Tag Archives: Home Repairs

Cooktops vs. Ranges – Which is right for you?

“Thinking about some new appliances for your kitchen? What makes sense for you?”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

The centerpiece of your kitchen is your stove and oven. You have a couple options to choose from, cooktops and ranges. What is the difference? Find out here.

Photo by: Shutterstock

Ah, the kitchen. Done right, it’s a sight to behold. But done poorly, it can come back to haunt you. Seemingly trivial differences often end up playing a large role in the room’s success. Today, we’ll focus on the centerpiece itself: Cooktops vs. Ranges.

Understanding the Differences

So what is it exactly that makes a cooktop different from a range? Well, in simple terms, a cooktop ditches the oven portion of a range and takes up only counter space. This means that the burner’s knobs and buttons are on top of the counter, rather than on the front. Of course, if an oven is needed, that means opting for a wall-mounted oven in addition to the cooktop.

A range, on the other hand, is both of these units in one. This means it’s a freestanding appliance that has the burners on top and the oven down below. The knobs and buttons on a range are typically on the front as to not get in the way of the pots and pans while cooking.

There is a third option, however, called a rangetop, which is essentially just a cooktop with the knobs and buttons placed on the front. It typically takes up a little bit more room than a standard, flat cooktop. For our purposes, we’ll group this option in the regular “cooktop” category.

Which type is right for you?

There are many benefits unique to a cooktop, but really it all depends on what your needs are. Is your kitchen cramped or full of space? Do you cook alone or as a team? Do you host large dinner parties? Do you suffer from bad knees or back? The questions are endless, but answering them is crucial when deciding which would suit you best. Here’s a handy guide to help you quickly decide which option might be your best bet.

Cooktop Benefits:

• Cooktops require a much smaller cutout in your counter space, and are surrounded on all four sides, leaving ample room for cabinet space below.
• Because there isn’t an oven below it, you don’t have to stand by extra heat (which usually radiates from the oven) if you use both appliances at the same time.
• Purchasing an oven separately gives the option for you to select a single ordouble wall-mounted unit.
• Cooktops are also better for people with knee or back problems because their accompanying ovens are more at arm height.
• If you have small children in the house, a cooktop could be a safer choice because the control settings will be out of their reach.
• Glass, or smooth cooktops also make for much easier cleaning, since things like burners don’t need to be removed.
• Cooktops offer more flexibility in burner style, size and options like induction burners.
• Electric cooktops also provide constant, even heat and can maintain very low heat for simmering.
• If your kitchen already has a focal point, such as a window, sink, view or back splash, a cooktop is a good choice so it will let the other features stand out.
• A cooktop is best for multiple-cook scenarios because of separate cooking and baking zones.
• Oven cooking can be more ergonomic: at eye and arm level.

Range Benefits:

• A range is best for small kitchens with limited space because it houses the cooktop and oven in a single appliance and location.
• Ranges are easier to install as well as less expansive, and there are more options at the lower end of the budget spectrum.
• If your kitchen needs a strong focal point, a range can help bring the room together.
• There are several different types, sizes and cooking styles available, including freestanding, slide-in, drop-in, double oven and dual-fuel ranges – all at an added cost.

Our Favorites:

Now that the breakdown above has given you a sense of what fits your needs best, let’s take a look at some of the best options in each category. Of course, there is a huge variety of features you can choose from, but these top models have proven themselves time and time again. Our top 3 favorites come from scouring sources like Top Ten Reviews, Consumer Reports, Reviewed.com and our own personal experience.

Cooktops:

Whirlpool Gold GCI3061XB

This 30” induction cooktop costs the same as a regular electric cooktop but offers additional benefits, such as direct cooking, responsive control, quick boiling, energy efficiency and consistent low temperatures. Its smooth, sleek design and flattop controls makes for easy cleaning as well. (Est. price: $1,209–$1,349)

GE Café CGP650SETSS and CGP350SETSS

Coming in both 30-inch and 36-inch designs, this first-class cooktop features stainless steel trim, illuminated controls, continuous cast iron grates and a Lodge griddle. Outperforming the competition on almost every metric, the high temperature was strong enough to sear a steak, while the low was light enough to melt and simmer. If you’re after the best of the best, you simply can’t beat the GE Café. (Est. price: $1,499–$1,599)

Electrolux EI30EC45KS

With touch controls and curved stainless steel trim, this 30-inch electric cooktop is the epitome of modernity. Boasting a wide range of temperatures and quick boiling times, the Flex-2-Fit element offers three separate sizes to match your collection of pots and pans. On the other end of the spectrum, this cooktop was able to reach temperatures as low as 86ºF – perfect for simmering. (Est. price: $1,073)

Ranges:

Frigidaire FGGF3054MF

Highly affordable, Frigidaire’s new FGGF3054MF comes with five burners, continuous cast iron grates with an optional griddle, true convection, a temperature probe, quick preheat times, a fast boil, low simmer temperatures and superb baking. Now that’s value. (Est. price: $949–$1,149)

Amana AGR5630BDW

When it comes to basic gas ranges, the Amana AGR5630BDW is as good as it gets. Sure, cheaper ranges exist, but none of them match this one’s cooking performance, contemporary design and digital controls. Chock -full of features, unlike most price-conscious ranges, this one offers a self-cleaning option, a storage drawer, a broiler, Easy Touch electronic controls, Temp Assure™, four sealed gas burners and a versatile cooktop offering power from 5,000 to 12,500 BTU. Plus, when you’re all finished cooking, the Spillsaver™ upswept cooktop makes for an easy cleanup. (Est. price: $549)

LG LDE3037ST

This beautiful double-oven range comes with its own suite of unique technology. Besides being able to bake multiple dishes that require different temperatures at the same time, it also has a quick-heating infrared broiler, an EasyClean coating that makes self-cleaning cycles more effective and top-of-the-line temperatures and boiling times. What does all that mean for you? It’s one of the best cooking experiences money can buy. (Est. price: $1,625)

In Conclusion

Now that you have a good sense of the differences between a cooktop and a range, the benefits and some of our favorites, you’re well on your way to creating your perfect kitchen. But don’t let those new appliances go unprotected. Protect your budget form unexpected repairs and replacements with a Home Warranty Planfrom American Home Shield®. Happy cooking!

