http://bjohnson.coldwellbankercrown.com/blog/archive_202204/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ It’s that time again! Spring has arrived and so has the need to freshen things up a bit. Whether you’re planning a total home makeover, or you just want to declutter, organize and refresh some spaces, we’ve got a few ways to get you started.Before you spring into action, make sure you have the right cleaning products. There are a ton of eco-friendly, non-toxic options and it’s worth a little extra research to find the right ones.Clean in chunks. Spring cleaning can feel overwhelming. Start by making a list of everything you want to get done and then break it down in 30-minute chunks. Need to dust, vacuum, sweep and mop? You don’t have to do it all in one day. Start with dusting first and see how far you get. Think floorboards, celling fans, corner walls and windowsills. That alone will help freshen everything up.Hit the washing machine. There’s nothing better than fresh, clean linens. Take some time to clean stains before you throw them in the wash. You could also add a few drops of your favorite essential oils, so they smell even better. If weather permits, hang them outside for the most eco-friendly way to dry your linens. And, while your linens are washing, you can go back to some of that sweeping and mopping.Focus on the bathroom. When the last time you disinfected your shower head? Showers and shower heads are magnets for mold and bacteria so make sure and use an antibacterial and anti-mold solution for those areas. When it comes to the sink, tub and toilet, there’s nothing a hefty scrub brush can’t take care of. And don’t forget to use it on the grout, you’ll be amazed at how great it looks afterwards.Got carpets? Spring is the best time to deep clean those dirt-filled carpets and rugs. If you’re more of a DIYer, you can run up to your nearest hardware store and rent a cleaning machine (this will cost less, too). Or you can find a reputable carpet cleaning company and let them take care of it. Either way, your house will smell and look a million times better with freshly cleaned carpets!Sparkling windows for the win. Windows both inside and out tend to get very grimy without you even noticing. Power cleaning them is probably one of the most satisfying things you can do. Use a streak-free window cleaner and a microfiber towel to quickly wash away all that seasonal build up. You might also want to clean your blinds along the way, as they tend to accumulate a lot of dirt as well. You reward? A beautiful, clear view to the outside.Finally, if it’s warm enough, don’t forget to open up all the doors and windows and let that fresh spring air circle through. There’s really nothing better than a sparkly clean home to enjoy on a gorgeous spring day. http://bjohnson.coldwellbankercrown.com/blog/26/5-ways-to-spring-into-cleaning/ Tue, 26 Apr 2022 11:46:14 -0600 Expecting overnight guests soon? Don’t fret – preparing for them isn’t as time-consuming as you think! A good rule of thumb: Treat them the way you’d want to be treated in someone else’s home.Here are some quick and easy ways to get ready and make them feel welcome.Corral the clutter. Tidy up and eliminate clutter in the main living areas to free up more space for increased foot traffic and make your home look its best.Make space for unpacking. Your guests will appreciate having a place to unpack their suitcase, so clear some space in the guestroom closet and provide hangers. If there’s a dresser, set aside a couple of empty drawers for their belongings.Provide bathroom essentials. In addition to a set of towels for each guest, offer a selection of basic toiletries in case visitors forget something like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, even a disposable toothbrush. Another extra you’ll find in every hotel is a hair dryer, so let them know ahead of time you have one so they don’t need to carve out space in their suitcase.Bedroom must-haves. Provide extra pillows and blankets, just in case, and a nightstand or table near the bed for their phones, glasses and a bottle of water. Everyone needs a place to charge their phone, so if an outlet isn’t nearby or is hidden behind furniture, provide an extension cord. Another thoughtful touch: Leave your Wi-Fi password on a notecard and place it on the nightstand or dresser so they don’t have to ask for it.Stock the kitchen. Buy a variety of extra snacks and beverages and show visitors where everything is in the fridge and pantry so they feel comfortable grabbing a bite to eat or drink whenever they want.Whether close family members or first-time visitors, guests will feel