Mr. Clean Magic Erasers Clean Grout

I bought a townhouse and the grout was filthy, I used Mr Clean Magic Erasers and it did an awesome job on grout!

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Landscaping Boosts Home Values Up to 12%

Landscaping Boosts Home Values Up to 12%


You might want to take a closer look at your listing's curb appeal: Upgrading a home's landscape from average to excellent can raise its overall value by 10 percent to 12 percent, according to research from Virginia Tech.

Castro Confirmed as HUD Secretary

Castro Confirmed as HUD Secretary


Julian Castro, three-term mayor of San Antonio, was confirmed as the secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development by the U.S. Senate in a roll-call vote today.

The 39-year-old Castro replaces Shaun Donovan, who will head the Office of Management and Budget. Castro on Monday met with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to discuss Nevada's housing market; Reid yesterday announced today's confirmation vote. Castro has bipartisan support; his nomination hearing featured an introduction by Senator John Cornyn (R.-Nev.), who said that Castro is an "example that the American dream is still very much alive." Castro also cleared a committee vote 16-6, with 12 Democrats and four Republicans supporting him.

In a statement, NAR President Steve Brown lauded the selection.

"The National Association of REALTORS® commends the U.S. Senate today for approving the nomination of Mayor Julian Castro to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Mayor Castro’s vision for strong communities and affordable housing is the right fit for HUD, which has helped make the dream of homeownership a reality for millions of Americans. We are encouraged by his record of achievements to revitalize the city center in San Antonio and his commitment to public engagement and collaboration."

Should You Skip the Home Inspection for a Better Deal?

Should You Skip the Home Inspection for a Better Deal?

When real estate markets are moving quickly, sellers sometimes become uncompromising. Why make concessions if your home is leading the neighborhood's Ms. Popularity contest? This may lead buyers, caught in the frenzy of a bidding war, to become reckless, yielding one of the most important aspects of the purchase process: the home inspection.

What an Inspection Won't Do

Let's face it: We don't buy homes frequently, so the process can be a bit confusing. The home inspection is one of the most commonly misunderstood processes in the real estate transaction.

Just as a home appraisal won't tell you that the heater is about to go kaput, a home inspection won't tell you what the home is worth. These are two different processes, initiated by two different parties. The appraisal is bank-ordered. The lender uses the appraisal to ensure that the home is worth what you've promised to pay for it.

While a large home inspector training institute likes to claim that the inspection is "all-encompassing," it is far from that. That's not to diminish the value of the process – it is extremely important. But it can't tell you, for instance, what might be growing or breeding behind the walls or if there is a dangerous radon level in the home.

The home inspection is also not a guarantee that the home will be in the same condition when you take possession as it was when the inspection was performed.

The typical investigation by a home inspector is a visual one. He or she will look at the home's roof, structure and major systems, such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC and ventilation. If an inspector can't see an area for whatever reason – access is blocked by the owner's belongings or it's locked – she can't investigate it and therefore won't include it in the report.

What a Home Inspection Provides

Since a home is such a huge investment, it only makes sense to be concerned about its condition. A home inspection may just save you thousands of dollars. More than anything else, a home inspection by a licensed professional provides peace of mind.

The inspector will run the heating and cooling system and investigate the water heater. While in most cases an inspector doesn't have access to the heat exchanger in the furnace, he can tell you the condition of the filter. He has no way of knowing the condition of the wiring behind the walls, but he can test the system for shorts.

The best home inspectors will recommend further inspection by an appropriate contractor. For instance, if he feels there may be a structural problem, he may recommend that you contact an engineer. If he notices evidence of wood-destroying pests, he may recommend that you have the home looked at by a pest inspector.

Should You Waive the Inspection Contingency?

In a multiple-offer situation, a buyer who waives the inspection contingency is most likely going to prevail. What seller wouldn't relish the thought of a quicker close and fewer headaches, not to mention saving a ton of money if something happens to be wrong with the house?

But, by the same token, cash-strapped buyers need to know if the house they are about to buy has bad wiring, a leaky roof, a heating system on its last legs or anything else that may cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Buying a home without having it professionally inspected is the same as buying it as-is. If you've ever purchased a used car from a private party, you understand that you may be buying someone else's headaches. Even knowing that, the feeling that you may end up on the side of the road with a broken-down car is hard to shake.

