Your sense of smell can be a peculiar thing. Odors that overwhelm some people, don’t affect others. And odors that you’re accustom to seem to disappear altogether after a while. So it’s no surprise that homeowners might worry that their home may be giving off an unpleasant scent. And, during the holidays, this becomes even more of a concern, as it’s a popular time of year to have houseguests. Fortunately, there are some fairly common places you can target to ensure that you’ve eliminated any odors that may be going undetected. One of the more obvious targets is pets. If you have animals in your home, make sure you clean their favorite places, pillows, beds, and blankets, etc. Basements and bedding are also common places for odors to linger. Mold and mildew can cause mustiness in basement areas but can also be detected by sight, which makes addressing it even easier. Be sure also to keep your bedding clean and your mattress fresh. Another obvious spot to check for odors is your refrigerator and freezer. Check that there’s no grime, grit, or leftovers lurking in the back that are emitting odors. Overall, paying some regular attention to these hot spots can help remove any worry about how your home smells to holiday house guests or, if you’re selling your home, potential buyers. More here.
Landscaping is Key to Curb Appeal
Good landscape design can help you get a better price when it's time to move but will also help beautify your neighborhood and please your neighbors in the meantime. If you aren’t that handy in the garden, start with your lawn. A recent article from Freddie Mac lays out a number of tips to help you get started. Among them, good to first identify what type of grass you have. This will help you know what seed to buy if you need to fill any dead spots. You should also be careful not to cut your lawn too short or give it too much water. Grass needs a little length to help it absorb sunlight and maintain healthy roots. Too much watering can also damage roots and will cause more weeds to grow. Another tip is to be careful with fertilizers and pesticides. Break fertilizer applications up throughout the season rather than doing it all at once. And be careful with pesticides, as they may be more trouble than they're worth. According to the article, lawn issues are more likely going to be the result of water, weather and lawn mower damage than pests. Following these simple rules should help you achieve a greener and more luscious lawn. More here.
Millennials Say Having A Dog Is A Top Reason To Buy
Millennials Say Having A Dog Is A Top Reason To Buy
There are a handful of common answers that come up time and time again when Americans are surveyed about their reasons for buying a home. For example, a desire for more space is always at or near the top of any list documenting prospective buyers’ main motivations.
If you’ve run out of space where you are<!–more–>
After all, if you’ve run out of space where you are – whether it’s because you’ve started a family or because you’ve got a lot of stuff – you’re probably going to be eager to move somewhere bigger. But though survey after survey finds we all share some common wants and needs when it comes to our homes, a new survey of young Americans who have never owned a home found a surprising reason behind their desire to become homeowners.
So, what was it? Well, 42 percent of respondents said their dog, or desire to have one, was a key factor in wanting to one day buy a home of their own. And, though that may seem unusual to those of us who don’t have pets, those that do, more often than not, consider them a part of their family. So, for a renter who may have trouble finding a landlord that will allow pets at all or one that won’t charge them extra for having one, buying a home can provide a less stressful environment for both the homeowner and their beloved pet. More here.