7 'little' upgrades for Keller homeowners

Anyone who’s ever bought or sold a home knows how even little things can sway a buyer to feel a particular house is "just right." While major features such as a good location, a big kitchen, and a certain number of bedrooms and bathrooms all drive a home’s price and how attractive it is to buyers, small details like fresh paint and new faucets can also help clinch a sale.

When you’re trying to sell your Keller home, you should be willing to spend some money on repairs and improvements to help boost the sale price. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot to make a big impact if you invest in key quality details. Here are seven “little things” you can do to help make your home more appealing to buyers, and possibly get a better price — and you can accomplish them in just a weekend:

Upgrade your kitchen faucet and sink — The kitchen faucet and sink aren’t just practical tools every kitchen needs — they can also be essential elements of a room’s overall design and appeal. Replacing a dated kitchen faucet is a minor change that can mean a lot to homebuyers. Choose a pull-down, multi-function option like the American Standard Edgewater semi-professional kitchen faucet with SelectFlo technology. In addition to modern styling, you’ll get four spray functions and a convenient pause feature, the ability to set a preferred water temperature without re-adjusting the handle, and a water-conserving maximum flow rate of just 1.5 gallons per minute. Pair it with an Edgewater double bowl stainless steel kitchen sink, and you’ve created a new focal point of design, efficiency and utility sure to catch buyers’ eyes.

Install a programmable thermostat — If your home’s thermostat predates Facebook, it’s probably time to ditch the dial and install a touchpad programmable thermostat. Not only would a new thermostat help your home look more modern, a programmable thermostat helps with energy efficiency — something that’s very important to today’s homebuyers. The U.S. Department of Energy says reducing your thermostat setting by just 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can save you as much as 10 percent annually on energy bills. A programmable thermostat automates the savings for you!

Replace incandescent light bulbs — If your home still has traditional lightbulbs, replacing them with energy-saving LEDs or CFLs is an easy way to improve your home’s overall energy efficiency. These bulbs use 25-80 percent less energy than conventional bulbs and last three to 25 times longer, according to the Department of Energy. Imagine the appeal for homebuyers when your selling agent mentions that light bulbs won't need replacing for years after moving in!

Upgrade the front door — Your home's entrance is the feature that officially welcomes potential buyers into your humble abode. Replacing an old, weathered front door with a new one creates a positive first impression. What’s more, installing a steel entry door returns 90 percent of its value at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.

Put a water-efficient faucet in the bathroom — A great deal of water can be wasted in the bathroom, and the faucet can be one of the biggest culprits. Replacing an older bathroom faucet with a modern water-conserving option like one from the Townsend bathroom sink faucet collection is not only visually appealing for buyers, it also speaks to their sense of environmental responsibility. What’s more, upgrading to a faucet with handles, instead of a knob-style operation, allows for easier
functionality for people with varying degrees of dexterity, from small children to senior citizens.

Add a water filtration system in the kitchen — Americans are more aware than ever of the quality of water inside their homes, so adding a filtration system can be an extra feature that appeals to homebuyers. Simple under-sink filtration systems can cost as little as a couple hundred dollars.

Install a sun tube — Who doesn’t want a home filled with natural light? Not only does sunlight deliver physical and mental health benefits, using natural light can also help reduce dependence on artificial light sources that impact your energy bills. Sun tubes can bring natural light into dark spaces, even those on the ground floor. DIYers can install this special reflective tubing for under $500, while pro installation can run closer to $1,000.

When you’re selling a house, every little bit helps, and upgrading small details can make a big difference in how potential buyers view your home. Go ahead, make these upgrades now, and see potentially higher gains in the sale 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.

