Chantilly homeowners know that appliances in your home can be a big investment.  Here is something you may have never considered.

Your dishwasher is a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

It’s warm, it’s dark, and there is a bevy of decaying, organic material in the form of both food particles and soap.

Therefore, you’ll want to periodically scrub and disinfect your dishwasher so that it remains clean and healthy, and so that your dishes stay that way, too.

Here’s how to clean your dishwasher :

1. Remove all racks from the dishwasher. Wash with dish-washing detergent and set aside to dry.
2. Mix 1 part vinegar with 4 parts very hot water into a spray bottle.
3. Spray the mixture on the dishwasher seal and anywhere else you see discoloration, mold or mildew.
4. Scrub the affected areas with a non-abrasive scrub brush.
5. Replace racks in the dishwasher.
6. Fill a small, dishwasher-safe bowl with white vinegar and place on the top rack.
7. Without soap, run the dishwasher at the highest temperature setting available.

Then, if after performing these steps, you find that your dishwasher still has an “odor”, or if mold or mildew remnants remain, immediately pour 1 cup of baking soda on the floor of your dishwasher, and run the cycle a second time at the highest temperature setting available.

If your mold/mildew problem persists, you should check the dishwasher’s drain line. If it’s kinked, water may be unable to drain and will pool at the bottom of your dishwasher — a mold-breeding situation.

You should also check the food trap at the base of the dishwasher for too-large-to-drain pieces of food.

A good dishwasher will last years with proper care and maintenance. Keep yours mold- and mildew-free.

And if you are getting that dishwasher in good shape because you are planning the sale of your Northern Virginia area home, please know that the Kathy O’Neal Team is here for you!

Please feel free to contact us anytime!

Consumers are doing lots of home improvement projects with about $110 billion in total volume this quarter.

Overall, these projects are not creating a lot of added home equity value.  You may still have great reasons to do a project, but it does not hurt to look at these stats before doing so.

Remodeling Magazine reports in their Cost vs Value Report 2011-2012, that for each home improvement dollar spent in 2012, homeowners can expect to recoup just 58 cents in home equity.

This is way down from 2005, when the cost-to-value ratio was 87 percent.

It pays to consider which projects will help your home equity.

Remodeling Magazine’s “Mid-Range Project” list :

• Steel Entry Door Replacement : Cost, $1,238; Recoup, 73.0%
• Attic Bedroom : Cost, $50,184; Recoup, 72.5%
• Minor Kitchen Remodel : Cost, $19,588; Recoup, 72.1%
• Garage Door Replacement : Cost, $1,512; Recoup, 71.9%
• Wood Deck Addition : Cost, $10,350; Recoup 70.1%

Projects which have a relatively low cost-to-value ratio include the following.  Consider them if they have a high personal value, but not necessarily for their home equity value:

• Home Office Remodel : Cost, $27,963; Recoup, 42.9%
• Sunroom Addition : Cost, $34,133; Recoup, 45.9%
• Backup Power Generator : Cost, $14,760; Recoup, 47.5%
• Bathroom Addition : Cost, $140,096512; Recoup, 51.0%
• Fiberglass Entry Door Replacement : Cost, $3,536; Recoup 56.3%

Projects that include the replacement of doors, siding and windows occupy the list’s first 6 slots in the cost-to-value ratio.

As always, if you live in the Northern Virginia area or are planning a move to this area, we are here to help you learn what is available in both the new and resale home market.  Let us know how we can help!

You can see the complete Cost vs Value report online.

Chantilly and Northern Virginia home sellers and home owners will benefit from this short Today Show video called a “Fall Fix-Up Checklist”.  You will get very practical tips on how to:

• Clean up leaves. limit grass damage, and keep pests under control
• Unclog gutters so that you prevent house damage this problem can cause
• Turn off outside water sources and remove water from pipes and hoses

Also helpful is how to find air leaks in your home, and how they can be fixed. You can save a bundle by reducing or eliminating these leaks.

