Grove Team Keller Williams

Friday, April 17, 2015

6 simple warm weather tune ups for your Keller home

It is the time of year for warmer weather. Just as you’d tune up a convertible to drive you into the summer sunshine, now is the time to perform routine maintenance on your Keller home so it’s ready for the hottest months of the year.

Use this summer maintenance checklist to get your home in tip-top shape both outdoors and indoors – and to avoid repairs down the road.

Do an outdoor inspection
Walk around the outside of your home and check for peeling or cracking paint, then patch up the spots to avoid wood rot later on. Inspect your gutter system to see if it’s in good shape or it needs repair. Take a look at your lawn-watering hoses and faucets, and replace as needed.

Get outdoor air conditioning units ready
While you’re outdoors, remove any debris from the fan area in the outdoor central air conditioning unit, ensuring that it runs efficiently. If you have window air conditioners, remove the covers and change the filters.

Clean your indoor air
As much as you love the warm summer air, it can also trigger allergies so this is a great time of year to install an indoor air cleaner. Certain air filtration systems can remove up to 99 percent of airborne particles and allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mildew, pet hair and dander, fungus and bacteria from the filtered air, so everyone in your home can breathe easier.

Keep indoor temperatures under control
Don’t place lamps, TV sets and other heat-producing devices beneath a wall-mounted thermostat, as rising heat from that equipment can cause your air conditioning unit to overcool the house. Locate the thermostat on an inside wall, where it’s away from windows and doors that give it direct sunlight. People also generate heat, so if you’re planning to host a party, this is the perfect season to get everyone out of the house and onto the deck for a barbecue.

Reduce humidity
Infiltration of humid outdoor air can be your heating and air conditioning system’s worst enemy, eating up excess energy to keep you cool. Find the places where air can sneak into your home, such as around the foundation, the entrances to doors and windows, and plug them with caulking, weather stripping or plastic. To further reduce humidity, make sure appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers and dishwashers, are properly vented to the outside.

Schedule cooling system maintenance
Caring for your home’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning system allows it to work smarter for you and your family. A qualified customer care dealer can inspect, clean and make necessary adjustments to your home’s indoor and outdoor cooling units to ensure trouble-free operation and peak performance during the hottest months, when you need it most.

By following this checklist, you’ll not only be revved up for summer – but your Keller home will be, too.

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.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2015

One smart update can upgrade your Keller home

If your home is 10 years old or older, your garage door is probably a raised-panel steel door that adds little to the overall design of your Keller home.

So why not make an improvement? In the last decade, the garage door industry has generated stunning new designs that can transform the curb appeal of your home from ordinary to exciting.

Large area = big impact
When something consumes such a large part of the front of the house, it should not be generic; it should be special. It should improve the looks of the house, not detract from it. A better-looking garage door can actually parlay into a more-valuable home. One nationwide study of real estate professionals revealed that an attractive new garage door can add as much as 4 percent to the home’s selling price. That adds $10,000 to the value of a $250,000 home, which means that a new garage door can easily pay for itself.

Two new designs that dazzle
Two new garage door designs are hot right now: woodgrain prints and carriage house styles.
A woodgrain print is a steel garage door that looks so much like wood, you need to thump on it to realize it’s actually durable steel. This technological breakthrough by steel coating companies brings big benefits for garage door buyers. The rich wood-look of these doors is gorgeous. Plus, since they’re made of steel, they’re incredibly durable and require almost no maintenance. The other popular new design is the carriage house style. These attractive doors open just like your old door, but they look like the side-hinged, swing-out doors of the charming carriage houses of yesteryear.

Quick design tips
Since both of these new designs come in dozens of attractive styles, here are a few tips to select the one that integrates best with the personality of your home. Design experts advise you to select a door that matches with three exterior features of your home: colors, lines, and shapes. The color of your garage door should complement the overall house color as well as the window trim colors. Then look at the lines on your home exterior. Are they horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or curved? Today’s garage door styles can provide excellent matches for any of these architectural features. Finally, consider the shapes of elements on your home, particularly the window panes. Are they arched, square, or small rectangles? Matching the panes on the house with the garage is not that difficult, given the wide variety of garage door window designs now available.

Cool choosing tools
Thanks to new technology, you don’t need to guess at the right door design. Most garage door manufacturers now offer door designer tools on their websites. Many door dealers also have similar software on a computer tablet they bring to your home. You just upload a photo of your own home and drop in any of hundreds of door designs to see exactly how it would look on your home. A good starting place is GarageWowNow.com, a non-commercial website that features dozens of garage door photos from many manufacturers. It also includes a find-a-dealer function that helps you find qualified dealers in your area.

