GeorgiaHomeScene.com

Increase Your Home Value From the Outside In

Christine Taylor — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:24:00 GMT

SHAPE UP-Add some enhansed landscaping to increase visual appreal. Keep it simple & strive for the most impact with the least expense. Going overboard can be as detrimental as no landscaping at all.

START AT THE TOP-It's vital that a home's roof is well maintained. Not only for a better, well-kept appearance, but for the overall health of the home.

JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER- Step back and take a long look. If it looks llike ti needs fixing, replacing or repairing, it's probably a good idea to do so. A fresh coat of paint & fixing the cracks in the sidewalk can go a long way toward a more valuable home.

ALL DECKED OUT- Adding a deck to a home is consistently listed as one of the top home improvements a home owner can make for a return on investment.

WORK FROM THE OUTSIDE IN- If you are on a budget and have to choose between exterior or interior repairs in preparing to sell a property, always start with the exterior. The first impression is often the most valuable.

Decoding Cooking Shows

Christine Taylor — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:40:00 GMT

Have you ever watched a popular cooling show & felt something was lost in translation? Well, here is a guide for the next time you tune in to make following along a little easier.
CARPACCIO - Exteremly thin slices of raw meat or fish served as an appetizer.

CEVICHE - (also spelled seviche & cebiche)-Raw fish and/or shellfish marinated in citurs, with the acid in the juice acting as a cooking agent.

DEMI-GLACE - A rich brown meat stock that has been reduced and is then used as a base for sauces & soups.

GANACHE - A mixture of chocolate & cream used as a filling or icing for cakes & pastries.

PAMCETTA - An Italian bacon that has been cured with salt & spices but hasn't been smoked.

PANNA COTTA - A light egg custard often flavored with caramel.

POLENTA - A cornmeal porridge served soupy, firm or sometimes fried.

SEMIFREDDO - A half-frozen or chilled dessert such as an ice cream cake or ice cream sandwich.

For The Movie Lover In All Of Us

Christine Taylor — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:02:00 GMT

Whether for tirvia, reviews or general movie information, look no further than these great movie-related Websites.

www.imbd.com - A vast and comprehensive movie & television information site with reviews, message boards & individual pages for actors, movie titlis & television shows.

www.rottentomatoes.com - A compilation of reviews by print, online & broadcast critics. Also contains movie news & preview videos.

www.movies.com - Extensive resource of movie news, reviews, trailers, history & other general information.

www.moviemistakes.com - Lists of movie mistakes as well as quotes & trivia. More than 250 mistakes listed for Pirates of the Caribbean alone!

www.movieweb.com - An archive of film previews, trailers & box office statists with contesrs & forums.

www.hollywood.com - Movie news & information as well as movie times & ticket information for your local theatres.

Sites to Browse for Decorating Tips

Christine Taylor — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:58:00 GMT

ABOUT.COM: INTERIOR DECORATING (www.interiordec.about.com)-Home interior section of the prpular expert guidance site.

DECORATING FOR LESS (www.decorating4less.com)-How to decorating projects, ideas & shopping guides.

GET DECORATING (www.getcecorating.com)-Membership site with more than 17,000 photos for interior design inspiration & decorating ideas.

HOME AND GARDEN MAKEOVER (http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com)-Tips for budget decorating including eco-friendly suggestions.

MY HOME IDEAS (www.myhomeideas.com/myhome)-Features a Design Assistant area with photos compiled from popular design magazines for inspiration.

SEE MY DESIGN (www.seemydesign.com)-Free interactive tools to help you design your rooms virtually before actually starting!

2 Story For Sale in Cottage Cove

Christine Taylor — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:21:00 GMT

4 Bedroom with Master on Main

• 4BR/2.5BA 2 story "With Sitting Area Upstairs" - MLS® $164,900 USD

Cottage Cove, Dallas - This home is one of the few 4 bedroom homes in Cottage Cove.

The main floor includes the master bedroom & bath, half bath, kitchen with pantry, large breakfast area, great room and laundry room.

The second floor has a spacious sitting area, three bedrooms and a full bath.

