Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The 3 Greatest Spring Moving Tips Ever

Spring in Central Texas means the trees and flowers are all in bloom. Everywhere looks even more beautiful with green lawns, Buttercup and Bluebonnet laden highways, and of course the Dogwoods and CrapeMyrtles in all their glory. However, spring is also the beginning of moving season in Bryan College Station

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Maybe there is something in the air or it could be just a general time of renewal, which makes this the time to move. No matter the reason, everyone wants to get his or her belongings organized, packed, transported, and unpacked in the most efficient and simplest way possible. Below are three of the greatest tips on moving in spring and may include some points to remember that you may just not have considered.


Tip #1 – Always Have Dry Towels

Having several dry towels that can be easily reached will come in handy during a spring shower, so you can dry off your boxes, furniture, and other items should they get wet during the move. Bringing wet boxes in your newhome could cause unnecessary headaches from disintegrating boxes spilling your stuff all over the floor or water spots on your tables.

Tip #2 – Give Yourself a “Red Carpet” Treatment, Well…a Plastic One Actually

Be sure to roll out a plastic liner in your entryway, so wet and/or muddy feet do not trash your nice new carpets in your home. The same should be done at your old home as well – no need to have extra cleaning to do there.

Tip #3 – Stay Alert!

On any moving day in Bryan College Station, safety should be number one in everyone’s mind. However, this is especially true in rainy conditions. This is because the ground, the truck ramp, stairs, and other walking surfaces could be slippery and may cause a nasty fall. Keeping alert and aware of the conditions will help avoid any unwanted trips to the emergency room.

Everyone knows it could be a bright sunny day and be raining at the same time in Central Texas, as the old joke goes, “If you don’t like the weather in Texas – just wait five minutes.” Therefore, being prepared for anything will make moving day go smoothly as possible. 





Featured Home for Sale 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

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Spring-Cleaning is Not Just for Indoors


Spring has sprung! It is time to put away your hot coco mug and pull out your flip-flops. This also means it is time to clean the “winter blues” off of your home. CentralTexas is a magical place to live whether you lived here your entire life or are just buying a new home here.  Most residents take pride in keeping the beauty of the exterior of their homes just as immaculate as the interiors. Therefore, what could be a better time than a nice spring day to clean away the drab winter funk from your home?

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Windows – During the colder winter months, no one wants to stand outside and freeze just to clean the windows. Now is the perfect time to pull out the garden hose to spray off the last three or four month’s buildup of dirt and grime that has accumulated on the windows. This will help your home look sparkling from the outside and brighten it up on the inside.

Gutters – Again, this is not a fun winter chore and is usually put off. Be sure you don’t skip this one during your spring-cleaning. Clogged gutters not only look bad, they are there to serve the purpose of keeping water away from your home. No one wants to deal with foundation issues.

Fence – Having your home in Bryan CollegeStation means you most likely have a wonderful backyard for you and your family to spend time together. This also means now is the time to check your fence for wear and rot; even chain link fencing needs a good inspection for rust or damage.

Siding and Decking – If your home has either, you will want to give them a good cleaning to wash away the winter grime. The best way to do this is with a power sprayer. If you do not own one, they are readily available for rent at many home improvement or hardware stores.


A clean house is a happy home! And spring is one of the best times to get it done. After the long dreary winter months, feel anew by making your home fresh with a good deep spring-cleaning. Remember how great it feels to come home to a sparkling home inside and out. 



Featured Home for Sale 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, May 15, 2014

Important Late Spring Lawn Care Tips

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After moving into your new home, you may have jumped right on making the outside as beautiful as the inside, especially if you moved in late fall or early spring. You most likely did all the fertilizing so your lawn would be the jewel of your neighborhood. Well, now you should be seeing all your hard work paying off with your flowerbeds in full bloom and your grass a deep, healthy green. However, there are late spring lawn care tips that will keep your home’s curb appeal turning heads.


