Real Estate Information Archive

Why Do This?

Picture the worst mattress you’ve ever slept on. What were the problems? Lumps? Saggage? Both? More than likely, that abysmal bed never got rotated! Don’t let your precious mattress be the reason behind a bad night’s sleep. Preserve the life and quality of your mattress by rotating it every 3-6 months.

Time: 15 minutes

What You'll Need:

    one strong friend

How To:

Note: Some modern mattresses have either a pillow top or are labeled as “no flip.” For these mattresses you don’t need to perform step #3.

1. Strip. You can’t flip your mattress while it’s made, so strip your sheets and blankets. Tip: This is a great time to toss them in the wash!
2. Spin. This is where a strong friend gets involved. Stand on either side of the bed and spin the mattress so that the short side that was at the head of the bed is now at the foot. (Bonus points if you say, “Pivot” the entire time like Ross from Friends.) Once a year, do this step to your box spring, too. Before you spin anything, make sure any lamps and furniture are out of the way.
3. Flip. After you spin your mattress, it’s time to flip (unless you have a pillow top or no-flip mattress). Flip your mattress over so that the top of the mattress is now the bottom. And, you’re done! Grab your sheets from the wash and make your bed. Note: Never flip your box spring!

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

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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.

In the winter, your house is warm and cozy. And that’s great! You know who else loves a warm and cozy house? Mice. And sharing your house with a mouse – or a family of mice – is less great. Luckily, you can stop rodent roommates at the door by sealing these five entryways to your home.

Tip: Bring a pencil with an eraser with you as you check these areas. If a hole or crack is wider than a pencil eraser, a mouse can comfortably squeeze through!

Foundation. Inspect your foundation, paying special attention to the areas near windows and doors. If you find a hole or crack that’s larger than a pencil eraser, seal it up! Mice can chew through weak material, so opt for a sturdy material like concrete patch mortar. Follow the instructions on your concrete patch package to ensure that your foundation is properly sealed.

Windows and doors. Mice are most active at night, so if you ever keep your window open while you sleep, triple-check your window screens to make sure there aren’t any holes. Also, check your weather stripping. If it’s loose, repair it! A mouse can sneak underneath loose weather stripping and get into your home.

Garage. Unfortunately, mice have a pretty easy time sneaking around garage doors. That means you need to be extra vigilant with gaps connecting your garage to your house. Check the interior and exterior of your garage walls for any cracks or holes and patch them in the same manner as your foundation. Tip: Pay special attention to the wall that separates the garage from the main house to prevent mice from getting into your warm home.

Chimney. To a mouse, a chimney looks like a hollow tree and seems like a great place to build a nest. This is not ideal. Prevent mice from entering your chimney by installing a mesh-covered chimney cap. As an added precaution, close your damper – the metal hatch located above the firebox – anytime there isn’t a lit fire. 

Utilities and pipes. Mice use your pipes like interstates, to travel into and through your house. Take the time to inspect the places where pipes enter your house. If there’s any space between the pipe and the house siding, seal it up with steel wool and then cover the steel wool with concrete mortar. Otherwise, these cracks are basically like neon lights that say “Come inside!” to mice.

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.

The reliable way to find a stud is by using a stud finder tool – a basic model costs about $10-$20 at your local hardware store. If you don’t have one, don’t give up hope just yet. Try this easy stud-finding trick!

You’ll need: painter’s tape, one strong refrigerator magnet (a one-inch diameter is perfect), scissors, pencil, ruler (optional)

1. Cut a six-inch strip of the painter’s tape.

2. Place your magnet in the center of the painter’s tape.

3. Fold the tape over the magnet onto itself. It should form a small sling with the magnet at one end. Make sure there is enough tape on the magnet-free end – you need to be able to comfortably grip the tape.

4. Move your magnet-stud-finder along the wall. Studs are wood, but the nails holding the drywall into the studs are metal! When you drag it over the stud, the magnet will stick to the wall!

5. Mark where the magnet stopped with a pencil and you’re done! You’re ready to hang your wall art.

6. If you want to find multiple studs, measure 16” to the left or right of where your magnet sticks. Studs are typically located 16” apart in a home with 8-foot ceilings.

Tip: If magnets and tape seem like too much effort, or this doesn’t work for you, just look for a wall outlet. Studs will generally be vertically aligned with the outlet. Think of it as the fast-game version of finding a stud.

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.

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.