Peggy Chirico ~ Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate Blog

May is Deck Safety Month according to Reuben Saltzman of Structure Tech Home Inspections of Minnesota.  In this great article, he addresses all the issues that always seem to come up at home inspections.  If you are thinking of putting your house on the market and you have a deck, you might want to check your deck and fix whatever is necessary before you list your home.

More Fun with a Can of Spray Paint!

A while ago, I wrote a post on Fun with a Can of Spray Paint.  But there's so much more you can do with spray paint.  Here's a way to give your chairs a facelift!

Let's face it! No matter how many people you have living in your house, your kitchen chairs take quite a beating.  Recently, I decided that my whole kitchen needed a little updating, so in addition to repainting the walls, I gave my chairs a facelift.  The black painted chairs with upholstered seats were looking a bit scuffed up, but I brought them back to life with a few easy fixes.

1.  Remove the seat from the chair and take the material off the padded seats.  Be sure to remove all the staples, and give the chair a good dusting.

2.  Wash the chairs with liquid soap and rinse well.  I decided to use Liquid Sand (in a well-ventilated area) to remove any glossy surfaces, but you can use sandpaper if you prefer.

3.  In an outdoor area, spray paint the chairs in light quick strokes. (I used Krylon semi-gloss, which worked really well).  Apply several coats, allowing plenty of time to dry between coats.

4.  Cut new fabric about the same size as what you removed from the old seat cushions, and with a staple gun, fasten securely.  Before I started I checked out a few videos on YouTube (I searched for "how to recover seat cushions").  Make sure the fabric is evenly stretched tight.

5.  When the chairs are dry, reattach the seat cushions to the chair.

Voila!  Easy facelift! 

Gardening Tips:  Three Plants You Should Be Dividing Right Now!

Our gardens are pretty mesmerizing right now, aren't they? After a very long winter, it feels almost euphoric to be staring at the bright green of new plants emerging from their winter habitat.  They seem to grow by inches every hour, and it's easy to get lulled into just watching them grow.

But don't get too comfortable! This is the perfect time to be dividing plants and replanting or giving them away!  These plants must be divided now before they get too big to handle:

• Hostas
• Grasses
• Daylillies

If you wait much longer, the task will be more difficult and it will be harder to divide them without doing major damage.  Transplanting them right now while the leaves are small and the weather is cool will be less shocking to the plant than if you wait.

How to do it:  The easiest way is to dig up the entire plant and lift it out of the ground.  Then with a pitchfork, spade, or handsaw, cut through the roots from the bottom.  When you almost get to the top of the soil ball and before you reach the leaves, tease the rest of the roots and plant apart by gently tugging and untwisting the roots. 

Replant each piece in a new location and be sure to tamp the soil down around the root ball so there are no air spaces.  Water, sit back, and watch them grow along with your other emerging plants! 

Most established plants can be divided into at least four new plants, although some will yield many more.  I have divided some of my hostas and daylillies into ten or twelve new plants each time I divide them.

Happy Spring!

Snow is doing serious damage!

With the record snowfall this year, most of us are concerned with removing the snow from our driveways so we can get out and drive.  But we should also pay attention to where else the snow is piling up.

Just this morning in the Hartford Courant, there were numerous articles about the damage done to roofs.  In Somers, for example, the snow collapsed a barn and injured two horses to such an extent that they had to be euthanized.  Several area businesses, commercial buildings, and residential garages and houses have experienced roof collapses.  As claims come in and as emergency crews are called upon, we are sure to hear of other catastrophes.

On Thursday, Governor Malloy urged people to get the snow off the roofs, especially if the roofs are flat or have a smaller slope.  Experts also advocate homeowners to make sure that vents to heating systems are not blocked with snow or ice.  Another problem associated with the heavy snowfall is ice dams.  As the snow melts, the water collects in the gutters where it freezes and prevents melting snow on the roof from going anywhere.  The water can seep under the shingles where can cause damage to ceilings inside the house.  Reuben Saltzman did a great job on explaining ice dams and how to correct them, so if your gutters are iced up, you will want to check out his posts.

To sum up:

• Get the snow off the roof if possible
• Check for frozen gutters and ice dams
• Make sure vents to the heating system are not blocked.