Originally Published by AHS (American Home Shield)

The Simple Way to Remove Wax From Candlesticks

“The holidays are over and now it’s time to start putting things away. If you burned some candles, you may just have to deal with this situation.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Holiday meals, romantic dinners, winter nights — all of these occasions become even more special with candlelight. Unfortunately, the clear light of day may reveal that wax from the lit candles has dripped and hardened on the sides and base of your candlesticks. The good news is that removing wax is relatively simple.

LDa Architecture & Interiors

The best method, according to Deena M. Bermudez of the National Candle Association, is to chip at it with a blunt wooden or plastic stick, such as an emery board. Carefully chip away until all the wax is removed. Wipe the candlestick clean with a towel or cloth to get rid of the rest. It’s that easy.

Amy Lau Design

If by chance there’s some residue left, then you may have a choice of cold or hot. For the cold method, you can try freezing the wax until it chips off easily.

Place the candlestick in a plastic bag to protect it from excessive moisture and put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes, then remove it and chip off or wipe off the remaining wax. Another option is to put an ice cube in a plastic bag and hold it on the wax until the wax freezes. “If candlesticks are placed in the freezer, ensure that they are completely dry before adding new candles, as water may have condensed on them,” Bermudez says. “Water in candleholders can result in the candle flame spitting.”

Eclectic Dining Room Eclectic Dining Room

Freezing works well for some candlesticks but should not be used on antiques or ones made of wood, metal or a porous material. Instead, you’ll need to use the chipping method.

Marie Burgos Design

Another option, which is not recommended by safety experts, is heat. Running the candlesticks under warm water, if that won’t harm them, can help soften the wax. Dry them thoroughly and dispose of the wax in your trash, not your sink’s plumbing.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Marianne Lipanovich

Light up Your House for the Holidays, Not Your Energy Bill

“When it’s time to decorate, or replace some of your old lights, consider these for your new lighting ideas.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

These energy-conscious lighting tips will help you save some money on your energy bill this holiday season, leaving you with more funds to spend on loved ones.

The holidays are a fun, but often expensive, time of year. It’s easy to blow budgets on gifts for loved ones and on electric bills by making the season bright. Fortunately, saving money during the holiday season can be just as simple with a few energy-conscious lighting tips.

Look on the bright side

Substituting new LED holiday lights for run-of-the-mill incandescent holiday lights can give you big savings and make a big statement. LED (or light emitting diode) lights are brighter than traditional lights, and they last longer while using far less energy. In fact, LED light strings can use 90% less energy than regular incandescent lights and last about ten times longer. When you shop, just make sure you’re getting what you pay for. Look for government and industry-approved energy-saving logos.

No matter what you choose, buying holiday lights can be expensive. So keep your eye out for manufacturer rebates and coupons, and be sure to check with your local utility provider to see if they offer any special rebates for LED decorations.

Besides being energy efficient, LED holiday lights offer other important advantages. They’re cooler than incandescent lights (which can help reduce fires), have no filament or glass to break and can help prevent overloading sockets when you string them end-to-end. And believe it or not, using energy-efficient holiday lights like these can even help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Remember, you don’t have to limit your energy savings to just around the holidays. Using LED bulbs is a smart, energy efficient choice any time of the year for lighting inside and outside your home.

Timing is everything

You can further reduce your holiday electric bill by limiting your light display to “primetime” hours. Extension cords with built-in timers can easily be found in most hardware stores. Make sure they’re suitable for outdoor use. Then, simply plug in your lights and set timers to turn on when it gets dark and switch off at bedtime. No sense lighting your home when few people are around to enjoy it. The same holds true at other times of the year with your standard outdoor lights. Instead of a timer, you can even use a motion sensor. That way, your outdoor lights will only go on when triggered.

Consider solar

Depending on how much sun exposure you get, solar-powered lights can be a great energy-saving solution. Even in winter, these lights can soak up enough sun to light up an outdoor tree without relying on electricity.

Get more bang for your buck

Here’s a smart tip to pump up the light without bursting your electric bill: Strategically place reflective ornaments or tinsel to bounce light in multiple directions. This will create a dazzling shimmery effect that tricks the eye into seeing more lights than are actually there.

A little can go a long way

Here’s another efficient way to create lots of visual drama without having to add tons of additional lighting. Simply, use colored flood light bulbs in place of standard outdoor floods. You can find a variety of festive colors such as red, green and blue. Then, position the lights so they bathe your home’s exterior in a warm, cheery glow.

You can achieve a lot with dramatic up-lighting. Focus them on your home or seasonal planters positioned along a walkway. Try flanking your front door for an added effect.

If that’s a little too much for your taste, just substitute colored light bulbs in a few of your exterior fixtures, such as on your porch, above your front door or outside your garage. You’ll get pops of festive color with a more subtle effect.

Light the night with luminarias

During the holidays, you’ll often see these glowing lanterns in rows along a sidewalk or leading up a walkway to a front door. Luminarias are often made from brown paper bags that are weighted down with sand and lit from within by candles. A safer energy-efficient solution would be battery-powered LED luminarias. They’ll still create a classic, warm and welcoming feel, just in a modern and eco-friendly way.

Create a warm glow

Speaking of battery-powered candles or candlesticks, using them in your front windows can also add light with limited energy use and cost. Look for scented varieties to add another layer of cheer. Create a warm glow throughout your home with holiday-themed votive holders illuminated with actual votive or battery-operated tea-lights. Many of these flameless options are made to mimic the flickering of a real candle, so you can enjoy all the atmosphere without any of the worry that comes with a real flame.

With so many wonderful options available today, you can be energy-conscious AND festive without having to compromise. Follow these energy conservation tips this holiday and, perhaps, you’ll be able to splurge on an extra gift just for yourself.

