The kids are finally out of school here in Andover and North Andover and you may be planning a fun family vacation! Before you go, take some time to think about the best ways to protect your home from a possible burglary while you are away. The post offices in Andover and North Andover will gladly stop the mail while you're away and deliver it in bulk when you return---no need to make two trips to the post office. A simple phone call to the Boston Globe or the Eagle Tribune will stop the newspaper delivery--you can even donate your undelivered newspapers to a local school program! Obviously be sure to  lock the house up tightly and leave a light on.  Here are a few more ideas which go a step beyond these old stand-bys:

• If you happen to be going away on an extended trip, you may be better off asking a neighbor to pick up your mail and newspaper and bring it into your home each day.
• Invest in  a couple of timers. You can set them to turn a light on and then off at the same time each day. You can also use a timer on a radio or stereo.
• Hire a house sitter in the form of your neighbor’s responsible teen, or work out a system with your neighbor where you can cover their house when they go away and they look after yours when you are away.
• If your neighborhood does not already have a “neighborhood watch” program, be the one to start it. That way you will always have someone to tell your travel plans to.
• Consider purchasing a home security system. Your home will be regularly monitored and many companies offer a neighborhood patrol.  Many will even monitor your home for smoke, water or temperature changes.

Whatever your plans are have a safe, wonderful vacation!

Summer in New England is a very special time of year.  The days are long, school is over and it's time to enjoy family barbeques and our backyards here in Andover and North Andover. Many homes have decks that are wonderful for enjoying the great outdoors, whether you are entertaining a crowd or just relaxing and enjoying the sunshine with a good book. Unfortunately, decks require maintenance to keep them looking fresh, clean and splinter free. If you are thinking about embarking upon a useful spring cleaning project, cleaning your deck is a great place to start. Proper maintenance is essential to extending the life of your deck. First, look over your deck carefully for any sections that may need repair. Next, thoroughly sweep it off. After that, you must arm yourself with a power-washer. These can be rented if you do not own one. There are a variety of deck cleaners available, but the best choice is an oxalic acid-based one. These clean your wood nicely, prevent rust, kill mildew and are even plant-friendly. If you have tough mildew stains, you will need to use oxygen bleach to remove the stains. Next you must coat it to keep it looking beautiful.   If your deck is in need of repair or you're thinking about replacing or building a new deck or patio, check my on-line business directory for Andover and North Andover resources or contact me at RE/MAX Partners.  I can help you find experienced professionals to help you with all your home maintanence projects.

At times it can be expensive to simply maintain the biggest asset most people will ever own: their homes. Keeping this fact in mind, here is a list of ways to increase your home’s value without breaking the bank.

• Hiring an inspector could be the most cost-effective thing you ever do. This is true if they find a small problem that could morph into something much bigger down the line, such as a termite infestation or a water leak.
• Tremendous value is added by simply painting a room.
• Energy efficient homes that feature items such as special windows and/or programmable thermostats, save you money and are a marketable asset if you do need to sell.
• Landscaping improvements in the form of large shade trees make homes more desirable. They can also cut your cooling costs up to 40%.
• Improve your home’s air quality by replacing old carpeting, or removing it entirely if you are lucky enough to have hardwood flooring underneath.
• By adding a small luxury item such as a water filtration system, you are adding value to your home and saving yourself money since you will no longer need bottled water.
• Replace old fixtures such as an old ceiling fan for a newer, more updated-looking model. It will make your home more pleasant on hot days, and will appeal to buyers if you need to sell.

These tried and true tips are especially important in today's challenging market.  Home buyers are moving cautiously, afraid of paying too much for a home and looking for value in more and more places.  Although these steps take some time and some money...the return on your investment will make the effort worthwhile.

