Jeanne L

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Letter from the EditorsLetter from the EditorsAre you in the mood to spruce up your home? If you are preparing to put your house on the market, you should think ahead so you spend your time and money wisely. Jeanne T. Vargo When it comes to home ownership, it is all about the big decisions. Realtor - Homesale Realty YoWuhmetahyehr ayvoeusaorme leogorkeinatgidatemasofvoirnhgosmooenimorpryoovue’rmeeanlrtepardoyjelicvtins g in a 411 Malcom Drive thhaotmsoeuynodupleorvfee,ctthlyelreegaitriemdaetceisifioynosutaorebethminakdineg, aanbdouthtissemllionngthyo, wure Westminster, MD 21157 howuasnet. tWoehwelipll! give you the facts. You might want to reconsider some Office 410.876.3500 expenditures because often those little niceties may not add value to Cell 443.487.7945 yoSuormpertoimpeerst,yyinouthkenoenwdy. ou don’t care for the way things are set up in Fax 410.876.6298 [email protected] your home, but what should you do? If you are torn between staying, Hroewmeovdeer,liwnge ohar vmeoavninogth, ewregbrereatakardtiocwlenththaet sweilclogrievecyhoouicseosmfoer eyaosuy.A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC DIY home staging tips that you can economically incorporate into your hoWmoerkoinngceanydouplaaryeinrgeasdhyotuoldlisatlwitafyosr hsaalvee. sAenpoatrhaetreppileacceesininthoisuredmitiniodns, Steven McKenzie thbauttctohienycindeeesdwtiothhsatvaegisnegpabruatteanpylapcaerseinnt ycoaunruhsoem, iseaabsowuetlal.llLtehtousse Senior Mortgage Banker totyesa.cEhveyoryuchhoilwd htoasctahrveemo, ubtuat phaormenetsofafriceebfertotmer yooffuorregxaisntiizninggspthaece. NMLS 920559 kids’ playthings so just maybe they will stay that way. Cell 410.497.2008 Smart homes let you control everything from the climate to the Ifsyeocuurairtey fbruoyminygoauhr osmmaer,twpheosnhearoerstoambleett,ibpus toins ictraelal tiitn’sgcarascukcecdesuspfutlo ofbfee?r tWhaetgwivilel myoaukethtehefascetlsl.ers happy and you too! We also have some tips regarding what you should not do when you first move into your neWwhhetohmere.yYoouuawreilal nwaamntatzoinggect otookknoorwyoyuocuor unledwbhuornmweastoery,othuedreo’snot mraekaellyannyocpolastcley tmhiasttaiskeliks.e the kitchen. Maybe you are making a four course meal or you just want to bake a pizza. Either way, read these Latisptlsyt,owme ahkaeveyoseuvrekriatcl hreeansohnost,whhoyt,yhoout!are better off hiring a real estate agent whether you are a buyer or a seller. You’ll see how it just mWakheesnsymoaurtwsaenntseto. sell your home, a quick sale is one of the best things in the world. Use our tips to make sure that people see your gorgeous Wheohmoepefoyrotuheengjeomy ethxpatloitrirnegalolyurisp, aangedstomeenansutrteoyaosusisgtehtothmeeqouwicnkesrasl,e buyoyeur’vseanbdeesneldlerresaimn itnogdoayf.’s housing market. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of service to you in any way. Mowing a lawn seems simple enough, but when you think about it, there are things you can do to make the process better and faster.Member FDIC We believe that your home should be exactly what you need it to be, and that is what we are always trying to help you achieve. We hope you enjoy this issue, and that you pick up a few new tricks!2 2

CONTENTS4. Stay Put, Remodel, orMove?6. Working From Home?Create Your Space forMaximum Productivity8. Is a Smart Home ReallySmart?10. 7 Ways to Make KitchensSizzle12. Dress Your Home for aQuick Sale14. Mow Smart with UsefulLawn TipsThis magazine is published monthly. Entire contents are copyright protected under law where applicable. All RightsReserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. All images arecopyright protection of 123RF.com and its photographers. 3

