Sarah Miller - Broker Associate

Monday, January 27, 2014

Tips for Keeping Bathroom Towels Fresh

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There is nothing better than smelling fresh scented towels. Occasionally, you may run across a stale smelling towel. That smell is actually bacteria brewing. As a homeowner, no one wants their guests to dry his or her face with a towel that smells like wet dog. In College Station, the weather is usually warm, which can boost odor causing bacteria growth. Here are a few tips on keeping fresh bathroom towels.

Ring your bathroom towels out well and always hang up to dry. Never place them into a hamper damp.
Use a fresh towel every three or four days to prevent dead skin cells from building up on them.
Wash your towels after you have bleached your whites. This ensures your machine is sterilized and it helps to freshen your towels.
When washing, wash in small loads using the hot water setting. Give your towels room to get the suds through and rinse well. Add a good booster to your wash such as Oxi-Clean. You can also add a cup of vinegar to help neutralize odors.
If you have a favorite scented laundry detergent such as Mountain Breeze, Fresh Linen, or Lavender, use the same scented liquid fabric softener and fabric sheets to really infuse the smell through your towels.
Thoroughly dry your towels. If your towels have just a hint of moisture, the bacteria can start to grow and that is where the stale smell starts to develop.
Swap your towels out. Place your freshly washed towels behind your older ones. This prevents you from using the same towels repeatedly and extends the life of them since they aren’t washed as much.
Add fabric sheets in your towel area and in between towels you won’t be using – such as a guest towel set.

You want your new home to feel perfect for you and your guests. Following these simple tips is just one-step closer to perfection. Having fresh towels will be doubly true if you moved to College Station to have your own pool, as the towels will be used constantly, because many pools are used year round.

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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 realtors that has a long list of the finest homes for sale in Bryan/College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Spring Moving Tips

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Moving in the spring in the College Station area has many advantages such as mild temperatures and you can find moving companies are less expensive, because not many homeowners are moving in the spring. In addition, that is also the downside. It’s usually raining in the spring. So, check the weather report. Try to move on a day when it may not rain. However, the rain can’t get you down, if you follow these tips.

Pack Your Winter Items First

You will not need them right away. This makes it easy to move your clothes into your closets and bedroom drawers. Mark your boxes properly, preferably in waterproof containers, and your movers can store them immediately in the garage or attic. That is less to track through your new home.

Protect Your Belongings

Hopefully, you kept your plastic for your mattress. Movers usually use blankets to wrap couches and tables. If you can, get some type of shrink or plastic wrap and wrap all of your important items. If not, many movers can do this for a fee. Make sure to contact them ahead of time so they can prepare time wise. Wrapping all your items keeps them dry and prevents mold.

Setup a Landing Place

Instead of walking constantly back through the home and dripping water or damaging carpets, set up a landing place in your new home. Once it’s packed, the workers can take off their shoes or put on booties and continue on through the home.

Protect Your Flooring

Collect old carpeting, cardboard, tarps, or plywood. You can line your floor with these items. This way, when the movers walk through, you are not damaging your floors.

Take Breaks

We usually hate to see movers take breaks – they are on the clock! However, if it’s raining, it won’t hurt to offer a few warm drinks, water, and a mild snack. They are uncomfortable and wet. You want them to be as comfortable as possible while moving your precious furniture and in the ever changing College Station weather, it can go from cool and raining to hot and muggy within hours.

Featured Homes for Sale in Bryan, TX

Your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station, Sarah Miller, 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 realtors that has a long list of the finest homes for sale in BryanCollege Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Christmas Decorating Tips

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Here in Central Texas we do things big, and Christmas decorating is no exception. There’s no need to wait until after Thanksgiving, start after Halloween!

There are some Christmas decorating tips, to ensure that you to will have a big Texas Christmas.

· Add color to your front door. Rather than stick with a boring white front door, add a wreath with colorful accents and bows.

· Use Christmas lanterns to add holiday cheer and light to your front walkway or porch.

· Display an Advent wreath to countdown until Christmas.

· Use lights and greenery to decorate staircases, railings and mantels.

· Wrap indoor and outdoor columns with garlands and lights.

· Use colors that match your décor. For example, if your living room is done in beiges and yellows, use gold and white to decorate your tree and living areas.

· Put out holiday themed throw pillows and blankets.

· Use cascading ribbons on your tree to create a unique, different tree design.

· Use fruit and greenery to make table centerpieces.

· Make your own stockings from burlap, fleece or other affordable textiles.

· Wrap gifts in paper that matches your décor and color scheme.

· Use extra ornaments to decorate. Put them in glass cylinders, bowls or arrange on mantel.

· Use winter flowers to decorate your mantel, tables and entryway.

· Stick with the same color theme throughout the house.

· Use a different wrapping paper for every family member; this alleviates the need for gift tags.

