by Ann Meadows | Mar 25, 2014 | Featured, Home Living
Spring-cleaning is upon us and many of you are chomping at the mop to hunker down so you can scrub up and throw out. It’s a “No baseboard left behind!” kind of feeling, and I, too, get into the spirit.
But that same spring-clean-y spirit was recently – um – tarnished – when I came upon the most recent issue of Real Simple Magazine. Apparently this shiny, high tech device I am typing on is one of the dirtiest things in my midst. And here I was innocently creeping myself out over bathroom grout. Leave it to the media to one-up the gross factor every single time.
Yes. In fact, our sleek, gleaming tech tools are some of the grimiest things around. So before you tackle the traditional baseboards, you might want to tromp on the technology.
Before you read further, may I suggest considering some or all of the following items:
All Purpose Cleaner:
Honest Company makes an all-natural version (and offers a nice deal on a trial bundle) or you can always use what you’ve got in the cabinet. An all-purpose cleaner is useful for general cleaning of door handles and home phone systems.
Sanitizing Wand:
I have never heard of these before and now I do not know how I have lived this long without one. I am considering some sort of holster to carry around my latest gadget to clean my gadgets. You can find all kinds of options at Amazon – Real Simple recommends the Verilux Clean-Wave UV-C Sanitizing Wand.
Screen Cleaner:
My personal favorite is Restoration Hardware’s WHOOSH cleaner, mostly because it is all-natural and comes with a microfiber cloth and a little travel size bottle for disinfecting on-the-go (more on that later). But the manufacturer AM offers a great product that looks the part, too.
Compressed Air Spray / Duster:
You can find these at an office supply store – but you may be surprised to learn that they are often kept behind the counter, due to a recent trend of teens using this product to for other purposes.
Bravery and Courage:
This next part is going to make you feel ill – so … you’ve been warned.
Okay, now that you are armed and maybe a little bit dangerous, here’s the dirt (literally):
The Remote Control:
And you thought watching reality TV could make you sick? Well, flipping through the channels is what could get you in the end. According to a study at the Virginia School of Medicine, the remote control has more germs than even the toilet handle. YUK!
*Clean this dirty little monster by spraying it with compressed air, bathing it in disinfecting wipes and then – for good measure – wand it to death. Actually, let’s just plan on wanding everything from here forward.
Tablets/Touch Screens:
Fingers are dirty and then screens are dirty and then you wash your hands and then you touch the dirty screen again. It’s a vicious, vicious cycle – like getting on Pinterest or eating french fries. Once you start, you can’t stop.
*First, do wash your hands. Then wipe the entire screen with special screen cleaner (not Windex) and wash your hands again. Touch screens, like children, attract dirt. Speaking of children, if you’ve got little people playing or studying on your tablet, bump up the cleaning schedule. Or tell them to move (I know a good Realtor).
Earbuds:
Why oh why Real Simple? Why did you put “Sweat and wax build up with each use” in this article? I am sure to have nightmares.
*Experts on all things disgusting suggest you wipe earbuds with a solution of mild dish soap and water.
Keyboards:
Um –apparently dirtier than a toilet seat!
* Remove the batteries or unplug your keyboard and throw it out the window. No – kidding. Turn it upside down and shake gently. Then spray the keyboard with compressed air and sanitize with a safe screen cleaner. Wand it.
Cell Phone:
Remember when I said we’d come back to “on-the-go?” Here’s why: a 2011 study from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that one in six cell phones is tainted with fecal matter. Why? Because talking on the phone while in the bathroom is becoming common and flushing a toilet sends – and I quote here – “a spray of hundreds of thousands of contaminated droplets into the air, some of which land on the phone.” And then you touch the phone. And you put the phone up to your face. And then you die a slow and painful death.
*Use the sanitizer wipes created for electronic devices often, consider investing in a Cell-Blaster Universal UV Cell-Phone Sanitizer, do not use your cell phone in the lavatory and close the seat.
Let me know about your spring-cleaning – in the meantime, I am off to disinfect.
by Ann Meadows | Jun 26, 2013 | For Sellers
Selling a home can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be a process that is long and drawn out. While there are a lot of things you can do to help your home sell faster, one of the simplest is to paint.