Your new garage door is not only a perfect home improvement project, it’s a smart investment. You are investing in the single largest moving part on your Keller home, which is going to affect its appearance for at least the next 20 years.

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Thursday, April 9, 2015

These home improvements add value to your Keller home

As the U.S. housing industry continues to emerge from the Great Recession, signs are pointing toward positive recovery. In fact, a recent report from Harvard University states that the home improvement industry could see record spending in 2015. It’s news like this that may have you contemplating an update to your Keller home. Even if you plan to stay in your home for years to come, it’s important to consider which home remodeling projects offer the potential for a positive return on investment.

Research shows that more homeowners intend to remain in their homes after remodeling, however, resale value is still a major factor when planning renovations. Before spending a significant amount of time and money on your next home improvement project, consider these tips.

Five home improvements with the highest ROI
The 2015 Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report identifies these top five mid-range exterior home renovations as beneficial investments that allow homeowners to recoup a substantial percentage of their investment when they resell their homes:
* Replacing the front door (steel 101.8 percent)
* Adding manufactured stone veneer (92.2 percent)
* Replacing the garage door (88.4 percent)
* Replacing the siding (vinyl 80.7 percent)
* Adding a deck (wood 80.5 percent)

The cost-value ratio compares resale value to construction cost. The higher the percentage, the more of the job costs you are likely to recoup when selling your home.

Homeowners want lasting value from their exterior renovation projects, so it’s important to select the best materials for the job upfront. For example, when choosing siding for the home, vinyl siding provides overall better performance than wood, engineered wood and fiber cement and requires less maintenance both in the short and long term, allowing homeowners to complete their renovation and enjoy it, hassle-free, for years. In addition, vinyl siding provides the styles, textures and stylish colors homeowners want to create beautiful curb appeal.

Budgeting for success
Once you’ve decided which replacement and remodeling projects will offer the best ROI, develop a schedule and a budget to ensure the home makeover remains financially sound. The budget defines the project’s scope, estimates overall costs, and helps to establish priorities. Generally, renovation costs should not exceed 30 percent of your home’s value and should be consistent with housing trends in your neighborhood.

What should the budget include? Many websites offer comprehensive advice for creating a renovation budget and sticking to it. To start, consider these likely-to-occur expenses:

* Contractor costs. These include labor and may incorporate employee benefits, professional fees, permit and inspection charges and, of course, profit. Get at least three contractor estimates to ensure your contractor is cost-effective and reputable.
* DIY costs. Should you forgo a contractor? Keep in mind you will need to rent or buy power tools and equipment and potentially learn new skills.
* Hidden costs. For example, bringing outdated electrical or plumbing installations to code, or removing lead paint.
* Site preparation costs. For exterior renovations, this may include tree trimming, clearing land, and renting a haul-away container.
* Interim housing costs. If you plan to relocate, you will need living expenses for the project’s duration.
* Material cost. These include large expenses and small ones (ex. nails, trim) and could account for as much as half to 75 percent of the total cost. Factor in an extra 6-to-10 percent for waste for materials that are cut and fitted.

Bringing it home
If you’re interested in near-term resale value, it’s important to make sure that selling your Keller home will at least recoup the cost of any completed projects. If you plan to stay in your home for many years, however, you’ll not only benefit from an improved resale value down the road, but you’re also more likely to appreciate the improved comfort and curb appeal in the meantime.

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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

What Keller homeowners need to know about the kitchen sink

If the kitchen is the heart of your Keller home, it would be easy to make the case that the sink is the heart of your kitchen. It’s where you prepare foods, clean dirty hands and scrub dishes before the next culinary project. It's also one of the best features to update when planning a kitchen remodel, thanks to new technology and designs aimed at improving how well kitchen sinks perform.

When it comes to style, traditional is the most popular design choice for families. The contemporary style, however, is increasing in popularity and comes in at a close second, according to studies.. But when it comes to picking a new kitchen sink, there's much more to think about than just the design style. You must consider top- and under-mount sinks, single bowl, double bowl and materials as well. Here is some background information regarding what's available, as well as the pros and cons for each:

Top-mount – This type of sink is the easiest to install and replace, especially if you don't intend to replace the countertops. It does create a ridge where the sink material meets the counter, however, and this is a place where water and dirt often collect, making cleaning more challenging.

Undermount – For cleaning purposes, under-mount sinks are great because you can simply wipe your cloth right over the counter and into the sink. But if you need to replace an under-mount sink, it might also require you to take out the countertops.

