Articles by Lynn Bulmer on ArticleSnatch.com

Washington D.C.: City of History and Culture

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:11:39 -0500

Washington, D.C. is a vibrant, historical city on the Potomac River that entrances visitors with its culture and activity. Founded in 1790, Washington D.C. is a planned city with a wide variety of architecture, museums, arts, and sports to entertain and delight visitors and residents alike. The architecture present in Washington D.C. includes a wide range of styles and with construction dates ranging back all the way to 1765 in the case of Georgetown’s Old Stone House. The styles of homes and other buildings that you can find in Washington include: neoclassical, Georgian & Georgian revival, Queen Anne, Victorian, Romanesque, gothic, modern and others. This is a fabulous city to live in if you’re interested in the beautiful architectural styles that have evolved over the past 245 years. The city as a whole was planned mostly by Pierre L’Enfant who strove to design a city that Thomas Jefferson described as an “American Paris” with low buildings and airy streets. While the city streets were not all completely laid out as planned, it does retain much of the original theme of L’Enfant’s design. Washington D.C. **End Summary** Topics: washington d.c.]]> washington history]]> dc real estate]]> dc architecture]]> real estate investments]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, Washington D.C. realtor can help you with our new and improved Washington DC property search tool.

Will Obamaâs $33 Billion Tax Credit Help Stall the Foreclosure Slide?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:00:30 -0500

It is no secret that a large part of the current wave of foreclosures is due to the high unemployment rates ravaging the country; home owners without jobs have difficulty making mortgage payments and many of them have ended up with homes teetering on the brink of foreclosure. To help alleviate the problem, the President has announced a proposal of 33 billion dollars in tax credits to hopefully support the hiring of workers by small businesses across the nation to prop up struggling employment rates. As the political scapegoat for the struggling economy, President Obama is working to reverse some of the economic trends that we have been seeing progress for the past few years. The new proposal for the 33 billion dollar tax credit is aimed at helping small businesses hire new staff by providing them with a $5,000 tax credit for each employee hired up to a maximum of one hundred new employees. Estimates suggest that up to a million small businesses could be assisted by this initiative. **End Summary** Topics: stimulus]]> tax credit]]> foreclosures]]> real estate market]]> home foreclosures]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, Washington D.C. realtor can help you find your dream Massachusetts Heights home .

Buying Beautiful Brownstones

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:57:21 -0500

If you are looking to buy an interesting piece of architectural history in the Eastern United States then take a look at the fabulous collection of Brownstones on the market currently. Brownstones are named for an interesting type of building material used for cladding row homes or town homes in the pre-1910s era of American architecture. Brownstone is actually a type is stone formed from sand during the Triassic geological period 200 to 250 million years ago; due to its attractive red and brown colorations it was a popular material for buildings up until the early 20th century. Brownstones are usually connected structures, either town homes or row houses; however, Chicago Brownstones are freestanding homes built with the same sandstone cladding. In our modern time, many Chicago brownstones have been renovated and converted into beautiful multi-apartment dwellings. Brownstone row and town houses have some beautiful design elements that set them apart from many modern homes. In some areas the Brownstones’ stone street face are highlighted by bow or bay windows while many others have copper and black painted wrought-iron accents. The floor plans of the original Brownstones set them apart from modern construction as well; **End Summary** Topics: brownstone architecture]]> brownstone]]> home buying]]> building materials]]> real estate investments]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Kent DC real estate .

Buying a Home in a Recession: Home Buyerâs Adaptation

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:56:40 -0500

The end of the McMansion era has left us with many empty remnants of the style that is now seen in many quarters as a stark illustration of the frivolity of the housing bubble. Unfortunately, for those left holding the deeds of these over sized architectural Frankensteins in the resulting housing crash, home buyers tastes have shifted away mega-sized abodes to buying reasonably sized, quality homes. The years of lenders setting up home buyers with sub prime adjustable rate mortgages resulted in many people buying or building homes far beyond their means that they could make payments on in the beginning but once their mortgage rates started to slide upwards they could no longer afford to pay their mortgage payments and homes starting piling up on the foreclosure and shortsale market. For many of these people, the new trend of massive homes with a plethora of specialty rooms that used up as much of the lots that they were built on was an appealing choice. **End Summary** Topics: home buying]]> real estate investments]]> new home buying]]> real estate market]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, Washington D.C. realtor can help you with our new and improved Washington DC property search tool.

