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Home » Homeownership

Bathroom Organization Ideas That Cut The Clutter

June 27, 2022 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

Are toiletries cluttering your countertop? Corral them with a shallow, decorative tray. This keeps necessities such as skin care products, contact cases, perfumes and colognes, and jewelry in sight yet neatly contained. Avoid storing large items such as hair styling tools and bath linens on trays. Elegant glass canisters let you display cotton balls, cotton swabs and bath salts in a beautiful way. Glass jars are easily accessible, which makes them handy when guests use your bathroom. If you’re looking for a more stylish solution, get creative and hang a row of mason jars on a piece of wood to enhance your decor. They double as small storage containers for cotton swabs and makeup or toothbrushes.

The under-sink area is the ideal spot for products that aren’t used often. It’s best to keep the first-aid kit, plunger and cleaning supplies tucked behind cabinet doors. Gather cleaners and tools in a small caddy or two-tiered organizer that doubles on storage to maximize space. You may also want to keep a cumbersome waste basket out of sight by attaching it to the cabinet door underneath the vanity.

Whether your bathroom is big or small, these savvy storage ideas could help you add space and stay organized. For more ways on how to designate storage locations for items, see the accompanying resource.

 

Graphic created by Modern Bathroom.

Contact Frank and Karen Baker for all Sunset Beach NC homes for sale and beachfront property in Sunset Beach.

Filed Under: Homeownership

Investing Wisely: Backyard Renovations & Upgrades

June 25, 2022 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

Looking to transform your outdoor space? From adding a sunroom to mounting a large-scale landscaping expedition or backyard renovation, there are numerous ways to liven up your outdoor living area. While enhancing the backyard could enrich family time spent outside — on top of increasing resale value — it can also be a costly mistake. Here is a brief look into certain backyard renovations you may wish to reconsider when investing in your family’s future.

A backyard revamp that may seem advantageous but could be undesirable is over-the-top landscaping. A backyard oasis filled with trees, comfy seating and the joys of nature can be the escape every homeowner wishes for … except when it’s overdone.

Costly, decorative landscaping might look like unwanted maintenance to a potential buyer. Similarly, certain do-it-yourself projects that you find attractive may not suit a buyer’s tastes. If you’re selling your house soon, it’s recommended to keep the garden beautiful but simple. Plant easy-to-care-for vegetation and ensure decorations can be easily removed.

Making the space your own can be an enjoyable adventure worth undertaking. However, before jumping in on the DIY home improvement game, be sure to research the best strategies to boost your home’s value. For more examples of costly backyard mistakes, please see the accompanying resource.

Investing Wisely: Backyard Renovations & Upgrades

Graphic created by Pool Troopers. Contact Frank and Karen Baker for all Sunset Beach NC homes for sale and beachfront property in Sunset Beach.

Filed Under: Homeownership

Life Expectancy of Common Household Appliances

April 14, 2022 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

Life Expectancy of Common Household Appliances

There is nothing worse than buying a new home only to have all the household appliances go out months, or even weeks after you’ve closed escrow. Whether you’re planning to purchase an existing home or are hoping for a new construction home, understanding the average life expectancy of your household appliances can help you plan and budget for needed maintenance and repairs. 

Related: Should You Buy a New Construction Home? Here’s a Few Perks

Range

One of the household appliances that has the longest life expectancy is your range. Regardless of whether your range is gas or electric, you can generally plan for it to last anywhere from 13-15 years. 

Fridge/Freezer

Your fridge and freezers are one of the most durable, and heavily used appliances within your home as they are running 24/7. Because these appliances are constantly in use, they are hardworking and naturally, one of the most expensive appliances you’ll own, lasting anywhere from 10-15 years. 

Microwave

Microwave ovens have one of the lowest life expectancies and generally only last 6-9 years, which can lead to regular replacements, luckily a microwave is also one of the more affordable appliances to replace. 

Oven

One of the longest lasting appliances, ovens can provide years of use. Electric ovens last on average 13 years, whereas gas ovens generally last 15 years. Much like with other appliances, with proper cleaning and care, you can not only lengthen the life expectancy, but also the functionality of your oven. 

