

Starting too soon

Make sure the spots you repaired with patching compound are completely dry before you sand and prime. Otherwise, all that patching was a waste of time.

Going for too much with a single dip of paint

Don’t let the brush or roller become too dry. Be sure to maintain a smooth line of paint. Once the paint appears to break up, it’s time to re-dip.

Letting paint dry out

For water-based paint, put a piece of clear plastic wrap on the surface of the paint, then reseal the container. For oil-based paint, add about a half-inch of water on the surface before resealing.

Not priming

Priming, as a rule, improves the results you’ll get. Not only does it give the paint a good surface to adhere to, it also brings out the true color of the paint.

Not washing the walls

Paint should have a good, clean surface to stick to. Washing your walls prior to painting will help you get better results.

Not using drop cloths

If you can’t move it out of the room, make sure it’s completely covered with a drop cloth. Tape the edges of the floor and make sure it has a drop cloth, too.

Painting the wall plates

Taking five extra minutes to remove the wall plates and taping around light switches and electrical outlets gives your room a more professional look.