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Flex Your DIY Muscles

Thursday, October 19, 2023
by Mehner Weiser Real Estate, LLC.

 

 

I hope you're enjoying the first few weeks of the new season. Fall is the perfect time to get stuff done around the house. It's this quiet time before the hustle of the holiday season. Whether it's simple seasonal changes, regular maintenance, or taking on a new project, take this time to check items off your list. If you plan on holiday guests this year, it's the perfect time to take on a simple project that will make a big impression. Here are five simple weekend projects that will have your family and friends praising your skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where do your guests gather? The kitchen. Make smaller updates to your kitchen without doing a complete remodel, which can be costly.   Try upgrading your cabinet and drawer handles, or add a backsplash. New lighting can also make a big impression.

 

Like the kitchen, guests notice bathrooms. Fall is a great time to get new lighting, sink, or upgrade bathroom fixtures. If you have tile, do a deep cleaning on your grout. If your bathroom is smaller, try painting an accent wall to add a pop that will impress.

Light fixtures can bring a modern look to your home. Updating your lights so everything matches is an investment that can go a long way. 


One of the easiest DIY projects to impress your guests is to give your interior rooms a fresh coat of paint. Your home will have a new, clean look. If you're looking for a wow factor, paint accent walls.

Replacing your floors can be a huge undertaking and can be costly. Give them a fresh look with a deep carpet clean. If you have hardwood scratches or damages, you don't want guests to notice. An area rug can be a great way to cover those scratches and make a nice impression.

 

If you've been trying to find time to make a few updates to your home. Schedule a weekend in October to try these DIY ideas. Do them before your holiday guests arrive, and make a great impression. Updates like these are also great if you're thinking about selling. Call me if you're thinking about buying or selling this fall. I'd be happy to discuss your home and our local market conditions.

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4 Home Projects That Add Instant Value

Wednesday, May 24, 2017
by Mehner Weiser Real Estate, LLC.

Do you have a list of changes you'd like to make to your home this year? Completing cosmetic updates is easiest when the weather's in your favor. In honor of May's National Home Improvement Month, here are four upgrades ranging from curb appeal projects to large-scale expansions that often yield high returns. 

  1. Replacing doors and windows: Homeowners are often encouraged to consider projects that boost overall curb appeal. Swapping out a wooden front door for a steel model or replacing front-facing windows can pack more of an ROI punch than renovations made inside the home. 
  2. Constructing a deck: Create a beautiful transition from your back door to the outdoors by building a deck. The update turns into a major selling point that can recoup your initial investment when it's time to move on. 
  3. Adding insulation: Of all the projects listed in Remodeling magazine's 2017 Cost vs. Value Report, adding loose-fill insulation to your attic is the only one with returns that exceed 100 percent of the cost. It can also help reduce year-round heating and cooling costs. 
  4. Building a second-story addition: Even with a slight increase in construction costs, completing a significant two-story addition resulted in a substantial year-over-year increase in value from 2016 to 2017. Adding the extra space will likely catch the attention of buyers. 

Home renovations and repairs are on the rise and expected to peak this year. Now's the time to start planning your investment-savvy home improvements.

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Urban Homesteading: 3 Ways to Produce Your Own Food

Wednesday, March 15, 2017
by Mehner Weiser Real Estate, LLC.

 

 

From backyard and rooftop gardens to community plots in parks and vacant lots, urban agriculture has become a nationwide movement, and more homeowners have taken an interest in producing their own food. For many urban homesteaders, it stems from a desire to know where their food comes from and live more sustainably. 

Are you interested in participating? These three small-scale projects are great places to start. 

Raising Backyard Chickens
Chickens provide a relatively inexpensive, low-maintenance way to feed your family, plus they act as complimentary fertilizer and chemical-free pest control. Before you buy baby chicks, make sure you research and follow local laws, city ordinances and homeowner association rules. 

Taking Up Beekeeping
In the 1940s, America had five million beehives, and today, roughly half of those remain. A growing awareness of this drastic decline has led to an increase in urban beekeeping, to the tune of approximately 120,000 backyard beekeepers. 

Becoming a beekeeper starts with a lot of research, followed by choosing the right equipment and bees. Don't want to care for an entire colony? Plant native flower and weed varieties that help encourage bee pollination and reproduction. 

Gardening and Canning 
Whether it's a large plot or a small section, a personal garden gives you control. Plus, you can preserve fresh fruits and vegetables via the canning process. While many homesteaders use yields from their garden, others buy extra produce in its peak season. Canning veggies and fruits is a family-friendly activity that lets you enjoy seasonal produce all year long. 

Though urban homesteading may seem intimidating at first, it's easier to start small. The projects above can help minimize your impact on the environment and allow you to take part in your own food production.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Emergency Binder

Wednesday, January 11, 2017
by Mehner Weiser Real Estate, LLC.