Chimney Sweeps - More than Mary Poppin's friends

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:36:11 -0500

Ever since Dick Van Dyke bounced from rooftop to rooftop as Bert in Disney's classic film, Mary Poppins, the phrase chimney sweep conjures up images of sooty men speaking with a strong English accent, and resting a long-handled brush over their shoulder. These people do exist outside of Hollywood, and modern chimney sweeps do much more than just brush out soot. Their services can help maintain the appearance and upkeep of a home, and ensure the owners and their families live in a healthy, safe environment. Having regular maintenance on all chimneys will be an added feature when you are in a position to sell your home. Buyers will know that not only can they enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a fireplace, they will can be sure their home is safe from fire or other dangers, such as carbon monoxide poisoning. Keeping your fireplace healthy: Many homeowners do not realize that repeated burning of fires will create a buildup of residue (creosote) on the chimney walls. Creosote and ash in your chimney is a recipe for disaster. This combination is highly flammable and is the main cause of chimney fires, which at worst, could ignite the entire house. **End Summary** Topics: chimney sweeps]]> home improvements]]> fireplaces]]> wood stoves]]> chimneys]]> chimney cleaning]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, Washington D.C. realtor can help you find your dream Foxhall Crescent home .

To Flip or Not to Flip - Real estate's risky business

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:26:27 -0500

In an era where real estate is either a benefit or a burden to Americans, it is still possible for people to prosper from the practice of flipping a home. It may take a lot of work, or not in some cases, but for investors who are looking to put some work into the project, the results could be lucrative. Flipping houses involves more than a paint job and laying some new flooring. There are several details to check before entering into the purchase of the investment home. These are both structural and aesthetic. Location, location, location The foundation of any good home investment purchase is the location. This is an age-old mantra, but very true. Is the area safe from crime? Is it family friendly? Is it close to amenities? Do the neighbors keep their homes in good condition? These will all be selling points in the future. Is the house solid? It is important to know if the house you have chosen is free from structural problems. If you are not experienced at looking for the telltale signs of wear, or worse, rot, it will be worth your time and money to hire a certified home inspector. **End Summary** Topics: flipping real estate]]> real estate markets]]> home flipping]]> real estate investments]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, Washington D.C. realtor can help you find your dream Massachusetts Heights home .

Straw Bale Construction - what's old is new again

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:48:55 -0400

The use of straw as a form of insulation has been around for centuries. But it is now coming back into vogue as a sustainable, green and reliable means of insulating homes and other buildings. Straw bales are readily available and provide cost-effective building materials, especially in areas where grains are grown. While additional precautions are required to build a straw-insulated house in regions prone to rain or humidity, there are many benefits to this type of construction. With an average insulation factor of R-35 or higher, straw-bale homes are ideal for locations where the heating, or cooling, of the home is an important consideration for comfortable living. In fact, the thicker the straw bale, the higher the R-factor. This type of insulation could decrease heating costs in homes by up to 75 percent. The 18-inch thickness of bales also provides significant noise reduction. Straw bales are relatively easy to work with. Basic saws and other hand tools can be used to cut and/or shape walls and window openings. These bales can be sculpted to provide unique shapes within the home, such as window seats, or coved ceilings. Another benefit to using straw bales for construction is the fire-resistance factor. **End Summary** Topics: straw bale homes]]> construction]]> home construction]]> green homes]]> green living]]> straw bale houses]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, a Cleveland Park DC Realtor can help you find your dream home or property in the DC area.

Sourcing a Good Foreclosure Deal

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:48:26 -0400

While the newspapers and television shows are full of stories about the great deals to be had on foreclosed properties (for those who can afford to take advantage of these hard times), there are a number of elements to consider before jumping in to what seems like the bargain of the decade. How to find the deals: These foreclosure situations arise for a number of reasons – the owners have lost their main source of employment and cannot maintain the mortgage payments, or property taxes have not been kept up to date. Do your own research, in conjunction with a realtor who is familiar with foreclosure properties in your area. The realtor may help you avoid properties that are not worth the price, even if it is a distress situation. Check out local free lists of foreclosures, bank-owned properties or short sales. These properties may go quite quickly in the competitive, bargain-hunting world of real estate today. Some homes will be snapped up within one hour of being put on the market. **End Summary** Topics: foreclosures]]> foreclosure buying]]> real estate investments]]> foreclosure investing]]> home buying]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, Washington D.C. realtor can help you find your dream Observatory Circle home .

