Real Estate Information Archive

 

Look out of your window right now. What do you see?

Streaks? Dirt? Grime? All three? Then it’s time to give your windows a quick clean. This may seem like a pain, but it’s a high-reward chore. Not only will your windows look great, they’re also one of the top five surfaces that make us feel happiest when they’re clean. We’re guessing it’s the extra sunshine!

Need a little more incentive? Here are a few tricks of the trade to make window cleaning easier:

1. Buff Scratches with Toothpaste

If you have tiny scratches in your glass, toothpaste can make them disappear (just make sure you grab a brand with baking soda). Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a soft cloth, then gently rub the scratch for about 30 seconds. Wipe it away with a clean cloth and kiss your scratch goodbye!

2. Wash the Interior First

Unless you have indoor rain, the outside of your windows is going to be a lot dirtier. To prevent nasty cleaning supplies (and potentially a new, inside mess), tackle the interior side of your windows first.

3. Use Coffee Filters

Paper towels tend to leave a messy, cloudy shine. Use coffee filters instead!  Due to their texture, they leave a streak-free shine. Bonus: Coffee filters cost about $1 for a pack of 100!  

4. Skip the Store-Bought Cleaner

Instead of buying a cleaner at the store, make one at home by mixing equal parts vinegar and warm water. We recommend adding one cup of each ingredient at a time. The vinegar will break down any residue or grease on the surface of the window.  

5. Choose a Cloudy Day

If you pick a cloudy day to clean, your windows will look cleaner! This is because sunshine can actually cause streaks (the warmth dries the glass too quickly).

6. Don’t Ignore the Blinds

Dust loves blinds like bees love honey. To keep dust from piling up immediately after you clean, use an antistatic spray (Static Guard is a good option) on the window blinds right after you clean them.

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.

For many, the day after Thanksgiving is about family time and the Black Friday shopping extravaganza. For residential plumbers nationwide, it’s the single busiest day of the year. In fact, plumbing problems spike 50% the day after Thanksgiving. Think about it. You’ve delighted in turkey and sweet potato casserole, and now your wayward scraps and greasy dishes are stressing your sink and clogging your drains.

Would you prefer to spend your money on presents or plumbing issues? To keep your pipes clear and clog-free, it’s important to know what you can safely put in the disposal and what you can’t. Here’s the skinny:

1. Don't Treat the Disposal Like a Trash Can

As much as possible, throw leftovers in the trash or compost pile. When you do use your disposal, feed waste gradually to prevent overloading. 

2. Be Picky About What You Toss

Don't put turkey bones, poultry skin, potato peels, celery and fruit down the garbage disposal.

3. Keep Grease to a Minimum

Avoid pouring fat and cooking oil down the drain and wipe off greasy pans before putting them in the sink.

4. Run Water

Run water when you use the disposal and keep it running for a few seconds after you turn the disposal off.

5. Don't Run the Dishwasher

Don't operate the dishwasher if you think there’s a problem. It discharges into the disposal.

This Thanksgiving, don’t be sitting on the sidelines waiting for your handyman to arrive for an impromptu plumbing fix. Show your drains a little love so you can keep your focus on food, family and all the freebies you get if you’re first in line on Black Friday. 

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.

When you first moved into your home, you probably trekked over to Target or logged onto Amazon and stocked up on all of the obvious stuff like light bulbs, a hammer and a few cleaning supplies.

But moving into a new space can be chaotic, and in that chaos, there are always a few things that don’t make it into the shopping cart. And a month later when you’re hanging art, you really wish you’d bought that level.

That’s okay. You’re not alone!  Here are 13 things almost every homeowner forgets to buy:

1. Level

Have you ever seen a painting or photo in someone’s home that’s just crooked enough to be noticeable? Yeah. That’s really annoying. A level doesn’t just make sure your artwork is straight; you can also use it for hanging shelves, mirrors or sconces.

2. Guest Towels

You may have purchased a new, plushy set of towels for you and your partner, but chances are you weren’t thinking about towels for your first house guests. Grab a new set of guest towels so no one is left using your old beach towels to dry off.

Hosting house guests soon? Check out these five tips for making your guests feel at home.

3. Oven Mitt

What’s worse than an oven mitt that does a poor job of keeping heat from your hands? Not having an oven mitt at all. No, really – using a dishtowel puts you at risk for serious burns 99.9 percent of the time.

4. Plunger

It only takes one traumatic bathroom experience before you realize you forgot to buy one of the most important bathroom tools: a plunger. Pro Tip: Hide your plunger with this chic storage idea.

5. Fire Extinguisher

If you remembered to purchase a fire extinguisher, cheers to you! (They’re really important.) However, there is a common misconception that “one kind fits all.” Not true! You actually need a specific kind of extinguisher depending on the type of fire you need to put out. Use this guide to make sure your home is stocked up with the right fire extinguishers.

6. Mixing Bowls

They may not be as sexy as a mandolin slicer or a new set of knives, but when it comes to your kitchen, mixing bowls are a must-have part of cooking, especially if they’re durable and easy to store.

7. Coasters

Save yourself the stress of finding drink rings on your new coffee table by purchasing some coasters. There are a lot of options out there, so we suggest going with some that are practical and sturdy without sacrificing style (like this set or this collection).

If you do find yourself with drink rings, don’t panic! Here’s how to take care of the problem.  

8. Food Thermometer

A food thermometer is not just for perfecting a pot roast or an egg-based dessert – it’s important for food safety, too. A food thermometer is essential to making sure your dinner has been cooked (or re-heated) to the correct temperature to prevent illness or contamination.

