Real Estate Information Archive

Close your eyes. Picture your dream bathroom. What do you see?

Do you know how much it would cost to make your vision a reality? Can you really afford heated flooring and double sinks? What about a claw-foot bathtub? The answer is YES – if you budget properly!

No matter what your perfect bathroom includes, this guide will help you decide where your dollars should go. So, stop daydreaming and start budgeting!

Before you begin, nail down the total dollar amount you’re comfortable spending. Remember, 40-50 percent of a remodeling budget is often spent on labor and installation costs. Here is a good way to break down the other 50 percent of your costs:

Spend 20% on Plumbing Essentials

It’s important that your new bathroom is functional, so choose the best quality for the essentials – toilet, drains and showerhead. Be ready to set aside about 20 percent of your overall budget for these. Tip: Don’t forget about energy efficiency during your remodel! Look into low-flow showerheads and LED lights to save water and electricity (and money on your utility bills)!

Spend 10-15% on Surfaces

Your surfaces truly determine the "look" of your bathroom, so pay attention to the following pieces:

1. Cabinetry. We recommend spending a decent amount of your budget on solid cabinetry and hardware. Remember, you’ll be opening these babies up almost every day, so you want them to be durable!
2. Flooring. When you’re floor shopping, make sure it’s slip-resistant in some way (it will be your biggest ally against bathroom accidents)! Any other detail – color, material, etc. – is up to your personal taste. The price of flooring depends on the material, and can range from vinyl (least expensive) to stones like ceramic or slate (most expensive). Tip: For a spa-worthy addition, (or if you live in a region with incredibly cold winters), consider spending a few extra dollars on heated tile.
3. Tile.  Don’t want to break the bank on retiling your bathroom? Do this: Save the “wow” factor of fancy tile designs for areas of the room that will see the most action. For example, the sidewall of the shower doesn’t need the same type of pricey tile as your vanity backsplash.

Spend 5-10% on Countertops

Ask yourself: how many people in your household will be using the bathroom? If you have multiple people sharing one bath, you may want to opt for a low-maintenance, affordable countertop surfaces. That way, you’ll get more surface area for less cash.

Spend 5% or Less on Decor Details

When it comes down to it, the feel and look of your new bathroom will come down to the details like art and color. The easiest place to start is with wall color. For an idea on what types of paint are worth splurging on, read: How Much Should You Pay for a Can of Pain.

Optional: Set Aside an Additional 20% as a Buffer

Some remodeling projects end up costing more than their original budget. Give yourself some wiggle room! Once you have your total, add an additional 20 percent to your budget. This extra money will cover any unexpected costs.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Throughout the year, your heating and cooling system is pumping out air like nobody’s business, which can make your ducts dirty! Clean ductwork translates to better indoor air quality and up to a 40 percent increase in your HVAC system’s efficiency. Make sure your air ducts are clean by doing this quick inspection:

1. The next time your heating or cooling system turns on (this generally happens about seven times a day), keep an eye on your air vents. If you notice bits of cobwebs, dust or other debris blowing out of your registers, this is a sign that the ductwork further back (that you won’t be able to inspect from your air vents) may be clogged.

2. Grab a flashlight and a point-and-shoot camera (a flash is important!). Locate your vent registers (most rooms in your home should have one on the floor or along the lower half of the wall) and remove the screws holding it in place with a screwdriver. Once the grill plate is off of your register, it’s time to get down to business!
    
3. Reach as far as you can into the duct and take a couple of pictures (you can do this with just a flashlight, but a camera makes it easier to see further into the ducts). If your detective work reveals evidence of dust and debris buildup, your air ducts may need a professional cleaning.
    
4. Mice infestations (especially in the winter) can be common inside ductwork. Check your photos for signs of a mice or bug infestation. Another peek inside your ducts with a flashlight doesn’t hurt, either. You’re mostly looking for rodent droppings or dead insects. If you see signs of an infestation, call an exterminator to resolve the problem.
    
5. Check for mold. If you see substantial mold growth inside your air ducts, they may need a professional cleaning. If your air ducts are insulated, the insulation can sometimes get wet or moldy. If this is the case, the ductwork may need to be removed and replaced.
    
6. If you notice any major problems, contact a qualified professional to have them inspect and clean your air ducts. If you see some build up, but aren’t sure if it warrants a cleaning quite yet, this detailed guide by the EPA can help you decide what to do.

Turning a cold basement into a cozy spot isn’t impossible! Even better, it can be done for far less than you’d pay for a full remodel.

