Protect Your Home From Pet Damage

Pets bring so much joy to our lives, but over time they can also cause a lot of damage around the home. Even the most well-behaved pets can create some mischief every now and then, but there are many ways to diminish the damage that your furry friends can cause.

  • One of the biggest homeowner pet peeves is their cats or dogs scratching floors, doors, or furniture. Besides training your pets early in their life, one of the most efficient ways to decrease scratching around the home is to regularly trim your pet’s nails. This may be a difficult task depending on the animal, but you can always enlist the help of a groomer. You should trim your pet’s nails at least once a month. You can also protect your furniture with scratch guards.
  • If your pet has an accident in your home, the only way to really clean it up and rid yourself of the smell is by using an enzymatic cleaner. Enzyme cleaners usually come in a spray bottle and contain bacteria in the solution that feeds off the organic material of pet waste. You can usually find these cleaners at the hardware or pet store.
  • It’s important to make sure your pet stays active because they can build up a lot of anxious energy if they get bored. Dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to exercise with your pet so it can stay healthy and prevent frustration and possible mayhem around the house.

How To Keep Insects Out Of Your Home

One of the biggest pet peeves for homeowners is discovering bugs inside their home. Insects can be a big nuisance as is and if they begin to multiply, the effects can be even worse. Here are a few easy methods to keep these pests away!

The first, obvious step to keeping insects out of your home is making sure they don’t have access to any food. Keep your kitchen counters and floors free of crumbs or food residue. It’s also important to frequently take out the trash, so no food begins to rot.

Bugs are attracted to standing water as well, so make sure to quickly remove dishes from the sink and be sure water in your dog or cat bowls is replaced often. Any spills or leaky pipes should be fixed immediately to avoid attracting insects.

Make sure there are no gaping cracks or holes along exterior walls that bugs can sneak through into your home. You can fill cracks in the wall or baseboards with caulking to block insects from getting in and you can also install door sweeps so they are unable to slip underneath doors.

Another common place for bugs to get in your house is through window screens. If a window screen has any holes, it becomes the perfect place for bugs to enter your home. Check your screens about once a month to be sure there are no entry points for insects.

With regular checks and good, clean habits, you can successfully maintain an insect-free home!

Take 5: DIY Backyard Projects

Summertime is here and it’s bringing the heat! It’s always an option to blast the air conditioner all summer long, but there are ways to keep your home cool that are better for the environment and won’t double your energy bill.

  1. Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans may be an overlooked method to keep your home cool, but that’s because they are often used incorrectly. During the summer months a ceiling fan should be rotating counterclockwise to send cool air down otherwise you will be recirculating the heat in your home.
  2. Blinds: If your home has windows that face the west or north, make sure to keep them covered with blinds to prevent the sun from heating up your home.
  3. Mind the Gaps: Cover or repair all gaps and cracks near doors and windows to ensure your cool air stays in during the day. This paired with your home’s insulation will also prevent heat from seeping in on hot days.
  4. Evening Chill: When the sun goes down and the temperature is cooler, open up your windows and doors to bring that cool air in. Just make sure to get them closed before the sun returns.
  5. Box Fans: If your home has multiple windows on opposite sides of the room, you can create a cooling effect with two box fans on each side. One should be facing inward and the other outward. This will keep a constant airflow bringing in fresh air and removing the hot air.

Tips For Hanging a Large Painting

Found a stunning, large painting to perfectly complement your home? It’s important to follow a few rules of thumb while hanging it to maintain the integrity of your wall and your painting.

The weight of your painting is the key factor in determining the proper hanging method, so before you start hammering nails or finding studs, weigh your painting on a scale and note the weight. If your painting weighs less than five pounds, you can simply use adhesive wall hooks or mounting tape to hang it. You don’t have to make any holes in your wall or use any nails for paintings of this size.