Originally published by American Homeshield

Choose Your Paint with These Fancy Apps

“Picking a paint color can be a chore, especially when you are trying to coordinate or match colors. Now there’s an App for that!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Picking paint at the store can be overwhelming, and sometimes you’re less inspired by a paint chip and more inspired by photos, jewelry or Mother Nature. Now your phone can give you the tools you need to preview colors where and when the mood strikes.

Photo by: iStock

Here are five apps that can help you get the right color on the walls before you buy.

The ColorSmart by BEHR^® Mobile app lets you preview, match and coordinate colors on-the-go. This fun-to-use app puts you in control with handy features like:
• Browsing through the BEHR Premium Plus Ultra® and Premium Plus^® colors collections
• Photo-match to a BEHR color with their proprietary tool
• Preview function to see a color in different rooms and styles
• “Touch-and-tap” technology to paint a room image
• Sharing on Facebook and Twitter
(FREE for iPhone^®, iPad^® or Android^™)

The Benjamin Moore Color Capture^® app makes it simple to snap a picture of anything that inspires you and instantly find its match among the more than 3,500 Benjamin Moore paint colors. Then you can save your pics and their coordinating color matches to your Favorites. Plus, you can:
• Group colors in Favorites to create personalized combos
• Share your favorite colors on social media and email
• Browse Benjamin Moore’s inspirational color cards and access the full color wheel to search colors
(FREE for iPhone^®, iPad^® or Android^™ phones 6.1 or higher)

Besides letting you search by name or browse their library of 1,500 colors,ColorSnap^® for mobile from Sherwin-Williams allows you to create personalized palettes with colors that inspire you. Simply upload an image and this app will instantly match colors in your photo. Then you can edit, delete or add colors to suit your artistic vision— you can even ask Sherwin-Williams for colors that complement your selections. The possibilities are endless with features that help you:
• Fine-tune colors for lightness, saturation and hue
• Get detailed color information such as names, RGB values and LRV numbers
• Save and access your Favorites across devices
(FREE for iPhone^®, iPad^® or Android^™)

With its intuitive navigation, ProjectPaint by Valspar puts over 3,000 Valspar paints right at your fingertips. Swipe, swish and tap through their catalog to choose colors for inside or outside your home, plus get recommendations for coordinating colors. This app even helps you calculate how much paint you’ll need for your project and creates a customized shopping list so you can make just one trip to the store.

Don’t want to limit your color choices to one particular brand? AnyPaintColor by MyPerfectColor lets you search over 130,000 colors from over 100 brands including Martha Stewart and Ralph Lauren. It’s essentially a virtual fan deck that gives you the power to browse colors to your heart’s content without having to set one foot in a store.

Originally published on AHS.com

Regain Calm With a New Weekly Routine

“Need to put some order into the chaos of everyday life? Take some time and plan when you are going to take care of the things you know you need to do.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

When life gets hectic, sometimes it seems easier to let housekeeping chores slide. Unfortunately, little birds do not come in to take care of the piled-up laundry or vacuum the floors, and the buildup of postponed housework only ends up stressing us out more. This is where a simple, efficient weekly routine that fits your lifestyle and schedule can help. Consider this day-by-day plan to get the essentials done, so you can get on with your life.

Stony Lake Furniture Co.

Tips for Planning Your Weekly Routine

Think about your lifestyle, commitments and schedule when planning your weekly routine. Make sure it fits your life— not the other way around! This plan runs from Sunday through Friday, with no chores at all on Saturday (although if you garden, that might be when you work in yard chores). If you prefer to keep your weekends entirely free, you could add a chore to one of the weekdays. Likewise, if you would rather do more on the weekends because you’re exhausted during the week, move more chores to the weekend days.

It doesn’t matter if the chores get done perfectly, or if you sometimes skip a day here and there. The important thing is to have a routine that becomes so second nature that you don’t have to think about it much anymore, you just do it.

LeAnne Bunnell Interiors {elle design}

Sunday

Do laundry, change bedding. There’s something comforting about starting the week with fresh laundry and clean sheets on the bed. There will be another laundry day worked into the weekly plan (on Tuesday) so you don’t have to do it all today. It’s better to do two loads (one of sheets and one of clothes) and get everything folded and put away than to do four loads and leave it all in a heap. And when you change the bedding on the same day as laundry day, you can skip folding the sheets, which go right back onto the bed.

Caroline McCredie

Mood boost: To shift chore time into something positive, try listening to music, an audiobook or a favorite podcast while folding laundry, making the beds or working on any of your weekly chores.

Chris Snook

Save Photo

Monday

Shop, prep weeknight meals, clean the kitchen. We all know that Mondays can be a drag. I find it helps to just roll with it: If you can get a few bigger tasks done today, you’ll go to bed feeling productive and energized for the week ahead. If you can find time to go to the grocery store on Monday, it tends to be less crowded than Sunday evening — and if your schedule has some flexibility, shopping in the morning before work or midafternoon is easier than during the dinner rush.

Callwey

When you bring the groceries home, take a moment to clean out the fridge before putting away the food. Then prep some food for weekday meals — this could be as simple as washing and chopping fresh veggies ormaking a pot of grains, or as involved as making a big-batch dinner and freezing some for later in the week.

After the shopping and cooking (i.e., mess-making) is done is a good time to clean the kitchen: Clean small appliances, wipe counters and mop the floor.

Red Lily Renovations

Tuesday

Clean bathrooms, finish the laundry, change towels. Cleaning the bathroom is no one’s favorite chore, so I say get it done as quickly as possible. Set a timer if that helps (can you do it in 15 minutes? 10?) and have all of your cleaning tools and products stored under the sink so you don’t have to hunt them down. Clean the tub, sink, mirrors and toilet, and give the floor a quick mop. Remove old towels and put out fresh, fluffy ones.

Red Lily Renovations

If you have a lot of laundry to do in your house every week, you’ll probably have a few loads to do by now even if you did a few on Sunday. Try tossing a load of delicate items into the washer before work, and lay them flat on a drying rack before you leave. Toss another load in as soon as you get home in the evening, and another after dinner.

Mood boost: This evening, savor the fruits of your labor by indulging in a soak in the freshly cleaned tub with your favorite bath products.

