Score Free Tickets to the Philadelphia Home Show!
Don't miss out on the 2012 Philadelphia Home Show, which runs until January 22nd. The first 15 people to email stephanie@thesomersteam.com will get two free tickets each! Just email your first and last name and pick up your tickets at Remax Access at 1033 N 2nd Street here in Northern Liberties. Enjoy!
Tip Jar: Clean Out That Closet!
For this week's tip jar, we transformed some tiny closets! From a closet mess (check out the before video!) to a closet success. Our condo closets were a HUGE problem for being so small. The incredibly Cool Condo Lifestyle is really "all that" and we would not trade it in for anything but admittedly most condos will lack closet space. Where other homeowners who live in traditional urban rowhomes can compensate for smaller closets by using their basement, attic, or spare room, Condo and Apartment Dwellers have to make the most of their small space.
Here is our personal solution for our closet challenges. Our 4 closets including our hall coat closet, our laundry room, and our 2 bedroom closets were filled to the gill and a mess. So, we hired a company to organize these spaces. The cost was only $1,300. The estimate was complementary, the installation was only a couple of hours, and the results are amazing.
We now have more space and we can easily find items, some of which we forgot we owned ! Now we can actually close the coat closet, things are not falling on our heads when we open the doors, and they look so fantastic.
Custom fitted closets add practical value and also increase the net value for homes whether they are a Condo like ours or any other style.
Next on my list is new paint throughout. Hmmm...what color to choose?
Operation Closet Makeover!
Condo Dwellers know that closet space is sacred space and though we love the cool lifestyle and vibe that a condo has to offer, there are often small sacrifices we need to make. Closet space is often one of those small sacrifices when it comes to condo living.
For me and Chris, well, we like to live relatively modestly and we are minimalists in general. (You'd never know that by looking at our office at work). We only keep the clothing we wear, we do not do Costco shopping and buy a year's worth of toilet paper or visit Sam's Club for a flat of cereal. Our closets host only what we use and maybe a few extravagant items here and there.
Over the last couple of years, I have noticed our closets looking like a crazy mess. The last straw was when I opened up our coat closet and a mound of pillows and old computer boxes fell on top of me. I am okay, thanks for asking, but that was the moment I knew we needed a change. We have always lived together in small spaces and with two cats (who take up more space than I would like to admit) we've learned how to make a smaller space work just fine for us. Remember, most condos and apartments have no basements or attics or spare rooms for stuff.
So, long story short, I arranged for closet makeovers for all of our closets. The video slide presentation is what our closets looked like a few hours before the transformation began. Stay tuned for the AFTER video!
Tip Jar: Defeat Dust Mites!
It was a beautifully appointed Philadelphia Home For Sale that I was showing. As we entered the dining room, I dragged my finger gingerly across the smooth surface of the wooden dining table and without thought wrote my name in cursive through a thin layer of dust. “ Whoa! This place is really dusty.” I thought. How could this be? The home was seemingly immaculate in every way? This is a sign that the home’s air filter was due for a change.
Did you know that most people spend about 90% of their day inside? The quality of inside air then becomes a topic of importance. Changing your home’s air filter regularly can reduce your heating and cooling costs plus save your HVAC system from unnecessary damage due to dirt and improper maintenance. Clogged air filters are the #1 reason why home air systems fail.
If a failing HVAC system is not enough to get you to Home Depot to buy a new air filter for a few bucks then maybe this is:
Dust can be made of the following delightful things:
In Average Homes
Dead skin cells
Dried dust mite feces and the remains of their dead corpses
Pollens, dander, and other allergens
Clothing fibers
In New Construction Homes
Drywall dust
Cement dust
Paint particles
Chemicals from flooring and appliances
Homes with Pets
Do we really even need to go there?
Our tip is to change your home's air filter 2-3 times per year, not only to keep your home's air system functioning optimally but to keep you from breathing in the dead corpses of dust mites. May they rest in peace but not up our noses! Ew...
Tip Jar: Don’t Go in the Basement!
"Don't go in the basement!" I shouted. So loud that even the cats hid behind the couch. I can scream that at the top of my lungs on the comfort of my own couch watching my favorite horror flick but I can't say that to a client when I am showing them a home they may potentially buy.
