Real Estate Information Archive

It doesn’t matter if it’s insects or rodents: pest invasions are never fun. Unwanted critters can wreak havoc on your home, spread diseases and give you a serious case of the shivers. If you wind up with a big pest problem, it’s important to call an exterminator rather than ignoring the issue or trying to deal with it yourself. A professional will be able to safely and fully restore your home to its former pest-free glory.

But choosing an exterminator can be intimidating. What traits should you look for? Are you getting a fair price? Can they really and truly get those racoons out of your basement? It’s important to be informed, because pest control can be expensive. Here’s what you need to know when hiring an exterminator:

1. Ask for credentials. Don’t be shy – you have the right to see the exterminator’s license! Before you hire, ask how their technicians are trained and what certifications they had to receive before being hired.

2. Check their history. Do some research to find out how long the exterminator has been in business. If a company has been serving your community for years, chances are they’re a trustworthy organization. Another great way to find a reputable company is by asking neighbors and friends who they used in the past (and whether or not they were satisfied). You can also use sites like Yelp for recommendations.

3. Get an estimate. Depending on the pest, different strategies for removal (i.e. chemical spray vs. setting traps) can vary widely in price. Make sure you get an estimate for each strategy, and then weigh the costs and benefits. For larger projects (like termites), it’s a good idea to get estimates from multiple companies so that you can choose who is best to tackle your problem. Note: Most professional exterminators should offer you some sort of guarantee for the pest removal – be wary if they don’t!

4. Demand thoroughness. A professional exterminator should inspect your home, confirm the specific pest problem and then present you with several possible solutions. Ask them to explain the pros and cons of each extermination method. Note: An exterminator who doesn’t seem very knowledgeable is a red flag! They should be able to explain the pest’s habits, why the invasion may have happened in the first place and how each extermination method will affect you and your home.

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.

Yeah, spring! It’s just about time for longer days, warmer weather and poolside cocktails. But it’s hard to enjoy the perks of spring when flowers make you sneeze like a banshee and budding trees make your eyes water faster than the end of Titanic.

You can’t stop trees from pollinating or grass from growing, but you can keep allergens out of your abode! If allergies have arrived at your doorstep, follow these seven steps to minimize your symptoms.

1. Wash your bedding. Millions of dust mites and other types of bacteria may be using your mattress and pillows as a home! Remove and wash your bedding on a hot water cycle at least once a week, including your pillows. If you’re especially allergic to dust mites, consider encasing your pillows and mattress in dust-mite-proof covers.

2. De-clutter. During allergy season, it’s a good idea to de-clutter the rooms where you spend the most time, like the living room and bedrooms. Remove items that tend to collect dust like junk mail, old magazines and knickknacks.

3. Clean your curtains. Give your curtains a good sprucing by vacuuming them with a hose attachment and hand-washing them in cold water. Heavy drapes and curtains can easily trap dust, dirt and allergens.

4. Avoid feather dusters. Use a slightly moist cloth or a special dry cloth that will trap dirt when dusting your home. Feather dusters generally spread allergens around instead of removing them!

5. Keep shoes near the door. One of the easiest things you can do to reduce allergens in your home is leave your shoes at the door! According to the EPA, the bottom of your shoes can track in all sorts of germs and allergens, including pollen grains, mold spores and pet dander. Simply clear a space next to each of your exterior doors where people can place their shoes. Bins or wicker baskets work great for this!

6. Vacuum with a HEPA filter. Destroy dust mites by vacuuming your floors with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter at least once a week. Vacuums with HEPA filters trap very fine dust particles that other vacuums only re-circulate back into the air of your home.

7. Check your home’s humidity level. Humidity levels above 55 percent can foster mold and mildew growth, which triggers allergy symptoms. Measure your home’s humidity to determine if it’s at a healthy level. If your humidity is too high, it’s a good idea to buy a dehumidifier.

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.

You can save up to 10 percent on your energy bill by targeting your energy hogs and unplugging them when you aren't using them regularly! While refrigerators and air conditioners consume the most energy, there are many small appliances that consume large amounts of unnecessary energy, too. These ‘vampire’ products cannot be turned off without being unplugged, and draw power 24 hours a day.

1. If you want to know what current energy hogs you’re using, buy a low-cost wattmeter to measure the devices in your home.
    
2. Identify the vampire appliances in your house. If you don't use the following appliances regularly, unplug them!
    
3. Computers. Whether you have a desktop or a laptop (or both), your computer is a Dracula-level energy vampire. By turning your computer off instead of letting it idle or sleep, you can reduce its energy usage by as much as 250 percent.
    
4. Toaster. Once your crispy toast is on your plate, there’s no need to leave your toaster on. Unplug it until it’s time for your next snack.
    
5. Cell phones. Even when your phone is plugged-in and fully charged, it’s sapping energy from your outlet. Make a point to unplug your cell phone once the battery is full. Same goes for the charger.
    
6. DVR and cable box. Even when your cable setup isn’t recording and is turned off by remote control it uses a whopping 43.46 watts an hour. When you’re going to sleep or leaving the house for a while, unplug your setup completely.
    
7. Coffee machine. You may take your cup of java to go in the morning, but your coffee machine hangs out all day draining power. Unplug it once you have your brew, or go classy and switch to a French press!
    
8. To make unplugging appliances easier, consider using a switchable power strip to easily unplug a cluster of cords all at once. If there are energy hogs you aren't use regularly, plug them into the power strip and get in the habit of switching it off.

