At Home With Valerie

Housework has a way of getting overwhelming quickly.  You put a few things off and before you know it you're facing hours of cleaning just to get it back to normal.  But if you plan carefully and stick to a plan, you can get all of your basic housework done in only about 15 minutes a day, and keep it clean and company-ready all the time. Start With A Baseline You'll have to do that deep cleaning before you start, because otherwise you'll always be playing catch up.  Set a day aside and clean your house from top to bottom.  If you stick to the simple 15-minute-a-day plan from here on out, you'll rarely if ever spend a whole day cleaning again. This deep cleaning establishes a baseline of clean that you would like to maintain; once you have this baseline, you simply have to take the time each day to keep things in order. Your Daily Fifteen Make a list of the main cleaning jobs in your home.  These will usually include vacuuming/floor sweeping,...

Rules of Thumb for Water Use on Lawns and Gardens One deep watering is much better than watering several times lightly. Lawns need about 1 inch of water each week. If the weather is very hot, apply an inch of water about every 3 days. Watering to a depth of 4-6 inches encourages deeper, healthier root development. It allows longer periods between watering. To measure the water, put an empty tuna can (or cat food can) on the lawn while watering. Stop watering when the can is full or if you notice water running off the lawn. Know Your Soil Different soil types have different watering needs. You don"t need to be a soil scientist to know how to water your soil properly. These tips can help. Loosen the soil around plants so it can quickly absorb water and nutrients. Use a 1- to 2-inch protective layer of mulch on the soil surface above the root area. Cultivating and mulching reduce evaporation and soil erosion. Clay soil: Add organic mate...

When you are planning to sell your home, a bathroom remodel may be one of the best places to increase your home's value.  Depending on the existing condition as well as the style and age of your home, here are a few things to consider before tearing out that sink! Does The Bathroom Age The House? It could be a black toilet or avocado tiles, but if your answer to this is yes, then a bathroom remodel can really make a difference.  Prospective buyers will look at this space as a liability rather than a feature, and this can decrease the value of your home.  It may also scare away buyers who are looking for a home that is in move-in condition.  The trick is to keep the remodel modern, but timeless.  The white toilet will likely always be in style, and tiles made of natural or neutral materials will keep the space fresh. Do The Features Match The Price? Depending on the location of your home and the value of the pro...

A backyard deck is a great way to not only improve the value of your home, but also make your outdoor living space more enjoyable for you and your family.  Whether you decide to build your own deck from scratch or hire a contractor to do the work for you, choosing the right materials is important to creating a beautiful and durable deck that can be enjoyed for years to come.   Here are some of the most popular choices for building a deck, and even a few exotic choices to suit any budget and taste. Pressure-Treated Wood -This popular and inexpensive choice can give you a functional deck.  Essentially it is softwood that has been placed in a preservative bath, and then into a pressurization tank to make it more waterproof.  It is usually advisable that you build at least the foundation of your deck with pressure-treated wood so that it will last for years to come. Cedar -Another popular choice for decks, cedar is naturally oily and resistant to wate...

Growing your own food can be rewarding. But did you also know it can be done organically and more economically? Check out these tips for greening up your home garden. Do you have a home garden? Are you thinking of starting one? Are you concerned about pesticides and expenses associated with growing your own food? Check out these tips for making a home garden healthier, greener, and more economical: 1. Start collecting rain water. You don’t need to run your sprinklers or hoses full-time to get the hydration fruits and vegetables need to flourish in your backyard. Purchasing and installing a simple rain barrel can help you store hundreds of gallons of free water throughout the year. Make the most of that rain water with drip hoses to supply your plants with the water they require. 2. Begin with seeds. If you want to go organic with your home garden, don’t buy young plants… plant your own seeds. Starter containers, soil, and fertilizer are the basics you’ll need to bring up...

No one wants to deal with a burglary. How do you reduce the chances of one happening? Fortunately, burglaries are a well-studied phenomenon — especially by law enforcement. These studies have identified specific things you can do to cut the risk dramatically. Here are some ideas: 34% of home break-ins occur through the front door. Experts recommend investing in a door with a top-quality locking mechanism. (The best are those that lock at three points of contact.) 50% of burglars will be deterred if your home has some sort of video monitoring system. A thief doesn’t want his face on YouTube! Unfortunately, signs and window stickers warning of an alarm system do not deter thieves. However, 62% of burglars will immediately run away when an alarm goes off. Always turn on your alarm system when you’re not home! 22% of burglaries occur through a sliding glass door or patio door. Make sure it’s locked and also use ...

Earthquakes are more common and widespread in the U.S. than you might think. But they can happen anywhere in the world too! Don’t get caught without the basic supplies you need in the wake of a quake! According to a recent U.S. Geological Survey, 143 million Americans live in earthquake-prone zones. While California still tops the list for earthquake possibilities, there’s growing evidence to suggest areas throughout the east and midwest are susceptible to a seismic shockwave disaster.  The key to surviving in the wake of a quake is disaster preparedness. Topping that list? Your family’s earthquake kit. Below is a checklist of the essentials you’ll need to survive until normal services are restored. Experts advise you need at least three days of supplies, though a better plan is to pack enough for one week. It’s also a good idea to refresh your kit each year. Here’s what you’ll need to have in waterproof containers, close at hand: Water: One gallon of water per pe...

Determining if you should buy a new home or fix up your current one isn’t easy. In fact, the decision can be steeped in so much drama they make reality TV shows about it! So if you’re considering whether to move or improve, here are three things to consider. 1. Will a renovation truly fix what you don’t like about your property? If you’re tired of a small kitchen, for example, it might not be possible, given the layout, to make it any bigger. On the other hand, if you’re craving a spacious rec room with a cosy fireplace then a renovation could make that happen. Of course, there are some things you may want that aren’t specific to your house, such as an easier commute or nearby park. Those are features you may only be able to get by moving. 2. How much will a renovation cost? How does that compare to the cost of moving to a new home? It’s important to get accurate estimates of each so you can make a smart decision. This is where a good REALTOR ® can help. ...

Downsizing? Relocating? Maybe you just feel a little overwhelmed by all the stuff you’ve accumulated over the years. If so, here are some “rightsizing” tips you can use. “Where will we put all of our stuff?”  This is one of the foremost questions on homeowners’ minds when they’re making a move. Whether it’s a relocation from a suburban to a city environment, or downsizing for a more comfortable retirement, “stuff” can cast a big shadow.  To lighten the burden before the big day, it can be helpful to “rightsize” for your move far in advance.  Not only will rightsizing save you time, money, and energy as you transition to a new home, it can also help you learn how to evaluate what you really need versus what you’ve been hanging onto for no good reason.  If you’ve compared your current floor plan to your new one, you’ve probably already made the determination that some things must go. But how do you winnow the pile?  Here’s a set of criter...

There are few things more beautiful than cut flowers in a vase. They instantly brighten any room. That is, of course, until they wilt and die. So how do you make cut flowers last as long as possible? Here are some ideas: Cut the bottom of the stems before you put the flowers in the vase. An angled cut is best as this will enable the flower to draw in more water. Add a fertilizer to the water. Most flower shops include a pouch with the order. Follow the directions carefully. Don’t use too much. Make sure the vase is high enough to support the flowers. Too much strain on the stems will cause the flowers to die sooner. After a couple of days, re-snip the stems. This will add an additional day or two to the life of the flowers. Flowers last longer if you put them in the fridge (in water) overnight. That’s why florists store cut flowers in cool rooms. Finally, watch the water level and top off as required. ...