Stainless steel can be tough to keep sparkling, particularly the kitchen sink. Stainless steel can be prone to scratching, and hard water can leave behind marks. Further, very hot items that come into contact with a stainless steel sink can cause it to become discolored, known as “blueing.”
So, how do you keep your stainless steel sink shining during showings? Houzz, a home remodeling website, interviewed designers to find out, and the best approach may be simply using soap and water. Here are a few of its tips:
Continue… https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/01/14/how-to-keep-a-stainless-steel-sink-shining

Property descriptions, not just listing photos, can grab buyers’ attention. Point2 Homes, an online real estate marketplace, analyzed more than 1.2 million listings in July 2019 to see the most common words that agents used when describing the homes they’re selling. Regardless of price point or region, the three most popular listing phrases, according to Point2 Homes, are:

• “Granite countertops”
• “Hardwood floors”
• “Stainless steel appliances

Continue… https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/01/10/most-popular-keywords-in-property-descriptions

https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/01/10/most-popular-keywords-in-property-descriptions

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Home staging can show off a home in its best light. Adding simple, updated decor can make a space feel warm and inviting. But there are a few popular trends in home design that stagers say you should avoid when prepping a home for sale:

Too many mixed metals

Mixed metals are a hot home trend, such as combining brushed nickel with matte black. It can add dimension and depth to your design. But don’t go overboard; some fixture finishes don’t look right with others. “Brass nickel is out,” Janice Rosenberg, a real estate pro in Raleigh, N.C., told HomeLight. “Getting rid of that helps update a home. Brushed nickel is fine, and oil rubbed bronze is typically fine.” Designers suggest using two or three mixed metals at the most. Don’t have every fixture be something different. “Pick one that will be the dominant finish, then one or two additionally complementary colors of a cohesive look,” HomeLight notes.
Continue… https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/01/07/3-staging-trends-that-may-turn-off-buyers

10 Ways to Prepare for Cold Winter Weather

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Stay safe and warm, and protect your property from the damaging effects of bitterly cold winter weather with our 10 handy tips.

1. Prevent pipes from freezing

Insulating your water pipes is essential to prepare your home for the dropping temperatures. When water freezes it expands, which can increase pressure throughout your whole plumbing system. This can burst both plastic and copper pipes in your home and cause flooding. Water pipe insulation will save you money by preventing heat loss and preventing the damage caused by burst pipes and flooding. Pipe insulation can be purchased at your local Topline store and is easily installed.

2. Insulate your attic

If your home isn’t well insulated, you are wasting heat and money. Up to 30% of your home’s heat is lost through the roof, so a good place to start is the attic. If you are not sure what kind of insulation to use or how much you need, ask at your local Topline store and they will be more than happy to help.

3. Insulate walls

As 33% – 45% of your home’s heat can be lost through uninsulated walls, this is another important task to prepare your home for winter. Many homes in Ireland were designed with cavity walls, making them suitable for bonded bead cavity wall insulation. This method uses small beads that are injected into the wall cavity and only take a few hours to install. Homes with solid walls can use external insulation or internal dry lining.

If your property was built before 2006, you may be eligible for a grant to help with the cost of improving the insulation in your home. You can enquire with your local council or look up the Better Energy Homes Scheme online for more information.

4. Clear gutters

Clogged gutters prevent proper water drainage, which can damage your property. If rain and melted ice is not allowed to flow away easily, it can leak into your home and cause water damage. Before winter, clear away any debris such as fallen leaves from gutters and make sure down pipes are also clear. For step-by-step instructions, see our guide: How to Clean a Gutter.

5. Clear vents & clean chimneys

With the weather getting colder, you will most likely light the fire more frequently. With this also comes the increased risk of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning and expensive chimney fires. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a lethally poisonous gas that is produced when carbon fuels such as coal or wood do not have enough oxygen to burn. This odourless gas can be prevented by ensuring all chimneys and flues are cleaned regularly and that vents are never blocked. A clean chimney is also essential to prevent chimney fires. Carbon monoxide detectors/alarms are available in Topline hardware stores and provide peace of mind.