Project 12 Architecture

Wednesday

Handle paperwork, pay bills, declutter. The only thing more annoying than paperwork is agiant pile of paperwork. By having a set day and time to regularly go through your mail, bills and other papers, you can keep things from getting out of hand. Walk around the house and collect all the paper — mail, catalogs, bills, school handouts — and sit down with the pile within reach of your filing cabinet with a recycling bin and your calendar (or phone) at your side. I find a strong cup of tea and classical music helps with the sorting.

Recycle junk mail and envelopes.
Enter events and appointments into your calendar, then toss the paper.
Pay bills; put bills to be paid later in a folder.
File important documents.

Apartment Apothecary

While you’re in a sorting and editing mindset, turn your attention to the rest of your home: Can you find a few items to put in a bag to take to Goodwill? Decluttering a little bit every week is an excellent habit to cultivate for long-term clutter-free living.

Check your closet for worn-out items and pieces you’re not loving.
Scan bookshelves for books you didn’t enjoy.
Check kids’ rooms and surfaces for random junk (freebies, impulse purchases) you don’t really need or want.
Toss out pens that have run out of ink.
Pack up the still-good items in a bag or box and put it in your car to take to a donation center.

Le Michelle Nguyen

Thursday

Straighten the living room, freshen cut flowers, water plants. By Thursday, the weekend is around the corner, so whether you’re hosting a gathering at your home or just planning to hang out and watch a movie, this is a great day to get the living room presentable. Put away items that belong in other spaces, recycle old newspapers and magazines and clean the coffee table.

Having a regular day of the week to water and check on houseplants can help keep them healthy and happy. Be sure to look up the care instructions for your plants, as they might need to be watered more or less often. You can also snip off dead leaves and dust the leaves of large-leaf specimens like rubber plants and philodendron.

Studio Tupelo Modern Interiors

If you bought a bouquet at the market on Monday, giving the stems a trim and replacing the water can help them last an extra day or two.

Mood boost: After you’re done tidying the living room, get yourself something good to drink and sit down with a book or magazine you’ve been wanting to read.

Pamela Hanné

Friday

Clean the floors, unplug and relax. There’s something about clean floors that makes your entire house feel fresher. Vacuum or sweep and mop floors (if you mopped the kitchen and bathroom earlier in the week, skip them) to start the weekend on a bright note.

Mood boost: No matter what your plans are for the weekend, consider kicking things off with a bit of unplugged downtime to rest and recharge. Put down the laptop and phone and open a book, practice a craft or just sit on the porch for a few minutes. And if you practice yoga or meditation, savor your freshly cleaned floors by doing a little home yoga practice or sitting meditation!

By Laura Gaskill, Originally published on HOUZZ

The Quick and Easy Way to Clean a Microwave

“It’s always a chore to clean the inside of a Microwave, if you haven’t taken some preventive measures. Good ideas on removing stubborn messes.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Whether popping popcorn, reheating pizza slices, softening butter or melting chocolate, your microwave does heavy-duty work day in and day out. And that also means heavy-duty grime and food odors. Over time, all that exploded food mess can make your microwave less efficient. The good news is that we have a fast and easy way to get your microwave back to just-out-of-the-box clean, or almost there.

Gentry Construction, Inc.

Start with a little prevention. Your first line of defense is to prevent the problem in the first place, according to Evelyn Carpenter at the Whirlpool Institute of Home Science. Covering what you’re microwaving goes a long way toward preventing most spots and splatters.

Janet Paik

Wipe it clean on a daily basis. Carpenter also suggests cleaning the inside of your microwave as part of your daily kitchen routine. Using a soft cloth, sponge or paper towel, wipe down the inside ceiling, floor, sides and tray. This removes any spatters that might have escaped containment before they have a chance to harden.

Janet Paik

Steam-clean the stubborn stains. If the splatters are caked on, try steam before you apply elbow grease. Using a microwave-safe container, heat about 1 cup of water on high for two to three minutes. Let it sit for up to five minutes, then carefully remove the water (it will be hot) and the turntable. Wipe down all the surfaces with a soft cloth, sponge or paper towel.

Janet Paik

You can remove odors and disinfect during this process as well, according to Meg Roberts, president of the housekeeping service Molly Maid. Start by adding half a fresh lemon to your cup of water while it’s heating up. The lemon half will be hot when removed, but once it cools down a bit, run it through the garbage disposal to freshen that as well.

Follow up by using white vinegar as a natural disinfectant. Dip a microfiber cloth in a 50-50 water-vinegar solution, wring it out until it is slightly damp and use it to wipe down the surfaces.

In most cases, this will be enough to leave your microwave’s interior sparkling. If there are still some splatters, just repeat the process.

Shabby-chic Style Kitchen Shabby Chic-inspirerad Kök

Finishing up. Clean the turntable you removed earlier. Almost all turntables are dishwasher-safe, but if you’re not sure about yours or you doubt your microwave could be out of commission for the length of a dishwasher run, you can clean it with warm water and dish soap.

Wipe the rubber gaskets with a damp cloth too. A damp cloth is also a good choice for wiping down the glass door, but if the door is very greasy, use a 50-50 water-and-white-vinegar solution or glass cleaner. For a polished look, wipe everything dry with a soft, dry cloth.

Michelle Drenckhahn

Finally, wipe down the outer surfaces, including the instrument panel, with a soft, damp cloth. If things are particularly greasy or covered in fingerprints, go over them again with the water-vinegar solution.You can dry the surface with a soft cloth for an even more polished look.

Carpenter recommends steam-cleaning the microwave’s interior once every week or so, but this method works even if you go longer between cleanings. And if you’re vacuuming your refrigerator vents, do your microwave vents at the same time. Your microwave will appreciate it.

Selling Your House Next Spring? 5 Fall Projects to Do Now

“Getting your house ready to sell takes planning and time, if you want to sell it quickly and get top dollar for it.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Originally appearing on HouseLogic, by Jennifer Nelson

Planning on selling your home in the spring? Good news — that leaves plenty of time to tackle all sorts of projects this fall that will help you snag top dollar when the tulips start blooming. Take an objective look around your home from a buyer’s perspective. What would stop you from making an offer? What do you need to do to put your home’s best face forward?