Stay Put, Remodel, or Move?There are plenty of reasons to Reasons Not to Sell You also might avoid sellingthink about selling your home, because of falling home prices inand most of them are quite Usually, if you’re thinking about the area. While most real estateindividual. selling, there’s a good reason. agents will advise you not to But there may also be a crucial chase the market, it can’t helpMaybe you are expanding reason to wait. but feel disheartening to look atyour family, or you have a job recently sold properties in youropportunity in another city. During the housing crisis, many neighborhood and realize theyMaybe your kids have flown the homeowners lost equity thanks went for considerably less thannest, and keeping a large family to plummeting home values. It’s the asking price. It’s okay to waithome doesn’t make financial not ideal to sell your home when a year or two for more favorablesense anymore. Whatever the you owe more than it’s worth, or conditions.reason, there are various factors when you will barely be able toto consider when it comes to turn a profit.choosing the right time to sell. Look at the amount you oweOne of them is whether in home loans, then factor inremodeling would significantly closing costs and real estateincrease your property value. Is agent commissions. Does sellingit time to pack up boxes and hit now still seem like a good idea?the road? Or is it time to startseriously crunching numbers and If you haven’t spent enoughplanning for the future? Only you years in your home, making thecan decide. money back that you’ve put in can be a challenge.4

Considering a Remodel Remember, it’s better to avoid smaller projects like updating remodeling projects that don’t the electrical system or patchingWhile you’re waiting for the pay off. These include large cracks in the concrete.right time to sell your home, it’s swimming pools, add-ons withimportant to think about the type layouts that make no sense or If time is the major factor inof home remodeling projects which are simply impractical, and what you choose to remodel,that might increase your property anything that increases the price remember that remodeling canvalue enough to be worth the of your home far above similar help you sell quickly once thecosts involved. homes in the neighborhood. home is on the market, while selling a house with noticeableIf you’re looking for a quick, Should You Just Move? problems can take longer.attractive offer to buy,sometimes a new kitchen or Sometimes, there’s not If it’s money, don’t despair -a porch can sell a home in an enough room in the budget for many major remodeling projectsinstant. But not every project has remodeling. If you want to make don’t return full costs anyway,to be so glamorous. There are changes to your home for your so you may be fine skipping thesmaller, more affordable projects own family’s comfort, and not shiny extras.that will spruce up your house, simply to increase sale price, youwhether you intend to stick might be dreaming of something Deciding whether to sell youraround a while or not. far more drastic than is realistic home, and when is the best time, for you. is a personal choice based onBefore you think about tackling a job commitments, family, andremodeling project, big or small, Moving might simply make more finances.it’s worth it to have an inspector sense, and the attic bedroom orpoint out the house’s major landscaping overhaul that you’re Investing in home remodelingproblems. imagining is too costly and time- can inspire you to give your consuming for your personal neighborhood a second try,You don’t want to spend your situation. or it can help you impressbudget on pretty bathroom tile buyers. Consulting with realwhen there are serious issues That doesn’t mean you should estate agents, contractors, andwith your plumbing. Plan to list your home right away, inspectors is the best way to helptackle the major, practical with no repairs. Even sellers you understand your options.remodels first before moving in a major hurry will invest inon to aesthetics. Then do yourhomework and discover whatyou can afford to remodel thatwill pay off.Usually, changes to the exteriorof the home such as a new frontdoor or fresh coat of paint aregreat because they give thehouse a strong first impression.Buyers respond well to kitchenand bathroom fixes, even if it’ssimply repairing chipped countertops or installing new faucets andshower heads. It pays to thinkabout the details. 5

Working From Home? Create YourSpace for Maximum ProductivityThere are many benefits to 1. Location The nature of the work shouldworking from home, such as also be considered whenthe freedom to set your own It is important to choose a space choosing the location. Forschedule and work at your own where you will be comfortable example, the office should lookpace. The key is to create an spending many hours. You will professional and tidy if there willoffice space that maximizes want to ensure that there is be clients visiting regularly. Aproductivity. sufficient space for all that you separate entrance and bathroom need to do and so that you are may also be good features.An optimal workspace not not cramped and uncomfortable.only benefits you, it can make Distractions are another factoryour home more attractive to Spare bedrooms are among the in choosing a location. Anpotential buyers. A house with an most popular choices for home office space located off theoffice can sell more quickly than office spaces, but many homes kitchen or in other high-trafficone without. provide other options. A formal areas will not be conducive to living room, attic or dining room productivity, especially in a homeHere are three things that should that does not get a lot of use can with children or pets. Likewise, abe kept in mind when creating a also be good for an office. room with windows may be lesshome office space. helpful for those who are easily6

