“The holidays are a perfect time to get together with others in your community. Here are some great ideas that can bring you together.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Make friends and influence your property values by creating neighborhood holiday traditions that build community spirit. Read
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Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
“We all loves taking vacations, but we hate paying for them. Follow some basic tips on how to lessen the cost and impact of paying for that big Family Trip”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Simply follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to making memories — and saving some serious cash.
Some of the most memorable vacations are those that are well thought-out in advance. And often, a well-planned family vacation can end up also being an affordable family vacation. Planning a family vacation on a budget may sound difficult and time-consuming, but it’s actually quite easy. Simply follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to making memories — and saving some serious cash.
If you have any flexibility with your timing, use that to your advantage. For example, flying midweek — Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular — and with a stop or two (versus direct) can save you hundreds of dollars on your family’s airfare. Likewise, traveling during off-peak seasons can save some serious dough. Have to travel in the summertime? Do a little research to see what your destination’s most popular weeks are and schedule your vacation just before or after those weeks to help you save.
Through the magic of the internet, the world is literally at your fingertips. Lucky for you, that means you can compare prices online for everything from hotel rooms to rental cars. Some of the more popular travel comparison sites are Orbitz and Expedia. But sites like Airfare Watch Dog can send you alerts when airlines have sales. And sites like Better Bidding allow you to find out what other travelers paid for rooms in major cities using name-your-own-price sites like Priceline or Hotwire, allowing you to bid those prices — and likely get them accepted — for your stay.
Coupons go a long way, when it comes to family vacations on a budget. Just as you would search for deals in your hometown — when you’re saving money with a “staycation,” for example — visit sites like Groupon or Living Social to see what kinds of discounts you can score on food and activities at your vacation destination. Likewise, visit coupon websites, like The Krazy Coupon Lady, consistently before your vacation to get more travel deals and to stock up on all of your travel essentials with coupons before the big trip. Are you a member of a warehouse club? A military member? Or a student? You may be eligible for other discounts, as well.
Renting an entire house can often be more cost-effective (and comfortable) than paying for multiple hotel rooms, especially if you’re traveling with a large family. Consider using VRBO or Airbnb to score a great deal on an individually owned place. In addition to providing a great place to stay at a great price, many of these owners can also give you first-hand knowledge and advice for getting the best deals in the area throughout your stay.
In addition to scoring discounts on your travel expenses, one of the biggest impacts you can make on your wallet is to create a vacation budget and start putting money aside as soon as the urge to travel hits you. If you start setting a small, totally feasible amount of money aside when you begin planning the perfect vacation, you can end up potentially saving a considerable amount. Consider this: If you start planning for a vacation four months before your travel dates, and you put aside $100 each week, you’ll end up with more than $1,500 toward your travel expenses!
Originally Posted by American Home Shield
“Summer is almost here (June 21st) and there are always things to get done in preparation for the warmest months of the year. Take a look and see which items might make a big difference in your enjoyment.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
“Thinking it’s time to get some new patio furniture? Learn how to care for and protect it for years of enjoyment.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
After a few seasons of exposure to the elements, your patio furnishings may start showing their age. Most outdoor fabrics and finishes are tough enough to stand up to the wear and tear of many sunny days and stormy nights, but regular maintenance can go a long way toward extending their lifespan. Here are some quick tips on how to protect your outdoor furniture.
Familiarize yourself with your furniture’s care guidelines. The manufacturer’s instructions will usually specify which cleaning solutions to use and which ones to avoid. Applying the wrong products or cleaning using improper methods could damage your furnishings and void any existing warranties.
Wicker will fade and crack if exposed to too much harsh sunlight. Cover your wicker furniture when not in use. Covering also helps prevent mildew from working its way into the cracks and crevices between individual wicker fibers.
When cleaning wicker, avoid harsh or abrasive treatments. A mixture of water and mild soap is best. Apply sparingly — do not soak wicker. Rinse and wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. If necessary, vacuum the wicker first with a brush attachment to remove large debris and loose dirt.
Seal your wood patio furniture. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can discolor wood and weaken its integrity. A coat of sealant will also make the wood more resistant to moisture. Sealants and stains must typically be reapplied every one to three years of outdoor use.
When sealing (or resealing) wood, first clean it. Dissolve the manufacture’s recommended amount of powdered oxygen bleach in one gallon of hot water. Do not use chlorine bleach on wooden surfaces. Apply and scrub any areas affected by mildew with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly. Finally, apply a clear, water-repellent sealant or a penetrating semitransparent wood stain. If desired, you can purchase a sealant (or stain) containing a mildewcide or mix in a mold- and mildew-resistant additive of your own.
Clean metal surfaces with a simple, mild soap-and-water solution. To restore your metal furniture’s luster, take a lint-free cloth and buff it with auto wax (paste or liquid). Lubricate any stiff or creaky moving parts — such as casters, swivels, glides and umbrella mechanisms — using a silicone spray.
If your metal furniture is showing signs of rust or mold, use a fine-grit sandpaper to sand any problem areas. Touch-up with matching paint, applying it in several thin layers. Let each coat dry completely before applying the next.