Successfully Buying a Pet-Friendly Condo

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:23:43 -0400

With the recent economic downturn and more home buyers looking to downsize to smaller homes there are many buyers out there looking to buy a condo or townhouse who've previously lived in a house. However, some of these prospective buyers are having a hard time relocating into these smaller homes due to the rules that come along with condo living. Most condominiums allow residents to have some sort of pets in their units; what type and size of pets they allow is up to the individual condo association. Some associations allow all and any pets. Some will allow one pet, some more. Some condos allow a small dog under a certain weight; many allow one or two indoor cats. Most condo associations allow small caged pets like gerbils, hamsters, fish, and reptiles. But don't assume that any particular condo complex allows any pets at all. What happens if your condo association finds out that you're harbouring a pet against their regulations will depend on the individual bylaws for your complex. Consequences generally range from fines and having to get rid of the pet, to lawsuits over breach of contract. **End Summary** Topics: pet friendly condos]]> pet owning]]> condo living]]> condo pets]]> buying condos]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, Washington D.C. realtor can help you find your dream North Cleveland Park home .

When You Should Find a New Buyer's Agent

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:21:32 -0400

With the current glut of foreclosures on the market these days many people are rushing to buy into the housing market and many of those for the first time. Due to the relatively short time frame that you might be working with a realtor, some people suffer through an uncomfortable pairing with an agent that they don't mesh with, or worse, in the hopes of just getting the job done. There are some things that you should give your buyers agent a little bit of slack about; for example, your agent doesn't only work for you, they likely have many other clients that they're working for at the same time. Consequently, they cannot be at your beck and call every moment of the day. Also, your agent likely knows a fair bit more about the real estate market than you do, have some respect for their authority but feel free to ask questions. However, there are some issues that you should look at as being hints that you might want to look at changing your buyer's agent over. **End Summary** Topics: home buying]]> buyers agent]]> realtor]]> switching realtors]]> buying real estate]]> real estate investments]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Dupont Circle real estate .

Shipping Container Construction: One Solution to Affordable Housing

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:25:35 -0400

The problem of affordable housing has been a problem in many areas of the world for a long time, even before our current economic turn for the worse happened along. To combat this problem and also to address the issue of sustainability, some architects started looking at alternative building materials. One of the building materials that they discovered was used shipping containers; in many parts of the world makeshift dwellings had been made out of these large metal boxes previously but no one had really played with the idea of using them to design a house with all the amenities of home before. Shipping containers come from anywhere that ships large quantities of goods; the containers are pre-packed then put on boats and/or trains and the goods are delivered all over the world. Due to the expense of shipping the used empty containers to locations that need them from locations that don't, sometimes they end up just sitting around empty. It is reported that it can cost more to ship a used empty container than to just buy a new one! **End Summary** Topics: container homes]]> shipping containers]]> green housing]]> real estate investment]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Glover Park DC real estate .

When You Shouldn't Work For a Client

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:25:02 -0400

In any business where you rely on clients as your source of income there will be trials and tribulations as well as good experiences that you're happy to have been part of. Much of this dichotomy is due to the clients that you work with; some clients you will mesh with and some you won't. Real estate, due to its reliance on working hand-in-hand with clients can be especially trying in this regard. Some clients might just need some extra nudging to get them moving in the right direction; they might just be new to the concept of real estate or have suffered with poor experiences in the past. Sometimes clients might think that they know more than you and just need a little reminder that you're the professional that they hired to do the job. Some clients might be apathetic about readying their house for sale or even just not understand why it's in their best interest to proceed a certain way. These kinds of clients can generally be worked with if you don't mind a little extra hand-holding to get the process rolling. **End Summary** Topics: clients]]> real estate clients]]> realtors]]> difficult clients]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, a Woodley Park Realtor can help you find your dream home or property in the DC area.