Paintings that weigh between five and twenty pounds should be hung with a drywall anchor. You don’t need to find a stud to install these anchors and all you’ll need is a drill to make a couple holes in your drywall.

If you want to hang a painting that weighs between 20 and 50 pounds, you will need to find a stud in your wall. The stud is another name for the wooden frame of your wall, which is the strongest part. After you find your stud, you can use a thin metal nail to hang paintings up to 20 pounds or you can use a threaded wooden screw for paintings up to 50 pounds. You can also opt for hanging hooks as an alternative.

The safest way to hang paintings over 50 pounds is to use a rail-cable. These large metal cables can be attached to rails on the ceiling to hang paintings up to 300 pounds.

By following these guidelines, you’ll have your new piece of art displayed beautifully in your home in no time!

5 Backyard DIY Projects To Tackle!

Summer is just around the corner so it’s the perfect time to start planning some fun projects for your backyard. Whether you are looking for new ways to entertain and host friends or you want to surprise your spouse or family with an improved aesthetic, here are some DIY projects that can help make your backyard even more spectacular.

  1. Fire Pit – If you buy the stones and materials yourself, you can make a firepit in less than a day and for under $100. Get ready for some s’mores and scary stories around the campfire right from your backyard.
  2. Tree Swing – Making a tire swing is another cheap project that can be completed in less than a day. You will need a chain, rope, drill, wood for the seat, and a healthy tree to hang it from. Buy a pre-made tree swing seat to make this process even easier.
  3. Garden Bed – This is a great project for DIY lovers with a green thumb. Get ready to eat your own home-grown herbs and vegetables when you create a garden bed in your yard. Make sure to use cedar for the boundary because it is rot-resistant.
  4. Outdoor Lighting – Brighten up your backyard with some easy lighting ideas, such as hanging lanterns, lining wired lights on your trees, or adding some fixtures along your walkway. Make your backyard a soothing retreat with some ambient lighting.
  5. Bird Feeder – Show some love to your neighborhood birds by creating a bird feeder for your backyard. Make sure to place your feeder away from any windows and in a high area so no other animals can reach it. Get ready for some lovely bird songs.

Harwood Floor Maintenance Tips

Everyone loves a shiny hardwood floor, but there are a variety of daily activities that can cause wear and tear, such as moisture imbalances, pet claws, and common foot traffic. To keep that attractive sheen you love, it’s incredibly important to keep up regular, proper maintenance.

  • Wood has a tendency to expand and shrink depending on the moisture level, so if there are high levels of humidity in your home or your hardwood floors are consistently getting wet, they could be at risk for cupping which makes the sides of your flooring higher than the center. In order to prevent moisture imbalances, make sure to clean any spills immediately and keep your home’s temperature set between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • The color of your hardwood floors can also be compromised by pets or shoes. Dust and dirt can settle in the gaps or grain of your hardwood floor, which makes timely cleaning a necessity. It is recommended to dust or sweep daily and vacuum weekly to mitigate grime’s effect on your floors. It is also a good idea to refinish your hardwood floors every three to five years to counter gradual dirt build-up.
  • Most hardwood floors have a protective coating to prevent scratches, but you can take some of the pressure off your floor by using furniture pads for your chairs, tables, and couches. If you have any pets, you should also make a habit of trimming their nails to protect your floor’s integrity. Finally, make sure your hardwood floors will last by using hardwood floor cleaner once a month.

Take 5: Entertaining at Home

One of the joys of homeownership is getting to host your friends and family on various occasions. Here are a few hosting tips for your next party!

Pick a theme. Once you select a theme, planning the rest of the party is simplified. The menu options are pared down, finding decor inspiration is as easy as a Google search, and guests will have attire direction. Some common themes are fiesta, backyard BBQ, wine and cheese night, and garden party.

Plan your menu. Whether you are serving small appetizers or a formal dinner, it’s important to survey your guests for food allergies or preferences (ie. vegan, vegetarian) to ensure you offer options for everyone.

