Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: Ask a Pro

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!

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.

June 2, 2015
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.

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.

May 26, 2015
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.

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.

May 19, 2015
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.

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.

April 28, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: Remodeling an Older Home

Last week we discussed reader Kimberly D.’s concerns about buying an old home that might need a lot of repairs. Kimberly came back this week with a follow-up question about remodeling plans for this house. Let’s see what Dream Team member and interior design pro Jennifer Adams has to say on the subject!

Q: We are looking to purchase and completely over haul a 1925 built Florida cottage. It has a lot of original features we like, some we don’t. Is it better to change the layout to better meet our needs and leave as much original character as possible, or is it better for resale later to live with much as possible and just fix what’s there?

-Kimberly D.

A: This sounds like an exciting project! Older houses have so much charm that they are a joy, but they can be a nightmare if you don’t approach the project with the right mindset. It depends so much on your goals for the place.

Are you planning on keeping it for a while? Is it a vacation home or will you live in it full time? And, most importantly, what is your budget?

Remodeling an older house is expensive. Every house has its quirks, and while we call them unforeseen problems we really shouldn’t, because we all know there will be something unforeseen! Plan to expect the unexpected.

Even a simple cosmetic upgrade in an older house will be more expensive than you’d think. Off the shelf anything, such as counters, tubs and closet systems won’t fit easily because walls aren’t square, floors aren’t flat or dimensions are non-standard. Each project is unique (charm, right?) which drives up costs.

Plus, decisions you’d make for your primary residence will be different than if it’s a vacation home. On vacation, you’d probably enjoy the charm and floor plan quirks that might drive you nuts over time.

Make some decisions about what your dream usage of this house will be, even consider spending money for some brainstorming time with an interior designer or architect if you don’t have these skills yourself. This will help you plan your approach and build a budget.

In terms of prioritizing the projects, no matter what your usage of the house will be, make sure the structure from the foundation to the roof is sound, and the insulation, ventilation, electrical systems and plumbing are up to code and in good repair. Take care of any moisture, mold, mildew or other problems you discover. This will make any house healthier to live in for now, even part time, and more attractive to a potential buyer later.

Aesthetically, you can re-create a lot of the old charm by saving woodwork, cabinetry and trim for reuse! A work of caution, however, old woodwork — whether from this house or from a salvage yard — may have lead paint and so will require special handling. Don’t start sanding or pulling things apart without proper care.

Use a plaster finish on new walls so it looks old, and choose new fixtures that look appropriate for the style of your house. For the kitchen and baths, modern cabinetry may look out of place if you’re going for the cottage look. Consider a less built-in look with mismatched cabinets and open shelving, for example, and a rustic farm table instead of a sleek kitchen island.

The fun part of projects like these is that they are both challenging but hugely rewarding. You are not the first person to be facing these decisions; there is a world of support online for inspiration and help finding just that right piece!

Good luck with this project, and let us know how it goes!

-Jennifer A.

February 17, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: Buying an Older Home

Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Karlton Utter, Director of Learning at Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, about how to determine the price of older or historic homes.

Q: We are looking to buy a property built in 1925 that needs extensive work it’s in an area of newer homes how can I get a price comparable so we don’t put in more than we could get out if having to sell later on? It’s a cute Florida cottage on a lake with some history but it is a not like anything surrounding it.

-Kimberly D.

A: I would highly recommend hiring a licensed appraiser to do a pre purchase appraisal. If there is a lack of comps available based on location, age, and style the appraiser will be able to make adjustments from current and relevant comps to develop a suggested value. If you are trying to come up with a price based off of available comps through your real estate professional, I would look at only comparable homes within a 1-2 mile radius and only homes that are under contract or have sold in the past 6 months. If there are no comps available, then it honestly becomes a judgment call. Please keep in mind that a home is worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it so although there may be comps and an appraisal, it is still up to you to determine its value.

-Karlton U.

February 10, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: Turning a Basement into an Entertainment Room

Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today Dream Team member and interior design pro Jennifer Adams discusses how to turn a basement room into an entertaining space that can be enjoyed by the whole family!

Q: I have a family room in the basement that measures 13ft x 22ft. I would like ideas on making it into an upgraded sports /family room.

-Richard B.

A: It’s great that you’re thinking of new ways to use the existing rooms in your house. This could potentially save you a lot of money in extensive renovations or even moving! Your goals for the room’s purpose should help you decide how much space to dedicate to each use and help you set a budget.

Is this room where your family usually watches TV together, or is it a room you’re calling a family room, but really, no one spends much time in? By “sports” do you mean a workout room with gym equipment or a game room with a poker table, pool table, and a ping-pong table?

Any of these activities would be a great use of an out-of-the-way basement room, but keep in mind the “sports” use could be noisy and might interrupt someone else’s TV viewing. But if this room is a secondary TV room, it won’t matter as much. A TV would be nice while you’re working out or playing cards, and for movie watching and family nights could be in another room in your house.

