Sarah Miller - Broker Associate: September 2014

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Have you Checked your Attic Lately?

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Attics are one area of the home that is often overlooked until there is an issue. You do not want your new home to be overrun with unwanted guests and plagued with a costly leak. In addition, the proper attic insulation will assist in keeping your home at the perfect temperature while helping to keep electricity bills in control.

Inspect for Leaks

You can do this yourself or you can hire an attic inspection company in Bryan-College Station. If you decide to do this yourself, be sure to keep safety first. Step only on the flooring and rafters. Never step in the spaces in between, as you could very easily fall through. Look at the wood for signs for water spots and/or mold. This may be easier with a good bright flash light. If you do see signs of water, call a professional right away.

Check for Signs of Critters

Spotting signs you might have animals taking up residence in your home may be easier than looking for water leaks. There will be entry/exit points, smells of urine and excrement, as well as the animals themselves in some cases. Be sure you never approach any wild animal in your attic, as some are likely to bite or scratch (and Central Texas is home to some very large raccoons and opossums). Call out a pest removal company that specializes in removing vermin from attics. Also, be sure to ask them to close up any holes the uninvited guesses have made.

Insulation Inspection

While you are in the attic searching for signs of leaks and animals, take the time to inspect your insulation. If you are not sure about the quality or type you should have, be sure to call on someone that does or do a bit of research. This will help to cut down on your electricity bills. In addition, your home will feel more comfortable all year long.

Setting some time aside to do a visual inspection of your attic can save you a lot of time, headache, and money by catching issues before they happen or get out of control. The funds you spend now are nothing compared to what you will have to spend later on a new roof, mold removal, or vermin infestation removal.

Featured Homes for Rent in College Station, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell on your house. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes for sale in Bryan/College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Gardening in Central Texas

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Gardening in Central Texas can be a challenge, but if you know the right plants and techniques, you will have a beautiful yard in Central Texas.

General Tips
It is important to know the amount of light and water each plant needs. Not providing the plant with an adequate amount or giving it too much of either water or sunlight is a sure way to kill it.

You should enrich the soil with organic matter such as compost or shredded leaves. The Texas soil is clay with a high pH, which are not ideal growing conditions for plants.

Plant in the fall during the rain or right after. Do not pack down the soil when planting and don’t mix plants that have different sun and water needs in the same beds.

Cover all bare areas with mulch after planting. This will give the plant protection from the hot sun and bite of winter as well as help prevent weeds.

Flowers
Central Texas has a mild climate that allows for flowers to bloom all year as long as you know which ones to plant and how to properly care for them. The best planting time and water and sun requirements vary by plant. Ask your garden center where you purchase your flowers if you aren't sure of these important details. Lantanas, alyssum, ruellia, salvias, and roses are a few flowers that grow well in Central Texas.

Trees
Trees should be planted in late fall or winter to help them develop their root system and establish growing before it has to withstand the heat of a Central Texas summer. A few trees that do well in Central Texas are apple, peach, sumac, and magnolia.

Having a beautifully landscaped yard in Central Texas is possible with the right care and knowledge. Planting in the correct season with proper methods and making sure the plants receive all the sun and water they need will counteract the difficult conditions of the Central Texas sun and soil.

Featured Homes for Sale in Bryan, TX

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Family Friendly Activities and Attractions in College Station Texas

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One of the biggest deciding factors that determines if a parent will purchase a home in College Station, Texas and move their family there is whether or not the area contains family friendly activities and attractions that their children will enjoy. Fortunately, there are tons of family friendly activities and attractions in College Station, Texas that you and your children will really enjoy.

The Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley is the perfect family friendly attraction for families that have small children. This is because the museum features a very interactive and hand-on environment geared towards children. In addition, to having a lot of fun your child is likely to learn a thing or two while they are at this museum. There is a health and fitness exhibit that focuses on nutrition and sounds around town exhibit that focuses on music.

The Kingsbury Blueberry Farm is a fun attraction for families of all shapes and sizes. The farm features 100 different bushes and 4 different varieties of organic blueberries. You can bring your own basket, bucket, or container and pick berries with your family. The best part is that they only charge $3 per pound of berries that you pick. You can make the experience even more exciting by taking the berries home and cooking something with your children using them.

The Royal Oaks Alpacas is a breeding farm and ranch for Huacaya Alpacas. After you've taken you family to the children's museum and taking them to pick blueberries, it might be kind of fun to take them to see real live Alpacas! After all, chances are pretty good that your children and possibly even you have never seen a real Alpaca before.

Bored will never be a word in you or your child's vocabulary once you start visiting these amazing attractions. You are going to be blown away by the number of family and kid friendly attractions and activities there are in the area after you get settled into your new home.

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

Monday, September 1, 2014

Decorating Tips for Small Homes

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Decorating a small home will take a big more compromise that a large home. With a small home, you want to use items that can do two duties. It is imperative to avoid clutter when you have a small home, as it will add to making the home feel even smaller. Follow a few tips to make your small square footage home appear larger than life.

Mirrors and Clear Surfaces

One decorating trick that works well for a small home is to get clear surfaces or glass furniture. If you have a small home, a mirrored wall can reflect light and open up the space a little more. In a cozy living room, use a glass coffee and end tables. The clear surface will not appear to take up any space, while allowing you the chance to have all the furniture that you need.

Take Advantage of Hidden Storage

Hidden storage space will be your best friend in a small home. Ottomans are a great way to store items in the living room. Place extra blankets, books, and other materials inside of the ottoman for easy use in the living room. In a bedroom, use storage boxes to place materials under the bed. This will keep clutter from forming in eye space, while allowing you to store everything that you need in an efficient manner.

Think Clean and Clear in Bathrooms

To open up space in a bathroom, install completely clear walled showers. This will open up the space for your bathroom. Keep all material underneath cabinets, only leaving out necessities such as towels. Roll towels inside of a basket and keep these on a counter. A hamper and wastebasket should be the only other accessories that take up any floor space in a smaller bathroom. Leave out some scrubs or candles to make the bathroom feel more spa like.

Sarah Miller - Broker Associate