Dishwasher

Pending on how often you run your dishwasher, as well as how gentle you are when loading it (to avoid bending or breaking prongs) this is one of the household appliances that you can easily extend the average life expectancy on, however, the average is generally between 9-10 years.

Washer and Dryer

Surprising to many, even if you buy your washing machine and dryer at the same time this doesn’t mean that they will need replacement at the same time as their life expectancy is different. For washers, 10-11 years and dryers 12-13 years. 

Related: Are Home Warranties Worth It?

HVAC Systems

Another large ticket item when it comes to replacement is your HVAC system, while these systems do generally last between 15-20 years, they are quite costly to replace which is why regular maintenance and cleanings are vital to the systems life expectancy and functionality. 

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent to assist you, or if you have any further questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our officeat any time. 

 

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Additional Tips for Buyers

  • Why Your Offer May Not Be Accepted
  • Why is Multigenerational Living Becoming so Common?
  • House Broke: The Common First Time Buyer Mistake
  • Why Was my Offer Rejected?
  • 10 Tips for Moving Across the Country
  • Buying a Vacation Home

Filed Under: Homeownership

House Plants for a Pet Friendly Home

March 25, 2022 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

House Plants for a Pet Friendly Home

There are so many wonderful household plants that can help freshen the air in our homes, reduce our blood pressure and stress levels and bring the joys of nature indoors. But, just like outside plants, there are many beautiful and beneficial household plants that shouldn’t be brought into our homes if we have furry friends in residence.

Popular household plants like pothos, ZZ plant, snake plant, aloe vera and philodendron have wonderful attributes and can enhance a home with their uniqueness and hardiness, but one thing these plants have in common is their toxicity to pets. Bypass these plants to help keep your pets healthy or, if you have a potentially dangerous plant that you want to keep, ensure that it is always out of reach and unable to be accessed—especially if it’s a draping variety!

Related: Is a No Closing Cost Refinance as Good as it Seems?

House Plants for a Pet Friendly HomePlants to avoid and some safe alternatives

Pothos is one of those attractively draping, low maintenance plants that, if ingested by a dog or cat, causes burning and swelling in the mouth, drooling and vomiting. Another draping plant, Wandering Jew, is also toxic, causing skin and intestinal irritations. A Boston Fern doesn’t hang quite as low, but it is a pet-friendly alternative.

A popular plant nicknamed the ZZ plant (short for Zamioculcas zamiifolia) grows well in low light conditions and tolerates infrequent watering. Unfortunately, it causes vomiting and diarrhea if ingested by animals. If looking for a taller plant, try a safe areca palm or fun ponytail palm instead.

The tall and narrow snake plant is great for small spaces and is a very hardy plant. But if ingested by critters, it causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Instead, select a lovely orchid that isn’t toxic to animals. Keep the orchid happy and flowering by repotting it regularly and ensuring that its roots are watered but kept well-drained.

Aloe vera is loaded with health and medicinal benefits for humans and is a lovely succulent, but pets that make the mistake of chewing on it experience vomiting, diarrhea and tremors. A beautiful bromeliad is a better alternative.

Related: Plants That Thrive in the Bathroom

The low maintenance philodendron plant has fun tropical foliage, but animals suffer a burning and swollen mouth, drooling and vomiting if they nibble it. An exotic prayer plant or peacock plant can be just as stunning and safer for curious critters.

Lucky bamboo plants aren’t actually true bamboo (which is not toxic to animals), but they are easy and fun houseplants that thrive in spite of bad light, poor air quality and irregular watering. Unfortunately, drooling, vomiting and weakness are symptoms unlucky pets experience if they sample the plant. A very tolerant spider plant is an alternative that can survive in similar less-than-ideal environments.

Other plants to avoid

Lilies, some types of ivy, dieffenbachia, cyclamen, jade plants and fiddle leaf figs all have varying levels of toxicity for pets. Be aware that sago palms can be deadly, as can the cyclamen tubers, so it’s wise to avoid those plants entirely. And even though poinsettias are only mildly toxic, why risk your pet’s health? Many animals have innate sense to avoid poisonous plants, but an artificial poinsettia arrangement is so much cheaper than a trip to the veterinarian and the guilt of knowing you could have prevented your pet’s pain and suffering.