A low ceiling height, which is typical of a lot of basements, might affect your sports equipment choices. A tall weight machine, vertical space for a jump rope, or even upright yoga and stretching poses might not be possible! If you have budget, some basements could be renovated by lowering the floor. This could be an opportunity to add or improve plumbing fixtures such as a sink or even another bathroom. Talk with some licensed contractors and designers or architects to find out if this is possible at your house, and how much it might cost.

Insulation in the walls and ceiling and rubber gym flooring will help absorb the sound of machines and people jumping around. Better lighting and a sound system for music will make the atmosphere more inviting. Sturdy shelves and storage for equipment will help keep the room clutter free. You may need to have electrical outlets installed if you’re planning machines such as a treadmill, rowing machine or elliptical trainer.

A very important step no matter what you want to use your basement for is a radon test and mitigation, if necessary. Radon is a naturally occurring cancer-causing gas that you can’t see or smell, and it’s present in a lot of houses throughout the country. Most hardware stores sell initial tests you can do yourself. Ventilation systems that reduce radon levels aren’t generally hugely expensive, but are very worthwhile if you have high levels of the gas. Check out the EPA’s website for more information.

Good luck with this project, and let us know how it goes!

-Jennifer A.

February 3, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: Building Your Own Home

Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Design pro and Casa Latina’s home improvement expert Marlene Pratt about what’s involved when planning to build your own home.

Q: Hola mi nombre es Wendy R. mi pregunta es cuanto me cuesta contruir una casa de concepto abierto, de tres recamaras, dos baños aqui en Goshen, Indiana 46526. Gracias.

Translation: Hi my name is Wendy R. and my question is: how much would it cost me to build an open-concept home, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, here in Goshen, IN 46526. Thanks.

-Wendy R.

A: The cost of building a new house in Goshen Indiana or anywhere in the US really depends on how big you want your new home to be, and upon the materials, location, specifications or builders used. Your question is kind of general and there are many variables that go into building a home; so consider first making a spreadsheet with the list of the things you cannot do without. For example, what type of exterior/siding would you like your home to have? Would you like to live in a one level or two levels home? Do you require a certain amount of square footage for you and your family both inside and out? Would you like a basement and if so, finished or unfinished? How many bathrooms do you want and how many do you really need? And for your open concept do you know how big or fancy of a kitchen you really need?

I made a few phone calls and I was told that the average two bedroom home in Indiana could run you between $180,000 and $240,000 and that cost is based on average quality material. Please keep in mind that a unique home designed to your specifications and built with quality material will considerably change that estimate.

If you want a better idea of what your wants will cost you consider utilizing a FREE cost estimating software. The software allows you to vary the design, quality, size, and zip code of any house plan to get an approximate cost to build estimate.

-Marlene P.

January 27, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: Townhouse Backyard Makeover

Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur shows us how to transform a small townhouse backyard to a cozy space for dining and entertaining!

Q: How would you set up a small townhouse backyard that is approximately 16 feet wide and 11 feet deep? The fence on the far side is wrought iron fence with bushes in 2-foot border (not included in measurement). We would like this area to be cozy and inviting, and have space to eat outside. Lots of squirrels in neighborhood!

-Marcia A.

A: Pave it or deck it! The whole back space! If you try to section the space into areas, it will be too small to really make any kind of impact. By making the whole backyard into a beautiful patio, you will have lots of useable space. Invest in some big planters to add lots of greenery so that it doesn’t feel like a parking pad. Take advantage of the rod iron fence and put some vines in the planters which will climb on the fence and give you a little privacy. And the best part… useable space is a fantastic way to increase your home’s value! Check out the backyard I did. It was 18×18 and I decked the entire space. Do you miss the grass? Me neither!

-Carson A.

January 20, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: Furniture Arrangement in a High-Traffic Room

Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today Dream Team member and interior design pro Jennifer Adams advises a reader on how to arrange furniture in a high-traffic room.

Q: My question is about how to arrange furniture in a room where people have to walk through the middle to get to other rooms.

The room is a rectangle, 16 x 20, with 2 entryways on one of the smaller (16-foot) sides and a big entryway at the end of one bigger sides (20-foot).

I can’t figure out a good furniture arrangement where the traffic flow goes AROUND the furniture, not through it.

-Mary Ann L.

A: This one is a challenge! Your room is big enough that you think you’d have enough space for a good arrangement, but, as I’m sure you’ve discovered, it fills up fast!

I’m assuming this is a living room, but I’ll share a trick that will help with a dining room, too, or even a bedroom! With your imagination, divide the room diagonally, from corner to corner. This will help organize the room.

Put most of the furniture in an “L” shape inside the triangle without traffic, and reinforce the arrangement with an area rug, so when you walk through the room, you won’t really walk on the area rug at all. It’s OK if the furniture extends into the “traffic” side a little.

You can create an “L” shape with a sofa and two arm chairs or a big sectional. Place the “L” along the long wall, closer to the far corner than in the middle. A coffee table, end tables and lamps will help fill the space and provide a place for people to set down drinks.

Lastly, an area rug that isn’t too big will help define the arrangement and reinforce the traffic pattern! A nice armoire or bookcases on the other long wall will balance the seating arrangement and add interest. This could also be the best place for a TV if this is the only room you have for TV watching. Good luck!

-Jennifer A.

January 13, 2015