Here’s how:  

1. Stop the Moisture

The biggest anti-cozy factor in most unfinished basements is moisture. Nobody likes that damp, wet sock smell, and you can’t put nice things down there if they’re just going to get wet. That means that before you do anything else, you need to handle the moisture issue. Sometimes this is as simple as purchasing a dehumidifier (about $200) and letting it rip.

If your moisture problems are more serious (i.e. leaks or puddles), you’ll need to employ a more aggressive basement waterproofing strategy. Note: A basic waterproofing will run you $200-$500, but if any changes need to be made to your foundation, it can cost $2,000 or more. 

2. Add Some Area Rugs

Now that your basement is moisture-free, you can cozy up that concrete floor. Area rugs are a cost-effective way to do just that. If you happen to have a few unused rugs, put them to good use  downstairs (an eclectic look totally works, so don’t be afraid to mix and match). Tip: No extra rugs? No problem. We recommend using Amazon’s handy rug finder to locate a size, pattern and price that works for you.

3. Throw Down Some Pillows

When in doubt, add throw pillows. Even a second-string sofa with feel cozy if it’s covered with soft cushions. We recommend choosing ones that are pretty big for some extra comfort. These 20x20 Isabella Ikat pillows might do the trick, or maybe these 24” Knit Fringed pillows are more your style? Tip: If you like the bohemian look, try arranging on a bunch of throw pillows on your new, awesome rug.

4. Add Tasteful Lighting

Nothing kills the mood faster than a bunch of naked bulbs hanging from the ceiling. Make them irrelevant by adding lamps, string lights or both. You can find a lot of nice floor lamps for less than $50, like this IKEA lamp for $20.

5. Hide Unsightly Spots

It’s going to be hard to make that water heater in the corner look chic, but it’ll be easy to hide that ugly beast. Simply hang up a colorful sheet or even a shower curtain in front of it! If you want to help separate out different areas of your basement in a tasteful fashion, try a room divider. Wine crates, bookshelves and window frames all make good, cheap room dividers.

6. Paint the Ceiling

Those pipes, joists and air ducts definitely take away from your cozy basement vibe. But if you paint everything a dark color – like a charcoal gray – you can go a long way towards disguising all the stuff going on up there. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than covering your ceiling with drywall ($4,000 or more). Note: Doing this yourself is very labor intensive, since a lot of the painting may need to be done by hand. There may also be some special considerations for electrical wiring or heating pipes. Unless you’re an experience painter (or are up for a challenge) we recommend hiring a professional for this.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Next time someone close to you buys a house, stand out from the “standard bottle-of-wine” crowd with one of these useful gifts. They’ll guarantee you barbecue invites for life.

Their favorite magazine (in subscription form). Some may call print magazines old school, but who doesn’t secretly appreciate any real, not-a-bill mail? Give your friends a positive reason to check their new mailbox with a magazine subscription. If you aren’t sure what they’d like, a home-related ‘zine is always a safe bet as a housewarming gift. Think Dwell or Better Homes and Gardens.

A “favorite things” jar. Wine and flowers are great, but sometimes all a new homeowner needs is a good cleaning product. Give them the gift of your favorite things – like cleaning products that you swear by – in a large jar like Julie at Coordinately Yours. They’ll be able to use the jar for decoration and organization and use the jar’s contents around the house. Bonus: This gift comes across as really personal and is usually a bargain (depending on the price of the “favorite” items you gift).

Address stamp. Even if the internet is your friend’s most frequent form of communication, they’ll have to address a letter or package eventually. Why not help them do it in style? Give them a stamp of their new address, so they’ll be ready to write their housewarming gift thank you cards. There are a ton of unique options on Etsy, so you can choose one that fits your homebuyer’s personality.

Handy toolkit. If this new home is a first home, chances are your friends don’t have the necessary tools to tackle every little issue. Step up to the plate and be the home-disaster hero by gifting a tool kit. We like this one from Stanley because it has just about everything under the sun (65 pieces!). Tip: If your friend or family member could use some help figuring out where they should use their tools, give them the BrightNest New Homeowner Guide, too.

Counter-top compost bin. Compost bins are better than a flower bouquet for three reasons: you want the contents to be dead, you can reuse everything inside and they help Mother Earth. A countertop compost bin works just as well as its backyard brethren and is an affordable gift at about $25 a pop.  If your friend is new to the compost scene, give them this list of 10 items to avoid composting and send them on their eco-friendly way.