distracted when compared to a from a window. Table lamps a functional workspace willwindowless basement. On the are a good option for providing cost about $29,000 on average.other hand, some individuals may warmer artificial lighting while This amount is flexible and itwant a nice view as they work. opening up many design is entirely possible to create opportunities. a usable office for far less,2. Functionality especially if you are willing to Furniture should be chosen with take on some of the work.When creating a space for work, ergonomics in mind with thefunctionality is obviously very most important element being The ways in which a home officeimportant. The office should the desk chair. It is important can reduce taxes should also bebe able to fit everything that to recognize the fact that this considered when calculating theis needed for your work. It is a chair may be heavily used and cost. The costs associated withgood idea to draw a floor plan therefore should be chosen a home office may be deductedbefore making any purchasing carefully. whether you are self-employeddecisions. Knowing how much or an employee.operational space there is can Aside from a quality chair, ithelp when choosing the type of is important consider work It is possible to find out howequipment to buy. surfaces. Desks, counter tops and much a home office will save you drawing boards will be necessary by measuring the office spaceOffices need good lighting. depending on the type of work to and calculating its percentageEffective lighting can reduce be done in your office. It will also of the home’s overall squareeyestrain and headaches. be important to have surfaces for footage. That percentage mayNatural light from a window other equipment such as printers, be used to determine the office’scan be helpful and a nice view sewing machines or servers. share of home expenses andcan provide you with a break that share may be eligible forfrom your computer monitor 3. Cost a home office deduction. Thisperiodically. When using natural information is general in nature,light, monitors will have to be Remodeling Magazine’s Cost is not complete, and may notpositioned to minimize glare vs. Value Report estimates that apply to your specific situation. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your tax needs. Aside from the tax benefits, a home office that is devoted exclusively to work is more efficient. Having a dedicated space means that papers and equipment will not have to be moved every time the room is needed for something other than work. Dedicated space also keeps work from interfering with your personal life. 7

Is a Smart Home Really Smart?Smart homes take great Security A lot of owners connect theiradvantage of modern building smart home security systemstechniques and automation Smart homes have security to their city or town’s warningtechnology to give you a new systems that do a better job of system. This is done in order tocontrol level. A smart home preventing home invasions and obtain advanced warning duringmay be built from scratch with intrusions than those that need or before a natural disaster. Aautomation as a key design goal manual setting. Aside from that, smart home’s fire alarm systemor constructed from an existing these systems have advanced can also be set to unlock thehome during renovation. In capabilities to warn residents of door and notify the local fireboth cases, they offer several potential threats on the inside of department.advantages over a conventional the home or on the property.home.8

