Tis The Season!

Tis The Season to Stay On The Market by Kim Clark

Tis the Season to deck the halls and trim the tree, but beware that you don't go too far if your home will be staying on the market through the season.

Many begin to wonder if leaving their home on the market through the holiday season is a good decision. The overall opinion of most Realtors is yes. The reasons for this thought-process are many.

For starters, buyers looking for a home during the six weeks between Nov. 15 and Jan. 1 are generally extraordinarily committed buyers. Chances are that they are preparing for a change in job that will require a move out-of-state. Others may be entertaining the idea of coming to the area and find the holidays the perfect time to scope out the neighborhood. Finally others are attempting to make a large purchase before the New Year for the tax benefit.

Now that you know the commitment level of the buyers, you need to know how to draw them in, and keep them hanging around long enough to make an offer.

Curb appeal does wonders for drawing them in. A multi-layered holiday display complete with Santa on the roof, Frosty on the lawn and multi-colored blinking lights is not recommended; however, a simple pinecone wreath and clean and clear walkways will be considered inviting.

Once they get over the threshold, sellers can keep potential buyers touring by making the home appealing. Make sure your home smells good, as smell is one of the strongest human memories. Mulled cider on the stove, complete with cookies and cups and a sign that reads, "help yourself," will likely keep the potential buyer in the kitchen long enough for them to notice the color of the countertops and the cozy feeling ˆ all the better for them to feel at home.

You also want to make the home light, as the days are dark, and folks are likely to be touring after sunset. If you have a fireplace, light it, and remember to drape pretty throws over the back of chairs to further enhance the feeling of hominess.

It's okay to decorate the interior of your home, but try not to go overboard. A small tree or menorah is fine, but statues of Jesus and Mary or a large menorah in the center of the room may be a turnoff to some. Better to leave the massive decorations for another year.

Now the committed buyer is ready to really tour the house. Make sure, if you have animals, that there is no lingering smell from cat litter or other problems, and be sure to keep each room tidy. After that, it's a matter of your home selling itself ˆ a much more likely scenario than you may think during the busy holiday season.

Waste Not, Want Not!

Green Living: Making it Last by Carla Hill

We live in a disposable society. The products that fill our daily lives are used and discarded. This habitual "use and lose" puts a dent in not only our pocketbooks, but also in the environment.

According to Cleanair.org, every year Americans throw away enough paper and plastic cups, forks, and spoons to circle the equator 300 times. Yes, 300 times.

This is just the tip of the trash iceberg. Parents all across the nation gird the loins of their joyful little cherubs with disposable diapers.

Cleanair notes, "Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent about 4% of solid waste. In a house with a child in diapers, disposables make up 50% of household waste." In addition, these diapers take hundreds of years to decompose and cost thousands of dollars to use.

Plus, the oil used to produce those dandy disposables is more oil than used during the lifetime use of your car!

The EPA reports that in 2010, American generated about 250 million tons of trash, with just a 34.1 percent recycling rate. What is being tossed that could be repurposed, reused, or revisioned?

Learning to reduce, reuse, and recycle is a great way to cut down on household expenses, something that many homeowners are searching out.

There's a honorable movement spreading across the nation bent on saving money and preserving the environment.

The new book Make it Last: Prolonging and Preserving What We Love bridges the gap between life in a disposable culture and the basic skills needed to save money and live more sustainably. This book teaches the reader how to extend the lives of the things they love by repairing clothing, preserving home-grown food, and even repairing your kitchen sink.

Raleigh Briggs takes her longtime commitment to community building through the DIY movement and shares her valuable experience with the reader through a conversational tone in her hand drawn and illustrated guide.

"People are starting to realize not only that they can do this stuff, but that it's fun and fulfilling to boot." says Briggs. "Whenever you think about the choices you're making, you're doing a good thing."

Verbicide Magazine described it as "a Gideon Bible-like manual that should be heavily circulated to people who are just scraping by in life. Her pragmatic approach to taking back your home is what makes this book so appealing."

Save money while saving the planet. That's some noble work!

Published: November 29, 2012 realtytimes.com

Keep Those Cold Weather Pests Out!

Cold Weather Pests by Carla Hill

Ah. The sound of a gently crackling fire. The aroma of cinnamon. It's an idyllic Fall. The taste of warm apple cider. The melodic sound of rain on the roof. The arrival of spiders and stink bugs. Wait. What?