Here are some fall projects to jump on now in order for your home to be in tip-top shape for a spring sale:

1. Update Your Curb Appeal

Landscapers planting in a front yard Image: Laurin Lindsey, Landscape Designer

“Curb appeal is important,” says Steve Modica, sales associate and property manager at HomeXpress Realty Inc. in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla. “Make sure the bushes are all trimmed. Re-mulch or replace stone walkways and paths. Remove any dead plants and trees, and aerate your lawn so it will be lush come spring. Pressure wash the driveway, the front walk, and the exterior of your home. If need be, have the exterior of the house painted and, at the very least, apply a fresh coat of paint on the front door.

2. Get a Home Inspection

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® says 77% of homebuyers have an inspection done before completing a home purchase. To avoid nasty surprises once you’re in the process of selling your home, have your own inspection done and make any repairs over the winter months before you list the home. Homebuyers often use flaws and needed repairs to negotiate a lower price.

3. Replace Flooring and Paint Walls

Determine if your carpets need replacing or just a deep, professional cleaning. If they need to go, consider if hardwood or another flooring material might be more appealing to buyers.

You’ll also want to inspect interior rooms for dirty or scuffed walls that need a fresh coat of paint. “Paint the whole wall, don’t just do touch-up repair work, because it never looks as good,” says Modica. Also, if you have eccentric or loud wall colors, now is the perfect time to update to a more neutral palette. Stagers recommend beiges, light grays, and off-whites.

4. Tackle the Basement, Attic, and Garage

Between the studs garage shelving Image: Liz Foreman for HouseLogic

Often overlooked, these storage meccas can become a catch-all for junk. Use cool, fall weather as an excuse to get down and dirty in these hot spots and organize them from top to bottom. Install shelving, pegboards for tools, and hanging brackets for bicycles and other large sporting equipment. Your goal is to pitch the junk, sell what you no longer need, and categorize the rest.

“Donate or recycle clothes and bedding you don’t use anymore in order to free up storage space in your closets, basement, and garage,” says Amy Bly, a home stager at Great Impressions Home Staging in Montville, N.J. These areas should look roomy, well-organized, and clean.

Related: Garage Storage Ideas Under $50

5. Consult a Stager

Buyers need to picture themselves living in the house, and they may have trouble doing that if all your personal effects are on display. In order to accomplish that, a professional stager can create a plan for you that you can spend the winter months implementing. Bly spends about two hours walking through a property assessing curb appeal, interior flow, closets, bookcases, media cabinets, flooring, and more.

“I give homeowners a multi-page, room-by-room form they can use to take notes on my recommendations,” says Bly. She typically recommends things like neutralizing out-of-date decor, removing old furnishings and carpeting, and updating light fixtures. She also suggests the type of shower curtains, towels, bedding, and pillows to display for an upscale look.

Getting a jump on these fall projects will give you a leg up on selling in the spring. Today’s buyers are savvier than ever before, especially millennial first-time homebuyers who may have searched homes online for months prior to getting in the field. More than just listing your home in the spring, you want to make it’s as perfect as possible. That means everything works and looks immaculate, and there are no glaring issues that will turn off buyers. When you’re ready, have a friend or relative drop by for a tour and point out anything you may have overlooked.

10 Strategies for Keeping Surfaces Clutter-Free

“Most of us have at least one place that ‘stuff’ just gets piled up on. Time to clean up and organize.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

The Dining table, kitchen counters, coffee table, nightstands — flat surfaces certainly have a way of attracting clutter. But the piled-high stuff makes it a hassle to use those surfaces — to prepare a meal, eat a meal or kick up your feet for movie night. It also makes it harder to find things and just plain looks awful. Still, we keep on piling because it seems easier than putting things where they’re actually meant to go. To have long-term success in keeping the flat surfaces in your home clutter-free, you need to find places for your things that are just as easy and obvious to use as a table. If you’re tired of clearing off the surfaces in your house again and again, only to have them redisappear under piles of who knows what, these 10 strategies should help.

KASIA ORWAT home design

1. Have a not-flat place for each thing you come home with. When you walk in the door, the natural impulse is to drop everything you’re carrying on the nearest available flat surface. The next time you arrive home, pause and pay attention to what you’re holding: shopping bags, a coat, a bundle of mail, perhaps keys and a phone? Decide where you will put each of these items from now on. Hooks are faster to use than hangers, so if you tend to dump your coat on a chair, choose a hook.

Paper items can be a real problem, so be sure to have a recycling bin near the front door, as well as some sort of quick sorting system for handling important documents. (But keep the categories very broad, or you won’t be as likely to use the system.) If smaller, random items are a problem, consider hanging tote bags on hooks. They’re easy to dump things into and very flexible — you can change their contents as needed, from library books and school projects to dry cleaning.

Liv By Design Interiors

2. Keep tool storage off counters. Kitchen counters can become cluttered so easily, and if your kitchen is short on prep space, this can be a real problem when it’s time to cook. One way to take some of the load off your counters is by using wall space to store cooking tools instead. A pegboard, metal rail with S-hooks or floating shelves can all be put to work to store utensils, spices and knives, within reach but out of the way. And if the entrance to your home is through the kitchen, add a few wall hooks and sorters for your keys and mail as well.

CHACOL, Inc.

3. Reserve counter space for daily necessities. Small appliances hardly feel small when they’re taking up all of your available kitchen counter space. Limit that real estate to small appliances you use every single day without fail, and store everything else in cupboards.

One caveat: To make it more likely you’ll put said appliances away when you’re done with them, they shouldn’t take too much effort to lift. In my house, this means our microwave (which we mostly use for melting butter and reheating dinners) is in the laundry room, so while we do have to walk a few extra steps to get to it, it can stay plugged in all the time without taking up valuable counter space. Another option would be to put less-frequently used small appliances on a rolling cart tucked into a closet or corner, and wheel the cart out to plug them in.