Property information

Table Settings Made Easy

Christine Taylor — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:52:00 GMT

Do you want to set a flawless table but don't know how? Setting the perfect table for your special occasions doesn't have to be intimidating.

Setting a table can be easy if you keep it simple and stick to the basics.
Only set the table with utensils that will be used.
Set in order used, starting on the outside working in through the courses. Place forks on the left side of the plate and knives on the right swith spoons to their right.
After each course, utensils previously used should be removed, paving the way for the next part of the meal.
Dessert spoons and forks are most often provided with that course. If used in the initial place setting, place above the plate horizontally.

How to Impress Potential Buyers

Christine Taylor — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:24:00 GMT

-If you don't have wood floors, install them. If you do have wood floors, make sure they're in good shape and polished.

-Place placards or notecards around the home detailing home improvements and upgrades.

-Freshen up rooms with a new coat of paint in neutral colors so potential buyers can more easily visualize their own decor.

-Take out unnecessary furniture, and make sure any pieces left in the room are moved away from walls. Air around furniture creates the illusion of space.

-Clean, clean and clean again. Pay special attention to bathrooms and kitchen.

-Consider hiring a professional stager to enhance the interior of the home and landscaper to make the most of curb appeal.

-Replace and all light fixtures wherever possible. Modern lighting adds overall appeal.

-Don't forget the closets. A big factor in many home purchasing decisions is closet space, so do everything you can to clear out, clean up, and organize for the best effect.

What is the Right Amount to Spend on a Home?

Christine Taylor — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:07:00 GMT

Experts say you should not spend more than 28% of your monthly income on housing. This is a good rule of thumb and you should also consider:

Talking to a lender about getting pre-approved for a loan.
How long will you be in the home before moving?
Is a growing family or a maintenance free home in your future?
Does purchasing a home provide diversification in your investment portfolio?
How much do I have for a down payment?

Important Ways to Protect Your Family and Home

Christine Taylor — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:54:00 GMT

SMOKE DETECTORS - To be most effective, a smoke detector should be placed on each floor of a home, with one near bedrooms to alert occupants while they sleep. Be sure to replace the batteries regularly.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - Visit www.fireextinguisher.com for information on how to use, inspect and maintain fire extinguishers in your home or business.

HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE - Your home is most likely your largest investment. Homeowner's insurance protects your investment, and also covers liability for injuries and damage that may be caused to others.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS - Detectors provide early warning of a buildup of this poitentially deadly, odorless, colorless, tasteless gas.

RADON TEST KITS - Discounted test kits can be purchased from the National Safety Council at www.nsc.org or by calling 1-800-S0S-RADON.

HOME SECURITY SYSTEM - Homes without a home security system are three times more likely to be burglarized. Even the appearance of having a system can reduce the risks of being robbed.

Make Your Gift Wrapping as Personal as the Gift

Christine Taylor — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:39:00 GMT

Containers and More: Get creative with your choice of containers and go paperless. Decorative hatboxes combined with coordinating bows make beautiful - and useful gifts.
Add Some Charm: Find a charm that fits the occasion to adorn the bow. Combine with a gift of a plain bracelet and add to it over the years.
Mix and Match: Instead of using just one pattern of wrapping paper on a single gift, go for two or three papers that coordinate in either color or pattern, but not necessarily both.
What's Old is New: Like to reuse gift bags? Even ones that have been damaged can be recycled if you cut it apart to use for wrapping paper.
Just a Hint: Hint at what's inside the gift by attaching a small coordinating item to the bow. For example, use a wooden spoon on a gift of cookware or a screwdriver on a gift of do-it-yourself books.

Coffee Talk Made Simple

Christine Taylor — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:32:00 GMT

Coffee used to be as simple as "cream or sugar?" Become a coffee-ordering expert by becoming familar with the following coffehouse language.