11856 Moorhen Circle Fort Worth, TX 76244

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/ZK7NWQ/11856-Moorhen-Circle-Fort-Worth-TX-13607124

VIEW-T-FUL! This amazing four bedroom, two bath home in Villages of Woodland Springs backs up to a gorgeous green space with pond & fountain. Only one neighbor! Fabulous corner lot, 1.5 story, all bedrooms downstairs with bonus room upstairs. Wonderful open floor plan with walls of windows. Spacious family room showcases beautiful fireplace. Large kitchen features island, breakfast bar and study station. Retreat to the private master offering soaking tub and separate shower. Large secondary bedrooms, formal dining, large patio with pergola and Keller ISD complete this awesome package.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 2,508

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 4362764 to 67299.

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

MLS ID: 13607124

7 garage door safety tips for Keller homeowners

You probably put little thought into your garage door. You touch a button. The door opens, closes and you go about your day.

While the garage door — the largest, heaviest moving object in your home — serves as the primary entry point of the home to many of us, it can also be dangerous if not used and maintained properly.

June is Garage Door Safety Month and it's a great time for all Keller homeowners to review important safety tips. Many of these are highlighted in a new safety video at GarageDoorCare.com, a non-commercial website dedicated to helping homeowners understand how garage doors work. The video is available in both English and Spanish.

Here are a few tips to help keep your family safe:

1. Always keep hands and fingers away from moving parts. Never touch a garage door or its components while the door is in motion.

2. Remotes and openers aren't toys; however, the buttons may be very attractive to children. Take precautions to keep them out of little ones' reach.

3. Children should not be able to reach wall-mounted controls. Be sure to install push-button wall controls at least 5 feet off the ground.

4. Children and adults should never stand, run or play under a garage door. When a garage door is moving, be sure to stand at least several yards away.

5. Never try to enter or exit the garage by racing under a moving garage door.

6. When opening or closing the garage door, always keep the door in view until the door is fully opened or fully closed. Make certain that no adults, children or animals try to enter or exit while the door is moving.

7. Keller homeowners can — and should — perform simple chores such as semi-annual lubrication of garage door hinges, rollers and springs. Other tasks like spring repair/replacement, track and roller repair/replacement and door installation are best left to trained service professionals to ensure the work is done properly and to avoid potential injuries.

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.

5 summer lawn tips for Keller homeowners

Summer is here and your lawn is a source of pride. However, it can also be a source of hard work, sweat and even frustration. So ask yourself this question: Would you be interested in maintaining your yard's beauty with fewer headaches?

If the answer is yes, then you’re in luck, because this article is all about helping you find ways to maintain a beautiful lawn for your Keller home without all the unnecessary effort. Apply these five tips today and you’ll have more time to enjoy your well-cared-for yard.

Be smart about seeding. The dog days of summer are not the ideal time to reseed your lawn, so don’t waste the effort. Seed growth is more successful during cooler months, so if you didn’t seed in the early spring, wait until later in the season before doing so. You’ll get the same results without wasting the effort on an inefficient seeding.

The perfect cut. Your lawn is the centerpiece of your yard, and nothing improves its overall appearance like the perfect cut, especially when that cut comes easy. Some newer mowers eliminate the need to mix and pour gas, letting you put that time back into making your lawn look great. Finding the perfect cutting height is easy with the feature of different blade positions, while new technology maximizes run-time by keeping the blade speed at an optimal level based on the thickness of the turf.

Water smart. Just as with seeding, successfully watering your lawn is all about timing. And, like seeding, dragging a sprinkler around your yard during the peak hours of the day will result in the water you expend being burned off before it does any good. To make the most of your watering sessions, water your lawn at dawn or dusk when temperatures are cooler. This increases the possibility that the water will stick around long enough for the grass to absorb it.

Trimming made easy. A well-cut lawn is perfectly complemented by manicured bushes and shrubs, and tackling these tasks with a string trimmer and hedge trimmer is easy. Tackle large projects with a string trimmer and use a hedge trimmer’s rotating handle to reach every angle. You’ll get the perfect trim in no time.

Add mulch to control weeds. The most beautiful planting beds lose their luster if their base is crowded with weeds. To eliminate this problem — and to save on the wear and tear of pulling the weeds yourself — add a 4-inch layer of mulch to the top of your beds. This mulch blocks out the sun, making it hard for weeds to grow. It also reduces your need to water these beds by slowing water’s evaporation rate.