If you are a little handy, you can do this on your own.  But if not, consider hiring a handyman.  Some of these fix-its will pay you back many times over.  If you need a few references, I can provide that.  And of course, if you are doing fix-ups in preparation to sell, and would like a quick analysis of your home’s current value, let me know.  We are here for you!

It is a good time of year to do a little caulking so you can have more comfort and savings during the winter months.

You can lose a huge amount of of heat through those gaps and openings around doors and windows.

This brief tutorial from Lowe’s will give you some very useful information on simple preventative measures to take.  It is worth your time to check it out.

To weatherize your windows and doors you simply follow this 3-step process:

1. Find the air leaks
2. Clean the surface of existing caulk and debris
3. Seal surface with new caulk, and clean-up

As you will see, this is not a big technical job.

If you’d like professional help weatherizing your home, let me know and I will provide a few referrals.

Labor Day is nearing; the unofficial end of summer across Northern Virginia.  If you’re among the many Americans planning an end-of-season barbecue, you’ll want to make sure your grill is clean.

A clean grill makes better tasting food.

There are several ways to clean a grill but, for owners of gas grills, the first step always is to disconnect the gas source.

Next, open your grill and remove its metal pieces. This includes grates, trays and flame guards. Take these pieces to your kitchen. If the oven has a self-cleaning mechanism, place the items in your oven and let it “self-clean”. As the temperature reaches 900 degrees or more, residue will literally fall off your grill parts.

Be sure to wipe clean your oven once the cycle completes.

If your oven is not self-cleaning, wash the grill parts in your sink using hot water and detergent. You’ll want to soak the parts in soapy water if they’re especially dirty. Once clean, allow the parts to air dry.

Then, return to your grill and using a wire brush, scrape the residue from the sides, top and bottom of the appliance. Again, using a soapy hot water mixture, wash and wipe down the inside of the grill. Rinse it clean once the residue is removed.

Re-assemble your grill.

Lastly, reconnect the gas source (if applicable) and allow the grill to burn for 5 minutes. This will burn off any lingering residue from the cleaning process, including soap and detergent.

And that’s it!

Plan on cleaning your grill at least twice annually with heavy use.

If you would like to be grilling in your new home this time next year and are interested in moving to the Centreville/Chantilly area please know that I am here to help.  Our website has many useful  tools for home buying and you can contact me directly with any questions.  Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

Your home furniture can be a big investment.  If you have ever wondered how to deal with spills and stains, here is a set of recommendations
from Martha Stewart.  Think of them as first-aid for your home furnishings.

Wood
• Moisture “rings”:  Pour table salt on the white rings/haze and cover with a terry cloth. Apply hair dryer on low setting until rings are gone.
• Alcohol spills:  Blot spills immediately, do not rub. Apply small amounts of ammonia to damage.
• Wax spills:  Allow to cool and harden, then freeze the wax with an ice cube in a sandwich bag. Use a butter knife to gently scrape off wax.

Fabric
• Red wine stains:  Cover wine with table salt and let sit until salt has wicked up the wine.  Vacuum salt and repeat, as necessary.
Blot remaining stains with damp cloth and dish soap.
• General spills:  Repeatedly blot with a damp white cloth. Use white cloths to prevent dye transfer.
• Oil spills:  Cover spill with baking soda and vacuum once absorbed. Blot remaining stains with rubbing alcohol

Leather
• General stains: Blot with all-purpose household cleaner.  To prevent fading in the upholstery, avoid products with bleach or bleach alternatives.
• Scratches:  Apply saddle soap to a damp cloth and rub the scratch to help it “blend in”.  It won’t go away.

Also, a tip on leather furniture:  forget touch-up kits or colored markers. It’s nearly impossible to match leather colors and your repair work will likely make the problem more noticeable.

If you are thinking about your home’s appearance in preparation for the possibility of selling here is the Northern Virginia area (or moving here from elsewhere), please know that I am here to help.  Our websites have lots of tools, and you can contact me directly with any questions.  We are always here for you!

According to the BuildFax Remodeling Index, people are doing lots of remodelling projects.

They report that for the 19th straight month, their May index rose.