Paint Your Door First
It makes sense that your front door is the first thing a potential homebuyer will see. While you might not think it matters much, it can actually make a difference about how a potential buyer feels before they even step foot in your home. Bright colors are nice, but to be sure what’s right for your neighborhood, check and see what other homeowners in the area have done.
Check Your Trim
Trim around doors and windows can easily chip and fade over time. As a homeowner with a lot going on you may not even notice it, but a potential buyer will. Check your trim and touch it up when needed. With trim, simply stick to the original color, sanding only if you need to.
For more tips and help selling a home in Denver, contact Ann Meadows at 303-478-1201 today!
Photo Source: Shutterstock
by Ann Meadows | May 1, 2013 | For Sellers
If you are selling your home, a key factor is curb appeal. A prospective buyer should immediately see your home in its most positive light, literally. Effective use of natural and artificial light make your home more appealing to the eye. Consider these tips for incorporating light into your home to attract buyers seeking Denver real estate.
Make Use of Natural Light
Prospective buyers will likely visit your home in the daylight hours, so you should maximize natural light in your home. If you have heavy drapes, exchange them in favor of sheer linens that will allow the sunlight to shine through.
Be sure to open doors and windows fully to allow sunlight to reach rooms where natural light is not as prevalent. Mirrors are also effective in reflecting natural light.
Upgrade Lighting
Track lighting is an effective tool to highlight designer areas of your home. Consider upgrading to track lighting in the living room and other areas where you’ve invested in high-end decorative pieces. Use it to accent your favorite decor findings and rare features that are unique to your home.
As for other areas, under-cabinet lights are a contemporary trend that give a polished look to the kitchen. In the dining room or living room, consider upgrading to a chandelier that complements your decor.
Are you a prospective buyer or seller interested in the Denver real estate market ? Visit our Denver real estate property search and contact Ann Meadows at 303-478-1201 for personalized advice from one of Denver’s top Realtors.
Image: houzz
by Ann Meadows | Aug 12, 2011 | Featured, For Sellers
Denver's housing inventory dropped 1.5 percent month-to-month and 20.6 year-over-year.
Denver, Colorado is experiencing what many other cities around the country can only dream of having – a housing inventory shortage. If you are thinking about selling your home in Denver, now is the best time to do so.
As of August 8th, the Denver housing inventory was down 3.6 percent month-to-month and down 20.6 percent year-over-year. At the same time, the median asking price is up 1.5 percent month-to-month. What does that mean for sellers? It means that their listings are experiencing extremely high activity, receiving multiple offers, and many times selling for more than the listing price.
Denver’s housing inventory for July was the lowest it has been since January 2010. Inventory is usually lowest in the fall and winter months, so it is even more unusual to experience a shortage in the middle of summer. Our city was also recently named one of the fastest selling real estate markets in the country.
The city of Denver and state of Colorado have seen tight housing inventories all summer long, and the trend does not look to stop in the coming months. If you are thinking about selling your home, now is the perfect time to do so. You will sell it faster and for more money. Call me at 888-860-1931, and I will answer any questions you may have and guide you through the necessary steps to prepare your Denver home for sale.
Photo courtesy of Department of Numbers
by Ann Meadows | Jul 22, 2011 | For Sellers
Last year, Consumer Reports indicated that the home remodeling market was looking to heat up in 2011, with annual home improvement spending expected to hit $130 million.
Well, they were right. Realty Times recently published year-to-date numbers for the home remodeling market, and the outlook could not be better. May marked the 19th straight month of year-over-year gains, and the home remodeling index has seen impressive gains every month so far this year. May activity experienced a record 22 percent growth over May 2010.
Analysts suggest that the increase in remodeling activity can be contributed to homeowners upgrading their houses rather than buying new ones. Exterior remodels are also dominating the market as homeowners realize that curb appeal is one of the most important factors in a home, especially if you are looking to sell it in the future.
Remodels are essential for those that plan to live in their homes for many years to come as well as those looking to improve and sell their houses. If you are considering a remodel for your Denver home, give me a call at 888-860-1931. I will refer you to the best companies that Denver has to offer and answer any questions you may have if your ultimate goal is to sell the home.
Photo courtesy of Stock.xchng