Quick-Clean Your Home For Home Tours

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:31:25 -0400

Even when you have your home staged for selling, you may still dread a phone call from your RealtorÂ®.Â Hi, I have some people interested in seeing your place can we swing by in an hour?â€ often sounds like the knell of doom for busy families who are still living in their home even as theyâ€™re trying to sell it.Â A daily regime of home cleaning will go a long way to making this easy. Kitchen: Anything in the sink shouts dirt and disorder (even if itâ€™s clean).Â Embrace the policy of cleaning as you go and keeping things out of the sink, which means that dishes get done at every meal instead of at the end of the day, so they donâ€™t have a chance to pile up.Â Wipe down the counters and stove top whenever you clean utensils, which will both keep them free of crumbs and stains and make stains less likely to form.Â Sweep or vacuum the floor once a day. Bathroom: The toilet needs to be absolutely spotless. **End Summary** Topics: home cleaning]]> selling real estate]]> open houses]]> home tours]]> home sales tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Georgetown real estate .

Hiring an Assistant: Make it Productive, not Privative

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you are finding that the small and lower payoff tasks are bogging you down, you may find it worthwhile to hire an assistant to help you with everything from filing papers to handling the initial calls of prospective clients.Â Hiring an assistant can be a complicated proposition, though, especially if your first one doesnâ€™t work out and youâ€™re feeling a little gun shyâ€ at the thought of going through interviews and hiring someone who may not work out.Â It is necessary, however, to have the right kind of assistant to truly make your business shine. Before you go out and start advertising for an assistant, you need to sit down and make a list of the jobs that you donâ€™t like and/or donâ€™t have the time to do.Â As your business grows, this is most likely to be filing, organizing, many of the calls that come to a busy agent, assembling materials for clients and the myriad other details of running any office set up.Â Once you have the list of things you donâ€™t want/donâ€™t have time to do, you have to evaluate them to see what an assistant can reasonably expect to accomplish. **End Summary** Topics: assistants]]> real estate assistant]]> virtual assistants]]> office assistants]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Chevy Chase real estate .

The Climate Bill and the Building Industry

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

For years, scientists have been warning against the effects of global warming and claimed if greenhouse emissions were not reduced by 80 percent within 40 years, the earth would suffer devastating climate conditions and variations. These warnings seemingly fell on deaf ears, until now. The climate bill, or "American Clean Energy and Security Act", barely squeaked by the House after a 219-212 vote last Friday. This history making piece of legislature proposes regulations intended to reduce the effects of global warming and implement long term energy saving policies. Companies will be penalized (taxed) for generating an excess of greenhouses gases, such as carbon dioxide; 15% of electricity must come from renewable sources such as wind or solar power; and car companies will be rewarded for developing new energy efficient models. The policies will touch every sector of the economy and is expected to create a flood of jobs in related environmental fields. Costs of energy and gas prices are also expected to rise as companies invest in new technology. One of the biggest areas expected to be impacted by the climate bill is the building industry. **End Summary** Topics: climate bill]]> home building]]> residential construction]]> real estate market]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Massachusetts Heights real estate .

Madoff 150 Year Sentence Poses Questions

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Real estate fraud has become a common occurrence in our distressed economy. Last April, the FBI uncovered the largest mortgage fraud case ever prosecuted in Southern California. It involved an elaborate con which defrauded over 70 lenders for millions of dollars. Recently, we've seen the "foreclosure rescue" scams, "short sale facilitation" scams, and "loan modification" scams. By far one of the coldest, most calculating deceptions, extending over 20 years and $67 billion was the Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Bernard Madoff. He showed no discrimination when selecting targets; his victims ranged from celebrities, wealthy financiers, to retirees and small investors. There was no sense of remorse on Madoff's part, as he stripped many of their life savings, leaving a trail of betrayal and shattered lives. Many of these victims sat in court, anxiously awaiting the outcome of his much publicized trial. Everyone was shocked when the judge pronounced the maximum sentence of 150 years. The judge may have considered a lesser ruling, but no one came forward with letters of reference in support of Madoff's character or any good deeds he had done. **End Summary** Topics: madoff]]> fraud]]> ponzi schemes]]> madoff sentencing]]> investment fraud]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Cathedral Heights real estate .

Easy Tricks for Updating Your Deck

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

You've cleaned and repainted your deck, maybe added a couple planters, but somehow, it still lacks pizzazz. Deck styles and accessories have changed considerably in the last few years. Think back to the last time you bought your table or umbrella; if it was more than 5 years ago, it could be, your deck needs some updating. Here are a few ideas to help get you started. Some involve structural changes, while others will provide a quick pick-me-up for very little effort or cost. Adding unusual shapes to a deck creates interest and adds a sense of style. Cut off the corners or create a kidney bean shape and voila, your deck becomes an artistic focal point. Instead of the boring rectangular trellis, get creative and shape it with curves or a wave design. Alternately, when choosing patio furniture, the square look is definitely in. It's a sleek contemporary style that looks great with solid colored cushions and bright accent pillows. Although the fabric looks too nice for outside, it's actually weather-resistant and resists fading. If you're building or redesigning a current deck, consider adding levels that step down from one another. **End Summary** Topics: home improvements]]> decks]]> outdoor accessories]]> yard design]]> outdoor furniture]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Foxhall Cresent real estate .