Greenwood’s Home

4. Keep your dining table set. A neatly set table has a clear purpose, and that makes cluttering it up less of a temptation. In the evening after dinner, clean off the table and set out some breakfast things — this not only helps encourage a clutter-free table, it makes for a smoother routine in the morning. After breakfast, take a moment to set out a few fresh placemats and cutlery for dinner, and your table will be a much less tempting spot to toss your stuff when you get home in the evening. If you have curious cats who are likely to walk all over your lovely table setting while you’re out, you can set out candles or flowers and perhaps a stack of dishes with a napkin laid across the top to protect it from prying paws.

A. Peltier Interiors

5. Be mindful of multipurpose spaces. Combo spaces, like a dining room-home office, can be the trickiest to keep tidy. Easy, obvious and specific storage is the key to making a space like this function well. Ideally, the storage is so simple and clear that anyone (not just the person who set up the system) can quickly put things away. Labeled wall-mounted files like the ones shown here are a good option for home offices. If you have a craft space combo, consider a closed cabinet filled with labeled clear containers.

Andrew Snow Photography

6. Try a tilted desk. Can’t seem to keep the paper piles off your desk? It may be verging on the absurd (and it won’t work for a desktop computer), but a desk that tilts, like the drafting table shown here, can quickly break a piling habit. Of course, if you want to keep the piles from simply migrating over to the next available flat surface, you’ll need to pair a tilted desk with a paper organizing system that’s as easy to maintain as your piles were. Try labeled stacking trays or a set of shallow drawers of the sort artists use to store paper and finished works.

Organized Living

7. Designate a bin for your ‘worn-once’ clothes. Flat surfaces in the bedroom (the bed, floor, dresser top and chair) tend to become receptacles for articles of clothing you’ve worn once but plan to wear again before laundering. (Sweaters often fall into this category.) Rather than dump these items onto the nearest surface, give them a home. An open-top basket or bin is a good solution because tossing the item there is just as easy as tossing it on a chair. If you have a closet system, clear out one basket or drawer to use for this purpose; otherwise, a second laundry basket can corral the items.

Caroline McCredie

8. Downsize your bedside. Do you prize your sleep? If so, it’s in your best interest to create as restful an environment as possible around your bed — and a cluttered nightstand will not help. Instead of attempting to make room for every possible item you might want on your nightstand, consider using a petite table that fits only the truly essential. If you love to read in bed, choose one book. If you like to journal, place your journal and a nice pen there. Perhaps add a glass of water and a candle, and that’s it.

Holly Marder

9. Avoid clutter catchalls. A tray or basket on the coffee table or counter to hold clutter might seem like a smart idea — until it’s full and overflowing onto the surface around it. Remember that clutter attracts more clutter, so when a group of random little items (hair ties, loose change, buttons, pens) ends up in one spot, you’re far more likely to add other (larger) random items (stack of mail, shopping bag, pile of dry cleaning) to it. A better practice is to create a spot for each type of item — for instance, a jar for coins, a cup for pens, a hook for keys, a tray for mail, and a drawer organizer with little slots for small items like hair ties and stamps. It then becomes easy and satisfying to drop things into their individual containers.

J+STUDIO

10. Create a no-clutter zone, one surface at a time. It’s apparently a law of nature that clutter attracts clutter. So while it might seem like no big deal to set that one bill/hairbrush/shopping bag on the table, the problem is that that one item will now act like a great big magnet, tempting you (and others) to dump more items there.

Creating a no-clutter zone isn’t easy, but it can be highly effective. Clear everything from one surface (for example, the coffee table) and focus on vigilantly protecting it from becoming another clutter problem area. It’s easier to have one goal than many, so stick to clearing one surface at a time until you feel it’s second nature. As a visual learner, I find it helps to visualize the table physically repelling clutter, like a giant trampoline that clutter simply bounces off of when you try to set it down. A little silly, sure, but it works!

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

It’s Time to Clean Your Gutters

“If your gutters are open, be sure to keep a close eye on your gutters during the Fall and into the Winter, once the leaves start falling. And then as soon as you can budget for some gutter guards to keep leaves out next year.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

As Autumn’s last leaves fall, cleaning rain gutters should rise to the top of the to-do list. Skip the chore, and you’re asking for problems that include falling gutters, flooding and a cracked foundation. Here’s how to clean your gutters before those issues appear.

John Linam Jr, Architect, PLLC

The Risks of Not Cleaning

Rain gutters and downspouts are designed to channel rainwater away from the home and its foundation. If they’re blocked with leaves, dirt and other debris, they can lead to:

Falling gutters. When gutters are overloaded with debris, water or subsequent ice, they can pull away from the house and fall.
Flooding. Water that’s prevented from flowing properly down the spout may spill over the sides, drain toward a basement or foundation and increase the risk of basement flooding.
Cracked foundation. Cracks may form if water spills over the sides of clogged rain gutters, seeps into the foundation and freezes.
Wood rot. Ice dams occur when water freezes inside clogged gutters. The ice can push against the roof and walls, and increase the threat of mildew or rot.
Staining. Water that spills over the sides of clogged gutters can discolor exterior siding.

Stonewood, LLC

When to Clean

“Rain gutters are essentially the last thing people think about — until they have a problem,” says Michael Marceaux, owner of Mr. Gutter in Orange, California. When it comes to scheduling gutter maintenance, Marceaux says it depends on the house. “It would be a very good idea to clean the gutters once a year,” he says. Homes sitting beneath a lot of trees that continually drop leaves, pine needles, pine cones and other debris, for example, may need more frequent attention.

Marceaux recommends taking action early, before rains start in earnest and professionals get too busy to tackle your project quickly. If you’re doing the task yourself, check the weather forecast, says Ben Stillwell, a home improvement specialist for Lowe’s. It’s easier to clean gutters if the debris is dry.

