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Make Your Outdoor Decorating Merry, Bright and Safe

Tuesday, November 22, 2022
by Scott Darling

For many people, this is the time of year for dressing up their home and yard in lights galore! The planning and prepping are exciting and fun but keep safety in mind. Following these tips will have your outdoor decor safely sharing holiday cheer! 
 

  • Outdoor decor requires lights and extension cords that are manufactured for outdoor use. Look for this information on the packaging or tag at the end of the cord. Heavy-duty extension cord plugs should have a three-prong ground plug. 
     

  • Do not use lights that have stayed out since last year! Non-commercial light strands are only safely exposed to the elements for 90 days. Any longer, and deterioration of the insulation will begin. 
     

  • Outdoor receptacles should be ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets which will shut off power in case of electrical overload. If your home does not have enough outdoor outlets, purchase a portable outdoor GFCI plug. Safety outweighs any extra cost.
     

  • As you unpack the decorations, inspect older lights for frayed wires, nicks, or cuts along the outer cord, as well as broken bulbs. Broken bulbs can be replaced but toss the strands with damaged cords in the garbage. 
     

  • Use clips or hangers that are UL-approved--never nail, tack, or staple lights to any fixture. 

  • Before adding lights to tree branches or tall fixtures, make certain no power lines run through the branches, and keep all lighting at least ten feet from power lines. 
     

  • Only connect strands with the same number of bulbs--in other words, do not connect a 100-strand with two 25-strands.  
     

  • Avoid using a metal ladder if you are having to get up high with your lights--use wooden or fiberglass instead. If metal is your only choice, do not plug the lights in until installation is complete.
     

  • LED light strands should never be connected to incandescent lights. Now may be the time to think about using all LED lights. The start-up cost will be higher, but it will save money on your power bill as well as in replacement costs--LEDs can last up to twenty years! 

 

Know your home’s electrical limits and use common sense and care while decorating. No one wants the friendly neighborhood competition to turn into a disaster or experience a classic Clark Griswold power outage at home. Keep your holidays merry, bright, and safe! 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: www.grandinroad.com

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Get the Kids Involved in Home DIY

Thursday, November 10, 2022
by Scott Darling

Home projects and family go together! While there will be tools and situations where children should be closely supervised, there are plenty of activities that can include the entire family! 

 

  • If you have a room that needs painting, have the children paint the sample swatches on the walls. These areas do not have to be perfect, but this small job is the perfect way for them to learn beginner painting techniques. 
     

  • Furniture kits are a great way to have children learn about using tools and following step-by-step plans. Reading is not always required as there are many instructions that feature symbols, numbers, and diagrams that children can easily follow. 
     

  • Installing wall-hanging hardware or window treatments are excellent ways to teach school-age kids about using a level or measuring tape. 
     

  • Children and gardening go together naturally! Not only can they assist with planting projects, but building raised beds or trellises as well, and even preschoolers can be handy with a rake or help with weeding. 
     

  • Teach children that some repairs do not require a service call. Replace faucets, door knobs, or cabinetry pulls yourself, and let them in on the action when smaller tools are involved. They will not only learn valuable skills, but they will also learn about saving money! 
     

  • Creating outdoor spaces for the kids such as a pallet playhouse, a swing set kit, or simple soccer/street hockey goal will give them a sense of accomplishment if they help! 

 

Get your family excited about helping, have patience, and keep them safe while you are working. You will find that while you are spending time with them, those DIY jobs will start them on a journey of learning how to take care of their future home as a handy homeowner! 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: www.blesserhouse.com

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Before You Remodel...

Friday, November 4, 2022
by Scott Darling

Depending on whether you are planning to sell your home in the next year or if you are in your forever home, remodeling is a great way to get what you want out of your home, or what buyers want.  There are things to consider before you jump into remodeling. 

 

  • - Decide on a budget, and how you’ll pay for the upgrade.  Consider hiring a financial planner who can help you choose which way is best. 
     

  • - If you decide to do this project yourself, and you’re not in the construction business, plan on taking much longer than a professional.  Be realistic about your skills and hire help if you need it. 
     

  • - Acquiring an architect or designer is a good idea if you’re making major changes.  You don’t want to run into major structural or electrical issues and not know what to do.
     

