Real Estate Information Archive

Hacks for Holiday Décor Storage

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

by Tucker Robbins

It is an exciting day (or week, in some cases!) when the holiday decorations are brought out of storage, dusted and fluffed, then set up to make the darkest days of the year merry and bright. Reversing the process is not always as fun, especially if there were problems with light strings, broken ornaments, or flattened faux greenery. How can we store these items while keeping them safe from breakage and possible ruin? Maybe these ideas will help remedy that situation:

The very thought of storing strings of tiny lights can send us running away! Many stores carry plastic reels to wrap lights around as well as companion containers. It is also possible to store the lights in the exact way they shipped from the factory, and all that is needed is a zip tie. This video shows you this simple storage tip.
To keep decorations and greenery from being flattened, store artificial wreaths in a hanging position from hooks; just be sure to cover them with a plastic trash bag to keep them from getting dusty.
If the storage area has enough space, store artificial trees standing up. Rolls of shipping plastic can be wrapped around the tree from top to bottom to keep it dust-free or use contractor trash bags to cover the tree. Otherwise, keep the original container, and store it as close to the original packing as possible. Use zipper storage bags for any loose pieces.

Unused or old suitcases are perfect for ornaments or odd knick-knacks. If at all possible, keep the original packaging, and your treasured items will be safe and snug no matter what container they are in.
Bows are expensive and keeping them fluffy and new-looking can be a challenge. Use a coat hanger to attach them to, and store them hanging with a plastic garment or trash bag to cover. If you fear that heat will cause them to sag, stuff bow loops with balled-up wrapping paper that would have otherwise been tossed.
Artificial garlands do very well coiled up in 55-gallon garbage cans.
Precious ornaments--especially those made by the kids out of natural materials--should be placed in zipper storage bags, then stored in the unused cookie tins. That is a double storage win!
Visit your local grocery’s produce manager and ask for covered apple and orange shipping boxes, as they are quite sturdy. Many of them come with indented trays as well as moisture-wicking padding, making them perfect for storing treasured holiday items.

Sure, there are plenty of specialty storage containers for most of your holiday decorations, but they usually come with a specialty price tag. The safety of your stored treasures depends on how well you pack them and put them away, not on how much you paid for a specialized storage container.

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

Photo credit: istock

Add Comment

Ten Important Financial Terms for Home Buyers

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

by Tucker Robbins

While meeting with a lender to discuss the purchase of a new home, you may hear and read words you are not familiar with. Knowing these financial terms and acronyms will make that meeting go more smoothly. Here are some common financial terms that will come up during your mortgage transaction:

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM): a type of mortgage in which the interest rate applied to the outstanding balance varies throughout the life of the loan. A fixed rate may be applied for the initial loan period, but after that, the rate will fluctuate. Sometimes called a Variable Rate Mortgage.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR): the yearly rate of interest that an individual must pay on a loan.
Closing Costs: fees and expenses paid at closing, beyond the down payment; costs can run 3 to 5 percent of the loan amount and may include title insurance, attorney fees, appraisals, taxes, and more.
Debt-to-Income Ratio: the borrower’s monthly debt payments divided by their gross monthly income; the number is one way lenders measure the borrower’s ability to manage monthly payments of the loan they receive.
Earnest money deposit (EMD): deposit made after buyers make an offer on a property; sometimes referred to as a good faith deposit; held in escrow until closing.
Escrow: an arrangement in which a third party distributes the money paid during the property-buying transaction.
Fixed-Rate Mortgage (FRM): a type of loan in which the interest rate on the mortgage is fixed; the rate will not change during the term of the mortgage.
Loan Estimate: tells important details about the mortgage loan requested; compare and choose the loan that's right for your budget by getting a loan estimate from more than one lender.
Pre-Approved: when the home buyer is approved by a lender for a specific loan amount after the buyer provides documented financial information to be reviewed and verified by the lender.
Pre-Qualified: an estimate of how much the home buyer can borrow based on a review of financial information; not a guarantee of being approved.

Do not go into the lending process without some knowledge under your hat! Going into what is probably your largest investment without knowing anything about it may end up in disappointment and having to wait longer to buy your new home. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers many other terms not listed here and is a great resource for learning more.

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

Photo credit: investadisor

Add Comment

A Seller's Guide to the Home Appraisal

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

by Tucker Robbins

The appraisal is one of the many steps in the buying/selling transaction. Lenders need an unbiased valuation of the home being sold, and the appraiser will look at the property. Sellers generally have at least two weeks to get ready, and because they have an important stake in the appraisal of their house, they should be well prepared:

Exterior

- Make sure the front and back yards are neat and free of debris. Check fencing, steps, and walkways for any damaged places and make any necessary repairs.
- As close to the appraisal appointment as possible, put down fresh mulch, colorful potted plants, and mow the grass.

- The exterior siding should not have peeling paint, broken or missing vinyl siding, or rotting wood.
- Make certain windows are in good working order, with no rotting sills, cracked glass, or peeling paint.
- Decking and porches should be in safe condition.
- From a distance, look at the roof for missing shingles or bad spots. Have any recent roof repair paperwork ready for the appraiser.