Safety used in devices and appliances outside. This keeps the home that are otherwise always on. cozy and warm throughout theWith a smart home, electricity winter evenings.can automatically be adjusted Aestheticsto different voltages for Passive design acts differentlyvarious devices and appliances. Although this might be the most when it comes to summer. It willAdditionally, unlike conventional obvious advantage, one of the block the heat and stop the sunelectrical systems found inside a main reasons people want to from directly entering the home.house, the electrical system in a have a smart home is because It will absorb the heat that peoplesmart home provides power only it adds a wow factor. Unlike do not want in their home duringto outlets that have appliances conventional homes, a smart the day and release it later in theturned on and plugged in. home has an appearance that is night when it is more useful. If completely-polished thanks to there is a breeze blowing, smartThe electric controller found the clever utilization of remotes homes will utilize natural crossin a smart home also monitors and touch screens used to ventilation and release hot airthe circuitry inside the house. It control audio equipment, lights, through high windows and ventshas the capability to disconnect blinds and other devices. More thus keeping the home naturallypower when a short circuit frequently than not, a smart cool.occurs. Sensors in a smart home home also offers cabling that iscan also detect gas and water pre-wired into the wall cavity. Resale Valueleaks. Accessibility When the time comes to sell aEntertainment smart home, you will have lots of A smart home may have effective selling points. You canSmart homes, also known accessibility technologies that explain the system and describeas super homes, provide the are helpful for disabled or elderly how much it makes life easier. Abest visual and sound quality people. Voice-command systems home that features a wide rangeavailable for home entertainment can do things such as locking of automated systems has thesystems. The television will be doors, controlling lights or potential to be sold much moreable to display what is online, operating a telephone. easily than a conventional home.and residents have the capabilityto listen to music in any room Superior Thermal Comfort The perception that purchasinglocated inside of their home. a smart home is an expensiveInternet access will allow you Another benefit of purchasing endeavor has dampenedto download multimedia files to a smart home is that you can customer enthusiasm. However,your stereo system and record experience superior thermal people who choose to purchaseyour favorite television shows. comfort. During the winter when this type of home can experience the sun is much lower in the sky, significant savings on their utilitySavings the smart home’s passive design bills and good security. will maximize warmth and lightBecause a smart home has the from the sun. Thermal mass Smart homes are no longercapability to regulate the use features will absorb the heat considered a vision of a scienceof utilities, homeowners can of the sun and radiate warmth fiction writer or a trendyrealize significant savings on into the room when the sun has purchase. As they become moretheir utility bills. Aside from that, disappeared. affordable, these homes are ayou can adjust the utilities to take good investment. All in all, smartadvantage of lower rates. At the The home’s thermal envelope homes are a staple of the presentsame time, less waste means that will also make sure that this heat and not a wave of the future.you will not be billed for utilities is retained instead of escaping 9

7 Ways to Make Kitchens SizzleSmall spaces can be a more If you can get organized, trade Make sure you have the workdaunting task to design than the top cupboards for open areas and appliances that yoularge ones. This is especially true storage. You can also consider need. Using innovative or scaled-when you add style and storage spice or magnetic knife holders, down appliances such as singleto the usual kitchen challenges pot racks and shelving instead. sinks, freeze drawers and pint-of function and features. It will make your kitchen more sized microwaves may also helpWhether you have a large space spacious, and it is also a great save a bit of space. The functionin your home or live in a small way to show off your favorite is there without all the squarehigh-rise condominium, a few shiny pans, dishes and even footage. If kitchen workspacedecorating tips will help you end artwork. is at a premium, you shouldup with a great kitchen designed consider a counter-topped cartjust the way you like it. Downsize the Kitchen or a small-scale island that can be put away in a closet when notOpen the Kitchen Up Everyone should accept the fact in use. that you cannot have a kitchenKitchens can often feel that accommodates cooking Light It Upclaustrophobic when overhead duties, recipe hunting, laundry,cabinets are towering in tight mail and schoolwork. Unless Similar to any room in the house,spaces. A lot of people cannot you do not cook at all, the main the kitchen needs a combinationreach their contents and there is focus of the kitchen is meal of atmospheric and functionalnot a lot of space for a ladder or preparation. lighting. Fluorescent lights thatstool. cast a bluish tint impact the10

colorization of things in the a solution that is 50 percent expand the space visually. In fact,room including food. In order to ammonia and 50 percent water there is even highly reflectivecounteract it, consider hanging then rinse and dry it. glass tile that can provide thependant lights that illuminate sparkle needed. Mirrors placedeverything in a color that is more Repair any missing or lose strategically or located in aappetizing. grout then sand the surface and backsplash can lighten up the vacuum away the dust using a look.Aside from that, think about very fine-grit sandpaper. Putusing incandescent lighting on the primer and then use tile A window that passes throughunderneath the upper cabinets paint that can be found in any into the next room adds to thethat shines down on counter hardware store. The paint should kitchen’s visual appeal. If you dotops. It will increase the dry for 24 hours before applying not have one, consider addingshadowing in the space when it is a second coat. architectural detail and airinessdirected at the cabinetry. It also by punching a counter pass or angives the area a much greater Look Into It arched window through into thevisual movement through dark next room.and light contrast as opposed One of the best ways to make ato cabinetry simply showing kitchen sizzle is to incorporate Safety is Importantthe cold blue of a fluorescent glass. This enables people to seelighting feature. through the objects and enhance No matter how beautiful a the feeling of spaciousness kitchen looks and how wellPaint Backsplash Tile or what home designers call it performs, it will not make a negative space. Try adding a glass difference if a fire breaks out.To make your kitchen sizzle, do tabletop, counter top or glass According to the National Firenot replace the backsplash. All door cabinets. Protection Association, cookingyou have to do is paint it. It is is the main cause of house fires.faster and less expensive than Glass kitchen doors facing thereplacing everything. To do this, outside or to the next room can When improving your kitchen,first scrub the backsplash using think about additional safety systems. Using tactile floors to avoid falls and ovens that are placed within easy reach of all family members can help prevent accidents. The Bottom Line It is easier than most people think to really make a kitchen shine. With a little planning and work, you can have a kitchen that will impress guests and keep you happy. 11

