10 New Years Resolutions For Your Home in 2019

A warm thank you to Manage My Life for this terrific advice heading in to 2019...

10 New Years Resolutions for your Home

Tradition dictates that every January 1, we resolve to make a life improvement, big or small. Improving your home can improve your life, so apply the most popular New Year's resolutions to your home.

1. Lose weight
A bit of weight loss goes a long way in a home. Sell, donate, recycle or discard the stuff you never use. When your home is less cluttered, the rest of your life just might follow suit.

2. Quit smoking
If your home is smoking, you need to know about it. Install a smoke detector on every level of your home and outside the sleeping areas. Keep your resolution charged all year by changing the batteries in your detectors twice a year.

3. Get organized
A place for everything, and everything in its place — ever heard that one? Organize files, storage areas and living spaces. Professionals can lend a hand, or you can tackle the job yourself. Either way, your life runs more smoothly when you can find things when you need them.

4. Improve your appearance.
You'll be most content in your home when you're happy with it aesthetically. Refreshes could range from fresh flowers to improved lighting to new flooring. When you revitalize your home, it revitalizes you right back.

5. Make more money.
Small projects can add big profit if you plan to sell your home. Some can be found in simple fixes — a fresh coat of paint, a new rug, less furniture and less clutter. Although the return on your investment depends on your timing and the market, the most profitable changes are a basic kitchen update, a revitalized lawn, an energy-efficient fireplace and a second bath.

6. Save money.
Consistent, proper maintenance of your home can save big money in the long run. If ignored, small things like worn washer hoses, clogged gutters or dead tree limbs can become costly problems. A regular maintenance plan can prevent emergency repairs from taking you to the bank.

7. Drink less.
Is your energy consumption out of control? You can start with the easy fixes — use compact fluorescent light bulbs, rechargeable batteries and fewer disposable items. Turn off what you're not using and adjust your thermostat. Bigger ticket items include energy-saving appliances and low-flush toilets. These changes not only decrease your energy bills, they also place fewer demands on the planet's resources.

8. Go back to school.
Attend home maintenance classes and learn about home improvement projects. If you're calling in a professional, educate yourself about the appropriate processes, know what questions to ask, and then ask them.

9. Try something new.
Never hung a picture? Never built a deck? With the right tools and education, you can manage a lot on your own. Set your sights on a project that's realistic for you and go for it.

10. Spend more time with family and friends.
Your friends and family will line up at your door to help celebrate your accomplishments!

How Soon Can I Sell My House After Purchase?

Buyer’s remorse, unexpected relocation, divorce? A solid rule of thumb for a quick turnover:

If you are contemplating a 2018 move, Sellers... the market is still in your favor as we still experience low inventory in many areas.  This makes quick turnover incredibly realistic in most area zip codes. Let's connect and strategize!

St. Louis Hidden Gem: Custom Stone Interiors

Some posts are better late than never, particularly when you have adored the end-result of a project as much as we have this one.  Last year, Steve and I embarked upon a long-overdue makeover of our already-finished basement. After a decade in this house with 2 sons and 2 dogs, the finishes had taken quite a hit.

The plan for the main party room, aka "teenager heaven":  durable new Pergo flooring throughout, new stair treads after removing carpet, new 4" baseboards, barn doors to replace the 1968 swing-in doors, fresh paint, a new work space, and a makeover of the existing dated wet bar to improve the look and function.  Some of it was DIY, some of it was contracted. Mission accomplished...

Note: this is a real-life quick cell phone panoramic photo, not Realtor-staged, complete with my son watching a movie and freshly mopped floors after his friends spent the night and had an epic spill. My reality, friends.  Ha! 

After living with the "makeover" for several months now, our favorite change has been to the wet bar, by far.  We updated the cabinets, added a sizable mobile island, replaced the worn laminate counter top with granite, and finished off the project with a marble subway tile (Steve's gorgeous handiwork)...

