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Homeowners can save money and improve quality of life by using free conservation tips.

September 27th, 2010

Turning lights off and reducing water usage will make a big difference.

This summer was hot. And humid. And uncomfortable. Those temperatures are moderating, but the utility bills are flooding our mailboxes. Keeping cool in Missouri can be an expensive undertaking. We know that energy efficiency for our homes is the way to go now, not only from an expense standpoint, but also from an ecological view. EnergyStar® appliances, new windows, solar panels and more insulation are very important, but there are also things that you and your family can do every day that cost nothing and considerably reduce your utilities.

Turn the lights out. Your furniture is not afraid of the dark. If you or a family member won’t be in a room for more than five minutes, flip the switch. Ditto for the television, radio and video games. Where ever possible use compact florescent light bulbs. They use a fourth of the energy of an incandescent bulb and produce the same amount of light.

Window coverings are another energy saving method. Keep the drapes closed on the east side of the house in the morning, open in the afternoon, and drapes closed on the west side during the late afternoon.

With cooler temperatures coming, turn off the air conditioning, open the windows and enjoy real air. Ceiling fans will help circulate fresh air both during the day and nighttime. As frigid air moves in, keep your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and around 55 at night. Programmable thermostats are great and help keep a constant temperature. If you go away for an extended period of time, set the thermostat at 55 degrees. You can save from five to 20 percent on your heating costs.

Water runs freely in this part of the country, but it really is a very precious resource. Just a few techniques can save hundreds of gallons of water each week and reduce your water bill. Approximately 75 percent of the water we use at home is in the bathroom. According to the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average bathroom faucet flows at two gallons per minute. If you turn the tap off when brushing your teeth in the morning and at bedtime you can save up to eight gallons of water per day, and that equals 240 gallons a month!

Americans love their long, hot showers and baths, but consider this: taking a five-minute shower uses 10-25 gallons of water while a bath can consume up to 70 gallons. Replacing current shower and sink fixtures with low flow aerators will also save a considerable amount of water.

Would you like to know how much water your family uses in a day? The U.S. Geological Survey has a great survey you can complete to find out your totals. This is a fun exercise to do with children to help them understand the ramifications of letting the faucet run.

If you would like to learn more tips on saving energy, saving money and being more environmentally friendly, The U.S. Department of Energy has a booklet you can download or order.

With just a few minor adjustments in habit, homeowners and families have the opportunity to keep energy expenses under control and help our quality of living.

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Bathroom renovations top kitchens as the best home investment

September 20th, 2010

Start and end your day in a peaceful bathroom retreat.

Curb appeal, updated kitchens and bathrooms are always big draws for potential buyers. Kitchens were traditionally the most common remodel, but this year the bathroom has surged ahead, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders.

Homeowners are also avoiding large remodeling projects, such as room additions, whole house remodeling, installing pools and lavish outdoor living spaces. Instead, they choose the smaller bathroom project that can add panache and a sense of individuality.

While small, a bathroom remodel can be expensive, as is any project involving plumbing and water. Bathrooms today are being designed as personal retreats from the frenetic pace of life. Soaking tubs are big, as is a separate shower, beautiful tile, radiant heating and heated towel racks.

Still, remodeling a bathroom is one of the smarter investments a homeowner can do to add value.

The first step is to conceptualize just what you want for your bathroom. Writing a wish list helps with organization, and with deciding how much the project may cost. Research bathroom ideas at retail stores and by visiting newly remodeled bathrooms. You’ll be surprised how a simple idea turns into a functional centerpiece. The Internet is another wonderful resource for ideas, color coordination, bath features and online planning guides.

Doing this preliminary work also sets the stage for the second step, finding a reliable, professional contractor. Communication is the absolute key when doing a renovation, and unless you and the contractor are speaking the same language and understand the ultimate goal, problems will pop up.

While some do-it-yourselfers may be able to take on a bathroom remodel, a contractor is usually the best bet. He or she knows how to get the required permits and build according to your local code. Nothing is more disheartening when an inspector comes, finds issues and the whole job needs to be taken out.

Two major concepts are important in your remodel–lighting and circulation. John Rhia at houselogic.com emphasizes how important natural lighting and heavy-duty ventilation are. Good lighting creates an open, airy feeling, which is especially important in a small bathroom. And, well-designed lighting systems remove shadows so you’ll know how you look in the morning.

Ventilation is a major issue. Without it, the bathroom not only smells, well, like a locker room, but also breeds humidity, mold and mildew. Not only are these culprits expensive to remediate, they also will destroy expensive cabinetry.

A bathroom upgrade will bring many rewards, not only by adding value to you home, but also by providing you with a peaceful retreat to start and end your day. For success, take it slowly, be specific about what you want, and let the experts handle the water and plumbing.

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Native plants show a respect for our environment and reduce the homeowner’s labor

June 14th, 2010

Missouri is blessed with a burst of colorful native plants that will increase your curb appeal and show off your eco-friendly property.

Missouri is a wonderfully diverse state, with flat plains to the north and the craggy Ozarks to the south. With different terrains come a cornucopia of native plants that will do quite well in your landscaping plans and require little maintenance once established.

The first look a potential buyer has of your house is the drive-by, or curb appeal. If the buyer doesn’t like the outside, most likely the interest goes down, almost regardless of how wonderful the inside is. Enhance your property and show off the beautiful Missouri native plants, whether you are selling now or planning on staying for a while.

From a small balcony garden to acres and acres of land, planting native has distinct advantages:
Once established, native plants need minimal watering, reducing your water bill and the time it takes to spray the plantings.

Because the plants are acclimated to grow in Missouri soil, they establish quickly and don’t need pampering.

Native plants have already dealt and adapted to the problems of pests and weeds. This reduces the need for commercial fertilizers and pesticides, thereby saving you money and reducing your chemical footprint.

