Articles Tagged "Homeowner tips"

When you're designing a new kitchen or renovating an existing one, you'll be undertaking an important project. You'll naturally want to avoid making mistakes, so you might be tempted to adhere to kitchen design rules. In some cases, these rules are myths that can — or even should — be broken.
  
Our REALTORS® point out the following kitchen design myths you want to ignore:

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Carpeting can help give your home a warm, soft appearance and increase its comfort level. But it can also trap dirt and grain as well as stains, so you'll need to clean your carpets effectively in order to keep them clean and looking their best.
  
Our REALTORS® suggest the following steps to clean your carpets the right way:

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Moving is a time-consuming, stressful task, but it's well worth it when you're happily settled into your new home. But with so many tasks involved, many homeowners make mistakes during the move or when they're decorating and personalizing their new home.

Our REALTORS® share these mistakes to avoid when moving into your new home:

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A nice green, lush yard is attractive, but if it's loaded with chemicals, that beauty may come with a price. Chemicals can be harmful to the environment, and their warning labels may make you understandably wary of exposing yourself and your kids to these substances. That's why more people are going organic when it comes to lawn care. If you choose this route, however, you'll need to research exactly what works and what doesn't.

Our REALTORS® share the following organic lawn care tips that actually work:

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Whether you've had a garden for years or are planting your first one this season, now's the time to start preparing your garden, This will help increase the odds that you'll have a thriving garden and will also help you take care of some tasks now before the temperatures get warmer.

Our REALTORS® live and work in the Midland, MI area and know it well. They suggest these steps to start your garden prep now and give you the best chance of success:

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Smart home technology is becoming more popular as a greater number of devices use Wi-Fi connectivity to make our homes more efficient and comfortable. Some can even help reduce your energy bills and make your home more secure. And when it comes time to put your home on the market, smart technology devices like water monitors can be a selling point that appeals to many prospective buyers and sets your home apart from others for sale.

Our REALTORS® suggest investing in some of the following smart home tech:

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Eating seasonally has a wide variety of benefits, including getting fresher, better tasting, and more delicious food than you would from food consumed out of season. And if you or your grocer are buying from local farms, you're also helping to support your local economy.

Our REALTORS® recommend these best seasonal ingredients to shop for this winter:

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Colors of the Year, which are named by color experts as well as paint companies, can help refresh and inspire your home decor in the new year. 2022's shades range from a vibrant periwinkle to a chocolatey brown, and they'll each bring a new feel and versatility to your decor.

Our REALTORS® share the following 2022 Colors of the Year, including tips on how to best incorporate them into your home to achieve the look you want:

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The holidays are the perfect time to make some DIY holiday crafts to decorate your home or give as gifts. If you have kids, let them help and you'll be making nice family memories at the same time.

Our REALTORS® suggest making the following DIY holiday crafts this season:

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A yard filled with birds brings to mind warmer spring or summer months, but many stay throughout the year, even through cold weather. They need some more help finding sources of food during colder months, so why not help them out while attracting some beautiful birds to your yard?

Our REALTORS® suggest the following tips for feeding birds during chilly months:

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This time of year you'll find pumpkins in grocery stores, at pumpkin patches, and even at some of your big-box home improvement stores. In addition to making good seasonal decorations, pumpkins can also be used in a variety of other ways. Our REALTORS® suggest the following ways to make the most out of your pumpkins:

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It's easy to look at photos on your phone, but by making prints of these special moments, you can have the basis for some interesting and meaningful displays for your home. Photos can be used in a wide variety of ways and can help personalize and add visual interest to any room.

Our REALTORS® share the following ways to rethink your family photos while improving your home decor:

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Fresh herbs are an easy way to add life to dull dishes. These fragrant and flavorful little plants make beautiful garnishes, add vitality to every bite, and even better, they're packed with valuable antioxidants and nutrients. Sure, you can pick up all these herbs at a grocery store, but nothing beats the taste of a home-grown, fresh-picked herb. If you've got a windowsill with plenty of sunlight, then you have the perfect spot for growing an indoor herb garden. Herbs are easy to grow and you don't need a big backyard or green thumb to grow a lush herb garden. Here are our REALTORS®' favorite indoor herbs, plus how to grow and use them.

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If you're looking for a place to manage some of your clutter, your attic is a natural storage spot. But since this room is often unfinished and prone to pests, leaks, mold, and extreme temperature changes, it will take a little planning to make the most of your attic storage and ensure your items last for years. Short of a major revamp, there are plenty of storage ideas that can help transform an attic into the ideal version of itself. Our REALTORS® have put together a few tips to help you manage the process and optimize your attic space.

• Assess the Attic Floor
  Placing items on non-weight-bearing surfaces can be dangerous. Before you start storing things in your attic, consult a professional to determine if the area is structurally sound and the joists can bear weight. If your attic is structurally sound, you can convert empty spaces and floor areas into usable storage options by resting a plywood board or attic decking panels over strong joists.

