Posts with tag 'Homeowner'

As you've spent most of the summer at home, have you been looking for extra projects to keep the family busy? Maybe you've listed your house among Mansfield homes for sale and have been getting your home shipshape for potential buyers, but you've still got time on your hands. Has the urge to feed your backyard birds flitted across your mind? Helping them out — especially as the weather gets colder — is a fine thing to do.

But it's not enough to toss out pieces of dried bread. Bread has no nutritional value for birds and can be harmful by filling them up so they don't eat the foods they need. If you're going to feed the birds, invest in good quality seed.

Here are some additional tips for helping your local feathered friends get the nutritional boost they need.

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Spending more time at home gives everyone a bit of a home improvement bug, and that's never a bad thing. But if you've been watching home makeover shows, your vision of the process may not match reality. Many small and mostly cosmetic projects are DIY-friendly. But there are times when you'll need to call in the professionals for safety and legal reasons. Our REALTORS® want your remodeling project to go off without a hitch, so we'll help you sort out which projects you can tackle on your own and which need to be done by the pros. 

• Make A Splash 
  Plumbing-related repairs and updates should be approached with caution, but several are DIY-friendly. It may be the first time you locate the shut-off valves in your home, and this can be crucial information in case of a leak or break in your pipes. Changing plumbing fixtures, including installing a toilet, can be done by a careful homeowner and can take years off the look of a room. 
  
  If you're looking to add a freestanding bidet or an outdoor sink, however, you should leave that to a professional plumber. Re-routing existing pipes or installing new ones can get tricky fast. Any project involving shutting off water to the entire house should also be left to a plumber, as the necessary equipment may require a plumber's license.

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Changing from summer to fall means crisper air, cooler temperatures, and, of course, an abundance of leaves, pumpkins, and seasonal colors. Fall is also the time to make your home feel warm and inviting. Get in the spirit of fall by playing up the natural scenery outside and giving your front porch a seasonal refresh with carefully chosen fall decorations. And it's easy, enjoyable, and affordable to put together a festive look and elevate your outdoor space. Our REALTORS® have got a few ideas for how you can achieve a beautiful front porch for fall.

1. Go Traditional with Pumpkins and Mums
   It doesn't feel like fall without pumpkins. They come in different colors, shapes, and sizes so you can take advantage of the variety to add visual interest and create an inviting statement. You can place the pumpkins on the ground, put them in a lantern or another decorative container, or place them on a hay bale for a fresh fall look. Also, mums and pumpkins are a natural pair when it comes to outdoor fall decorations. The vibrant tones of the flowers flawlessly complement the soft pastel colors of the pumpkins. Create an eye-catching display by placing small pumpkins and mums on opposite sides of the entryway.

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Renovating your home can make it more comfortable to live in. In addition, it also can put a little extra money in your pocket when you decide to sell the home. However, our REALTORS® also know that some renovations can leave you less than happy with the finished result. Some can cost more than you expect, and others can detract from the home's value. The following are five home renovations that aren't worth the headaches and costs that they create.

• Going Against the Grain
  Maybe you like Ultra-Modern, or long for something more Tudor. That is not a problem when the rest of the home matches the renovation style you want to incorporate. However, if you try and put an ultra-modern kitchen in a Tudor home, or a Southwestern style living room in a country cottage, the resulting contrast will make the home less appealing to prospective buyers. When considering style, always choose design styles and features that complement and enhance one another.

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In our Ohio region, there will be a hint of fall in the air soon, and with it, a harbinger of the colder weather to come. That means, among many other tasks, it's time to winterize our yards. The goal is to shut things down so your plants are protected against the worst that Mother Nature can deliver with wintertime wind and moisture.

Year-round maintenance of your yard will help you keep a step ahead of the other Mansfield homes for sale, should you be planning to list your home. Our REALTORS® have many suggestions for making your property look its best. But to get started, try these six helpful tips to winterize your yard.

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