Birds and butterflies thrive on native plants, giving you a garden paradise and hours of entertainment watching those in flight coming and going.

Missouri native plants adapt well to sun or shade. For your sunny garden, the Missouri black-eyed Susan is a sure hit. Found in the Ozarks, this tenacious flower can handle rocky areas with well-drained soil. Another winner is the Missouri primrose, or the glade lily, which also does well in rocky areas. The lemon-yellow flowers open in the afternoon for nighttime pollination. The prairie blazing star is another sun worshipper and blooms into October to keep your garden colorful. Butterflies love these purple plums.

On the shady side, there are plenty of choices, all attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The crested iris is an impressive ground cover in partial shade and just right for landscape borders. The columbine, with its red tubular flowers, is a popular nectar source for hummingbirds and flowers from April through July in average to moist soil. Very common but still spectacular and tough is the purple coneflower. Well into October, the purple blossoms will provide flowers for cutting bouquets.

Including native plants in your yardscape is a gradual process, one the demands planning and patience, but you’ll be rewarded with a low maintenance, natural garden. To learn more about planting native, visit grownative.org and for a downloadable guide, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.

Written by Myra Vandersall

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Home staging is vital for quick sell, best price

March 8th, 2010

Staging increases your chances of a quick sell, reduces the time on the market, and supports your asking price.

Making your home alluring for potential buyers is a smart move in today’s real estate market. In fact, staging your home is now almost a must-do for a quick sell and the best price. The Internet has drastically changed how potential buyers initially shop for a home, and crisp, bright photos on a webpage are essential.

Home staging can take many forms, from the homeowner staging for little or no money, to hiring a professional stager to using the virtual staging technique. The two most important concepts of staging are valid for all methods–de-clutter and depersonalize.

Before doing anything, remove all clutter and personal effects, including that family photo on the mantel, the kids’ artwork on the refrigerator, the kitchen magnets and all those theme-room knick knacks. Sometimes this is a very hard thing to do because of the personal memories and comfort of living with your “stuff.”

Once you’ve done a de-cluttering and de-personalizing sweep, ask a friend or neighbor to come in a point out more things that should go. There will always be more and someone with an impersonal view can help you open up the space and show off your house to its best advantage. All your personal items will become an integral part of your new home. But right now you want a buyer to see their stuff in the house.

De-cluttering also has the added plus of helping you get organized for your move, and sorting thorough things that can be recycled, donated or thrown away. You’ll be ahead in the long run.

Next, remove excess furniture. Large, bulky pieces will make your home seem smaller and give a false perspective. Arrange your furniture in a conversational setting and let the room breathe with extra space.

If you have a fireplace, that should be the focus of your room. Remove the television; a flat-screen shouldn’t be the center of attention. If your fireplace has some black soot, it can be cleaned and even repainted.

Painting will be a big part of your home staging. Repainting an area makes it fresh and covers the scuff marks. You don’t have to stick to a neutral color—there are many softer shades of beige, light yellow, blue and green that will make an impression on potential buyers.

In the kitchen, remove ALL appliances from the countertops. This is extremely important if you have a small kitchen and need to create more countertop space. And as in the bathroom, cleaning and updating are the two most important tasks for these rooms. Kitchens and baths attract the most dirt, so showing a sparkling area will make a big difference.

A relatively new technique in home staging is virtual staging. This is used mostly with homes that are vacant and don’t show up to their potential. Virtual home stagers use computers to work with photos of the house and create a concept of the room, from changing the paint, placing furniture, lighting, and accessories.

This makes a better impression for potential buyers as viewed on the Internet, and can be less expensive than hiring a home stager and renting furniture. The trick here is to use prominent disclaimers saying that the property has been digitally enhanced to show the rooms can look with good design. Otherwise, a potential buyer who views the home online and sees a totally different looking house upon visiting will feel deceived and consider the treatment unethical.

More information on home preparing your home for sale and Home Buying Institute’s website.

Written by Myra Vandersall

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Putting your yard “to bed” in October means less work in the spring

October 28th, 2009

Taking good care of your lawn at the end of the season makes good sense

While it may not be as rewarding up front as planting new spring flowers, getting your lawn and gardens ready for winter will be a real time saver come next year. Here are some tips to help you organize a fall clean-up.

Dead-head perennials. Remove spent annuals after the first frost, but resist the urge to prune perennials to the ground as this can invite insects and fungal infections. Always wait until spring when the first new growth appears before cutting perennials back.

Dig tender plants such as canna lily, dahlia and annual geraniums right after the first frost. Air dry plants and store in a cool dry location for the winter.

Don’t forget to water trees and shrubs, especially evergreens. The general rule is one inch of water per week. So check your rain gauge.

Collect soil samples from several locations in your lawn and around your trees. Have both samples tested. If lawn samples indicate a low pH apply lime now. Fertilize trees if soil samples indicate a deficiency.

If you are planning on reseeding or over seeding your lawn be sure to do it in October.

  • Cool season grasses benefit from fall applications of fertilizer. Nurserymen recommend three applications during the fall months. Cool season grasses include bluegrass, fescue and rye grass. Warm season grasses include zoysia, buffalo and Bermuda grass.
  • Broadleaf herbicides can be applied now to control cool season weeds.
  • For those who garden organically and shy away from herbicides and petroleum based fertilizers, a lush lawn is attainable. Organic fertilizers are available. Bradfield Organics, a local company, produces organic fertilizers specifically designed for lawns. If you choose an organic use a 3-1-5 fertilizer in the fall.
  • Rake your lawn to help keep it healthy. Your grass can actually be smothered when covered by a deep layer of leaves.

By Jeanne Baker, MLA, Landscape Designer

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