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TIPS AND ADVICE FOR SPRING CLEANING

(Published on - 3/18/2024 12:27:53 PM)

As  winter  draws to an end, many of us eagerly await spring's new beginnings. Now is the ideal time to thoroughly clean, organize, and declutter our houses. By making our surroundings fresh and tidy during spring cleaning, we can increase productivity and well-being. We'll look at several doable strategies in this post to help you plan your spring cleaning in a neat and efficient way.

Make a list of cleaning tasks.
Prior to starting your spring cleaning, make a list of things you need to get done. This keeps you organized and guarantees that you don't overlook any places that require care. Start by making a list of everything that needs to be cleaned, tidied up, or organized in each space of your house. Divide the tasks on your to-do list into smaller, more doable categories, such organizing the garage, cleaning the kitchen, and clearing out the bedroom. The spring cleaning procedure will go much more smoothly if you have a clear plan.

First, declutter!
Decluttering is one of the most crucial parts of spring cleaning. Spend some time going through your possessions and selecting what to donate, keep, or throw away. Sort through every thing in one location at a time, like a drawer or closet. Consider whether you have worn or utilized the item in the previous 12 months. It could be time to let it go if not. Your home will feel more spacious, calmer, and less visually crowded once you declutter.

Top to bottom cleaning!
It is preferable to clean each room starting at the top and moving down. Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and shelves to get things going. Next, proceed with washing the curtains, blinds, and windows. After that, concentrate on cleaning surfaces like cabinets, tables, and countertops. Lastly, give the floors a mop or vacuum. Cleaning from top to bottom guarantees that any dust or debris that falls throughout the cleaning process is collected and cleared out.

Remember the overlooked Areas
Don't forget to focus on the areas of your house that are sometimes overlooked when doing your spring cleaning. Baseboards, vents, and light switches are a few of these. Wipe these areas down with a moist cloth or a mild cleaning solution to get rid of any collected dust or filth. Additionally, keep in mind to clean the areas behind big equipment, like the stove and refrigerator, to make sure there isn't any dirt or debris hiding there.

Thoroughly Clean Upholstery and Carpets
The spring is the ideal season to thoroughly clean your upholstery and carpets. Vacuum your carpets thoroughly to remove any remaining dust or dirt. For stains or high-traffic areas, think about renting a carpet cleaner or using a professional cleaning service. Likewise, clean your upholstery with the right cleaners or think about having it professionally cleaned. If you take extra care of your carpets and upholstery, you may extend their life and make them seem better.

Update Your Linens and Bedding
When undertaking spring cleaning, it's a terrific idea to replace your bedding and linens. For the purpose of getting rid of any dust mites or allergens that may have gathered over time, wash your duvet covers, pillowcases, and sheets in hot water. Use a mattress covering and rotate your mattress to keep it clean and extend its life. Don't forget to give your cushions a good fluff in the dryer to regain their shape, and wash or dry clean your curtains.

Clear and Organize Storage Areas
Organize and clear out your storage areas, including cabinets, drawers, and closets. Take everything out of the space and go through each object. Things you no longer use or need can be donated or disposed of. To keep things organized and accessible, purchase storage options like boxes, baskets, or drawer organizers. Label the storage containers you use to make it easier to find items later on. You'll eventually save time and experience less stress if you have a well-organized storage system.

Maintain and Clean Outdoor Areas
Spring is a perfect time to clean and preserve your outdoor spaces in addition to the interior of your house. Clear your patio or deck of any debris, and if needed, use a pressure washer to clean the surfaces. In addition to cleaning your outdoor furniture and cushions, make sure you look for any possible repairs or replacements. To guarantee appropriate drainage, also take the time to clean and examine your gutters and downspouts. You may establish a pleasant atmosphere for outdoor activities in the spring and summer by taking care of your outside spaces.

Making your home neat and organized is a wonderful idea, and spring cleaning is a great time to do it. Your spring cleaning procedure might be more successful and efficient with these advice and techniques. Make a checklist, start with the decluttering, finish cleaning, and focus on areas that have been overlooked. Remember to reorganize storage places, give your bedding and linens a thorough cleaning, and deep clean your carpets and upholstery. To finish up your spring cleaning, spend some time maintaining and cleaning exterior areas. As you welcome the new season, you can take pleasure in a renewed and clean home with these tips. Cheers to your spring cleaning!

 


THROWBACK THURSDAY FLAGLER BEACH EDITION

(Published on - 3/14/2024 3:19:07 PM)
Throwback Thursdays - Flagler Beach Edition!
The Flagler Beach Hotel opened it's doors in 1925 and was a popular vacation spot!
Read all about the history here:

WHEN BUYING A HOME LOOK FOR THESE FEATURES TO AVOID RENOVATIONS!

(Published on - 3/11/2024 1:58:16 PM)

There are many reasons to gravitate toward move-in ready properties when house hunting. These properties are ready for use, while they might benefit from some cosmetic updates to make them appear more appealing. What's more, these homes are unlikely to need expensive upgrades for a very long time.