Blue Ridge Landscaping

Save Photo

Tools for the Task

As with any household chore, a little preparation goes a long way. Gather the tools you’ll need before you begin:

Sturdy ladder (extension ladder for second story)
Tarp
Buckets with S-hooks or handled plastic bags
Safety goggles or glasses
Work gloves (optional latex gloves for layering under work gloves)
Trowel or handled scoop
Garden hose with spray nozzle (optional telescoping garden hose attachment with gutter-cleaning nozzle)
Screwdriver to remove and reattach downspout if it runs underground
Optional plumber’s snake for stubborn downspout clogs

JAMES DIXON ARCHITECT PC

Safety First

Although the task of cleaning rooftop gutters is simple, the chore can quickly turn dangerous if you don’t take the necessary precautions. If you’re unsure about anything, it’s best to hire a professional. Here’s what Lowe’s recommends:

A sturdy ladder planted firmly on level ground is step one. “Use a stepladder whenever possible on solid, level ground and don’t climb above the second-to-last step,” Stillwell says. “For two-story homes, you might have to use an extension ladder.”
When climbing the ladder, avoid carrying tools like trowels or anything sharp inside pockets. In the worst-case scenario — a fall — you don’t want to land on the wrong end of a screwdriver. Instead, put the tools in a bucket or handled plastic bag, carry it up the ladder and hook it to the top with an S-hook or something similar.
Wear sturdy shoes.
Use safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from loose dirt and debris. Don’t get caught standing on a high ladder without being able to see.
Avoid working near power lines that may hang near your rooftop so there’s no possibility of electric shock from coming into contact with live wires. If your roof is near power lines, consider hiring a professional.

Facelifts Home Improvement

How to Clean Gutters

Although there are several variations on the process, Stillwell breaks the task into the following steps:

1. Position the ladder near a downspout and spread a tarp under the section of gutter to be cleaned.

2. Hook a bucket of tools and an empty bucket to the top of the ladder. With gloved hands and a trowel, remove large debris (leaves, twigs, etc.) and dump it into the empty bucket. Work your way toward toward the opposite end, away from the downspout.

3. To clean out the remaining dirt and small debris, climb the ladder with a hose equipped with a spray nozzle. Once you’re positioned at the end of the gutter opposite the downspout, open the nozzle and flush out the gutter. The water and small debris should drain down the spout at the other end.

4. If the water doesn’t drain easily, check the downspout strainer, located at the top of the spout, for clogs and rinse off if necessary.

5. If a clogged downspout is the problem, however, you’ll work from the bottom of the spout at ground level. “If the downspout runs underground, remove it from the pipe as needed,” Stillwell says.

6. Once you’re able to access the spout, insert the hose, with the spray nozzle set to full pressure, up into the spout. After the hose is in place, turn on the water. The stream should dislodge the blockage. If it doesn’t, Stillwell suggests inserting a plumber’s snake tool into the spout (again from the bottom) to dislodge the blockage.

7. Reattach or tighten any pieces that were removed or loosened while working on the downspout.

8. Using the hose and nozzle attachment again, flush out the gutters a final time, working from the opposite end away from the downspout.

Peabody Architects

Cleaning Variations

Although the basic premise of cleaning rain gutters remains the same, there are a couple of variations on the theme:

Instead of dumping the debris into a bucket, use handled plastic bags. Fill them and let them fall to the tarp for gathering up later.

And rather than climb a ladder with a hose to flush out the gutters, consider investing in a telescoping hose attachment designed specifically for gutter cleaning. This attachment has a hooked nozzle on top that directs the water into the gutter and flushes out the trough while allowing the user to remain on the ground. It’s a great tool for DIY types.

BRESLIN RIDYARD FADERO ARCHITECTS

How to Choose an Expert

If working on ladders or climbing up several stories doesn’t sound like a task for you, it’s time to call in the pros. To find a good company, Marceaux advises looking for an experienced business that is fully licensed, bonded and insured. “When a company says that they are licensed, don’t just take their word for it,” he says. Instead, look up the company on your state’s licensing board for contractors. Make sure the provider’s license is current.

Barna Log Homes Of PA

Last but Not Least …

Once the work has been done, Marceaux says don’t forget to grab your umbrella on the next rainy day and inspect your gutters and spouts. “Go out and look at your downspouts,” he says. “You should be able to see the water coming out [the bottom] or hear it going through the downspout into the ground drain below. It’s going to be pretty obvious if the downspout isn’t working. … The water will be running over the top of the gutter. Gutters are like anything. You’ve got to maintain them and keep them clean.”

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Bonnie McCarthy

3 Ways to Bring the Heat to Outdoor Living Spaces

“Extend your outdoor living into the fall and winter with some heat.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and heat lamps can extend the seasonal enjoyment of your deck, porch or patio by providing warmth and an inviting ambiance that pulls guests and family members outside well after the mercury drops. But it’s important to understand the benefits and costs. Here’s what to know as winter begins to encroach on your outdoor living space.

Prideaux Design

Fire Pits

Typically less expensive than fireplaces, fire pits can also summon guests with the promise of lovely ambient heat. There are portable, prefabricated options readily available, as well as built-in custom design options in a wide range of styles and costs.

Portable wood fire pit. This is your simplest, least expensive option. Run down to your hardware store or jump on the Internet, and for as little as $100, you’ve got a fire pit. Pick up some firewood, throw the unit out on the deck and voilà, it’s s’mores time!

This is a low-cost, and thus low-risk, option. But with all wood-burning units, local wood-burning ordinances need to be followed, which can sometimes result in spare-the-air, no-burn days, during which your fire pit may not be legally usable. Also, you will need to stay stocked with firewood, but the portable, wood-burning fire pit provides authentic heat at a low cost, and its ease of installation simply cannot be matched.

Dennis Mayer, Photographer

Portable gas fire pit. The rooftop deck seen here becomes an evening oasis, and a simple propane flame is the critical component of the transformation. Portable fire pits burning propane gas, like wood-burning varieties, are extremely common and relatively low-cost. They burn clean, reliable heat (as long as you keep the accompanying propane tank full) and can be placed practically anywhere.

Rolling Landscapes Inc.

