Open, Shmopen—Who Needs It?

I sometimes feel like I am lost in a sea of conformity. “Why can’t you just be like the rest of us Doc Marten-Gap wearing Jägermeister-drinking cool people”? I have a certain friend (who shall remain nameless) who would say to me that regardless of what the circumstances, I would only do something if it’s “something I want to do”. Sue me for not wanting to waste my Saturday and Sunday watching people hit each other, throw a ball, race around in a big circle, or chase a little white ball around. Nor do I want to be a hipster doofus (thank you Elaine Benes) who has no real aspirations.

Get the picture? I don’t necessarily want to be like everyone else, even on small, unimportant matters to my everyday life. Like, for instance, certain aspects of real estate. The same things show up over and over—granite countertops, stainless steel appliances (maybe I don’t like an industrial look), hardwood floors (hey!—maybe I don’t want to clomp around everywhere I walk), and open floor plan. Well, I too have had reservations about having an open floor plan, and wouldn’t you know? I came across this article from Realtor.com in which somebody else has the courage to say the same thing, so I just had to share. Enjoy!

http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/open-plan-kitchens-are-bad/

Stupid wires in the way…

There I am, minding my own business during a small home improvement task (putting up a picture). I have all the materials (picture frame, hook, level) and tools (cordless drill, bits) I need. I even had a Post-It note folded in half to catch the dust from the drill bit as it came out of the wall to save me clean up time. I didn’t have a stud finder, so being the ‘experienced’ DIYer I simply knocked on the wall to find the location of the stud I wanted to use. And of course, being the experienced DIYer I didn’t even really mark the spot with a pencil—no, no, I just placed my drill on the spot in the middle of the stud, determined by my knocking on the wall to find it. Put up my folded Post-It to catch plaster dust and drilled gaily away, exerting more pressure than I really needed to. Next thing I know there is a sizable spark and electrical flash, the smell of burnt plastic, and all the hallway lights going out. Turns out not only did I not hit the middle of the stud, I hit the edge of the stud to which the electrical wiring was stapled.

Moral of the story? Know how the various systems in your house work so you can avoid costly repairs later. This article from HouseLogic.com outlines several things you should be aware of as a homeowner...

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/repair-tips/what-new-homeowners-need-to-know/

Let’s Not Do That Again

“I don’t…see..it…Wait! There it is! Wait! I lost it!”

Wait, what? Remember how stupid you felt trying to see the images in those ridiculous 3-D posters from years ago? I’m guessing you don’t miss them, either. Nor do designers, as well as several other design elements gone by the wayside. Here’s a fun article about some decorating trends we hope never to see again.

If you think you mighjt have some of these design no-nos in your home and are ready to sell let us help. We have experts in our office who can help you find the right buyer and get your home staged by a Certified Home Staging Specialist. Just check us out at www.grandgables.com.

http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/tackiest-home-design-trends/

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Well, it's finally here, in some places worse than others.Time to hunker down for the duration and stay warm through the cold, lonely days of the deep freeze. Here are some great ways to keep your home warm during the winter months at some surprisingly affordable prices. Still not as good as snuggling up to your 4-legged friends...

http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/

Risky Business

     One way Realtors® get paid is when a buyer client purchases a home. So it stands to reason that our main focus is on getting you, the buyer, to do just that—buy something! But the truth is for the vast majority of agents our #1 goal is to help you find the right home at the right price so that you are happy and can thrive in your new place. Because, let’s face it—if you (a buyer) are unhappy in your home that I sold you, what are the chances you will call me again in order to sell it?

     Contrary to popular belief, Realtors® DON’T want buyers to do whatever it takes to purchase a home, especially if that means putting yourself in financial trouble. This article by Craig Donofrio at Realtor.com outlines why you should never take your 401K money out in order to finance a home. Sound advice…

http://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/why-raiding-your-401k-to-buy-a-home-might-ruin-your-life/?cid=soc_20160121_57475726&adbid=10153952432882871&adbpl=fb&adbpr=35368227870

Moved to Tears

                                                              by Jon Barrett

The Holiday season is over and we are finally getting back to "normal". Here is a great blog post from one of the agents here at the office, Jon Barrett. Thanks for the great and very interesting post Jon.

Moved To Tears

One of my best friends is a mover who specializes in local and long distance moving. Almost invariably every time we get together he’s got another story about a move that involves a customer not listening to pre-move advice from him, thereby creating a dilemma. Let me ask you this—when you go to your local propane refill station what does the clerk always tell you NOT to do? That’s right, don’t bring your tank inside (even though in theory it’s empty). They just don’t want to take the chance there might be a mishap with the tank.

Guess what?! Movers don’t want to take that chance, either. My friend always gives his client a list of potential problems. If your mover gives you that, READ IT! At the very least, he or she should be telling you what is acceptable, but more importantly what is not acceptable for transportation. “What do you mean you won’t put that on your truck? What am I supposed to do with it?”

Read the following article about what movers won’t take—some are common sense and some are like, what?

The Surprising Things Your Movers Won’t Move

http://www.realtor.com/advice/move/what-your-movers-wont-move?cid=soc_20160106_57001806&adbid=10153915483122871&adbpl=fb&adbpr=35368227870

Leave the Leaves

Rake or not to Rake? That seems to be the question of the season. While driving around town I see people raking and companies blowing leaves and hauling them away. I always think, there has to be a better way. Raking is my least favorite "gardening" task - I dislike raking even more than I dislike weeding!

I saw somewhere - probably Facebook (if it's on Facebook it has to be true, right?) that someone discovered that leaving the leaves on the ground for the winter actually acts as a mulch for your lawn. So I got thinking, all the meadows (nature's lawns) that don't get raked after the splendor of autumn has blown off the trees and on to the ground, look beautiful in the spring and no one took the time to rake and fertilize. So why is it so important to rake in the fall? I understand why it's beneficial to rake in the spring and that's kind of fun unearthing sweet buds and seedlings from the crust of winter, but the fall? It made sense to me that keeping the fallen leaves on the ground as protection was nature's free, organic, ecological mulch and a perfect excuse to do something else during the fall! Apple picking? Cider making? Guess what I found while surfing the net??

my leaf-processing q&a with mike mcgrath

FOR 17 YEARS ON PUBLIC RADIO and many before that in print, Mike McGrath has been a leading voice for organic horticulture, and a highly distinctive one. The host of the nationally syndicated public radio show “You Bet Your Garden” from WHYY in Philadelphia, is—like I am—someone  who has for decades had a serious thing for gathering every shred of organic material he can get his hands on, especially leaves, and turning it all into soil-improving goodness.

Note I used the word “shred,” because on my radio show and podcast, Mike and I talked about shredding, and how the right strategy along with the best shredding device can make all the difference in making mulch and compost from those brilliant leaves you’ve been piling up. Read along as you listen in, using the player below or at this link, to the November 23, 2015 edition of the program.

Admittedly, Mike McGrath's explanation of my idea is a little more involved than my guiltless - leave the leaves for the good of the planet and my leisure life but it does make sense!

Do you rake in the fall and spring? Do you have a lawn to be envied by all?

                                     Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

                             Soon we will be talking about shoveling...