15 Overlooked but Important Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

trulia.com

If you really want to make your home attention-grabbing, it’s time to up your game.

You may think you know the basics when it comes to getting your home ready to sell: remove any clutter or personal effects, fix what’s broken, and stage your rooms. But buyers are a fickle lot, and they can fall in — or out — of love with a home for any number of reasons, some so subtle that the buyers themselves aren’t fully aware of their logic.

If you really want to make your home attention-grabbing for all the right reasons, it’s time to up your game with these outside-the-box tricks:

1. Set the mood (lighting)

Swap out your bright white light bulbs for a soft and flattering wattage that invokes a cozy, yet welcoming feel and hides any tiny imperfections. Opt for bulbs that emit yellow-toned and red-toned hues.

2. Wash your windows

Have your windows professionally washed, or devote an afternoon to washing them yourself from both inside and out. Even on gray days, clean windows will let in more light and make your rooms sparkle — and buyers will definitely notice if it isn’t done.

3. Mind the details

Small details can make your home look dumpy without you even realizing it. Freshen up rooms with new switch plates and outlet covers if yours are grubby from fingerprints or yellowed from aging. Polish handles and hardware and use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove minor spots and scuffs on walls.

4. Make it welcoming

You’ve got the curb appeal, but what about “walking up to the door” appeal? Invest in a new doormat and take the time to scrub down your front door since it’s probably covered with dust, dirt, and oils. Better yet, repaint it and add some new house numbers and a new porch light.

5. Don’t forget your side yard

Turn that dead space into a selling point by creating a potting station or kitchen garden, or even set up breakfast nook with a café table and chairs.

6. Get creative with color

Paint two adjacent rooms the same color to give the appearance of an open floor plan. Paint your walls to match your drapery (or buy drapery to match the walls). Use the same colors and patterns in the master bedroom and bath to create an “ en suite” feel.

7. Update your own furniture

Empty rooms show poorly. “Stage” a spare bedroom with an air mattress and bed frame. Create a living room arrangement by throwing matching slipcovers over clashing chairs and sofas.

8. Brighten up trim

Walls aren’t the only things that need a fresh coat of paint. Dingy door and window frames will drag down the prettiest of rooms. Repainting wood-toned trim white will also make your space brighter.

9. Employ scents

The old tried and true: bake a fresh batch of cookies to create a homey feel (or fake it with a scented candle). Employ soothing, spa-like scents like vanilla and lavender in bathrooms and bedrooms.

10. Make your space look bigger

Hang floor-length curtains above your windows to give the illusion of higher ceilings. Lay down a striped rug to make your floor seem more expansive. Use a clear shower curtain to open up a small bathroom.

11. Fake a closet organization system

Make your storage look custom with DIY shelves, hangers, and bins. Organize clothes by type and color for added impact.

12. Dress up your laundry area

Whether it’s a separate room or a corner of your basement, make your laundry area look welcoming by adding a folding surface, bins, and baskets for storage, and a designer element like a fun rug or temporary wallpaper.

13. Tidy up the garage

Install overhead or wall shelves to store bikes and sporting equipment. Create a workshop area in one corner — show buyers it’s more than just a place to park cars.

14. Prepare for snoopers

Buyers will open your fridge, peek in your medicine cabinet, and check under your sinks. Make these areas so tidy Martha Stewart would be proud.

15. Don’t knock feng shui

Many of its teachings can help make your rooms more attractive: avoid having the backs of furniture facing entryways, close the toilet lid, and don’t place anchor pieces like beds or sofas against a window.

- See more at: http://www.trulia.com/blog/15-overlooked-important-ways-get-home-ready-sell/#sthash.BbZXaZDu.dpuf

12 Hacks to Make Your For-Sale Home Look and Smell Pet-Free

trulia.com

Do you refer to your pet as one of your children, without irony? Me, too. This unconditional love is not a sentiment all who visit my home share, particularly if they stand up from my couch and discover their once-black pants are now covered in beautiful (and trendy!) tan-and-brown ombré doggie fur.

If you’re putting your home on the market, owning a dog or cat could deter buyers or reduce offer amounts. There’s no amount of money that could persuade me to banish my mutt while I entertain guests this holiday season — or put my home on the market and show it — so I’m happy to use these easy tricks and tips to help take care of pet odors, messes, and damage.

“I know you weren’t just planning on vacuuming during my nap.”