A few more safe plant options

African violets, gloxinia and goldfish plants have pretty flowers. Baby’s tears are a pet-safe companion plant around the base of a nontoxic banana tree and can help keep pets from digging in the dirt. Peperomia and mosaic plants are other safe, attractive options. If unsure about the safety of a plant, do your research before bringing it home and help maintain a healthy co-existence for all the living organisms in your house.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, whether a new construction or existing home, are hoping to sell and need a local agent to assist you, or if you have any further questions regarding Sunset Beach and Coastal Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

Filed Under: Homeownership

The Best Winter Home Improvement Projects

December 30, 2021 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

The Best Winter Home Improvement Projects

Home improvement projects are often thought of come Spring or even Summer, from clearing the gutters, re-staining a deck, and planting seasonal color in the garden, many homeowners tend to start their yearly projects as the weather warms up. Surprisingly, there are quite a few different projects that can, and should be tackled during the cooler months of Winter and Fall. 

The Best Winter Home Improvement ProjectsInsulation

It’s time to check your attic! If your attic isn’t insulated, then chances are, you’ve been overpaying for your heating (and cooling) bill. Insulating your attic is one of the best home improvement projects when it comes to return on investment as it can often lower your energy bill and in some cases can even be eligible for tax credits. You’ll want to do your research to ensure that you insulate your attic properly.

Related: The Cheapest, Simplest, and Best Home Improvement

Interior Painting

Painting is a great option for a winter upgrade as it doesn’t require you to be outside. The only downfall to choosing this upgrade is that you may have some fumes from the paint lingering in your home unless you’re willing to crack a window or door for air circulation. Whether you plan on some touch up paint, repainting the whole interior, or adding a few accent walls, painting during the winter months is a great home improvement project to tackle.

Seal Openings

Naturally, you want to ensure that your home stays warm and is temperature controlled, especially during the cooler winter months. An easy way to do this is by sealing all openings or air leaks. Simply seal seams around your windows and doors with new caulking or sealant and add weatherstripping to door jams if needed. By doing this you can not only help keep your home warmer and save on your heating bill, but you are also reducing noise levels from outside and ensuring that your home sees less pollen, dust or insects that seem to work their way through the cracks and openings.

Related: Home Repairs and Upgrades – What to do When

Backsplash

One of the most versatile upgrades is backsplash. There are many different options, ranging in price as well as the amount of skill needed for installation, which allows those with all budgets and skill levels to give their kitchens and bathrooms a great upgrade that boosts the appearance and design of their homes.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent to assist you, or if you have any further questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our officeat any time. 

Additional Tips for Homeowners

  • Creating the Perfect Backyard for Fall and Winter
  • When to do Certain Upgrades
  • This One Thing Might Decrease Your Home’s Value
  • Dangers of Laminate Flooring
  • Tips to Keep Your Guest Bathroom Clean
  • Everything You Need to Know About Sunrooms

Filed Under: Homeownership

Is a No Closing Cost Refinance as Good as it Seems?

November 25, 2021 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

Is a No Closing Cost Refinance as Good as it Seems?

If you didn’t purchase or sell a home in the last few months, chances are, you’ve considered a refinance with the near record low mortgage rates. While refinancing your home is a great way to help you save on revolving debts, and often allows you to lower your monthly overhead, there are generally always hefty fees that are included. Most of the time, these fees, or closing costs, for the new loan are between 2-5% of the mortgage amount. This means that if you are refinancing a home for $250,000 and are paying 3% closing costs (this percentage can vary), you’ll pay $7,500 in closing costs to secure the new loan.

Related: How do I Re-Finance my Home?

In recent months you may have seen a “no closing cost refinance.” Whether while scrolling social media, on the radio, billboards, televised commercials etc. the seemingly too good to be true option for homeowners is sweeping through the nation, leaving many homeowners wondering if the no closing cost refinance is too good to be true. Unfortunately, these advertised refinancing programs aren’t free, they’re simply structured in a different way than the more traditional route.