Dress Your Home for a Quick SaleSelling a house is stressful Put Out a New Welcome Mat This is because they are goingenough without having it to immediately think that thelanguish on the market. A potential buyer lingers the rest of the home is dirty. AsideAccording to the National longest at the home’s front from general maintenance andAssociation of Realtors, nearly entrance. They focus all of their cleaning, replacing or repairinghalf of all houses that are for sale attention here as the real estate the front door itself is perhapswere sold in less than a month agent gets the key from the the most effective way to spruceduring the prime buying season lockbox. up the front entrance.last year. Doors that have cracked, dingy Make it ShineHowever, if you ignore some paint, porch lights that arebasics about presentation, you encrusted with dead bugs and A home that smells and looksmay find that your home remains mats that have long worn out clean is most attractive to theunsold while eager buyers their welcome are not a great majority of would-be buyers.snap up similar homes. First invitation for a person who wants People buy on emotion, and theyimpressions count with home to purchase a home. want to come in and feel that abuyers. In order to give your place is ready to go.property maximum appeal, youshould follow some important They will also have theadvice when it comes to impression that the previouspresenting your home. owner has taken good care of the property. Pet odor should be eliminated. Other items to have on a checklist to make a home shine includes washing windows, steam-cleaning carpets, wiping down halls and dusting blinds. Do not forget to clean the inside of the oven and microwave. They will probably be opened during a home showing. If your lifestyle does not lend itself to maintaining a tidy and clean home, consider hiring a professional to go in weekly while the house is on the market to keep the counter tops and floors sparkling. Clean the Clutter All people accumulate stuff. When you have been in your home for a while, it begins to12

take over. Due to this, you want couch and see how it looks. If A Coat of Paint is Alwaysto get rid of or hide some of the new arrangement does not Goodthese things to make the house strike your fancy, you can alwaysshow better. Always bear in mind put things the way that they were A fresh coat of paint is the mostthat home buyers have a hard before. inexpensive and easiest way fortime looking past the clutter and you to freshen up your houseseeing the actual home. Spice Up the Kitchen for a prospective buyer. Choose neutral colors that appeal to aAdditionally, a clutter-free home Kitchens tend to sell a property, wide range of buyers. Althoughwill seem larger. Start by clearing and they need to be presented a bold green wall may amazecounter tops and then put away at their best. You want it to be some, other people are going tosmall appliances such as toasters. spotless, and that includes the see it as a project that will requireOnce this is done, you can clear inside of ovens, fridges and three coats of paint and twoaway makeup and other personal cupboards. coats of primer to cover.items in the bathroom. If you have a nice coffee maker, The Bottom LineToo many things out in plain leave it out on the counter.view can register as a lack of Although replacing old cabinets Selling a home can be daunting.storage space to a home buyer. may not always be reasonable, Because of this, you shouldKnickknacks, trinkets and they can be quickly outfitted or make sure that your home ispersonal collections should be painted with new doorknobs or memorable, inviting and standskept away from view. refaced with new doors. out among the dozens of houses that a buyer may view.Think About the FurnitureCouches clinging to the wallsis a typical decorating mistake.This is due to a common beliefthat rooms will feel easier to useand larger if all of the furniture ispushed up against the walls.Rather than doing this, you wantto float furniture away from wallsand reposition it in comfortableconversational groups. Furniturecan be arranged so that thetraffic flow in the room isobvious. In many cases, thismeans keeping the perimetersclear.Not only will this open up theroom and make it larger, it alsomakes the space more userfriendly. If you are nervous aboutdoing something that is a bitradical, try an area rug first. If thisis satisfying, you can move the 13

