Summer has arrived and the perfect outdoor space for you and your family can be just a few steps away. Creating a patio space that you will love is the perfect way to spend these early summer nights. When making choices about how to construct your backyard oasis, it is important to make considerations that can impact appearance, durability and functionality.

Before you start making design choices, try to envision what you want the end result to be. Take a chair out to the spot you are considering and try to start your design that way, with an idea of how you want the space to look when you are in it. Once you have your design, you will need to start to consider which materials would best bring that vision to a reality. Some of the material choices include concrete, bricks, pavers, stone, or tile.

Concrete

Many homeowners choose poured concrete because it is known to be structurally sound, relatively inexpensive, and can dyed to appear as higher-end paving materials. Concrete is a great choice if you live in a warm climate.

Bricks

Bricks offer the opportunity of a variety of color choices, but you should take into consideration that every brick must be set by hand, leveled and grouted. Keep in mind you’ll need to watch out for a slick surface after every rainfall if you extend your brick patio into shade.

Pavers

Pavers, typically made from cement, cinder or stone, are often used for DIY projects for their low price and super simple installation. If you’re planning to lay your own patio, consider the need for a suitable substrate to keep the pavers from shifting.

Stone

Stone may be a highly desirable look, but it shows in the price tag. Flat stones can give off a calm effect, while uniform-cut slabs of granite and other stone can make your patio a little more formal. Natural stone is extremely durable, but consider opting for the nonslip type,, such as coral stone.

Tile

Tile has a wide variety of options, to include ceramic, glass, porcelain, terra cotta and natural stone. Tile can offer a cool surface under your feet in hot climates. Keep in mind that because tile is thin, it requires a concrete slab.

Every day, the world presents us with new technology. It seems like there isn’t much left that technology can’t do. Thankfully, with every advancement, many items have become more affordable. While a high-tech home may not be the choice for everyone, there are plenty of budget-friendly options to try out if you are interested in making your home a little bit more accessible. Here are 6 items to try:

1. Smart Speakers

Setting reminders, asking questions, and playing music on demand has never been so easy! Smart speakers are capable of making lists for you, looking up recipes, and so much more.

1. Smart Plugs

Left the coffee pot plugged in and need to turn it off, but you aren’t home? Smart plugs allow you to turn off (and on) something plugged in from your phone. These are also great for lighting systems like lamps or even holiday lights.

1. Smart Doorbells

Smart doorbells are an incredible investment. Monitor who is ringing your doorbell, when packages are dropped off, and so much more all with your phone!

1. Smart Locks

Lost keys? Need to let someone in to water your plants while you are out of town? Smart Locks allow you to use your phone to lock and unlock your door, or just use a keypad!

1. Smart Switches

Smart switches allow you to turn lights off and on with your phone. Next time you forget to turn off the kitchen light and you are already in bed, smart switches can save the day!

1. Smart Bulbs

Adjust the brightness of color in any room when you install smart bulbs. Great for kids or rooms where you want to be able to dim the lights!

Your roof is a critical part of your home. Protecting you from the elements all year round, your roof takes the brunt of any weather that comes through your town. That exposure every single day can lead to wear and tear, and sometimes that can lead to issues that need repaired. It isn’t always obvious when your roof needs a fix, but here are some indicators that it may be time to call a roofer!

1. It Looks Worn

It might seem obvious, but if your roof looks bad, that might indicate it needs a repair. When your shingles appear damp and worn, it means they’re holding moisture and no longer fully able to do their job. If the shingles are cracked or curling up at the corners, they are at a point that they may fall out and will need fixed or replaced.

2. You Have A Leak

Do you have any ceiling wet stains? Though you may not notice them at first, wet spots can be the first indicator that precipitation is leaking through your roof and into your ceiling. You will want to get this fixed as soon as you notice it to prevent further water damage to your house interior.

3. The Roof Is Sagging

If you roof isn’t in a straight line, it is sagging. This means it is definitely time to call a roofing company because serious structural damage can occur if sagging is not remedied.

4. You Can See The Light

This is the one time you don’t want to see the light – and that is when you are looking up at your roof. If light can penetrate your roof, so can plenty of other things. If you ever have any light leaks, get the crack filled as soon as possible.

If you love to entertain when you have guests over, you may be working on building your home bar. While enjoying time inside doesn’t require a bar, sometimes a happy medium between a full-on wet bar and just a few beverages in the fridge can help elevate the hosting experience. Here are the essentials you need for a great home bar:

1. Bar Fridge

Having a separate bar fridge is a great addition for several reasons. First, you can keep your beverages at the temperature they are meant to be kept at. Beverage refrigerators are best kept 10 degrees warmer than the normal fridge temperature. Another great reason is that you will no longer waste fridge space for beverages. Now, you don’t have to worry about taking food out to put drinks in!

2. Bar Decor

Decide what style you want for your bar space. Whether you want an elegant or pub theme, choose pieces that will tell a story.