6. Prepare your car

It is easy to forget that your car also needs to be made winter-proof. The water reservoir for washing your windscreen should be filled up to the maximum mark and correctly mixed with an anti-freeze solution. Always make sure you can see properly out of your windows before embarking on a journey. Carry de-icer and a screen scraper in the car to help you clear your screen when you are in hurry. Check the tread depth and pressure in your tyres. Car tyres should be above the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm, and if you are unsure of the correct pressure (PSI) for your tyres, enquire with a mechanic.

7. Block draughts

Did you know, 20% of your home’s heating can be lost through air draughts around windows and doors? This is an expensive problem that is inexpensive to fix. There are many draught-proofing products available at your local Topline store such as internal and external door seals, brush covers for letterboxes, and silicone for windows.

8. Have your heating system serviced

When it’s cold outside the last thing you want is for your heating system to break down. Have your heating system, weather it is oil, solid fuel or geothermal, serviced by a professional. It is important to have your boiler serviced annually to ensure it is operating properly. Boiler/heating system servicing should only be carried out by a qualified and experienced technician.

9. Keep rodents out

As the temperatures drop, rodents will start looking at your home as a warm and cosy place to stay during the winter. Prevent mice and rats from entering by filling any holes or gaps that may lead into the house. Do not leave out food that may attract rodents. Store food in metal, plastic or glass containers with tight lids.

10. Pet safety in the cold

Don’t forget your beloved outdoor pets as the frost sets in. If you can’t bring them in out of the cold, ensure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and unfrozen water to drink.

Ornate landscaping and weaving in a blue color palette are two big trends for yards in the new year, according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals. The association recently released its list of the top landscaping trends in the new year.
“Foundational landscape elements remain on homeowners’ wish lists, but modern updates and technology are now a top priority,” says NALP CEO Britt Wood. “With a wave of design and technical innovations, our members report that ornate hardscaping, contemporary features, lush gardens, and smart irrigation are all trending and will influence landscape designs across the country in 2020. This year’s trends showcase how homeowners of all generations desire a striking, custom, and well-maintained outdoor space that benefits their community and the environment.”
Here are the five trends that the NALP predicts will be hot this year.
Continue… https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/01/06/5-top-landscaping-trends-for-2020

Home interior looks are evolving, and even the open floor plan may be losing some of its long-lasting appeal. Design pros weighed in on a recent realtor.com® article on the home decorating trends that may lose some popularity heading into 2020. Here are a few of the trends that they say are falling by the wayside:
1. The accent wall
The lone wall painted in one contrasting color is losing fans. Instead, ”it’s time to boldly enter the new decade by fearlessly experimenting with paint,” Amanda Amato-Scotto, CEO and principal designer at AMA Designs & Interiors, told realtor.com®. “Washing all the walls in a bold color—including millwork and trim—is much more powerful and sophisticated. If you love a color enough to paint one wall, go the extra mile by painting the entire room.”
Continue… https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2019/12/31/5-decorating-trends-you-likely-wont-see-in-2020

Pending home sales rose 1.2% in November after slipping the prior month, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ latest housing report, which was released Monday. Year-over-year contract signings were up 7.4% nationally, according to the report.
November’s Pending Home Sales Index reached 108.5; an index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001. The West region of the country reported the highest monthly growth in pending home sales at 5.5%, while the Midwest jumped 1%. The Northeast and South saw only minor adjustments in month-over-month contract activity.
“Despite the insufficient level of inventory, pending home contracts still increased in November,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, noting that housing inventory has been in decline for six straight months. “Favorable conditions are expected throughout 2020 as well, but supply is not yet meeting the healthy demand.”
Continue… https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2019/12/30/pending-home-sales-jump-despite-lagging-inventory

More home shoppers purchased newly constructed homes in November, bringing new-home sales to their best three-month performance since 2007, the U.S. Commerce Department reported Monday. Economists credit low mortgage rates, low unemployment, and strong income growth for the sales uptick.
Sales of new single-family homes increased 1.3% to an annualized pace of 719,000 in November. “Fueled by the limited number of resales available for purchase, low interest rates, and low unemployment, new home sales are finishing the year strong,” says Greg Ugalde, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. New-home sales are running 10% higher than in 2018. Plus, builder confidence is high, indexes show, which bodes well for 2020, adds NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.
Continue… https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2019/12/24/new-home-sales-surge-to-12-year-high