Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

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  • Ask a Pro Q&A: How To Landscape a Round, Fiberglass Home

    This week on Ask a Pro, Dream Team member and Outdoor Design expert Carson Arthur shares the landscaping possibilities for a round lake home!

    Ask a Pro Q&A: How To Landscape a Round, Fiberglass Home - bhgrelife.com

    Q: I’m in the process of purchasing a round, fiberglass lake home that was built in 1974. I have some safety concerns about the fiberglass. Also, some landscaping ideas would be welcome. There are double doors in front with a circular driveway. Thanks for the help!

    -Carol D.

    A: The Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate team has researched their archives.  While they couldn’t find anything specifically about fiberglass homes, they did find information about using fiberglass materials. Fiberglass is durable and flexible enough to be installed in any climate and is known to be a fantastic insulator. It will not warp or rot and never needs to be painted. It is a low­ maintenance material.

    Round homes are a great inspiration for any outdoor space. I always try to pull form and shape from the house when planning my gardens. As you are at the beginning stages, I’d start doing my research incorporating round forms into design. My personal favorite spot to start is Houzz.com.

    -Carson A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Treating Weeds without Killing Flowers

    Never ruin your flowerbed again! On this installment of Ask a Pro, Dream Team member and Outdoor Design expert Carson Arthur reveals his trick to get rid of the weeds without killing your flowers!

    Ask a Pro: Treating Weeds without Killing the Flowers - bhgrelife.com

    Q: There are weeds in my flowerbed and I would like to know how to eliminate them, without killing my beautiful flowers. Can you help?

    -Lisa T.

    A. Best is to lay newspaper around the plants, covering the weeds. 7 layers of newspaper covered with 3 inches of mulch will get rid of the weeds for 2­ to 3 years! It’s really that easy.

    -Carson A.

     

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Getting Started with a Backyard Makeover

    Want to makeover your backyard but not sure where to start? In this week’s installment of Ask a Pro, we’re chatting with Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur about taking the first step to achieve a beautiful and organized backyard.

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    Q: Our yard feels so disorganized. How can we easily and cheaply help it?

    -Linda N.

    A: Always start with a plan. If you don’t know what the finished product will look like, how do you know how to get there! I’d start with getting a reputable designer. It’s worth every penny even if the project takes a few years to save up for it.

    -Carson A.

     

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Staging Small Bedrooms for Sale

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today Dream Team member and interior design expert Jennifer Adams shares her staging tips and tricks for making small bedrooms appear larger.

    Ask a Pro Q&A: Staging Small Bedrooms for Sale - bhgrelife.com

    Q: My niece is selling her home. Buyer feedback is, the bedrooms are small. There are four bedrooms. Two are empty. The other 2 have minimal furniture. How can she make them look larger to make them look larger? Do you have any suggestions? The paint colors are neutral, should we put some furniture in the empty ones to warm them up? Perhaps make one an office or reading room? Any help & suggestions would be appreciated.

    -Cindy R.

    A: Many potential buyers have a hard time visualizing their own furniture in another house or how the house will suit their lifestyle. And, unfortunately, it’s even harder to get a sense of scale for furniture if the rooms are empty, just as much as if the rooms were full of clutter. The entire home staging industry is based on this!

    You should most definitely put furniture in the bedrooms. If your niece can’t afford a professional home stager or a decorator to suggest some furniture arrangements, help her do it on her own. It doesn’t need to be expensive but it does need to look comfortable and inviting.

    Furnish the largest bedroom as a master. Imagine a lovely guest room with everything you need, but no clutter. A queen size bed, neatly made up and with a nice headboard and no footboard will feel luxurious without taking up a lot of space. Make sure someone can access both sides of the bed. Save more space with mismatched nightstands, one can be tiny if you mount sconce lights to the wall.

    One of the bedrooms could be furnished for a small child and another for a baby, complete with a cozy chair and light for reading to suggest a healthy family environment. Set up the last bedroom as a charming home office. Showing how someone can have to all the function of a three-bedroom house plus an office makes the four small rooms a positive, not a negative.

