Chance Gates' Blog » Shopping

The Old Farmers Almanac’s Free Valentine’s Day E-Card

Chance Gates — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:22:32 +0000

www.almanac.com

To send free e-cards to friends and family, just click on an image.

Got a favorite photo you would like to share? Submit your own photo.

The photos contained within the Photo Gallery and e-card system are the property of Yankee Publishing Inc. and/or the photographer. No reproduction is permitted or assumed without first obtaining proper permission from the copyright holder.

Mark your favorite properties and get instant updates price changes, new pictures and status changes.

As a Reno/Sparks Nevada real estate professional and property manager, I encourage all questions and comments on the Reno/Sparks real estate market or any of the articles posted in this blog. Please feel free to use my back door to the MLS and search the houses available in the Reno/Sparks and most Northwest Nevada neighborhoods. I can be reached by email @ chance@ballard-company.com http://www.myspace.com/chancegates . You can also follow me at http://www.twitter.com/chancegates . To checkout some of my property manager services goto http://chancegates.com/property-management-services/

If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable

If the modification fails, contact your local real estate professional to help short sale your home. To make sure there is no deficiency judgment a homeowner might find it necessary to hire an attorney.

From the Old Farmers Almamac: Gardening Jobs for January

Chance Gates — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:48:00 +0000

www.almanac.com

Use this month to check your houseplants: divide and re-pot any pot-bound plants. Prune judiciously to create a compact, attractive specimen.

Keep holiday poinsettias in a sunny, cool location with high humidity.

If you have succulents such as jade, hoya, and sansevieria, they may be reluctant to bloom in the house. Grow them in a small pot and hold back the water. This may persuade them to flower.

Remove aphids from houseplants with a mixture of equal parts rubbing alcohol and water and add a drop of dishwashing detergent. Apply this to troubled plants with a soft brush.

Open the doors and windows when temperatures permit to give your house a change of air. This will benefit you and your houseplants.

Provide extra protection to houseplants on window sills if it is very cold. Place cardboard between the plants and the glass. Be sure the plants don’t touch the windowpanes.

Sponge off your plants or give them a good shower to remove the dust.

Force a winter bouquet from cut branches of forsythia, pussy willow, deutzia, wisteria, lilac, apple, peach, or pear. Bruise the cut ends and set them in water. Spray the branches frequently. Keep them in a cool place until they bloom, then move to a warmer area for display.

Check any bulbs and tubers you may have stored to determine if moisture is okay. Repack bulbs that seem too damp, discarding any moldy ones. If bulbs seem too dry, try moving them to another location.

Start a garden record book now, allowing space to record the dates of first and last frosts, sowing seeds, planting, transplanting, time of bloom, first fruits, fertilizing, problems with pests, and other information. Over a period of years, this will be an invaluable record.

Make a careful study this month of three important garden subjects: fertilizers, spraying, and best seed varieties.

Check with your county extension agent to find out whether your particular area really fits into the temperature range suggested by its garden zone. Though seed companies provide information about which zones are best for growing different varieties of plants, keep in mind that considerable variation may take place within each zone.

Plan your garden and make a diagram drawn to scale before placing your spring order.

Remember this rule of thumb for planning perennial gardens: The width of the garden should be about twice the height of the tallest plant growing in it.

Review your gardening chemicals and check for deteriorating containers. Consult local authorities for acceptable ways of disposing of chemicals you no longer use.

Organize, clean, oil, and sharpen garden tools. A splash of bright paint on tool handles will make them easier to spot out in the yard.

Examine your land in the stark winter days, looking for places where an evergreen might go nicely.

Visit a greenhouse or nursery near you and talk with the experts about your growing problems. Ask them about shrub varieties best for your conditions.

Remember to supply fresh water for the birds. Nuthatches, chickadees, cardinals, and juncos will enjoy any bread scraps you may have.

Gently shake or brush off snow-weighted branches that have no support. Heavy snow cover protects evergreen foliage from windburn, but too much weight will break branches.

Prune fruit trees now. The prunes can be gathered up into bundles to be used for kindling after they’ve dried.

Neatly trim any shrubs and hedges broken by snow. Finish all pruning of trees before the sap starts.

Examine willow and poplar trees for borers. Prune out any infested branches.

Repair all fences, arbors, and garden furniture before the real work of spring begins. In the south, prune early-flowering shrubs when they finish blooming.