Proper Watering
This may sound like a given, but knowing the right way to water your lawn will ensure it stays lush and does not become over or under saturated. Watering for short burst several times a week may not be beneficial to your lawn’s health, especially as the temperatures in BryanCollege Station, Texas begin to soar. It is best to water for longer periods fewer times a week. This way the ground will have time to absorb the water. Otherwise, the light watering could just evaporate before ever reaching the roots.

Leave the Lawn Clippings
Many homeowners in Central Texas have the tendency to remove the lawn clippings after to during mowing. However, it is better for your lawn to leave them and just use a rake to scatter any clumps of cut grass. The clippings will help to nourish your yard.

Get Down and Dirty with the Weeds
Now that your lawn is full of nutrient rich, hydrated soil, weeds will be looking to move right in. You can use weed control products, but many can actually kill your grass too. The best method to remove weeds from your yard is to dig them up. You will need to dig down to the roots, so they do not pop back up and spread all over your lawn ruining all your hard work.

Residents living in Bryan College Station know that with the proper lawn care, their yards will remain beautiful all summer long. These late spring lawn care tips will ensure all the TLC put into creating your outdoor space will continue to flourish.





Featured Home for Sale in Bryan, 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 in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Short Guide for Closing Up Your Home for the Summer

With the summer months fast approaching, vacation is on everyone’s minds. This usually means you will need to close up your home for the summer while you travel. There is no better time to get everything set up to make the process easier. Spring in Bryan College Station has many cool days to make the tasks below more enjoyable as well.
Checklist for closing your home up for summer vacation or travel:

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  1. Organize your Laundry – getting all the non-essentials washed and packed away will limit the amount of items left in closets and dresser drawers while you are away. Also, consider setting items you plan to take with you to the side or even in the luggage you intend to take to cut down on packing time later.
  2. Spring Clean – Be sure to give your home a deep spring-cleaning to ensure there is nothing that can mildew or mold while you are away. No one wants to come home to that forgotten mug of coffee on the nightstand now full of smelly liquid.
  3. Reduce Chances of Moisture – In all your sinks, showers, and tub drains, be sure to put in a stopper and cover your toilets with plastic film/wrap. This will ensure there is no unnecessary moisture leeching into your home, causing a nasty mold infestation.
  4. Your HVAC System – First, be sure your air conditioner unit is in proper working order. Second, set your thermostat to come on periodically. There is no need to have it stay on to cool your home while you are away, but having it kick on occasionally will keep the humidity low.
  5. Don’t forget the Exterior – It is a good idea to inspect or have inspected the exterior of your home before you leave. This should include the paint, siding, gutters, foundation, windows, doors, and septic system. You will also want to have your lawn mowed regularly while away by either a neighbor or a lawn care service.
While relaxing on your vacation, you should not have to worry about what is happening at your home all the way back in Central Texas. This short guide will get you off to a great start in ensuring you can close up your home and head out of your next summer adventure carefree. 




Featured Home for Sale in Bryan, 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 in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

A Guide to Increasing Curb Appeal: Getting a Better Price for Your Home In College Station, TX

It is true what they say, first impressions are everything.  They can help us decide where we want to go on vacation, who we spend the rest of our lives with, and even where we live.  A positive first impression can mean the difference between a great job and unemployment.  And, when it comes to selling homes in College Station, TX, it can mean the difference between a great asking price and no offers.

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When it comes to first impressions and the home you hope to put on the market, there are a few key places where you can focus.  With a little bit of effort and thought, you can increase the number of bids you get on your home, as well as the final asking price.  What it all comes down to is what a prospective buyer sees the moment they arrive.  If you can wow them the second they lay eyes on your property, then you are off to a great start.  Below is a guide highlighting some of the areas you can focus on.

Small Things
Just as a great painting is composed of a thousand brushstrokes, so too is a house made great when everything comes together.  Take a look at the front of your house and touch up all chipped siding.  Re-paint areas of the house that need it.  Through fixing a dozen small problems unique to your home, you can create a better picture.

Bigger projects
There are two big projects that do not require a lot of time but can have a positive impact on those who visit.  The first is the front door.  By adding a nice brass knocker, and even replacing the front door with one of better quality, you make the first part of your house seen by outsiders impressive.  The second project is edging your driveway.  Proper stone edging can go a long way to make even drab driveways look elegant and inviting.

