Prepping your Home for the Spring

March has arrived which means spring is just around the corner. It is important to maintain your home in order to keep your property value up, and the spring is the perfect time to do some touch-ups around the property. Here's a checklist from Hays Home Improvement that is a good place to start.

-Clean your gutters
-Check the underside of siding for any rotting
-Look over the roof for any winter damage
-Examine your attic for roof damage that has seeped to the interior
-Be sure the downspouts from your gutter carries the water far enough (about 5 ft.) from the house

Follow the link for more ideas on maintaining the house going into the spring. 

Tips for Removing Wallpaper

If you have just bought a home, or are looking to sell, sometimes a house needs a change. Replacing wallpaper or painting previously papered walls can make a world of difference. Removing wallpaper seems like an easy enough task, but it can be tricky your first time. Here's some times from the DIY Network for removing wallpaper! Follow the link for full instructions, as this is just a brief overview.

Step 1: Prepare the room. Use drop clothes to protect the floor, remove switch plates and outlet covers, and cut power to the room

Step 2: Score wallpaper. This means put little holes in the paper using a tool called a scorer.

Step 3: Prep solution. There are plenty of commercial solutions, or you can make your own (see article).

Step 4: Soak Walls. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the wall one small area at a time.

Step 5: Strip Paper. Grab the paper in a corner and peel slowly, using a putty knife to help.

Step 6: Clean Walls. Use a small amount of dish detergent and hot water to remove any left over adhesive residue.

Improve Your House's Curb Appeal

A first impression can be huge when you are selling your home. Make sure the outside of your house looks its best when it is on the market. Here are some tips to keep your yard and exterior at its most beautiful.

1. Edge the driveway: Adding stone or brick to the outside of a driveway will leave it looking more defined and clean. Installing edging really is not too difficult either.

2. Install lights along the sidewalk: Lights along the entrance are more welcoming than just a light on the front of the house. It also accents landscaping.

3. Flowers: Everyone loves flowers. They are welcoming, beautiful, and aren't as expensive as re-doing the yard.

4. Paint the front door: New paint on the front door can add life to the exterior of the house.


For more ideas for improving the exterior of your house, visit the MSN Real Estate article.

6 Design Tricks for a Small Home

Not every home can be the huge space we sometimes desire. Sometimes a smaller house can have a desirable location and price. Renovations to these smaller homes can be the key to making them work. Here are six design tips for small home from MSN Real Estate.

1. Raise the roof: This isn't always possible, but if you can put higher ceilings in, the space feels larger.

2. See outside: Large glass windows, doors, or even walls can bring the outside in. The room will feel larger when the outdoors seem to blend with the indoor space.

3. Define your space: Decoration can be key. Simple, geometric shapes in paintings, light fixtures, etc, can give the room a different feel than less defined items.

4. Think in three dimensions: In a small space it is important to consider how something looks from all angles, not just one.

5. Use natural light: This one is similar to number 2, but the more natural light you let it, the bigger the area seems.

6. Put an outdoor space upstars: This, once again, isn't always possible, but putting a patio on a roof or a 2nd floor balcony opens things up.

For more information and expanded commentary on these ideas visit the MSN Real Estate article!

10 Remodeling Projects that Pay Back Most

Remodeling a home can add to property value, according to MSN, and remodeling costs are dropping. The average remodel cost has dropped 10% to 15% in the past 5 years. Here are ten remodels from MSN that pay back the most.

1. Replacing exterior siding

2. Replacing an entry door

3. A midrange attic bedroom remodel

4. A midrange minor kitchen model

5. A midrange garage door replacement

6. A high-end garage door

7. A new wood deck

8. New foam-backed vinyl siding replacement

9. New midrange replacement vinyl siding

10. Upscale vinyl replacement windows


For more on these remodels visit the MSN Real Estate article!

Protect Your Home From the Snow

We are supposed to be getting snow this weekend, so I thought I'd share some tips I found for protecting the value of your home during snow storms. Thanks to Homeinsurance.com for the article! 

Clear the snow off from around your doors and windows so that melting snow doesn’t enter your home

Make sure drains and gutters are clear of dirt and debris

Test your down spouts to make sure that they carry water far from your home so that melting snow doesn’t cause flooding issues

Clear snow mounds from around exhaust pipes and air vents on heaters, furnaces and dryers

If you leave home, do not turn off the heat as this can cause frozen pipes which can burst and flood your home

Real Estate Tips for 2012

I came across a great article from Steve McLinden on Bankrate.com with 12 tips for 2012! Here are the tips:

1. Price it right from the get-go: In a relatively slower market, holding out for a better offer may not come.

2. Put your best footage forward: Prep your house by cleaning, painting, etc.

3. Be flexible: Don't break, but bend a little bit

4. Get over your technology fears: Don't be afraid to use the Internet or social media to sell

5. Don't fall for scams: Research any "investor" who promises to help sell your home fast or offer loan modification

To see the rest of the tips and more on these tips, follow this link to the article!