Your Home - Guiding Light

Need a little more light in your life?  See for yourself the difference that light bulbs and lamp shades can make with a room's mood.  Check out these bright ideas from RealSimple.com.

Type Cast  In the bathroom, use overhead lights to get rid of shadows;  sidelights flanking the mirrors are perfect for makeup application.  In the kitchen, overhead lights brighten surfaces.  In the bedroom, try cozy tinted, low-wattage bulbs to give a candlelit, romantic effect.  To create a grand atmosphere in the dining room, use a chandelier.  Place one directly over the table, but make sure to measure the ceiling height and table height before making a purchase.  Indirect lighting - in all parts of the home - sotfens spaces.  Small table lamps or wall scones can also add a subtle glow.

Safe and Secure  Use ambient lighting to brighten the exterior of your home.  Motion-activated or timer-equipped lights can ensure your home's exterior is well-lit in the evenings.  Don't go too dim or too bright - no need to attract intruders, nor bother your neighbor.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475

www.cynthia-online.com

Your Home - Holiday Staging Tips

You may be trying to sell your home during the festive holiday season, but that doesn't mean you have to forgo the holiday decorations completely.  Just don't overdo it, say the staging experts at Frontdoor.com.  Instead, stick to a few simple decorative touches, such as a pinecone centerpiece or an evergreen wreath.  Avoid religious themed decorations, which may turn off potential buyers.

Avoid using decorations that might clash with your current color scheme.  For example, if the decor in the living room is blue, silver and white, choose accessories that complement that color scheme, such as blue glass ornaments and silver or white candles.

Use accessories to draw attention to the home's best features.  Hang a few tasteful ornaments from the mantel to showcase an elegant fireplace or hang an evergreen garland around the bay window.

Keep inflatable characters in storage while your home is on the market.  Instead, use simple string lighting to showcase a fir tree in your front yard.

Make your home extra inviting by lighting a fire in the fireplace or turning up the heat a couple of degrees on chilly days.  Offer tasty treats like hot apple cider and fresh-baked cookies to create a warm environment.

With a little creativity and common sense, you can enjoy the holidays while trying to sell your home.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475

www.cynthia-online.com

Your Home - The Heat Is On

As the weather gets cooler, it's a good time to check your HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system to make sure it's operating properly.  While it's wise to have your HVAC inspected by a heating professional every fall and spring, you can increase the efficiency of your system by following these simple maintenance tips from American Home Shield.

Now: Use a high-efficiency pleated filter with an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest of particles.  Replace the filter every 90 days and check it monthly.  If it looks dark and clogged, and if you have pets, you may need to change it more often.

Keep the air-conditioning unit free of leaves, pollen, grass or branches that can interfere with its future efficiency.  Make sure there is at least two feet of space cleared around outdoor units.

Monthly or Seasonally:  Inspect the insulation and refrigerant lines monthly.  Before winter sets in, replace the humidifier filter and turn on the water.

Annually:  Replace the battery in the carbon monoxide detector.  Walk around the exterior of the house and check that outdoor AC units and heat pumps are on firm and level ground.  Pour one cup of bleach mixed with water down the AC condensate drain to prevent a buildup of mold and algae, which can clog the drain.

Always:  Keep at least 20% of the home's registers open to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the HVAC system.

Following these simple tips can prolong the life of your HVAC system and help you be prepared for whatever the winter season may bring.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475

www.cynthia-online.com

Your Home - Fall Tune-Up Checklist

Home-ownership comes with its share of routine seasonal tasks and chores.  But keeping track of what needs to be done - and when - can be a challenge.  To help homeowners stay on top of their maintenance projects, home improvement retailer Lowe's offers easy-to-follow checklists for each season of the year and covers both inside and outside chores.  Get your home ready for fall and winter with these tasks:

Indoor Tasks:

ü  When you turn your clocks back, change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

ü  Install weather stripping where needed around the windows.

ü  Have the furnace professionally inspected.

ü  If needed, set traps for rodents.

ü  Dust blinds and vacuum curtains throughout the house.

ü  Clean kitchen and bathroom cabinets and throw away outdates food, medicine and cosmetics.

ü  Change or clean furnace filters.  Consult the manufacturer's instructions to determine how frequently the filters should be replaced.

ü  Clean kitchen appliances inside and out, including refrigerator coils.

ü  Maintain clean drains by adding one-half cup of baking soda followed by on-half cup white vinegar.  After 10 minutes, flush with boiling water.

Outdoor Tasks:

ü  Clean gutters and downspouts.

ü  Inspect the roof and chimney for cracks and damage, and have them repaired.

ü  Rake and shred leaves to use as mulch or dispose of them.

ü  Close or install storm windows.

ü  Remove hoses from spigots and drain, store indoors, coiled and flat.

ü  Store outdoor furniture and cushions.

ü  Walk around the house and check for open crawl space vents and close them before cooler temperatures set in.

ü  Cover your central air conditioning unit, and remove and store window air conditioners.

ü  Clean and store garden tools.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475

www.cynthia-online.com

Your Home - Sneeze the Day

Spring is prime time for itchy, watery eyes and never-ending sniffles.  Do you or someone in your house have allergies?  Get relief - in every room - with tips from the Mayo Clinic on how to allergy proof your house.

Bedroom:  Choose bedding that is made of synthetic materials, and wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets in warm water at least once a week.  Comforters should be cleaned, too.  While your laundry is in the wash, vacuum with a high-efficiency particular air (HEPA) filter.

            Keep the windows closed during pollen season, and turn on the air conditioning.  Clean mold and condensation from the frames and sills.  Washable curtains made of cotton or synthetic fabric are best.

Bathroom:  Watch out for moisture and mold.  Avoid carpet and wallpaper, and dry the tub after use.

Kitchen:  Make sure there's a vented exhaust fan above the stovetop hood to take out cooking fumes and reduce moisture.  Keep up on dishes and clear the fridge of spoiled food regularly.  Cleaning cabinets and counters will also go a long way toward keeping your allergies in check.

Fast Fact:  16.9 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with hay fever in the last year.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country

Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com

(360) 400-3475