Again, real life photo taken this morning -not staged.  We still need to get around to adding the cabinet hardware and yes, "this kitchen is for dancing". 😉  

As we have no plans in the near future to move, our focus was not as much on return-on-investment as it was look and function.  On any given weekend, we can have 5-20 teenagers down there until the wee-hours if not all night.  Durability is key.  That being said, we had massive sticker shock when bids for a natural stone 90" wet bar counter came in WELL above $1400 installed at big box stores for the creamy stones we preferred. A fellow Realtor mentioned that we may have luck at a remnant yard due to size, and suggested visiting Custom Stone Interiors near SLU and IKEA...

Note: since taking these photos, Custom Stone has moved to a new location in Overland.  Updated address will be at the bottom of the post.

Regardless, we had a terrific experience and I feel compelled to share.  The staff was incredibly helpful and they have everything you could ever want or wish for as far as stone goes for a kitchen, laundry, bath, or furniture project...

Where we had the most luck, however?

At their in-house remnant yard!  In this area, they offer stone remnants left over from other projects at a deep discount, including mis-cuts and leftover pieces of granite, marble, limestone, onyx, travertine, and quartz. It is a terrific solution for a small countertop for a bathroom, laundry room, vanity top, or wet bar. It allows you to examine the actual slab IN PERSON (stone varies a LOT ) and the staff will point you to remnants that will work.

Low and behold, we got lucky and found the perfect one...

Within days, they came out to our house to accurately measure the space for cuts, we provided them with our preferences (eased edge), a previously-purchased undermount sink from IKEA, and everything was fabricated and polished in house...

The price installed was HUNDREDS less than all of the other bids we received...

... and the result?  Perfection.  We love it...

Thank you for helping us to transform our space affordably, Custom Stone!  If planning a new project, consider giving them a call for a bid or dropping by to check out their inventory. 

NITTY GRITTY:

Custom Stone Interiors
1950 Walton Road
Overland, MO 63114

Office: 314-533-1282
Fax: 314-427-2001

Monday - Friday
Saturdays
7AM - 5PM 

WEB: http://www.customstonestl.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/customstonestl

See my other St. Louis Hidden Gems HERE.

Effective vs Chronological Property Age and Project Time:Installation of Concrete Curbing.

In real estate, properties age in two ways: chronologically and effectively. Chronological age is the time from when a house was built to the present day. Effective age, on the other hand, refers to how old the home appears to be and how it functions in the realm of modern day standards, codes, and amenities.

The process of maintaining the effective age of a property as it ages chronologically is a continuous process and can be challenging if a Homeowner purchases an older home already behind on updates. Just like people, age looks VERY different from property to property, depending on how it was built, the amount of proactive maintenance, and what it has endured over the years.  Effective age can be significantly higher or lower than chronological age.

As of this summer, we have been in our house for 13 years. That is typically the timeframe that major, major renovation time hits as the life of household systems and big ticket items starts to age cycle: roofs, bathrooms, HVAC systems, water heaters, windows, etc. Steve and I were compelled to sit down this summer to discuss and decide what our next life move will be: commit to another substantial chunk of time in this house and take on the next level of renovation or consider a move. The choice was easy. We love our house and it suits our family needs perfectly- we stay!

Over the years we have shifted projects back and forth from the interior to the exterior as the need arose. This Fall, we have committed to serious exterior renovation to the front and backyard, more specifically via hardscape.  Nothing can transform the appearance and functionality of a property exterior like a new hardscape design.  That being said, it is costly, permanent (or at least not easily changed), and can solve or create issues with grade or drainage so you do NOT jump into these projects haphazardly.

Project 1 is a small one in the big picture, but important as it directly affects our curb appeal.  One of the things that we liked about the property when we purchased it was the free-flowing front garden bed defined by natural rock...

13 years later, however, it needed revamping.  Many of the rocks were split and in need of replacement. I wanted to maintain the feel but redefine the lines a tad to accommodate my well-established plants.  Hence, the beds needed an entire overhaul. We chose to go the installed concrete curb route and couldn't be happier! The process is quick, easy, and gives you total control of shape and color with only a 24 hour cure time. ... 

It is also durable and incredibly affordable at only $8.50/ft which includes your choice of color, shape, and surface texture. The size and design choices are endless, from classic brick to more textured stone. A teeny peek at the process...