The snow may be beautiful to look at, but it is causing serious damage.  Homeowners need to be aware of how the damage occurs and take steps to minimize the extent of the damage.

For recent posts and pictures of the snow:

Mountains of Snow

On Days Like This, I Am Grateful for Indoor Plumbing

Winter Won't Last Forever!

Fun with a Can of Spray Paint

Maybe winter is a little long here, but this weekend I decided that I needed a few fun projects to engage my creative spirit.  What's better than a can of spray paint?

If you are looking for some low-cost home improvement ideas, think about what you can do with a can of spray paint.

How many things can you paint with a can of spray paint?  Apparently, quite a few. 

First, I removed all the cabinet hardware in my kitchen, scrubbed them well with vinegar and water, dried them thoroughly, and painted them with Rustoleum Hammered Metal (Silver finish).  My cabinets look rejuvenated and the hardware looks like new.

Second, I spraypainted some picture frames that just didn't look that good after I repainted the bathroom. With a fresh coat of the hammered silver finish, the frames really compliment the photographs and my bathroom looks quite chic.

Third, I was about to throw out an old gold-tone basket(you know how everyone hates that color now!) that I had used for toiletries in the bathroom.  But then, armed with the spray paint, I gave it new life and it looks great with the picture frames.

Next, I will repaint a gold-tone wreath that is looking a little dated and maybe even try painting a lamp base.

For low-cost home improvements, try a can of spray paint.  For five dollars, you can get an updated look on hardward and accessories and have fun doing it.  All in all, a very satisfying day.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:  Use spray paint only in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask.  The fumes are pretty noxious and you don't want that in your lungs.  It's hard to find a space that is well-ventilated in the winter, but I was able to use my garage which was warm enough.  I opened the door while I was spraying and then moved the pieces into the house to dry.

Now that we have two feet of snow along with the freezing rain that we are getting today, there is bound to be plenty of problems with ice dams.  I am looking at my roof right now wishing that I had already done what Reuben Saltzman of Minneapolis suggested in this great post entitled "Preventing Ice Dams from the Exterior."  As soon as it stops sleeting, we will have to get out there and do something about it!

Get Your Home Ready to Sell with Low-Cost Home Improvements

When I am listing a home, I am usually asked by the sellers what they can do to improve their homes to get the best price and a quick sale.  Of course, pricing the home correctly for the market and the conditions is the most important factor.  However, almost everyone can do something to make their homes more attractive to buyers. 

Here are the five most frequently recommended low-cost home improvements for the interior of the home (although each may not apply to everyone):

• Low-Cost Home Improvement #1:  If you have hardwood floors, show them off.  Many older homes have hardwood floors under the carpet, especially on the first floor.  Buyers today love hardwood floors because they are easy to clean and because they are very fashionable right now. Whether you do it yourself or you hire someone to do it, ripping up the carpet will be well worth the effort.  And speaking of carpeting, NEVER put it in the bathroom.  It is a major turnoff to buyers; bathroom floors should always look like they have just been sanitized.

• Low-Cost Home Improvement #2:  If you have old, out-dated lighting fixtures, change them.  Home improvement stores have plenty of low-cost, attractive lighting fixtures that will make a big statement.  So whether it's the 1970s glass chandelier in the hallway or the strip of round light bulbs in the bathroom, trade them in for a more modern look.

• Low-Cost Home Improvement #3:  If the groutlines in the bathrooms and kitchen are not sparkling clean, either clean them off or replace the grout and caulk.  No one wants to see grunge in either of those rooms especially, so look over all the surfaces to make sure they are gleaming.

• Low-Cost Home Improvement #4:  Check all the walls to see if they need to be repainted.  Nothing freshens up a house faster than repainting.  Trade out any wild and crazy colors (or old dated wallpaper) for softer neutrals.  You can't go wrong with shades of tan, taupe, grey, or light sage, which are warmer and preferable to white.  Also, look over the woodwork and ceilings, and refinish those if necessary.

• Low-Cost Home Improvement #5:  Clear out clutter and excess furniture.  Each room should look as spacious as possible with just enough furniture so that buyers can visualize where their own furniture might go.  If the walls are cluttered with too many pictures, consider replacing a lot of small ones with larger pictures or a large mirror.  You will be moving anyway, so consider packing the excess up and putting it in storage now.

