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Posts Tagged ‘home’

Summertime Uses for Old Things

Job: Side Dish Warmer Tool: Mini Cooler Description: After preparing your side dish, toss it into a mini cooler to fake a perfectly timed meal. .

Job: BBQ Utensil Holder Tool: Oven Mitt Description: Slide all of the BBQ utensils you will need into an oven mitt then hang it from the grill. No more burnt steaks because your forgot a tool inside.

Job: Glass Gripper Tool: Rubberbands Description: To keep swaeting glasses from slipping out of hands in the summer, put rubberbands around the glass to allow for a nice grip on the glass.

Job: Shaving Cream Tool: Expired Suncreen Description: Expired sunscreen will no longer protect you from the suns rays, but it can keep your skin free of razor burn and make it silky smooth.

Job: Get those pesky hairy from the corn husks off Tool: Clean Toothbrush Description: Remove the stray hairs from corn husks by brushing the corn. They will easily be removed for the corn.

Job: Goggle Defogger Tool: Toothpaste Description: Smear some toothpaste on the lenses then wipe it off before hitting the pool to prevent fogging.

Job: Sundae Bar Organizer Tool: Ice Cube Tray (yet again) Description: For a self serve sundae bar, let guests dish out their own sundae toppings.

Job: Popsicle Drip Catcher Tool: Cupcake Liner Description: Push the Popsicle stick through the cupcake liner and slide it up to the bottom of the Popsicle. This will keep little hands from getting super sticky.

Job: Condiment Carrier Tool: Drink Carrier Description: Empty a drink carrier and replace with all your favorite condiments and utensils to cart around your backyard barbeque.

Job: Protect Wine Bottles Tool: Your Child's Floaties Description: Simply slide the floatie around the wine bottle and inflate to keep your wine bottle intact.

Job: Bucket Handle Grip Tool: Old Hose Description: Instead of throwing away that old hose with a leak in it, cut a portion of it then make a slit down the length of the hose. Slide the hose around a skinny bucket handle for a more comfortable grip.

Job: Paint Palette Tool: Ice Cube Tray Description: Mix watercolors in the tray's compartments for easy use.

We’ve all had them: the clogged drain, the ripped vacuum hose, the unsightly hole in the wall. Home repair emergencies like these are the last thing you need when you’re running out the door, running after the kids, or fielding other household chores. Channel your inner MacGyver by taking advantage of one common household item the classic action hero made famous: a roll of duct tape.

We’ve collected some MacGyver-inspired ideas from the Internet.

What MacGyver did:
Used duct tape to seal a hole in a hot air balloon, allowing him to escape his pursuers.

What you can do:

• Fix a slow-running toilet. Clear the clogged flush passage with wire, then empty the water tank and seal the passage hole with duct tape. Fill the tank with a quart of vinegar and leave overnight.

• Weatherproof windows. Use strips of duct tape to make windows air tight until you can fix or replace them.

• Make a temporary roof shingle. Wrap strips of duct tape across a ¼ inch thick piece of plywood cut to size.

• Tie off loose wires. Wrap small, thin strips of duct tape around exposed ends.

• Patch holes and tears in duct work, dryer vents, and a torn vacuum hose to temporarily seal leaks.

Home buying can be a long and tiring process.

It can be stressful physically, mentally and emotionally.  But once you step into a house that is ALL yours, you realize that it was definitely WORTH the strain.  Here are 10 things that you can keep in mind to help make sure you have all your hair by the end of the process.

1. Get your finances in order
“The seller wants to know that if they do accept the offer, that barring catastrophic title issues or inspection issues, the deal is going to go through,” said Gary Dwyer, broker-owner of Buyer Agents of Boston. Another expert recommends having a full pre-approval within the past 30 days: “Six months is no good anymore, because the rules keep changing.”

2. Know your timeframe
“As a shorter-term buyer, you might consider whether the place is a good investment, and if it’s the kind of property that’s going to be attractive for the next buyer…A house near train tracks, for instance, is probably not what most people are looking for. But for someone who’s planning to stay longer, a good school system or larger lot size might make up for the trains thundering past.”

3. Investigate market conditions
One of the benefits of working with a REALTOR® is that they will have an idea of this, and if not they have the tools to do the research.  Your REALTOR® will investigate what comparable properties have sold for over the past three to six months.

4. Search and buy within your means
“If the housing crisis has taught us anything, it’s that buying with the expectation that prices will continuously go up — and that if you can eke out the payments each month, you’ll be in a good spot in the long run — isn’t such a good idea.”

5. If you’re waiting for prices to go lower, think again
Real estate is continually changing.  There are many people waiting for prices to continue to drop, but they may be missing out on their dream home.

