Tired of your toilet flushing itself?

Do you want to work with a Realtor who maintains a great working relationship with clients and makes sure everything works perfectly in their new homes?  Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium.

5 Deck Makeover Projects Under $300

Want to upgrade your deck but watching your budget? Here are 5 easy deck makeover ideas, many well under $300.

1. Add solar lighting

If you’d like your wood deck to come alive when the sun goes down, add solar lighting. Solar lights don’t need an on/off switch — they light up when it gets dark, then fade away 4-6 hours later.

You won’t have to plug them in or wire anything, either. Their solar-charged batteries are renewed every day, and the lights are built to withstand all kinds of weather.

 Types and cost:

• Paper lanterns (made from synthetic, weatherproof nylon; $20-$30) are made for hanging and come in all sorts of fun shapes, sizes, and colors.
• Carriage lights can be fixed on top of a pillar or railing newel post. $45-$150.
• Solar illuminated replicas of old-fashioned mason jars can be set on any flat surface, about $35.
• Rope lights have small LED bulbs inside a flexible cord. A 25-foot-long rope with solar charger and stand is $25.

What else: Suspend lanterns from overhead trellises, railings, and nearby trees, where they’ll shed a soft, colorful glow. Wind rope lights around rafters and railings.

2. Install a stone landing at the foot of your deck stairs  

Dress up the transition from your deck to your yard with a little hardscaping — a stone landing at the bottom of your deck stairs. Stones are a natural compliment to wood decks, and they’ll help prevent mud from forming where there’s heavy foot traffic.

Cost: Flagstone is priced by the pound; you’ll spend $60-$100 for enough stone for a 3-by-4-foot landing.

How-to: Techniques for installing a landing are the same as putting in a patio, although you’ll have to temporarily support your existing stairway while you work around — and under — it. 

 

What else: You should be able to add a landing in less than a day. It’ll get done faster if you hire a pro, but it’ll cost you another $150-$200 in labor.

3. Put up a privacy screen

Whether you’re relaxing alone au naturel or entertaining friends, a little home privacy is always welcome. You can add some vertical supports and fill in a variety of cool screening materials that are as nice for your neighbors to look at as they are for you.

Types and costs:

• Bamboo fencing comes in a 6-by-16-foot roll for $20-$25.
• Lattice panels are either wood or plastic, $15-$30 for a 4-by-8-foot panel.
• Grow climbing plants on a trellis ($20-$100) to create a living privacy screen. Plant climbing vines in tall containers ($40-$120) to raise them above the deck surface and give them a head start filling in your screen.
• Outdoor fabric resists moisture and fading; $12-$120 per yard. You’ll pay another $20 to have a seamstress cut and hem a 3-by-5-foot panel. 

How-to: Your privacy screen should integrate with your deck; make the framework using the same basic materials as your deck railing and structure. 

Add some flash by building a frame with 2-by-2- or 2-by-4-inch uprights spaced 1 foot apart, then weaving aluminum flashing between the uprights.

What else: Make sure to position your privacy screen where you’ll get maximum benefit. Sit on your deck and check your lines of sight.

4. Paint a faux floor rug on your decking 

Punch up a boring old deck with a faux rug. This is a fairly low-cost project with a big wow factor, and one you can share making with your (well-behaved) kids. It works best on a newly cleaned deck (see below.)Cost: Most of your cost will be deck stain or paint in various colors. Because you won’t be using that much stain per color, you can buy quarts. Figure $15-$20 per quart.

How-to: Figure out a size, sketch out the design on your decking, and then all you have to do is paint or stain between the lines. You can use painter’s tape as a guide, but a little leakage is likely on a wood decking surface.

What else: Keep a few basic cleaning supplies on hand for any drips or spills. After the stain is dry, coat the entire deck with a clear deck sealer.

5. Wash and refinish your wood decking

The ultimate deck makeover is none other than a good cleaning. Applying a coat of deck sealant afterwards ensures your wood decking looks great and will last for decades.

Cost: There are many brands of deck cleaning and brightening solutions. Some require the deck to be wet; others need the decking to be dry. Some are harmful to plants and you’ll have to use plastic sheeting to protect your landscaping. Consult the instructions carefully.

You’ll pay $15-$25 per gallon, enough to clean 300 sq. ft. of decking.

