Home Improvements: Get The Most Bang For Your Buck

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P: hellopamevans.com

P: hellopamevans.com

When you purchase a new home you envision tons of ideas on how to make the space your own – from cosmetic improvements like painting and flooring to major renovations. But how do you prioritize your honey do list? Get the most value for your money by choosing projects that combine benefits, adding to your home’s style, comfort and energy efficiency. Here are our top 5:

Redecorate – Simply rearranging your furniture can dramatically change the feel of a room, making a smaller room feel open or a large room feel more intimate and cozy. A fresh coat of paint will make the walls look like new and window treatments will add a touch of luxury to your home.

Update Appliances – The kitchen is the heart the home, and a huge selling point … or detracting factor. Investing in new, Energy-Star appliances will give the space a fresh look and can also save you money on electric and water bills. Kitchen updates often return more than 100% of the cost.

P: HGTV

P: HGTV

Add a Backsplash – Backsplashes are a great solution to protect your walls from water damage, food stains and scratches and will give an updated look to your kitchen and/or bathrooms. There are so many different tile and stone styles to choose from or you can use other materials like faux tin ceiling and wine corks. Check out Pinterest for some great DIY ideas.

Install a Ceiling Fan – Not only will a ceiling fan cool rooms in the summer months, but if you reverse the spin direction, the fan blades will push warm air back down to reheat rooms during the winter. Ceiling fans come in all sorts of designs and colors so it should be no problem to find one to fit your style and give your cooling and heating systems a bit of a break.

Plant Perennials – Is your landscaping lacking? Boost your curb appeal with colorful plants and flowers like peonies, daffodils, lilacs, or hostas. Perennials will come back year after year, and often continue to grow, so you don’t have to buy replacement plants.

Prepare Your Home For Winter

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P: Taylored Restoration

Baby, it’s cold outside! The dreaded polar vortex has made it’s first unwelcome appearance in our neck of the woods, which means it’s time to get your home ready to weather the winter months.

You want to keep your home warm and toasty inside, but winterizing isn’t just about staying warm. By investing some time and energy of your own to prep your home, you will end up saving in energy costs. Preparing your home for the cold winter months will also save you the unexpected headaches of busted pipes or a failing furnace.

Follow our winter prep checklist to get your home ready for the deep freeze:

Clean your gutters. Water should be able to flow freely now to help prevent icicles and ice dams from forming later.

Change your furnace filter. Regularly replacing the filter can significantly improve its efficiency and longevity.

Invest in a programmable thermostat. Install a programmable thermostat and save money by setting the temperature lower while you are away or asleep. The US Department of Energy says that you can save as much as 1% on your energy bill for every degree you lower your home’s temperature in the winter.

Check for drafts. Cold air can easily leak in through windows, doors or any additional exterior gaps. Here are a few fixes:

  • Window insulation film – if you take the time to do it correctly, it won’t look tacky and will significantly lower your heating bill
  • Weatherstrip tape – simple and easy, seal your windows and doors tightly with weatherstripping
  • Caulk – fill any remaining gaps in siding, windows or doors with caulk
P: Better Homes and Gardens

P: Better Homes and Gardens

Reverse your ceiling fan. Having fan blades move in a clockwise direction will push the warm air back down to reheat the space.

Inspect your chimney. If you have a fireplace or wood stove with a chimney, check it for creosote buildup and have it cleaned if necessary. Also look for any blockages like bird nests.

Local Spotlight: Burlington

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P: Vermont Photo Mag

P: Vermont Photo Mag

Whenever you tell someone you live in Vermont the first question you usually get is, “Oh, are you near Burlington?” Burlington has got to be the most well-known city in the state, which is no wonder since it is also the largest.

Situated on the eastern shoreline of Lake Champlain, Burlington offers a picturesque setting for picnics in Waterfront Park, scenic cruises on the Spirit of Ethan Allen and seasonal lakefront dining at Splash or Breakwater Cafe and Grill. Head over to North Beach (you can take the bike path!) for some fun in the sun – rent a kayak or stand-up paddle board and get out on the lake.

P: urbanscale.com

P: urbanscale.com

After spending time on the lakefront, make your way up to the Church Street Marketplace to do a little shopping. Along the brick-lined street you will find more than 100 shops with everything from high-end fashions and jewelry to VT made crafts and arts. Some of our favorites:

  • Frog Hollow – features the work of local VT artists including paintings, jewelry, pottery and sculptures
  • Lake Champlain Chocolates – delicious handcrafted chocolates, try the fudge or their hot chocolate
  • Outdoor Gear Exchange – find all the gear you could possibly need for any VT outdoor adventure
  • Apple Mountain – all of the Vermont products you’re looking for: maple syrup and candy, specialty foods, Vermont tees and hoodies and souvenirs