welcome when you take the time for these quick and easy preparations. You’ll all be able to focus on having fun and enjoying your time together. http://bjohnson.coldwellbankercrown.com/blog/21/easy-ways-to-prepare-for-overnight-guests/ Tue, 19 Apr 2022 02:36:23 -0600 Sure, location is important, but the three Ls in real estate are landscaping, landscaping, and landscaping.Whether you’re thinking about putting your home on the market or just want to be prepared, you’re looking for the best possible price. A clean, fresh place with a comfortable vibe, both inside and out, draws prospective buyers. And since the first thing to catch their eye is your landscaping, that’s the place to start. Landscaping focuses on the lawn, trees, and plants in your yard, but architectural features also increase the value of your home.Landscape Maintenance Program?Curb appeal is the name of the game when you’re sprucing up your home. A vibrant green lawn is what buyers want to see. A landscape maintenance program covers the basics to keep your lawn looking its best. This includes mowing, edging and trimming, fertilization, pest control, and leaf removal. The National Association of Realtors lists landscape maintenance as a priority when selling your home, with a return on investment, or ROI, of 100%. You can do it yourself if you are diligent, but it may be more cost-effective to hire a lawn care professional who knows how to keep your yard in tip-top shape.Landscape Upgrade   Since you’re going to be taking meticulous care of your lawn, why not do an overall landscape upgrade? This can include switching up your front walkway from concrete to natural flagstone, adding large stone planters, mulching with landscaping bark, and putting in flowering shrubs and a tree or two. The estimated cost of these projects is $6000, with a return of around $5000. That’s an ROI of 83%. And in a drought-prone area, take those upgrades a step further and help protect your property from fire. Surround your home with hardscaping, use fire-resistant plants and trees, and space them 5 to 30-feet away from your home.Outdoor Living SpacesThe pandemic of the last couple of years forced many of us to spend more time at home. So today’s buyers are focused on comfort and livability. Putting in a patio, or refurbishing an existing one, attracts buyers and increases your home’s value. An outdoor kitchen and entertaining area extends your living space.Set up cozy chairs and sofas made specifically for the outdoors. Add some colorful throw pillows, and don’t forget an outdoor table to center the space. A well-designed patio with comfortable features has an ROI of up to 80% and adds 8-10% to a home’s value.Fire PitWhile you’re busy making the outdoors all cozy and comfy, don’t forget a fire pit. Nights around the fire, toasting marshmallows, or just chatting with family and friends create lasting memories and add an air of relaxation to your yard. Gas pits will add more value to your home due to ease of use, but wood-burning pits also boost the value. Both have pros and cons, and you’ll need to do some research to see which works best for you. Adding a fire feature to your landscaping provides an ROI of about 70%.Outdoor LightingOnce you create a cozy outdoor living space, you want to be able to use it at night. That’s where outdoor lighting comes into play. When deciding how to incorporate it into the landscaping, consider where light is needed for safety and security, as well as any features you want to highlight. Don’t overdo it. You want to enhance your yard at night, not blind your guests with spotlights. Outdoor lighting done right can add up to 10% to your home’s value.Automated Sprinkler SystemAutomating your sprinkler system not only adds home value, it gives you one less thing to worry about and helps conserve water! You can come home knowing that part of your yard maintenance is already done. Or you can travel without worrying about whether your lawn is getting enough water.While installing an irrigation system can be costly, you can recoup that money in the long-term. Monthly water bills will likely decrease, as sprinklers come on only during optimal times of the day and use just the right amount of water. Cost estimates for a 3000 square foot lawn are around $3500. With an estimated cost recovery at $3000, that’s an ROI of 86%.Making these landscaping improvements increases the odds for a faster sale and a better price. Buyers want to move in and relax, not have to make the changes themselves. http://bjohnson.coldwellbankercrown.com/blog/22/6-landscaping-trends-that-can-help-increase-the-value-of-your-home/ Tue, 05 Apr 2022 12:00:36 -0600