Pool cleaning tips you need to know [Video]

With summer in full swing, you must pay extra attention to you pool, as homebuyers will no doubt give it the once over as they pass through. To get ready for this scrutiny, you should probably refresh your water. Need some pool cleaning guidance? No problem.

First, begin with the basics. Skim the surface of the water to remove any floating debris and empty your built-in skimmer baskets. Then, grab your pool vacuum and clean up the pool floor – you want to move across the bottom in even, parallel strokes. Finish off the cleaning stage by scrubbing off any algae.

Next, check your pool chemicals. Find a pH testing strip to measure the water – you’re looking for a reading between 7.4 and 7.6. If your water is under 7.4, you will need to add soda ash to bump it up to a safe level. Are you seeing a pH above 7.6? Mix in some muriatic acid to bring it down.

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Planning to sell your home this summer? Your deck is definitely going to get some extra attention. To prepare, do some summertime deck maintenance so your outdoor relaxation area can withstand the literal and metaphorical heat.

Start off the process by addressing any grime. If potted plants take up a portion of your deck space, move them and clean up the wet soil that lies beneath. Then, find your plants a new home to prevent future buildup. Additionally, take care of anything that might lead to messy situations in the future. For instance, the grease that flies off food during backyard barbecues can stain deck surfaces, so attach a grease catcher to your grill or relocate it altogether.

Once you’ve tidied up, move onto protective measures. Make sure your deck is sealed against the elements and destructive organisms. Apply water repellent to keep moisture from penetrating your planks and slap on some wood preservative to address possible insect activity.

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Lead paint is a serious safety hazard and can cause major health problems, including lead poisoning. If your home is coated in the toxic mixture, you should remove it as quickly as possible.

Though there are many methods for dealing with lead paint, removal is the most effective option. To begin, gather the proper materials. You’ll need protective gear, such as a disposable respirator, goggles and gloves. Next, pick up plastic wrap and tape to protect surfaces and prevent toxic paint chips from drifting into crevices. Additionally, before you begin, move out all of your furniture and personal items.

Wet sanding is the best method for removing lead paint. For this, you’ll also need a sander and a spray bottle filled with water.

Start the removal process by applying a coat of water to the wall and sanding slowly to prevent large clouds of paint dust from forming. Once you’ve stripped the surface, perform a thorough clean up and roll on a new coat of lead-free paint.

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Hello again! Welcome to the third installment of Staging Strategies. Today, we’re talking staging tips for the kitchen.

Most house hunters focus on cabinets as they tour the kitchen. If you’re working with immaculate cabinetry, this is great. However, chances are your cabinets are thoroughly worn after years of use. Luckily, there’s a simple, cost-effective alternative to replacing them. Contact your cabinet manufacturer and order new door and drawer fronts. This will make your kitchen storage look new and impress potential buyers.

After you’ve switched out your cabinet fronts and done some kitchen cleaning, spotlight the space with new lighting. If you want to get ambitious, introduce some more fixtures. Of course, you could go the cheaper route by replacing your current bulbs with brighter models. Interior designers normally advise homeowners to provide 100-watts per 50-square-foot section.

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Hi! Welcome to the fourth and final installment of Staging Strategies. Today, we’re going to close out this video series with some staging guidelines for bedrooms and bathrooms.

Many real estate agents find that homebuyers are most attracted to contemporary furniture featuring clean lines and simple color schemes. With this in mind, reevaluate the pieces in your bedroom and replace overly ornate or traditional furnishings with more modern alternatives. Additionally, be sure to thoroughly clean your bedroom closets. For most buyers, bad bedroom storage is a deal-breaker.

When it comes to bathrooms, cleaning is the key. Scrub and scour every surface. Once you’ve performed your deep clean, check for more serious issues. Often, sellers call in professionals to paint and polish well-worn tile. To finish off your bathroom transformation, hang some fresh towels.

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Welcome to the second part in our staging strategies video series! Today, we’re going to discuss staging tips for key common areas.

Upon entering homes, prospective buyers often encounter the foyer or living room – spaces that see the most traffic. To start the selling process off right, clean these areas and remove any clutter, including personal items. This simple, cost-free adjustment will make your home feel larger and enable buyers to envision themselves inhabiting these rooms.

Next, focus on your furniture. Most real estate experts advise sellers to move their pieces into the center of the room and create groupings. By making this change, you’ll save space, improve traffic flow and lend your living room a homey, conversational feel.

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In this video series, we will explore home staging strategies for key locations prospective buyers often scrutinize during walkthroughs. First up: outdoor areas!

Curb appeal is a major concern for most buyers. So, make some small, yet eye-catching adjustments to your home’s facade. First, trim your existing trees and shrubs so they don’t block windows or key architectural features. Next, add some pops of color to highlight points of interest and give your home some additional character.

Once you’ve tackled the front yard, move around to the back. If you have a patio area, call in a power-washing service to get rid of any longstanding grime. Then, address your outdoor furniture situation. Working with drab but salvageable pieces? Role on a new coat of paint to freshen things up. Dealing with irredeemable furniture? Nab a new outdoor dining set.

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Spring is the perfect time to step outdoors and perform a little home maintenance. After all, you don’t want to spend the summer toiling away in the sweltering heat and suffocating humidity. So, get it all out of the way now.

First, check out your gutters and drains to make sure they’re not blocked with debris. Ideally, you want to do this just after heavy rainfall. Next, move up to the roof and scan for damage. Homes in areas that experience heavy winter weather normally require annual roofing work. So, if you live in the Northeast or Midwest, be prepared to make repairs. Also, if you have children, make sure to check common playtime equipment like swing sets.  

Once you finish up outdoors, move inside. You’ll want to schedule a service appointment for your air conditioning unit and possibly a duct cleaning. Finish up your springtime home evaluation by taking a trip to your attic to look for leaks.

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Selling your home in the summertime? You’ll probably need to spruce up your patio, as this space will appear extra-exposed in the hot sun. Fortunately, making improvements to this exterior area takes little time and requires a tiny budget.

First, take some time to assess your outdoor furniture situation. If your patio features outdated or dilapidated furnishings, consider outfitting the area with new pieces. If you’re an avid do-it-yourself-er on a budget, a new coat of paint or two might suffice. Of course, take care of any clutter while your at it. Old yard junk will definitely detract from your new outdoor dining set.

Next, tackle your ground-level surfaces. If you’re working with a concrete or tile patio, definitely call in a power-washing service. Got a wooden deck? Pick up some deck stain to brighten things a bit.

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Summer is homeselling season. Approximately 60 percent of residential real estate transactions take place with the sun high in the sky and kids roaming free. If you’re interested in entering the market during the warmer months, you’ll have to perform some summertime property prep.

Outdoor spaces should be your first concern, as hiding curb appeal issues will be nearly impossible. So, trim your lawn and call in a landscaper to plant some fresh flowers and shrubs. Of course, be sure to choose seasonal plants that can hold up in the summer heat. Dehydrated foliage is never attractive.

Also, if you’ve got a pool or large patio, play it up. These areas are particularly attractive to summertime home shoppers.

When formulating a plan of attack for your home’s interior, envision how it might feel with no air-conditioning. Are the spaces cluttered and suffocating, or open and breezy? You definitely want the latter. Additionally, see if your A/C unit is working well. If not, buyers will notice – quickly.

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