How-to: Scrubbing with a good cleaning solution and rinsing with a garden hose is more foolproof than scouring your decking with a power washer that may damage the surface of the wood.

What else: After you deck is cleaned, apply a coat of deck stain or clear finish. The sealer wards off dirt, wear, and UV rays, and helps prevent deck splinters. A gallon covers 250-350 sq. ft., $20-$35/gal.

Interested in working with a Realtor who puts you first and cares about saving you money? Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium. 

Source: Houselogic.com

Protect Your Personal Information On The Web

The Internet has given us a massive amount of convenience with online banking, communication and other important transactions we do on a daily basis. Even our virtual presence is part of our daily routines with social media getting incorporated in both our professional and personal lives. However, there's always a downside and with the Internet, it is our tendency to jeopardize our privacy. The tips below tell us how to develop stronger and more reliable Internet security. 

The Internet makes our lives easier more than we realize, but let´s make sure we keep things safe and secure. I hope these tips are helpful.

Interested in working with a Realtor who not only provides the highest level of customer service, but also offers valuable information to his clients and customers? Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium.

How to Prevent Grilling Disasters

Summer is here, perfect time for BBQ and steak parties. But according to this great article that I read, National Fire Protection Association reported that gas and charcoal grills cause more than 8,000 house fires each year so before firing up that newly-purchased grill read these tips below to prevent some mishaps during your afternoon BBQs:

•  Grills should be located no closer than 10' (3m) from any structure. Never use a grill under a porch, deck, overhang, carport, or in a garage. Make sure the grill rests on a stable surface and can't be tipped over.

• Never use a propane or charcoal grill indoors

• Check hoses and connections on gas grills periodically throughout the grilling season. Replace any cracked or brittle hoses before using the grill. Propane cylinders should never be stored inside a garage or other structure at any time

• Start charcoal fires using a chimney starter instead of charcoal fluid. Not only is a chimney starter safer, but your meal will taste better. If charcoal fluid is used, never add it to the coals once the fire has been lit.

• Once the grill is lit, never leave it unattended. It can take just a few seconds for a serious fire to erupt.

• While lighting and cooking on the grill, do not wear clothes that are loose-fitting or that have wide sleeves that could catch fire. Use long-handled utensils to handle food while cooking. Wear close-toed shoes while at the grill - you can always change to flip flops later.

• Control flare-ups by lowering the heat on a gas grill. On charcoal grills, remove the food from the grill and distribute the coals more evenly. If necessary, a flare up can be put out with water from a spray bottle, but remove food from the grill first to avoid smoke contamination.

• To help prevent grease fires, remove any accumulated grease and residue from inside the lid of the grill at least every 5-6 uses. Baking soda can be used to extinguish a grease fire still contained within the grill unit.

• Always keep young children and pets away from the grill during and after cooking. The grill's exterior can remain hot long for a long time. 

Would you like to work with a Realtor who offers valuable information and provides the highest level of customer service to his clients? Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium.

ROC SOLID's Play it Forward

RED DAY was a success! We were able to raise enough money for the benefit of our chosen charity, Roc Solid Foundation. Through its amazing program Play it Forward, we are making things happen for children fighting pediatric cancer. Play is an important part of each child’s life and constructing custom playgrounds for these kids who were kept by their illness from enjoying the public playgrounds was a great cause.

First step in attaining our goal was the fundraiser where we exceeded our own expectations and raised over $10,000 – almost enough for us to build one playground in each of the 4 markets’ local community.

So for the next step, we are calling VOLUNTEERS (bringing your kids is greatly encouraged) from each market center to serve as ambassadors! We need 15 volunteers from each, Rockville and Bethesda can have more. It is open to family members of all ages toddler and up, friends, vendors or anyone you know that has a big heart. 

  

It is for a 3 year old little girl who is undergoing chemo/radiation treatment now and her 7 year big old sister. We are passing around a volunteer list and need to know who and how many and shirt sizes so that we can provide enough food, drinks and shirts for you.