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If you're looking at Midland homes for sale, you may tour dozens of properties before you find a perfect fit. Finding a home with adequate space and style may seem like a challenge, but it's not impossible with help from professionals like our REALTORS® who understand your needs.

Everyone's dream home is different, but flooring is one feature that's important to all homeowners. While some people prefer the natural appeal of hardwood floors, others prefer the cushion of carpet under their feet. Choosing between hardwood and carpet can greatly impact style, durability, maintenance, and costs. Here's what you should know about each.

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Houseplants can really brighten up a home. Big and showy or slender and intricate, green-growing things can enhance your interior design. If you're adding your home to the list of Midland homes for sale, you may want to work in some houseplants to bring out the best in your home before you plan for the virtual or in-person tour. As our REALTORS® will tell you, houseplants are helpful not only for their beauty but also for calming our nerves and cleansing the air. 

But homeowners with pets will want to choose houseplants with some care, as many types can be toxic. If you do acquire some species that might make your pet sick, place them where the animal can't reach them. 

To help you choose your plants, here's the lowdown on a number of popular and beautiful species, but ones that also might be sickening to Fido.

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There's no time like the present to settle in and nest in your home. Whether you have a large yard or a small garden, our REALTORS® have come across plenty of fabulous ideas that can breathe a bit of fresh air into your landscape. The following are seven of our favorite weekend projects that you will want to put on your "to-do" list. 

1. Add Shutters and Flower Boxes
   Shutters and flower boxes are easy to attach to your windows and railings. Adding the right shutters can add depth and dimension to your home's appearance, and the flowers that bloom right outside the window are guaranteed to brighten up even the gloomiest days.

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Spending more time at home provides a great opportunity to prepare your home and yard for the onslaught of summer heat. Every piece of your home needs maintenance to work efficiently and look great, especially if you'll soon be adding your home to the list of Midland homes for sale.

Our REALTORS® recommend this list of summer home maintenance tasks to complete while sheltering in place.

• Test House Alarms
  Check your home's carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly. This easy home maintenance task takes less than five minutes to complete. Just push the test button and listen for the alarm. If there's no sound, put in new batteries and test again.

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With many of us seeing the inside of our homes much more of than usual, you might have decided it's time for a little updating. Some of these tasks might be on your mind anyway if you'll be adding your home to the list of Midland homes for sale in the near future. These home improvements are easy to take on even if you're sheltering in place.

• Declutter. Our REALTORS® always suggest sellers start here, but it's a good idea even if you're just trying to get a new look. Decluttering will make the space look neater and more organized. Getting rid of things you no longer need frees up space for other uses and helps you see exactly what you have to work with.

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If your home has a bonus room, you already know the benefits of having extra space. Our REALTORS® love homes with these spaces because it allows buyers extra flexibility that they just can't get with other Midland homes for sale. Even if you're just beginning to think of putting your home on the market, there's no time like the present to define your bonus room.

The following five tips will help you make the most out of your bonus room while also avoiding a few of the most common mistakes. 

1. Consider Potential Buyers
   The first thing you'll want to do is get a clear idea of the type of buyer who is likely to be interested in your home. If your neighborhood is family-oriented, then showcasing your extra room as a children's playroom or a fun game room might be a great idea. However, if you're in a trendy, professional area then buyers may find a well-designed home office or an entertainment space far more appealing.

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Our REALTORS® know a little extra useable space is something that buyers are always looking for. With telecommuting, self-employment, and freelancing all on the rise, turning that extra space into an office is likely to be just the thing to make your home stand out from other Midland homes for sale. Here's how make an eye-catching and functional office space in your home.

• Declutter.
  If you're not quite sure where you could put an office space, the first step would be to do a little decluttering. Once you've cleared out things you don't need, you'll have more room to work with. If you already have a space in mind, decluttering is still a good place to start. And after your office is complete, make a regular appointment with yourself to keep it decluttered.

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Your real estate agent is a master of many skills. Your real estate agent does more than help you navigate the terms of the contract when you purchase Midland Homes for Sale. They are a coordinator, negotiator, mediator, and manager who ensures all the details of the transaction fall into place. Many first time home buyers and seasoned real estate investors are surprised to learn that real estate agents can also perform the following tasks.

• Help with Short-Term Housing
  It's common for homebuyers to need a short-term place to stay when they purchase a home. Whether you are moving into the area, waiting for renovations, searching for a short-term lease until the seller is ready to move, your real estate agent can help you find a place to hang your hat until the house is ready.

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The loss of a loved one can unleash a flood of emotions. It can feel as if you are treading water as you wade through thoughts and memories deciding what to do with their property. When you inherit a home, the first thing to know is that you inherit all the rights and responsibilities that go with the property. To help you through the process, our REALTORS® recommend moving forward slowly and methodically to expedite the process and avoid costly mistakes. 

