With the season of fresh growth on it’s way, now is the time to get started on your Spring cleaning.  For many it can be quite a job to go through closets, garages, junk drawers and those catch-all rooms.  The easy option is to just trash these things, but why not donate those items to someone who could use them?  Remember, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure!

Donating these items can not only give you a tax write-off, but it can also make a difference in the life of someone you may never meet.  Not to mention it will help give our ever-growing landfills a break.  This article gives some great ideas on where to donate specific items.  With the economy we live in today, now more than ever, we need to look out for each other and help out when we can.  Why not make a tedious task an act of giving for your family this Spring?!

Home Updates-What’s the New “In”?

Are you thinking of doing some updates in your home?  Usually within about five years of the new “hot” item on the maket, something else comes along to replace it.  If you’re wanting to keep the value of your home up or are looking to sell soon, it would be a good idea to think about what may need updating in your home.  Remember, potential buyers will be comparing your home to new construction, so knowing what is “in” will help you get the most money on the sale of your home.

From my experience of being in homes the last 22 years, there are two top priorities for holding the value of your home and making it more desirable to the majority of buyers.  The first is to think about what is on your walls and the second is to think about what is on your floors.

This may be tough news for some of you, but the days of wallpaper and border are gone.  The new homes these days come standard with neutral wall colors and that’s what buyers compare your home to when they are browsing the market.  If you have wallpaper or border in some of your rooms, consider taking them down and priming and painting them with a good beige, taupe or other neutral color that can go with any decorating style.

Additionally, many new homes come with wood floors or laminate wood floors throughout the house.  This can help keep down smells if there are pets, they are easy to clean and they do not need to be replaced like carpet does.  This is especially true for buyers  looking at your home as an investment property and are considering renting it out.  When most tenants move out, the walls need to be touched up and often carpet needs to be replaced.  By having wood laminate floors, the risk is greatly reduced that the owner will need to replace the flooring before the next tenant moves in.  This can save them a lot of money and give them an added incentive to buy your home.

So, before you hang more wallpaper or install more carpet, think about what potential buyers will be comparing your home to.  Hopefully that will help you get more when you’re ready to sell.

Weather-proofing your home

With the cold days we’ve had lately, weather-proofing your home is critical to helping you save lots of money.  When temperatures drop below freezing, the risk increases that your water pipes may freeze or worse, burst.  This can be very costly to repair depending on how bad the damage is.  To help prevent your pipes from freezing, make sure the heat is on in your home.  For those homes with basements and crawl spaces, it’s also a good idea to keep your faucents dripping overnight so water is constantly running through the pipes.

To help keep your home warm, be sure that your windows and doors are sealed throughout the house.  You can simply close them and feel around them to see if any air is coming through.  If so you can buy weather stripping from your local hardware store that is easy to install and relatively inexpensive.  Additionally, you may want to make sure you have proper insulation in your attick and walls.  Although this can be more costly to install, the long term savings on your heating bill could be tremendous.

If your like me, you can never be too warm.  In this case, you can use an electric heater for certain rooms that you spend a lot of time in.  Just be careful not to leave them on when you leave the house or when you’re sleeping.  They need to be attended to whenever in use.

Energy Saving Appliances and home improvements can give you a tax break!

You may have heard about the federal tax credits for energy star appliances.  Whether you’re looking to install a new toilet or upgrade your heating and air throughout your home, if you utilize energy saving products, it may give you a tax break.  There are several stipulations around the deductions that are based on the overall energy performance of the items you are changing.

For energy star appliances, visit www.energystar.gov to find out what appliances qualify.  For upgrades to your home, this new website www.houselogic.com has great information on the stipulations around replacing roofs, insulation, hot water heaters and other utilities in your home.  This site also explains some common tax deductions you can take for your home. 

Remember that getting a nice tax break is only one benefit to utilizing these government funded initiatives.  You will also be decreasing your utility bills and helping make our environment a better place for the future.

At some times it can be expensive to simply maintain the biggest asset most people will ever own: their homes. Keeping this fact in mind, here is a list of ways to increase your home’s value without breaking the bank.

• Hiring an home inspector can be the most cost-effective thing you ever do. This is true if they find a small problem that could grow into something much bigger down the line, such as a termite infestation or a roof or water leak.
• Tremendous value is added by simply painting a room, upgrading fixtures.
• Energy efficient homes that feature items such as special windows and/or programmable thermostats, save you money and are a marketable asset if you do need to sell.
• Landscaping improvements in the form of large shade trees make homes more desirable. They can also cut your cooling costs up to 40%.
• Improve your home’s air quality by replacing old carpeting, or removing it entirely if you are lucky enough to have hardwood flooring underneath.
• By adding a small luxury item such as a water filtration system, you are adding value to your home and saving yourself money since you will no longer need bottled water.
• Replace old fixtures such as an old ceiling fan for a newer, more updated-looking model. It will make your home more pleasant on hot days, and will appeal to buyers if you need to sell.
• Speak with Bonnie Mullinax, your local Bartow/Cobb County realtor, or an interior designer to check out your home for needed improvements.