All of that walking and shopping will really work up an appetite, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from downtown. A few not to miss:

  • Leunig’s –  a piece of Paris in downtown Burlington, a great spot for people-watching when you can dine al fresco
  • Vermont Pub & Brewery – VT’s oldest craft brewery with awesome beers and pub style food
  • Penny Cluse Cafe – awesome breakfast, make sure you get in early to grab a seat
  • Skinny Pancake – yummy savory or sweet crepes, try the Lovemaker with Nutella, strawberries and whipped cream
P: thefreegeorge.com

P: thefreegeorge.com

There are also some great options for entertainment – catch some live music at Nectar’s and grab a plate of their famous late night gravy fries. The Flynn hosts a number of live performances including plays, operas, ballets and comedians. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center features permanent and traveling exhibits, with lots of hands-on activities for the kids.

And if that’s not enough, there are lots of local events to check out throughout the year – Discover Jazz Festival, Vermont Brewer’s Festival, South End Art Hop, and Magic Hat Mardi Gras just to name a few. Also not to be missed – the Burlington Farmers’ Market is held outdoors in City Hall Park during the warmer months and is a great spot to find local foods, treats and locally made crafts.

With so much to see and experience, it’s no surprise that Burlington consistently lands in the top places to live!

Ready To Make The Move?

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P: keydoorsolutions.co.uk

You’ve found the perfect new home, made it through negotiations and are finally ready to close! Now, what about getting all of your stuff to your new digs? Moving can be stressful, so here are a few tips/ideas on how to make the process run as smooth as possible.

Have a yard sale. Downsizing before you move will make the process much simpler and likely cheaper. Go through your house and gather everything that you have not used, or perhaps have even laid eyes on, in at least a year. Looking forward to purchasing new furniture? Great! Sell your current set on Craigslist. Movers base their prices on the amount  of stuff you are moving, so if you have less to put on the truck you can keep more money in your pocket.

Do your research when choosing a moving company. Before you load your entire home’s contents onto a truck, make sure you trust the movers and aren’t getting scammed. Check http://www.protectyourmove.gov for information on how to avoid scams and search for registered movers. Ask around for recommendations,

Do a final walkthrough. Check every drawer, cabinet and closet to make sure you haven’t left anything behind. Survey the space for any damages – if you dinged the walls moving your furniture out be sure to fix it before you leave, you don’t want to haggle with the buyer or lose your deposit on a rental.

P: jenniferfieldsrealestate.wordpress.com

P: jenniferfieldsrealestate.wordpress.com

Unpack your new home. All of your boxes have made it to your new house, but now unpacking everything may seem like a daunting task. Don’t put it off, you’ll feel much more settled and at home once your belongings are in order. Take it one room at a time – start with the kitchen since it tends to be the heart of any home, and you will be able to cook for yourself and ditch the takeout.

Get to know your new neighborhood. Explore your area and find your nearest grocery store, post office, bank, pharmacy, etc. Go to your new town office and register to vote in your new district. Talk to your new neighbors to get recommendations on the best places to eat in the area.

Announce your move. If you haven’t already, go to the post office to get a change of address form, or file it online for $1. Let your friends and family know your new address – you can send personalized announcements from a number of online print shops. If you’re up for it, throw a housewarming party! Use evite.com to create an invite to email to friends, family and neighbors to get everyone together to celebrate your new digs.

Is Fall A Good Time To List?

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P: guardiancarpetcleaning.com

The question that crosses every seller’s mind – when is the best time to list? Spring is the busiest season for buying and selling, so most sellers think it’s best to wait to list their home. But what if you need to make the move now? Good news – fall is the 2nd busiest season in real estate!

Buyers looking at homes in autumn tend to be more serious and motivated to move than the numerous window shoppers that come out in spring. There are many reasons – job relocation, downsizing, change in family status, etc. and most want to buy by the end of the year.

Fall offers certain benefits to home buyers including:

Year-end tax breaks – Both mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible from gross income, so purchasing a home and making a payment prior to year’s end will give you an extra deduction. In addition, if you have prepaid some interest prior to your first payment, that interest can also be deducted.

Pleasant weather – Fall is an ideal time to plan a move, the weather has cooled from the heat and humidity of summer and you get out ahead of the freezing temps and icy conditions of winter.

Broad selection of homes – With a bit less demand than spring, buyers will find a wider array of homes available in the fall, increasing the odds of finding the perfect property.

P: betterdeco.blogspot.com

P: betterdeco.blogspot.com

A bonus for fall sellers – autumn decorations and colors will make your home feel more inviting and warm to potential buyers. Put some brightly colored mums and pumpkins on your front porch to up the curb appeal. Add a couple gourds and colored candles to your dining room table or fireplace mantel. Always remember to keep it simple – people hate clutter!