Homeowner Tips

Even though winter is in full swing, it's not too early to start thinking about your plans for your spring garden. Our real estate agents recommend landscaping your home's exterior to get the most attention from prospective homebuyers. Once you know what plants and flowers you want to incorporate, you can get an early start by growing your seedlings inside.

Starting your seedlings inside gives you a chance to get a headstart on the growing season. You can better protect fragile seedlings by keeping them inside in controlled conditions when they're at their most vulnerable. It's also typically more cost-effective to grow your own seedlings instead of purchasing them from a nursery. Here are some guidelines to follow when starting your indoor garden. 

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The New Year is a great time to make a fresh start, and that can include freshening up the look and functionality of your home. If you're looking for ways to give your kitchen a more modern vibe, upgrading your appliances is an easy way to do it. It's especially important for homeowners with Chattanooga homes for sale to ensure their kitchen appliances look good and work properly. If you're tired of dealing with cooktop burners going on the fritz or a fridge that sounds like it's on its last legs, our real estate agents have some tips for determining whether you should upgrade your appliances.

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As the air goes from crisp to downright chilly, the struggle over how to stay comfortable without overworking the furnace begins. Neighbors brag about how long they held out before turning on the heat, and the thermostat wars pit the cold-tolerant against those who swear they're getting frostbite. But you can keep your home warm without high heating bills this season by preventing drafts. Leaky windows can mean that a portion of your heating costs are literally flying out of the window. Stop drafts, and you stop heating the outdoors. If new windows aren't in the budget, be sure to use these tips to make your windows less drafty this winter. 

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Home improvement projects come in all shapes and sizes! And let's not forget all kinds of price tags. If you're on a tight budget, there are still many home improvement projects that can help make your home more comfortable and appealing to potential buyers. 

Let's look at projects that buyers looking for Chattanooga homes for sale might notice in your home. 

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Clutter has a way of accumulating, even if you work to keep it at bay. Certain areas of your home tend to hide clutter, so you'll need to make sure you address these areas if you want to cut down on the chaos.
  
Our real estate agents point out the following spots where clutter could be hiding in your home and how to tackle this clutter once and for all.

1. Entryway
   As your guests walk into your home, the first thing they might see is an area cluttered with backpacks, shoes, umbrellas, and more. The entryway, since it becomes a dumping zone for the entire family as they come home, can quickly become messy. So it's best to utilize the space well with hooks, storage bins, and a shoe cubby. Adding a bench with storage underneath can also provide a spot to take your shoes on and off and a spot to stash them in an organized way.
     
2. Entertainment center  
   Your entertainment center is easy to overlook when you're decluttering, but it often harbors items you haven't used in years. Its drawers and shelves can hold old cables that are no longer needed, old gaming systems that no one has used in years, and a collection of remotes for old televisions and other electronics. Clear your space so it holds just what you need for your television and other electronics, and be sure to dust shelves, wires, and devices thoroughly.
     
3. Underneath the bathroom cabinets
   You probably add items to the clutter underneath your bathroom cabinets, but if you're like most people, you rarely do a thorough purging. Go through the area and get rid of old items that are never used or haven't been used in years.
     
4. Linen closet  
   A linen closet should contain two sets of sheets for every bed in your home, as well as blankets and pillows that are good to use. Go through your closet and get rid of old mismatched sheets and blankets that have seen better days. Animal shelters can often use these items, but call and make sure first before making a trip.
     
5. Jewelry box     
   Go through your jewelry box and keep what you actually wear and what has sentimental value. Other items can be sold, donated, or given to a friend or relative who will wear them.
     
6. Garage   
   Garages seem to be magnets for clutter – so much so that many homeowners can't even park their cars inside anymore. Especially if you don't have a basement or attic, your garage can quickly be filled with various items that have been haphazardly placed there. Invest in some overhead storage bins and other storage for items like athletic equipment and seasonal items.
     
7. Pantry   
   Grocery items can easily get pushed to the back of your pantry as you buy new ones, and the area can quickly become disorganized and filled with plenty of items that are out of date. Clean it out completely and toss what won't be used. 

When it comes to preparing your home for the market, tackling clutter is a must! Contact us at Fletcher Bright Realty to find out more about Chattanooga homes for sale. Whether you'd like a larger home with more storage, a first-time homebuyer, or are downsizing offer retirement, we can help you find what you need and love! 

Far too many homeowners think it's a problem they will never face, yet more than 350,000 home fires occur every year. National Fire Prevention Week is observed this year from October 4-10th and serves as a reminder for all the ways you can prevent a fire in your home. House fires claim an average of 2,500 deaths and more than 11,000 injuries. Your home is more than a financial investment; it's an investment in your family's safety, and our real estate agents recommend checking the following during National Fire Prevention Week. 

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Autumn is arriving in the Appalachian region and Chattanooga is ready to embrace the changing colors. If you love the fall season as much as our REALTORS® then you're surely planning on decking out your porch with a variety of decorations. The fall season is one of the most wonderful times of the year to get creative and make the entrance to your home extra special. Use one of these five unique themes to create a picture-perfect porch this fall!

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Feel like your home is lacking in curb appeal or utility? There's no better time to tackle outdoor projects than the warm summer months. Not only will a little outdoor work improve the livability of your home's exterior areas, but it will help your property stand out if you list it with other Chattanooga homes for sale. Check out one of these outdoor projects to spruce up your property's outside spaces and provide your family with more opportunities for outdoor living.

1. Pressure Wash Your Deck or Patio
   A deck or patio is the perfect spot to spend your summer evenings. Make sure that it looks its best with a pressure washing session. Pressure washing will remove all the dirt and grime, and it's a lot more efficient than scrubbing the space by hand. Our real estate agents know that a home with clean outside areas performs better with potential buyers than one in need of a little TLC.

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Updating a kitchen has always been one of the best methods to add value to a home and help attract potential buyers. But it doesn't have to cost a fortune! There are many easy, affordable home improvements that can breathe new life into this space. Our real estate agents provide the following ideas that will help you refresh your kitchen even on a strict budget.

1. Give Your Floor New Life
   Instead of replacing your old wood floors, just refinish them using polyurethane-based porch and floor enamel. If your kitchen has a layer of old vinyl flooring, it could be worth pulling it up to see what's underneath. Sometimes, buried under old vinyl are good hardwood floors that only need to be refinished. 
2. Jazz Things Up With Fresh Paint
   Wall paint is an easy way to make a huge, sweeping change to the kitchen without breaking the bank. Giving the walls, ceiling, and trim a couple of coats of bright, neutral tones or white can instantly reinvigorate even the most tired of spaces. 

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Although it's best to transplant plants when they're just getting green in early spring or dormant in fall and winter, sometimes moving a plant in the summer must be done. Regardless of the type of plant you're moving, it's important to make sure you follow specific steps to achieve the best results. Our real estate agents advise clients with Chattanooga homes for sale on how to get their yards in tip-top shape for showing. They share some transplanting tips that can set you up for success.  

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