Interior

- Flooring that is worn, soft, cracked, scratched or stained will deduct from the home’s value. Clean the carpets, and make repairs to any hardwood, tile, or linoleum. Use an enzyme odor remover where pet odors are present.
- The appraiser will check the water pressure by turning on all faucets and will flush toilets, too.
- Kitchen cabinets should not have sagging doors, and all should close completely.
- If the odor of mold is present, it will be cause for further inspection. Clean the usual bathroom mold before the appraisal, but if mold is present anywhere else in the house, it is best to be straightforward with the problem and have it professionally eliminated.

Repairs that cost $500 or less are worth making, as they usually add to the appraisal value. Allow the appraiser to perform their job, answering questions along the way, and have any paperwork from previous repairs at the ready. After prepping the house for the market, it is important to maintain it during the showing process, as it will save time and money once an offer is made and the appraiser makes their assessment.

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

Photo credit: home junction

Add Comment

9 Ideas for Hiding the Mundane Essentials in Your Home

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

by Tucker Robbins

When was the last time you looked through the photos of a beautiful home on a website or in a magazine layout? Did you miss anything? Probably not. The non-stylish parts of a house have been digitally removed from the photos so that all a viewer sees is style. Electrical outlets and cords, as well as HVAC vents, are necessities in a home, and while photo editing software cannot hide them, there are plenty of tricks to conceal them.

Canvas art usually has an open back and can be placed over flat-screen televisions, thermostats, and window unit air conditioners (when not in use).
Paint can cover many things we do not like, and if your kitchen appliances are lacking, there is paint for that! It does not have to be a color; appliances can be painted for a stainless look as well.
Create a gallery wall around the thermostat, and it will fade into the framed pieces.

Return air vents are necessities but can be made to look much nicer: purchase a stylish cover that is made specifically for return vents, hang a stylish doormat over the vent, or switch the everyday slatted panel with decorative sheet metal.
Hide the home <span class="SpellingError SCXW76850043 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: url(" data:image="" gif;base64,r0lgodlhbqaeajecap="" 8aaaaaaaaaach5baeaaaialaaaaaafaaqaaaiilgaxcchrtcgaow="=");" border-bottom:="" 1px="" solid="" transparent;"="">WiFi router in an empty box with holes cut in the back for cords, an inexpensive basket, or get crafty and make a screen from old book spines!
Cover popcorn or dated plaster ceilings with prefinished wood planks, faux beams, or tiles made of one of the many materials available at local home stores.
Make that plain bathtub go undercover with self-stick tiles. They come in all styles, shapes, and colors, and do not require any previous installation know-how.
Wall-mount televisions have become the norm, and the cords hanging from the screen can be unsightly. Home centers have cord cover installation kits in many styles and colors for those who feel confident enough to use some power tools.

Paint radiators in the same color as the wall. This may not hide them completely, but they will blend in, making them easier on the eye.

Who needs a designer or magazine layout to make those household essentials fade into the background? Updating the style of the mundane and functional parts of a home can be fun and easy, and while some of them may be little changes, they can make a big impact.

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

Photo credit: CTAM

Add Comment

Six Common Home Hazards and How To Fix Them

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

by Tucker Robbins

We think of home as our safest space, but sometimes, hazards are lurking unawares. This guide to hidden dangers will help you find and make repairs before it is too late:

- Was your home built before 1978? If so, check for lead paint before scraping any painted woodwork. Purchase a lead-testing kit at your local home center or hardware store. In the case of a positive test, find a specialist that will remove the lead paint safely. You will find more information at epa.gov/lead or by calling 800-424-LEAD.

- Speaking of older homes, have an inspector check out the plumbing for lead or polybutylene (PB) pipes. It may be safer and less costly to filter the lead from drinking water with a product that meets NSF/ANSI standards for lead reduction. PB pipes corrode over time, eventually causing a rupture, and should be replaced.

- Keep your dryer lint trap clean, using a vent brush to clean all lint as far as you are able once per month. Unplugging items that are not being used is an easy step to avoid a fire hazard. Other appliances that can cause a fire: ranges, coffee makers, and refrigerators.

- Check and maintain areas of your home that are possible fall risks. Handrails should be secure, and steps should be free of debris. Walkways and steps should not be loose or crumbling. Use non-skid tape for area rugs, and keep kitchen, bathroom, and utility room floors dry.

- Not all molds are extremely dangerous, though they do cause allergic reactions for some. As soon as mold is discovered in your home, clean it with non-ammonia cleaner and water, or for hard surfaces, use a one-cup-bleach:one-gallon-of-water mixture. If the mold continues to grow or if it is found in carpets and drywall, it is better to have those items replaced.

- Asbestos is only a dangerous substance if it is disturbed. If you notice deterioration in an area that you suspect is made of asbestos seek a local professional that can safely remove the offending material.

- Do your very best to save for emergencies like this. Insurance and home warranties do not always cover health hazards such as these. However, correcting problems as soon as you find them is best for you, your wallet, and your family’s health and well-being. Home safe home is a home sweet home.

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.

Photo credit: family handyman

Add Comment