Transfer that feeling to what will probably be the largest investment you make in your lifetime, and it's easy to understand why the home inspection has become a routine and vital part of the home-purchase process.

Make it Easy on the Inspector

As a buyer, you have no control over whether or not the seller will clear access to the areas of the home that the inspector needs to see. Ask your agent to add an addendum to the purchase agreement requesting that the seller provide the following:

Clear access to the attic - Inspectors are not allowed to touch or move personal items. If she can't get to the attic access without moving things out of the way, the attic won't be inspected.

An empty dishwasher - Home inspectors run through each cycle but will not do so unless the appliance is empty.

Access to the electric panel - Ask the seller to move boxes or anything else that may be blocking the electric panel.

Clear access to the furnace and water heater.

Plumbing - The water service should be left on. If it is turned off at the main, the inspector will need written permission to turn it on.

A home inspector can't possibly tell you everything that might be wrong with the home you're about to purchase, but you will be reassured that the major systems are in good working order. And that peace-of-mind is something you should never compromise on.

Adjusting Attitude with Gratitude

"Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted."

-Aldous Huxley, (1894 - 1963) English writer

Do you have a practice for dealing with daily stress? I thought I’d share a simple and surprisingly effective exercise you can do each day that will not only boost your spirits, but lighten the perceived burden of “the daily grind.” No running shoes required! You can do it without breaking a sweat, right from the comfort of your car, your desk, or even the line at Starbucks.

It sounds simple, but it’s quite powerful: Each day, think of five things you're grateful for. They don't have to be big things. In fact, it's great to start with the little things. It helps get you in the flow.

Start with one or two basic things you take for granted, for example: "I'm grateful for a hot shower in the morning." Or: "I'm grateful for a safe neighborhood."

Come up with five new things each time you practice. You might find this challenging at first. There should be a little struggle, but push through it. "I'm grateful for the smile of the guy at the bagel shop." Or: "I'm grateful for my family dinner on Sundays."

It might seem silly at first, but you'll notice that the more you express your gratitude, the more you'll connect to a general feeling of benevolence for others and well-being. Really take a moment for each simple gratitude to sink in. Visualize what you're grateful for and recall experiencing it.

This gratitude exercise connects you to the world in a positive way. It makes the trivial annoyances in life sting less, and reminds you to note what it is in the world you truly appreciate. When your focus shifts to gratitude, your attitude improves.

Give it a try this week and see what you think. Waiting in line, stuck in traffic, killing time between appointments... they're all great windows to practice a little gratitude.

Sometimes my clients ask me how I keep my cool when dealing with a difficult real estate deal. Well, this is one of my tricks to keep everything in perspective. If you’re looking for a stress-free home buying or selling experience, I can help: Kevin Clark, BigBendRealtor.com

FOR SALE: 2336 FOXBORO WAY TALLAHASSEE, FL 32309

http://www.kcatkw.com/listing/mlsid/246/propertyid/240826/

4 beds, 3 baths, $269,000

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• Listing Information:

  • Address: 2336 FOXBORO WAY
  • City: TALLAHASSEE
  • State: FL
  • Zip: 32309
  • Area: NE-01
  • County: 3

  • Price: $269,000
  • Listing #: 240826 
  • Property Type: Single Family
  • Listing Type: Resale/New
  • Subdivision: SHANNON FOREST
  • Status: Active

• Property Information:

  • Bedrooms: 4
  • Total Baths: 3
  • Full Baths: 2
  • Half Baths: 1
  • Year Built: 1988
  • Sq. Feet: 2342
  • Lot Size: 0.27
  • Garage: Garage - 2 Car
  • Taxes: 2694
  • Air: Central,Electric,Fans - Ceiling
  • Heat: Central,Electric,Fireplace - Wood
  • Pool: No

  • Construction: Siding - Fiber Cement
  • Appliances: Dishwasher, Dryer, Microwave, Oven(s), Refrigerator w/ice, Security Syst Equip-Owned,
  • Utilities: Water:City
  • Lot Dimensions:94x146x71x147

• Listing School Information:

  • Jr. / Mid: William J. Montford Middl

  • Elementary: GILCHRIST
  • Sr. / High: LINCOLN

DO AIR PURIFIERS REALLY WORK?