(Image via Sabrina Rojas Weiss)

1. Rubber Glove Treatment

Rub a damp rubber glove over furniture, and static electricity will help remove fur quite easily. (Tip via Real Simple)

2. Duct Tape Solves Everything

I could use about 15 lint rollers to pick up fur from my couch or car seats, or I could go heavy duty and wrap duct tape, sticky side up, around a paint roller for a stronger version of the same concept. (Tip via Family Handyman)

3. Squeegee Power

Sometimes vacuuming is no match for the fur buried deep down in the living room rug. Amazingly, a window squeegee can do the trick instead. (Tip via Lifehacker)

4. Better Bitter

To stop dogs and cats from chewing on furniture or — zzzzt! — power cords, you can purchase Bitter Apple spray, or make your own by mixing white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar.

5. Stick ‘Em Up

This special double-stick tape will annoy cats enough to make them avoid using your furniture as a scratch pad. (We imagine regular double-stick tape would do the trick, too.)

6. Leave the Mud Outside

I’ve always kept Wet Wipes in my entryway, to wipe the dog’s paws when we come in from a muddy day. This Paw Plunger looks even more effective (and kinda fun to use).

7. Smell Check

Before you sell your home or have special guests over, you might want to invite over a close, exceptionally honest friend who can tell you if your home smells like wet dog or a very well-decorated litter box. You need the friend, because it won’t smell bad to you at all anymore.

“I just improved your priceless hand-woven rug. You’re welcome.”

 (Image via Meredith Leigh Collins/Flickr)

8. Clean Those Rugs, and Clean Them Again

Like your mom always told you, baking soda does wonders for odors. Sprinkle it on any urine stains on rugs. You also can use a black light to find old stains you never knew about or thought you’d taken care of. (Tip via Care2 and Petslady)

9. Litter on the Bar-B

Add a sprinkle of activated charcoal to the litter box to absorb smells. (Tip via ehow)

10. Clean Ears = Happy Noses

If your dog is prone to stinky ears, clean them regularly with a solution of vinegar and alcohol. This will do wonders for the smell of the whole house, too. (Tip via ehow)

11. Trunk No-Show

The Internet is flooded with instructions on how to customize old trunks, new Ikea storage units, and built-in cabinets into excellent litter box and dog crate camouflage.

12. Play Date

When in doubt of your pets’ behavior or your visitors’/buyers’ preferences, consider asking a friend or neighbor to have the “kids” over to play for a little while. If you’re selling your home, make sure you also put away pet toys and pet photos. You shouldn’t lie to potential buyers about furry creatures living there, but you don’t want any unnecessary reminders around either. (Tip via About.com)


- See more at: http://www.trulia.com/blog/12-hacks-make-your-for-sale-home-look-smell-pet-free/#sthash.ntOfCEdX.dpuf

El Verde Camacho Re-Certified as Conservation Area

by Maureen Dietrich

28 Jun 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Playa El Verde Camacho was re-certified as a conservation area for another two years at the National meeting for Clean Beaches held in Puerto Vallarta last week.

The certification has opened doors to ecotourism along the six kilometer beach for companies offering bird watching, kayaking, fishing and bicycle trips, said the Sinaloa Secretary of Tourism.

The Secretary said in a press release he invited representatives of local tour companies to spend a day at the conservation area with a view to including the beach in their travel and tour packages. Enjoying the day at El Verde Camacho were representatives of Sinaloa Adventures, Playa Sol Tours, Alfas Tours, Vista Tours, Transportes Turísticos King and Pronatours. (from Noroeste)

18 Cheap Ways to Improve Curb Appeal When You're Selling a House

parade.condenast.com

MARCH 26, 2014

By LEAH INGRAM 

(iStock)

When you’re selling a house, you don’t want potential buyers to drive by and keep on going. But if your home doesn’t have curb appeal—if it doesn’t look so great on the outside that people have to stop and take a look—that’s exactly what’s going to happen.

“A home’s curb appeal is always critical, since it’s the first impression for potential buyers,” says National Association of Realtors President Steve Brown, co-owner of Irongate, Inc., Realtors in Dayton, Ohio. “That’s why exterior replacement projects offer the greatest bang for the buck. Projects such as entry door, siding, and window replacements can recoup homeowners more than 78 percent of costs upon resale.”

But don’t freak out and exclaim, “I can’t afford to replace my windows and siding.” Oftentimes improving curb appeal can mean just doing a few small projects that can have a large impact. Many don’t cost a lot of money.

I spoke with three real estate professionals for their suggestions on how to improve your home’s curb appeal on the cheap. Here are their tips.