We paid our chosen company (a referral from a friend) $150 for the back-breaking task of removing and hauling away the existing landscaping rock...

Once they regraded the soil and established the new lines of the beds...

... upon our approval, they began the project. See the type of machine used here.

After the machine pours the curbing, another person follows behind to surface it.  Rather than being stained, the concrete itself is tinted so it will never wear over time.  We chose the 18 inch paver stamp in the gray tinted concrete to coordinate with our gray roof and front porch slate (project HERE)...

From start to finish, the project took approximately 4 hours and we are tickled pink with the result!  

Far more tidy look and more effective at retaining our mulch and preventing further bed erosion.  They poured approximately 82ft.  At $8.50/ft, the cost of the curbing was $697.

The next project is to fill in the extended beds with soil and remulch as we head into Autumn...

If considering this project in St. Louis, I highly recommend calling Archway Lawncare and Landscaping.  They were not only incredibly professional and easy to work with, but their work at our property was impeccable!

Nitty Gritty...

Archway Lawncare and Landscaping
636-262-8319

Email: archwaylawncare@gmail.com
Web: http://www.archwaylawncare.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archway.lawncare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/archwaylawncare

Realtor Trick: Simmer your way to a good-smelling home!

If you have ever been on the house-hunt, you too can attest there is nothing worse than walking into a property only to be accosted by a cheap, smelly air freshener (or in more extreme cases- 15. ).

Headache central.

SELLERS: please resist the temptation. Just don't do it! It offends the bulk of Buyers, makes them assume that you are attempting to cover something up, and often times results in a quick U-turn back out the front door.

Obviously, if there is an unpleasant stench that you are attempting to mask rather than remedy- STOP. As an agent, I 1st recommend getting to the root of the problem: deep clean, open windows, buy Fido a crate until you sell, clean the air ducts, move the litter box to the basement, paint, steam clean, bleach, replace the carpet, whatever it takes.

Once that is done, however, if trying to create a more pleasant smelling home- stick with warm, natural scents and methods as it will be pleasing to the nose of *most* of your Buyer Pool.

I am a huge fan of bowls of lemons, gorgeous fresh flowers, and oranges with cloves during the holidays. Most agents also recommend baking cinnamon buns or cookies on Open House Day or prior to scheduled appts to create a warm, homey environment for potential Buyers.

Wonderful? Yes. Realistic on a daily basis? No. 

I have a quick and easy solution that just takes a quick simmer on the stove and I have used for YEARS. In fact, I have implemented it in my own home this week?! After 3 weeks of small home projects, I want to ensure that my own house smells like a home rather than a construction zone when I host Thanksgiving.

FIRST: Gather warm, natural ingredients. My favs- orange peel, cloves, apple cider, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon sticks.  I usually boil in water.  If I have it on hand, I boil in apple cider or juice.  My friend swears by vanilla beans, equal parts vanilla extract and orange juice, water, and a few slices of orange... though you can truly use anything.

If you don't have Pumpkin Pie Spice on hand- improvise! Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, extracts. No need to measure. A little goes a long way and you can't mess up... just throw it in.
NEXT: take a quick run to a local thrift store and purchase a small pan to use strictly for this purpose as it will get trashed, trust me. Avoid non-stick. I have used my little 1960's 5x4 shallow aluminum steamer pot exclusively for this purpose for 12+ years. It isn't pretty, but does the trick!

Fill the pan 3/4 full with water or cider. Throw in your spices and place on a low simmer...
Voila! Within 5-10 minutes, your home will smell like Grandma's kitchen. 15-20 minutes prior to showings or in the AM will make your Buyers feel right at home! NOTE: I have found that I can use the same spices for 2-3 days. I also recommend closely watching the liquid level, as should it gets too low and your spices BURN... yuck!

Homeowner Tip: Secure your garage while on vacation

Vacation season is in full swing - protect your home! Most homeowners aren't aware that the bulk of garage doors have a little added security feature: a manual slide lock that you can engage to prevent the door from raising.

Real Estate Tip: Store off-season clothing

Buyers seek spacious closets! 