Of course, there are many other improvements that can be made, but these are low-cost home improvements that can make a big impact.

Going Green in the Bathroom!  When Charles Buell issued a challenge to see if we could blog about anything, I immediately went to my bathroom sink to see if there was anything under the sink that inspired me.

Nothing immediately leaped out at me.  But then I noticed my can of Scrubbing Bubbles and realized that, of course, I could blog about that.

The can is really old. The top is totally rusted. And I wonder why I haven't just thrown it away.  It must be because we go back such a long way.  I always swore by Scrubbing Bubbles.  In my busy life, I could just spray it on, do another task, and come back to wipe it off to reveal sparkling clean shower doors, tubs, sinks, caulking, etc. (although it wasn't always that great on the caulk or really stubborn grime).

But then I evolved and decided I should be going green with my cleaning products.  I began to use vinegar on just about everything, from toilets to floors to sinks (it also worked best on the mineral deposits from my hard well water).  I learned along the way that chlorine bleach is horrible for the environment in so many ways, whereas vinegar is very eco-friendly.

And for everything that needed some scrubbing action, I opted for Mr. Clean Magic Erasers or the knock-off brand (anyone who reads my blog knows I have a little lovefest going on with my magic erasers).  In fact, I found that the magic erasers actually worked better on shower doors than the Scrubbing Bubbles.

So there you have it! You have witnessed my transformation from a product-driven cleaner to going green with a greener cleaner.  In the process, I have saved lots of money, been kinder to the environment, and proven that change can be a good thing.  Just because we have always done something one way doesn't mean that we have to continue to do it.

The world is changing; the real estate world is changing.  We need to change with the times or we will be dinosaurs.  So go for it.  Small changes in everyday behaviors can have great impact over time.  They can also save you money.

If you are looking for a greener home, call me.  We have plenty of options for energy-efficient homes that will save you money in the long run.  From replacement windows and doors, to energy-efficient fireplaces, appliances, and heating systems, to solar panels and alternative electricity, the options grow everyday.  I am committed to doing what I can to save the environment, and I am committed to helping you find what is important to you. 

ENERGY TAX CREDIT: Take advantage of it while you can! 

If you improve the energy efficiency or install a renewable energy system for your primary residence, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% of the cost of improvements, up to $1500.  The deadline is December 31, 2010.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• Windows and doors (including sliders and garage doors)
• Insulation
• Roofs (metal and asphalt)
• Central Air
• Furnaces and boilers
• Gas, oil, and propane water heaters
• See all included items

WHAT IS NOT INCLUdED:

• Electric furnaces and boilers
• Washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens/ranges
• Whole house fans
• Room air conditions
• Ceiling fans
• Window treatments
• See all excluded items

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR TAX CREDIT:

When you file your 2010 federal tax return, you will enter the amount of your credit.  The credit comes off of the amount of taxes you owe and reduces your tax bill.  If you do not file tazes, you are not eligible for a tax credit.   Also, there are no income restrictions for the tax credit.  For more information on filing for your tax credit, visit the IRS website.

OTHER DETAILS:

The tax credit is on 30% of materials only, up to $1500.  It does not cover labor.  Also, you must have receipts and a Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

In addition to the energy tax credit that expires on 12/31/10, there are several tax credits that remain in effect until 12/31/2016.  These include credits on geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, and solar energy systems on both primary and secondary residences; the tax credit for fuel cells is available on the primary residence only.    For more information on these credits, visit the EnergyStar website.

I admit it! I am an HGTV addict!  I am a fan of some shows and a critic of others, but I do learn a lot from the shows.  There is a new show that is, I think, one of the best--"Professional Grade." 

The premise of "Professional Grade" is that homeowners take on a renovation project and try to do the best job they can with the money they have to spend. At the end of the project, a team of contractors comes to review the project and provide an estimate of what they think they have spent.  The homeowners get to keep the difference between what they actually spent and what the contractors think they spent.

What I like about the show is that this really is a do-it-yourself show and not one that showcases high-end designers.  It speaks to those of us who like to do our own work on a budget without it necessarily looking like it is.  Of course, when I went to apply, the casting call is closed!  I have missed my opportunity to be on national television.  However, I am going to proceed with my own project--my kitchen.  I will post the first "before" picture as soon I start, along with pictures of the work in progress.