  • - Think about how long you want to stay in your home before you invest in big ticket items, like a six-burner range for the kitchen, or expensive hardwood flooring throughout the house.  If your sole plan is to make money from a sale, or if you want and can afford the upgrades, go ahead. But if you’re not going to enjoy those items while you’re living there, consider a simple refurbishing or using what you have if it’s in good working order and won’t look out of place. 
     

  • - When looking for a contractor, price isn’t necessarily the important thing.  Ask for references, check their license numbers, and call the former clients and ask to see the work that was done, either in photos or in person. The research will be worth it in the end.
          

  • - Once you hire your contractor, start getting your paperwork in order.  The contractor has their own responsibilities, and the homeowner has to take care of other items--check this list from realtor.com to see who is responsible for what. 
     

  • - Planning a timeline with your contractor is especially important, and make sure you leave room for possible unexpected issues. 
     

  • - Sit down with your family and figure out logistics, especially if you’re remodeling the kitchen or one of the bathrooms in your home.  Remodeling can cause a lot of stress, but if everyone knows what to do before it all happens, things can flow better. 
     

  • - As with moving, clean out the room before the renovation, giving away, selling or throwing out what you haven’t used in months.  Wrap and store any items you’re keeping in a spare room. 
     

  • - Before the construction team comes in to begin the project, sit down with your contractor to set location boundaries for the crew and your family, along with other logistics. The crew doesn’t want your children playing around with tools, and you don’t want your good bathroom towels used for grimy hands.  Everyone needs to know what is okay, and what isn’t.   

 

A home remodel is a big undertaking; watching renovation shows on television can give the idea that everything goes off without a hitch.  It takes planning, communication and good all-around management to make the process go smoothly, even if you hit a few bumps along the way. 
  

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: www.wormuthconstruction.com

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Prepping the Fireplace

Tuesday, October 25, 2022
by Scott Darling


On a cool evening, there’s almost nothing better than sitting by the warmth of a fire with a cup of cocoa.  If you’re a new homeowner who is new to having a fireplace or woodstove, you may be a bit apprehensive about using it.  There are some things you should know before you fire it up, and this guide will give you the confidence to use this feature during the cold months. 

 

  • - Call a pro to inspect and clean your chimney before using it, especially if this is your first Winter in the house. 
     

  • - Check the damper to be sure it opens and closes properly, and make sure the doors are secure, as well as being certain the glass isn’t loose and has no cracks. 
     

  • - Examine a woodstove’s chimney pipe for any loose sections and clean any accumulated soot or ashes.  The door should open easily, close very tight, and the handle should lock into place once the door is shut. 
     

  • - When purchasing a mat or rug to place in front of the hearth, be certain it’s certified fireproof. 

  • Wood shouldn’t be brought inside until it’s ready for use.  Find out why you should keep it outside and other great tips about storing firewood here. 
     

  • - Gas fireplaces require a little less maintenance, but it’s important to be familiar with the operation.  If you can’t find an owner’s manual for your type of fireplace, see if online editions are available, or call the company to have one mailed to you. 
     

  • - If you see dust and cobwebs, turn off the gas off, and vacuum using the hose attachment. 

  • Ceramic logs or lava rocks inside a gas fireplace may need sprucing up as well. How to Clean Stuff.net guides us through this process in a few simple steps. 
     

  • - Soot can collect on the glass doors, and it’s best to keep them clean.  When the doors are cool, spray them with window cleaner, (have newspaper or old towels under them to catch dripping grime), and use a cleaning brush or crumpled newspaper to remove as much of the soot as possible.  Follow up with a soft cloth dampened with clean warm water to remove any film left behind.   

 

If you’re even the slightest bit unsure about prepping your fireplace, don’t hesitate to call a professional!  Many specialty stores know who you should contact and may even have a technician available.  Not only do you want to stay warm, you want your home safe. 


Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: today.com

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Preventing Pests

Friday, October 14, 2022
by Scott Darling

We normally associate pests and insects with Summer time, but now is a good time to think about what you can do to prevent creepy crawlers coming in to your home. It’s a simple matter of checking the outside as well as the inside, and staying ahead of them. 