Short, Tall, Grande, Venti - Cup size in order from small to extra large
Half Caf - Half decaf and half regular coffee
With Room - Allowing room in the cup to add milk or cream, or to prevent spilling.
Skinny - A drink made with non-fat milk
Shock it - Adding an ice cube to a hot drink to cool it down
Shot in the dark - Regular coffee with a shot of espresso
Breve - A latte made with half-and-half instead of milk
Wet - More milk than foam
Dry - More foam than milk
Doppio - A double shot of espresso
Why Bother - Decaf coffee with non-fat milk
With wings, on wheels, with legs or on a leash - All mean ordering "to go"

The Essentials to Enjoying Your Vacation

Christine Taylor — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:39:00 GMT

A vacation shouldn't be hard work. The following can help you enjoy your time away.

Visualize and Pack Accordingly - Think through your planned activities and pack from head to toe.
Don't Panic - Unless you are going to a remote location, there are convenience and department stores at your destination. Most essentials can be purchased if luggage is lost or you forgot something at home.
Leave Work at Work - Email message alerts and ringing cell phones can put a damper on everyone's trip. Set messages to let people know you cannot be contacted and enjoy the time you've earned away from the office.
Don't Over-plan - It's great to plan ahead and know what activities you'll undertake, but be flexable and willing to change plans if something interesting comes up.
Give Yourself Peace of Mind - Having a friend or relative take care of pets, mail, plants and home security while you're away will do wonders for making the trip stress-free.

How to Fix Life's Little Mishaps

Christine Taylor — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:34:00 GMT

Mishaps happen. That's why it's important to know what steps to take in order to reduce their impact.

-CRAYON ON WALLS
Spray the marks with a car part lubricant and wipe with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary, then wash the wall with warm water and dish soap.

-GUM IN CARPET
Apply a small amount of muscle pain treatment cream and pull out using a plastic bag once the cream has heated the gum. Dab with warm soapy water and pat dry as soon as the gum is removed.

-WAX ON TABLE CLOTH
Once cooled and set, scrape off excess with a credit card. Place one paper bag underneath and one above the cloth and run an iron over the area on medium heat. The wax will be absorbed by the paper bags.

-LIPSTICK ON CLOTHING
Use a clean, white, damp cloth to dab off as much as possible as soon as the stain is noticed, being careful not to rub. At home, dab or spray with any grease pre-treatment liquid, let stand, then wash in warm water.

CLOG PREVENTION

Christine Taylor — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:01:00 GMT

Are clogs putting a drain on your time? The easiest way to fix a clog is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

It's a strain -
Catch hair, food particles and other debris by installing a strainer or drain insert into the drain.

In hot water -
Once a month, flush drains with large amounts of hot -if not boiling- water: Use caution to prevent injuries.

Keep it out -
Although it may be tempting, avoid intentionally putting anything besides water down the drain. Grease, oil and fat should be disposed of using alternate methods.

Push and pull -
Using a wet/dry vacuum or plunger on your drains is an effective way to clear debris before and after a clog. Make sure to cover overflow holes.

Make it a habit -
Regular maintenance as part of your normal cleaning habits is a great way to keep clogs at bay.

2 Story For Sale in Cottage Cove

Christine Taylor — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:14:00 GMT

4 Bedroom with Master on Main

• 2,373 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "With Sitting Area Upstairs" - MLS® $169,900 USD

Cottage Cove, Dallas - This home is one of the few 4 bedroom homes in Cottage Cove.

The main floor includes the master bedroom & bath, half bath, kitchen with pantry, large breakfast area, great room and laundry room.

The second floor has a spacious sitting area, three bedrooms and a full bath.

Property information

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

Christine Taylor — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:25:00 GMT

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows,
hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet gs to this place.
There is always food and water and warm spring weather.
The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed
are made whole again. They play all day with each other.

There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special
person who loved them on Earth. So, each day they run
and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing
and looks up! The nose twitches! The ears are up!
The eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the group!

You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet,
you take him or her in your arms and embrace.
Your face is kissed again and again, and you look
once more into the eyes ofur trusting pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together,
never again to be separated.

Author Unknown

In loving memory of my dog Floyd...

DOGS

Christine Taylor — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:26:00 GMT

If there are no dogs in heaven, then I want to go where they went. ~Will Rogers

The average dog is nicer person than the average person. ~Andy Rooney

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between man and dog. ~Mark Twain

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

Sellers-Improve it or Leave it?