    Another nice touch would be to offer a gift certificate for closet organizing systems for all the bedrooms! You could also include an estimate from a contractor of how two of the bedrooms could be combined to create a nicer master with larger closets to help buyers see the potential of a little creativity. Good luck!

    -Jennifer A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

    Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today Dream Team member and lifestyle expert Carolina Buia advises a reader on how to choose the best energy efficient light bulbs.

    Ask A Pro Q&A: Energy Efficient Lightbulbs - bhgrelife.com

    Q: I am interested in finding out what is the most efficient light bulb to use for lights that are frequently cut on and off after a few minutes such as in bathrooms and kitchens. I’ve heard this greatly shortens the life of CFL’s.

    -Peggy R.

    A: While CFL’s seem like a budget friendly choice, they take a while to fully light up, don’t last long, and more importantly – cannot be set up on a dimmer. I would stick with LEDs. While they may cost a little more up front, the lighting is more natural and they last for up to 20 years (some claim to last even longer!). Plus, they’re some of the most efficient bulbs out there, you’ll be saving a lot on your electric bill and on your ladder trips to change a bulb.

    -Carolina B.

  • Five Unexpected Garden Design Ideas

    You’ve no doubt felt the urge to get your hands dirty by gardening and creating an attractive garden area for your yard. But, you don’t have to limit your design to just the fun of the mill planter box or lush green lawn. With a little work and some easy DIY projects, you can make your garden one-of-a-kind.

    Five Unexpected Garden Design Ideas - bhgrelife.comFirst Consider Your Environment

    Your garden’s environment should be the starting point for your ideas. If your climate is rainy or dry, rather than a combination of the two, choose plants suited for local weather conditions. By choosing native plants, you’ll create a sustainable garden that’s even budget-friendly to boot, since you won’t be paying for increased water or energy usage. Native plants are also easier to maintain, which make them an easy choice for boosting the curb appeal of your home.

  • Inexpensive Ways to Make Your Home Green

    It’s nearly impossible to escape the constant message that we need to take better care of our planet, but many people become overwhelmed with the multitude of ways presented to “go green”. Although it might not seem like it, small actions do benefit the environment, and starting with a minor change is a step in the right direction. Below are some easy and inexpensive ways to make your home green.

    Change Your Eating Habits

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    Small changes in your eating habits can reduce the amount of waste you produce and can also lessen demands on energy consumption.

    • Buy foods in bulk to reduce packaging that eventually makes its way to landfills.
    • Buy locally-sourced meats and vegetables. Supporting local farmers in your community reduces fuel consumption and pollution since food does not have to be transported as far.
    • Drink water from reusable bottles instead of disposable plastic bottles.

     

     

     

     

     

    Reduce Energy Consumption

    It’s easier than you might think to make your home more energy efficient. You can do lots of easy, inexpensive things that will add up to big reductions in energy consumption.

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    • Keep your refrigerator away from direct sunlight or the stove. Exposure to heat from the sun or your stove makes the fridge’s compressor work overtime.
    • Use the dishwasher. It might be surprising to learn that washing a full load of dishes in the dishwasher is more energy efficient than washing them by hand, especially if you have an Energy Star dishwasher.
    • Change your air filter at least every three months. A clogged filter reduces air flow which causes your heating and air conditioning system to use more energy.
    • Install a programmable thermostat and program it to reduce heating and cooling when you’re away from home.
    • Clean the lint trap to increase your dryer’s efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

     

  • Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate National Open House Month and Sweepstakes

    If you’re currently house-hunting, you’re in luck! April is Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate’s (BHGRE®) spring National Open House Month, where we’re asking all of our affiliated associates to participate by hosting Open Houses throughout the month!

    National Open House Month is our invitation to you to come by and preview a home – maybe your future home! Whether you are thinking of buying or selling a home, it’s the perfect opportunity to get into the game, see potential houses, and meet potential real estate professionals. Even if you just want to check out a new neighborhood, it’s still a good excuse to see what’s behind those closed doors!