Do Air Purifiers Really Work?

 Indoor air pollutants are unwanted, sometimes harmful materials in the air. They range from dusts to chemicals to radon. Air cleaners are devices that attempt to remove such pollutants from the indoor air you breathe.

The typical furnace filter installed in the ductwork of most home heating and/or air-conditioning systems is a simple air cleaner. This basic filtering system may be upgraded by using another filter to trap additional pollutants or by adding additional air-cleaning devices. An alternative to upgrading the induct air cleaning system is using individual room, portable air cleaners. Air cleaners generally rely on filtration, or the attraction of charged particles to the air cleaning device itself or to surfaces within the home, for the removal of pollutants. The use of "air cleaning" to remove pollutants from the air in residences is in its infancy.

Because many factors need to be considered in determining whether use of an air cleaner is appropriate in a particular setting, the decision whether or not to use an air cleaner is left to the individual. As of yet, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not taken a position either for or against the use of these devices in the home.

Three Strategies (in order of effectiveness) May Be Used to Reduce Indoor Air Pollutants:

1. Source Control eliminates individual sources of pollutants or reduces their emissions, and is generally the most effective strategy. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; others, like combustion appliances, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions. Unfortunately, not all pollutant sources can be identified and practically eliminated or reduced.

2. Ventilation brings outside air indoors. It can be achieved by opening windows and doors, by turning on local bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans, or, in some situations, by the use of mechanical ventilation systems. However, there are practical limits to the extent ventilation can be used to reduce airborne pollutants. Costs for heating or cooling incoming air can be significant, and outdoor air itself may contain undesirable levels of contaminants.

3. Air Cleaning may serve as an adjunct to source control and ventilation. However, the use of air cleaning devices alone cannot assure adequate air quality, particularly where significant sources are present and ventilation is inadequate. Air cleaners are usually classified by the method employed for removing particles of various sizes from the air.

There are three general types of air cleaners on the market: mechanical filters, electronic air cleaners, and ion generators. Air cleaners may be in-duct units (installed in the central heating and/or air-conditioning system) or stand-alone portable units.

The effectiveness of air cleaners in removing pollutants from the air is a function of both the efficiency of the device itself and the amount of air handled by the device. A product of these two factors (for a given pollutant) is expressed as the unit's clean air delivery rate (CADR).

Portable air cleaners vary in size and effectiveness in pollutant reduction capabilities. They range from relatively ineffective table-top units to larger, more powerful console units. In general, units containing either electrostatic precipitators, negative ion generators, or pleated filters, and hybrid units containing combinations of these mechanisms, are more effective than flat filter units in removing tobacco smoke particles. Effectiveness within these classes varies widely, however. For removal of larger dust particles, negative ion generators, without additional particle capture mechanisms (e.g., filters), may perform poorly.

Pollutants in indoor air may be divided into three groups: particles, gaseous pollutants, and radon. Some air cleaners, under the right conditions, can effectively remove small particles which are suspended in air. However, controversy exists as to the efficiency of air cleaners in removing larger particles such as pollen and house dust allergens, which rapidly settle on surfaces. Animal dander may settle more slowly, although the surface particles far exceed the amount in the air. Therefore, control of the sources of allergens and ventilation should be stressed as the primary means of reducing allergic reactions.

Some of the air cleaners containing sorbents may also remove some of the gaseous pollutants in indoor air. However, no air-cleaning systems are expected to totally eliminate all hazards from gaseous pollutants and these systems may have a limited lifetime before replacement is necessary. In addition, air cleaning may not be effective in reducing the risks of lung cancer due to radon.

