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Posts Tagged ‘Tips’

Kitchen Trends

Free Style: There is a move away from the all-or-nothing “fitted” look of continuous counters. Look for more free-standing pieces of furniture or features with furniture like qualities, such as a cabriolet leg holding up a kitchen counter.

Artistic Upgrades: In the ongoing effort to customize kitchens, ALMOST ANYTHING GOES. Now range hoods are works of art, literally. Already beautiful as well as functional, hoods can now be customized with panels you choose. Cupboard doors can be replaced with accent doors.  If you can think it do it!

Going Green: Eco-friendly products aren’t going to go out of style anytime soon. And now there are more ways that you can go green in the kitchen, too, from energy-efficient dishwashers to environmentally sound flooring options made of reclaimed wood and tiles.

Oh-So-Organic: Forget straight lines and right angles; organic shapes are in. Not only are rounded shapes visually pleasing, they also encourage a more natural circular traffic flow. Imagine never bumping into a sharp corner again and having the bruise for weeks to prove it.

Asian Fusion: There is nothing like Zen comforts to help us unwind. Look for drawer pulls reminiscent of bamboo, built-in teriyaki grills and Japanese-style sliding pantry doors in the kitchen.

Drawer Designs: Move over refrigerator drawers and dishwasher drawers, and say hello to the microwave drawer. Yes, that handy appliance, popcorn button and all, now comes in a drawer.  This is all in an effort to de-clutter your kitchen.

High-Tech: Advances in technology continue to offer us out-of-this-world options, including an oven that can be programmed to keep food cold until it’s cooking time. You can even change the cooking directions from your office computer. Don’t have enough freezer space? High-tech can help you turn a fridge drawer into a freezer in no time. It can also raise the toilet seat when it sees you coming and clean the shower when you’re not around.

Built-Ins: Built-ins are convenient and sleek, two must-haves in today’s kitchens. Think steamers and strainers, high-end coffee makers, professional ice machines and wine coolers, knife racks, spice holders, ring holders, fondue pots and ice beds for shrimp.

Glass Acts: Glass is everywhere in today’s kitchens — on cook tops, refrigerators and cabinet doors.

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

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.

Summertime Uses for Old Things

Ever had a task that you needed to complete at home, but never had the “real” or “right” tool for the job.  Here are some household items you have laying around that can be used for those jobs.

Job: Sand Castle Building Tool: The Ice Cream scoop Description: Create perfectly mounded domes

Job: Fire Starter Tool: Citrus Peels Description: Use those citrus peels that you were just going to put into the trash or the garbage disposal. Let the peels dry out for a couple of days. Then when your ready for that fire toss the peels in for a great, fruity aroma!

Bundt Pan as Corn Holder Job: Get the corn off the cob Tool: Bundt Pan Description: Stick one end of the corn cob in the center of the bundt pan, then using a knife, cut the corn off the cob. The pan catches all the mess!

Bucket As Side Table Job: Sitting on the beach/ deck and need a side table Tool: Bucket Description: Turn the bucket upside down and place a tray on top and Voila! You have made a side table.

Job: Shower Curtain Tool: Beach towels Description: Tired of that old shower curtain? For an easy summer theme, try using a couple bold patterned beach towels and shower curtain clips to create that summery theme.

Job: Carrier Tool: Large handled basket Description: When you are ready to head to the lake, just toss all your needs in the basket. If you are heading to a barbeque, line the basket with a trash bag and toss all the ice and beverages in side.

Job: Tar remover Tool: Baby Oil Description: After a day out on the beach or walking around Six Flags/Worlds of Fun in flip flops, you may have developed some tar or grease on the bottom of your feet from the concrete. Simply rub some baby oil on your feet and wash off. Bye-bye grease!

Job: Ice cream bowl Tool: Citrus peel Description: Scoop out and freeze the citrus peel. Cut a small portion off the bottom (without making a hole), so the peel will stand up. Then fill with ice cream. What a cool looking way to serve your favorite ice cream!

Job: Hose stakes Tool: Croquet wickets Description: Stick the wickets in the ground. Then feed your hose through the wickets. The hose is now stabilized and will not damage your flowers!

Job: Ice Bucket Tool: Colander Description: Set a colander inside a bowl. The ice will melt into the bowl, and when you grab for that next drink, your hand won't get frozen by all that ice water.

Job: Iced Coffee mixer Tool: Cocktail mixer Description: Who doesn't love a good iced coffee in the summer? Why go to the coffee shop and spend twice as much than you would making them at home. Here is a simple way. Pour your cooled coffee into a cocktail mixer along with some ice, milk, sugar and a little flavoring and SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE until it is nice a frothy. Then enjoy!

Keep an eye (or two) out for more fun uses for ordinary household items!

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.