3. Plenty of Glassware

When hosting guests at your home bar, it is helpful to have a variety of glassware to suit the types of drinks you may be making. Keep rocks glasses, highball tumblers, and stem glasses – with a few red and white wine glasses on hand. Pint and shot glasses are also great to keep in your bar.

4. Cocktail Shaker & Strainer

If you have a cobbler shaker, there is no need for a strainer, as they are usually built in. If you have a Boston shaker, which can be a little trickier to use, you will need to get a strainer for pouring your drinks.

5. Ice Trays

Unless you have an ice machine, you will need to have ice cube trays. Silicone trays are much easier to get cubes out of and tend to be much sleeker in appearance. Try to find trays with larger compartments so your ice will last longer.

6. Bar Accessories & Tools

Some items you may want to have in your bar for some cocktails include:

• Mixing Spoon
• Muddler
• Jigger
• Measuring Shot Glass

Exercise is a key part of staying healthy. Every aspect of our lives are impacted by our health, so doing the little things to ensure you stay in shape aids in your overall health. While exercise is important, many of us lead busy lives. Having your own workout space in your home can help you stay active without sacrificing your time. Here are a few benefits to turning that extra room or extra space in the garage into a home gym:

No Commute Necessary

If you work outside the home, the last thing you may want to do is add more time to your daily commute with a trip to the gym. Instead of spending 2 hours of your time to get an hour long workout, you can enjoy a quick outfit change at home and a 30-second walk to your home gym.

No Closed Signs

Maybe you work late some nights. Maybe you are a morning person and prefer to workout before the sun rises. With a home gym, you no longer have to worry about restrictive gym hours. This is also helpful in creating a routine that you are able to stick to!

No Lines, No Strangers

While many gyms do their best to keep their exercise equipment clean, others leave it up to their clients to wipe down machines after use. If you aren’t a big fan of using sweaty equipment that may or may not be cleaned regularly, a home gym might be just what you need. The best part is, you will never have to wait in line to use a sweaty squat rack again!

No Limits

Do you love cardio machines? Maybe you prefer to run outdoors but love lifting? If you prefer to be able to customize your gym, a home gym allows you that freedom. You won’t need to buy any more than you will use, which makes your home gym a great investment.

Bathroom tile grout can become quite the headache. Being a high traffic area, it can feel impossible to keep sparkling clean in these areas, especially in mold-prone spots near toilets and tubs. If your grout is looking less-than-fabulous, you can try this quick trick and save yourself a renovation.

The Items You Need:
Vinegar + water solution (or your preferred floor cleaner)
Scrub brush
Paper towels
Small craft paintbrush
Grout renewer product (sold in hardware or home improvement stores)

STEPS

1. Using the vinegar and water solution, clean your floors with your scrub brush. Be as thorough as possible. Once the floors are as clean as you can get them, give them time to dry. The grout renewer works best on clean, dry floors.
2. Using your paintbrush, brush the renewer onto the grout. Avoid getting any of the renewer on the tile, and be sure to wipe it off if you have any accidents. Work from the back of the room to the doorway so you don’t have to worry about smudging any of the renewer when you head back out of the room.
3. Once all the grout lines have been painted, avoid walking on the tile for 24 hours and let it fully dry for 72 hours. Now your bathroom tile should look fresh and clean! A quick fix all for under $20.

When preparing to put your house on the market, usually your main concern is making your home look as appealing as possible. Cleaning every corner, fixing what needs fixed, and making sure it is a home others would want to buy. With all that in mind, prioritizing the safety of your home while it is on the market can fall to the wayside until you are fully out of the home. Once you are moved in somewhere new, you may realize that you are worrying quite a bit about just how safe your home is. Between showings and being empty most days, there is a much higher chance that your house can become a target for theft. Here are some ways to protect your home while you wait for it to sell.

TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS

While you may think it’s obvious that your neighbors know you are selling your home, it may not be their first thought to keep an eye out for strange behavior. If you have a friendly neighbor, ask if they can swing by after showings to make sure your doors are locked and if they can alert you if they see any strange behavior.

PREVENT SLIPS AND FALLS

While theft is always a concern, you also need to keep in mind that you could be held liable for injury on your property. It is a good idea to take preventative measures to keep an unnecessary lawsuit from happening. Make sure you repair any uneven or missing flooring, secure rugs, remove clutter, and clear ice and snow during the cold seasons.

HIDE YOUR VALUABLES

The best way to prevent high-value items from being stolen is to make sure they aren’t visible. If you can’t take them with you, make sure you have a safe or a secure place to keep them. While jewelry and other expensive collectibles are important, don’t forget about anything with important information on it, like Social Security cards, blank checks, medications, etc.

GUN SAFETY

If you are a gun owner, it is imperative that people touring your home cannot access your weapons. If you do not take them with you, make sure they are unloaded and locked away. While theft is a concern, physical damage (or even death) caused by your gun on your property can have serious consequences.

Welcome to my new blog! I look forward to sharing new and exciting updates about the Real Estate Market and what is happening around town! Stay tuned for new posts coming soon!