Is a No Closing Cost Refinance as Good as it Seems?While it may still be a great option for some homeowners, generally when refinancing is advertised as a “no closing cost” option, those fees are then simply rolled into the final loan amount vs. paying the fees out of pocket. As an example, if you were to refinance your home loan at $250,000 with a 3% closing cost fee, you could expect the following:

  • Traditional Re-Finance: Your new loan amount would be $250,000 and you would have to pay $7,500 out of pocket in fees/closing costs to secure the new loan
  • No Closing Cost Option: You won’t be required to pay any out-of-pocket fees, thus alluring to the “no closing cost” promotion, however, your new loan amount would be $257,500 vs. $250,000 as mentioned above

Ultimately, each option can be beneficial pending on your person preferences and cash flow availability. It is important to note that generally a no closing cost refinance does come with a slightly higher interest rate than the more traditional route with the pre-paid fees, however, with rates at near historic lows, most homeowners are still saving tremendously on their home loans when choosing either option.

Related: Are Home Warranties Worth It?

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent to assist you, or if you have any further questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

Additional Tips for Homeowners

  • Creating the Perfect Backyard for Fall and Winter
  • When to do Certain Upgrades
  • This One Thing Might Decrease Your Home’s Value
  • Dangers of Laminate Flooring
  • Tips to Keep Your Guest Bathroom Clean
  • Everything You Need to Know About Sunrooms

Filed Under: Homeownership

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What our clients say

Ken and Linda Foltz

“Life will lead you to where you belong. Five years ago life led me to meeting Karen Baker at an...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:16:32+00:00
“Life will lead you to where you belong. Five years ago life led me to meeting Karen Baker at an Open House. Our relationship continues as Karen and her husband Frank have been outstanding not only in helping my husband and I find the right retirement relocation home, but we have watched their commitment in helping many others find their homes. She and Frank treat every client as if they are the only ones that exist. They provide thorough research of areas and homes of interest and present you with the options. They are not your typical hard sell, must-buy-now realtors. They are here to help you find your next home?. You won’t go wrong with the Bakers!
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/ken-and-linda-foltz/

Steve & Jean DeVito

“The Bakers treated us like family during our whirlwind weekend of looking at houses. Prior to our on-site visit to...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:17:46+00:00
“The Bakers treated us like family during our whirlwind weekend of looking at houses. Prior to our on-site visit to Sunset Beach they created a portal and populated it with properties that met our ever-evolving criteria. By time we arrived we had a good feel for what we could afford and what was available that met our criteria. The Bakers, especially Karen, were able to make sense of what we thought we were looking for and eventually matched us with a house that we ended up purchasing — Karen called it the “This is it” house and she was right. We are loving our 2nd home and appreciate how painless Karen and Frank made the process. All the paperwork was done seamlessly and quickly and the closing went off without a hitch. The Bakers do not believe in the hard sell — they gave us the knowledge we needed and the guidance we needed to make our dream a reality.”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/steve-jean-devito/

Matt & Amy Carver

Amy and I have bought and sold four properties in the past twelve years. Both of you are the best...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:18:22+00:00
Amy and I have bought and sold four properties in the past twelve years. Both of you are the best realtors we have ever dealt with. Amy and I both felt we could trust you to look out for our interest. The level of service you provided was outstanding, from taking the trash out, helping the buyer with inspecting the irrigation system, dealing with our tenants, always being there if we needed to ask a question, providing constant updates on the market and always keeping us informed on the sale of our house. I think your next venture should be training other realtors, because both of you have mastered the art of providing excellent service. I will be sure to recommend the Frank and Karen team to anybody looking for a trust worthy, knowledgeable and top performing realtor. It was a pleasure working with both of you.”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/matt-amy-carver/

Ernie & Carol G.

“Karen & Frank Baker are the best. They are very knowledgeable with the area & showed us many homes. When...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:18:50+00:00
“Karen & Frank Baker are the best. They are very knowledgeable with the area & showed us many homes. When we made up our minds which one we wanted, they got us the best deal on it. We were very satisfided with them. After the purchased was made & we moved in, they were still there to answer any questions or problems that we might of had. Like I said, they are the BEST.”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/ernie-carol-g/

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“Thanks again for all the time you spent with us, As overwhelming as it was, you two made it fun”
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:19:23+00:00
“Thanks again for all the time you spent with us, As overwhelming as it was, you two made it fun”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/dave-rose/
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