New and Popular in House & Garden
How to sell a house faster
First impressions are lasting and there are a few things you can do to make an impression on a potential buyer and get him interested in further discussion. Some are small changes and some are more costly but could
ultimately raise the overall value and the asking price for the house.
You should always start outside - this is what potential buyers will see first. Does the driveway look presentable? May Brava from a local real estate company gave us an example of a driveway covered in rust — and the house in front of it was on the market for the last 2 years. The owners finally paid to fix the driveway and within a week they had a buyer. Perhaps, it was a lucky coincidence, but something tells me it was the driveway.
How to prevent basement flooding
We all love curling up by the fire when it rains. It's not so fun to discover a pool in your basement the next day. You will be surprised how many preventive measures you can take to keep your basement dry.
First of all, keep your gutters clean of leaves and sticks. You can do this by simply removing the debris and/or using a leaf blower or yard vac. These are readily available at your local Sears or Home Depot.
Also use an aluminum gutter strainer to prevent water overflows from clogged downspouts.
RESTORING YOUR GARAGE DOORS
You thought the old paint job would last just one more winter, but now the snow is gone. Paint has chipped all over the place. Do not despair.
Here are some easy steps toward restoring the look of your garage doors.
We scrape, sand, clean up and paint the garage doors for a fresh new look.
10 ways to make any home look bigger
Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the biggest room of all? Add a mirror or two to a room and you will create an illusion of space and also make a style statement.
This works wonders in small bathrooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. If you place a mirror opposite a window, you will rush more light into the room, thus creating brightness along with space. When hanging mirrors, remember that they are heavier
than pictures, so place one in the stud or bolt securely. A laser stud-finder is a very helpful tool to have for this and other home projects.
Glass tops on coffee tables and other furniture can also add more reflection into the room and create an illusion of space.
Green for Good: One step at a time
Earth Day is April 22 and there is already so much buzz about being good to the planet. If you′ve seen any of the powerful documentaries on the subject (I was especially moved by the ″11th Hour″), you know that something needs to be done.
Not too long ago several experts on the Larry King Show contradicted the now wide-spread notion of the planet in danger of global warming.
But why wait until you have to panic? We should act now, make a few changes today and our kids will live in a better place.
How to start an Herb Garden
The aroma of fresh herbs makes everything so much better in the kitchen, but the price tag on a few sprigs at the grocery store may be very steep.
Since this week (April 13) is International Plant Appreciation Day and we are coming up to the peak season of herb gardening in May-June, I think it is time to talk about an herb garden. With a few simple steps you can do it yourself!
WHERE TO PLANT: IN YOUR KITCHEN OR OUTDOORS
Location is key to a successful herb garden. Majority of plants will need lots of sunlight and humidity. Others will be partial to filtered sunlight, and others will like dry ground. How do you know what your herbs need in terms of light and moisture? It's very simple - look at the directions on the seed packets. Dill, Basil, Thyme, Chives, Oregano, Rosemary and Tarragon thrive on bright full sunlight. Some others (Mint, Chervil) will exist fine on partial sunlight. The rule of thumb, however, is that the more sun and moisture, the better your herbs will grow. That is why my pick for an herb garden will always be outside, outdoors.