Mow Smart with Useful Lawn TipsWhen you look at your the length of each blade. Tears grass low removes their abilityneighbor’s deep green lawn, only allow pests and disease to to photosynthesize. You’ll haveyou may wonder what it takes infiltrate the grass. browning grass in no time.to make your yard just asspectacular. From thinning areas Cutting the lawn when it’s dry Change It Upto outright dead spots, a lawn is creates a better shearing processa microcosm of activity between for a healthier lawn. You’ll avoid Everyone appreciates athe soil, grass and organisms gumming up the mower with wet productive routine, but your lawnhidden below. grass blades too. doesn’t like repetition. In fact, lawnmowers are known to createUnderstanding the dos and It’s a Jungle Out There track marks on the grass whendon’ts of lawn care gives you a you repeat the same mowingchance to have a prize-winning When you neglect to mow the pattern each week.lawn with only minimal effort. lawn, it can grow out of control. The blades may appear to have a Change up the pattern by drivingRainy Day No-No jungle look to them as they wave the mower 90 degrees from its in the breezes. original position. You want theAlways refrain from cutting your mower to press against freshlawn until the blades are dry. Don’t be tempted to cut the grass to avoid ruts in the lawn.Grass is a living plant, susceptible lawn incredibly low, however.to disease and pests if damaged. Even if you have a bushy lawn, Try to always vary the mowingWhen you cut wet grass, the only remove about one-third pattern, especially for ride-alongmower blades slide and rip at the of the blades’ lengths at a time. mowers. The heavier the mower,grass blades. Instead of a perfect Grass needs enough length to the bigger chances you havecut, you are actually damaging photosynthesize, creating energy of creating tracks across the for normal growth. Cutting the ground.14

Grass Grows at Different Rates grass is such a widespread plant, Because you only cut one-third it can be difficult to gauge its of the grass’s length at a time,Every grass is classified as water needs. the small clippings can’t blockeither a cool or warm-season the sunlight or rain down to thegrass. Knowing your grass type In general, you need to water roots. In fact, the clippings mulchgives you a chance to mow it it so the first half inch of soil is directly into the soil, creatingaccordingly. damp. You don’t want soggy an instant fertilizer for the lawn. or dry soil. Damp soil allows Nutrients, moisture and oxygenFor example, warm-season grass moisture to feed the grass roots all converge to form a healthyenters dormancy in the fall and while still retaining some oxygen soil environment for strong grass.winter, but grows exponentially for absorption into the grassin the spring and summer. Cool- blades. Test the Soilseason grass reacts in just theopposite way to warm-season You can use a hand screwdriver Never blindly throw fertilizertypes. to press into the soil if you’re across your lawn in the spring. unsure of your watering strategy. It’s best to use an at-home testYou’ll barely mow the grass The screwdriver should have kit to see if your soil is healthyin the fall and winter when damp soil along a one-half inch enough for strong grass growth.warm-season grass is dormant. of its length. Tests typically tell you aboutSpring and summer may require salinity, pH and mineral content.you to mow once or twice a Clippings are Good You can take that informationweek. Lawns flourish when and base your fertilizingyou cut them properly. It only You may watch professional processes off of it. If your pH isencourages them to grow more landscapers push or ride on too high, you may need to alter itfor better photosynthesizing. mowers with huge bags to catch to a level where grass can grow the grass clippings. However, it’s freely. Soil science is crucial toWater Basics actually better for your lawn to healthy grass. With the right have those clippings dropped nutrients, grass grows deeply toSome people water their lawns right back to the soil. make it more resistant to stress,too much or too little. Because including drought and heat. If you’re particularly confused about your lawn’s needs, take a sample of the soil and grass to a local university. Scientists routinely test local soils to enhance farming and other land needs. You get an accurate account of your soil’s needs while helping the local environment simultaneously. A healthy lawn is a reflection of the rich soil below. 15

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