Information courtesy of BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Having “hard water” means that your water supply contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. While hard water is generally harmless to drink, it can damage your boiler and clog your pipes, which are expensive to repair or replace (a new boiler can cost as much as $10,000!). To prevent these problems, it’s important to identify and remove hard water by installing a water softener. Use these steps to test for hard water.

1. Fill your plastic bottle with about 10 ounces of water from your kitchen sink. Add about a teaspoon of liquid dish soap, close the plastic bottle and give it a good shake. If the soap foams up naturally, you probably don’t have hard water and can end your test at this point. If it doesn’t foam, but instead forms a milky film at the top of the bottle, hard water could be an issue and you need to continue the test.

2. If you have public water, contact your local water utility and ask them for a recent hard water reading. If you have a private well, you’ll need to test your water yourself. Contact your local department of health and ask them which labs in your area can test your water. You can usually send a sample of your water to them and have it tested for free. It’s generally best to avoid home tests, which can be inaccurate and unreliable.
    
3. Check your results. Hard water is generally measured in grains per gallon (GPG) of dissolved minerals. If your water has more than 4 GPG, your hard water levels are considered high.
    
4. If your GPG is 4 or higher, it’s a good idea to install a water softener to reduce your levels. A water softener can cost anywhere from $100-$3,000 depending on the model, method of softening and water volume requirements of your house. It’s also a good idea to have your water softener professionally installed, which can cost $100-$600.

Every six minutes, a child ends up in the emergency room because of a stair-related injury. And these visits aren’t just about scraped knees – three out of four of those kids suffer head and neck injuries! To protect your family, take fifteen minutes to check the safety of your stairs.

New homes are by no means immune to danger, but older homes are more likely to have problems. If your home is more than ten years old, it’s important that you check your stairs at least once a year to make sure they stay safe.

1. In the house. Most stair-related injuries (for kids and adults) occur on the home’s main set of stairs. Check the following things on your staircase:

   Clutter. If your family commonly sets things on the stairs to bring them up and down, it’s time to break that habit. Small items on the stairs are dangerous, especially if a young one is racing to the dinner table! Instead, place a basket near – but not on – your stairs and put items destined for another floor in the basket.
   Stair treads. Check the length of your stair treads. Are they deep enough for the whole foot of the largest-footed person in your home? If not, they’re a potential fall hazard.
   Balusters. If you have small children in your home, this is especially important. Use the “tennis ball test” to make sure your stair balusters (also called spindles and stair sticks) are safe. If a tennis ball can fit between the balusters, a small child can also fall through that space!
   Light switches. Does your home have a light switch on the top and bottom of the stairs? If not, a late-night tumble could happen. In the United States, building codes require light switches in both places if the staircase has six stair treads or more. But some older homes may not be equipped with both switches.
   Handrail. Give the stair’s handrail a hard tug. Does it move at all? If so, it should probably be tightened up.
   Uniformity. Stand at the top of your flight of stairs and look down. Do all the stair’s edges – including the very top landing – line up? If any stair is mis-aligned, it’s a fall hazard. Note: This is a relatively common problem in new homes.

2. On the porch or deck. Many porches don’t have enough steps to require a handrail, but we recommend installing one regardless. Think of it like safety insurance for every person that walks onto your porch or deck. Bonus: A stylish handrail can increase curb appeal!
3. In the garage. One third of all garage-related ER visits are from stair slips and falls. If your garage has stairs (even short ones) do all of the stair checks you’d do for indoor stairs. Also, make sure they’re easy to see, even at night. Add reflective tape to the edge of each step.

Here are 5 renovations that will increase your Harrisburg PA home's value.

Reno Do #1: Upgrade Your Kitchen

All of our experts agree that a kitchen renovation should be at the top of your list, since it's the heart of a home—the room where families spend most of their time. But where to start? A couple of givens include upgrading to stainless steel appliances and installing countertops made from engineered stone or granite, because these fairly easy changes will improve the aesthetic appeal of the space. Details can also make a difference, like putting shiny knobs on cabinets and purchasing a sparkling new faucet for the sink.

Another wise kitchen upgrade? Knocking down a full or half wall, so you can connect the kitchen to a den or living room. “It makes the kitchen feel more spacious," says Phyllis Rockower, owner of the Real Estate Investors Club of Los Angeles in California. "If you’re cooking, you can still hear what people are saying during a party, or keep an eye on your kids while they’re playing.”

Reno Do #2: Revamp Your Bathroom