Check roof edges for ice buildup, especially those areas you don’t see on a daily basis. Remember that shingles will be brittle now, so be careful if chipping is necessary.

Avoid walking over the same areas of your frozen lawn or you may find bald spots in the spring.

Plant lettuce in flats this month and harvest before it’s time to start some of the later seedlings. Artificial light may be required, but the air should not be too hot.

Start some annual flowers this month. Good picks include marigolds, sweet peas, stattice, impatiens, petunias, and snapdragons.

Choose some perennials to start now from seed. Delphinium, Shasta daisy, carnation, digitalis, and armeria are good choices.

Start geranium, begonia, vinca, and viola seeds now for spring and summer bloom. Begonia and vinca seeds are among the hardest to germinate, so don’t be discouraged if your success rate is low or irregular.

Avoid heavy traffic on your dormant lawn; dry grass is easily broken and damaged.

Remember to prune your houseplants regularly. Pinch back new growth to encourage bushier plants.

Group houseplants to increase humidity. Keep away from frosty windowsills.

Order seed catalogs early in the month. Research plants. Consider edible varieties that are drought-tolerant or disease-resistant.

Brush off heavy snow from your plants and trees.

Don’t forget winter birds! Put out water, seeds, and suet.

Remove any branches that have been damaged by ice or snow.

Check your fruit trees for any evidence of rodents; use traps where necessary.

If you use salt on your walkways or driveways, spread it carefully to avoid damaging any of your plants. Sand or sawdust is also a good alternative to salt.

Check your garden equipment. Repair and sharpen tools. Service equipment.

Start ordering seeds. Do not wait until late in the winter, as varieties may sell out early.

Start preparing your garden soil for spring planting. You can also prepare new soil for flower, rose, or shrub beds. Mix in organic material to give plants a healthy start.

Plant cool-weather vegetable seeds such as beets, carrots, chard, lettuce, leeks, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach, and turnips.

Plant transplants such as artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, and lettuce.

Water lawns and gardens deeply once to twice a week, depending on the amount of rain. Don’t overwater!

Prune roses and fruit trees to allow more room for healthier growth.

Transplant bare root roses.

Fertilize winter lawns and your plants. Be sure not to over-fertilize as this could lead to rapid plant growth, which makes plants vulnerable to fungal diseases.

Fertilize your houseplants with a water-soluble fertilizer, and remember to water them. Be sure not to over-water as that can lead to plant diseases.

Control the weeds in your garden while they are young and tender, or before they sprout. Remove weeds before they seed, so you can avoid them in your garden.

If there is a possibility that the temperature will drop to the 20s, you should protect your plants from frost damage.

Test your lawn and garden soil for its pH levels. If your soil is too acidic, you have time to fix it before the growing season arrives.

Mark your favorite properties and get instant updates price changes, new pictures and status changes.

If you are behind on your house payment and looking for a loan modification, go to making homes affordable

From the Old Farmers Almanac: Uses for an Old Toothbrush

Chance Gates — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:05:47 +0000

http://www.almanac.com

Before throwing the old toothbrush out, take a look at what it can do to improve the small things inside your home.

If you have concerns about using the toothbrush for culinary or cosmetic purposes, boil it with water in a pot for 3 to 4 minutes.

List of Items to Clean With a Toothbrush:

Use with an abrasive cleaner to scrub around drains and faucets, grates, vents, grills, and between bathroom tiles.
Cleaning jewelry and silverware
Cleaning between the teeth of a chainsaw
Applying pipe sealant in hard to reach places
“Brushing the corn’s teeth.” Brushing away bits of silk that cling to the ears of fresh corn after husking.
Cleaning fish
Cleaning off mud and other debris from the soles of shoes
De-greasing bicycle parts
Sweeping crumbs away from a keyboard
Scrubbing small stains off of carpets or upholstery
Applying glue to grooves and joints
Personal grooming such as, brushing brows and lashes, teasing and curling small sections of hair, fixing mustaches, sideburns, and beards.

Tips:

To clean a vent that is removable, soak it in a strongly alkaline cleaner and solvent, then scrub using a stiff toothbrush to get into cracks and crevices. If it is not removable, dip the brush in a strong alkaline cleaner and scrub.
To clean gold jewelry, fill a small container with dishwashing liquid and 1 teaspoon of ammonia. Soak the jewelry in this strong solution for a few minutes, then clean with an old toothbrush. Rinse and pat dry.
To clean the filter on your washing machine, first use an old toothbrush to remove any lint. Soak the filter in vinegar overnight, then rinse it with water.

