“Green” Meets the Arts: 50 Creative Reuse Ideas For Your Home
March 1st, 2012 categories: Buyer Strategies, Home Life, Seller Strategies
There are Chantilly Home sellers and home buyers who are into “Creative Reuse”….the transformation of everyday items that would otherwise be thrown out. “Green” and the arts merge in this activity.
In every Northern Virginia home, there are potentially dozens of things that could be reused and re-purposed, including such diverse items as chipped coffee mugs, step ladders, and bubble wrap. After transformation, for example, these three items can become a simple storage container, a plant stand, and greenhouse insulation, respectively.
Real Simple made a list of “50 All-Time Favorite New Uses For Old Things“. It’s a list that may give you inspiration to do your own projects.
Some of the things are very practical. But they can also be great learning projects for kids.
Here are a few samples from the Real Simple list:
- Distinguish your glass from other party-goers’ glasses at a party with peel-on/peel-off window decals
- Protect counter tops from hot dishes with and old mousepad-turned-trivet
- Eliminate travel bulk. Carry non-prescription medicines in an old contact lens case.
- Use Play-Doh as a candle or sparkler holder
- Pour pancake batter into an old ketchup bottle for no-mess cooking
With Creative Reuse, you’re limited only by your imagination and, even then, Google can be a terrific project resource.
Check the Real Simple list for 50 great ideas.
And of course, is your creative project is something really big, like buying or selling a home, please know that we are here to make that work in your favor. Check out our Testimonial Video for candid responses on how we serve our clients with excellence. Let us know how we can help!
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Chantilly Home for Sale: Really Smart Rambler at 15244 Louis Mill Drive
October 15th, 2011 categories: Chantilly Fairfax County, Featured Listings
You won’t see too many Ramblers for sale in this area, but here is one in Chantilly’s popular Pleasant Valley community.
Chantilly Rambler at 15244 Louis Mill Drive...worth a good look.
This short sale property is a fantastic value, and the home itself has the valuable feature of having an addition which adds a generous extra amount of living space. If the price and location are in your focus area, this one is worth a good look.
Start by taking a quick Visual Tour right now, and then just let me know if you want more info.
Price: $279,900
MLS#: FX 7702761
More information: please click here and you will see the property on our Featured Listings page.
PS – If you are relocating to Northern Virginia, we can get your questions about the area answered quickly.
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Chantilly VA Open House at 15200 Bannon Hill Court – Sunday Sept 25, 2011 – 1 PM to 4 PM
September 22nd, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Featured Listings
If you are looking at Chantilly area homes for sale, we invite you to come visit us for an Open House this Sunday, September 25, 2011, from 1 PM to 4 PM at 15200 Bannon Hill Court in Chantilly, Virginia (20151).
Open House - Sunday, Sept 25, 2011 - 1 PM to 4 PM
This home is in superb condition and is sharp in all details. If you are in process or even just starting your home search, this is one that is worth an “in person” look. And it is in Pleasant Valley, a terrific community of homes very well located close to the Route 28 corridor.
You can get more details and take a Visual Tour here, and if this home looks interesting to you, do come by for the Open House this Sunday, September 25 (1 PM to 4 PM). And feel free to contact me with any questions.
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Taking Advantage of Low Interest Rates
September 14th, 2011 categories: Buyer Strategies, Mortgage & Finance, Seller Strategies
Chantilly and Northern Virginia area home owners, as well as home buyers and sellers, know that interest rates are low.
But be aware that getting a home loan or doing a refinance is only one way to take advantage of these historic lows.
Take a look at this short video from NBC’s The Today Show to hear about a half-dozen ways to benefit, such as:
- A quick way to refi a car loan
- Balance transfers between credit cards with teaser rates lasting up to 20 months
- Move some savings to an “online” bank where savings rates are higher
The Fed has asserted that the Fed Funds Rate will be held near 0.000% probably until mid-2013. Why not use it to your advantage if you can.
Also, a reminder that MARKET SNAPSHOT will give you prices of homes sold in your Northern Virginia neighborhood.
And if you are considering buying or selling real estate, we invite you to hear what others are saying about The Kathy O’Neal Team.