Now that your outdoor furniture is spick and span, you can keep it looking that way longer by applying an outdoor furniture protector specially formulated for your type of furniture (wicker, wood, vinyl, metal, etc.). Some protectors can be sprayed on, while others will need to be applied with a brush. Look for protectors that are both water-repellent and UV-resistant. Apply thoroughly, but be sure to work in a well-ventilated area while wearing the proper safety equipment: goggles, gloves and a dust mask or respirator.
Spot cleaning is the best method for cleaning outdoor upholstery. Use a mild detergent diluted in cold water and attack any stain using a sponge rather than a brush. Try to avoid soaking the cushions and allow them to air dry completely. Mildew loves moisture. If you store your cushions during those portions of the year when you seldom enjoy your patio, avoid using plastic bags. Try wrapping them in an old bed sheet or a canvas painter’s tarp. The fabric should be able to breathe even if it has been moved to an outdoor storage bin or shed.
Finally, to combat fading and discoloration caused by the sun’s UV rays, apply a fabric protector to your upholstery at the beginning of the warm weather season.
Cover your patio furnishings in waterproof furniture covers when not in use and especially when inclement weather threatens. To prevent your patio from becoming a place where standing water might accumulate, remove your furniture’s foot caps and keep all items upright in order to facilitate proper drainage.
Originally Published by American Home Sheild
“Now is the time to start getting your flower beds ready and putting down Mulch. But do you know how to Mulch correctly?”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Anyone can learn how to mulch and prolong the life of their landscaping. Here’s how. Read
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Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
“Have you considered container gardening? We love it for both our front porch and our deck. Things look great and we can move it around as we see fit each year. Give it a try!”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
“It’s almost Valentine’s Day! Start planning to give a special gift now!”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Give your Valentine a gift that shows you truly care! Create a bonus room, finish that home repair, resurface hardwood floors or gift an appliance or she shed.
Ah, Valentine’s Day. A holiday that’s generally celebrated with overpriced roses and dinner in a crowded restaurant alongside a hundred other couples. While the token gifts of flowers and jewelry are nice, this year, give your valentine a gift that really shows your love: a completed honey-do list.
Has your significant other wanted a few things done around the house or been staring longingly at Pinterest boards full of beautiful reading nooks? Make dreams come true by completing a household project for a gift your significant other will never forget. Here are five DIY Valentine’s Day ideas that will have your valentine feeling the love…
Chances are your valentine has a hobby or interest that he or she would love more space for. Maybe she would appreciate a sewing room to quilt or design clothes in, or perhaps he would prefer a man cave to watch the game with friends. Whatever it is used for, a bonus room outshines any bouquet of flowers or teddy bear when it comes to gifts.
Creating a bonus room is pretty simple. First, find some unused space in your home, whether it’s a spare closet, an attic, the basement or an extra bedroom, to convert into the room of your valentine’s dreams.
Spend some time decluttering the space and evaluate if there are any repairs needed. Chores, such as patching drywall or adding flooring, can be done by you or outsourced. Does your valentine have a favorite color? If so, paint an accent wall in that color!
Every home has that one thing; something that’s inefficient and annoying, but somehow no one ever gets around to fixing. Whether it’s a faulty light switch that doesn’t work or a TV that has been leaning against a wall, waiting for months to be mounted, fix that one thing and delight your sweetie.
If your wood floors have had a lot of use over the years and are looking a bit dingy, consider resurfacing hardwood floors to bring back the shine. While there are many places that rent the tools to make this a DIY job, resurfacing wood floors is a task that’s best left to professionals, as mistakes can be costly. You could end up with dips and grooves in the wood or an uneven stain job that will leave your valentine feeling more sour than sweet.
While a new appliance may not seem like the most romantic of gifts, the time and energy saved by a more efficient appliance over an outdated one can feel like the gift that keeps on giving. If there’s an appliance your significant other continually complains about, consider replacing it as a surprise. Make sure you offer to do the chore yourself as part of the gift! Depending on the appliance, it may be covered by an AHS Home Warranty.
She Sheds are all the rage these days. They’re the female equivalent of the man cave, except they’re housed in an outdoor shed. Done properly, She Sheds can provide a relaxing retreat that makes your backyard feel like an oasis. There are no set rules about what a She Shed must look like or contain. A quick internet search will show you everything you need to know to get started or check out these six ideas on who how to create the ultimate She Shed.
Design the shed around her favorite hobbies to create a gardening shed, a reading nook where she can curl up with a pile of books or an art studio where she can paint for hours. Don’t forget to put a big bow on the front door to make your valentine smile.
Originally published by American Home Shield
“It may be January, but now is a good time to start planning your garden and other plantings for the Spring.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
“Halloween is only a few weeks away so it’s time to start making sure your ready. In addition decorating and getting enough candy, be sure to make sure your home is safe for all the little Trick-or-Treaters.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Like clearing your walkway so tiny tots (and their parents) don’t stumble. Read
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Copyright 2017 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
“You want to make your yard look nice so you start planting flowers and bushes and then you realize it doesn’t look like the magazines you’ve been reading. Check this article out to see if you doing some of these.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Before you rush into planting your dream yard, keep a few tips in mind. Read
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Copyright 2017 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®