It's underrated to move into a home that doesn't require renovations. Not to mention the time and effort needed to consummate the sale and move your stuff to a new address, buying a new house and moving can be expensive.

Obtaining a mortgage can significantly impact your credit score, and making a five-figure down payment can deplete your savings. If you look for fresh credit to pay for a costly remodeling, you can take on too much debt from another loan. For a while, you'll most likely have to settle into your new house just as it is.

If you are looking for a move-in ready house that is worthy of an offer, look for these particular characteristics.

1. Contemporary Kitchen
Kitchen renovations are very expensive. Remodeling is usually more expensive than renovations, although aesthetics are subjective. It is more likely that you will wish to update the shape of an old kitchen and make your design vision a reality than to fix this space up to code without making any changes to its arrangement.

Renovating a kitchen is an expensive undertaking. In 2023, the average cost of a moderate midrange remodel in the United States was approximately $27,000, whilst a major premium redesign cost homeowners almost $155,000. The ROI of a project decreases with increasing expenditure.

Sellers who redesigned their kitchens recovered only 31.7%–85.7% of their initial costs before to marketing their residences. Remodeled kitchens might lose up to 70% of their original value when they are sold. Since the money that home sellers spent was more valuable than the money they received when they turned over the keys, these cost recovery figures will increase when adjusted for inflation.

A tastefully renovated kitchen brought in thirty cents on the dollar. While you can always remodel it, waiting a few years to enjoy it allows you to put off a costly home upgrade until you have more money saved up.

2. Remodeled Bathroom
Updating a bathroom typically costs less than renovating a kitchen. Even so, it's a blessing to move into a home with a usable bathroom.

Your daily routine will be greatly disrupted by the loss of your toilet and shower due to construction activity in this area. It makes sense to let the house seller replace the room's outdated fixtures, flooring, and furnishings, add features to make it more livable, and clean up the mess instead of you.

You won't have a feeling of satisfaction after finishing a project like this. Even yet, it's a success in and of itself that you were the final recipient of this makeover without having to endure any disruption to see it through.

Realtors estimate that just 71% of the cost of a bathroom makeover is recoupable in terms of resale value. Purchasing a home with a newly renovated bathroom at a 29% savings is an incredible deal.

3. Additional Bathrooms
A little over 65% of purchasers favor houses with two or two and a half bathrooms. The more, the better, but the price goes up as well. Sellers are aware of this. For this reason, people who install bathrooms plan to put their houses on the market in two years.

How much would the value of the home increase with a new bathroom? Since the new bathtubs won't even be 24 months old when you move in, the cost recovery for additions is a whopping 63%.

4. Full Thermal Enclosure
High-performance windows, sufficient insulation, and a tight building envelope make up a thermal enclosure. By reducing heat loss throughout the house, this technology improves the energy efficiency of the building.

Timber-framed homes eventually lose their airtight structure due to thermal expansion, and they develop cracks that require constant caulking in order to winterize. Unwanted air leaks can waste as much as 25% of the energy needed to heat a place.

Anywhere in North America, inadequate insulation might result in higher utility expenses. Inadequate insulation in important areas of the home, such as the attic and floors, when paired with air leaks, can raise annual energy expenses by 11%.

 

Windows make up about 8% of the external surface area of the house, although they account for half of the heat input or loss that occurs there.

It makes economical sense to purchase a home equipped with a full thermal enclosure system in light of the aforementioned statistics. It allows you to start saving energy as soon as you move in and spares you the headache of managing three home upgrades.

It is possible to confirm whether a house does a great job of keeping heat from escaping to the outside with the use of a home energy audit and professional home inspection.

You can employ a professional home inspector to find issues with a property, such as air leaks and selectively installed insulation, unless you choose to waive the due diligence contingency. Tests are performed by a home energy assessor to find out how much energy a house uses and where heat loss occurs in the residence.

It's possible that sellers who promote their homes as energy-efficient have previously hired an energy audit and made the suggested upgrades in response to the assessment's conclusions. Request supporting documentation to verify statements on the components of thermal enclosure systems.

The only thing better than move-in ready homes is the house of your dreams.
The only ways to live in your dream home are to renovate an existing property or to build your home from the ground up. Either option will be extremely expensive, so search for move-in ready homes as the next best thing. Now that you are aware of the most important aspects to consider, make an offer on any properties that fit these requirements so you can move into a long-term, loving residence.

 


THROWBACK THURSDAY BUNNELL EDITION!

(Published on - 3/7/2024 2:51:07 PM)
Throwback Thursday - Bunnell Edition! Read the fascinating history of Bunnell High School 1917-1967.
Link is here:
Visit the Flagler County Historical Society for interesting information on Flagler County.
 
 
 

5 Signs of an Improving Property Insurance Market

(Published on - 3/4/2024 2:49:39 PM)


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