Exterior 

  • 1. When you mulch plants, keep it from piling up against the house’s foundation. Insects can use the mulch for overwintering, but if you could add a border of rock or stone between the mulch and the house, or even use cedar mulch, it would discourage pests. 
  • 2. Inspect your foundation carefully for cracks or holes, as well as places where utility pipes and wires enter your home.  Cover or fill them with wire screen mesh, cement, or metal flashing. 
  • 3. Outside lights, when left on, draw flying insects, but if you can change the bulbs from incandescent to halogen, they are less attracted to the glow.  
  • 4. Check doors and windows for openings, and seal them with caulking or weatherstripping, and repair any holes in your screens. 
  • 5. Keep trash cans and surrounding areas clean, and make sure lids fit tight. Recyclables should be rinsed well, and container lids put back on before tossing them in the recycle bin. 
  • 6. If you have anything that can retain water, empty it as often as possible, and use a larvicide in your landscape’s water features.   
  • 7. If you use firewood, store it away from your home, at least thirty feet. 
  • 8. Gutters should be cleaned periodically, not only for their efficiency, but to help keep pests from making a home in the debris. 

Interior 

  • 1. The most important pest prevention tip for the inside of your home is cleanliness.  Keep crumbs off the counters and floors, clean food messes immediately, and keep food consumption limited to the kitchen. Wash up dishes before going to bed at night.  
  • 2. Storing open food in plastic containers with lids or plastic storage bags will lessen the chances of pests finding it. 
  • 3. Check stored grains, (flour, sugar, cornmeal), often, and discard it as soon as the expiration date passes.  Storing these in a sealed container is best. 
  • 4. Pet food is best kept in a storage container with a tight-fitting lid. 
  • 5. Keep inside garbage in a trash can fitted with a bag, and keep the lid closed. Remove the bag to the outside can as soon as it’s full. 
  • 6. Vacuum carpets frequently, especially if you have pets.  They can bring in little hitch hikers when they come in from being outdoors. 
  • 7. Inspect all baseboards, and replace or repair them if they’re broken, and walls should be checked for holes, and repaired as soon as possible. 

If you see pests in or out of your home, it’s best to call a professional to address the problem, and do it quickly so you don’t suffer an infestation.  Once you know you’re clear of bugs, it only takes a few minutes each week to keep them from feeling at home in your home.  

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: pestco.com

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Eight Things to Do Before Winter Weather Sets In

Wednesday, October 5, 2022
by Scott Darling

Fall is many people’s favorite time of year; they look forward to putting on their sweaters, drinking pumpkin spice lattes, and making a pot of soup. There are important items to check off the home to-do list before it gets cold. Get started on these eight items before it is too late: 
 

    Outdoors 

  • Take care of walkway/driveway cracks. Materials used for this job may not work as well once outside temps drop. 
     

  • Clean outdoor furniture and leave it to dry in the warm sun. When it is time to store them for winter, they will already be clean! 
     

  • If you are growing hostas, daylilies, spring-blooming bulbs, or peonies, divide these plants now. These plants will be happier if divided and replanted now instead of spring.  
     

  • Trees are best planted in the fall of the year as well. They still need regular and deep watering, but the cooler weather will make it easier for them to establish roots. 
     

  • Plant a fall garden. You will be rewarded with fresh greens and other vegetables for all of those slow-cooker recipes saved on your Pinterest board! 

     

    Indoors 

  • Check smoke/carbon monoxide detector batteries, and test the smoke detector to be sure it is in proper working order. If there is no family fire plan in place, create one now and have a family fire safety meeting. 
     

  • No mudroom, no problem! Create a mudroom-like atmosphere near the entry your family uses most. Setup is easy using a sturdy indoor/outdoor area rug, a coat tree (using coat hangers when items are wet), and small bins or shoe trays to store wet or muddy footwear. 
     

  • Although the air conditioning may still be in use, have your furnace inspected and serviced now–before you need it. 
     

Waiting until a cold snap is bearing down on you before you get cold-weather prep done could be too late, not to mention regrettable. Take advantage of a pleasant fall weekend and get the family involved. Being ready for winter is great, but the time spent together taking care of your home is greater! 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

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Fall Home Maintenance

Thursday, September 29, 2022
by Scott Darling

Fall is the perfect time of year to take care of your home. The days are still long enough to get plenty accomplished, and the cooler weather makes it less taxing than on those sweltering Summer days.  Getting things ready for the cold days ahead will be easy with these tips: 

 

Trees and Leaves 

  • 1. Rake or vacuum fallen leaves as they come down.  Deciduous trees drop their leaves at different times, making it easier on you, but it’s great exercise. 

  • 2. Mulch the leaves, or bag them for your local waste management to compost, if such a program is available.   

  • 3. Check trees for dead or diseased branches and trim them back.  Trees are going dormant this time of year, and there’s less chance for the diseases to spread after trimming. Call an arborist if the job is too daunting. 

  • 4. Fall is the best time of year to plant new trees! The roots don’t have to compete with the heat, they get plenty of water from the Autumn rain, and can settle in and get established.  

  • 5. Clean those gutters.  This can be a dreaded task, so hire a handy person or have the family pitch in to finish as quickly as possible. 

  • 6. Been thinking about changing the exterior color? Fall is a great time to paint, thanks to cooler temperatures. 

 

General Outdoors 

  • 1. Bring in any outdoor furniture, or protect it with covers  made specifically for handling cold weather.   

  • 2. Firewood needs to be covered with a tarp to minimize moisture from snow and rain. Lift the cover occasionally to let any trapped moisture escape. 

  • 3. Check all of your outdoor lighting, and replace any bulbs or fixtures.  

  • 4. Walk around all of the walkways and driveways, looking for cracks, and seal them with approved sealant.  Snow and ice can cause the surfaces to bulge and cause a falling hazard. 

  • 5. Clean the windows, inside and out, and replace screens with storm windows. 

  • Service and store the mower, string trimmer, and any other lawn tools you may use. 

  • 6. Drain water hoses and store them where they can’t freeze. If you have a sprinkler system, drain it and turn it off. 

  • 7. Check your outdoor fireplace or fire pit to make sure it’s safe for the upcoming cool evenings around the fire. 

 

Inside The House 

  • 1. Service the furnace. It’s easy to make sure filters are changed and ready to go, but a call to a heat and air contractor is the best way to make sure the heater is ready for Winter.  Sometimes a maintenance contract can save you money.  Ask your provider if they offer this service.  

  • 2. Check doors and windows for drafts, and seal with caulking or insulation strips. 

  • See that your chimney is free of creosote to prevent fires.  A licensed chimney sweep would be the best for making sure your home and family are safe from chimney fires. 

  • 3. Make certain that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order, and replace batteries if necessary. 

  • 4. Go in the attic and look for any insulation issues, and replace or repair, if needed.  Be sure that pests can’t get inside and spend the winter in your attic! 

  • 5. Change the rotation on ceiling fans.  It should be going in a clockwise direction to help distribute heat away from the ceiling. 

  • 6. Wash and/or air out heavy blankets and quilts to get them freshened up for use. 

  • 7. If you have a basement in your home, check for cracks in the walls, and if there’s a sump pump, make sure it’s in working order. 

  • 8. Clean out closets and storage areas and have a tag sale with unwanted items that are still in great condition. 

  

Be ready for a relaxing, warm Winter inside your home.  Home maintenance--indoors as well as outdoors--is critical for keeping your home’s value up, as well as for our own comfort. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

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A New Homeowners First To-Do List

Tuesday, September 13, 2022
by Scott Darling

Your new home’s closing is imminent, and the excitement of moving is mounting! Besides connecting utilities and updating your address, some things should be done at the new house as soon as possible. Follow these guidelines so nothing will be forgotten: 

 

  • All of the entryway locks and/or keypad codes should be changed. Get a security system set up, and if there is one in place, reset it to default settings and customize it to your needs. 
     

  • If you are a family with small children, have safety measures in place before everyone goes into the house.  
     

  • Deep clean the new house, even if it looks clean. Save money by doing this yourself, or have a professional take care of this before move-in. 
     

  • With a copy of the home inspection in hand, walk through the house and check for minor things that did not require repair by the seller. Have those minor things taken care of before they become major (and costly) things. 
     

  • Painting, removing textured ceilings, and other small improvement jobs will be completed faster if done before all your belongings are in place.  
     

  • Turn on all the appliances, familiarize yourself with the breaker panel, and locate the shut-off valves for utilities. 
     

  • Measure windows and purchase blinds or shades if window treatments were not included in the sale. 
     

  • Get to know your neighbors! Once you have moved in, introduce yourself by hosting a “front porch social” with simple snacks. Hang a banner or place a sign in the front yard asking them to stop by and say “hello.” 

 

As a homeowner, your to-do list is rarely going to be finished. While many tasks can wait until after settling in, others cannot. Taking care of these “little” things upon move-in will cement the “homeowner” feeling and start you on the road to pride in your home and protection of your investment. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: home tips for women

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Making Changes? Check Your Homeowners Policy

Wednesday, September 7, 2022
by Scott Darling

Renovating your home is no small investment. Making structural changes can require changes in your home’s insurance policy as well. Check out this list of the most popular improvements before calling your agent: 

 

  • A new roof could lower your premium, especially when upgraded to the latest standards of protecting your home from natural disasters. 
     

  • Whenever you increase square footage by way of a home addition, your policy will need to be upgraded, increasing your premium. 
     

  • Converting already-existing space into a master suite or a media room may not require changes to the policy if the square footage is already covered, but since the replacement value has changed, it would be wise to increase your coverage. 
     

  • When making upgrades to your home, whether using top-quality building materials for a renovation or finishes or installing state-of-the-art appliances in the kitchen, increasing your policy’s replacement value for these items would be worth the additional amount in the premium. 
     

  • Improving home systems, i.e., the electrical or plumbing, can lower your premiums, as upgrades can make your home safer from incidents relating to fire and leaking pipes. 
     

  • Installing a pool or hot tub in your backyard will add to the replacement value of your home, and liability coverage will need to be increased to protect yourself in case of any accidents. 
     

  • According to Safewise, adding a home security system could lower your homeowner’s premium by 20%.   
     

  • Depending on how they are mounted, adding solar panels may require a policy of their own, which would add to your budget.  

 

Protecting your home should be top priority, but it is wise to be prepared for anything that will add to your monthly budget. Schedule a meeting with your insurance agent before beginning any changes in your home so there will be no surprises when your payments increase. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: universal property

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Six Home-Selling Myths

Thursday, August 25, 2022
by Scott Darling


When the time comes to sell your home, you get all sorts of advice from friends and family, as well as the internet.  Accepting all of that information as fact isn’t a good idea, because following all of this advice may end up costing you money and time. Let’s look at some of the myths you may be taking as truths about selling your home: 

 

  • “My house is worth (much more or less than you thought) according to this website!”  Online estimators are not dependable when it comes to assessing the value of your home.  They can’t see the interiors, the condition of the roof, landscaping--you get the idea.  Your REALTOR® is your best source for setting a value for your property. 
     

  • “This kitchen needs remodeling before anyone will even consider buying this place.”  A thorough cleaning, sprucing up of the cabinets with new paint and hardware and installing an inexpensive backsplash and new faucet can make your kitchen a total selling point.  Spending too much on a complete renovation can cost more if you don’t get your return on investment. 
     

  • “If I overprice the house, then negotiate an offer, the buyer will think they’re getting a steal of a deal!”  In today’s world, most homebuyers have done their research, and may overlook your home simply because of the high asking price.  Have confidence in your agent’s ability to price it right.   
     

  • “Weekends are the only days I can have the house available for viewing.”  Setting limits on when an agent can bring potential buyers to the house is like putting up a Not For Sale sign in your yard. If you want the house to sell, it must be accessible even when it’s not convenient for you. 
     

  • “I’ll wait until I get a few more offers.”  Rejecting the first offer for a wait-and-see can leave your house on the market longer, which can lead to fewer offers.  Buyers will wonder if something is wrong with the house when they see the length of time it’s been for sale, leaving your home overlooked in their house hunting. 
     

  • “Hiring a real estate agent is going to cost too much.”  When you contract with a REALTOR®, you’re getting a professional that knows the market, handles the listing, marketing, showing, knows legal aspects of selling a home, and much more.  Taking the risk of selling your house on your own could cost you much more than an agent’s commission in the end. 

 

Discuss your ideas and fears with your REALTOR® and allow them to guide you through the home-selling process.  Choosing a reputable and knowledgeable agent will help with any concerns you may have, helping you debunk the more common myths about selling a home. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: martinrealestateadvisors.com

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