Sellers- make your closets appear larger by storing off-season clothing and shoes in the attic or basement.

Interesting statistic- you get what you pay for!

Household Tip: Remove candle wax from carpeting

The holiday season quickly approaches, which means warm family gatherings set in candle-lit rooms...
 

Magical, right?  Unfortunately, however, accidents happen.  I can attest to that, as with two teenage boys, accidents tend to happen a LOT in Casa de Nenonen. 

Over 17 years of homeownership and over 14 years of parenting, Steve and I have experienced a lot of unfortunate home accidents.  I will spare you the gritty details.  My best tip? Your best defense is a mental database of solutions for the possible worst case scenario, particularly during the holiday season when your home is filled with loved ones.  No one wants a little accident to spoil an entire evening!

On Halloween night, my boys had their friends over for an evening of trick-or-treat fun...

As usual, the ceramic jack-o-lantern that glowed in my childhood living room glowed in mine that evening...

 



Accidents happen...

Luckily, no one got hurt and nothing broke- the most important thing.   Though the issue of how to safely and successfully remove the melted wax embedded in my wool area rug needed to be addressed.  Along comes Super Husband to the rescue!  I cannot express how much I have benefitted from Steve's brief stint in hotel management just after graduate school, as he learned countless tricks of the trade- wax removal being one of them.

Step One: Do not panic!  Walk away for an hour and allow the wax to cool completely, as counterintuitive that may seem at the time.

Step Two:  Use a standard dinner knife to gently loosen and scrape as much wax away from the spot as you possibly can...

Step Three:  Preheat your iron to a mid-temperature steam setting. 

Step Four:  Stack two paper towels on top of one another and fold twice so in quarters. 

Step Five:  Wet folded towel thoroughly . 

Step Six:  Place the wet towel over the candle wax, and slowly move the steaming iron over the spot...

The wax melts and absorbs into the towel, I kid you not...

I know, incredibly easy right? 

Step Seven:  Fold the towel inside out OR prepare a new one to ensure that you are using a clean part of the towel against the rug (and iron) and repeat until the wax is gone.  That's it! 

As far as removing the wax from my vintage Italian mid-century gilt wheat table?  The key was not to scrape, as I didn't want to scratch the original glass top. 

I, instead, sacrificed an older terry kitchen towel, wet it, popped it into the microwave for 20 seconds to heat it, and placed it on top of the wax to melt it.  I then wiped the melted wax up with paper towels.  30 minutes of diligently repeating this process... all gone.

See more of my Household Tips HERE.

Top 10 Reasons To Hire A Real Estate Agent

Considering For Sale By Owner or going at it alone? Why? No real advantage.

Top 10 Reasons to hire a Realtor...

When all else fails- slate it! Slating over a concrete porch.

Ahh yes, project time again here in Casa de Nenonen. 

Our original concrete front porch, circa 1968, has been screaming "MAKE ME OVER"  for some time.  Particularly after last Fall's concrete project.  While still in excellent shape, 40 years of Suburban life have left it withered.

Over the years, bopping in and out of properties, I have seen good and horribly bad aesthetic solutions.  Wanting a relatively low maintenance and cost effective solution that would pull together the different visual elements of our house, stand the test of time, and become more beautiful with wear and age ...

... we opted for slate.  A peek at the project:

Total cost of materials for our 60 sq. ft. porch, everything from adhesive to sealant, was approximately $400. 

After giving the porch a good cleaning, we laid out the slate to ensure a balanced color variation.  This step is KEY and essential as with EVERY natural stone, each lot tends to have a completely different hue and texture.

Next came cuts and adhesive.  We were concerned that slate may be problematic when cutting with a wet saw, fearing splintering or splitting...

We were pleasantly surprised!  With a brand new blade, cutting was simple and precise with few errors. 

After filling in the cracks...

... next came grout and caulk.

We allowed the project to cure for a couple of days before 2 applications of a high quality outdoor sealant.

The final result: a much more warm and clean entry...

Mission complete! Next up?

Farewell to the brass hardware and settle on a new color for the door and sidelights.