Summer is here, and while your lawn care is ongoing, there's still plenty of time to make those chores more efficient to benefit your Keller home and your lawn.

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.

5904 Haven Lake Way Fort Worth, TX 76244

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/SD5ANG/5904-Haven-Lake-Way-Fort-Worth-TX-13597362

Precious memories begin here in this beautiful one story, three bedroom, two bath home located in a family oriented community. The open concept and abundance of natural light evoke a relaxing lifestyle. Spacious kitchen offers plenty of space for meal prep featuring breakfast bar and granite surfaces. Entertain family and friends in the sizable family room offering the warmth of a fireplace. Retreat to the Master suite for private time. Large secondary bedrooms and awesome yard. Easy access to shopping & highways, Keller ISD and Friday night HOA activities complete this amazing package. Best and final offers due by Monday 5.15.17 at noon.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,574

Price: $180,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 4337065 to 67299.

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

MLS ID: 13597362

Easy DIY projects to prepare your Keller home for sale

If you're looking to sell your Keller home quickly and for more money, consider listing when the market begins to heat up in May. To accomplish these goals, it's essential to make popular areas of the house look appealing to potential buyers. Fortunately, with a little DIY effort, you don't have to spend money on expensive home repairs.

Consider these easy DIY projects that can help ensure your home is market ready when it's time to sell. If the property is particularly appealing, you may even start a bidding war.

Paint the front door – First impressions count when it comes to a home sale. You want your entryway to be inviting so homebuyers want to look further. An easy way to update an entryway is to paint the door with a new color that complements your home and surroundings. Simply remove the hardware, clean the surface, prime and topcoat with the new paint color. While you're at it, consider painting exterior accent features — such as shutters or window boxes — the same color for a cohesive look.

Repair and refresh walls – Painting is an easy and affordable way to freshen an entire home so that buyers take notice. However, cracks and holes in freshly painted walls can make a poor impression. For a DIY project that yields a professional result, repair walls before the first swipe of the paint brush.

Update kitchen and bath hardware – Do you have kitchen and bath hardware that’s decades old? If so, it may be worth your time to replace these dated details. Adding small features such as modern cabinet hardware can visually update a room, so explore affordable options at your local home improvement store. Once you select the style you like best, just get your screwdriver and swap out the old for new.

Re-caulk the kitchen and bathroom – Exposure to water and moisture over time can cause caulk to look dirty and unsightly. Potential buyers are sure to note mold, mildew, dirt, and stains on old caulk. For a clean appearance, remove the old caulk, thoroughly clean the area to remove any dirt or residue, then re-caulk. Backed by a lifetime mold and mildew resistance guarantee, this premium siliconized kitchen and bath sealant repels water, liquids, soap scum, stains so the sealant stays looking clean, fresh and new. Plus, it is safe for all surfaces, even granite and marble.

Revisit lighting throughout the home – Proper illumination isn't just useful, it can open up a room and highlight beautiful architectural features. All lighting should be dusted, but for those fixtures that are old, outdated, or broken, consider inexpensive replacement options. Something as simple as replacing glass globes can add high-impact style. Adding task and accent lighting is another smart investment. For example, under-cabinet lights in the kitchen are easy to install and are likely to impress potential buyers.

Preparing your Keller home for sale doesn't have to be a daunting process. With these five projects, you'll be well on your way to have a beautiful home ready for listing.

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.

5 tips to keep your Keller home secure from hackers

Times have changed. It’s no longer enough to protect your physical home, it’s also vital you stay safe from cybercrimes. It has become increasingly easier for criminals to gain access to financial accounts, email and even hack internet-connected devices in the home.

The good news is that there are a handful of steps you can take to help defend your Keller home from cyberattacks and lock down access to your personal information.

1. Know your status. Before you can take steps to keep yourself safe from external threats, it’s important to understand your level of vulnerability. The website haveibeenpwned.com is a useful tool that searches more than 190 data breaches to see if your personal information has ever been leaked.