What do you clean with an old toothbrush?

9-11 Remembrance

Chance Gates — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:13:45 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

This Sunday REALTY WORLD Ballard Co is giving away FREE American Flags to honor those who lost theirs lives on this historic date. So if you would like a flag to show your love for this country and your patriotism stop by remembrance

145 Brinkby
Reno NV 89509
10am – 2pm or supplies last

What were you doing when your first heard the news? What was your reaction?

Preparing a House to Sell Part 6

Chance Gates — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:20:28 +0000

Make the Bathroom Sparkle

: Image via Wikipedia

Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is the room that gets the most scrutiny. Some inexpensive designer tricks can make your bathroom look like a million dollars.

Here are some tips especially for the bathroom:

Always empty bathroom trash cans before showings. Also, put the
trash can under the vanity to clear floor space – you want the bathroom to appear as big as possible.
A new shower curtain is a great investment – very little money for a big impact.

Things like toilet cleaners, plungers, and hampers add clutter; put them away while you’re selling your house.
Keep all reading material out of sight in the bathroom.
Place personal items (such as hairdryers, makeup kits, and hairbrushes) in cupboards or drawers.
Hang matching new towels; go for the best-looking towels you can. Like shower curtains, they add a nice impact.
Remove everything from the countertop, except pretty soap sets, candles or fresh flowers.
Check the faucets for leaks, drips or disrepair. Repair or buy new faucets if they are leaky or worn out.
New silicone beading can do wonders for your shower, tub and sink area…especially if the caulking is stained or cracking.
Shine your faucets and knobs and use cleaner to prevent water spots.

Keep your shower and tub area spotless. Buyers will often look behind the curtain, so make sure the area looks as good as it can. Keep shampoos and soaps to a minimum.
Scrub tiles and bleach the grout so it all sparkles.
Replace or paint the vanity if it shows excessive wear and tear. Replacing knobs can give an updated look to an older vanity.

Preparing A House For Sale Part 4

Chance Gates — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:31:37 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Making the Most of Your
Kitchen and Dining Room

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s the most highly valued room by buyers, so you want to make it show its best.

Here are some tips to create a captivating kitchen:

You can cut down on visual clutter by removing items you normally store on the counter. This will help your kitchen look more spacious.
Your eat-in kitchen should have a table and chairs in it. Buyers like to see an eat-in kitchen, but often don’t have the vision to see it as such without the furniture.

Remove window screens in the kitchen. Screens take away from allowing natural light inside. Plus, no one will notice they are missing.

It’s a good idea to keep some toll-house cookie dough on hand, and bake up a few cookies just before a showing…but don’t overdo it J.
Keep the exotic spices and fish to a minimum when cooking the night before a showing. Work towards achieving a “clean” smell.
Thoroughly clean all your appliances and cupboards, including the inside of your oven and microwave.
Set the dinner table with your best china to stimulate your buyers’ imagination of the dinner parties they’ll host.
Many buyers will look inside your cabinets, so make sure the inside is organized and clean. Also store non-essential items elsewhere to make the cabinets look more spacious.
Clean as much as possible off the countertops. Items such as the coffeemaker, toasters, can openers, salt and pepper shakers, recipe boxes, and dish draining rack can be put away.
Make sure that your counter is spotless and shiny.

If you keep fruit or flowers on your counter, be sure they are always fresh.

If your cabinets show wear and tear, you might want to paint them. A simple trick to update the look of your cabinet doors is to replace your current knobs with new ones. It’s much cheaper than getting a new kitchen, and it sure can make a difference.
Shine your faucets and knobs and use spot remover to prevent water spots.
Remove notes, pictures, and coupons from the refrigerator door.
Empty your trash cans. Garbage and recycling bins must be out of sight.

Preparing A House For Sale Part 3

Chance Gates — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:57:59 +0000

Tips for Every Room In the House

: Image via Wikipedia

Give the house a real “once over” cleaning. Clean it from top to bottom. Clean houses have a competitive edge over dirty houses.

Let some air in. Get a fresh breeze going to completely air out the house and get rid of any “stale” odors you may not even notice. Springtime fresh!