Let's face it--kitchens are important.  I work with buyers everyday and there is no question that the design and layout of a kitchen is a critical component in a buyer's decision to buy--or not to buy.  Yet while we all know that a full kitchen remodel it not only expensive but a huge disruption in our daily lives, most kitchens can benefit from even just one or two small changes, simply to make it look fresh again. Here are some ways that you can do this in a very cost-effective manner:

• Update Small Appliances - Keep all of your counter top appliances such as your coffeemaker, toaster and blender all in the same finish. Coordinating these very visible things really makes a big difference in the orderliness of your kitchen’s look.
• Window treatments - Don’t forget to add or update the treatments on your kitchen’s windows as they really can pull the whole design of your kitchen together, as well as add shade or privacy when needed.
• Lighting Fixtures - Get rid of that tired old 1980’s ceiling fixture in exchange for a pretty chandelier or a row of chic pendants, and try not to smile every time you enter your “new” kitchen!
• New Counter tops - Instead of an entire renovation, consider replacing just one thing. Your counter tops. You will be amazed at the variety of what is available now and at the incredible range of prices too. Counter tops remain one of the few things that will actually help sell a home.
• Paint - Whether you really need to or not, who doesn’t love the look of freshly painted walls in a new color?
• Under-Cabinet Lights - Easy to install lights under the cabinet are the way to go on this one.
• Sink Faucet - So many beautiful models to choose from and most of the new models can save you money on water and energy costs to boot.
• Cabinet Hardware - Changing cabinet hardware just so happens to be the easiest way to update your kitchen. Imagine simple nickel cabinet pulls in place of the dated ceramic ones you currently have. See what I mean? 

For help with these any other household projects here in the Andover and North Andover area check out my online directory of business partners you can call.

They really are our best friends...those pets of ours.  When your home is on the market remember there are buyers who have never owned a pet or who may have allergies to pets.  Some of these folks may therefore be sensitive to pets and pet aromas.  Because its important for a potential buyer to feel at home in any home he or she wil buy consider the following tips when preparing to put your home on the market. Any homeowner who lives with a pet knows that when you share your house with one of these beloved creatures, you give up the word “spotless” as a way to describe your home…forever. Here are some tips to keep your house as clean and fresh-smelling as possible despite your pet’s, let’s just say, “untidiness”.

• Pet hair has an aroma. Usually, it’s not a good one. Vacuum regularly, even if the pet hair in question matches your furniture and you cannot see it. I promise you, your guests can smell it. Dyson makes a vacuum especially for picking up animal hair.
• This is obvious, but a regularly bathed pet makes for a clean house. Think of how happy they are when it’s all over! Keeping pet’s nails trimmed also cuts down on scratched floors and fabrics.
• Look into Crypton. It’s a stain-resistant fabric that includes suedes and twills. As always, leather and Ultrasuede are great choices for pet owners.
• If you can, nix the wall-to-wall carpeting. It absorbs odors, traps pet hair and soaks up stains. 
• Stick to rubber toys if you have a mad chewer. Pig’s ears and rawhide bones are not only terrible for your pet’s health, but if they make it inside your home, they will stain your floor and furniture.  

To learn about more interesting things for your home with pets go to www.everydaystudio.com  and www.animalhousestyle.com. If you're thinking about selling your home let me show you your local market live with real time market data in your neighborhood.

If you've lived in Andover as long as I have you've noticed the steady rise in energy costs over the years. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to help reduce your energy costs.  Installing low-flow shower heads and faucets not only reduces the amount of money you will spend on water, but they also reduce the amount of money that you will spend on the electricity or gas that heats your water. Most faucet aerators will cost you about two dollars, and most low-flow shower heads cost around thirty dollars. By using these devices you will be able to re-coup these costs within one year of use. Plus, many utility companies offer their customers rebates for using these devices. Since a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) will last six to twelve times longer and use up to 75% less energy than a regular bulb will, experts calculate that the purchase of one three dollar CFL will be re-payed in energy costs within three months of use. In less than one year, you can recover the cost of purchasing a lighting motion sensor. They cost about fifty dollars and one year is how long it will take to pay back the cost in energy bills in a very expensive state like New York, and as little as five months in a less expensive state, such as Nebraska.

Most people purchase window treatments, such as heavy drapes, blinds or shutters to complete the look they want to establish on the inside of their home. But curtains, drapes, blinds and shutters are also a wonderful investment that will help keep energy costs down, whether you are heating or cooling your home. Attic insulation is also one of the best ways a homeowner can reduce the amount of energy they are paying for in their home, whether it is for heating or cooling. Without proper insulation it will escape via the roof. Expect to pay between $500 and $700 to insulate a 2,000-square foot home. According to experts, insulation can save you up to 25% on heating and cooling costs. Don’t forget to seal air leaks in your home. By simply filling in gaps around your windows and doors and sealing ducts, you can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bill. Last but not least, always replace or clean your air filters. By doing this small task each season you can save 7% in electricity costs per year.  For help with window decorating ideas or those energy saving projects consult my business directory for service providers I know and trust.  Whether you're looking to buy, sell or maintain a home, I look forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs here in Andover, North Andover and the Merrimack Valley.