Single bowl – When it comes to washing large dishes, the single-bowl sink is a good choice. It's also handy if you need to dump large pots of hot water, because you have a larger area to hit. You might end up using more water with the single-bowl sink, though, especially when washing dishes. It simply takes more water to get it deep enough in the single bowl.

Double bowl – One sink for washing, one for drying. One sink for holding dirty dishes and another for rinsing vegetables. There are myriad reasons why homeowners love having a double bowl. One drawback is that the sink is smaller, and that makes it easier to splash water outside of the sink area.

Drain type – When it comes to the features of the sink you traditionally think about, the drain is probably not top of mind. There are several drain styles available, however, that can make your use of the sink easier. For example, sinks with rear-centered drains provide the maximum amount of functional and usable sink space.

Stainless steel – As the most popular choice because of its functionality, durability and coloring, stainless steel has a timeless element to it. It can scratch, though, and it might have a louder noise value. It also shows water spots more easily.

Cast iron – A throw-back to the original sinks, cast iron sinks with an enamel finish are still quite popular today. The finish is very strong, but tiny chips and pinholes that can evolve over time can cause the iron sink to rust. Cast iron sinks also tend to cost more.

Granite or quartz composite – These sinks feature a combination of rock with resin, and they create a beautiful and colorful look in any kitchen. The composite materials are very durable and require little maintenance. They do tend to cost more money, and the coloring of your sink could limit your options when decorating the rest of the room.

For more tips and ideas for your Keller home visit groveteam.blogspot.com.

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

How Keller homeowners can create an outdoor kitchen space

Now that warmer weather is here, you want to spend as much time outdoors as possible – and that includes mealtime. But what if your outdoor kitchen space is lacking? Worry not! There are several easy, affordable projects that can help you transform the area into the perfect cooking and entertaining area. Keller homeowners should give these projects a try.

Start with the grill. Your grill will be the focal point of your cooking area and you’ll need to determine whether gas, charcoal or propane is right for you. If expense is a concern, propane is a more cost-effective fuel than charcoal and it doesn’t require running any lines to your grilling area, providing you with the same grilling space and fewer expenses.

Build a barbecue cover. Give your kitchen a beautiful outdoor shelter by building a barbecue cover. This natural wood is resistant to rot, decay and insects, and it will look great no matter what the weather brings, turning a beautiful silver grey patina if left to weather naturally. In addition, building the cover is easy.

Find the perfect light. Looking to make your outdoor kitchen an area everyone wants to be in, even at night? Forget the deck light and opt for ambient lighting options instead. Track lighting can be strung across your space easily to make the kitchen a welcoming environment. And if you want to be more unique, you can find simple instructions online for building wine-bottle torches or Mason jar lamps.

A place for guests to dine. Enjoy the food where it was made by adding a dining table and chairs. There are many affordable choices. This allows you to select furniture perfect for a more traditional or modern kitchen.

Provide a little shade. Make those summer afternoons enjoyable and comfortable by providing some shade for your guests – and for the cook as well. Patio umbrellas are a helpful addition to any seating area. To cover a larger space, you could also opt for an all-encompassing retractable awning that will provide shade when you need it and peel away when everyone wants a little sun.

Many people mistakenly believe that outdoor kitchens are luxury items for only the wealthy, but that is no longer true. Any of the easy projects listed above can help you reimagine your space into the outdoor kitchen of your dreams for your Keller home.

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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

6 things Keller homeowners should avoid when renovating a kitchen

Whether you’ve heard it in the office, a classroom or a soccer field, that old saying about mistakes being valuable learning tools really rings true, doesn’t it? If those mistakes occur during the course of a kitchen renovation, however, it may be difficult to be philosophical about them. Bungle a kitchen redesign, and you’ll either have to live with the consequences for a long time or invest even more money to correct them.

It’s better by far to avoid making a big mistake when renovating a kitchen. Here are six wrong moves that you should never make when improving the most-used room in your Keller home:

1. Give up cabinets.
Maybe you long for a window over the kitchen sink. Perhaps replacing or upgrading all the cabinets in the kitchen will take too big a bite out of your budget. Or maybe you intend to become a minimalist and need storage space for only two plates, two mugs and two wine glasses. Whatever you think your reason is for reducing the number of cabinets in your kitchen – don’t do it. Cabinet storage space is a top priority in any kitchen; it can help keep clutter off your countertops, and improve the room’s appeal to potential buyers. Never give up cabinet space unless you have a ridiculous number of cabinets, in which case, see move No. 2 ….

2. Cover every inch of wall with cabinets.
The only thing worse than not enough cabinets is having too many. We’ve all seen kitchens where the cabinets visually overwhelm the space. Sometimes they’re too large for the scale of the room. Other times there are just too many of them. Keep in mind the need for visual balance, and turn to online calculators to help you understand how much cabinetry is appropriate for your kitchen.

