Queens Homeowners: 11 Spring Cleaning Tips

Queens Home Owners: 11 Spring Cleaning Tips  

Summer is right around the corner! So let’s stop procrastinating what can be done now so we can enjoy sun bathing with a clear mind. I mean nothing feels better then knowing all the house chores are done when you get home. Let’s get to work.

Service your Air Conditioner: Nothing will ruin a wonderful summer day more than a 90 degree living room.

Replace Smoke Detector Battery: You will be surprised how many people are waked up by that dreaded beep that comes from a dying smoke detector.

Dusting Your Ceiling Blades: Like cleaning behind your ears most people forget to clean their ceiling fans. Your fan can help spread dust if not cleaned enough.

Clean Behind Appliances: Let’s face it you have been putting this offer for way to long. I know you are terrified! Who knows what horrors you have to face, but I promise you once you slay the dragon you will be at peace.

Clean your Dryer Vent: If your clothes have been coming out damp or moist it might be due to your dryers vent being clogged. It’s time!

Make your home smart: Smart Thermostats and lights are all the craze right now. A fun little project might be to update your home so that you can do everything with your voice.

Repot your Plants: It has been a year it is time to give your plants some fresh soil to help them grow and flow.

Organize your Closet:  You are one of two people. The person who has a tidy closet or a person who hides all their darkest deeps secrets behind mounds of clothes. No matter which one you are it’s always a good idea to go through that closet and clear it once and a while.

Inspect, Inspect, Inspect: Hire someone or if you’re a DIY type of person, inspect your gutters, sprinkling system, and any other system that might damper your summer.

Remove the Insects: You’re not the only one having fun in the Sun. Insects are out and about as well. Setting barriers, removing hornet nest and bee hives are a most! Who wants to do that in the blazing sun? Let’s nip it in the bud now.

Clean the Grill: Summer is for BBQ’s with the family and not scrubbing down the grill. Being proactive will save you a lot of time!

Queens Home Owners: 4 signs it’s time to upgrade your kitchen

Queens Home Owners: 4 signs it’s time to upgrade your kitchen

 Home is where the heart is. I personally believe the kitchen is where the heart truly is. I’ve seen the kitchen make deals and ruin deals. It might just be the most important room in the house. So, how do you know when your kitchen is outdated?

1)    The Appliances are out of date.

 If your appliances are not stainless steel, nor do they have a digital timer it is time to consider updating. Unless you are purposely going for an old vintage look it might be in your best interest to upgrade. If you are thinking about selling in the near future or are currently have your home on the market it is always a good idea to keep the kitchen presentable for future or current buyers

2)    Damages and Wear

 If your cabinets are starting to fall apart or have cracks, cut markets, chipping,  scum or heavy duty grease it is time to upgrade. If your back splash is missing tiles it is 100% to get a new back splash installed. If your counter top is damaged potential future buyers will think 10 thousand dollars when in reality it is a lot less.

3)    Lack of Counter Space

 If you have trouble prepping for your growing family it might be time to upgrade your kitchen. If your kitchen allows it build an island, create a breakfast bar, Open a wall to create serving space.

4)    Home is not selling

 If your home has been on the market for a while and you are losing people in the kitchen it might be time for an upgrade. With a growing Queens market sellers are sprucing up their kitchens in order to separate themselves from the pack. If your home is in the higher market bracket but has old white appliances the time is now.

 Before making any changes it is usually a good idea to speak to your real estate professional who can help guide you in regards to what is trending. They should also be able to let you know where you can save money. Knowing what is in will help you make the best choices to help move your home for the most money.

Queens Home Sellers: Boost Your Curb Appeal Instantly

Don’t judge a book by its cover, said someone’s Mom somewhere. Unfortunately, when it comes to home selling, this is not the case. Most buyers like or dislike a property in the first 20 seconds! So you can guess how important curb appeal is.

Here are some tips to help you beautify your home in a cost-effective and efficient way.