Most money-saving ideas cost money to implement. Over time, most homeowners come to accept this inevitable fact of home ownership. However, there are some things that are relatively inexpensive that you can do to save money. The best part of them is that the cost can be recovered very quickly so why not implement them?  One of these ways is to install programmable thermostats. Whether you live in a cold-weather state and need your heat on most of the year, or you live in a warm-weather state and cannot live without air-conditioning, pre-setting your indoor temperatures will save you a lot of money!  Just set it and forget it.  Now more than ever it makes sense to save money and energy at home. Installing programmable thermostats can cost anywhere from $50 to $150. This investment allows you to set your heating and cooling to fluctuate at a desired controlled temperature throughout the day and night. For instance, when you sleep you can lower your heat dramatically and have it programmed to turn up on your waking hour. Don’t forget to shop around and compare prices and deals, as many utility companies offer rebates on high-tech thermostats.  For more information about calculating energy costs see the Department of Energy.

Most people keep safety knowledge filed away in their heads and to some people home safety may seem like a matter of common sense.  Yet everyday we see news reports of tragic accidents that happen in people's homes, and sadly many of these could easily be prevented by keeping a written checklist that can be posted in your home and referred to yearly to keep everyone safe.  Here in the Andover Massachusetts area we're still in the grip of winter's cold temperatures, a time of year when serious accidents at home often occur.  With that in mind, here are some tips and reminders about some of the things that may not be so obvious:

• Fire Safety includes keeping pot and pan handles turned away from the outside of the stove when cooking, so they can not be bumped into.
• Keep all space heaters at least one foot away from anything that is flammable, such as furniture, draperies, even people.
• Never store propane tanks indoors.
• Electrical safety includes never putting electrical cords across doorways or under carpets.
• Never plug major appliances into extension cords; separate outlets only.
• Consider an electrical inspection for your home. 400,000 fires per year are due to faulty electric wiring.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms periodically and change batteries yearly.
• Devise a home fire escape plan that includes more than one exit and that every family member knows about.
• Teach children to call 911 from a neighbor’s phone in the event of a fire.
• Affix rugs to the floor to avoid slipping.
• With children in the home, always attach brackets to bookshelves.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the thought of packing, moving and organizing your belongings perhaps you'll find some comfort knowing that you are not alone.  Every home seller I've met has expressed similar feelings. Many home sellers have lived and worked in Andover and North Andover for many years and have the full attics, basements and garages as proof!  Rest assured -- every home seller I've worked with not only has conquered the task successfully  but has told me that settling into their new home was worth all the effort. Moving to a smaller house requires going through your belongings and furniture with the goal of getting rid of some of it. Here are some ways to help you get started and to make the process more manageable.

• Plan Ahead - Don’t wait to start culling until someone has agreed to purchase the home you have had on the market. This could leave you with as little as a couple of weeks to sort through decades of belongings. Start going through your things and getting rid of stuff a month or two before you even put your house on the market. Not only will this give you ample time to decide what you really love and want to keep, but it will also make your house more appealing to potential buyers.
• Include the entire family - Certain objects and possessions mean different things to different family members. Holding onto an old piano that no one ever plays, only means more moving cost and excess unwanted furniture in your new home.
• Photos - Give yourself several days for the task of digitizing all of your family’s photos. Since they are one of our most valued possessions, why not take them out of those giant boxes, scan them and make a CD? This will cut down on a tremendous amount of clutter and it will keep your memories safe forever.
• Shedding basement objects first- Many people put things away in their basements, attics and sheds assuming that someday they may find a need for it again. Seriously consider which items you can live without and start getting rid of them by donating them or selling them.
• “Furnished Home For Sale” - If you are not emotionally attached to your furniture, consider selling them along with the house. This way you save on moving costs and you get to buy all new things for your new home. Not bad!