3. Sacrifice appliance quality.
New appliances can be a large part of your kitchen renovation budget, and the temptation to cut costs by buying cheaper quality products can be compelling. Yet kitchen appliances are among the most-used in any home. When you consider how often you’ll use them, how much wear and tear they’ll endure, and how great their impact is on the usability of the room, it makes sense to invest in the best appliances you can afford. What’s more, if you choose cheaper models – or worse yet, keep old, inefficient appliances – you may miss out on the energy savings that new appliances can deliver.

4. Give up even a single ray of sunlight or breath of fresh air.
More than one kitchen renovator has chosen to solve the problem of too little cabinet space by covering up a window. Not a smart move, especially when you consider the value of natural light and fresh air in a kitchen. If you have no wall space to spare for windows, adding Energy Star-qualified no-leak fresh-air skylights can solve the problem. Modern skylights are as dependable as high quality vertical windows and they admit much more natural light. Solar powered fresh air skylights passively vent humidity and cooking fumes from the kitchen while bringing in light. Pair them with solar-powered designer blinds, and your skylights become not just more energy efficient, but more functional, since both are operated by a programmable remote control.

5. Pick materials that are too fragile for life in the kitchen.
Just as you never pick a vehicle based on its looks alone, choosing kitchen materials based on beauty is doomed to disappoint. For example, recycled glass countertops can chip, scratch or crack more easily than other options, and may not stand up to rigorous use. Limestone has a lovely, luminous look but is vulnerable to stains. Before you choose a material for its looks, find out its durability and weigh that against your tolerance for cleaning and repairs, as well as how brutal you’re likely to be on the surfaces in your kitchen. And in that vein ….

6. Let looks trump practicality.
Choosing an overall design or materials that look great and are fashionable, but that aren’t practical for your lifestyle, is a recipe for regrets. Whether it’s buying a refrigerator that’s too big for the scale of the room, or opting for a countertop color that’s too unusual to be universally appealing, conceding practicality to appearance will make the kitchen harder to work in and harder to sell down the road.
A well-executed kitchen renovation can boost home value and improve your enjoyment of the kitchen, which is the heart of the home. With planning and care, it’s possible to avoid the kind of renovation mistakes that no one wants to live with.

These are just a few tips that can help you avoid mistakes when renovating the kitchen of your Keller home. Visit groveteam.blogspot.com for other ideas.

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

5 lawn tips for Keller homeowners this spring

Those winter chills are finally history and for Keller homeowners it’s time focus on outdoor fun again. Your lawn is the perfect spot for family gatherings, barbecues and relaxing afternoons, so why not make it the best it can be? Before your calendar fills up, apply these five tips and your lawn will be in great shape for the entire season.

Clean up. Whether it was packed under the snow or blown in by the wind, the winter season leaves more than its fair share of debris behind. Grab a rake and get started raking up all of this garbage. Once the lawn is clean, apply a thin layer – about a quarter-inch thick – of compost to give your lawn a boost and start it in the right direction.

Reseed the bare patches. Your travels around your lawn to rake up debris will probably reveal some bare patches. If you do happen upon a patch of barren ground, loosen the top 2-4 inches. Level the soil with your garden rake and cover the area with a mixture of grass seed and fertilizer. You could also replace the fertilizer with compost. Pat the surface with the flat end of the rake when finished to ensure the seed remains in place. Water as necessary.

Aerate your lawn. Aerating allows oxygen, water and other nutrients to reach your grass’s roots, and it’s one of the best things you can do to support your lawn. Travel across your yard with a manual or gas-powered aerator, punching holes in the ground. Make sure to pass over each area only once. After you’ve finished aerating, spread compost, fertilizer or peat moss over your yard. The fertilizer will be absorbed quickly through the holes created by the aeration.

It’s time to mow. Optimal grass length is 2.5-3.5 inches, so cut your grass as frequently as needed to achieve this length without cutting more than third of each grass blade. Mowing high and often will produce a heartier lawn that is more adept at keeping weeds away, as well as making it less susceptible to heat and drought.

Add color and contrast. Landscaping adds immediate scenic interest to your space and allows you to showcase your creativity as well. If you choose to add annuals or perennials to your space, plant them in odd numbers and in tiny pockets around the yard – this produces a more natural appearance. You can also add a centerpiece to your yard, such as a sculpture, fountain, fire pit or horseshoe pit. Any of these focal points provides a gathering place and an excuse to enjoy relaxing afternoons on your beautiful lawn all season long.

These tips will have your lawn ready for spring and will complement your Keller home nicely.

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