9. Paper Towel Holder

Okay, a paper towel holder may not be something that will make or break your kitchen, but we still think it’s nice to have, especially if it’s durable (read: not plastic). After all, you’re likely to use this every day.

10. Welcome Mat

Think of your entryway as your home’s first impression: it’s the first thing guests will see as they enter your home. All the more reason to deck out your front porch or entryway with a fun, stylish welcome mat!

11. Salt and Pepper Shakers

You could just use the containers that your salt and pepper came in from the grocery store, but let’s be honest: those are ugly. Salt and pepper shakers are an inexpensive way to show off your decorating personality without sacrificing functionality.

12. Watering Can

You may have filled your home with houseplants, but how are you going to water them? That’s where a small, easily storeable watering can comes in handy. Tip: If you don’t have the storage space for a watering can, snag one of these watering bulbs, instead.  

13. Tea Kettle

No kitchen is complete without a way to boil water for tea and coffee. When it comes to tea kettles, it’s worth it to spend a little more to get a little more – any kettle under $25 can chip or worse, rust! We’ve tested and approved this one from KitchenAid. 

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 magnets sitting pretty on your fridge? You’re selling them short! Using magnets just to hold up crayon drawings is like forcing Billy Joel to play Chopsticks on repeat. C’mon, people!

 

These multi-use tools are inexpensive, come in a variety of sizes and can save your rump by fixing problems all over the house.

Below are 15 of our favorite magnet tricks around the house. Do you know any others? Tell us in the comments.

1. Corral Paper Clips (and Bobby Pins!)

If you have a home office, chances are you have paper clips. To prevent them from becoming a mess, place a magnet in your desk drawer and stick the clips to the magnet. Tip:This works with bobby pins, too.

2. Keep a Sliding Door Shut

If you have a drafty sliding door at home, keep it closed tightly with magnets. Superglue one small magnet on the door and then attach a second one to the frame.

3. Organize Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap

If you’re short on drawer space, organize your aluminum foil and plastic wrap on the side of the fridge for instant access. Hot glue a small magnet inside the boxes. The magnet will stick to the fridge and keep the boxes in place. Tip: The hot glue makes it easy to peel the magnet off of the back and reuse it on a new box.

4. Find a Stud in the Wall

When you’re hanging a framed photo or mirror, it’s important to find a wall stud before you grab your nail and hammer. Otherwise, you could have crumbling drywall on your hands. You can do this really easily with a magnet and some painter’s tape.

5. Keep Chip Bags Closed

Chip Clips are nice, but this is way cooler: place magnets on opposite sides of a closed chip bag to keep your favorite snack from going stale.

6. Retrieve a Ring from the Drain without Dirtying Your Hands

So, you’ll need a special kind of magnet for this trick called a Mighty Magnet. If you take your rings off to wash dishes, it’s worth preemptively grabbing one and storing it under your sink!

If you do drop your ring, don’t panic. Crawl under your sink and detach the pipe to your sink only. Then, move the magnet along the pipe trap (it’s shaped like a “U”) until you hear a metallic clink. The magnet has found your ring! Then, slowly draw your magnet to the top of the pipe and grab your ring. At this point, it may be worth visiting your local jeweler for a quick clean.

7. Extract Batteries

Dead batteries can be a pain to remove from some electronics (like remote controls). To make life easier, use a magnet to attract the metal battery out of its tight grip. All you need to do is hold a strong magnet at one end of a magnet and slowly lift up. The battery should loosen enough for you to easily grab it.

8. Keep The Trash Can Closed

Place a magnet sticker on the inside of the lid and the lip so that the top will stay put. This way when you shut the lid, even if it’s on a spring, it’ll close.

9. Keep a Trash Bag from Slipping

This is one of my personal favorites: Use magnets to hold the edges of the trash bag to the outside of a metal trash can. Simply pull the bag over the edge and then place small magnets over the edge. Boom, done!

10. Use Magnets To Label Recycling and Trash

Keep track of which container is trash and which one holds recyclables in the specified by affixing labels to the bins with magnets. Now there’s no excuse not to recycle!

11. Sort Spices

Keep your cumin and coriander organized by placing magnets on the bottom of your spice containers. Attach them to a sheet of steel on your kitchen wall, a stainless steel backsplash or your refrigerator. No more sifting through a cluttery cabinet!

12. Organize Jewelry

Organize your loose bracelets and bangles with magnets. All you need is an old-fashioned tray made of metal. Pop a few magnets on it, hang up your jewelry and you’re done!

13. Hang Knives

If you haven't figured it out already, metal sticks to magnets, so all you need to do is install a strong magnetic strip along your kitchen backsplash. It’s important to use a strong magnet, otherwise you might have sharp knives falling like rain in your kitchen, which is not at all safe.

14. Magnetize Chalkboard Paint

Next time you paint a surface with chalkboard paint, coat it with magnetic primer first. Follow it up with chalkboard paint, and then your surface will double as a magnet board! Note:Magnetic primer is not as strong as a regular magnet surface, so you’ll likely need 2 to 3 coats of the primer before you begin your project.

15. Organize Makeup

Display every eye shadow you own with your own makeup magnet board. First, purchase small circular magnets and hot glue them to the back of your makeup containers. Then just stick the magnets on a metal tray or piece of stainless steel. Tip: When the makeup runs out, the hot glue makes it easy to peel the magnet off of the back and reuse it on a new makeup container.

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.