Dark, scary underground lairs can give even the the strongest constitution a chill. Admittedly, we've seen some terrifying basement situations in real life, and the most hair-raising part? A lot of it can be easily prevented or fixed...
1) Get lit. Obviously the number one problem with most basements is that they are below ground, often without any windows, and usually that one blinking lightbulb with a string dangling from it. Or eerie lighting that makes your skin look ghastly, which may be even worse! So please, try for some natural-looking lighting and remember that the basement should be lit more heavily than the rest of the house. We like recessed lighting for basements the best.
2) Get a life. Add some life to the not-so-fresh-smelling basement by adding plants to circulate and clean the air. The only thing living in your basement should be a potted plant that can survive with little sun and needs to be watered only once a month. Stop by City Planter in Northern Liberties to find the perfect potted fit.
3) Get a grip. Why do people always hide their crap in the basement? Go through your treasures, decide what's junk, and get rid of the evidence! If you must keep items, then organize them with shelves or stackable and labeled bins. Ditch your antique doll collection with disembodied limbs.
4) Get on the floor. We've seen enough shaggy, damp carpet in old basements and cheap carpeting in newer basements to know that carpets are bad news! Carpet in the basement can be a breeding ground for weird smells and potential mold issues. Go with polished cement or nice tile.
5) Get some spidey sense. Cobwebs should be reserved for Halloween only. Here is an easy solution on how to rid your basement of those tangled webs.
How do you make a basement seem bright and welcoming? Let us know in the comments!
Tip Jar: How to Banish the 4 Letter Curse Word “MOLD”
What do the Mad Hatter and the Salem Witch Trials Have in Common?
Answer: All were created by toxins/molds.
Today's Tip Jar is about an all-too-familiar 4 Letter Curse Word: MOLD.
With Hurricane Irene behind us, coupled with the record high rainfall this year, I though it would be a good time to discuss the dreaded 4 letter curse word MOLD. Many homeowners have it. And if they didn't have it before, they could have it now. Mold counts are higher than ever post-Irene.
I am talking about that stinky, musty, nasty matter that plagues so many basements, bathrooms, and anywhere that water sits. There is growing knowledge about mold, such as its dangerous variety, toxic black mold, and more and more people are finding they have an allergy to mold spores.
So how can you stop mold in its tracks?
1) Trusty Bleach. I occasionally get some reddish color mold in my bathroom shower that I can clean with a bleach type chemical remover and voila, it is gone. That is not the best approach for larger areas that have mold and it is certainly not an environmentally friendly remedy.
2) Go Natural. In my research to destroy mold I have found three natural approaches to bleach. Tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, and good old vinegar. These natural remedies do a great job killing the spores.
3) Anti-bacterial Primer. If you have some residual mold on a somewhat porous area I have read that encapsulating the area by painting over it with an anti-bacterial primer such as Kilz helps a lot.
4) Call in the pros. Try a Mold Remediation Specialist for mold that is extra pesky and dangerous. In the Philadelphia area, we like Jason Morris (610-842-0338).
Why it's important. It's not just the potential health risks and general grossness of mold that matters. Buyers and sellers will want to tackle their mold problem quickly! Mold pops up on home inspections all of the time. We have had some appraisers call for the remediation of a moldy baesmement as a condition of the loan. A Mold Certification (when called for by a lender) is what we typically provide and that shows that the mold was permanently dealt with. A professional will come to the property and take samples of the air back to the laboratory for a series of tests to confirm that the area is safe.
For home sellers, I have a special tip for you: In preparing your home for showings, double check your shower curtains and the grout around your bath and shower. Mold on these surfaces make your bathroom smell less than fresh and the ugly appearance really turns prospective buyers off. And if you have a funky basement that has a water leak or has recently been flooded, it behooves you to look into professionally waterproofing the basement. A wet basement is a "deal killer" for many buyers out there!