Due to privacy of the child and HIPPA regulations we will not know the exact address of the child until Friday.  The plan is to meet at the Rockville market center at 5:30 on Friday evening. We will go to a location close to the child’s home where we will pre-build 70% of the playground. Dinner is provided and we should finish up at about 9pm. The build will resume again at the child’s home at 8am on Saturday morning. A limo will pick the child and her family up and take her out for breakfast and to do something fun. We will sneak in the back yard and complete the build. The child will return at noon and will be presented the playground. Immediately following that there will be a BBQ for volunteers, family and friends. We should be completely finished by 1:30.

I hope to see you all there!

As one of the Realtors who cares about making our community better,  I invite you to participate in this great community service. If you have questions, call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium. 

Home Improvement Myths

As Realtors, we always put our clients’ best interests as our top priority. We become their advocates and guide them through buying or selling homes. I came across this great article: Top 10 Home Improvement Myths, and through years of experience I’ve witnessed some believers turn into smart homeowners through proper guidance. Here are the things most of us think are facts, but are actually not.

1.      Any remodeling project will add value to your home. 

In some instances this may be true but certain improvements which are made to fit the current owners’ lifestyle may be viewed negatively by the people buying it in the future. The article cited combining two smaller rooms to make a larger bedroom.

2.      Buying the highest-quality materials attracts more buyers. 

The more expensive the materials, the better chance for a resale --- buying high-end materials may initially sound like a great decision but it has its repercussions. Overhauling the house with such materials can sway value-conscious buyers to more aptly-improved homes in the neighborhood.

3.      Adding square footage always adds value.  

Will the extra square feet be utilized by the homebuyers? If the additional square footage is not useable, the house may lose its value to a buyer if the space is not finished as the rest of the home.

4.      Colors and textures – safe and simple is better. 

Keeping a home with safe neutral colors so those buying it can choose their own combinations may seem feel great --- but what other people do not understand is the fact that most buyers don’t have the ability to visualize the home according to how they actually want it. Lack of color and texture appeal can lose value as oppose to those who took time to consult with an expert.

5.      Inside improvements are better than outside improvements. 

It’s not always the case. If the house doesn’t offer a great curb appeal or the front lawn is neglected, buyers almost always stop there so any improvements you spend on the inside may not get you more dollars. So homeowners should always start remodeling from the outside and work their way in.

6.      Adding a bedroom is better than adding a bathroom. 

This one depends on what you’re starting with. If you have a 2-bedroom house, adding another bedroom is a wise choice as buyers have inclination to 3-bedroom houses but if you already have enough bedrooms, adding a second bath is a great investment.

7.      Paint hides a multitude of sins. 

Molds? Termite issues? Fungus damage? These are the things that paint can fix and if not fixed before the purchase, can set the sellers up for liability in the future.

8.      Converting a garage to living space is a great trade-off. 

This move is viewed negatively by future buyers unless the homeowner replace the converted garage with another parking space of equal size.

9.      Sellers can save money by doing improvements themselves. 

Getting a contractor to fix the smallest of things inside the house feels expensive so some homeowners, fixing these themselves may seem like a bright idea but there are problems that only an expert can deal with. And while getting the first aid done may seem to have solved the problems, in time it may end up costing more.  

  

10. Pools add value to your home.

This depends on where you’re from. Is it necessary to own a pool where you can actually swim for just 10 days a year and maintain it for the rest?

This is a great article that can help you guide your homeowners and buyers alike as to where and how they should start remodeling.  

As a top Realtor, I can give you more tips on how the best ways to remodel your home to better appeal to buyers. . If you have questions,  feel free to call me, Mynor Herrera, I can also give you expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium. 

Why Today Is The Best Time To Buy A Home

According to a blog by Ebby, there’s been no better time to get on that awaited real estate purchase than today when housing affordability is at its best. I couldn’t agree more.

Statistics indicate that average home prices are about a third lower this time compared to how they were 5-6 years ago. That’s for the whole nation.

Another huge misconception that people have is that renting costs less than buying. Totally not true. Buying, if we dissect all the factors involved, is way cheaper than renting in about 98% of US major markets.

If we’re talking about interest rates, with today’s situation, we are looking at 30 more years of low rates.

Our recent economic improvement has helped a lot. There’s a little possibility of inflation and generally, with increased employment rate, we can stay that we are steadily improving.

Advice from me? Buy your ideal home now. Today is the perfect time.

As one of the top realtors in the area who has sold a lot of homes, I know how buyers think. I can give you tips on how to make your home worthy of its value. Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium.