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Safely Decorating with Outdoor Lights!

Thursday, December 7, 2017
by Scott Darling

It’s time to get the holiday house decorating in high gear, and you may have bought new light strands, but plan on mixing them with ones you have, or adding LED lights.  Safety is important this time of year, and making the days merry and the nights bright means taking a few precautions. 

 

  • - Check your old lights for frayed wires, nicks or cuts along the outer cord, and broken bulbs. Broken bulbs can be replaced, but toss the frayed strands, or those with cuts. 

  • - Decorating the exterior of your house means the lights you use must be made for outdoors.  Check the packaging or tag on the string to make certain. 

  • - Use clips or hangers that are UL-approved--do NOT nail, tack, or staple lights to any fixture. 

  • - If you’d like to light a tree in your yard, make absolute certain no power lines run through the branches, and keep any lighting at least ten feet from power lines. 

  • - Make sure your extension cords are specifically made for outdoor use, and have a three-pronged ground plug.  Your receptacle should be a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet in case of electrical overload, it will shut off power.  Portable outdoor GFCI’s are available for very little cost at Amazon. 

  • - Read and heed all labels when it comes to connecting strings of lights.  If the label says only three can be connected to one another, start a new chain of lights after the third strand is in place.  Also keep in mind that only strands with the same number of bulbs should be connected--in other words, don’t connect a 100-strand with two 25-strands. 

  • - Keep extension cords away from high-traffic areas, and out from under welcome mats or pavers. 

  • - Many people start decorating long before Christmas, but be aware that most non-commercial light strands are only safely exposed to the elements for 90 days.  Any longer, and deterioration to the insulation will begin.   

  • - Avoid using a metal ladder if you’re having to get up high with your lights--use wooden or fiberglass instead. 

  • - Never leave lights on when you’re not at home, or asleep.   

  • - If you’re considering adding LED’s to your holiday display, make sure you don’t mix connecting with incandescent.  Going all-LED will be costlier upon start-up, but will save money on your power bill, as well as in replacement costs--LED’s can last up to twenty years. 

 

You don’t want a friendly neighborhood competition to turn into disaster, nor do you want a classic Clark Griswold power outage at home.  Know your home’s electrical limits, and use common sense and care while you’re decorating. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: health.usnews.com

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for October 2017

Monday, November 20, 2017
by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for October 2017

Chester County PA single family homes saw pending sales increase by 16.2% in October 2017 when compared to October 2016. 502 homes sold in October with a median sales price of $340,000, a 11.5% increase from October 2016.  The average sales price increased by 4.6%, and homes were on the market 12 days less.

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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Tips for Creating a Pet-Friendly Home

Thursday, November 16, 2017
by Scott Darling

The addition of a pet to a home is one of the biggest and best decisions a family can make.  Is your home ready for the task? Follow these tips for making your home pet-friendly. 

 

Outside 

  • 1. A safe environment is as important for a pet as it is for children.  The first step in keeping them safe is a fence.  Not only does it keep your pets in, it keeps others’ animals out. 

  • 2. Have an ID tag on your pet’s collar, with your name and contact information just in case they do get out.  Having them microchipped is an excellent option for identification purposes. 

  • 3. When house-training, encourage your pet to use a specific area of the yard for easy clean-up, keeping the smell away from the house.  Welcomepup.com blog has a potty-area diy. 

  • 4. A pathway to the door of gravel, cement, or other materials that aren’t plant-based will help knock off any debris that catch on paws before they come in. 

  • 5. If your animals have to stay outside when you are away for a short time, make sure they have shelter, food and, most importantly, water. 

  • 6. A play area in your yard would be great for dogs, especially, but make sure you have paths they can walk and run on, and nothing hazardous to them if they get too excited in their play. 

  • 7. Incorporating a water feature that doubles as a pet-friendly cooling-off spot is perfect for Summer outdoor play for your pets. 

  • 8. Consider the plants in your landscaping, and make sure you have nothing that can make your pet ill if they ingest it.  A great list of poisonous-to-animals plant list.  

  • 9. Make sure window screens are secure when you open them, in case Kitty wants to enjoy a nap in the open area--you don’t want her falling out of the window. Investing in a “cat condo” would be ideal for indoor cats to enjoy the outdoors safely. 

 

Inside Your Home 

  • 1. When looking for safety hazards, you should have an animal’s eye view.  Have someone get onto the floor and look for wires, window treatment cords, and anything else that is hidden from a human’s view, but could be attractive and harmful for a pet. 

  • 2. It would be ideal to have a pet-washing area in the mudroom, but if that isn’t possible, think about shelving or a storage cabinet near the door for towels, leashes and outdoor toys. 

  • 3. A cat’s litter box should be in a quiet area away from food.  It would be optimal to have one more box than cats. 

  • 4. Keep garbage in a container with child-proof lid, as dogs and cats both can figure out how to get into the trash and make a mess, and maybe eat something harmful. 

  • 5. Area rugs should be machine-washable and inexpensive, in case you need to throw them away after multiple washing, or too much dirt. 

  • 6. Crate-training is best for dogs, but most animals need a space of their own.  Provide a comfy pet bed, toys and food and water in a quiet area of the house. 

  • 7. Keeping pets brushed, toenails trimmed, and bedding changed and washed regularly is essential in keeping you from doing a lot of extra cleaning and floor repairs.  A hard surface, scratch-resistant floor is perfect for homes with pets. 

  • 8. Smaller pets that require their own habitat have specialized needs: safety from larger pets, child-proof habitat covers, a room with certain temperature and humidity setting. 

  • 9. Check with your local municipality to see if you need permits for exotic pets. 

 

Having a pet of any kind is a big responsibility.  As they become part of the family, make sure you provide the best home, the same as you would for a relative.  When your pets are happy, it just adds to the sweetness that pets bring to life. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: pinterest.com

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Gulph Mills PA Real Estate For Sale: 224 Balligomingo Rd

Thursday, November 2, 2017
by Scott Darling

As they say... Location, Location, Location! This property provides quick and easy access to Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Wayne, Conshohocken, and the Main Line. Check out this updated 2 bedroom single family home with its new carpet, interior and exterior paint, and landscaping as well as all new gutters, chimney liner, and lighting fixtures. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the outdoors on the HUGE deck overlooking the wooded area surrounding Gulph Creek. A full walkout basement with utility sink, washer, and dryer provides plenty of space for laundry, storage, and a workshop. The basement can also be finished to create additional living space. Whether you're a first time buyer or even an investor, this charming home in Gulph Mills is a great find. Don’t wait! This property is priced to sell!

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Glenmoore PA Real Estate For Sale: 670 Marshall Road

Thursday, November 2, 2017
by Scott Darling

Lovely 3.5 acre lot in excellent location in Wallace Township! Slightly rolling topography suitable for your new home. Can easily have a walk out basement. Possible subdivision. There is currently an older mobile home on the lot that has a septic and well. There are tenants in the mobile home renting for $800/month. The mobile home is NOT financeable. It’s a 1974 mobile home. The detached garage belongs to the tenant. You can purchase with cash or lot/land/building financing. You may also want to consider keeping the current tenants until your building plan is ready, helping you defer some of your upfront costs. Close to Marsh Creek state park. Downingtown West/STEM Academy schools and Springton Manor elementary.  Also listed as Residential. See MLS# 7077092.

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Fung Shui Ideas for Your New Home

Thursday, October 12, 2017
by Scott Darling

Decorating a new home is a fun process.  Whether or not you are an experienced decorator,  you can look and feel like a pro with the aid of some fung shui.  Below are a few ideas on how to make it work for your new home.  

 

  1. 1. Many folks like to hang mirrors at their entrance way to make the space look larger and more inviting as well.  Be sure to place your mirror on a side wall as you walk in instead of directly across from the door.  This will help with the flow of things as guests enter your house.  They will be able to see themselves and feel welcomed as they arrive as opposed to feeling like they are being pushed out with their own reflection.   
     

  1. 2. Another way to make fung shui work for you  is to keep clutter to a minimum.  This is especially true in the bedroom because a bedroom is a place of rest.  If there is a lot of junk all around the room those who spend time there will likely feel a bit disheveled.  If you feel as if you don’t know enough about this topic to do the job right, you can always higher an expert to help get you started in the right direction.   
     

  1. 3. Make sure that if you want to have live plants in your home that you place them in areas where folks will be hanging out and spending quality time together.  Try not to place live plants in areas where sleep takes place such as the bedroom because you need items that give off restfulness.    
     

  1. 4. Leaving the toilet lid closed is a great, easy little trick that will help to make everyone who enters your bathroom feel good about the space.
            

  1. 5. Keeping the flooring all one type in the home helps the energy to flow freely.  Try not to use two different types of flooring butted up against one another if you can help it as this will weaken the energy of the home.   
     

  1. 6. Be sure to place your bed across from the door to the bedroom or at least at a spot where the door can be easily seen.  This will enhance the comfort level of the room as opposed to putting the bed on the same wall as the door.   

  2.  

Fung Shui is fun and interesting and it really does work to help the energy of the home  feel comfortable and welcoming.  

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: lakecountrykeys.com

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends For August 2017

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for August 2017

Chester County PA single family homes saw pending sales decrease by 8.7% in August 2017 when compared to August 2016. 701 homes sold in August with a median sales price of $350,000, a 10.8% increase from August 2016.  The average sales price increased by 10.5%, and homes were on the market 5 days less.

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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Emergency preparedness 101: Know how to protect your family against carbon monoxide poisoning

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
by Scott Darling

Few areas of the country are immune to natural disasters or severe weather. Whether you live in a hurricane zone or face icy winters, it is important to prepare your home and family to weather the storm and know the potential health and safety risks that may arise in emergency situations.

Beyond inconvenience, widespread and long-term power outages resulting from storms raise a much more serious concern: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. While the poisonous gas can come from any fossil fuel-burning appliance or vehicle, the risk posed by generators is of particular concern because of this year’s devastating storm season.

“Simple preparation, along with an understanding of the risks of CO, are key factors for protecting your home and loved ones both during storm season and throughout the year,” said Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert. “The risk of CO can occur anytime — not just during emergencies — which is why installing and regularly testing CO alarms are an integral part of any home safety plan.”

What is CO?

Often dubbed “the silent killer,” the gas is colorless and odorless, making it impossible to detect without a CO alarm. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, CO poisoning is the No. 1 cause of accidental poisoning in the United States and is responsible for an average of 450 deaths each year.

CO poisoning is notoriously difficult to diagnose — often until it’s too late. Symptoms mimic those of many other illnesses, and include nausea, headaches, dizziness, weakness, chest pain and vomiting. In more severe poisoning cases, people may experience disorientation or unconsciousness, or suffer long-term neurological disabilities, cardio-respiratory failure or death.

Sources of CO may include, but are not limited to, generators, heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances or cooking sources using coal, wood, petroleum products or other fuels emitting CO as a by-product of combustion. Attached garages with doors, ductwork or ventilation shafts connected to a living space also are sources of CO.

What should you do?

The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing CO alarms on every level of the home, including the basement, and within 15 feet of all sleeping rooms. These alarms are the first line of defense against CO poisoning. Checking alarms regularly and following manufacturer instructions for alarms and all home equipment play an equally vital role.

In case of power outage, never use a generator indoors. Portable electricity generators must be used outside only and should never be used in a garage or in any confined area that can allow CO to collect. When running a generator, be sure to remain 15 to 20 feet away from the outside perimeter of the home and be careful to follow operating instructions closely.

Additional areas to consider include the kitchen stove, a frequent source of CO poisoning in the home. Ensure the kitchen vent or exhaust fan is running to limit exposure. For any fuel-burning appliances in the home, make sure to have a professional inspect them regularly to detect any CO leaks. This includes items such as the furnace, oven, fireplace, dryer and water heater.

If you have an attached garage, it is extremely important to never leave your car running inside. Even if the garage door is open, CO emissions can leak inside the home.

CO alarms should be battery-powered or hardwired with battery backup. To help ensure your family is protected, First Alert offers a variety of alarms to meet all needs, including a table-top alarm with a 10-year sealed battery and digital display to see detected CO levels in parts per million. Additional alarm options include plug-in and wall-mount alarms, hardwired alarms with battery backup, and a combination smoke and CO alarm for 2-in-1 protection.