• Wash the windows.
• Evaluate foundation plantings, and trim back or replace as needed.
• Update the light fixture at the front door.
• Repair or install a new mailbox.
• Replace window treatments inside the house if necessary. “Take a look at the window treatments in the rooms on the front of the house,” suggests DeeDee Bowman, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Hearthside in Lahaska, PA. “How do they appear from the street or front walk? Update or eliminate if needed.”
• Repair the front walk if it is cracked or heaved.
• Remove dead tree and shrub branches.
• Mow the lawn.
• Power wash your house. Before you hire a professional for this service, check out the Windex Outdoor Multisurface Cleaner, which attaches to a garden hose. I used this product when I was selling my old house, and it cleaned up our vinyl siding and windows so easily.
• Clean the entryway, front lights, and walkway of cobwebs, tree debris, dust, dirt, etc.
• Add colorful, potted plants along your walkway or entryway. “You can often find smaller plants on sale at hardware stores, flower markets, or gardening and home improvement stores,” suggests Romunda Craft, a Realtor with Century 21 Imperial Realty in Daly City, CA. “Another alternative—small succulents planted together in larger containers.”
• Paint your front door. “Doors leave a first impression as you enter the home,” says Inez Tomonelli, a Realtor with Lyon Real Estate in Roseville, CA. “Be sure that it is clean, or even add a fresh coat of paint or new stain.”
• Clean and sweep the driveway.
• Store all yard equipment, including children’s toys.
• Find somewhere else to park any extra cars, boats, trailers, or RVs.
• Do not use the porch for storage.
• Clean up after your pets.
• Store garbage cans where they are not visible from the street.

Curb appeal is the difference that sells nearly half of all houses on the market, so says the National Association of Realtors. If you’re getting ready to sell yours, investing some time and a little bit of money in improving your home’s curb appeal seems like a no-brainer.

Mexico City may help China to beat pollution

Monday, 24 March 2014 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 thenews.com.mx

BY HORTENSIA GUTIÉRRREZ B.

The News

MEXICO CITY – The Mexico City government said it may be able to help China lower its disastrous air pollution levels.

Mexico City Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera met with Chinese Ambassador Qiu Xiaoqi on Sunday to discuss economic development, tourism promotion, urban mobility and environmental policy on Sunday.

During the meeting, Mancera said that the Mexico City government has environmental policies in place that have successfully improved the city’s air quality following the 1992 studies that declared it to be the most polluted in the world, offering to cooperate in a study on how to best adopt them to China’s urban centers.

Qui said that his government is in turn willing to share the strategies used in China to expand public transportation infrastructure with the Mexico City authorities, allowing them to make progress in implementing high-speed mobility systems.

He also proposed creating programs to promote Chinese tourism in Mexico City, explaining that only a small percentage of Chinese visitors to Mexico travel to the country’s capital city.

Mancera said that he recognized the contributions of the Chinese community to life in Mexico City, adding that he is currently working on a project to improve Chinatown, located near the historic downtown district.

Qui said that he recognized the challenges faced by Mancera in governing a city as complex as Mexico City.

Salitre: a form of masonry cancer?

mexconnect.com 
J. Brad Grieve

Salitre is the Spanish term commonly used for masonry “efflorescence.” Salitre is the white powdery stain that forms on the surface of bricks and concrete and can cause the stucco or paint on a wall or tiles on the floor to lift off. It is a common issue for many homes here at Lake Chapala that are made of bricks, mortar and concrete (masonry elements), which irritates some homeowners while others simply tolerate and maintain it. In extreme cases the cause of salitre can lead to structural problems since the water has effectively washed out the key chemicals that provide the strength in the mortar or bricks themselves or cause oxidation of the reinforcing steel however, in these rare cases the water exposure has been excessive and/or over a long period of time. Typically, the efflorescence problem is more cosmetic rather than destructive.

To understand the problem of efflorescence, lets discuss the science of what is happening. Water in the masonry element (mortar, brick or concrete) dissolves the salts (dissolvable minerals) present in the mixture and transports them to the surface where the water is evaporated and the salts are left behind. Two key elements need to be present for the efflorescence to appear: dissolvable calcium salts and water.

The salts in bricks, mortar and concrete are present in varying degrees however, these salts are more common in construction in Mexico since albañiles (bricklayers) like to use “ cal” (Lime: Calcium Oxide), which works as a plasticiizer to increase the workability of the mortar and the ultimate hardness of the mortar. The “Cal” does provide some benefits for the bricklayer and the final product, however this is the primary source of salts that cause efflorescence.