Start packing now. Pack up everything you don’t use right now, put it in boxes and store the boxes out of the house if possible.

Think model home. Remove “extra” furniture and accessories. Make it appear spacious, not crowded. That favorite chair may have to go for now.

Clean and deodorize carpets, paying special attention to high-traffic areas and stains that can be removed.

Check all the light fixtures and lamps, replacing burned-out or low-light bulbs with bright white bulbs. Make sure light switches are functional; consider updating them.

If the couch, chairs or loveseat need some updating, try a neutral slip cover and add accent color with some throw pillows.

Check for squeaky doors, and add a little WD-40 to remove the squeaks.

If necessary, paint interior walls. Paint is relatively cheap, and a great return on investment. It doesn’t have to be white, but stay away from the other end of the spectrum. Neutrals are usually best.

Remove any peeled or torn wallpaper and borders.

Check the window coverings to make sure the blinds work properly. Clean them and keep them open to let in as much light as possible.

Remove all valuables and make sure confidential documents are out of sight, and safe.

Weed out the magazine racks and coffee table. Only the most current magazines should be in view.

Make sure the house smells its best at all times. Keep cat boxes clean at all times, and preferably out of the house for showings.

Do some plant and flower triage, removing the ones that aren’t going to make it. Clean the leaves of the healthy ones and make sure they’re watered and looking great.

Let the buyers see their lives in your house…not yours. Store excess family photos, the “wall of fame” and anything that is too much a reflection of YOUR life. We want them to focus on what their life would be like in their new home, not the museum of your life.

Home Staging Tips

Chance Gates — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:53:08 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

RISMEDIA, November 22, 2010—Selling a home in any market can be competitive. It’s essential that sellers follow some simple, yet important tips to help make their home more salable.

A quicker home sale can be reached by keeping in mind the needs of the home’s most likely buyer and creating a fresh inspiring look just for them, according to Pulte Homes expert Janice Jones, national vice president of merchandising.

“Everyone understands the value of de-cluttering, cleaning and refreshing a home in today’s competitive market,” Jones said. “The difference between a ‘For Sale’ and a ‘Sold’ sign often boils down to effectively staging a home to appeal to young singles, families or empty nesters—the three largest customer segments that are likely to buy your home. Home sellers should have a good idea of the type of buyer who will make an offer and, since everyone likes an updated home, some simple refreshes can achieve an updated look and feel.”

Jones recommends conducting a technology overhaul prior to staging your home. “Old technology will date your home and you seldom have a second chance to make a positive first impression,” she said. “Flat screen TVs, laptop computers, iPods with docking stations and wireless technology have eliminated the need for large bulky entertainment centers or massive desks designed to hide wiring. Once you’ve rid your home of bulky, dated stereos and TVs, it’s time to hone in on attracting prospects.”

Here are a few, additional ideas:

For singles, Jones recommends emphasizing sleeping spaces and the living room, which are critical to this group. “Singles will spend a lot of time in the living room and the bedroom, which are their sanctuaries from the outside world. As a result, there is no need to set the dining room table with place settings,” Jones said. “Instead, focus on a simple TV stand with clean lines, a flat screen TV and candles in the bedroom and bathroom.”

Young families tend to revolve around children. Items that help this demographic envision themselves living in the space include age-appropriate bedding, linens and towels, a bright rug near play areas, and strategically placed toy chests with open tops. Since kids often play or watch TV on the floor, eliminate the coffee table to create a living room that appears larger and more inviting. Jones notes to remember about the garage when staging for families. “Organize children’s toys and sports equipment to showcase the garage’s storage capacity without compromising functionality,” she said.

Empty nesters tend to seek an upgrade in quality features. Upgrading bath accessories like towel bars and toilet paper holders or decorative hanging lights to a better quality and newer style will make an impact. If the budget allows, upgrading the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher can draw in a buyer.

Lighting is also a key feature for this group. Jones advises ensuring living spaces maximize natural light. If lighting is less than ideal, add lamps or a ceiling fan with light fixtures. It’s important to open heavy blinds or window coverings when showing the home.

An absolute “must” for home stagers regardless of which demographic is being targeted is color. Most sellers are instructed to use neutral colors when repainting. However, adding the right punch of color to accent walls can create depth, enhance kitchen cabinets, or bring a boring bathroom to life.