Good Lessons for Home Buyers

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Purchasing a home can be a bittersweet experience. On the one hand, the excitement of owning a new house, and on the other, the dreaded reality that you have no money left in your bank account. Typically, we scrape together as much cash as possible and apply it to the down payment and closing costs. But is this the best strategy? Many lenders would prefer a buyer have a smaller down payment, and a cash reserve for emergencies. Ideally, buyers should try and build up an account that will cover three to six months worth of mortgage payments and living expenses. In addition to regular expenses, new home buyers on average, spend an additional $4,900 during the first year just making minor repairs and making the house their own. Buyers of resale houses spend about $3,600. These numbers are based on statistics by the National Association of Home Builders. None of these expenses are taken into account in the requirements by the Federal Housing Administration who only request that a buyer has a minimum 3.5 percent down payment. Although this extra cash buffer is not mandatory, it will prevent many sleepless nights for the home owner. **End Summary** Topics: home buying]]> buying real estate]]> property investments]]> real estate investments]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, Washington D.C. realtor can help you find your dream Cleveland Park home .

Something Old or Something New: Which Home is Right for You?

Mon, 25 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you're getting ready to make a real estate purchase, you may be wondering whether it's a better deal to buy new construction or an older house. There are benefits and drawbacks to both types of property, so it's important to weigh your options carefully before making an offer. Older homes have a classic lived-in charm about them. They've been built using long-lasting materials, and with great attention to detail. They're also filled with the memories of homeowners past, and have stood the test of time. Many of today's new homes are built using the same materials and architectural designs, so houses tend to look very similar to each other. This can create a neighborhood that's bland and lacking in personality. On the other hand, a new house can be built to your specifications, so the place will feel like it was truly meant for you. New constructionâ€”though sometimes lacking in aestheticsâ€”has the benefit of featuring the most up-to-date construction techniques and green building materials. Buyers can also take comfort knowing that everything in their new house will meet the latest building codes. **End Summary** Topics: new construction homes]]> new construction pros and cons]]> buying real estate]]> home buying]]> property investments]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, a Woodley Park Realtor can help you find your dream home or property in the DC area.

Color Me High Tech! Remodeling Help for the Artistically Challenged

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Are you a visual person? Are you able to plan a new garden layout or color scheme for your home without lifting a finger? Can you take a paint chip, tape it to your wall, and instantly visualize the whole room washed in that color? If so, you're one of the lucky few who have strong visual-spatial skills. For the rest of us, breathing new life into a home or garden can be an extremely challenging task. To take a small sample of color and mentally apply it to an entire room is very hard for people who have little in the way of visual-spatial intelligence. A person could hold a paint chip against pieces of furniture, window treatments and flooring, but he won't know if everything flows harmoniously until the entire room is painted. When the room is completed, if he doesn't like it, he's just wasted a great deal of time and money, and will need to start the color selection process all over again. What if something simple like rearranging the furniture is all you need to do to breathe new life into the living room, for example? **End Summary** Topics: interior design]]> home remodeling]]> home improvements]]> landscaping]]> yard design]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many listings for Washington D.C. real estate . Lynn Bulmer, Washington D.C. realtor can help you in selling a home in Washington DC .

Home Reassessment Fraud

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

What is it about a sluggish economy that causes the vultures to circle, trying to profit from other people's misfortune? I'm not talking about the opportunists who see money to be made from cleaning foreclosed homes, or scoring a good deal on an investment. I'm talking about con artists the likes of Bernard Madoff, and the current wave of scams directed at distressed homeowners. Recently, we've seen the "foreclosure rescue" scams, "short sale facilitation" scams, and "loan modification" scams. Now, the West Coast is experiencing a type of tax reassessment fraud, where companies, often posing as government agencies, request a fee for filing a tax assessment appeal. Over 500,000 single family homes purchased between July 2003 and June 2008 will have their assessments reviewed. Once complete, the homeowners will be notified of the results and at that time if they disagree with the assessment, can file an application for review. There is no charge for this review. According to the Los Angeles County Assessor's website, "Various private companies are sending mailings to property owners offering their services to pursue a reduction in their property taxes. **End Summary** Topics: home reassesment fraud]]> fraud]]> real estate fraud]]> scams]]> home scams]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Massachusetts Heights real estate .

Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Cabinets

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Renovating or designing a new kitchen is a major undertaking and you owe it to yourself to take extra time during the planning stage. After all, the kitchen is probably the most populated room in your house and you want to enjoy spending time here. If your final color choice or cabinet style is not quite right, it can be hard to adjust to. The following points are designed to get you thinking about what you really want, and point out some pros and cons you may never have considered. 1. How much natural and artificial lighting is available in your kitchen? Just having a light stain does not a bright kitchen make. If it's more closed in, rather than open, consider creating a window to take advantage of lighting in adjoining rooms, or add reflected lights from your cabinets. 2. What's going on in the neighboring rooms? Are there stains or color schemes being used that you'll want to bring into your kitchen decor? 3. Are you looking for a contrasting decorating scheme or a decor where colors are softer and flow from room to room? 4. **End Summary** Topics: interior design]]> kitchens]]> kitchen design]]> home improvements]]> kitchen remodeling]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Forest Hills real estate .

Flooding Is Your Home at Risk?

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If you live in a high risk area for flooding, you need to be aware of the following precautions and home maintenance tips to better prepare yourself in the event of a flood. The first step, however, is to determine if your home is indeed at risk. Different seasons bring different types of flooding possibilities. In the winter with the melting snow and hard, frozen ground, snow floods are common. Warmer months experiencing torrential rains are susceptible to flash floods. The collapse of dams or levees and tropical storms can present an unmanageable amount of water in a short time, and result in flooding. Determine whether any of these types of flooding could affect your home. FEMA, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, establish ratings for flood zones based on local water flow, storm tides, rainfall, and land surveys. Find out whether you live in a low, moderate or high risk area for flooding. If your home is situated in a floodplain, you are required to have flood insurance. Find out what the town planners have done to reduce the effects of flooding in your area. **End Summary** Topics: disasters]]> floods]]> home flooding]]> natural disasters]]> water damage]]> home water damage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Cleveland Park real estate .

Privatize Your Deck

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

You've finally set aside some time to spend out on the deck, but unfortunately the rest of the neighborhood isn't cooperating. Kids are playing right next door, dogs are barking, music from three competing stations is playing loudly so much for the peace and quiet. Unfortunately, short of moving or living behind a fortress, the average homeowner is going to have to deal with a certain amount of noise. There are some ways, however, to minimize that distraction and make your outdoor living area, a bit more serene. Make some noise of your own by adding a fountain or any other feature that has running water. Often you can make your own by getting a large planter, adding a pump, some water plants and a couple of goldfish. Create a green wall with evergreens. Even planted in containers, they grow nice and thick, filter noise and block unwanted views. Add a roof or pergola to define your area and make it feel cozier. It provides natural shade and provides a great structure for hanging plants or a hammock. In the warmer months, place your indoor tropical plants out on the deck. **End Summary** Topics: home improvements]]> landscaping]]> exterior design]]> decks]]> fences]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Chevy Chase real estate .

Take the Time to Seal Your Grout

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Ceramic tile is one of the most durable, low maintenance floors you'll ever have. However, just like any well used surface, there are certain things you can do to keep to keep your floor looking its best. One simple step home owners often over look is the process of sealing the grout. Many are under the impression that since the glazed tiles themselves don't require sealing, that the same goes for the grout. Many installers will say the grout doesn't require sealing, but doing so will make the tiles easier to clean and stay clean. It also helps to repel water and stains from the porous grout surface. This simple process also goes a long way for homeowners who are preparing their home for sale. An clean entrance with a sparkling grout line makes a great first impression. Follow these simple steps to seal the grout in your ceramic tile floor. If you have a new floor, wait at least 30 days to allow the grout time to fully cure before sealing. Clean the tiles with a neutral PH cleaner before sealing. Use a damp mop to prevent water from pooling in the joints. **End Summary** Topics: home improvements]]> tile]]> home maintenance]]> grout]]> home repair]]> tile flooring]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> View the many Washington D.C. homes for sale at LynnBulmer.com. Let Lynn be your guide to Forest Hills real estate .