The second element that causes efflorescence is water. The water can be from many sources including leaking pipes, garden over spray but primarily is from ground water and rainwater. Small leaks in the roof will infiltrate the roof structure to ultimately cause the efflorescence on the interior ceiling. Moisture from below grade will be drawn up from below by capillary action commonly called “wicking.” The wicking action is supported by the evaporation at the surface of the wall or floor.

It sounds simple -- all we have to eliminate is the water and/or the amount of salts in the masonry materials and we have solved our salitre problems. It is difficult to eliminate all the salts available in the all the masonry materials, therefore the problem is to address the source of water. However, this can be difficult, of course, since all of our homes are exposed to the natural environment, which includes rain, and our homes are built on the ground where moisture naturally occurs. So care needs to be taken to determine the correct location and source of water that is causing the efflorescence to minimize and hopefully eliminate this root cause of the problem.

Some sources of water have been leaks in the roof, however investigation should be done to identify the correct source, which could be multiple. On inclined roofs the efflorescence stain may occur downhill from the source of the leak on the roof and not directly above the stain. Salitre on walls may be caused by rain on the exposed exterior of the wall or from a leak on the roof or parapet that finds a route to percolate down the wall to a point where it can escape and evaporate. However, the water may be wicking up the wall from a source below the floor such as a leaking pipe or aljibe, or simply the floor slab has direct contact with the soil below. Various solutions to minimize or eliminate the water source include metal flashing, waterproofing the surface with a impermeable paint material or simple providing adequate drainage to keep the water away and prevent it from contacting the masonry material.

Whenever cleaning an efflorescence stain, a mild acid solution should be used. First wash the affected area with water and then scrub the area with the mild acid solution. A final washing with water will help neutralize any latent acid that is still on the masonry surface. Allow the area to dry and wait before painting to assure that the efflorescence does not return. It is also recommended to paint an alkyd primer to better adhere to the surface and resist peeling off again.

Annual home maintenance in Mexico

mexconnect.com 
J. Brad Grieve

Mexican homes have unique maintenance requirements
© Christina Stobbs, 2010

Spring has arrived! Easter is just over and it is time to think maintenance on your home. What annual maintenance issues have you been putting off that you should be reviewing, repairing or replacing?

Water purification systems

Home water purification systems tend to get ignored until one day you notice the Ultraviolet (UV) light bulb is not burning. Actually, the UV bulb should be changed annually and you should not wait until the bulb burns out. Just like a florescent tube/bulb, the UV bulb, will diminish in capacity over time. And diminished capacity means that it will produce less UV radiation and hence loose its ability to kill pathogens in the water it is supposed to purify. Hospitals that use UV radiation to purify air in ventilation ducts for surgery rooms change the bulbs once a year, at minimum. This is why it we recommend you change the bulbs once a year.

Roof sealants

Some people recommend that you seal your roof once a year. In reality, this seems like overkill since some roofing products are "guaranteed" for more than one year and up to 10 years. If a roof sealant (typically, a painted-on product) is applied correctly (to a clean and prepared roof surface), it should last longer than just one year, as some people believe. However, what needs to be done annually is that the roof drains should be reviewed. They should be cleared of any debris to prevent the drains from being blocked, causing puddles of water to be trapped on the roof surface. If possible, roof drains should be inspected prior to and during the rainy season to assure that any debris such as tree leaves, garbage, etc. is not at or in the drains. Ideally, rain water should be able to drain off of any roof freely and quickly; why would we want the rain to hang around and find a way into and through the roof structure?

Secondly, during the annual review of the roof (prior to the rainy season) the roof should be reviewed to assure the roof sealant is intact and not damaged or perforated in any way. The whole perimeter of the roof — including the parapets, bases of chimney(s), interconnections between sloped roofs and vertical walls, brick domes (i.e. pañuelos, cupolas, barrel vaults, etc) need to be reviewed and to make sure no cracks have formed that could become points of penetration for rainwater.

If the sealant damage and cracks are isolated, and are not part of an overall pattern of poor roof maintenance, selected patches could be applied to help the roof survive another rainy season. If you are not sure, ask for professional help.

Water supply

Another annual event for a house is to check your water supply. Some homes have underground water cisterns (aljibes) and/or roof tanks (tinacos). These storage elements need to be kept clean as part of a healthy water supply system. Sand or dirt can enter through the supply water from the street and settle into the aljibe or the tinaco (if connected directly to the street water supply). These can also be a place where algae, mold or fungus can form, especially if water is allowed to remain stagnant over a period of time.

Another danger with aljbes is that element that the roots of plants or trees can grow into them. If left unattended, these roots can cause structural damage to the cistern. In roof tanks, I have witnessed dead animals, wasps or other insect nests, depending on the quality of lid or cover on the rooftop water tank. At minimum, an annual review of these two water storage elements will assure they are clean and in good working order.