Windex Your Windows: Nothing says old house more than dingy windows. It is like having dirty dishes in the sink but on the outside of your house for the world to see. A quick wipe will bring those windows back to life

Add Shutters: Shutters not only amplify the size of your windows but they add interest and style to your home. If done right they can even add elegance and style to a bland wall.

Paint Accent Areas: Who has time to paint the interior of your whole house? If the paint is not chipping away from the frame or bricks it might be a better idea to paint the door, the trim and benches. It makes everything look cleaner and more polished.  

Pimp My Mail Box: Don’t get crazy. We are not telling you to bedazzle your mailbox but maybe it is time for an upgrade. People appreciate detail and the mailbox is often the first thing that greets your guest.

Bushes and Trees: Have an empty lot of grass? Make it feel more like home with some bushes and trees.

Flower Boxes: For $20 you can add color and style to your home. Nothing is more welcoming than the smell and sight of fresh grown flowers.

Pick Your Porch Furniture Wisely: Your porch is the living room of the lawn. Make sure it is not cluttered and be sure it is strategically placed. When selling a home most buyers like to picture themselves in your space so try not to have them picturing themselves in clutter.

By following these tips you will be able to make an amazing first impression for your home. Interior staging is important as well, but exterior should never be skipped or forgotten.

Queens Homeowners: 3 Reasons WHY Painting Your Floors is Not Completely Insane

If you are like most home owners, you avoid getting any paint on the floor. But, what if you could take your floor and create a master piece to amplify any room? What if I told you that painting your floor is not crazy.

Ian Alexander's Reasons Why Painting Your Floor Isn't Crazy: 

Style

The traditional look is a nice stained floor. Right now, mid-tone gray is in. Before that was cherry and espresso. Before that in the 70's carpets were all the rage. As much as traditionally stained floor can look amazing, sometimes a nontraditional color can really make the room pop. 

TIP: Try to use warm and cool tones. 

Let's just face the facts: sometimes the hard wood look does not go with the style of your house.

It's Really Retro

When we say retro we mean 1800 Victorian home retro. Victorian inspired homes have painted floors. It gives most spaces a wonderful look. You can find painted floors in old farmhouses, Victorian Mansions, and on English Estates. Before you write this idea off completely, if your home has a rustic look or if your home has an elegant posh look. THIS TECHNIQUE COULD BE FOR YOU! 

It's Practical

When it comes to sanding your floors and getting it ready to be stained it requires a lot! Dust will get everywhere and let's face it... renting that huge sander is no easy feat. Not to mention the endless vacuuming to get rid of all the dust before staining. Painting your floor is as easy as buying the paint, Moving your furniture, trimming the edges of your wall with tape and going at it. 

It's a much lighter and quicker job. If you are an experienced painter you can blow through this project in about a day depending on the condition of your floor.

Queens Co-op Owners: Top 5 Low Light Plants

So, you're moving into your first co-op and want to bring some plants into the equation. Plants are great for helping clean the air of an apartment and also make your space look more homey. Many people first buy a plant to sadly watch it die after a short 2 weeks. Left asking themselves questions like: "What did I do wrong? Should I really get a dog if you can’t take care of a plant?"

Here is good news! It might not be completely (it might be) your fault. Some plants need to have direct sunlight to flourish, some plants need to be fed more, and some might need to spend 90% of its time hanging near a window. So as a new co-op owner, let us help you pick the one you really don’t have to think much about.

1) The Peace Lilly

Known as a great plant for improving indoor air quality, the Peace Lily is also one of the few low-light friendly options that produces flowers. It’s beautiful and needs minimal light to survive! 

2) Lucky Bamboo

This little plant is easy to come by and is great for dim rooms. It’s cute and perfect to be placed on a desk. 

3) The ZZ Plant

Are you known to be a plant killer?  The ZZ plant is known for its ability to handle neglect and great for people who don’t have the green thumb.

4) The Snake Plant

This plant barely needs a human. Place it in a dark corner and it will still survive!  

5) Spider Plant

A popular houseplant, these interesting plants breed by sending out off-shoots. They do well when their roots are crowded and can thrive in low light conditions.

Good luck and happy watering!