Any homeowner who lives with a pet knows that when you share your house with one of these beloved creatures, you give up the word “spotless” as a way to describe your home…forever. Here are some tips to keep your house as clean and fresh-smelling as fresh as possible despite your pet’s, let’s just say, “untidiness”.

• Pet hair has an aroma. Usually, it’s not a good one. Vacuum regularly, even if the pet hair in question matches your furniture and you cannot see it. I promise you, your guests can smell it. Dyson makes a vacuum especially for picking up animal hair.
• This is obvious, but a regularly bathed pet makes for a clean house. Think of how happy they are when it’s all over! Keeping pet’s nails trimmed also cuts down on scratched floors and fabrics.
• Look into Crypton. It’s a stain-resistant fabric that includes suedes and twills. As always, leather and Ultrasuede are great choices for pet owners.
• If you can, nix the wall-to-wall carpeting. It absorbs odors, traps pet hair and soaks up stains. 
• Stick to rubber toys if you have a mad chewer. Pig’s ears and rawhide bones are not only terrible for your pet’s health, but if they make it inside your home, they will stain your floor and furniture.  

To learn about more interesting things for your home with pets go to www.everydaystudio.com  and www.animalhousestyle.com.

Many homes have decks that are wonderful for enjoying the great outdoors, whether you are entertaining friends and family or just relaxing and enjoying the sunshine with a good book. Unfortunately, decks require maintenance to keep them looking fresh, clean and splinter free. If you are thinking about embarking upon a useful spring cleaning project, cleaning your deck is a great place to start.

Proper maintenance is essential to extending the life of your deck. First, look over your deck carefully for any sections that may need repair, replace warped or worn boards. Next, thoroughly sweep it off. After that, you must arm yourself with a power-washer. These can be rented if you do not own one. There are a variety of deck cleaners available, but the best choice is an oxalic acid-based one. These clean your wood nicely, prevent rust, kills mildew and are even plant-friendly. If you have tough mildew stains, you will need to use oxygen bleach to remove the stains. Next you must coat it to keep it looking beautiful.

Spring, summer or fall, just about any time of the year is a great time to clean, seal and enjoy your deck for many years. For more information on visit http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cleandecktips.

In regards to your home, most money-saving ideas cost money to implement. Over time, most homeowners come to accept this inevitable fact of home ownership. That being said, there are some things that are relatively inexpensive that you can do to save money. The best part of them is that the cost can be recovered very quickly, which leaves you almost no excuse not to implement them. One of these ways is to install programmable thermostats. Whether you live in a cold-weather state like New York and need your heat on most of the year, or you live in a warm-weather state, such as Georgia and cannot live without air-conditioning, pre-setting your indoor temperatures will save you a lot of money!

Installing programmable thermostats can cost anywhere from $50 to $150. This investment allows you to set your heating and cooling to fluctuate at a desired controlled temperature throughout the day and night. For instance, when you sleep you can lower your heat dramatically and have it programmed to turn up on your waking hour. Don’t forget to shop around and compare prices and deals at our Cartersville area Home Depot or Lowe’s, as many utility companies offer rebates on high-tech thermostats. 

For more information about calculating energy costs see the http://www.energy.gov/georgia.htm.

Most people purchase window treatments, such as heavy drapes, blinds or shutters to complete the look they want to establish on the inside of their home. But curtains, drapes, blinds and shutters are also a wonderful investment that will help keep energy costs down, whether you are heating or cooling your home. Attic insulation is also one of the best ways a homeowner can reduce the amount of energy they are paying for in their home, whether it is for heating or cooling. Without proper insulation it will escape via the roof. Expect to pay between $500 and $700 to insulate a 2,000-square foot home. According to experts, insulation can save you up to 25% on heating and cooling costs. Don’t forget to seal air leaks in your home. By simply filling in gaps around your windows and doors and sealing ducts, you can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bill. Last but not least, always replace or clean your air filters. By doing this small task each season you can save 7% in electricity costs per year. For more energy saving tips, check out http://www.georgiapower.com/residential/homeSavingTips.asp.

Energy Tips to Help Put Money Back Into Your Pocket

Most showerheads use twice the water needed for a thorough, enjoyable shower. By installing low-flow shower heads and faucets it not only reduces the amount of money you will spend on water, it only take a few minutes to install and will also reduce the amount of money that you will spend on the electricity or gas that heats your water. Most faucet aerators will cost you about two dollars, and most low-flow shower heads cost around thirty dollars. By using these devices you will be able to re-coup these costs within one year of use. Plus, many utility companies offer their customers rebates for using these devices.  Check our local Cartersville water departments for more information. Some states have initiated laws that require water-saving toilets and showerheads be installed in new construction.

The best way to save money on your energy bills is to turn off lights that are not in use.  Another simply way is converting standard incandescent light bulbs to highly efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. Since a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) will last six to twelve times longer and use up to 75% less energy than a regular bulb will, experts calculate that the purchase of one three dollar CFL will be re-payed in energy costs within three months of use.

If you’d like to get more natural light into your home, consider some of the basic daylighting materials and techniques available. Also, visit your local Cartersville area hardware stores, they provide you with even more helpful tips to put money in your pocket.  A few simple light-enhancing techniques can make nearly any home sparkle with tons of natural light.