6. Don’t get too sucked in by appearances
Buyers should keep in mind that many sellers will try to present their homes in the best possible light. Don’t count on items that are in the house when shown to be there after you have purchased the home.  Many times a REALTOR® will have the home staged.  In that case, the “stuff” will be taken out when the sellers leave.

7. Have questions prepared
Be ready to answer questions regarding age of the roof, heating system, hot water heater, windows, etc.  Also be prepared to answer, if the basement has taken water in the time the seller has been there, if there’s a sump pump; and what utilities and homeowner insurance generally cost. If there’s been recent renovation work, buyers should find out if all building permits have been signed off, and if all of the contractors and sub-contractors have been paid in full. If there’s a pool, buyers should ask when the last inspection was done to check the back flow preventer.

8. If you’re thinking of buying a brand new house…
If buying a new house, take into consideration that no one has lived in the home to “test it out”.  If someone has lived in the house, they have been there to know if there is water that comes in the basement when it rains or if there are drafts in the house.

9. If you’re buying a condo, know the rules
Lenders have become more strict in this market.  Some would-be buyers have been turned away from getting financing.  Many lenders want buildings to be at least 50% owner-occupied.

10. Think about a home’s intrinsic value
Is this is an investment decision, consumption decision or both?  Think to yourself “Is this a house where I can see myself raising a family” or “Is this location good for me and my interests”.

To talk with a Prudential Vision Properties agent today, call 573.449.6200 or email info@PrudentialVision.com.

Transform Your Bedroom Part 2

This is Part 2 of some of the best decorating ideas that I have come across.  Each room is unique and has character all of its own.  Maybe this will spark an idea for you to create a stunning bedroom to match your personality!  To make your bathroom as equally stunning, check out these great bathrooms.  Did you miss Transform Your Bedroom Part 1?  Check out these designs.

12- Make a statement by using black and white with a splash of another color!

13- Who would want to get out of bed with a fluffy, white comforter like that?!

14- Check out that chair hanging from the ceiling. That would be easy to vacuum under!

15- Light, simple, clean. This room has no frills. It allows you to just lay back, look through the window from your bed and RELAX!

16- Climb up the ladder to your bed, lay back and star gaze!

17- Spice up your headboard with a picture or saying above it. The simplest changes can make a load of difference.

18- A room for a queen! Check out that chandelier!

19- Who would have thought to use a pallet for a headboard?!

20- Accent one wall in your room by painting it a different color or by painting a pattern on it.

21- Simple elegance.

22- Don't be afraid to use brilliant patterns on your curtains. Draw attention to great features.

REAL ESTATE!

Single Women Focusing On Real Estate

July 15, 2011 — Realty Times Feature Article by Phoebe Chongchua

In 2010, unmarried women made up 20 percent of all home buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors. That figure is higher than the 12 percent of single men who purchased homes during the same year.

It’s unclear exactly why the discrepancy between single men and women. However, some experts contend that a home of their own and a sense of belonging are two important factors that cause single women to focus and buy real estate.

And those experts are right. The Joint Center for Housing Studies reports that the three main reasons that are driving single women to buy homes now are: relocation for job or family; a larger space; and to have a home of their own (nesting).

The new trend of female buyers is causing builders to add some extra features geared toward attracting single women. New home construction is featuring gourmet kitchens, more security features, and yards that require little or no maintenance.

Of course, the other compelling reason for anyone, including single women, to buy a home, is the historically low interest rates.

Experts understand that buyers are more educated than ever before. They’ve studied the market and generally have a good idea of the type of home and neighborhood they want.

So, what are single women buyers looking for? It’s not solely location that seduces them. Single women buyers want a great location, good price, a property that’s in good condition, and a home that is rentable. It doesn’t have to be new, but it needs to have been given some TLC by the owner.

They want a good price. They’re looking for a price that won’t stop them from enjoying their single lifestyle. Experts recommend that a monthly mortgage should not exceed 28 percent of a borrower’s pre-tax monthly income.

Another interesting point, is that single women buyers are from all different age groups and phases of life. Some are just out of college and pre-marriage, others are divorced, widowed, or never married, and still others have grown kids who’ve left the home (thus a downsize).

That causes this group of homebuyers to pay careful attention to things like rental properties in the neighborhood, proximity to retail and entertainment, and, the all-important concern, would the mortgage payment equal the monthly rent that could be collected on the home?

Single women buyers know that their circumstances may change so they want to be prepared. Making sure that the home can be rented out is often a key interest to this group.

Finally, even though single women are buying homes on their own doesn’t mean that they’ll shop alone. They may visit the property with friends, family members, colleagues, and of course, their agent. It’s likely they’re very savvy, so they’ll be stopping by the home, not once, but probably several times and at different times of the day to get a feel for the home’s exposure to the sun.

As single women focus on real estate, it’s likely we’ll see more builders and sellers catering to the needs of this buying group–and this group is all about getting exactly what they want.