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Weatherizing Your Home With Caulk
September 13th, 2011 categories: Home Life
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:
- Find the air leaks
- Clean the surface of existing caulk and debris
- 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.
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Fine Centreville Home For Sale at 5464 Braddock Ridge Drive
September 13th, 2011 categories: Chantilly Fairfax County, Featured Listings
If you are a home buyer looking at homes for sale in the Centreville, Virginia area, here is one you should know about.
5464 Braddock Ridge Drive - Centreville, VA 20120
Well located at 5464 Braddock Ridge Drive in Centreville, this attractive home has a lot to like.
The house sparkles and has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, and sits on a full 1/3 acre lot… not very common in the immediate area.
If you are looking in this area, take a quick Visual Tour so that you can determine whether a visit to the property is your next step.
If you would like to know more, or have any questions at all, just let me know.
And of course, if you want to tour the home, please contact me and we’ll work out a time that will work for you.
This is a normal sale home….no headaches or heartaches hiding behind the administrative process.
Please be in touch if you want to know more!
Price: $410,000
MLS#: FX 7681625
More information: please click here and you will see the property on our Featured Listings page.
PS – If you are relocating to Northern Virginia, we can get your questions about the area answered quickly.
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Make Better-Tasting Food On Your Grill
August 28th, 2011 categories: Home Life
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!
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Chantilly Home For Sale: A Genuine Stand-Out at 4360 Silas Hutchinson Drive
August 12th, 2011 categories: Chantilly Fairfax County, Featured Listings
This Chantilly home for sale is a real stand-out!
A stand-out at 4360 Silas Hutchinson Drive in Chantilly VA 20151
Nicely located in the community of Pleasant Valley, this exceptionally well-cared for home at 4360 Silas Hutchinson Drive in Chantilly, Virginia (20151) is super clean.
The lot is also above average. Just like the home, it is well-maintained, elegant, and has the feeling of being fresh and new.
If you are searching homes for sale in the Chantilly or surrounding area, take a quick Visual Tour and you can get a sense of what this home has to offer. If you have questions, just let me know. If you want to see this home in person, please contact me and we’ll arrange a showing.
Also, please be aware this home is a normal sale property. You won’t have the stresses and challenges associated with distressed properties.
We are here if you want to know anything more about this exceptionally attractive home. I believe it will make its next owner very happy!
Price: $419,900
MLS#: FX 7659681
More information: please click here and you will see the property on our Featured Listings page.
PS – If you are relocating to Northern Virginia, we can get your questions about the area answered quickly.
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Keep Your Front-Loading Washing Machine Fresh
July 30th, 2011 categories: Home Life
Chantilly home owners with front-loading washing machines probably realize that they have several advantages in making this choice:
- They wash more clothes per cycle, helping lower energy costs.
- They use less water per cycle.
- 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!
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Chantilly Home for Sale: Sweet Spot at 4508 Lees Corner Road
April 15th, 2011 categories: Featured Listings
If you are taking a look at homes for sale in Chantilly VA, here is one to keep on your radar screen. This very attractive Colonial is located at 4508 Lees Corner Road in Chantilly, Virginia (MLS #FX7574393).
Good looking Colonial at 4508 Lees Corner Road in Chantilly, VA
Is this one of the nicest homes for sale in the Brookfield community? We think so, but come by and take a look and decide for yourself! Let me know if you want to schedule a tour of the property. We’d be happy to let you see why we think this is such an attractive home.
There is a lot to like, but one of the very special features is the huge back deck with Koi Pond and gazebo. It is also nice to see all that open space from the back yard view.
Another very special feature is the open loft on the second floor with the built-in bookshelves. This space has lots of optional uses, depending on your preferences.
Take a minute and do a Visual Tour, and then let us know if you would like more information.
If you have questions or want to see the home in person, just contact Kathy.
By the way, this home is a normal sale property…no foreclosure or short sale hassles. Given the current market, this could make your home buying experience a whole lot easier and safer.
Price: $ 399,900
MLS#: FC 7574393
More information: please click here and you will see the property on our Featured Listings page.
PS – If you are relocating to Northern Virginia, we can get your questions about the area answered quickly.
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