If you've been the victim of a data breach, immediately change the password of the vulnerable account along with the passwords of any websites or accounts that use the same credentials. For instance, if the email and password you use for Facebook was breached, and that’s the same login combination you use for your bank, your bank account could be vulnerable to hackers.

2. Invest in a protective router. Much like the front door is the entryway into a home, the Wi-Fi router is the entry point into a home’s digital information. It’s also the first line of defense against external threats. Do your research and invest in a router that prioritizes network security. You should always password protect your Wi-Fi and be sure to change the default username and password that comes pre-configured on the router (often this is listed on the bottom of the box or router).

If you can’t remember the last time you manually updated your router, it may be running outdated software, leaving your home vulnerable. Because the update process can be laborious, consider swapping out your old router for a newer technology like eero. eero’s mesh Wi-Fi system takes home security to the next level by automatically installing regular software updates and security patches, so customers can avoid the hassle of manually updating their router. eero is equipped with the latest in Wi-Fi security, allowing you to kick unknown devices off the network via a smartphone app or share the Wi-Fi password with others via text message or email, so you don’t have to leave it posted on the fridge.

3. Secure your devices. You don’t need to live in a “smart home” to be vulnerable to external security threats. These days, more and more products connect to the internet, and while that can be useful, it also leaves your home vulnerable to hackers. The first thing you should do when you get an internet-connected device up and running is check for new firmware updates. Most products sitting on shelves of retailers don’t have the latest software loaded, so applying updates is a critical step to ensuring those devices remain safe. Also be sure you’re not ignoring prompts for software updates and patches in the future. It’s crucial to keep your connected devices up-to-date.

4. Choose strong passwords. You’ve heard it before — make sure you’re using strong passwords. They need to be at least 12 characters in length, and include numbers, symbols, and lowercase and uppercase letters. They shouldn’t include personal information or common words (e.g., "password"). You’ll want to create a unique password for every account, so if a hacker gets one of your passwords in a data breach, they can’t immediately log into your other accounts.

Strong passwords can be hard to remember, but you shouldn’t keep a written record of them. Instead, consider registering for a password manager like LastPass. Password managers are applications or browser extensions that store login credentials for the websites, then log in to those sites automatically for you, so you don’t have to remember every password for each account.

5. Lock down your social media channels. Be careful about what you’re sharing on social media. Besides not posting sensitive information like your address, phone number, and when you’re headed out of town, be aware of other personally identifiable information that’s out there. When trying to reset passwords and usernames, hackers often go through the process of guessing your security questions. If you’re not careful, the information to help them answer those questions might be living on your social media page.

To keep yourself safe, ensure you’re properly securing your social media sites from the public and limit the amount of information you’re posting on those channels. Also, when you’re selecting your security questions, certain answers might be easy for intruders to locate online. Common security questions ask for your mother’s maiden name, your high school mascot, and the name of your family pet. Consider choosing more obscure questions to answer.

While following these steps won’t ensure you’re completely safe, they will help put you and your Keller home ahead of the game when it comes to online and digital security.

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.

3 ways for Keller homeowners to create a barefoot friendly deck

When the sun is out and the sky is blue, your deck should be one of the most popular areas in your yard. But, if deck boards leave you with splinters or burned feet on hot summer days, there may be little incentive to spend time in your open-air getaway. The good news is this problem is easily preventable.

With the right plan, you can build a barefoot-friendly backyard deck for your Keller home that will be the hub of your outdoor living space for years to come. Start with these three super-simple steps. It’s a choice your feet and pets will appreciate.

1. Create a smooth surface underfoot
Few building materials take more punishment than decking. Whether it spends hours under scorching sunlight, withstands wintertime blizzards or gets soaked during water fights and pool parties, your decking is bound to take abuse from the elements. Selecting deck boards that can withstand these harsh conditions is critical to ensuring a smooth surface underfoot.

Exposure to moisture and the sun’s UV rays can deteriorate wood decking, particularly if it’s not maintained regularly and correctly. While composite decking provides greater durability, several brands have been known to rot, crack or warp as a result of moisture intrusion.