It's the little things

Remember to check the windows, doors, locks, cabinetry and shelves in your home. It is usually worth the simple process of checking hardware on cabinets, doors, windows to lubricate the hinges and mechanisms with a little WD-40 or other lubricant spray. The same is applicable to your locks to assure another year of use without incidence. Also, use a screwdriver to tighten any loose screws you discover before they work themselves to a point of damaging the frame holding the window or door.

To conclude — these annual maintenance tasks will help you avoid future problems, and I think it is safe to say that everybody has a screw loose… somewhere in the house.

Will mold be a problem in Mexican real estate?

J. Brad Grieve

mexconnect.com

When you rent or purchase Mexico real estate, you'll find that construction techniques as well as climate are probably very different from what you are accustomed to. Will you struggle with mold in your Mexican home?

Perhaps.

While some molds like penicillin, huitlacoche and penicillium — which transforms sheep's milk into roquefort cheese — can be good, black mold is toxic. Is black mold a potential problem in the Mexican house?

Black mold can have a green-black appearance, which gives it its name. Itbelongs to the genus Stachybotrys; Stachybotrys chartarum is also known as Stachybotrys atra. Because it can produce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and mycotoxins that can be breathed in or ingested, it can cause allergic reactions, ill health and — in some cases — death for people with weakened immune systems.

There is scientific discussion about exposure occurs and the exposure rate of this mold. It can be problematic in enclosed spaces where no ventilation with outdoor air takes place, such as inside airplanes and winter homes.

Many molds can produce mycotoxins and VOCs, but let's take a look at why and how molds are formed.
Molds have been described as nature's garbage disposal and are part of the process of decomposing or degradation of organic materials everywhere. In general, mold spores can travel through the air and land on a surface and, if food is available, these will start to grow under certain conditions. Literally, this is how penicillin was discovered as it landed on the culture plate of Sir Alexander Fleming.

Mold typically cannot grow in strong sunlight, since the sun's ultraviolet rays will kill it. This is why we tend to find mold in dark areas. But it also needs moisture. If the conditions are too dry, the mold cannot grow.

However, if there is a minimum of approximately 55% relative humidity in the environment, most molds will thrive. This is seen all along Mexico's coastal areas.

At higher altitudes, especially to the East of the Sierra Madre Occidental, the climate is relatively cool and dry. Even so, molds can survive here in Mexico. How?

Small dark spaces unreached by sunlight that are moist can harbor molds. A leaky water pipe or drain, or even an overly zealous gardener watering the plants can contribute to this formation of moisture. Mold will take advantage of these special environmental conditions and flourish.

The interior of under-sink cabinets are a common place for mold to grow. Moisture, darkness and a lack of ventilation make this a paradise for molds. Here, potential sources of moisture are dripping faucets, leaking drains and even leakage around the base of the sinks and faucet sets. Various food sources for the mold can be the wood in the cabinet itself, cellulose in labels and common house dust — a variety of organic sources.

The mold may not be directly under the sink but under the wooden floor or base of the cabinet, behind the rear wall of the cabinet or in the adjacent cabinet units. This is primarily due to the humidity in these various areas is ideal for the mold to grow. If the relatively humidity in these areas decreases, the mold cannot grow and will not thrive.

Therefore the chain of items needed for mold to grow includes the availability of mold spores, darkness, food and humidity. If one of these is not present, the mold cannot grow. Because it is difficult to control the first three links in the chain, the key condition is humidity. If we can keep your home dry, mold should not become a problem.

But how do we control the humidity?

The obvious solution is to control the source of the water. Repairing leaks, limiting the wetting of walls and fixing roof leaks are examples of maintenance work that helps keep your home dry and prevent mold.
Sealing walls — both interior and exterior — will help reduce transmission of moisture through walls.

Keeping furniture and cabinets away from the wall or floor surfaces, will limit the moisture trapped in the small space between them. For instance, if the lower cabinets do not have backing boards or boards along the bottom of the cabinet, moisture that could transmit through cannot be trapped in these small non-ventilated areas in, behind and below the cabinet. Of course, ventilation is important since this helps evaporate moisture and remove it. If we ventilate closed spaces, the relative humidity remains low.

If you perceive that musty smell associated with mildew or mold, it is likely nearby and hiding somewhere where the conditions are agreeable. Search for it, let it dry out and clean it up with bleach. If necessary, remove the material that is affected.

This will protect your Mexico real estate and can help safeguard your health as well.