Built-in wood-burning fire pit. A well-constructed wood-burning fire pit is the traditional go-to heating element to keep everyone toasty on a cold night. There is something about that rolling crackle as the fire consumes real wood logs right under your nose that draws children and adults to its authentic flame.

A wood-burning fire pit usually takes less time to plan for and can be significantly less expensive to build than a built-in gas fire pit. In some cases you may not need a permit for a wood-burning fire pit, and since no gas line is required, there are often more location options available.

The construction of a wood-burning fire pit can likely be completed within one week.

Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction

Built-in gas fire pit. This is the option for you if you’re looking for a simple, reliable, custom design to fit the look of your landscaping with the year-round benefit of natural gas.

Having a party? Why bother with stoking a fire, and why should people get smoke in their eyes? Flip a switch just before the doorbell rings, and the fire will be sure to burn high and true.

There is not much of a downside to this option, except, of course, that the cost of a natural-gas fire pit typically runs well over $6,000, depending on the proximity to available gas; the gas ring and log features selected; and the design characteristics of your fire pit. You will always need to get a permit for a built-in gas fire pit, and that can be a time-consuming and somewhat costly proposition.

A built-in custom gas fire pit will likely take about two weeks to construct, once the permit approval process is complete.

austin outdoor design

An advantage of the built-in gas fire pit is the variety of design possibilities available. Most of the modern, sleek fire pits you see in landscape photos are of the natural-gas-burning variety.

See how to make a stacked-stone fire pit

Lori Smyth Design

Outdoor Fireplaces

Usually built-in and more expensive than fire pits, fireplaces can offer a grand focal point that can be the central feature of your yard. They are more visible than fire pits and take a little more time to construct.

Nothing is more inviting outdoors than the warm glow of a fireplace beyond a windowpane. This is the ultimate visual feature, as it is more visible than a fire pit, and can provide both a grand statement and cozy intimacy.

Fireplaces are typically more expensive than fire pits due to their size, which can result in substantially higher foundation and masonry costs.

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

Wood-burning fireplace. Once it gets going, there truly is nothing else exactly like a roaring wood fire in a masonry fireplace. But as is the case with all wood-burning fires, one needs to consider possible spare-the-air days when wood fireplaces aren’t legally usable. These restrictions affect many of the most populated regions of the U.S. and around the world.

A built-in wood-burning fireplace is likely to run around $10,000, though size, materials and geographic region can substantially impact the final cost. In some jurisdictions, the approval process for an exterior wood-burning fireplace is simpler than for gas, so it may be easier to plan and begin the construction of your wood-burning fireplace.

A wood-burning fireplace usually takes about two weeks to construct.

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

Built-in gas fireplace. The gas fireplace shown here uses a gas appliance, which is typically less expensive than an exterior, true masonry fireplace with a gas log set. The downside to a gas appliance is that it does not offer quite the same authentic look as a true masonry fireplace, but the reliable heat output can be fantastic, it usually costs slightly less and, when properly installed within a nice surround, it is an inviting element with a more reliable heat output than some masonry gas fireplace designs.

See more of this outdoor space

Earth Art Landscape

The fireplace shown here is a simple masonry-type design with a gas log set. It has a more authentic look than an appliance but may not provide the same heat output.

Board and Vellum

Heat Lamps

There are simple portable propane lamps readily available at a relatively low cost, and built-in gas and electric lamps that are less conspicuous while radiating a warm glowing heat from above.

Electric. The great thing about built-in electric heat lamps is that they can be installed flush to a ceiling, so they are hardly noticeable except on those cold nights when they make themselves felt. They provide extremely reliable, very strong heat output, and can be used to create more warm and usable outdoor space than can be achieved with other options.

You can expect to pay a minimum of about $2,000 per lamp, including electrical installation, although this cost can vary depending on the manufacturer and installation details. A permit is always required, and there are very specific design clearances that must be maintained.

Matt Clawson

Gas heat lamp. Gas heat lamps are not typically as slim as their electric counterparts, but they give off superior heat output at greater efficiencies.

In the space here, we used a gas heat lamp with a traditional-style fitting for an authentic Tuscan-style home.

The cost of gas lamps is similar to but typically slightly higher than,electric, because gas costs more to provide than electricity in most locations. A permit is required for installation.

High Def Technologies

Portable gas heat lamp. This is the reliable old standby in gas lamps. Its portable nature makes it incredibly convenient, and these lamps are relatively inexpensive.

The downside is they take up space, and as is the case for portable gas fire pits, their propane tanks need to be periodically refilled.

Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction

Save Photo

All things considered, there is only one cure for the cold, and that is heat. While the smoky aroma of real wood burning and crackling away stirs up nostalgic memories and warm feelings in many, there are advantages to the gas and electric sources noted here, such as ease of use, reliability and environmental cleanliness.

By Matt Clawson, originally published on HOUZZ

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Tag Archives: Home Repairs

Cooktops vs. Ranges – Which is right for you?

“Thinking about some new appliances for your kitchen? What makes sense for you?”

Understanding the Differences

Which type is right for you?

Cooktop Benefits:

Range Benefits:

Our Favorites:

Cooktops:

Ranges:

In Conclusion

The Simple Way to Remove Wax From Candlesticks

Light up Your House for the Holidays, Not Your Energy Bill

Look on the bright side

Timing is everything

Consider solar

Get more bang for your buck

A little can go a long way

Light the night with luminarias

Create a warm glow

Choose Your Paint with These Fancy Apps

Regain Calm With a New Weekly Routine

The Quick and Easy Way to Clean a Microwave

Selling Your House Next Spring? 5 Fall Projects to Do Now

10 Strategies for Keeping Surfaces Clutter-Free

It’s Time to Clean Your Gutters

3 Ways to Bring the Heat to Outdoor Living Spaces

“Thinking about some new appliances for your kitchen? What makes sense for you?”

Understanding the Differences

Which type is right for you?

Cooktop Benefits:

Range Benefits:

Our Favorites:

Cooktops:

Ranges:

In Conclusion

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Look on the bright side

Timing is everything

Consider solar

Get more bang for your buck

A little can go a long way

Light the night with luminarias

Create a warm glow

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