Stock up on refreshments. When it comes to drinks, it’s better to overstock than understock. Make sure to have alcohol staples on hand, such as beer, wine, vodka, and bourbon. Equally important is ice, fruit garnishes, and a good supply of juices and soda that can be used for mixing as well as drinks for children and those who don’t partake in alcohol.

Don’t forget the kids. Hosting a party with children in attendance? To ensure their parents get to enjoy the party, plan a few child-friendly activities. Purchase coloring books and crayons, pick up children’s board games, or have a couple age-appropriate movies queued up.

Make sure you have fun too. By having a flexible timeline for the party and setting aside time to prep ahead of people arriving, you can minimize the stress of hosting. Make sure you take time to talk to all your guests, enjoy the food you’ve prepared, and have some drinks (alcoholic or not) too!

Tips For Baby Proofing Your Home

When the littlest member of your family gets close to becoming mobile, it’s time to baby proof. Some people might enlist the help of a professional, but many take on the task themselves. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer then below are some tasks to get you started!

  • Place baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
  • Cover all sharp corners of furniture, counters, and cabinets with bumpers or padding.
  • Insert safety plugs in all outlets or switch over to self closing outlet covers.
  • Install blind cord wraps next to any windows with dangling cords.
  • Add safety locks to all toilets. Lock cabinets and drawers in the bathrooms and kitchen.
  • Secure furniture that can easily tip over, like bookshelves, TV stands, end tables, and sets of drawers, by anchoring them to the wall.
  • Add pinch guards on the side of the doors.
  • Install door knob or lever covers.
  • Cover stove knobs and install an oven door lock.
  • Purchase garbage cans with lids that lock.
  • Mount your TVs on the wall and tuck away any loose cords.
  • Set the water heater to no higher than 120 degrees to avoid scalding.
  • Put window guards on screens.
  • Hire someone to install a gate to enclose the pool, if applicable.
  • Place any chemical products, like antifreeze and pesticide, on a high shelf in the garage.
  • Lock away tools in a cabinet.
  • Use cord holders to fasten cords to walls or hide them with a cover.

Although it takes a little time and work upfront, baby proofing properly will give you peace of mind and assurance that your little one will be protected from unintentional injuries in your home.

How To Keep Your Utility Bills Low!

As a homeowner, costs can really start to add up, so it never hurts to take measures to help you reduce your monthly utility bills. Below are a few ways to do just that!

Electricity Bill

Saving money on your electricity bill can be done multiple ways. Some easy changes include running appliances, like the stove, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer, at night, opting to air dry clothes, or cooking meals in a crockpot or toaster oven. Set aside time throughout the year to inspect the areas around doors and windows and seal any cracks with caulk or weather stripping. Additionally, make sure to unplug electronics when not in use or use a power strip to turn them all off at once.

Water Bill

Your monthly water bill can sneak up on you, but small changes can be made to cut costs. Install WaterSense-certified faucets and shower heads and convert toilets to low flow to reduce the amount of water used. Make sure to regularly check toilets and sinks for leaks and repair them. Opt for using your dishwasher instead of hand washing and ensure its a full load each time. Also, don’t forget to turn off water while brushing your teeth and shaving.

Gas Bill

Investing in some changes up front can make a difference on your natural gas bill long term. Add insulation in your attic and around your water heater and pipes. Make sure to repair any leaks in your ducts, inspect your furnace regularly, and check your home for any blocked vents that could cause your gas heating system to work overtime. You can also reduce the temperature of your water heater.

How To Be a Competitive Buyer in Today’s Housing Market

With so few houses for sale today, it’s important to be prepared when you’re ready to buy a home!
𝘔𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺, knowing your 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭-𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 and 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘳, and 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 are all ways to gain confidence in the homebuying process.
If you’re looking for an expert guide to help you navigate today’s lightning-fast housing market, contact the Yancey Realty team today at 704-467-8877!