• Take Care of Business
  Your first steps should be to update the homeowner's insurance policy and transfer all the utility accounts into your name. Even if you are planning to sell the home, you want to keep the utilities operational to prevent damage to the property. It is also vital to continue making all mortgage, property tax, and HOA payments.

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Decluttering has been a big trend this year. And while you're browsing Midland homes for sale, you might be thinking that you should declutter before you move. These tips will help you through every step of the decluttering process so you can enter your new home and enjoy a completely fresh start.

Why Moving is the Perfect Time to Declutter

If you aren't using something, why go through the trouble of moving it to your new home? This is the biggest reason why moving is the perfect time to declutter. Plus, many moving companies charge by the box. This means that if you don't declutter, you'll end up paying to move things you can't even remember the last time you used.

Decluttering can also be advantageous when you're selling your current home. Our REALTORS® say that a cluttered house looks smaller. By getting the clutter out of the way, you can make your house look more open and inviting to potential buyers.

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If you're getting ready to put your home on the market in 2019, you'll be looking for ways to update it to wow potential buyers. A fresh coat of paint is a great place to start. Painting your home—inside and out—can have a huge impact on its overall appearance, and is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to make it stand out from the crowd of Midland homes for sale. So what do you need to know about painting your Midland home to sell in 2019?

Why Prioritize Paint?

A good paint job can help you as a seller make a quick and lucrative sale. It's a great—and very economical—way to give your home a fresh, bright, and modern appearance. Painting to sell is especially important if you have a home customized to suit your unique sense of style, adding bold accent walls, murals, or wallpaper, for example. While you may love these personalized touches, people have different tastes, so some potential buyers can be put off by them.

Light, bright, spacious, and neutral is the look you need to go for to appeal to the widest range of buyers. The goal is to allow most anyone to be able to visualize how they could furnish and decorate the space to their liking—without having to paint over colors that might clash with their preferred color scheme.

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As the weather gets warmer, it's time to pack up sweaters, coats, and boots in favor of shorts, t-shirts, and sandals. Your home is also ready to shake off winter and get a fresh new look for spring. Follow this handy checklist from our REALTORS® to have your home in Midland ready to wow the spring buyers.

1. Inspect the Roof
   April showers bring May flowers, but they can also bring mold and other interior problems if your home has a leaky roof. If you'd rather not climb a ladder, use binoculars to look for missing or damaged shingles. Contact a professional roofer to handle any necessary repairs.
   
   

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Festive decorations, family gatherings and sipping hot chocolate by a crackling fire all make the holidays bright, but it's essential to practice fireplace safety precautions.

The holiday season is the most dangerous time of year for house fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), more open-flame fires occur on Christmas Day than on any other day of the year. These five fireplace safety tips from our REALTORS® can help prevent fires, keep your home and family safe and give you peace of mind so you can relax and be of good cheer during the holidays.

1. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually.
   Failing to have your chimney professionally checked and cleaned regularly can have damaging and even deadly consequences. Each time you burn a fire in your fireplace, creosote and soot collect in your chimney flue. Creosote buildup restricts the airflow of your chimney, which can cause it to catch on fire. In its initial stages, creosote is a flaky deposit that can be easily brushed away by proper cleaning. If creosote is not removed, it can turn into a tarry substance that is tougher to remove. Eventually, it will harden and may begin to drip when it reaches a high temperature. It's important to make sure that creosote and soot don't build up more than 1/4 inch.
   
   A professional chimney sweep will also inspect your chimney and the flue lining to make sure it hasn't become cracked.  A cracked flue lining can lead to dangerous fires and should be fixed before you use the fireplace. If you use your fireplace frequently, you may need to have your chimney cleaned more than once a year.
   
   
2. Keep your decorations and Christmas tree away from the fireplace.
   Place your tree and other decorations (including stockings) a reasonable distance away from your fireplace. If you decorate your mantle, make sure that garland and other decorations do not hang down near the fire.
   
   
3. Don't put wrapped gifts or packages near the fireplace.
   Keep all flammable materials at least three feet away from fireplaces, wood stoves, candles, and space heaters.
   
   
4. Don't put trash in the fireplace.
   Attempting to burn your Christmas tree, gift boxes, or wrapping paper in the fireplace is extremely dangerous. All of these materials are highly flammable and can create deadly fires and toxic fumes.
   
   
5. Be proactive.
   Keep all children and pets a safe distance from fireplaces, and use fireplace screens to keep sparks and debris inside your fireplace. Keep a fire extinguisher handy near your fireplace (and stove!).  If flames do flare up, you'll be able to combat them immediately. Allow any ashes in your fireplace to cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container outside. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them regularly to make sure they're in good working order. Carbon monoxide alarms are also a must to keep your family safe.

These tips are also appropriate for wood-burning stoves, grills, and outdoor fire pits. From all of us at Ayre/Rhinehart REALTORS®, have a wonderful holiday season! If you're considering buying a house in Midland in 2019, contact us to get your home search started.