What to do the Day Of
Some things can really be put to the last moment.  The morning before you know someone is going to look at the house, mow the lawn and wash off the driveway.  This helps create a clean and uniform picture for anyone checking out the property.   With any luck, this quick guide will get you well on your way to selling your College Station property.  Until then, good luck





Featured Home for Sale 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 in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Making Smart Choices for Your Greatest Investment


It is part of the American dream to own your own home.  It is a sign of success, of having made it in the world.  Real Estate is big business and finding that perfect home can be a challenge.  In College Station, TX, this can be made more challenging with students from A&M constantly moving in and out.  From rental properties to homes of all sizes, finding the right place is tricky.

If owning a home is a part of the American dream, then finding the perfect home may be a part of an American nightmare.  To make the process more simple, a number of tips are included below.  Consider these things before buying your new home, and you can save a great deal of stress further in your future.

Research the History of Where Your Home Is Located
Many residential neighborhoods have histories that could impact the quality of life when you live there.  In addition, a history of poor waste management, disaster proneness, or a myriad of other reasons may explain why the house is inexpensive.

Hire a Home Inspection
Almost every home has a problem.  By hiring a home inspector to check out the future property, you can get a very good idea about what may need to be done with the place.  From checking radon levels, to removing asbestos and lead, a home inspector will also point out weak elements of the home that may need to be replaced.

Check with the Local Government
Oddly enough, there may be restrictions on the land you buy that both you and the previous tenant know nothing about.  This includes archaic laws and restrictions written a century earlier that have long since fallen out of practical use or importance.  However, they can still make doing simple things, like building a patio or fixing your home, very difficult.

Check out the surrounding area
When it comes to amenities, your surrounding area, within a two-mile walking distance, should be considered.  Is your neighborhood nice to walk around in?  Can you get to places without a car that are relaxing?  How many parks are near by? 

Reconsider
The hardest thing to do is to reconsider, especially if you have already settled on a property.  Take everything into consideration, and do not settle for less then you want.  Until that time, good luck with your search.



Featured Home for Sale 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 in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904



Friday, April 18, 2014

The Stress And Strain of Moving: Making A Hectic Day Easier


Moving can be as exciting as it is stressful.  As College Station continues to grow, and college students come for an education every semester, the moving never seems to stop.  If you are moving for college or for work, there are a number of things you can do to make the move easier.  Let’s focus on some of the less common moving suggestions, to give you a more in depth guide to moving in style.

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 The Moving Bag

The moving bag is a simple concept that many people forget in the hustle and bustle of moving.  The moving bag should contain everything you need to stay sane for the next few days of packing, moving, and unpacking.  It should contain basic toiletries, a few sets of cloths, and things you just cannot live without.  By throwing in a bottle of water and snacks, you can help keep your cool and even relax during what would otherwise be a stressful time.

Photos

When everything is packed and your old and new homes are bare and clean, take pictures!  Pictures are you insurance against all accusations made concerning the quality and condition of the house.  By taking photos of your old house, you have proof that you complied with the new owner’s requests as specified in the purchasing agreement.  In addition, you have proof that you left the residence clean and ready to move into.  By taking photos of your new residence, you can mark where trouble spots are.  If you are renting, then this is insurance against the landlord charging you for pre-existing conditions.

Moving Help

What is the worst part about owning a truck?  Everyone you know will ask your help to move things.  This is very true in American culture, especially in College Station, TX.  If your friends are helping you move, then remember to thank them!  A meal out and drinks on you is normal.  In addition, give all people who help free dibs on furniture you no longer need.

Address

The last thing to consider is a change of address.  This usually requires a few hours to change your address for all-important things.  In addition, by setting up mail-forwarding with the United States Postal Service, you can keep getting any mail sent to the old address for an extended period of time.

Moving is time intensive, but it doesn't have to be stressful.  By making the right preparations, you can sail through moving with a minimum of problems.





Featured Home for Sale 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 in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904