What to look for when choosing an air cleaner:

• The potential effectiveness of the device under the conditions it will be used.
• The need for routine maintenance, including cleaning and replacement of filters.
• The estimated capital and maintenance cost.
• The installation requirements (e.g., power, access).
• The manufacturer's recommended operating procedures.
• The possible production or re-dispersal of pollutants, such as ozone, particles, formaldehyde and trapped gaseous pollutants.
• The inability of some air cleaners to control gases and some odors, such as those from tobacco smoke.
• Possible health effects from charged particles produced by ion generators.
• Possible soiling of surfaces by charged particles produced by ion generators.
• The noise level at the air flow rates that will be used.

Are Ozone Generators Effective?

Available scientific evidence shows that at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone has little potential to remove indoor air contaminants.

Whether in its pure form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.

It may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma as well as compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.

Some studies show that ozone concentrations produced by ozone generators can exceed health standards even when one follows manufacturer's instructions. Many factors affect ozone concentrations including the amount of ozone produced by the machine, the size of the indoor space, the amount of material in the room with which ozone reacts, the outdoor ozone concentration, and the amount of ventilation. These factors make it difficult to control the ozone concentration in all circumstances.

Available scientific evidence shows that, at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone is generally ineffective in controlling indoor air pollution. The concentration of ozone would have to greatly exceed health standards to be effective in removing most indoor air contaminants. In the process of reacting with chemicals indoors, ozone can produce other chemicals that themselves can be irritating and corrosive.

Paint to Sell: Painting Tips to Ensure a Quick Home Sale

Paint to Sell: Painting Tips to Ensure a Quick Home Sale

No matter how much you rearrange or decorate a room, nothing affects appearance like a fresh coat of paint. When you enter a house, your eye may be drawn to little decorative touches, but all the staging in the world will fall flat if your paint is drab, dirty, or goes against the potential buyer's taste. Considering that a gallon of paint is only about $25, it's also an inexpensive way to give your home a makeover.

Choosing Colors to Appeal to Homebuyers

Using colors that make the buyer feel "at home" will help you sell your home more quickly. You want them to look at each room and be able to literally see themselves and their belongings fitting inside your walls. Inspire a feeling of peace and relaxation, and part of the sale is already done!

Neutrals and soft colors create a soothing, calm atmosphere. Homebuyers can more easily visualize the paint colors they want when other colors aren't bombarding them at every glance.

Avoid bold, vibrant or dark colors. Even pure white can prove overwhelming. Stay away from trendy colors no matter how good they look to you.

Keep in mind color psychology. Not only do certain colors calm you, but the shade can also affect the room itself. Light colors make a space appear larger. Dark colors, on the other hand, make the room feel smaller. Of course, sometimes a darker color is good if you want a certain effect. A cozy den with a darker color and a bright, cheery kitchen with a lighter color may work best to highlight each room's appeal.

Neutral Shades

Even with neutrals, you still have a variety of colors to choose from. Off-white is a popular, all-purpose color, but it's not the only one. Beige, tan, eggshell and ecru are other colors that work well with almost any style. But your choices range even further: pale shades of blue, green, yellow and gray, for instance, can blend with the house and complement the room. Aim for colors that don't overpower the room or furnishings. Keep the color variations to a minimum to lend a sense of continuity to the house. If every room is a different color, it can prove overwhelming. It's much better to pick two or three colors to use throughout the house.

Painting Tips

Take the time to paint properly. Mask off areas that will be left unpainted. Throw down floor and furniture coverings to ensure you don't create damage during the process. Most importantly, prep the wall properly.

You may wish to spread a primer first to block bold colors. If the walls don't require color or stain blocking, sanding the walls slightly or washing with a solution of trisodium phosphate are other options. Both sanding and washing with TSP will remove dirt, oils and other contaminants that prevent the color from adhering well and looking good.

While you paint, take time and care to cut in the corners and avoid drips. Aim for the best paint job of your life – it will be worth it when the buyers sign on the dotted line!

If you can't afford to repaint your entire house, concentrate on a few select areas. The first room the buyer enters is the place to start – remember, first impressions count! Consider painting cupboards, trim and doors along with key rooms. Let your instincts guide you. Look around at other homes for ideas. If your home has a "parade of homes" that local builders showcase, you can glean a lot of tips in a short amount of time.

With a minimum investment, a little time and elbow grease, it shouldn't take long for you to have your home ready for its next owner.