 

Do you know what vital information to have on hand in the event of a natural disaster or family emergency? When an unexpected situation arises, there's no time to sort through paperwork, no matter how essential it may be. Having everything you need in an organized emergency binder can streamline the process and give you peace of mind.

What to Include in an Emergency Binder
While there's no shortage of important family documents and household records, a true emergency calls for a few must-haves:

  • Vital records like birth certificates, driver's licenses, Social Security cards, naturalization documents, passports and child custody papers.
  • Insurance policies, including homeowners, renters, auto, life and health.
  • Property records such as real estate deeds, rental agreements, and vehicle titles and registration.
  • Financial documents like wills, trusts, powers-of-attorney and funeral instructions. 
  • A family emergency plan with contact information and predetermined meeting places.

Safely Storing Other Important Information
Some items, such as account passwords and a backup of critical computer files, aren't suited for a portable binder. Instead, house them in a secure location like a safety deposit box or lockbox. You can also include a home inventory list, contracts, business paperwork, tax returns and investment records. 

Play it safe and include a recent photograph of every family member, along with fingerprints and dental records. You may also want to store valuable memorabilia, jewelry, and priceless family photos, letters and documents here as well.

There's no way to predict when misfortune will strike, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared. Set aside an afternoon to create an emergency binder that can help protect your family when time is of the essence.
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Latest Bathroom Trends and Features

Wednesday, October 26, 2016
by Mehner Weiser Real Estate, LLC.

 

According to a recent Houzz & Home survey, homeowners are investing more on bathroom renovations than in previous years, largely due to outdated designs and finishes. What types of upgrades are they spending money on? Here are some of the latest trends and tech updates being used in bathroom design.

Aesthetic Additions
You don't have to tackle a full overhaul to make a big impact in the bathroom. Smaller changes can often bring big rewards, both from a resale perspective and by adding value to your daily experience. 

Cosmetic favorites, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association's 2016 bathroom trends, include polished chrome finishes and neutral colors like white and gray. And bathrooms are becoming more streamlined with floating vanities, open shelving and undermount sinks. When larger changes are made, homeowners are incorporating amenities such as no-threshold showers and higher vanity heights that allow for aging in place.

Tech Touches
When you consider updating the appliances in your home, you may automatically think of doing so in the kitchen, living area or laundry room. Many, however, are quickly adopting technological advances in pursuit of the smart bathroom. Some of the more popular add-ons available include:

  • High-tech toilets: The most basic bathroom appliance now has seat-warming options, LED lights, motion sensors and automatic dryers.
  • Accessorized soaking tubs: You can take a basic bath, or you can soak in a chromotherapy tub with mood-enhanced lighting. Or enjoy an air bath, with massaging bubbles similar to a hot spring. 
  • Digital faucets and showers: Along with reduced flow, which conserves water and money, faucet features also include touchless technology and programmable settings like a timed shower option.

Which market trends and tech updates appeal most to your family? When done well, these upgrades can improve your quality of life and increase the value of your home.
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Make Your Own Household Cleaning Products

Thursday, August 11, 2016
by Mehner Weiser Real Estate, LLC.

Whether you're looking for greener ways to clean your home or you just want to save money at the store, there are simple household cleaning products you can make on your own. Use the recipes, tips and precautions below to help you get started.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Create your own inexpensive and effective all-purpose cleaner with liquid castile soap, tea tree oil, vodka, washing soda (not baking soda) and white vinegar. Boil the vinegar in the microwave, mix in the remaining ingredients according to the recipe and put the solution in a spray bottle for easy cleaning.

Laundry Detergent

Avoid questionable foaming agents and heavy fragrance by making your own laundry detergent. Measure the correct amounts of soap flakes or grated bar soap, borax and washing soda, and store in an airtight container.

Tips to Keep in Mind

  • Avoid mix-ups by labeling and dating each cleaning product when it's made.
  • Add a few drops of essential oils like tea tree, lavender and lemon to scent your homemade cleaning solutions.
  • Substitute vodka for vinegar if you want a lighter smell.
  • Before using a homemade cleaner on delicate surfaces like hardwood floors or marble, first test it in a small, hidden area.

What to Avoid

  • Do not mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar. The dangerous combination can damage your respiratory system.
  • Keep hydrogen peroxide and vinegar separate at all times. Together they create peracetic acid, a highly corrosive compound that can lead to chemical burns.
  • Don't use vinegar on reactive metal surfaces like aluminum or cast iron.
  • Refrain from using large amounts of any cleaning solution, homemade or store-bought, in unventilated areas.

When mixed and used properly, homemade cleaning solutions can work as well as, if not better than, commercial cleaners, plus they're also easier on your wallet. Make sure you know the basics before you make your own cleaning products.

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Mehner Weiser Real Estate Group
RE/MAX Dynamic Properties
3350 Midtown Place
Anchorage AK 99503
Bethany (907) 223-1632
Bonnie (907) 223-0005
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