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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Christmas Caroling in Texas

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Even though Bryan College Station isn’t known for it’s white Christmases, we still know how to celebrate as if we did. Gathering the family, friends and neighbors to go caroling can be a lot of fun. Take along thermoses filled with hot apple cider, have bags full of cookies and candy canes and take to the streets to sing songs of the season.

While Christmas caroling can be fun for all, it’s important to remember some important planning and safety tips. After all, it’s easier to have fun if everyone is safe and sound. Here are some tips to ensure that everyone has a fun time in your neighborhood.

· Make sure that at least some people in your group know a good selection of Christmas songs. Even though you can provide the words and music, it’s always a good idea to make sure that someone knows the tune and harmony well.

· Make sure that everyone knows to bring hats, scarves and mittens to stay warm. It’s a bonus if you can coordinate colors, so as to look cohesive and festive.

· Have your carolers hold candles or lanterns. This will help set the mood and also provide light so cars and bicyclists see the carolers.

· Be sure that someone is in charge of warm drinks and snacks. Having a warm thermos of hot chocolate or cider will set the mood and keep people warm.

· Only knock on home who have lights on and Christmas décor. People without lights on often don’t want to be bothered, and won’t appreciate the carols.

· Be sure that if children are in the group to keep the distance short enough that they will not tire out. Grumpy, tired children are no fun to take Christmas caroling.

Whether you’re young or old, be sure to follow the above tips for a safe and fun caroling experience. You don’t need snow to have a festive holiday season. Get out there and sing your favorite holiday carol.

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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Holiday Decorating Tips

The stores and roads in College Station are always packed with shoppers around the holidays. With all the time shopping, the last thing that usually gets done is the decorating of the home. These elegant and stylish decorating ideas will help make your new home look festive and stylish for the holidays.

Lavish lighting- You can create a lavish lighting appeal in your home with the addition of overhead lighting with a soft, warm glow. Combine this lighting with white garland or a décor of natural cedar and you have an opulent appeal. The lighting can be obtained from a white Christmas bulb or a soft delicate candle.

Whimsical frosting- Just when you thought that icing was only for cookies, creating a palette of white and grey can make any room in your home look like a winter wonderland. Frosty décor will give your home texture and warmth.

Heavy metal- No we are not talking about music here. We are talking about creating a holiday spread for your home which is filled with glitz and glamour. It is as simple as decorating your mantel with an array of silver, gold and white ornaments. You can also use this look for the top of your kitchen counters.

Contemporary minimalism: As the saying goes, less is always more. Just by picking out a few select important pieces that make a statement and placing those in strategically places around your home combines with your seasonal decorations and you will have a look of charm and warmth to your home.

While College Station is already well known for being picturesque, these holiday decorating tips can help your new home look like the best one on the block.

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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Things To Remember When Moving In The Fall

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Moving at any time of the year can be a hassle. It can be even more of a hassle if you move in the fall and you have a family that includes school aged children. Here are some things you will need to remember when you are moving into a new home in Central Texas or even Bryan College Station, Texas.

If you move from one school district to another in the fall you will have the added stress of helping your children get settled into a new school at a time when the other students have just gotten settled. Keep in mind that if you are moving to new school districts in the fall your children will have to catch up to the other students. Make sure that as soon as you move into your new home you create a quiet spot for your children to do their homework. While you are still get settled in your new home you will want to make sure your children have stability, especially when starting a new school.

Also keep in mind that if you are moving in the fall you will want to be unpacked and set up before the busy holiday season begins. This means you need to make your move as organized as possible so that you can properly prepare for the upcoming holidays. Make sure your new home is conducive to holiday visitors and can accommodate holiday meals in your kitchen.

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Thursday, November 14, 2013

Creating The Perfect Fall Outdoor Décor

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Fall is a time many people enjoy because it is a transition between hot weather and cold weather that can be very refreshing. Decorating the outside of one’s house, a backyard, porch or patio in fall décor can be a fun and relaxing thing to do. Here are some tips on how to create the perfect outdoor décor for the fall season.

When decorating outside for the fall you will want to think about the color and texture of the décor items you use. Keeping symmetry in mind will also help you create the perfect fall outdoor décor. Be mindful of how your décor will look both up close and at a distance. This way anyone who passes by your house will see your outdoor décor as well as you will see it from the comfort of your own home. One of the easiest things to do is choose a beautiful fall wreath to put on your front door. Hanging baskets hung on your porch can also make for lovely fall décor. You can even take potted flowers and use them as an outdoor centerpiece on a deck or patio. As long as you use some creativity and plants that bloom in the fall you will be able to create a beautiful style for the outside of your home.

Decorating for the fall is especially important if you have recently bought a new home in Bryan College Station, Texas or anywhere throughout Central Texas.

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