The warm summer months are upon us, and whether you’re selling your home and creating curb appeal for that special buyer, or loving your home and creating a relaxing outdoor getaway, here are some tips to get the most out of your yard.

Maintenance:  Clean the gutters, wash the windows, repair or replace broken window and door screens, replace broken light bulbs, trim the bushes and paint that fading trim.  These are not fun tasks, but they are the first things people notice and are the start to a great outdoor space.

Landscape:  Consider both hardscaping and softscaping in your landscape design.  Hardscaping includes patios, walls, arbors, gazebos, decks and walkways.  Softscaping includes the lawn, flowers, trees and shrubs.  Combining the two will bring symmetry and lasting appeal to your space.

Fire & Water:  Fire pits are a great focal point on a patio and the perfect gathering place for evening events.  Now that they are more affordable and easy to find, try adding this element to your design.  Remember – safety first!  Water is a serene addition to any getaway.  Not ready for a big pond or waterfall?  Add a stone fountain as a garden centerpiece or a tabletop fountain next to your favorite chair. 

Furnishings:  Set up a place to relax and enjoy your new oasis.  Choose comfortable chairs and benches made out of teak, bamboo, stone or rust-proof metal.  Add side tables – you’ll need a place to sit that cool, refreshing drink!  Grab a book, kick back and relax!

Your yard is an extension of your home – enjoy that outdoor space!

by:  Ann McLaughlin, Minteer Team Listing Manager

To check the market in your neighborhood, search North Texas home listed for sale, or to refer someone to The Minteer Team to be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas, click the links below:

Selling your home and want to make it look like a million bucks?  HGTV has offered 13 staging secrets used by the home-staging pros to make your home picture perfect.  Some of the secrets include:

• Making an entrance:     You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
• Conquering clutter:     If you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it.
• Lightening it up:     Remember the three types of lighting: ambient, task and accent.
• Accessorizing with threes:     Mixing the right accessories can make a room more inviting.
• Bringing in the outdoors:     Save money by raiding your yard.

Whether you use one or all thirteen of these ideas, your home is sure to shine!

To learn more, click here: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_tips_techniques/article/0,,HGTV_3384_4594695,00.html

Source:  hgtv.com

To check the market in your neighborhood, search North Texas home listed for sale, or to refer someone to The Minteer Team to be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas, click the links below:

It’s that time of year!  Texans love to beat the summer heat in the water.  Whether you’re taking a dip in your home pool, splashing at the local water park or cruising on the lake, follow these steps to keep your family as safe as possible.

• Never leave children unattended.  Practice “reach supervision” and stay within arm’s reach of your child at all times.
• Use Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices for children who cannot swim, although these devices cannot take the place of adult supervision.
• Always swim with a buddy.
• Watch children for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun and too much activity.
• Never mix alcohol with swimming.
• Put in a fence around your home pool, or make sure your existing fence is sturdy and the latch is working on the self-closing gate.
• Know how to use basic lifesaving equipment, and keep a phone nearby.
• Younger children are in possible danger around the shallowest of water, so empty pails, buckets and kiddie pools immediately after use.

Teaching children to swim can reduce the risk of drowning.  Contact your local Red Cross chapter to find locations for swimming lessons in your area.

Source:  American Red Cross

To check the market in your neighborhood, search North Texas home listed for sale, or to refer someone to The Minteer Team to be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas, click the links below:

Preparing to sell your home?  There are important things to do like cleaning, decluttering and repairing.  Not sure what has to be repaired?  MSN Real Estate put out a great article today on ten things you must repair before selling your home.  Some of the items on the list:

• Spiff up the roof.
• Patch nail holes and repaint.
• Stop faucet drips.
• Renew dinged baseboards.

To read the full article that was posted today on msn.com, click here:

http://realestate.msn.com/Selling/Article2.aspx?cp-documentid=6402314&GT1=35000

Source:  msn.com

To check the market in your neighborhood, search North Texas home listed for sale, or to refer someone to The Minteer Team to be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas, click the links below:

Forbes.com examined unemployment rates, job growth, trade, transportation and other data for the country’s 50 largest metro areas and ranked the top ten recession-proof cities.  Four Texas cities, including the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, made the top10.

To read the full article that was posted today on yahoo.com, click here:

http://promo.realestate.yahoo.com/americas-recession-proof-cities.html

Source:  yahoo.com

To check the market in your neighborhood, search North Texas home listed for sale, or to refer someone to The Minteer Team to be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas, click the links below:

Looking for a great household cleaner?  Look no further than your own pantry.  Some food items can also be used to solve those tough cleaning issues.

White Distilled Vinegar

To clean your coffee maker, fill the pot to six cup line with vinegar.  Pour into reservoir and let vinegar run half way through the cycle.  Turn coffee maker off and let sit for ten minutes.  Turn pot back on and complete brewing cycle.  Discard vinegar and run two or more brew cycles through coffee maker with fresh, cold water. 

To clean your garbage disposal, freeze a mixture of half water and half vinegar in ice cube trays.  Run the cubes through the disposal.  To rid the disposal of odors, pour one cup of vinegar into the disposal and rinse for three minutes with cold water.

Baking Soda

To clean spills in the oven, make a paste with baking soda and water, apply to baked on spills and scrub.  Wipe the mess away with damp cloths or paper towels.

To remove caked on grease from pans, electric skillets and small appliances, cover the grease with baking soda and let sit for fifteen minutes.  Wipe with a wet cloth and rinse with water.

Lemon Juice

To clean copper, dip a cut lemon in salt and rub on the copper.

To clean and destroy cutting board odors, rub halved lemons on the cutting boards and rinse with cold water.

Source:  doityourself.com

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DFW Housing – Fact #5 – Low Risk Housing Market

DFW & Houston only two major U.S. markets rated as Strong!

DFW’s strong economy, employment growth and stable home prices make it a very low risk real estate market.

For more information on this or other DFW Housing Facts, CLICK HERE to go to dfwhousingfacts.org.

Source:  dfwhousingfacts.org

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DFW Housing – Fact #4 – Population Growth

DFW is now the 4^th largest metropolitan area in the U.S.!

The D/FW area adds 370 residents every day.  Economy.com ranks DFW as the #1 growth market in the U.S. for 2006 – 2011.

For more information on this or other DFW Housing Facts, CLICK HERE to go to dfwhousingfacts.org.

Source:  dfwhousingfacts.org

To check the market in your neighborhood, search North Texas home listed for sale, or to refer someone to The Minteer Team to be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas, click the links below:

DFW Housing – Fact #3 – Low Unemployment

Unemployment is low in DFW!

At the end of 2007, the unemployment rate for DFW was very low at 4.2%.

For more information on this or other DFW Housing Facts, CLICK HERE to go to dfwhousingfacts.org.

Source:  dfwhousingfacts.org

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