To keep your deck looking good no matter what the weather, consider composite decking made of small-size wood fibers that are fully encased in plastic. This protects against moisture intrusion all the way to the board’s core, and such boards will not rot or warp, preventing dangerous cracks and splinters from forming. To create an even smoother surface, install the composite deck boards with hidden fasteners. This technique eliminates popped nails, dimples from screws and other hazards to warm-weather fun.

2. Beat the heat
Once you’ve narrowed your composite decking selection to brands that can withstand the toughest Mother Nature can throw their way, look for ways to beat the heat. When the sun is blazing, the plastic in composite decking can retain heat and become uncomfortable to walk on with bare feet.

One great way to avoid the hot-foot hustle dance without compromising on your deck’s surface appearance is to use composite decking with innovative cooling technology. By combining a durable core with a cap that is specifically engineered to optimize heat reflection and minimize heat absorption, the boards make for a more comfortable deck on sunny days.”

For Keller residents, the sun’s rays can be hot year-around, so you may also want to consider using shade structures to help provide relief from direct sunlight and reduce the temperature on deck. Pergolas, lattices and breezy overhead fabrics can block the sun beautifully and add to your deck’s style.

3. Prevent slips on deck
If you’re installing decking near a pool or hot tub, live in close proximity to the water or experience frequent rain, it’s also important to protect against slips. Composite deck boards with a textured, wood-embossed surface have a higher coefficient of friction and better slip resistance than PVC and composite decking products with a non-embossed surface. The added traction will help friends and family stay steady on their feet as they enjoy your outdoor living area, and help ensure the party never has to pause for injuries.

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.

3 ways to personalize your Keller home's curb appeal with an eye-catching front door

At its core, the desire to create a home with curb appeal is a desire to make a home uniquely one's own. After all, no matter how beautiful they are, rows of homes that look the same inherently fail to capture attention. Using personal touches, people want friends and family to know which home is theirs.

Among the dozens of affordable ways you can personalize your home's curb appeal, the first tip from Better Homes and Gardens is to "dress up the front door." One way they note to do that is by installing a custom wood door.

Wooden doors are most often used in custom or specialized design situations since they are easiest to manipulate. With the countless options ([wood species], side lights, transoms, decorative glass, etc.) you can custom design the specific look you want for your Keller home's entryway.

To achieve a one-of-a-kind look for your front door, consider these three ways to personalize your wood door.

1. Choose your favorite wood
From modern to traditional, doors are available in many different wood species to meet your personal taste. If you like the look of high-end furniture, cherry or walnut might be right for you, while exotic woods like sapele mahogany have distinctive patterns for an eye-catching door. Woods like knotty alder create a casual, rustic look, while Douglas fir provides a timeless appeal.


2. Go big
If you're planning a new home, or a remodel of your existing home, replacing the front door with an extra-large door is an impressive way to fashion a grand entry. To make a big impression, wood doors can be custom ordered in virtually any large size. For example, a door that is 5 feet wide by 8 feet high is almost two times larger than the typical front door, and is sure to capture the attention of visitors to your home. Wood door manufacturers recommend that if you have a large door, consider making it 2 1/4" thick, which is a common thickness for a custom entry door.


3. Add a touch of class with glass
Wood door manufacturers offer a wide range of glass designs to complement your door. Depending on the look you prefer, these range from a full lite door, in which the glass extends from top to bottom, to quarter lite doors, in which the pane is limited to the top one-fourth of the door. Glass is tempered to resist breakage and to help keep intruders out. Additionally, you can choose from options with a wide range of transparency, to ensure the right balance of privacy and natural light for your situation. Some manufacturers, like Simpson, offer easy-to-use design tools for choosing door and glass designs. The company's online Glass Taste Test tool, for example, enables homeowners to see how different glass types will look in their door, and the degree of privacy the glass provides.

Although Keller homeowners can choose from several different materials for their front door, wood allows greater flexibility for customization and creates enduring value.

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.