Homeowners can find color in simple accessories, like throw pillows, coffee table books, and decorative canisters. Neutral colors in flooring materials, upholstery pieces and window dressing work well because they enhance brighter accents.

When choosing colors, Jones cautions homeowners to be aware of their sensory impact:

- Red is stimulating and encourages self confidence
- Orange promotes happiness and celebration
- Yellow is uplifting and light-hearted
- Blue is calming in softer tones and promotes clarity in deeper tones
- Green is the color of nature—it feels fresh and rejuvenating
- Aqua is restful while pink is gentle and sweet—making a great pair
- Purple tones bring out a sense of compassion

“The key is to experiment and put yourself in the shoes of the prospective home buyer,” Jones said. “It may be helpful to ask a friend or relative for a brutally honest opinion before and after you start staging. You may be surprised how little changes—with a little budget—can make a huge difference to a prospective buyer.”

Preparing Your Home for the Cooler Months

Chance Gates — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:06:58 +0000

By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, October 30, 2010—This year has certainly flown by, and now, with the fall in full swing, it’s a great time to start prepping your home before winter strikes. From water leaks to the chimney, it’s better to be ready for the cold season…before it hits.Here, State Farm offers up some fall maintenance tips for your home:Check all window and door locks for proper operation* Windows that can be opened by breaking the glass and unlocking them, are less effective deterrents to criminals. Check with the hardware store for window lock alternatives.* All exterior doors should have deadbolt locks.Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs
Other safety ideas for stairs:* Tile and painted wood or concrete stairs can be slippery when wet or when a person’s shoes are wet. Resurface the treads with slip-resistant strips near the stair nosing.* All stairs of at least three risers should have a handrail.* Do not store items on the stairs.Have a heating professional check your heating system every year
Woodburning stove connector pipes and chimneys should be inspected by a certified chimney sweep at least annually.Replace your furnace filter
Furnace filters need to be replaced frequently to allow your heating and cooling systems to operate properly.Run all gas-powered lawn equipment until the fuel tank is empty
By doing this, you are removing flammable liquid storage from your garage. At the same time, make sure you aren’t storing dirty, oily rags in a pile. They can ignite spontaneously.Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean the flues and check your fireplace damper
Soot and creosote, which build up inside the chimney, can ignite when a fire is lit in the fireplace.Remove bird nests from chimney flues and outdoor electrical fixtures
Bird nests on top of light fixtures are a fire hazard. Bird nests in chimney flues can prevent a proper venting of combustion gases and can catch fire from sparks. You should exercise great caution when working on your roof or consider hiring a qualified professional to take care of any work that needs to be done.Make sure the caulking around doors and windows is adequate to reduce heat/cooling loss
Check glazing for loose or missing putty or glazing compound. This will also help reduce water damage to the windows and door frames.Make sure that the caulking around your bathroom fixtures is adequate to prevent water from seeping into the sub-flooringCheck for cracked or missing caulk around the base of your toilet, bath tub, and bathroom cabinets. Properly sealing gaps between your bathroom fixtures and flooring material can prevent damage

10 Ways to Make a Small Room Look Larger

Chance Gates — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:22:20 +0000

RISMEDIA, October 25, 2010–Most people have one: that room in the house that they wish was just a little larger. What many don’t realize is that with a little work and some TLC, they could have exactly what they’re looking for.

1. For the illusion of a larger room, use a color scheme that is light rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all color possibilities.

2. Use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select different shades and textures of your single color.

3. Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. A torchiere light is great for bouncing light off of the ceiling and back down on the room.Skylights and solar tubes are natural alternatives for adding light to a room.

4. Limit the number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling.

5. The floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room. A light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet will make the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling—use a light color or white to “open up” the space above.

6. Increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding wall mirrors. They not only reflect images, they reflect light and color. Be a little daring! Use mirror tiles to mirror an entire wall. Your room will appear to double in size.

7. Don’t place too many pieces of furniture in a small space. A love seat may work better than a full-size sofa depending on the size and shape of the room. Add two medium-sized chairs or two small wood chairs. Place the chairs closer to the wall and then pull them into the area when additional seating is needed.

8. Add paintings or prints to the walls. One large painting works better than a group of small paintings.

9. The visual balance of a room is also important. A large, brightly colored element can overwhelm a room and decrease the appearance of space.

10. A glass table, whether it is a dining, coffee or end table, will keep the appearance of an open and free space.