Christine Taylor — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:04:00 GMT

In a buyer's market, the idea is to give your home a marketing edge - without overdoing it.

The objective of improvements you should make is not necessarily to give you a return on your money. Instead, they should be largely generic, cosmetic improvements that enhance your home's functionality, efficiency and aesthetics - to give it an updated feel. You want it to stand out from the competition so it sells faster, but maybe not for more.

Often that simply means cleaning up and removing clutter. A new coat of paint, new carpeting, freshly manicured landscaping, updated fixtures, doors and other touches will put your home in the best light for a quicker sale.

8 Reasons to List Your Home During the Holidays

Christine Taylor — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:05:00 GMT

1. People who look for a home during the Holidays are more serious buyers!

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you!

3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your particular home! Less demand means less money for you!

4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays!

5. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to pay your price!

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do during a working week!

7. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons!

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since transferees cannot wait until Spring to buy, you must be on the market now to capture that market!

Winter Strategy for Home Buyers

Christine Taylor — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 18:27:00 GMT

If you've been thinking about buying a new home, winter is the time to start getting serious.

The winter season has fewer homes on the market. You can use that to your advantage to get a favorable deal.
Winter also has fewer buyers in the market. Families tend to not buy or sell from September to June because they are hesitant to move their children to a new town in the middle of the school year. Fewer buyers means less competition for you!

So, as the season changes and the days grow shorter, contact THE TAYLOR TEAM and let us open the door to a successful real estate experience for you!

Remember... We "Taylor" to YOUR Real Estate Needs!

It is Not Dangerous to Swallow Chewing Gum

Christine Taylor — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:07:00 GMT

Gum is made of a fiber that can't be digested - it simply passes through your body unchanged (except for the sugar or sugar substitute in it). It's a myth that gum can stick to your insides or cause appendicitis.

HOME DANGER SPOTS

Christine Taylor — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:36:00 GMT

Sharp corners, stairs and slippery bathtubs are just a few of the potential hazards that homeowners face.

Set water heaters at 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid scalding during baths.
Install smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on every level of the house. Test them once a month and replace
batteries once a year.
Install a carbon monoxide detector outside sleeping areas and at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, wood stoves and fuel-burning kitchen stoves.

The Difference Between Pre-Approved and Pre-Qualified

Christine Taylor — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:33:00 GMT

Confusing prequalification with preapproval can mean disappointment for both a home seller and a buyer. Real estate experts say it's smart to urge buyers to become preapproved by their lender – not just prequalified.

For buyers to obtain a bona fide preapproval, they must submit a loan application with the necessary documentation and fee. After the lender verifies and analyzes the application, it will notify the applicant of how much money he can afford to borrow. Armed with that information, the buyer can confidently go home shopping.

Prequalifications are simply an estimate of what a buyer can afford. A buyer who assumes that this estimate is accurate and chooses a home based on the information may, in fact, be denied a loan when he actually applies. That results in a situation that wastes his time and can put a seller in a bad position if they've already turned away a qualified buyer. And, of course, it wastes the real estate practitioner's time as well.

Source: Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine 8/01/07

PRICES

Christine Taylor — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:46:00 GMT

It's unwise to pay too much. But it's worse to pay too little.

When you pay too much, you a little money, that is all.

When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.

The common law of business balances prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. It can't be done.

If you deal with the lowest bidder it is well to add something for the risk you run.

And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.

There is hardly anything in the world that someone can't make a little worse and sell a little cheaper--and people who consider price alone are this man's lawful prey.

John Ruskin(1819-1900)

Sale Stoppers-Unintentional Neglect

Christine Taylor — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:07:00 GMT

Sometimes, after spending many comforting years in their homes, sentimental and subjective sellers overlook potential home sale-stoppers.

Points of neglect by the seller, such as stains on ceilings, drains that run slowly or walls which show signs of pipe leaks, are all red flags to buyers. The sellers who have lived with these malfunctions can let their emotional attachment overshadow their practical judgement. Beware, these problems become deferred maintenance nightmares to potential buyers.