Wednesday, February 24, 2016

How to improve your Keller home for the long run


Most Keller homeowners undertake home improvements for two basic reasons: to please themselves or to please others who may one day buy their home. Some types of improvements are for the sake of a speedier sale, such as planting a row of shrubs between your backyard and a busy street behind your home. Others are for your own enjoyment, like painting your rec room your favorite shade of neon pink.

The best home improvements, however, pay off in the long run whether you’re staying or selling. Here are a handful of projects that are worth the investment whether you’re hoping to please potential buyers or make your home more enjoyable for yourself:

Add skylights
Any real estate professional will agree: buyers love balanced natural light. You probably do as well!  is a cost-effective improvement that enhances a home’s appeal to potential buyers, as well as its livability for the people currently occupying it. They’re particularly popular in bathrooms (where fresh air and privacy is a concern) and kitchens (where they also provide passive ventilation of cooking odors and excessive heat), but skylights can go in any room where you want more natural light, an open, airy feeling and a brightened appearance.

Solar powered fresh-air skylights can help improve indoor air quality while brightening things up and cutting down on the need for artificial light. Add solar powered blinds to boost the energy performance rating by as much as 45 percent and you’ll love your skylights even more. Solar-powered skylights and blinds are operated by a touchpad programmable remote control and are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit, as is the cost of installation.

Skylight blinds can help you decorate while boosting energy efficiency. They are available in a variety of designer colors and patterns to coordinate with your décor while giving you complete control of the light that enters your rooms. The choices include light diffusing, light blocking, and light controlling Venetian blinds, all of which can be operated manually or by remote control.

Add or upgrade a deck
When the weather warms, your family will want to spend more time outdoors and a deck is the perfect platform for outdoor enjoyment. Potential buyers also perceive it as a benefit, and adding or upgrading a deck can boost your home’s value. In fact, a wooden deck will recoup 75 percent of its installation costs at time of resale, and a composite deck recoups 64 percent, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.

Bigger is better right now in the world of deck building, with more homeowners looking to increase the size of their decks. Multi-level decks are also on trend, with many people dedicating different deck levels for different functions, such as an outdoor kitchen, spa area with hot tub, and entertainment seating.

Exterior paint
Repainting the exterior of your home is a big job, but one that’s well worth the investment, whether you’re trying to impress potential buyers with great curb appeal, or simply make your house a more enjoyable place to return to each day. Exterior paint greatly affects the overall look of a home, plus quality paint helps protect siding from the elements. Your color choice could also affect your utility bills; if you live in a hot environment, lighter colors will help reflect heat away from your home. If you’re selling, a fresh, attractive paint job could increase your home’s purchase price.

Kitchen cosmetics
Great kitchens sell homes, and the kitchen is also the room where many families spend the greatest amount of time, so anything you do to improve a kitchen is well worth the investment. Taking care of basic items like replacing old cabinet hardware, upgrading faucets and lighting, and investing in quality countertops can be cost-effective ways to elevate your home’s value and boost the usability of the kitchen.

Even a minor kitchen remodel can recoup more than 83 percent of its cost at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine.

Whether you plan to put your home on the market this spring or summer, or intend to stay put for years to come, it pays to invest in home improvements that enhance both resale value and your enjoyment of your Keller home.


Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership

Sunday, February 21, 2016

9204 Hailey Court North Richland Hills, TX 76182

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/4FX48K
In search of excellence? It can be found in this 5 bed, 3 bath elegant custom home with luxury finish and attention to detail in every room. Light, bright spacious kitchen features double oven, island, granite surfaces and SS appliances. Breakfast, family and master overlook private back yard oasis with pool and spa, perfect for entertaining. Relax in the master suite with spa-like bath. Large secondary bedrooms, office, media and game room offer a place for everyone.
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 3.00
Square feet: 4,471
Price: $550,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3353394 to 67299.


See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com


MLS ID: 13321807

Thursday, February 18, 2016

4 simple, smart furniture arrangement tips for decorating your Keller home


Buying your first home in Keller? Congratulations! Now you get the pleasure of decorating and deciding where everything should go in your new residence. But arranging furniture to optimize room layout in a home can be very different from placing furniture in an apartment. You have a lot more to consider than just deciding where to put your sofa or which wall to nestle your bed against.

Here are 4 tips that should point you in the right direction:

Plan the purpose of your room
The design features of your room will heavily influence the arrangement of furnishings and artwork, but you also need to consider how you'll be using the room. Will your living room be where the family gathers to watch TV and movies? A spot for family meetings and conversations with guests? Somewhere you'll go to relax quietly with a good book? All those things or none of them? 

Plan your room layout to accommodate the different uses to which you'll put the room. One way to do this is to create zones for different purposes. For example, a sofa and some chairs might face the TV while a small table and wing chair in a corner could be perfect for quiet reading.

Find your focal point
Every room should have a focal point, that spot that automatically draws the eye as soon as you walk into the room. In a living room, this may be a fireplace, picture window or a great view of the interior. The layout of furnishings in the room should flow toward the focal point without blocking it from your view when you enter the room.

If your room doesn't have a focal point incorporated into the design, you can create one in a number of ways. Many people use a large TV as a focal point in living rooms (and that's fine), but you could also paint one wall in an accent color, hang a large eye-catching piece of artwork or use a striking piece of furniture.