    Open Houses are open to the public, and anyone can attend – with or without an appointment. Just come right up to the door and ring the doorbell, and the agent will be there to welcome you. Sometimes, on a nice day, you’ll even see them sitting outside, just waiting for you to drop by. What are you waiting for?

    How can you find our Open Houses?

    You can check out our website to locate a BHGRE-affiliated office near you – contact them directly to find out about local Open Houses.

    Another great idea is to just take a Sunday drive. Is there an interesting town or neighborhood you’ve been meaning to check out? Use this as the perfect opportunity for a little road trip! You’ll most likely find plenty of signs directing you to the Open Houses in the area.

    What can you get out of an Open House?

    If you’re looking to buy a home, make sure you’re asking the associates as many questions as you can – such as what is the neighborhood like, how are the schools, and any special features you should be noting about the property.

    You’ll want to be up front with the real estate professional representing the home and let them know that you are already working with someone else. If you’re visiting Open Houses on your own, ask your current real estate professional for a stack of their business cards.

    If you’re looking to sell your own home, take this opportunity to use the Open House as an interview process with the real estate professional. See how they market the home, how well they field your questions – time spent with this person should give you an idea whether you’ll be able to work with them in the future.

    But wait! There’s more – we’re saving the best for last!

    How does $2,500 sound? If you happen to attend any of our BHGRE® Open Houses during the month of April, we have a special sweepstakes that gives you the chance to win $2,500. Simply visit an Open House, take a photo of yourself in front of the BHGRE “For Sale” sign and upload it on our Facebook page under the tab “Open House Sweepstakes.”

    That’s it! You’ll be entered for a chance to win $2,500!

    Remember, not all agents will mention our Sweepstakes at the Open House. Be sure to ask about it or upload the photo yourself to be entered!

    For more information on the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Open House Sweepstakes tab on our Facebook page. And, of course, to find Open Houses near you, please visit http://www.BHGRealEstate.com to find the office in your area of interest!

  • 15 Ideas for a Memorable Housewarming Party

    You’re finally ready to invite friends and neighbors into your new house, but before you send out invitations, take a few minutes to plan out how to make your party special. The best housewarming parties encourage old friends to visit your new digs and help foster new friendships with your neighbors!

    handwritten1. Include a Handwritten Note

    Printed invitations are a worthy and budget-friendly time saver, but don’t be afraid to add a quick note to entice new neighbors to attend. A simple “Hope to see you there!” will increase your chances of a higher turn-out and shows that you are truly excited to host your guests.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    neighborhood2. Include Directions

    In the age of GPS navigation systems, it might be easy to forgo step-by-step directions. By including a simple map, hand-drawn or pulled from the internet, it’ll show your guests that you’ve taken the extra step to help them feel welcome. Plus, it will probably decrease the chances of anyone getting lost on the way to your new place!

     

     

     

     

     

     

    loungechairs3. Welcome Friends of Friends

    Etiquette may frown on people bringing uninvited guests, but meeting friends of friends is a great way to expand your social circle. Therefore, encourage coworkers and new neighbors to bring friends if they’d like.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Five Keys to Entertaining on a Budget

    Having your own home gives you ample opportunities to entertain. While hosting a party in your home might seem stressful, having people over can actually be a simple and affordable way to spend time with family and friends. To learn more about how to entertain within reason, read on for five fundamental tips for throwing a budget-friendly get-together.

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    1. Host a Potluck

    If you’re planning to have a meal with friends, consider hosting a potluck where guests bring a dish or drink instead of you having to prepare food for everyone. By making just one or two dishes yourself and having guests bring other items along with their preferred beverages, you can save on the cost of food and cooking supplies. A potluck will not only help save you money, but you’ll also be serving guests a well-rounded, diverse meal that everyone contributed to. Choose a dinner theme and coordinate it in advance with your guests. For entertainment, choose games or activities that keep with the theme.