Father’s Day Idea: Organize the Garage

Commonly used as the family dumping ground, the garage is undergoing a revival as a functional workplace. Installing a garage storage system that frees up some of this space can have the same effect as adding a room, and it’s a good way to increase your home’s value. Here are three tips to make the most of your garage:

 

---

 

Why You Shouldn’t Rush Through the Final Walk-Through

The final walk-through in real estate was designed so that the buyer could literally “walk through” one last time before the closing. From time to time, a buyer and seller will have negotiated any number of fixes during escrow. The walk-through gives the buyer an opportunity to make sure all the agreed-upon work has been done to specifications and that everything is in working order.

Sometimes, buyers are so excited to close that they quickly whisk through the walk-through without taking time to inspect the property. This can lead to small issues once the buyers take ownership. On the other hand, the final walk-through can raise both positive and negative emotions during this final part of the sale process.

It’s smart to think things through and take the walk-through seriously. Don’t see it as simply checking a box.

Here are some things buyers should consider before and during their walk-through.

Don’t do the walk-through the day of closing
A walk-through can uncover repairs that need to be made, but that you didn’t know about before. If you do the walk-through the same day as the closing, there may not be time to get things remedied. It’s not uncommon for two walk-throughs to happen. The first identifies some issues for the buyer, and the second makes sure those issues were addressed.

Check the power outlets
Nowadays with mobile phones, it’s easy to plug a phone in and out of all of the outlets to make sure the electricity works. You want to avoid moving in all your stuff, only to realize some outlets don’t work and you lack light in a bedroom. Bring your phone and charger to the walk-through and test all the outlets. It’s quick and easy.

Be on the lookout for the sellers’ leftover junk
Sellers are notorious for leaving junk behind, so take the time to check the garage, attic and under the deck. The sellers may just assume you want their old paint cans or a propane tank for a future grill. In fact, they should leave the place completely empty. At times some left-behinds, such as the paint, can be toxic or require special provisions for disposing. (In one situation, a seller left behind all kinds of used oil that needed to go to a certain, state-approved car repair shop to be disposed of properly.) These unwanted items become yours after you close.

Be prepared for a surprise
Often times, buyers fall in love with a home that’s full of furniture, art and belongings. They see it as a home and remember a warm feeling. Fast-forward to the close of escrow and you’re faced with an empty home, which can feel cold, sterile or hollow. Buyers are often surprised by how they feel entering an empty home. Not only is it absent any furniture and “stuff,” but sometimes an empty home shows its imperfections, too. The sun may have slightly bleached floors, showing the outline of a rug. There may be carpet stains or holes in the wall from a flat screen TV or paintings. An empty home tends to show poorly, so prepare yourself before the walk-through.

The journey toward homeownership is often a long one, filled with lots of excitement and ups and downs. The final walk-through is one of the very last steps of what could be a multiple-year process. Consider the walk-through in advance and prepare for it mentally, emotionally and physically. Know what you want to look for, have a checklist and keep your emotions and feelings in check. Doing so will make for a smooth ride to the close of escrow.

How to Protect Your Outdoor Furniture (and Save Money)

When choosing outdoor furniture for a garden room, outdoor kitchen or multi-level deck, some consumers prefer quality tables, chairs and assorted pieces that become an investment to protect. Quality furniture in good condition with good bracing can be refurbished at a substantial savings over replacing it, while less-costly furniture may be refurbished to avoid adding to the growing waste stream. In either case, the best way to keep outdoor furniture looking its best is regular maintenance.

Outdoor furniture comes in many materials, from exotic woods to metals to recycled high-density polyethylene to plastic, so check the guide that accompanied your purchase for how to care for your specific product. Most importantly, keep it clean and immediately wipe up spills or deposits. Here are some other tips for maintaining your outdoor furniture:

Replace materials or parts

Exposure to the sun, rain, pool, suntan lotions and body oils, and the outdoor casual lifestyle eventually take their toll on outdoor furniture. The vinyl strapping on chairs and lounges eventually fade, crack and break. Slings might rip or discolor. Glides can disappear.

When it comes to repairing or replacing materials or parts, there are options. Replacement parts are available that include anything from vinyl strapping to tires, custom-made slings to end caps, even chair glides to keep bare metal ends from scratching decks.

Chair Care Patio, based in Dallas, TX, is one business that caters to those caring for their outdoor furniture. “Most people are not aware that they can refurbish their lawn furniture,” says Lelia Brown. “Before I came to work here, I threw away a chair because I did not know you could replace the sling.”