If you are doing projects on your own, do be aware of safety.  Many preventable accidents happen because basic safety precautions are not taken.  Some of these accidents can be very serious…like falling off a ladder.

Check out this 5-minute video from NBC’s The Today Show.  Being aware of the basic precautions mentioned could save you a lot of trouble.

The insights include:

• Use “expandable” earplugs to prevent hearing loss from power tools.
• Don’t wear sneakers or sandals. Wear construction boots.
• Never stand on the top 2 steps of a ladder.

Also, don’t forget the safety glasses.  Eye problems are the number one injury as reported by home remodelers, and it is important to realize they can happen anytime.

Here is the video from the NBC website.

As always, if you need a referral for professional help to do a project, contact me and I will provide a few names.

Whether you are buying or selling, or just considering either or both, we are always here for you!

Chantilly home owners with front-loading washing machines probably realize that they have several advantages in making this choice:

1. They wash more clothes per cycle, helping lower energy costs.
2. They use less water per cycle.
3. They are easier on clothes, preserving color and fabric.

But they do require a bit more cleaning care.  They can pool water in their drums, which creates complications like bacteria and mildew build-up, along with the odor that this creates.

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the benefits and avoid the liabilities of front-loading machines.

First, use High efficiency detergent. The lower volume of suds from these detergents will mean less chemicals and other elements within the detergent to remain in the drum.

Second, about once weekly wipe the inside rim with a dry cloth.  You typically will find a plastic tube where water settles.

Your unit may have a drain filter around the lower edge of the front of the machine.  If it does, remove it so the water can drain.

Third, occasionally run a cycle with the machine empty, with only water and bleach.  If the machine has a smell, this will help remove it.

You can also leave the front door open after you finish a wash load, to circulate fresh air and help the excess water to evaporate.

As always, we are here to serve Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home buyers and sellers with our signature personal and state-of-the-art service.  Let us know how we can help!

If you are getting your Chantilly home ready to sell, you may be considering doing some of your own painting.

If you have paint, tape, tarp and some brushes, you can do a lot.

Remember that some rooms call for a complete sand-down, and when that is the case, Rule #1 is that your walls must be stain-free before adding the next coat of paint.

You may have “industrial strength” stains, but most spots can be treated with a damp rag or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.  For the big stuff, you’ll need something more.

For example, “grime” is the most common stain type .  To remove ground-in dirt and oil, start with 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket, then add 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda.

Rub in gently and follow-up with a clean water rinse.

Here are a few other very common problems and possible solutions:

• Permanent Marker : Blot the stain with a rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton ball. Allow to air dry.
• Mildew : Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 4 cups of water.  Spray and allow to air dry.
• Crayon : Dust a damp sponge with baking soda and scrub.  Baby wipes are another option.

Also be aware of “water stains”;  the result of a leak or something similar.  Make sure the water source is corrected prior to painting. Then, to remove spots, mix 1 part bleach to 4 parts water, thoroughly rinse the stain, and use a hair dryer to dry the solution on the wall.

This preparation makes all the difference.  If the walls are not well prepped, you can waste a lot of time and expense with a paint job that just does not look right.

If you are painting in order to sell you home, and you are considering what the current market will bring for your property, by all means take advantage of our free MARKET SNAPSHOT service for those living in the Northern Virginia area.  And if you need any other insights or have questions regarding current market conditions in your Northern Virginia neighborhood, we invite your contact so that we can be of help.

If you want to keep your Chantilly or Northern Virginia home garden in good shape by controlling weeds and pests, but don’t like the strong chemicals, take a few minutes to watch this video.

Suggestions you will find in the video include:

• Use of flowering nectar-bearing plants to keep “good ” insects
• Use of electronic repellents and netting to deter pests
• Get the birds on your side…add a bird feeder to your yard

There are a number of other good ideas as well.

Keep in mind that “organic” doesn’t always mean “greener.“

Limited use of chemical products may be the best alternative in some situations.

If you are sprucing things up in order to get your home on the market, please know that we have been serving Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home sellers and buyers for over two decades, and we always stay on the cutting edge of excellence in real estate service.  We invite you to view our Testimonial Video which explains how and why we are different.