Tailor for traffic flow
Modern floor plans tend to be very open in the current market. Even in older homes, where rooms may be more separated from each other, living areas will typically have more than one doorway. It's important to keep ease of movement in mind when you're arranging your furniture.

Avoid blocking natural traffic patterns, such as the line from door to door, or the space between areas like kitchens and breakfast nooks. Never obstruct a door or window by placing a piece of furniture in front of it - unless the piece is short enough that it doesn't block the full window. Generally, straight lines facilitate movement, so imagine straight paths throughout your rooms and place furniture accordingly.

Keep scale in mind
Finally, a word about scale - ensure the size of your furnishings matches the size of your room. A large sectional sofa or king-sized four-poster bed will overpower a small room and leave you little space to move around in. Likewise, too many pieces in a snug space will make the room feel even smaller and cluttered. Conversely, a large, open room can withstand the presence of some larger furnishings, whereas very small pieces will look lost in a big space.

Using these tips can help you plan a layout that fits your lifestyle and enhances your Keller home.



Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

1410 Clinton Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76164

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/MQNLAG
Charm, simplicity and historical appeal! This unique 1 bedroom, 1 bath home is located just minutes away from the Historic Fort Worth Stock Yards. Enter into the bright living area that cheerfully welcomes any visitor. A large kitchen, dining and master enhance this home. Enjoy the front and back covered porches while entertaining family and friends. This well cared for home needs some updating but could be perfect for first time buyers or investors.
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1.00
Square feet: 1,012
Price: $50,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3340644 to 67299.


See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com


MLS ID: 13317540

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Keep your Keller home allergy-free this spring



It’s time to ready your vacuum and rubber gloves. Spring cleaning helps eliminate allergens so you can relax, breathe easy and enjoy the season.

Here are seven spring cleaning steps to remove allergens from your Keller home and avoid accidentally letting more in.

Step 1: To sleep, perchance to dream – and breathe.
Start in the bedroom where you spend eight to 10 hours a day. Dust mites can flourish during cold, dreary months, so wash your sheets and comforter regularly. Most mites die by drowning, but if you want to use hot water (which will kill slightly more mites) don’t use water that’s over 120 F because it can scald.

Remember to also wash decorative pillows. Finish by adding allergy-proof casings to the mattress, box spring and pillows. Keep pets out of the bedroom as their dander can cause symptoms to flare.

Step 2: Gaze out, but don’t open.
Window treatments are a magnet for dust and allergens. Pull them down and dry clean, or vacuum each thoroughly. Don’t forget to vacuum blinds and windowsills as well. Tempted to open the windows to let the spring breeze in? Don’t. Unwanted pollen can enter your home and spread everywhere.

Step 3: When the dust settles, wipe it off.
Suit up to win the war on dust by wearing protective gloves and a face mask so you don’t breathe in microscopic mold spores. Next, ditch cotton cloths and feather dusters that kick up allergens, and instead use microfiber cleaning cloths which trap and remove triggers. Wipe down all surfaces including picture frames, knickknacks, plant saucers and ceiling fans.

Step 4: Nature abhors a vacuum. You shouldn’t.
Move all furniture, and vacuum the dust and dander that collects underneath. Use a cyclonic vacuum, which spins dust and dirt away from the floor, or a vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. Additionally, clean vents and return registers to limit dust recirculating. Consider shampooing carpets to remove deeply embedded allergens.

Step 5: Scrub-a-dub the mold.
In bathrooms, basements and tiled spaces, scrub any visible mold and mildew from surfaces with bleach, or borax mixed with water, then dry completely. The key to reducing mold is moisture control, so use bathroom fans and clean any standing water immediately. You can also help ward off mold by keeping home humidity below 50 percent.

Step 6: Change is good – for filters.
Keep the air that circulates through your home’s ventilation system clean by using filters with a MERV rating of 11 or 12. Change the filter at the change of every season, or every three months. (Set a calendar reminder to remember). Additionally, change filters in HEPA appliances. This helps eliminate allergens, and prohibits mold growth.

Step 7: Get out! And about.
Check your Keller home’s exterior for any concerns that may have emerged due to cold weather. Chipped paint, roof damage or cracked siding can lead to mold problems. Make repairs as necessary.

These seven spring cleaning steps may take a few weekends to complete, but they’ll help reduce allergens all season long.



Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership

Saturday, February 6, 2016

1561 Sarah Brooks Drive Keller, TX 76248

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/P6DQMM
Endless possibilities abound in this large 4 bedroom 2.1 bath colonial style home located in the heart of Keller. Soaring foyer leads to sunken, formal living and dining room with butler's pantry. Spacious kitchen opens to breakfast area and family room with brick fireplace. Large master suite offers two walk in closets, garden tub and separate vanities. Casual poolside living will be yours to enjoy in this backyard! Owner selling As-Is.
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.00
Square feet: 2,729
Price: $250,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3322640 to 67299.


See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com


MLS ID: 13314891

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

520 Kelley Court Fort Worth, TX 76120

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/UQDG4A
Well maintained and cute as can be! This one story, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is tastefully decorated and updated throughout. Enjoy the open concept, abundance of natural light and vaulted ceilings. Spacious kitchen features island and stainless steel appliances. Retreat to the Master suite and soak in 60 inch jacuzzi tub. Large secondary bedrooms and awesome yard with covered patio complete this package. Close to schools, shopping and highways.
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.00
Square feet: 1,571
Price: $130,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3311599 to 67299.


See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com


MLS ID: 13308556