Brown says Chair Care Patio is both a traditional business that offers patio furniture repair and refinishing at its Texas store as well as a web-based parts and materials business. Brown says the web-based portion of the business has grown astronomically.

Through do-it-yourself instructions on supplier websites, such as Chair Care Patio’s, customers can learn how to measure, cut and install vinyl straps, for example, using common installation methods such as single wrap, double wrap or slotted conversion.

Freshen up the finish

Wrought-iron:

A fresh coat of stain or paint can work wonders in updating outdoor furniture. For wrought iron, touch it up with a rust-resistant primer, such as Rustoleum’s, whenever bare metal is exposed and it can look good for years. But if the rust has spread, consider having the piece sandblasted and powder-coated for a new look.

Aluminum:

Aluminum furniture will resist rust but is subject to pitting that can dull the metal. Wash it frequently and wax it with automobile wax to keep it in good condition.

Wood:

Most wood outdoor furniture will benefit from a mild scrubbing and rinsing at the start and finish of each season. Many pieces also work best with an annual sanding and a fresh coat of protectant, such as a good outdoor varnish, to prevent drying or cracking. Maintenance will vary depending on the type of wood.

Wicker:

Today’s wicker furniture comes in both natural and synthetic. Organic natural wicker is best kept for short uses outside and in the shade. Its synthetic cousin of vinyl or resin better handles exposure. Rinse and scrub away dirt to keep a good-looking synthetic wicker surface.

Bamboo:

Bamboo, another popular natural material, is fine on a covered porch or deck but tends to split and separate if left out to weather. Keep it looking good by bringing it inside when not in use.

Plastic:

Putting a new face on plastic furniture has had its problems. It’s easy to scratch the surface when trying to clean it. Applying paint often results in a coating that beads up or peels away after it dries. Instead of sending a good but faded piece of plastic furniture to the landfill, there are options.

Krylon® Fusion for Plastic® is one. This is a no-prep, super-bond paint that works on most plastics as well as several other surfaces. Available in a variety of colors as well as “textured shimmer” shades and a clear “Mystic Prism Effect,” it is dry to the touch in 15 minutes or less and cures to full-chip resistance after seven days.



Care for fabrics
Keep cushions, pillows and other fabrics clean, smelling and looking fresh. Mold or mildew can set in older, cotton-batting fillings. Fabric colors can fade.

Among the options to consider are a fabric-protecting spray finish, such as Krylon’s Outdoor Spaces® UV Fabric Protector. It can be used on canvas — and everything from tents to table napkins — to keep colors or patterns looking good longer and water resistant.

Another option is to replace faded and smelly cushions and pillows with upgraded items. New fabrics include Sunbrella® that is made from acrylic fiber. It resists sunlight, mildew and rot and is coated with a soil- and stain-resistant finish for easy cleanup. New cushions can be filled with high-density, all-weather foam or fiber filling. If the cushions have zippers, remove the core for cleaning or replacement.

Dust furniture before washing in a solution of mild detergent and water. Avoid using ground water that may contain sulfur, iron oxide or other minerals that can stain the furniture. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Extend the lifespan

Here are a few quick tips for how to prolong and recycle your outdoor furniture:

Wipe up any beverage or food spills right away.
Wipe off furniture after it rains.
Remove any tree or bird deposits as soon as possible.
Remove any residue from suntan lotions and body oils that can stain or accelerate the breakdown of materials. Have towels available to provide an easily cleanable barrier between chairs and their occupants.
Store or cover furniture that doesn’t stand up well to constant exposure, such as bamboo.
Check all bolts and screws and tighten any that may be loose.
Replace broken, rusted or missing pieces.
Use a silicone lubricant on all wheels and hinges.
Bring the furniture inside during harsh winter weather or store under a breathable cover.
Look underneath chaises for damage to the glides from dragging. Replace if they are worn out or missing.
Aluminum is one of those great recyclable items. Strip this furniture to the aluminum only, removing webbing, hardware (if not aluminum) and glides. Recycled aluminum is made into cans, pie pans, small appliances and lawn furniture.
If the furniture is still serviceable but your design ideas have changed, donate the item to a local charity that sells used goods.
If the lawn furniture is made from No. 2 plastic, it also can be recycled into other durable products.

---

 

Karen Davis Real Estate Does It Again!