Category: Real Estate

Real Estate

Fall Home Projects

Lora Knows...

Soon the days will grow shoter, the leaves will start to change colors, and the temperatures will cool down – all this will mean fall has arrived. Fall is a great time to do some home maintenance projects, here are a few to consider:

Prep Fireplace
A good rule of thumb is to have your wood-burning fireplace checked by a professional chimney sweep once a year. A professional can clean the inside of your chimney to remove materials, such as soot and creosote, that are common causes of house fires. They’ll also check to make sure the chimney cap and damper are working correctly, as well as point out any masonry damage. If you have a gas or electric fireplace, this is a great time to clean it and make sure everything is good.

Clean Gutters
Your gutters have the significant job of channeling thousands of gallons of water away from your home each year, but they can become clogged with everything from leaves to dirt, which may lead to water backing up onto your roof or inside your home. So, take time to inspect and clean your home’s gutters. You may want to wait until later in the season to perform this task to avoid leaves ruining your hard work, or you can install a mesh guard that will prevent leaves, twigs, and other large debris from creating blockages.

Prep Furnace
With winter on the way, autumn is the perfect time to get your furnace ready for the colder months ahead. Make sure to change your furnace filter, as debris caught in the filter may reduce airflow and cause an energy deficiency. Fall is also a great time to have your heating system checked by a professional to ensure it’s prepared to run efficiently throughout winter.

Organize Garage
Your garage may become a catchall space for various outdoor items, including bikes, patio furniture, and lawn care equipment. However, you can avoid this clutter by organizing your garage. Make use of the wall space with cabinets and shelves to open up floor space. However, ensure any storage you install can sufficiently hold the weight of the items you’re adding. You can also use ceiling hooks to keep items like bikes out of the way.

Real Estate, Style

White After Labor Day

Lora Knows...

If you think the rule of not wearing white after Labor Day still applies, think again. It’s acceptable to not only continue wearing white after the beginning of September, but to also decorate your interior space with white.

Soft white accents  

A neutral palette—any time of year—can instantly make your home brighter and more welcoming. If you still want to keep the autumn feel alive, add white gourds instead of orange. The options are endless for decorating with ivory and soft whites, making this the way to go for post-summer decorating.

Gallery wall

A black and white gallery wall could do wonders for your living room. It looks chic and clean, but still adds personality to the space. Stick with white frames with extra white space within the frame to keep the gallery wall minimalist.

Play around with textures

Too much white without texture can seem cold and boring. Research various wall textures to see if this is a viable option, or incorporate texture in other ways with throw pillows, accessories, and other decorative elements.

Don’t overdo it

It may seem impossible to overdo it with white—the most neutral color there is—but making your entire home white could have the opposite effect of cozy and lived-in. Still add splashes of color throughout your home, even if it’s just with centerpieces and other decor elements.

Family, Real Estate

Smart Products Buyers Love

Lora Knows...

From renovating the kitchen to installing a new roof, a range of upgrades is available to enhance your home’s allure for potential buyers. However, if you’re aiming to introduce a technological advancement, consider the allure of smart home improvements. These upgrades not only enhance the livability of your space but also augment its desirability, given that 81 % of prospective homebuyers express a preference for homes equipped with smart products.

Smart Thermostat:

A smart thermostat is a valuable addition that manages your home’s temperature while curbing heating and cooling expenses. Effortless control via your smartphone or schedule-based activation upon your return from work are key features. Acquiring a new smart thermostat ranges from $100 to $300 or more, and the setup process is generally user-friendly, making it an ideal DIY project.

Automated Window Blinds:

Enhance privacy and diminish energy loss with the addition of automated window blinds controllable through a remote, app, or voice commands. These blinds can be programmed to open or close based on time of day or occupancy. During seasons of extreme temperatures, they effectively insulate your home against the outdoor climate. Costs for smart blinds vary based on window count, size, and the choice between battery-operated, plug-in, or hard-wired models. Most models start around $100.

Intelligent Smoke Detector:

While a standard smoke detector is essential for safety, an intelligent version elevates security further by sounding an alarm at home and sending alerts to your phone when detecting potential hazards, and providing reassurance when you aren’t at home. Some models even send a notification to your phone when the battery level is low. Certain insurance companies might offer homeowners insurance discounts for installing upgraded smoke detectors. Costs start around $50.

Video Doorbell:

Elevate the security of your residence by integrating a video doorbell. Placed at your front entrance, this device sends notifications to your smartphone regarding deliveries or individuals at your door, along with saved video footage. Depending on which doorbell you choosen, you can even speak with visitors when you aren’t even in the house. Installation methods include hard-wiring or battery-powered options. Costs start around $75.

Smart Lock:

Strengthen home security by installing a smart lock on your exterior doors. No longer worry about misplaced keys with a smart lock. These devices grant access through a smartphone app, fingerprint scanning, or numerical codes. Also, you can remotely allow entry for guests or offer temporary access codes, useful for babysitters or visitors. Smart lock costs vary based on the model, typically starting around $100.