In addition to carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, along with smoke alarms, should be an integral part of a comprehensive home safety plan.

Most importantly, if your CO alarm sounds, go outside for fresh air immediately and call 911. To learn more about CO safety or other home safety tips from First Alert, visit www.firstalert.com.

Courtesy of Brandpoint Content.

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Forward-thinking yard projects to tackle as the weather cools off this fall

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
by Scott Darling

The temperature may not have dropped just yet, but make no mistake, fall is coming. Soon enough, baseball will give way to football, green leaves will turn yellow and red and your lawn care routine will take on a whole new set of tasks. Fall lawn care isn’t the long marathon of the summer yard season, but it packs plenty of work into a few short months before the winter. You can make this lawn care blitz a little bit easier by applying the following tips.

* Stimulate your lawn. While your grass may no longer need its weekly mowing in the fall, you can’t ignore it until spring. Look for brown, tan or white patches on your lawn, as this can be a sign of mold growth. Apply a lawn fungicide to halt this growth and an organic fertilizer to stop its spread and support future root growth.

* Blow those leaves away. Raking leaves can be a Herculean task, so simplify the process by investing in a lithium-ion blower. The Greenworks 60-volt Backpack Blower is a heavy-duty solution perfect for homeowners with a quarter to three-quarters of an acre to cover. And for yard-lovers that prefer a handheld blower, Greenworks has you covered there too! Both solutions are lightweight and reduce noise while eliminating emissions, and because they're battery powered, you don’t have to bother with mixing gas and oil.

* Seed and sod. If you do notice patches of dead grass in your yard — a common occurrence if fallen leaves have not been blown away — don’t wait until spring to address the issue. Over-seeding the area can rectify the problem if the spaces are small. If your lawn has significant portions that have died, it may be time to look into sodding options instead for more comprehensive coverage.

* A fresh spray clean. A season’s worth of wind and rain can leave the sides of your home looking pretty dingy. Fall cleanup is the perfect time to give your home a reset by spraying down your siding, decks, and patios. Greenworks 2200 PSI Electric Pressure Washer is an environmentally friendly gas-alternative solution with five nozzles that allow you to adjust the tool’s water pressure based on the task at hand. The pressure washer is also designed with Smart Response Technology to adjust motor RPMs as nozzles are changed, ensuring the perfect water flow for every job — and the on board LED display guides you to the best job for each nozzle, letting you clean your home in a smart, efficient way.

* A hole in the ground supports future growth. Fall is arguably the best time of year to aerate your yard, allowing water, oxygen and fertilizer to more easily reach the root structure of your grass. Self-propelled aerators are relatively inexpensive, and you can also rent one if you plan to make this a once-a-year chore. Whatever you decide, tackling this chore now will allow your lawn to grow back thicker and fuller next year when it will be time to start thinking about spring lawn care once again.

Courtesy of Brandpoint Content.

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West Chester PA Real Estate For Sale: 224 Smallwood Ct

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
by Scott Darling

Beautiful Exton Station Townhome is now available! This 3 bedroom two and a half bath home has been gone over with a fine tooth comb getting ready for the market and now it’s ready for you to visit. The covered front porch welcomes you as you enter the foyer of this lovely home. Glance to the right and you will be amazed as you see the updated kitchen with granite counter tops and a designer backsplash highlighted by undercabinet lighting. There’s lots cabinets providing plenty of storage. The adjacent breakfast area brings in the beautiful outdoors with its large windows. The living room also is very bright and features a wood burning fireplace, recessed lighting and a sliding glass door to the spacious deck overlooking a vast open space to play on. A first-floor updated powder room wraps up this level. Upstairs is the master bedroom with a private bath and lots of closet space. Two additional bedrooms and a hall bath compliment the balance of this level. There is also a pull-down attic access for extra storage as needed. The basement is finished but also houses the utilities and a storage room. The square footage noted (1,400 SF) does not include the finished area in the basement so you’ll actually get more living space than expected. Included in your very affordable association dues is, a pool, tennis and basketball facilities and many other convenient amenities. The location to dynamite as it’s close to West Chester, Exton and the train station. Stop by for a visit. You’ll be glad you did.

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