The change in seasons to cooler weather can mean an unwelcome addition to your home. Household pets can cause major damage to a home if left untreated.

Power Home Remodeling Group, one of the nation's largest home remodeling companies, knows a little something about these cold weather pests.

"Homeowners need to take the threat of pests seriously because they can do so much damage to the structure of a home," says Matt Hess, Power's VP of Operations-Installations. "Most pest infestations and accompanying damage are considered maintenance issues by homeowners' insurance carriers, forcing homeowners to cover costs themselves. Prevention is key to protecting both your home and your wallet."

Some species of pests are more likely to invade your home come fall than others. Power offers tips below to help protect your home from pests this fall:

1.Remove standing water: While this was a mosquito breeding ground during the heat of Summer, it's now a playground for termites, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles.

2.Trim shrubs: According to Power, "Many pests use vegetation as a bridge from the ground into your home; so keep bushes, shrubs, vines and trees from touching the house. Wood mulch and plants should also be kept at least 18 inches away from the foundation to prevent rot."

3.Eliminate yard clutter: Termites and carpenter ants love wood. They love piles of wood, rotted stumps, and any other yummy tree-based products! Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and outdoor structures and at least five inches off the ground.

4.Seal gaps and cracks: Stink bugs, in all their loveliness, are looking for a warm place to rest. By sealing up gaps around windows, doors, and roofing you are making it just a little harder for them to make your home their winter getaway. Power suggests, "Seal any cracks or gaps with caulk or epoxy, and use steel wool or hardware cloth to block openings where wires, pipes and cables come into or out of exterior walls. Also be sure to ventilate attics and crawl spaces to ensure the venting system has a good airflow to prevent the buildup of moisture."

5.Don't forget the attic! If you think pests can't climb or fly, you're wrong! Warm dryer vents are cozy places to set up camp. Attics can be perfect homes for raccoons, squirrels, and mice. All of these larger pests can do some real damage to your home. Placing a mesh barrier over points of entry, like vents, holes or large cracks, will keep both the animals, and the mites and fleas they carry, outside where they belong.

By addressing this issue now before they become problematic you can save yourself time and money in the long run. Take a few moments today to do a "pest prevention" check-up on your home.

Courtesy of Realty Times http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20121206_coldpests.htm

Moving Can Be So Stressful! Here's Help On How To Manage.

Keep Moving Stresses at Bay by Carla Hill

"Moving is frequently cited as being one of life's most stressful events and it's really no wonder why. It involves a massive change of routine, takes physical labor, and of course, is one of life's largest financial decisions.

These can all weigh heavily on the mind and body. What are some ways that you can deal with this momentous occasion and the stresses it brings? Here are a few simple ways you can deal with the weight of a move.

First, create a support team. This could include friends, family, a significant other, or even a counselor. Don't bottle up your emotions and concerns. Express them before they become pent-up frustration. A good support team can also serve as an excellent sounding board. Offering support is just part of the equation. It's great to have someone that can talk you down or act as a voice of reason.

The next step is to take breaks. It does no good to obsess 24/7 about every last detail. Set aside time each day to discuss and plan your move. Use the rest of your time for normal daily activities. Play with the kids, watch a movie, walk the dog, or go out to eat. The world does not quit turning during a move.

Proper diet and exercise are crucial to helping your body deal with stress. Sometimes we forget that our bodies are machines that require good fuel and servicing to run efficiently. The better we take care of our bodies the better equipped we are to deal with stresses.

There are great exercise routines for all fitness types. If you are new to working out then consider adding in a daily walk. Swimming is also an ideal beginner activity. For those more "fit" buyers, you could join an aerobics class, go for daily jobs, or add in a weight-lifting routine to your current workout.

When the weather permits, exercise outdoors. The fresh air and sounds of nature can be soothing to tired nerves.

Simple yoga and meditation can also do a body wonders. Yoga is about connecting the mind, body, and spirit. If you don't have the time or money to join a class then consider purchasing a yoga DVD. Even simple practices can do wonders for reducing stress.

Finally, don't rush yourself into a new "identity". The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says that moving to a new community is "one of the most stress-producing events a family faces." Moving can mean big changes in friends, groups, clubs, schools, and neighborhoods. We identify strongly with these. Give yourself time to adjust and to fall into new roles.

Yes, moving is a stressful time, but by taking the proper steps you can greatly reduce the amount of stress this event brings.

Published: August 30, 2012"