Wet winters, heat-intensive summers and heavy storms are just a few natural elements that can wear down your house’s exterior paint. Protect your siding, trimming and gutters by touching up the exterior paint of your house once a year. Here's how from BrightNest.com...

1. Head outside and examine your siding. Walk around your home and look for areas where paint may be chipped, peeling or flaking. Also look for any signs of water damage, bubbling paint, or areas that have been faded by the sun. These are the areas that you need to touch up.
    
2. Once you’ve inspected your exterior siding on foot, grab a ladder and examine the upper siding and trim. Look for the same red flags in step #1. Before you climb your ladder, it’s a good idea to read about proper ladder safety.
    
3. Clean any areas where you notice damage. To do this, grab a paint scraper and remove paint that isn’t tightly adhered to the siding or trim. Don’t be afraid of removing too much – if the paint is coming off easily with the scraper, it isn’t protecting your house from water damage and other elements anymore.
    
4. When you’re done with the scraper, use your wire brush to remove any remaining paint flakes. If your siding still has some dirt and grime on it, clean it with an old rag and warm water. You want the surface to be as clean as possible before you do any touch ups.
    
5. If you have the original paint you painted your house with, that’s great! However, there’s a chance your siding may have faded so the colors will no longer match. Scrape off a quarter sized chip of paint with your paint scraper and take it in to your local home improvement store to get it matched. You’ll also need a good exterior primer. Before you begin painting, make sure your siding is thoroughly dry.
    
6. Apply a layer of primer. Read the instructions on the label before you begin and follow them exactly. Let the primer dry completely before you apply the touch-up paint.
    
7. Touch up any of the affected areas. Use the same paint applicator that you originally used to paint the exterior of your home. If you’re not sure what tool was used, consult your local home improvement store when you’re purchasing the paint and primer and see what applicator they recommend.
    
8. When applying your touch-up paint, make sure you spread a little bit of new paint around the area that is being re-touched so that it blends with the rest of the exterior (commonly called diffusing). This is usually best done with a brush.
    
9. Let your paint fully dry. If the color is too light, try applying a second or even third coat.

Are you living in a baking-soda-less household? Not cool. Baking soda has been rocking the cleaning world since before the Pyramids were built – so it’s got some serious street cred. For example, did you know it can un-funk vintage furniture, polish your silverware and absorb nasty smells? If you don’t have any baking soda handy, here are five reasons you should change that right this instant:

1. Odor domination. You’ve probably heard that placing baking soda in your fridge combats strong smells, but that’s not the only funk it can handle! Sprinkle baking soda in the toilet before you go out of town, pour it down the drain to de-stink a smelly garbage disposal or even add some to your fabric sofa cushions to get rid of pungent smells.

2. Fire prevention. If you’re cooking greasy food on the stove, a box of baking soda could save your life (or maybe just your curtains). If grease spills onto your burners and catches fire, pouring baking soda on the flames will squelch them before things get out of control! Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. To be extra safe, always keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen to deal with serious problems.

3. Stain destruction. Baking soda is a stain’s worst nightmare. Rub this cleaning agent into wine, vomit, coffee or pet stains to remove the problem. You can clean any surface with baking soda – including kitchen and bathroom counters – by sprinkling baking soda on a damp cloth and scrubbing.

4. Pest prevention. Do you have a problem with cockroaches in your home? Baking soda to the rescue! Yes, this product can even help repel cockroaches. Mix together 1/3 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of sugar. If you have extra, you can store it in a sealed jar, just make sure you label it! Fill small dishes (the caps of gallon milk jugs work well) with the solution and place them under the sink or wherever you suspect a problem.

5. All-natural awesomeness. In case you haven’t caught on yet, baking soda is kind of the Ryan Gosling (read: the best) of green cleaning products. Using baking soda is just as effective as store-bought options, but you’ll avoid the dangerous chemicals that are found in many household cleaners. Tip: If you’ve fallen head-over-heels for baking soda like we have, consider buying it in bulk to save even more money. Baking soda doesn’t spoil, so storing it for a long time won’t diminish its cleaning power.

Information brought to you be 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.

We all know it’s important for your Harrisburg PA home to be green, but did you also know it can be easy? Bonus: These changes will save you money, too!

Switch To CFLs. They’re bright, stylish and will save you money! Yes, CFLs have a slightly higher purchase price, but they only use one-fifth of the power and last up to ten times longer than your current light bulb. Plus, these new bulbs give you design options that don’t exist with standard light bulbs. Want a red, warm light to match your grey walls? No problem!

Make A Compost Bin. Yard trimmings and food waste make up 27% of the solid waste stream in the United States! Instead of adding to the landfill, make a compost bin. The mix you make of fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds and other leftover food scraps will help make your garden lush and improve its soil structure and water retention. Bonus: You’ll save money on fertilizer!

Reduce Junk Mail. Every year, the average household gets nearly 800 pieces of junk mail. To stop the never-ending stream of snail mail spam, just take a picture with PaperKarma! PaperKarma is a mobile app designed by two Microsoft guys to help you easily unsubscribe from the junk mail of your choosing. Simply use the PaperKarma App to snap a picture of the offending catalog or mailer and within 24 hours they will unsubscribe you from the spammer’s distribution list.

Wash Clothes in Cold Water. Up to 90% of the energy used while doing laundry comes from the fuel used to run your water heater, rather than the electricity needed to run the machine. So, wash with cold water instead! Bonus: It also saves the average family around $63 on their electric bills. If you’re curious just how much your family will save, try Seventh Generation’s Calculator. Info provided by www.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.