For No Mere Mortal Can Resist the Evil of the Thriller

Halloween is in just a few days and the last time Halloween fell on a weekend was in 2008.  You are ready for an all-out scare fest and giving away massive amounts of candy to every ghoul and goblin that comes your way.  You have thought of everything, the candy, the decorations, the jack-o-lanterns, and the scary music, what more could you possibly do to prepare for the best night of the year.  It turns out, a lot, if you also consider the liability that comes along with Halloween.  First off, the decorations certainly give an aura of fear but make sure that they do not go too far.  If your yard is covered with graves, spider webs, skeletons etc., make sure it is well lit so that those who come into your yard can see the possible hazards and won’t trip over anything.  Think like a kid who either runs up excitedly to get candy or away from anything too scary.  If someone falls and becomes injured you, could be liable since it happened on your property.    You may love the jack-o-lanterns, with their eerie glowing faces lit by flame, but they can be easily knocked over and many costumes and decorations can be highly flammable.  Try using a battery operated tea light instead of candles to make it safer for all. 

Besides all of the little visitors that may come knocking at your door, there are a few other critters that deserve your consideration.  If you have pets that will be out of sorts with all the activity going on at your home, it is best to keep them in a closed room or kennel, to avoid any possible mishap that can occur.  Also, it is safer for them to not be near any possible items that may inadvertently fall to the floor that can be poisonous to their constitutions.  Chocolate, I am looking at you.  Since Halloween fall on a weekend, you may have more guests over to your home than usual.  So many people I know are having costume parties, and not just for the kiddies.  If you are going to serve alcohol, please be responsible and limit the amount that people drink.  Better yet collect keys at the door, ensure everyone has a designated driver or be prepared for overnight guests who have drank a little too much witch’s brew.  You wouldn’t think it, but Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights when it comes to drunk driving, even more than New Year’s Eve.  If it is determined that your guest was served too much and caused an accident, you could be held responsible.  It is best to prepare yourself for a great night of scares and thrills and to keep all of your guests, whether little ghouls and goblins, or big witches and vampires, safe and healthy on this All Hallows Eve.   

It’s Not Easy Being Green

           

            I know I have talked about this before but one of the most important things to get people interested in your home or to look at if you are buying a home is the first impression the home makes on you, or in other words is the curb appeal.  If the outside of the home, including the landscaping, looks a mess and is unkempt, then there is a strong likelihood that the inside of the home will match.  Now this a broad sweeping statement and I know there are always exceptions, and in the past they were few and far between.  For example, some people may be able to handle things inside the home where it is air-conditioned, but the heat of working outside just may be too much for them.  With the recent drought conditions and water restrictions, we are seeing a lot more of these exceptions.  I drive through my neighborhood and at just about every other home; the people have let their landscaping go brown because of the restrictions.  So in a time when water has become so scarce, what are we to do to up our curb appeal and still follow the restrictions imposed on us?

I know I now sound like a broken record and seem to be repeating myself a lot, but when in drought, xeriscape.  This is by far the most drought conscious option out there, but this option may not be for everyone.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of xeriscaping and think if you can afford, it is the way to go.  Replacing existing landscaping with plants and lawn that are drought friendly and help you to reduce your water usage is a smart idea.  Xeriscaping is also quite beautiful, whether you opt for a lush green environment with vibrant colors, or a rock garden.  The problem is that while xeriscaping will eventually save you money in the long run, not everyone can afford the initial outlay of money needed to enact such a change.  Another option that has recently made a rise in popularity because of the drought is lawn painting.  Your grass will be greener and you are still reducing your water usage.  How soon you need to reapply depends on how fast your lawn grows and how often you mow it.  It is a much more economical way to keep your lawn green and the paint used is nontoxic to the environment.  So, both options are great options to reduce your water usage and in the long run your water bills.  Also, they keep your yard looking good and boost your curb appeal. 

Keeping Your Bottom Line in Mind

            

       You are ready to move on up and out of your home and you are getting ready to put it on the market.  Sure you are ready to do whatever it takes to get that place sold so that you can get your future home of your dreams.  You will paint; do repair, stage, anything at all, just so long as it sells.  But, is what you are planning to do to get it sold, actually going to help or hurt your bottom line.   Many times, people are so eager to sell their home, that they begin to make mistakes or questionable choices that in the long run can decrease the value of their home or unintentionally turn off prospective buyers.   If you want the most bang for your buck and of course, your pick of offers, just keep in mind that you may want to rethink the direction you are going in.

           

    Sure, you want to improve the look of your home to entice the buyers of today that your home is the one they want to buy.  Your best bet is to avoid doing something too trendy.  One minute a color or décor is in and next minute it could be out.  Do you really want to be stuck in a design hell situation like the 1970’s, with its short-lived adoration of shag carpet, wood paneling, and a popcorn ceiling?  And exactly how long were the florescent colors of the 1980’s popular? When updating a home to sell, you want something that is on point with current design décor, but is also timeless.  Neutral paints with a few accent colors, not an entire room in an outrageous colors or décor.  You don’t want to leave prospective buyers calculating how much it will cost to change or even worse, running for the hills.   Also, don’t forget to maintain your home.  Besides cleaning, and landscaping, you also need to make sure everything in your home is in working order.  From your appliances to light switches, to even the medicine cabinet door, buyers want to know that you have taken care of your home.  If you neglect to change a bulb here or there, buyers might think that maybe you overlook other things in your home.  If the little things are not taken care of, what have you done about the bigger problems?  So, if you want your home to sell, avoid some of these common mistakes and leave buyers with the impression that your home is worth their time to look at it.