Tip Jar: Get Hooked on Boots
School is officially back in session and apparently so is the cool weather. Today I had to dig deep into the recesses of my storage nook to find a pair of rain boots I had tucked away last spring. My open-toed shoes and strappy sandals would have been no match for today's cool and rainy forecast. Oh, how I missed them! The tall ones, short ones, high heeled ones and flat ones, the suede and leather, shiny and pleather. I love them all!
Soon it will be time to pull them all out of their boxes again and move them to the front of my closet. Boots are Big this season. They are also BIG. They take up a lot of space. I did a little research to find tips on the best way to store those boots!
Think Tall. Those shoe storage containers are rarely big enough to hold your faveorite over-the-knee pairs. The Transformer Boot Storage Organizer (available at Target) looks like the perfect fit.
Hang Tough. A boot hanger from the aptly named Boot Hanger Company is a boot's best friend.
Box 'Em Up. Boots were made for boxes, right? The only problem with storing boots in their original boxes is that you may have a hard time identifying the boots you are searching for. These clear boxes from Amazon will solve the mystery and will also better protect your boots from dust and moisture, plus they have vent holes to keep those booties smelling fresh!
Keep It Clean. Rain, snow, slush, grime. This Tiered Boot Tray, available on Amazon, will prevent your muddy wellies from dripping all over the floor. Ideal if you have a "mudroom", entryway, or entry closet. You'll thank us when the first snow falls.
How do you store your boots come fall?
[image via Bootique, the Boot Hanger Company]
Ever Wonder What Sweat Equity Looks Like?
Meet Michael. We helped him buy a great fixer-upper in Fishtown. Apparently this weekend he decided to see what was behind the aluminum siding on his house. To his surprise he found BRICK! Pristine red brick. Now who would have thunk?
Look at Mike's face. Mike is one happy homeowner! If you have ever wondered what sweat equity looks like, here it is.
This is why we are Realtors.
Greenable Grows with 3 New Locations
We're sad and yet happy for Greenable Green Building and Design Center in Northern Liberties. Wiping away a tear because the sustainable design firm is shuttering the doors of Greenable on 4th Street, yet rooting for its move to three exciting locations. Greensaw Design & Build shares the space with Greenable and plans on staying at 820 N. 4th Street and expanding into the entire building.
Ardmore, 41 Rittenhouse Place, opening September 9th
Kennett Square, 116 South Union Street, opening Fall 2011
Philadelphia, 2200 Walnut Street, opening Fall 2011
Way to grow, guys! They've simply gotten too big for their current space and they're bidding adieu with a massive Warehouse Sale on green building materials, bamboo flooring, reclaimed doors and furniture, plumbing fixtures, artwork and more! So if you're currently searching for items for a new project, we highly suggest you get over there, say goodbye, and stock up on supplies! Plus 25% off stock-of-the-shelf items.
Tip Jar: Stay Excited in the Bedroom and Beyond!
West Elm, you are so square!
IKEA, you're just not meant for long-term.
Crate and Barrel, you are so predictable.
Restoration Hardware, for the 100th time, I am not Ernest Hemingway.
There is a lot to say about cherishing and nurturing your One True Love in relationships, but falling in love with just one furniture store or one furniture style, that is the definition of uninspired.
So, if you're feeling a little bored with your old IKEA kitchen and your so-yesterday West Elm living room, this tip's for you. The cure to that worn-out relationship is to spread the love. Mix it up. Try adding something new and unusual to your current collection of furnishings.
Two of my favorite furniture styles are Bauhaus and Danish Modern. You can take the Euro-Utility style of IKEA and mix in a statement piece from Restoration Hardware to create an unexpected and exciting feel in any room. Or, put a curvy decorative cocktail table next to the straight lines found in either a Bauhaus armchair or a simple design from West Elm.
The sky is the limit but for those that need a few pointers, here are a few of the tips that can help you get started:
1) Choose and or identify the one main style furniture you currently have or want in the room. For example: Some people have mostly antique furniture or mostly furniture from IKEA.
2) The easiest thing to do is to tie most of your furniture styles together by repeating one dominant color. For example, you may have different styles of furniture but they are all in the brown and beige family.
3) Always use the element of contrast to create a focal point or to add interest. That might be contrast in stye, a pop of color , or the use of texture.
Which furniture styles do you like to mix?
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